Foroyaa Newspaper Burning Issue
Issue No. 114/2007, 28 - 30 September, 2007
Editorial
No Respect for ECOWAS Court
If the conduct of the government of the Gambia is to go by, its respect for
the ECOWAS Community Court of Justice leaves much to be desired. It has
persistently failed to appear before this court to give it’s own side of the story
relating to the violation of the human rights of Chief Ebrima Manneh.
On 19 January 2005, Yahya A.J.J. Jammeh, President of the Republic of The
Gambia was among 15 Heads of State and Governments that appended their
signatures to the Supplementary Protocol that amended the 1991 Protocol on the
Community Court of Justice. Article 9 paragraph 4 of this Supplementary Protocol
states:
“The (Community) Court has jurisdiction to determine cases of violation of
human rights that occur in any member state.”
The Government of The Gambia was summoned to defend itself against an
allegation of violation of the human rights of Chief Ebrima Manneh of Daily
Observer. No legal representative appeared on behalf of The Gambia Government on 16
July and 26 September. Does this show respect for the community court or the
Supplementary Protocol that was signed?
Even where the issue of jurisdiction arises a competent lawyer who respects
the law will not boycott the court but will raise the issue in court. There
can be no excuse for the government not to appear in court to defend its human
rights records. In fact many can interpret such acts as evading the courts
because it has nothing to defend.
Now the question arises:
How will the Government respond to the verdict? On 20 November the Community
Court will deliver its verdict. According to Article 19 paragraph 2 of the
protocol on the Community Court of Justice (1991) the decisions of the court “
shall be final and immediately enforceable.” Will the Gambia Government
respect the verdict of the court or will it simply treat the Protocol and the
Community Court as thrash? Let us wait for November 20.
Disappeared Journalist Case Set for Judgment
The Community Court of the Economic Community of West African States
(ECOWAS) in Abuja , Nigeria has set aside November 20, 2007 for judgment on the case
against the Gambian government over the “disappearance” of Chief Ebrima
Manneh, a reporter for the pro-government Banjul-based “Daily Observer”
newspaper.
The three-man panel of judges took the decision following an argument made
by Funmi Falana and Olusola Egbeyemi, representatives of counsel for Manneh,
Nigerian human rights lawyer, Femi Falana. As usual, the Gambian government
despite being duly served with the hearing notice through its High Commission
in Abuja failed to appear.
Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA) brought legal action at the
Community Court demanding an order to compel the government of President Yahya
Jammeh, to immediately release Manneh.
At the last hearing on July 16, 2007, the Gambia government failed to make
an appearance and no explanation was given.
Manneh “disappeared” a week after the July 2006 African Union (AU) Heads of
State summit in Banjul . Colleagues of Manneh witnessed his arrest by two
plainclothes officers of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA) at the premises
of the “Daily Observer”. Since then his whereabouts remain unknown and the
Gambian Security agencies and police continue to deny holding him.
On July 26, 2007, Manneh was placed under guard of personnel of both the
Police Intervention Unit (PIU), (a Para-military wing of the Gambian Police
Force) and Prison Service at the Royal Victoria Teaching Hospital (RVTH), the
Gambia ‘s main hospital, where he had been hospitalised for treatment of high
blood pressure. Eye witnesses later reported to have seen him being transferred
to a military clinic in Banjul .
Jones & Ceesay’s Case
Proceedings Stayed
By Yaya Dampha
The case of Mam Sait Ceesay and Malick Jones was called at the Banjul
Magistrates Court on Wednesday 26 September. When the case was called Cadet A.S.P
Buba Keita announced his appearance for the IGP while Lawyer Antounman Gaye
represented the two accused persons. In his submission, the prosecutor applied
for an adjournment.
He said the magnitude of the case is too high and that it still needs
further investigations. He said up to the time he was speaking in court, the matter
was still being investigated and that the prosecution needs more time to
complete their work. Cadet A.S.P Keita said this is the first time they applied
for an adjournment. Keita urged the court to grant them an adjournment for a
fortnight. For his part defence counsel Gaye applied for the accused persons
to be discharged on the grounds that the court or even the high court lacks
jurisdiction to hear the case. He said the issue of jurisdiction could be
raised any time. He said the accused person should be discharged since evidence
is not yet given. He said the very law in which the accused persons are charged
is section 4 subsection 1 (a) of the Official Secrets Act. Lawyer Gaye
submitted that Section 11 of this Act states one can be arrested, detained and
even be charged as it has happened in this case, but as he said there cannot be
any proceedings in court without a fiat from the (AG) Attorney General.
Prosecutor Keita said he agreed with Gaye’s submission, which dealt with section
11 of the Act. He said the file had been sent to the AG’s chambers for legal
advice. He said this does not mean that the accused persons should be
discharged, even though the prosecution is yet to fulfill the requirements.
The defence counsel said his submission is fundamental; that no further
proceedings shall be made if the conditions are not met, noting anything else is
null and void.
In his ruling, Magistrate B.Y Camara said, the defence counsel’s submission
that this court or any other court does not have jurisdiction to hear this
case have confirmed the fact that there must be a fiat from the Attorney
General. He therefore ruled that the proceedings be stayed until the fiat is
obtained.
Currency Market Still Volatile
By Bubacarr K. Sowe
Mam Cherno Jallow, the Chief Executive Officer of The Gambia Chamber of
Commerce and Industry, has said that the prices of basic commodities would reduce
gradually, since the currency market is still volatile.
“You don’t expect all prices to reduce at the same time. Ii is a gradual
process. Basic commodities such as rice, sugar and cooking oil are going down,”
Mr. Jallow told Foroyaa on Monday.
