WOMEN FOR DEMOCRACY AND DEVELOPMENT (WODD) is potential good news for The
Gambia and not so good news for Mr. Jammeh. If our sisters and mothers can
rally their resources for the forces of truth and justice and against the
forces of regression in our country, the near future portends very
interesting times indeed. Good luck to WODD.
Baba
>From: [log in to unmask]
>Reply-To: The Gambia and related-issues mailing list
><[log in to unmask]>
>To: [log in to unmask]
>Subject: Fwd: Foroyaa Newspaper Burning Issues No. 136/2007, 19 - 20
>November 2007
>Date: Tue, 27 Nov 2007 22:22:17 EST
>
>Foroyaa Newspaper Burning Issues
>Issue No. 136/2007, 19 - 20 November 2007
>Editorial
>FOROYAA WELCOMES WOMEN FOR
>DEMOCRACY AND DEVELOPMENT (WODD)
>ON THE STAGE OF PROGRESSIVE ACTIVISM
>The women movement had largely been strangulated by the APRC regime after
>the arrest and long detention of Duta Kamaso, the former member of
>parliament
>for Wuli East. Duta was humiliated and sent out of the ruling party which
>made her to automatically lose her seat. The next casualty was Ndey Njie.
>Even
>though, she was among the three women who won seats in the 2002
>Parliamentary
>elections she was dropped during the selection process for candidature in
>the 2007 Parliamentary Election.
>Hence most women who have aspirations to serve their people have taken the
>back seat as relatives caution them on the dangers of politics. Some
>merely
>hope for political appointments as Ministers. Consequently, there are only
>2
>elected women in the Gambian Parliament. Since the APRC regime has
>retained the
>monarchical powers kept by Jawara in appointing some members of the
>National Assembly, a system inherited from the colonial governors, two
>other women
>have been appointed to increase the number of women parliamentarians to
>four; two elected and two appointed.
>The Women for Democracy and Development (WODD) have recognised that the
>women constitute half of the Gambian population and are the most active
>voters.
>However they are the most neglected and marginalized from the decision
>making
>organs of the country.
>WODD intends to change the trend by waging a nationwide campaign to
>sensitise women in particular and the society as a whole to acknowledge
>the role of
>women as partners in decision making and development. It plans to promote
>the
>emergence of sovereign Gambian women who are the architects of their own
>destiny through civic education, literacy projects, mass sensitisation and
>cooperative ventures.
>Foroyaa welcomes WODD’s plan to prepare as many women as possible for
>leadership. It is anticipated that through the cooperation between WODD,
>Foroyaa
>and the People’s Centre a massive civic education drive will be
>consolidated
>in 2008 and beyond so that the aim of WODD to pioneer the involvement of
>women in elections as candidates up to the level of the presidency will be
>enhanced. It is anticipated that the 2012 Parliamentary elections will
>witness the
>largest participation of women candidates than the country had ever seen.
>Foroyaa wishes to offer WODD a column for its exclusive use to propagate
>its
>programmes: This includes a column in its emerging Web site, which will be
>officially launched on 1st January 2008. The People’s Centre also offers
>20.000
>dalasi as a start to initiate a joint programme with WODD to train 30
>adults in
>literacy and numeracy with specific emphasis on the raising of their civic
>and political awareness, so that they can serve as change agents and
>pioneers
>in promoting the rights and welfare of women in particular and the people
>as
>a whole. This will commence in January 2008.The People’s Centre will
>also
>produce small booklets in the local languages to be utilised as reading
>and
>learning materials to promote civic awareness, leadership qualities and
>participatory practices in promoting general awareness and welfare of the
>community.2008 shall be declared The Year of Enlightenment. Massive civic
>education shall
>be done to consolidated the principle of the sovereignty of the people.
>Before the end of 2008 it is anticipated that these trained women will
>become
>enlightenment circles leaders in major population centres who will guide
>women
>in their programme. They will be assisted to form cooperatives for mutual
>benefit schemes and to form enlightenment to promote general awareness.
>All women who are genuinely interested in the empowerment of their fellow
>women in particular and the people as a whole should give their moral,
>physical, intellectual, material and financial support to WODD.
>
>Marabout Hamadi Sowe Still In Detention
>By Fabakary B. Ceesay
>Marabout Hamadi Sowe, who was charged for concealment of treason in
>connection with the 21 March 2006 coup plot is still incarcerated at the
>State
>Central Prison. It is more than 18 months since the state counsel informed
>the
>court about the state’s intention to withdraw the case but has not been
>effected.
>Sowe was arrested at his residence in Ebo Town, almost a week after the
>March 21 coup d’etat against the government. He was first charged
>alongside Alieu
>Jobe and others but his trial was later separated. Sowe was tried alone by
>Justice Sanji Monageng of the High Court.
>In November last year, Mrs. Marley Woods, the state counsel, informed the
>court about the state’s intention to withdraw the case. Again in mid
>November,
>she told the court that they could not file the intended notice of
>discontinuation of the case due to circumstances beyond their control.
>Mrs. Woods,
>however applied for an adjournment, noting that by the proceedings date
>the
>document would be available in court. The case was adjourned to the end
>of that
>month. Since then Marabout Hamadi Sowe has been languishing in detention
>and
>his case has not proceeded in court.
>According to his family members, they were also informed by the defence
>counsel about the intention of the state to withdraw the trial of their
>family
>head. They lamented that they have waited for one year for his release but
>to
>no avail. They said that the family members do visit him at Mile Two
>prison on
>a weekly basis. The family members explained that Hamadi Sowe is very
>distressed about his continued detention and the fact that his fate is
>still
>unkown. They said that Hamadi is a Gambian national from Saloum. They
>called on the
>authorities to consider the plight of the family of Hamadi and to release
>him.
>
>AT THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
>Sidia’s Reaction To Amendment Of Local Govt Act
>“I Joined Politic Not To Promote Dictatorism And Absolutism” - Sidia
>In his contribution to the amendment which sought among other things to
>give
>power to the president to dismiss mayors, chairpersons and councilors,
>Sidia
>said that he has not joined politics to promote dictatorship and
>absolutism.
>He said he has joined politics to help empower the people to manage their
>own affairs. He said he is not interested in usurping power from the
>people. He
>contended that law amendment is not an easy matter particularly when one
>is
>dealing with a constitution. The sections are so interconnected that if
>you
>touch one section it is likely to impact on other sections. “How many
>times
>have we been getting amendments on this Local Government Act? It is
>because
>when amendments are proposed, the interconnectedness of the sections to be
>amended are never treated properly. This particular amendment, to me, has
>come to
>make Local Government elections unnecessary, absolutely unnecessary! The
>fundamental objective of the new local government act is to empower the
>people to
>make it possible for them to participate effectively and positively in the
>management of their own affairs. That is the fundamental objective of the
>local
> government act! But that is being taken away piece meal from them. The
>seconder of the motion (Hon. Sulayman Joof) said that this amendment is a
>straightforward one and we should not waste time. How can we when the
>authority and
>sovereignty of the people are being assassinated in this very Assembly?
>How on
>earth can an elected person be removed from office by an individual? Where
>do we have that? What is the essence of election then, if many can elect
>and
>one individual can remove that person elected by the many from office? I
>ask
>myself, is there need for election for such a position? There is no need!
>We
>have to come to terms with what we want. Do we want to empower the people
>to
>manage their own affairs or do we want to disempower them? Do we want to
>usurp
>their power and make them powerless and appoint some people to improperly,
>ofcourse, manage their affairs? This amendment is unnecessary! It is
>disempowering people! How can chairpersons, mayors/mayoress be dismissed
>from office
>when they are elected by the people? Mayors/chairpersons are elected
>through
>universal adult suffrage and somebody can come and remove them from
>office;
>and that is fine! What is the essence of election then? There is no need
>for
>somebody to vote for anyone under such a circumstance! I am vehemently
>opposed
>to this amendment because it does not serve the purpose for which the
>local
>government act historically has come to serve in this country and that is,
>making it possible for people to manage their affairs; empowering them;
>giving
>them confidence to have the ability to manage their own affairs. That is
>the
>aim and objective of the new local government act but we are going
>backward to
>pre Independence situation. We have to be decided as to whether we want to
>empower the people or we want to disempower them. You talk about
>qualification
>in Gambia Local Government Councils where English is the official language
>and illiterates are elected to handle documents in English and you still
>talk
>about qualification. When you talk about qualification, you are doing so
>to
>the detriment of those who cannot read and write but who are also equal
>members of those councils. Look! Let us think very seriously about the
>circumstances and matters affecting our people in our councils. These are
>critical
>issues. People have been elected by their peers to represent them and yet
>they are
>powerless in those councils. They cannot speak their minds; they cannot
>express their views for want of a language to do so. And you said these
>things are
>simple! Ofcourse we will have constraints and the real constraints are not
>been talked about here. What you raised here are not the constraints, the
>constraints really have to do with communication at the level of councils.
>The
>SoS lamented difficulties arising in regard to communication between
>councils
>and the executive. I do not see any problems there. The real problem lies
>in
>the use of English in a context where most members are illiterate. When
>you
>have your budget in the councils, everything is in English, technically,
>can
>those people say anything about that budget? No, they can’t! These were
>the
>fundamental issues I raised when we were passing the local government act
>and
>they are coming now piece meal. The sovereign will of the people is being
>eaten
>away, being eaten way like ants on a piece of bread, eating it bit by bit
>and
> then eventually there will be nothing left. How can one talk about people
>being empowered to manage their own affairs in such a situation? No one
>under
>those circumstances is empowered. I for one, I do not subscribe to this
>amendment. What should be amended has not come; what should be amended is
>there
>objectively but that doesn’t come. …. Speaker interrupted: “Please
>the Hon.