He opined that the reason why consumers are not feeling a huge price
reduction is that retailers are not axing prices down as the wholesalers have done.
Mr. Jallow said the depreciation of the dollar; euro or pound sterling is
good for both consumers and business people, since it results in low prices
thus making businesses flow rapidly. “The depreciation of the dollar and other
currencies could be a blessing or could create some problems as well,” Mr.
Jallow opined.
He said that the depreciation of the major currencies would be a problem for
people who depend on remittances from abroad.
“Others who will be affected by the depreciating currencies, are those
businessmen who export and re-export.”
“Those coming from outside The Gambia will find the dalasi very expensive,”
he added.
On why certain banks are not buying hard currencies, Mr. Jallow opined that
they might be having enough hard currencies with them.
Tabara Samba Faces Death For Murder
By Fabakary B.Ceesay
Madam Tabara Samba who was standing trial for allegedly murdering her
husband, Mr. Ebrima Nyan by pouring hot oil on him while he was in bed sleeping,
was on Wednesday 26 September convicted and sentenced to death by Magistrate Pa
Harry Jammeh of the Kanifing Magistrates Court.
The judgement was delivered before a crowded court. Enthusiastic onlookers
who were eager to hear the verdict stood next to the windows and at the
vereanda of the court room. The Inspector General of police represented the state
while Lawyer Amie Joof Conteh and Lubna Farrage represented the defence. The
accused was holding prayer beads in her hand and murmuring words. She was
asked to sit down when Magistrate Jammeh started reading his two-hour marathon
judgment.
Jammeh said the accused is charged with murder contrary to section 187 of
the criminal code. He adduced that the prosecution has called ten witnesses and
tendered exhibits, which includes, photos, cautionary statement, statement of
the deceased and a medical certificate. He noted that the defence called two
witnesses, the accused and her brother. Magistrate Jammeh dwelt on the
evidence before the court. He asserted that the totality of the evidence before
him is that the prosecution has proved their case beyond all reasonable doubt.
He said there are two terminologies that emerged in the case that are pouring
and splashing. He said the two words deferred in meaning. Jammeh said the
accused has admitted splashing hot oil on the deceased because she was provoked
by the deceased. He asserted that the accused might have been provoked to
the point of losing control of herself. He noted that a spoon full of hot oil
or even 380ml of hot oil couldn’t do such a severe harm to the whole body of
the deceased. “By watching these photos of the burnt body of the deceased one
cannot believe it is a spoonful of hot oil.” He said there are clear
indications on the photos that the deceased was lying down instead of standing as
claimed by the accused. “I have no doubt that the deceased told the truth that
it was the accused who poured hot oil on him while he was in bed. It was the
intention of the accused to cause bodily harm to the deceased. The accused
said she has been cooking since at a tender age. She is in a better position to
know the consequences of pouring hot oil on somebody. “I hereby convict you
on section 198 of the criminal code, laws of The Gambia”, pronounced Jammeh.
Mitigating on behalf of the accused, counsel Amie Joof Conteh said Madam
Tabara Samba is a 42 year old who represents the voice of every woman in
marriage, who are at some point provoked, beaten and abused in their matrimonial
homes. Counsel Joof Conteh said some women are strong enough to endure the
hardships they encounter while others are weak. “Tabara Samba is among the weak
ones who retaliated”. Mrs. Joof Conteh pointed out that no woman has an
intention to go into marriage to kill her spouse. She noted that the court knows
without doubt that the accused was remorsed throughout the trial. “What has
happened, has happened. We are urging on the most compassionate part of the court
to have mercy on her. She was a devoted wife who mothered three sons all
serving in the service.”
A bad mother would not be able to raise such number of children in marriage.
No marriage is perfect, no man is perfect and no woman is prefect. We urged
the court to convict her with mercy,” said Mrs. Conteh.
Magistrate Jammeh lamented that during the trial the accused has alleged
that she was put in cell alongside men for days without charges preferred
against her. He said the accused is a human being and entitled to her human rights.
He then ordered the IGP to mount an investigation into the matter.
Magistrate Jammeh pronounced the verdict , noting that it was difficult for him to
deliver the judgment in the matter. He said he had observed the accused
throughout the trial, that she had shown remorse but that her actions are inhuman. “
Your actions were deplorable, disgraceful, dishonourable, distressing and
unpity. You are a deceitful personality who can create nightmares for men. My
hands are tied. I hereby convict and sentence you to death in line with section
18-2 of the constitution of The Gambia” said Magistrate Jammeh.
When the magistrate rose, people started arguing about the verdict. Madam
Samba stood motionless in the dock with her head bowed down. She stood in the
dock until the crowd dispersed from the courtroom before she disembarked with
tears rolling down her cheeks.
GFPA Donates Bicycles To Partners & Institutions
By Annia Gaye &Madiba Singhateh
The Gambia Family Planning Association (GFPA) on Wednesday 20th September
2007 donated 210 bicycles worth D357, 000 to partners, individuals, private
institutions and government institutions at a ceremony held at the Association’s
headquarters in Kanifing.
Speaking at this presentation the president of the Association Mr. Abass A.S
Cham expressed his profound gratitude to the volunteers and staff in their
effort to complement Government’s efforts.
The International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF) is the main body that
funds these activities of GFPA and supports the Association.
Mr. Yankuba Dibba, Executive Director, said since 1988 they became part of
the Family Planning Association, which has a membership of 182 member
organisations.