>Member, can you stick to the debate, we are debating the local government
>amendment. Please stick to the point on the floor. Sidia: That’s exactly
>what I am
>doing madam! It is just that what I am saying is not to your liking. But
>ofcourse, yes, I am speaking on the issue. I said, I have come into
>politics to
>help empower people to manage their own affairs. I have not come into
>politics
>to usurp power from the people. I am not interested in that! I think every
>person is capable of managing his/her own affairs when he/she is aided in
>the
>right way, not in this way. The Secretary of State talks about people
>participating effectively in the debates of the councils. Is that not a
>paradox? Is
>that not a contradiction because the debates in the councils are conducted
>in
>English, therefore, people cannot participate effectively because English
>is
>alien to them. That is why when we were passing the local government act I
>argued that it should be made for people to participate since autonomy is
>what
>is meant. Let us make it possible for them to speak their minds in their
>own
>languages. What is the problem with people using their own languages in
>council debates. People are speaking their own languages in assemblies
>just next
>door and that does not create any problem. You must give people the means
>to
>be empowered. But if you are taking those means from them and then you say
>you are empowering them, that is a contradiction in terms. We have to look
>into
>the whole issue of local government again, madam speaker. Honestly, there
>is
>something fundamentally wrong, and if these issues are not addressed, we
>will be coming here now and again to make amendments. Let us look at the
>issues
>holistically and see what we want. I think we don’t know what we want
>and that
>’s why we are doing the amendments piece meal. But the reality is that,
>councils are in serious critical problems in this country. If you talk to
>anybody, they will tell you themselves. To me, this is not solving the
>problems in
>the councils and in fact, it is creating problems for the councils,
>because it
>is taking their powers from them. Historically, this was the colonial
>situation and the first government took over that law and they continued
>using it.
>Those of you who can remember, Banjul City Council was dissolved here by
>the
>first president of this republic and one person was appointed to take
>charge
>of the management of The Council. Who can remember? I can remember! That
>happened here! But that law is what was abrogated to make it possible for
>people
>to elect and when you elect, you retain the power to get rid of the
>person.
>That’s why, only the people of Wuli West can get rid of me from the
>Assembly
>and not Mr. X or Miss Y, however powerful he/she maybe. That’s
>democracy! My
>friends, these matters are so simple and we are always complicating them,
>creating problems for ourselves why there should be no problems. These
>things
>should have started smoothly. Can you realise the beauty in people
>managing
>their own affairs? There is nothing more beautiful than that. Madam
>speaker,
>section 1(2) of the republican constitution states very clearly and we
>must
>always come to that, and that is: “The sovereignty of The Gambia resides
>in the
>people of The Gambia from whom (my emphasis) all organs of government
>derive
>their authority and in whose name and for whose welfare and prosperity the
>powers of government are to be exercised in accordance with this
>constitution.”
>This is what this particular amendment wants to take away from them. To
>conclude, madam speaker, my view is that this is a conspiracy against the
>sovereign
>power of the people and I am not subscribing to it and I will never
>subscribe to it because I am out to help them have the power to do their
>things with
>a sovereign pride.
>Thank you.
>
>Ex-KMC Mayor Still Reporting
>By Fabakary B. Ceesay
>The Ex-Mayor of the Kanifing Municipal Council former Chief Scout Master,
>Mr
>Alieu Momar Njie has continued to report at the Police after he had been
>discharged by the Kanifing Magistrates Court.
>Lawyer Conteh, counsel for Mr Njie, said his client was asked to report to
>the police on Monday 12 November, but was asked to return the following
>day,
>Tuesday 13 November. He said when Mr. Njie returned on Tuesday he was
>ordered
>to report back on Friday the 15th where he was asked to provide a bail
>bond
>of D1 million dalasis with two Gambian sureties. He said that Mr. Njie was
>never put under any form of arrest and was not charged throughout the
>procedure. Mr. Conteh noted that no official reasons were advanced by the
>police as to
>his client’s numerous reporting to the police. Lawyer Conteh indicated
>that
>though they have fulfilled the bail condition and that Mr. Njie is
>expected
>to report back to the police tomorrow, Tuesday 20 November. The police
>spokesperson cold not be reached for comment as he was in the provinces.
>It could be re-called that Alieu Momar Njie was standing trial for the
>allegation of stealing D4 million dalasis from The Gambia Scouts
>Association
>Coffers. As the trial was in progress on 7 November, the Attorney General
>entered
>in a “Nolle Prosequi,” that the trial shall not continue but be
>discontinued
>forthwith. Few day after that Mr. Njie was surprisingly asked by the
>police
>to report to the Police Headquarters in Banjul.
>
>Prosecution Addresses Court In Alleged Senegalese Insurgents’ Trial
>By Bubacarr K. Sowe
>The Director of Public Prosecution has addressed the Banjul Magistrates
>Court on Thursday urging it to consider the statements obtained from the
>first
>and second accused persons while under police interrogation.
>Emmanuel Fagbenle told the court that statements of Tijan Jarju and Ebrima
>Colley, first and second accused persons respectively, were not obtained
>under
>duress, torture or threat.
>The prosecutor’s address emerged as a result of a trial within a trial
>(vior
>dire) meant to prove the voluntariness of the statements of the first and
>the second accused persons. The duo are on trial alongside seven others,
>all
>charged with terrorism, spying and related offence.