He said over the years they have been engaged in the collection of used
phone cards, which they send to their parent body that in turn send them some
funds which are utilized to buy these bicycles that are being distributed to
their partners. Aja Menge Joof-Gomez, the Vice President of GFPA and Mrs. Awa
Janneh-Lewis- Finance & Administrative Manager did the presentation. Foroyaa is
one such partner to receive a bicycle from the GFPA.
Old Man Arraigned For Injury On Cow
By Modou Jonga
Jerreh Kulai Bojang, a resident of Brikama was on Thursday 27 September,
2007 arraigned in court for allegedly causing injury to a cow on 26 August. The
accused is alleged to have willfully and unlawfully chopped the said cow with
a cutlass. The cow is said to be the property of one Bakary Dembo Santang
Bojang.
When the charged sheet was read to the accused in a language he claimed to
understand, the latter admitted to the court that he injured the said cow but
that the said animal has entered his orchard. The presiding magistrate Njie
ruled that a plea of not guilty be entered for the accused. The prosecutor was
sub-Inspector Saine.
FOCUS ON POLITICS
1987 GENERAL ELECTIONS
OPPOSITION LEADERS LOST THEIR SEATS
We have been focusing on politics in this column with the objective of
bringing forth the past so as to help our young people especially to learn lessons
from it.
We have commenced the narration of events from pre-Colonial to
post-independence era.
We have gone far into the narration of events up to the 1987 general
elections. We have stopped where we said Mr. Camara also denied being engaged in
tribal politics.
Let us continue from where we stopped.
The results of the March presidential and parliamentary elections was
announced on the 11th and 12th of March showing the incumbent Alhagie Sir Dawda K.
Jawara in the lead.
The PPP also won the parliamentary contest as well. According to the PPP
organ, the PPP won in 31 out of the 36 constituencies whilst the incumbent
president won the presidential vote in 32 out of the 36 constituencies.
The president got 59% of the votes cast.
According to the Times, the results of the 1987 polls were not much
different from other election results in the Gambia since independence in 1965.
According to the Times, the victory by Jawara must have surprised many
because as they observed, many did not expect such overwhelming success for the
Gambian leader. They say this is the first time since independence that Jawara
was faced with what looked like a formidable challenge from two experienced
politicians, i.e. Mr. Sheriff M. Dibba and Mr. Assan Musa Camara who were all
his former Vice Presidents and each was leading seemingly well established
national parties.
According to the PPP organ, the second reason why many felt that Jawara may
not have succeeded the way he did was because Gambians had undergone some
harrowing experiences since the 1982 election brought about by an IMF adjustment
programme adopted by the Gambia Government.
The Times agreed that the standard of living following the government’s
decision to let the Dalasi float as part of the ERP had generally declined. What
was however surprising according to the Nation was that in the rural areas
where the inhabitants suffer from lack of progress , both socially and
economically , the PPP appeared to be constant .
The times which has never spoken like this went on to assert that
subsequently there has been more than 100 percent drop in the value of the Dalasi as
well as a general rise in the prices of goods and services. Salary increases,
according to PPP Times were not also allowed during the ERP period.
As far as the elections were concerned, the PPP organ opined that even
though the 1982 elections were conducted under the unusual conditions of state of
emergency just after a bloody attempted coup, this year’s elections were held
in a quiet atmosphere. During the 1982 elections the leader of the main
opposition party NCP, had to contest both the presidential and parliamentary
elections while in detention because of allegations of complicity in the failed
coup.
According to the opinion of the PPP Times some observers must also have
concluded that, having put Jawara in power for 25 years, there was now need for
some change, if not by replacing him altogether then at least by giving him
less support this time around.
The 1987 election results showed that both presidential candidates lost
their seats. The GPP leader has always been in parliament since independence but
lost his seat to a young Pa Mandu Sanyang who stood under the PPP Ticket. Mr.
Sheriff M. Dibba also lost to Dr Lamin Nafa Saho of the PPP..
Mr. Dibba who was 46 years at the time lost by a margin of only 95 votes
whilst Mr. Camara lost by a margin of 510 votes.
Mr. Sidia Jatta and Halifa Sallah, spokes persons of PDOIS did not also win
their seats. However, according to the Times Halifa made a good attempt when
he scored more than 1000 votes in 1987.
According to the Times, both Dibba and Camara would have to consider their
political future. This attempt was Dibba’s third time he had been contesting
for the presidential elections and lost. He had also lost his constituency
seat in the last two-consecutive elections.
The results also showed that Mr. Dibba managed to gain 27% of the votes cast
while Mr. Camara gained 13% of votes cast.
A little survey of the results has shown that with the combined force of the
opposition, Jawara would have had a tougher time.
The combined opposition in 1987 defeated Sir Dawda Jawara in Banjul
Administrative Area by a margin of 880 votes. The combined opposition also defeated
president Jawara in the presidential vote by 1233 votes in KMC area.
Looking at the overall percentage, the combined opposition polled 41% of the
votes cast country-wide. The sad thing about Gambian democracy is that
whilst 41% of the Gambian voters opposed the policies of the government, they had
to endure with it for another five years with only 6 representatives in
parliament. This means that the vast majority of the opposition supporters had not
been represented in parliament.
Sir Dawda fared well mainly in the rural areas. In the Brikama
administrative area he scored 20,715 whilst the combined opposition scored 15,955 votes.
In Mansa Konko administrative area, the PPP gained 12,102 while the combined
opposition came out with 6555 votes. In Kerewan, the PPP score was 22,871
whilst the opposition combined came out with 18,41d1 votes. In Georgetown, PPP
had 28,510 and the opposition had 13,134.
For Basse , the president had 23,791 whilst the opposition had 13,530 votes.
In parliamentary elections the opposition would have captured many places if
they had combined their strength.