>Mr. Fagbenle submitted that the prosecution had called three witnesses who
>have testified that the statements were obtained voluntarily, adding that
>they
>were all consistent and not shaken. He urged the court to take testimonies
>of the defendants as afterthought, who he said did not call any witnesses
>in
>court to prove their case as after thought. Mr. Fagbenele disclaimed the
>argument of the first accused person that he was beaten, noting that there
>was no
>injury or blood stain shown to the court.
>The prosecutor argued that the only evidence the first accused produced in
>court was the abusive statement from one Jobe, towards the accused
>person’s
>mother.
>He finally said the court should admit the cautionary statement of the
>first
> accused, as evidence, since there was no threat and his mum who he
>claimed
>was insulted was not even arrested.
>Addressing the court on the second accused, Ebrima Colley, Mr. Fagbenle
>said
>the man showed two kinds of scars-black and yellow. According to the
>prosecutor the scars on the hands, knees, legs are all of the same age and
>he (the
>accused person) admitted that those on the legs are a year older than the
>rest. Mr. Fagbenle added that there is nothing in the records showing that
>Musa
>Kinteh and Edrissa Jobe have participated in the recording of his
>statements.
>He said there is nothing in Ebrima’s testimony corroborating his claim
>of
>torture or beatings.
>Here again, he urged the court to reject the second accused person’s
>evidence. For his part, the first accused person, Sidat Jarju, said he is
>very sure
>of his claim of being beaten while under integration by investigators. He
>said he had never seen the independent witness before, expect in court,
>and
>Edrissa Jobe dictated him while Salif Nyang recorded the statement. Mr.
>Sidat
>finally urged the court to reject the statements of the prosecution. Also
>addressing the court Ebrima Colley said they were beaten in order to
>accept that
>they were given money the Senegalese.
>The trial continuous on November 21st.
>
>Fire And Ambulance Service Celebrates Service To Humanity
>By Bubacarr K. Sowe
>The Gambia Fire and Ambulance Service has on Friday November 16, observed
>their Re-Open Day, an event meant to celebrate their service to humanity.
>The
>day was simultaneously marked in Basse and Serrekunda with demonstration
>for
>the public and school children on how they fight fire and the constraints
>involved in doing so.
>Speaking at the Churchill’s Town Fire Station, the Serrekunda Assistant
>Divisional Fire Officer, Demba Kujabi, urged the public to desist from
>tampering
>with hose lines and creating tensions during fire incidents. “This
>normally
>jeopardizes our operations,” Mr. Kujabi said.
>Commenting on the recent fire incident at the Serrekunda Market, he said
>the
>public has been passing unnecessary criticism against them without knowing
>the facts.
>He said: “I would like to notify the public that the tank capacity of
>our
>fire tender are used in fire (vehicles that fighting) carry 1000 liters of
>water which can be emptied on to a fire through our fire hoses within a
>time
>frame of three minutes”. Mr. Kujabi argued that these tenders are first
>aid fire
>fighting vehicles where hydrants are required at all times.
>He added: “These vehicles have been used for quite a long time before
>being
>shipped to the Gambia. I would therefore disagree to the concept of fire
>fighters arriving to a fire scene without water”.
>He said if the power take-off fails, water cannot be discharged from the
>tender thereby causing operational failure. “But there is always a
>back-up team
>from the nearest fire station,” he added.
>
>FOCUS ON POLITICS
>IN THE 1988 CORRUPTION SCANDALS;
>EDITOR MANNEH CHARGE WITH LIBEL
>
>With Suwaibou Touray
>Read The Verdict
>We have been focusing on politics to highlight events of political
>significance from Pre-Colonial to Post-Independence era. The objective of
>the column
>is to help inform our young people in particular and the Nation in general
>to
>reflect on the Past in order to shape a better future for our children
>under
>the sun.
>We have stopped where we said the Nation Newspaper called on the ministers
>who were accused by the TORCH to prove their innocence rather than
>behaving as
>if they were untouchables and asked the police to stop threatening editor
>Manneh.
>Let us continue from where we have stopped.
>We will herewith go straight to the verdict delivered by Hon. Mr. W. G.
>Grant on the libel case between Inspector General of Police Versus Editor
>Sanna
>Manneh on Wednesday 5 of April, when he delivered his judgment in 1989.
>Hon.
>Granted cited section 20 (2) a of the constitution of the Republic of The
>Gambia which provides that, “every person who is charged with a criminal
>offence;
>(a) shall be presumed to be innocent until he is proved or has pleaded
>guilty
>”. Based on this fundamental principle in mind, he said he would examine
>the
>evidence led by the prosecution. He also called on all to remember also
>that
>the prosecution has to prove that the allegations made by the accused were
>not true. He then asked, “Has that been done?