For example, in Lower Niumi Mr. Dodou Ngom managed to win by a margin of
only 51 votes but with the combined votes of Jain Colley Faye GPP and Jerreh
Jammeh NCP he would have been defeated by 854 votes.
Similarly Dr. Lamin Nafa Saho had a margin of 95 votes over Sheriff M. Dibba
but with the combined votes of GPPs Abdoulie Jaiteh’s, Mr. Saho would have
been defeated by a margin of 19 votes. Again in Eastern Wuli Mr. Seni
Singhateh was elected with a majority of 385 votes but with the combined votes of the
opposition he would have lost with a margin of 72 votes.
The tactical Alliance suggested by the PDOIS was rejected by the two main
parties at the time perhaps because of the feeling that PDOIS was not only a
new party but that they had no structures on the ground and no influence
whatsoever except the symparthy they may have from the people that as intellectuals
who had sacrificed to stand for their principles.
The other consideration for the lack of collaboration must have been the
feeling that with tactical alliance a new party may succeed in registering a
seat in the parliament, which may create future obstacles for them.
What is however not in doubt is the fact that Mr. Dibba especially have
always been suspicious of intellectuals to the extent of urging his supports to
distrust them. As for Mr. Camara, he may have been over confident of winning.
Jawara however lost the urban vote in 1987 to the combined opposition. Many
attributed that to the lack of employment opportunities and the high cost of
living generally.
Others also attributed it to the February 13th student disturbances, which
drew the public’s attention to their vital needs. According to the press
release of the students, “the voice of the Gambia student’s union” the students
said it has never been their intention to perform such a strike, which they
dubbed “an operation,” but due to unbearable circumstances which they said
the Education Department was aware of, but decided to ignore it.
They said their action was seen to be the only option to liberate them or as
they dared said, die in the cause of it.
The students lamented lack of transportation facilities (very few school
buses) which they said made life unbearable for them. The students vowed to
continue if the police would not release their colleagues. They also urged the
authorities to allow those students who were suspended or expelled to resume
classes.
See next issue as we analyze post 1987 elections.
MARRIAGE AND FAMILY
BLACKMAIL, JUSTICE AND SENTIMENT
Part 7
Detect And Greg
Detective Desmond gave Greg a full report of his wife. “Your wife is under
blackmail. The blackmailer has already received over ten million from her”. “
What! Who is defrauding my family through my wife?” “Keep calm! I don’t have
his identity yet. Don’t ask your wife any question. Blackmailers always call
again. We will surely get him soon”. Desmond reassured Greg. “Get him fast
before I get him”. Desmond gave Greg Daado’s fallen earring.
Daado At Home
Today Daado is at home preparing a delicacy for her husband. That is a ‘
Domooda’ (a groundnut soup) and ‘findoo’ with mutton. Greg loved Daado’s
cooking. “I cannot eat anywhere. My wife is the best of cooks. My mum would have
cursed me if she were alive”. “Why?” Daado asked. “Because her son cannot eat
any food other than his wife’s. The duo would then laughed over the joke.
Daado is now ready to serve Greg his food. The phone rang. Greg took it. The
blackmailer changed his voice and mimicked. He asked for Daado and announced he
was Angela, and proclaimed to be Daado’s business partners. Greg became
suspicious. He firmly believed the voice was that of a male mimicking to be a
female. Daado was panicky but she pretended to be calm. “Here take the phone”. “
Who is it?” she asked. “She said she is Angela but I firmly believed it to
be a male voice”. Daado took the phone and pretended to be talking to Angela.
Justin threatened her and made another appointment with her. All the while,
Daado pretended to be speaking to Angella her supposed business partner. Greg
was suspicions. “Give me the idiot! Can I talk to her?” Daado quickly put
the phone down. “She had left. Let me go and get your drink”. Greg was not
convinced.
Daado Visited Her Lawyer
Cynthia is Daado’s university batch mate. Even though they were in different
departments they still liked and appreciated each other. Cynthia now ran her
own chambers. Daado decided to make her personal lawyer. She visited Cynthy’
s Chambers. Daado broke down. She intimated Cynthia with the facts. “I am
losing it Cynthy! This man is choking me. He had already extorted over ten
million from me. And now he have developed another line of interest”. “What is it?
” Cynthy asked. “He is asking me for sex. I can’t. He has to kill me first.
Justin is wicked and mean”. “Does your husband know about the blackmailing?”
Cynthy asked. “No! He has not. Infact, Justin is Greg’s business
associate, his friend”. “Which Justin are you referring to? Is it Docter Justin?” “
Yes! Docter Justin”. Daado replied. “Docter Justin is a drug suspect. We are
trying to set a trap for him”. Cynthia gave her courage. “We will get him
Mrs. Johnson, we will get him! This time no smart lawyer can set him free”. “Be
quick about it! I am losing it!” Daado pleaded.
Desmond Visits Cynthia
Desmond is Cynthia’s friend. She sometimes used his services as a private
investigator in some of her criminal cases. Cynthia discussed about Daado’s
case. “Who Mrs. Daado Johnson?” Desmond asked. “Do you know her?” Cynthy
asked. “Yes! Her husband hired me to investigate her. She is being blackmailed and
the blackmailer is her husband’s business associate. Greg does not know
about it”. “Fine!” Said Cynthy. “We have to strategize to tackle the problem.
You are the best in town. You never disappointed me”. Said Cynthy “Tell Daado
to be calm. Tell her we are ready for action”.