>On the allegations that a German philanthropist donated buses to school
>children in the Gambia but Hon. Lamin Saho diverted them into his own use;
>Hon. Grante went on to say that Guntar Schmitters told this court that he
>bought the buses in Germany and assigned them to his private partnership
>enterprise in the Gambia. Hon Grante maintained that no document was
>produced
>before the court to show that he used his private funds to buy the buses;
>that
>what Guntar said was he registered the charitable Organisation that
>consigned
>the buses to the Gambia. There is no entry in the books of Transgambia
>Transport Services to show that the buses were indeed either bought by
>Guntar
>Schmitters or by his private enterprise, he said. The Magistrate asserted
>that
>It is common knowledge that a charitable organisation collects funds for
>charitable purposes and not for the benefit of an individual who is
>himself the
>founder of the charity. He also said Guntar Schmitters has taken away all
>the
>documents relating to the buses. What was the motive behind this? Was it
>deliberate or was it by design? He asked. The magistrate however said
>whatever
>the motive may be, there is no proof before this court that Guntar
>Schmitters
>bought the buses for his private enterprise in The Gambia or that the
>Trans
>Gambia Transport Services ever purchased them. In the course of his
>evidence
>he quoted Guntar Schmitters who said:
>“Dr. Saho was not involved. Except
>That I asked him to arrange matters through Mrs. Saho.”
>The meaning of this he said is clear to view. ‘Indeed what this court
>understands him to say is “Don’t come to the forefront. Stay behind and
>let your
>wife act for you.”
>Mr Grante then went on to deal with the evidence concerning the buses
>before
>going on to the other items.
>The evidence of Mrs. NDella Saho, wife of Dr Lamin Saho, he said did not
>help to establish that the buses were meant for Trans Gambia Transport
>Services.
>She was confused in the witness box under cross-examination. Her evidence
>did not show that what was written by the Accused was untrue he asserted.
>Dr. Lamin Saho he said tried as much as possible to show that he was not
>connected with the buses but as he said he failed to do this. In the
>course of
>the trial Mrs. Saho has said that she and Guntar Schmitters has been going
>to
>the Customer for two weeks in order to clear the buses but could not and
>was
>getting fed up. It was at that stage he said Mrs. Saho enlisted the aid of
>Dr. Saho. Of course the buses were cleared off the customs that very day
>when
>Dr. Saho intervened and the buses were taken to the premises of Dr. Saho
>the
>Magistrate maintained.
>The senior magistrate concluded that it is by our constitution for the
>prosecution to prove the guilt to the accused. In this respect he said it
>must be
>proved that what the accused wrote about the buses was untrue. Has the
>prosecution done so? He asked.
>The defence of the accused he said is that the accusation is true and that
>it was for the benefit of the public that it should be published. The
>accused
>is the editor and publisher of the Newspaper “The Torch” whose motto
>is “In
>the pursuit of truth we shall live”. The newspaper is sold to members of
>the
>public at D2 per copy. It is not a private note or letter containing
>allegations. The evidence brought by the prosecution fell short of
>establishing that
>the allegations were false the magistrate concluded.
>He also said he has watched the demeanor of the witnesses in this
>connection
>and had no doubt whatsoever that they were not speaking the truth.
>It is a fact that buses were consigned to The Gambia by Kindergeten
>Wattenschied ev, but asked were they consigned to be used by a private
>enterprise for
>the founder of the charitable organization’s personal benefit? Obviously
>NO
>he said .He also said if Guntar Schmitters said he bought them and
>consigned
>them to his private enterprise, then where are the documents to support
>this
>statement?' he asked. He maintained that what was produced to the court
>did
>not support Guntar Schmitters’ statement.
>‘I find as a fact and I entertain no doubt whatsoever that the buses
>were
>consigned by a charitable organisation to the Trans Gambia as trustee for
>the
>benefit of the school children in The Gambia. I have also observed that
>“
>Transgambia” is not the same as Transgambia Transport Services. However
>as
>Transgambia Transports Services had cleared the buses and has been using
>the buses,
>I hold that they were doing so as trustees.” It is trite law he said
>that a
>Trustee cannot benefit from a trust. He said he noted that Guntar
>Schmitters
>had taken from the earnings of the buses, which was over D91, 000-00, and
>Mrs.
>Ndella Saho had also taken over D22, 000-00.
>The magistrate then turned his attention to the drug deal. He said the
>article in the Torch newspaper did not say what type of drug it was. The
>time of
>the donation was during the campaign against the meningitis episode he
>clarified.
>The evidence of the prosecution on this charge he said is that anti-snake
>serum was brought into this country by Mr. Hans Juergen Kuglin and handed
>over
>to Dr. Saho for sale to government. Dr. Saho placed an invoice using the
>letterhead of Afrika Hillswerk e.v. a company which has been proscribed in
>Germany. He said Dr. Fred Oldfield said that Dr. saho was not authorized
>to sell
>drugs; that when the then Minister of Health, Hon. M. C Jallow got to know
>of
>the invoice, he was invited to explain. “Having explained he was advised
>by
>the Minister that should it be a useful produce and should the Medical and
>health need it, then he should purchase it.” Saho further said under
>cross-examination that he did not always know when free drugs were donated
>to the Medical
>and Health the Magistrate asserted.
>PW 10 Mr. Denton, the magistrate said the Accountant General divulged that
>government paid the sum of D23, 000-00 in respect of the purchase of the
>anti-snake serum. See Exhibits “X”, “X1”, “X2” respectively.
>The cheque he
>said was drawn in the name of Afrika Hillswerk and Dr. Saho signed as
>recipient
>of payment.