Greg Meets Justin
Greg met Justin to discuss a business proposal put down by Docter. Greg was
going out with Daado to an executive meeting when he met Justin who called
him aside to talk about his business proposal. He hypocritically apologized to
Daado. “Please give me a minute Madam to speak to your husband”. Daado
became edgy, afraid and worried. She feared Docter will expose her and make her
earn the wrath of Greg. Greg agreed to do business with him for mutual benefit.
Greg entered his car. And as Daado tried to enter Docter spoke into her ear
and irritated her. She ignored him and entered her husband’s car.
Daado Pays A Visit To Cynthia
Daado was agitated. She cried over Cynthia’s shoulders. Cynthia took five
minutes to calm her nerves. “Justin almost told Greg everything”. “How? What
do you mean?” “Exactly what I said”. Desmond entered Cynthy’s office. “Sit
down Desmond”. Daado got scared. “Good morning Mrs. Johnson”. “Good morning!”
Daado replied. “How did you know me?” Cynthy came into the discussion. “
Well Daado! This is the detective I told you about. He is the best in town”.
Desmond answered her question. “Greg gave me a contract to investigate you”.
Daado was surprised. “Investigate me? Why?” “Your husband knows you are being
blackmailed. What he does not know is by who? He does not know that his
friend is the blackmailer. Keep calm! Don’t let your husband suspect you know
anything. Everything is under control”. Daado agreed. “we have laid a trap for
the blackmailer”. Desmond left. Daado cried. Cynthy counseled her. “Take it
easy on yourself. Everything is under control”.
Daado Goes To Justin’s House
Daado took the bull by the horn. She was quite agitated. She visited Justin’
s house to retrieve the video cassette. She got a spare key and opened the
house. Daado in her hurry put the house upside down. She searched everywhere
and found nothing.
Worst Case Scenario
What did she see? Justin and Greg entered the house. Justin was surprised. “
Your house is upside down what happened?” Greg asked. “Is it burglary?” “I
don’t know. I am confused as well. What is happening?” They heard foot
steps. They waited. Who opened the door? Daado opened it and bounced over Justin
and Greg. She almost fainted. She was shocked. She ran away. Greg was
flabbergasted. Daado left her bag behind. “This is a zig-saw puzzle! What is my wife
doing in your house Docter?” Justin answered rudely. “Question your wife!
What is your dumb wife doing in my house? Look at how she put my house upside
down!” Greg became disappointed and dumbfounded. Greg started to go. Justin
called Greg back. “No business talk?” Greg turned back and started to leave. “
If you’ll not talk business, come back and collect your wife’s shit on your
way out”. Greg collected Daado’s back and started to leave. He turned to
Justin and said. “I’ll be back!” “Am waiting!” Justin replied. As Greg left
Justin jumped up and glee. He is vain and mean.
Disability Does not Mean Inability
CHALLENGING DISCRIMINATION
Culled from “A Handbook on Mainstreaming Disability” Published by VSO
We have found that the most effective way to challenge discrimination is for
disabled people to demonstrate that they can participate in society. Telling
people that discrimination is wrong cannot match the impact of seeing
disabled people working, bringing up children or performing similarly respected
roles within their community.
VSO volunteers who have impairments can also play this role in some
situations, although it is important not to focus this responsibility on disabled
volunteers, who are recruited for their professional skills and expertise, not
because of their impairment. In addition, non disabled people may not take the
ability of a disabled person from a rich country to participate as a sign
that disabled people from their own community can do same.
Non-disabled people’s biggest contribution is to support and empower the
disabled to play this self-advocacy role. This can be as simply providing
mobility assistance or other enabling supports, or even pencil and paper, as in one
case study from Papua New Guinea. VSO volunteers and programme staff also
have a role to play in building the capacity of DPOs to express their
priorities.
We can all be role models of more equitable relationships between disabled
and non-disabled people. The simplest way to do this is just to interact with
disabled people in public, especially in wider social events, for example
encourage non-disabled and disabled children to play together or inviting a
local disabled adult to accompany us to a social gathering. For example, one of
VSO Indonesia’s partner organizations working with children with autism
regularly takes the children out shopping. Staff encouraging the children to ask
for what they want, and have conversations with the children in public. This
has led local shopkeepers recognizing and interacting directly with the
children, rather than their caregiver.
It can be difficult to challenge discrimination, especially when it is seen
as having roots in local or national culture. People who were brought up
within that culture, including national staff, may find it hard to raise these
sensitive issues, or may see attempt to address them as an attack on their
culture. Expatriates, including VSO volunteers, are rightly cautious of imposing
inappropriate values or undermining the culture of their host country.
However, culture is not uniform or static. Every culture is made up
different streams, and these streams are constantly interacting with each other,
changing and being changed. The cultural values attached to disability and
impairment are not always negative for example. The traditional values stories
often attribute particular wisdom to blind people. Societies that have recently
experienced wars of liberation tend to link disabled people with veterans, who
are often admired and supported with states benefits, although this may
largely benefit men with visible impairments such as missing limbs.
Disabled people are part of their country’s culture too, and their
perspective is as important as anyone else’s. We have mentioned that it is more
effective to demonstrate disabled people’s participation than to tell people to
change their attitudes. This is why it is so important for disabled people to
be actively involved in every stage of disability mainstreaming. Many
disabled people are already working for change themselves, and VSO has a
legitimate role to support them.
While attitudes are clearly important, it is generally more effective to
focus on changing behaviour. Neither VSO nor anyone else is in a position to
police people’s thoughts. However, if we come across discriminatory or
disrespectful behavior, or hear people using derogatory language, it is possible to
ask them why they are behaving like that.
It will not help to alienate colleagues and partners. It is important to
find ways of approaching these issues that are appropriate to the context, based
on relationship of trust with people around us. We also need to consider our
own attitudes and values – these are shaped by culture and experience like
everyone else’s, and it is essential to recognize where we are coming from as
well as where we are trying to go.