>Dr. Saho he said had been anxious to receive payment from the Chief
>Pharmacist Mr. Binka and wrote a threatening letter using the Ministry of
>Agriculture
>letterhead.He said Payment was made to him in September 1986, but Mr.
>Kuglin
>only received the amounts in bits, December 1986, June 1987 and in 1988.
>From the foregoing, it is quite clear that Mr. Kuglin with the help of Dr.
>Saho evaded paying customs duty when he knew he was bringing drugs to sell
>to
>government at a profit.
>From the Chief Pharmacists letter to Dr. Saho, he said he expected the
>anti-snake serum to be a donation as he had given him a list of badly
>needed
>drugs. This was never denied by Dr. Saho in his reply see Exhibit “Z”.
>The payment was made in September 1986 but Mr. Kuglin did not receive the
>whole amount government paid until sometime in 1988. The money was in the
>first
> instance paid to a defunct organisation. The Gambia branch of that
>organisation should have ceased functioning in 1985 when the parent
>company was
>proscribed. The Gambia branch according to its constitution could only
>operate
>through the parent organisation; however contrary to its constitution, Dr.
>Lamin
>Saho continued to operate it in The Gambia.
>‘The purchase of the anti-snake serum should not have taken place and
>certainly it was contrary to the Drugs Act that it was purchased. The then
>Minister
>of Health, a politician like Dr. Saho certainly had to intervene before
>payment was effected. The accused said he had documents to support the
>sale to
>government, and the evidence of the prosecution confirmed this,’ he
>said.
>See next edition of Focus as we continue the narration of the most
>important
>of Historical lessons.
>
>Interview with Halifa Sallah
>Part 11
>Will an alternative approach to politics work? Isn’t it the reason why
>some
>people feel that PDOIS continues to lag behind any new party?
>These are the notions some critics put in the minds of the people. They
>claim that the politics of enlightenment is unsuitable for Africa . They
>argue
>that we speak above the heads of the people. However, none of our teachers
>actually point out which opposition party has found the right formula to
>enable
>them to grow from strength to defeat a ruling party. Instead
>it is
>PDOIS which gains steadily while the others lose support base and even go
>out of existence like the PDP and the GPP or are completely swallowed up by
>the
>ruling party like the NCP: We must therefore be doing something right. What
>is in fact interesting is how history proves us right without any critic
>acknowledging the fact. tTake the 1997 constitution. Some opposition party
>members campaigned to isolate us by claiming that we misled people to
>support the
>constitution and thus kept the military in office; Today those same people
>are
>campaigning against Jammeh for either violating or amending the
>constitution
>but no one has asked them whether they are now acknowledging that we were
>right that the provisions of the 1997 Constitution are more profound in
>mast
>respect than the provisions of the 1970 Constitution. During the coup and
>in its
> aftermath we were offered ministerial posts but we rejected the offer and
>many condemned us only to come to agree that we were right This has been
>the
>joy of our political evolution. We have been able to go against the wave
>only
>for our critics to eventually come back to accept our course of action; In
>terms of mass mobilization for change, sooner or later, people will come
>to
>realize that the opposition can never take over leadership in a country
>like the
>Gambia unless they all join us in raising the awareness of the people. We
>examined Gambian politics scientifically to come to such a conclusion.
>Can you explain what you mean?
>We did not just get up and establish a party. We did our home work and we
>knew why opposition parties could not make progress as long as they
>adopted the
>methods of the ruling party. It was clear to us that the ruling party was
>in
>control of state resources and its members could dish out positions and
>privileges. Business persons could get letters of credit to carry on their
>businesses, some relied on the state to receive guarantees to get loans;
>some
>relied on the state to sell their transports , office equipment and
>stationeries;
>and receive contracts for constructions and so on. Consequently those who
>receive favours from the state also become the patrons of the ruling
>party. The
>poor villagers and social groups rely on them for patronage and thus avail
>them the opportunity to promote the support base of the ruling party. On
>the
>other hand; the executive has authority to influence public appointments
>and
>the closer a person became to the ruling party the greater the chances of
>being
>given advantages in appointments. The state also controlled banks,
>marketing
>boards, hotels and other public corporations. They could give production
>and
>subsistence credits to villagers, give rice and oil to retailers and help
>some to be more equal in receiving food aid and other support. In short
>there is
>no separation between party and state.
>Hence wherever one goes in the country one finds the most influential
>families, businessmen, leaders of women and youth organizations aligned to
>the
>ruling party. Those who are left out become disgruntled and therefore ally
>themselves to the first opposition party which comes along. The third
>opposition
>party also takes the next layer of disgruntled persons who are left by the
>main
>parties and the pyramid goes to eternity with the support base of new
>parties getting thinner and thinner unless they can exceed others in
>wealth to
>expand their own patronage beyond the capacity of other parties to
>deliver. Some
>of the people who patronise opposition parties do so because of their
>failure
>to win contracts or win favours from the ruling party. Hence once they
>become a threat they are easily offered contracts and they live the
>opposition
>party to tumble because of the lack of financiers. Cross carpeting
>therefore
>becomes the best instrument for the promotion of personal interest at the
>expense of opposition parties.
>What is the significance of all these notions?
>We came to realize that the politics of patronage will lead us to an
>impasse
>since no one would patronise us to out do the ruling party in spending. We
>had the option to resort to the logic that “if you cannot beat them join
>them”
> or adopt another approach. We were convinced that behind all the façade
>of
>populism 80 per cent of the population were living in huts in the
>villages
>or congested housing conditions in the urban areas with a guaranteed
>destiny
>of living and dying in poverty only to leave their children and grand
>children
>behind to take the same route of the wretched of the earth. We knew that
>we
>have a message for them and we made it our primary task to prepare the
>ground
>to reach out to the poor of the society so as to empower them to take
>charge
>of their destiny. It became clear to us that we had to perform the long
>and
>hard struggle of going from village to village , sleep on the grass
>mattresses infected with lice and bedbugs, drink from the jars and accept
>to be called
>satan for coming out against a regime which some are often led to believe
>is
>ordained by a super natural force. We started the politics of mental
>liberation. We first started where the most neglected live. Our first tour
>started
>in Wuli. This tour was our initiation ceremony into the true nature of
>Gambian
>politics. The lessons I have learned taught me the lesson that the best
>way
>to dominate a human being is to keep him /her ignorant. Enslave the mind
>and
>you enslave the person. Liberate the mind and you liberate the person.
>What do you mean in practical terms?
>One of my memorable encounters is the bare footed farmer we met at the
>outskirt of Foday Kunda; His callous hands, torn clothes, chapped feet
>and
>disappearing teeth placed us face to face with the dehumanising nature of
>poverty.
>It was very clear to us that no human being with clear perceptions of the
>feasibility of a better life will resign to such a despicable state of
>existence
>of having no present and no future.
>To be continued
>
>MARRIAGE AND FAMILY
>‘TUMAL’ (ACCUSATION)
>By Amie Silah
>Victor and Emily were young devoted lovers. Victor is also a jealous
>lover.
>Emily’s clans have a bad reputation. People believe they don’t make
>good
>wives. They are classified beautiful but tradition holds that when a man
>marries
>one of their lot he ends up sharing his wife with other men. They were
>cursed according to legend. This is a strong among the locals. Victor’s
>parents
>opposed him when he intended to marry Emily. “We have identified a wife
>for
>you. She is from a good family. Don’t marry Emily. She is from a cursed
>clan.
>Their women are promiscuous,” Mama Ebi advised. Victor protested. “We
>are from
>the same university. Emily is a nice, responsible girl. I’ll marry
>her,” he
>challenged. “Don’t say we have not warned you!” put in Daddy Peter,
>Victor’
>s father. They both graduated. Victor worked for a Foreign Firm while
>Emily
>worked as a graduate teacher. Victor married his campus sweet heart. Did
>the
>prophesy come true? Read to find out.
>A Beautiful, Well-Trained Girl
>Emily is a well trained girl from a traditional Christian family. She is
>an
>only child of a retired university vice chancellor. Her mum is a hospital
>matron. She has recently graduated from the university and is now a
>graduate
>teacher.
>Lovers Devote To Each Other
>Victor and Emily are devoted to each other. They loved themselves and
>whished to spend their lives together as husband and wife. They announced
>the good
>news to their families.
>Victor’s Parents Are Subjective
>Victor visited Mama Ebi and Pa Peter at the village. He announced his
>intention to marry a campus sweet heart. His parents have another plan.
>They wanted
>him to marry a neighbour’s child, Rose. He rejected their proposal. “I
>am
>in love with Emily. We have been growing together in campus. I love her.
>She
>suits my taste. She is disciplined, lovely and compassionate. I don’t
>know Rose
> not to talk about loving her”. Victor argued. “Rose is a
>Nurse-midwife. She
>is working for the mission as a Senior Nursing Officer. She has a good job
>and a good pay. She will be an asset to you. She is part of our community.
>She
> respectS our customers and traditions”. “I’m sorry, Emi is my
>choice. She
>is my cross”. Victor stuck to his guts.
>Uncle Phil And Aunty Jos
>Uncle Phil is a retired university vice chancellor and Aunty Jos is a
>retired hospital matron. They are devoted and still love themselves after
>fifty
>years of marriage. They are fondly referred to as the old couple. They
>loved
>their only daughter. They discussed about her with fondness. “Emy is just
>like
>you, in tidiness and brilliance. Also very sensitive just like you. I can
>remember when I came to the village, newly graduated. Infact, the first in
>my
>village. Ours was an arranged marriage. My parents would not want me to
>marry an
>outsider. I was lucky we experienced love at first sight. I did not regret
>marrying you, my love”. He rose and kissed his wife. “You were a
>nervous
>village girl”. “Stop it! That was years ago,” Aunty Jos said.
>Suspicion
>Victor is a jealous lover. His parent’s subjectivism is also in his
>mind. He
>was driving his car when he spotted Emily speaking to a young man and
>showing him direction. He misconceived it.
>Accusation
>Emily visited her fiancé and got the shock of her life. He accused her of
>infidelity. “I am stupid! My parents have warned me! I saw you
>frolicking with
>that young man. You cannot keep away your tricks even before we are
>married?”