INTERACTING WITH DISABLED PEOPLE
Many non-disabled people are ill at ease when interacting with disabled
people. They may be nervous about accidentally causing offence, or simply
embarrassed because they have not spent much time with disabled people.
There are some simple rules that can help those who are uncertain about how
to behave. The main principle is to treat everyone with courtesy and respect,
including disabled people. Treat each person as an individual, with her own
way of interacting.
Other general guidelines include:
· Speak direct to the person, in the same way as you would to
anyone else, not her interpreter or assistant.
· Speak normally and clearly. Don’t rust your words, shout or
mumble. If you are talking to a person with limited hearing, check that she can
understand you.
· Get on the same eye level, and look the person in the eye
(assuming this is actually appropriate). This is the best way of making sure that
your attention is on her and what she is saying.
· Don’t treat a disabled adult like a child. Talk to her like an
adult. A person’s impairment may prompt your concern – but don’t restrict her
freedom.
· Offer assistance, but don’t help someone without asking first.
If you are helping someone, always do what she asked you, not what you think
is best.
· Try not to stare if something about the person seems unusual to
you – while many disabled people are used to being looked at, staring will
make anybody self-conscious and uncomfortable.
· Avoid language which you know is rude or derogatory. When
talking about people, refer to them by their name rather than their impairment.
· Be polite. Treat the person the same way as you would treat
anyone else.
VSO GHANA: PRSP CONSULTATION
The World Bank invited the Ghana federation of the disabled (a VSO partner)
to a civic society videoconference in April 2005 with Jim Wolfensohn, the
president of the World Bank. GFD invited VSO to participate as well, along with
other organisations working in disability. Civil society groups in Senegal,
Peru, Japan and Belgium also participated.
Before the videoconference, MacDuff Phiri, VSO Ghana’s disability programme
Manager, arranged a meeting of all the invited organisations to agree on a
common position. This preparation was vital in presenting a coherent message.
While the other country groups discussed a wide range of development issues,
the Ghana team focused on including disability in development planning.
HEALTH AND NUTRITION BANTABA
Raising Awareness On Malaria
By Yaya Bayo
The Scourge of Malaria has become an outstanding public health concern at
this time of the year around the continent, particularly sub-Saharan Africa.
Research suggests that about 200 million people get malaria in tropical
countries every year, and about 2 million die of it.
A single-cell organism called plasmodium causes this deadly epidemic.
Interestingly enough, the female of the Anopheles Mosquito spreads it. The mode of
transmission of the single-cell organism should be known by all and sundry
with a view to putting contingent measures in place to avert its transmission
from an infected person to a non-infected one.
The plasmodium lives in the salivary glands of an infected female Anopheles
Mosquito. The mosquito feeds on human blood. When it bites in order to take a
meal of blood, the saliva enters the blood taking with it the parasites. The
blood carries them to the liver where they enter the cells, feed and
multiply rapidly. Later the parasites invade the bloodstream and enter the red blood
cells. Inside the red blood cells, the plasmodium grows again and
reproduces. The new parasites then break out, destroying the red cells and producing
poisonous substances. This causes very severe fever with high temperature and
sweating. Eventually the fever passes but returns again and again as long as
the parasites remain in the body. Next time the infected person is bitten by a
mosquito, some of the parasites are taken into the mosquito’s stomach. Here t
hey continue to multiply. They break through the stomach wall and pass in
the bloodstream to the salivary glands. They wait here until they are passed on
to the next healthy person the mosquito bites.
Symptomatically, the typical attack of malaria has three stages. It begins
with a feeling of cold, headache and weakness. There is shivering for 15
minutes to one hour. Very serious fever, often 40°c or more follows this. The
person is weak and sometimes not in his right mind. The fever may last several
hours or days. Then the person begins to sweat as his temperature comes down.
People who have malaria often and over a long period of time may develop an
enlarged spleen and anemia. Anyone who suspects he/she has malaria or suffers
from repeated fevers should report to a health centre.
Malaria can be controlled, if everyone co-operates. All the control measures
should be practiced at the same time.
One method is the destruction of the mosquito. The adults can be killed by
spraying surfaces on which they may settle with benzence hexachloride (BHC) or
dieldrin. Aerosol spray may be used to kill them in the houses. However, it
is best to use those, which do not contain chloropfluoro carbons (CFC’s).
Moreover, the larvae and pupae (young) can be destroyed by spraying on the
surface of pools and marshes where mosquitoes breed. The oil lowers the
surface tension of the water, causing the larvae and pupae to sink and drown.
However, the recent biolarvicide exercise undertaken by the officials of the
Department of State for Health in the gutters and other drainage outlets of Banjul
is a worthwhile venture in the crusade against the malaria scourge in the
country. This is a laudable initiative, which is embraced by all, especially
the residence of Banjul. The Department of State for Health also promised to
extend similar ventures to other parts of the country where the population of
mosquitoes is quite noticeable. Notwithstanding, this should be done before
rather than after the “Malaria Season” begins in earnest in the country.
Additionally, fish such as topminnow can be introduced into the water to
feed on the larvae and pupae. The breeding grounds too can be drained or
completely filled with sand.
Another highly placed traditional way of preventing mosquito bites is by
sleeping under insecticide treated mosquito nets (ITNs) and also covering
windows with a fine-mesh screen to keep them out. It is gratifying to note at this
point that, the Association of Youths Against Malaria (TAYAM), UNICEF.
Department of State for Health’s National Malaria Control Programme component and
other partners recently embarked on bed net dipping campaign in Western Health
Region to curb the menace of malaria. This campaign which is conducted free
of charge is aimed at preventing our children, pregnant women and the general
populace at large from the scourge of malaria.
In addition, wearing long sleeved shirts and trousers in the evening in
mosquito infested areas will also help prevent bites on arms and legs. Smearing
repellant creams on exposed skin may also prevent bites. More importantly,
taking regular weekly doses of preventive (prophylaxis) drugs will tremendously
help in the prevention process.
Finally, malaria is treated with anti-malarial drugs, but unfortunately, the
parasite seems to have developed resistance to some of these drugs.
Therefore, a trained medical worker’s advice should be sought before taken these
drugs.
In Gambian Pair Clash in Austria
Pa Saikou Get the Better of Modou Jange
By Modou Nyang
Pa Saikou Kujabi’s SV Josko Fenster Ried defeated Modou Jange’s SCR Altach
3-0 on Wednesday pushing them deeper into the relegation dogfight. Ried
completed a league double against Altach who currently occupies 9 position in the
10 team Austrian Bundesliga liga.
Jange’s Altach put up big fight in the first half before the home side
rallied in the second to score 3 straight goals, Hamdi Salihi firing a double and
Daniel Toth completing the rout. But Pa Saikou did not end the match as he
was sent off in the 78th minute for a second bookable offence.
Modou Jange playing in attack, first tested Ried’s goalkeeper with a 11th
minute strike and Hans-Peter Berger responded well to the challenge. Jange cut
through the packed Ried defence and forced a powerful shot towards goal but
Berger was up to the task, parrying to ball to his right for a corner. Berger
who before the start of the match was presented with an award by the Austrian
National League for best goalkeeper for the previous season, showed that his
heroics that led to the award were not a fluke either. Altach mount pressure
on the Ried defence and in the 16th minute, Roland Kirchler forced another
wonder save from Berger. Berger showed his class by thwarting another
succession of chances from Altach striker Patrick Mayer in the 18th and 33rd
minutes.But when Altach felt they had got the breakthrough just before the end of
the first half when Karsten Hutwelker beat Berger to slot home, the central
blew offside.
Ried having survived a first half from a determined Altach side, made no
mistake after the resumption of hostilities in the second, as leading scorer
Hamdi Salihi fired them into the lead just 10 minutes into the half. Altach
regrouped in a bid to avoid a repetition of their first leg home defeat to Ried
back in July. And as they fought to keep their area off the threat of Altach,
Pa Saikou got sent off for repeated offences. But the loss seemed to have
tilted in Ried’s favour as Salihi fired back to score his second late on in the
86th minute to secure all three points before Toth, rounded up the day with
the third in the 90th.
SV Josko Fenster Ried this season completed played a double against SCR
Altach scoring six times. Ried won their first leg encounter 3-2 away to Altach
in July, with Pa Saikou Kujabi scoring Ried’s opener in that epic encounter.
3 New Magistrates Sworn In Office
By Fabakary B. Ceesay
Three new magistrates were on Wednesday 26 September sworn into office. The
trio is, Mrs. Kumba Sillah Camara, Mrs. Sainabou Wadda Ceesay and Mrs. Sagar
Cecelia Jahateh. They were all members of the Bar, but they later decided to
join the magisterial bench.
In her opening remarks, the President of the Bar Association Mrs. Amie
Bensouda noted that in The Gambia, the Magisterial bench is mostly drawn from the
ranks of law graduates. She said these three did their Bar training and are
qualified legal practitioners. She noted that the three magistrates come to
the bench with a much richer experience, as hitherto all of them are barristers
and solicitors of the High Court of the Gambia. Mrs. Bensouda indicated that
for forty years, the bench is still agonizing over judges, magistrates, and
state counsels. “We are still wondering around from jurisdiction to
jurisdiction begging for lawyers who would serve our people,” said Mrs. Bensouda.
In her statement, the Attorney General and Secretary of State for Justice,
Mrs. Marie Saine Firdaus said she had worked with all the three sisters when
the trio was defence counsels while she was a prosecutor. She pointed out that
there is no doubt that the newly appointees are fit and proper persons to
serve in the magistracy. SoS Saine Firdaus advised the newly appointed that the
path they have chosen is an honourable one and requires each of them to
execute their responsibilities with dedication, commitment and diligence without
fear or favour, affection or ill will to the best of their abilities. She
said the magistracy has been playing a pivotal role in the administration of
justice. She threw light on the volume of cases adjudicated at that level. The
Attorney General indicated that the task of a magistrate is more challenging,
but are in line to ensure widely access to justice. “I would also want to
assure you that the Department of State for Justice will continue to work
closely with the judiciary in ensuring a better and more efficient administration
of Justice, ensuring that Gambians serve as lawyers, judges and magistrates
all over the country to make access to justice a reality and bring it closer to
the people,” she said.
The Chief Justice, Abdou Kareem Savage, highlighted the government’s policy
to meet 95 per cent Gambianisation by the year 2011. Chief Justice Savage
noted that their interventions a re to train and develop the Cadre of
magistrates to prepare them for higher judicial functions. The Chief justice explained
the three points, which a magistrate should be doing. She said they should be
competent, shall have the ability to utilize the knowledge from their
academic and professional training to deliver justice. “Competence requires that
judicial officers employ the analytical, interpersonal, leadership, managerial
and administrative skills”. Justice Savage added that the second part is to
do justice. “Doing justice entails playing the game by the rule. It implies
fairness, insistence on the due process and the maintenance of the rule of law.
Doing justice is ensuring that justice is not only done but is seen to be
done. You cannot do justice without adhering to the rules,” said Justice
Savage. He noted that the third thing is to do justice for no other consideration
but for justice itself. Savage told the newly sworn-in magistrates that
motivation as magistrates and Judicial officers should at all times be, to deliver
justice. “You should not be driven by power, arrogance or material
consideration”. He said if one does justice but your motivation is for other things
order than justice, then your conscience will not allow you to thrive. Justice
Savage finally said “You the judge; if you are for the people, the door of
goodness would be opened, if you are not for the people, the door of evil and
chaos”. The vote of thanks on behalf of the newly appointed magistrates was
delivered by Magistrate Sainabou Wadda Ceesay. The ceremony was held at the
chief Justice office.
Heavy Storm Hits Busura
By Modou Jonga
A heavy rainfall accompanied by heavy storm over the weekend resulted in the
destruction of buildings in more than eight compounds at Busura in the Kombo
Central. The heavy wind has also demolished the buildings of Fioretti
Nursery School and the Lower Basic Cycle School at the said place. Some of the
corrugated iron roofs of the affected buildings were detached by the strong storm.
Speaking to this reporter, the village head of Busura, Omar Faye lamented
that a total of eight compounds and the youth centre were seriously affected by
the heavy storm on the 15 and 16 September 2007 respectively. According to
Mr. Faye, neighbours are currently sheltering some of the victims of the heavy
wind. He urged the Government and other philanthropic organisations and
individuals to assist the victims.
The principal of Busura Basic Cycle School Mr. Nfally Badjie said five
classroom blocks including the library and his office were destroyed by the heavy
storm. Mr. Badjie said the effects of the storm are grave, noting it will
seriously derail the learning process. He said classes would be congested
because of inadequate space to accommodate the pupils.
The head of FIORETTI Nursery School, Mr. Alhagie Malick Camara, noted that
the roof of the two-classroom building was removed by the storm on Saturday 5
September. He said this happened around 2 pm. He said the school clinic is
affected by the storm. He lamented that some stationeries and ten bags of cement
were damaged by the storm. Mr. Camara noted that learning at his school
would be halted due to lack of sufficient space to accommodate the pupils. He
further urged the authorities to assist his school so that early childhood
education can be offered satisfactorily. Many victims lamented the scale of the
damage caused by the heavy storm.
A compound owner and a victim, Abdou Jarju, noted that he and his family
woke up late in the night when their corrugated iron roof was completely removed
by the wind. Mr. Jarju lamented that his building was flooded due to the
heavy down pour. He said their neighbour accommodated his children. He stated
that due to the flooded house, two bags of sugar and three bags of rice got
soaked in the water. Mr. Jarju called on the government and other organisations
to urgently help them out of the present predicament.
A shopkeeper, Musa Dem lamented that the roof of his shop was removed; that
his shop was flooded with water and as a result, bags of sugar, rice and
other commodities got soaked in the water. He noted that the total cost of the
affected commodities is estimated at four thousand dalasis. Another victim Ida
Faye noted that the heavy storm has destroyed part of her building; that one
bag of rice and three bags of cement got soaked in water when the roof of her
building was removed and destroyed by the heavy storm.
GTB Donates To Disaster Victims
By Modou Jonga
Guaranty Trust Bank, Gambia Limited on Monday 24 September, 2007 donated
twenty bags of rice, ten bags of sugar and plastic buckets worth over twenty
thousand dalasis to various disaster victims. The ceremony was held at the Bank’
s Sub-branch in Brikama
In his welcoming remarks, the Public Relations Officer of Brikama Area
Council Mr. Seringe Joof noted that the donation came in the wake of an appeal
launched by the Western Region Disaster and Relief Committee following numerous
natural disasters that hit Kerewan, Brikama, and other places. Mr. Joof
commended the Management of Guaranty Trust Bank for the benevolent gesture.
In his statement, the Governor of Western Region Mr. Abdou F.M Badjie who is
also the Chairman of the Western Region Disaster and Relief Committee
lamented the alarming rate of natural disasters in the region. He expressed hope
that the donation will uplift the morale of the disaster victims.
While commending the Guaranty Trust Bank for the service it is rendering to
the public, the Regional Governor, assured the Management of GT/Bank that the
donated items will reach the affected victims. Mr. Badjie commended the
members of his committee for their unflinching cooperation. The donated items
were handed over by a representative of GT/Bank, Mr. Bittage to Governor Abdou
Badjie. The Chairman of Brikama Area Council, Mr. Ousman Gaye thanked the bank
on behalf of the recipients.
In Pirang Land Trial,
Accused Persons Discharged
By Modou Jonga
Senior Magistrate E. F. M’bai of the Brikama Magistrates Court on Tuesday
25th September 2007 discharged fourteen accused persons, all of them residents
of Pirang in the Kombo East.
The fourteen who pleaded not guilty were dragged to court by the state on
30th July 2007 for allegedly entering the farm of M. G Fielder on 28th July and
damaging the animal feed planted by the said M. G. Fielder.
When the case was called on Tuesday 25th September, Magistrate M’bai noted
that the case was adjourned till 25th September. He stated that the prosecutor
told the court that his witness was not yet in court and as such, the case
was stood down and later deferred.
Magistrate M’bai noted that the prosecution witness and the prosecutor ASP
Camara were absent. He stated that no reason was advanced for the absence of
the prosecutor. He said all the accused persons were present in court that day
except the third accused person.
Magistrate M’bai noted that it is the ultimate responsibility of the
prosecutor to proceed with his case and be resolved to prove it beyond reasonable
doubt, but that the prosecutor has done the contrary. He accordingly discharged
all the accused persons on the charges preferred against them.
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