>Victor accused. “What are you talking about? I was explaining a
>direction to
>the young man who was lost in the city. You call that frolicking? Don’t
>you
>trust me? If not? Then why do you want to marry me?” Emy challenged.
>“I am
>stupid! I don’t know”. “Let’s call off our relationship! I can’t
>marry
>someone who distrusts me”. Emily walked out on Victor. He was furious.
>“Come here
>Emy! Are you walking out on me?” Emy ignored him and went home.
>In Distress
>Emy was in great distress. Victor had hurt her pride. “What have I done
>to
>deserve this?” She cried. She came home and walked past her parents
>without
>greeting them. Her parents were worried. “What is happening?” Mum
>asked. “Find
>out! That’s why you are a mother,” Dad challenged.
>Mum Finds Out
>Mum followed Emy into her bed room. She found her crying. She hugged her.
>“
>What is it my sunshine! Speak to mummy. I am all ears. You know you can
>talk
>to me,” Mama said. She gave her time to sob, and then she said, “It is
>Victor. He distrusts me. He accuses me of frolicking”. “What happened?
>Why?” “A
>young man met me at the roadside and asked me for direction. He was lost.
>I
>directed him. Victor passed me and refused to pick me up, apparently
>misconceiving my interaction with the guy”. “Is that all? Have you
>explained to him?” “
>He would not give me a chance. He accused me right away and regretted
>loving
>me”. “Okay! Take it easy. He will come back. You are experiencing
>teething
>problems. We have all passed through that stage,” Mama encouraged her
>daughter.
>Dad Enquires
>Aunty Jos came smiling. “What was the problem?” Daddy asked.
>“Lovers’
>fight,” Mama reported smiling. “It reminded me of our pass experience.
>How you
>stayed at my neck giving me no breathing space”. “Dad! Stop it!” Dad
>laughed
>over it. “They will learn just as we did and are still sticked together
>after
>fifty years”. Mama winked her eyes at dad.
>He Apologized
>Victor was pist up. He regretted doubting his campus love and hurting her
>heart. He visited Emily at home. Dad and mum were amused. “Where is Emy
>Mum?” “
>In her bedroom,” Mum replied. She gigged and pinched dad as Victor
>rushed to
>Emily’s bedroom . “I apologize for doubting your innocence. I love you
>Emily. I cannot bear it if you leave me. I’ll die. You are my life, my
>sunshine!
>Have you forgive “me?” He kissed her. “I forgive you. But never
>doubt me. I
>did not grow in that tradition. My mum and dad are living lovers. I cannot
>flirt. My parent are faithful to each other. Trust me when I give you an
>explanation”. “Okay! It’s alright I was just being stupid. I don’t
>want to lose
>you”. They ended up in each other’s arms.
>The Marriage
>The marriage was a big affair. The Jacksons have to show their weight.
>They
>saved for their only child’s marriage. Victor too was an only son. The
>church
>wedding was glamorous. Victor’s parents decided to do a village ceremony
>at
>a later date. They wanted to make it a big affair were all the age grades
>will manifest themselves. Victor loved his wife with a passion. He lingers
>around her like bee to honey. It was a dream come true.
>To be cont’d
>
>CHILDREN’S CORNER
>On Basic Education:
>11.5 M Boys and Girls Out Of School
>By Amie Sanneh
>(Courtesy Of UNICEF)
>The importance of Education in children cannot be overemphasized as they
>are
>the cream of the society. This edition of Children’s Corner shows the
>Primary School enrolment of the children a study conducted by Unicef.
>Primary school enrolment is on the upswing in many countries, as
>government
>leaders realize their countries’ futures are directly tied to the
>education
>of their children. But far too many primary-school-age children remain out
>of
>school, about 115 million girls and boys.
>
>Even with enrolment rates increasing, two other challenges exist- young
>people’s failure to complete an education and gender disparity within
>schools.
>National data report higher enrolment rates than household surveys, which
>identify children enrolled in but not attending school. Young people are
>less
>likely to go to school if they are from poor households, rural areas or
>families
>in which mothers are not educated. UNICEF reaches out to excluded children
>through girls’ education initiatives, campaigns to abolish school fees,
>efforts
>to reduce child labour, promotion of bilingual education for indigenous
>students and instructional opportunities for disabled children and young
>people
>affected by AIDS.
>
>Success in school completion rates begins with school readiness. UNICEF
>has
>worked with Cambodia, China, Georgia and Uzbekistan to develop national
>school readiness standards, supported parental education initiatives and
>preschool
>programmes in the Islamic Republic of Iran, Moldova, Romania, Togo and the
>former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, and pushed for specialized
>education
>for children with disabilities in Belarus and Jamaica.
>
>UNICEF supports child-friendly schools — places that are safe, healthy,
>stimulating, gender-sensitive and student-centred. By the end of 2006, 54
>countries had adopted quality standards for primary education modelled
>after the
>child-friendly school blueprint.
>
>Child-friendly schools — which incorporate potable water, clean,
>gender-segregated sanitation facilities and hygiene education — affect
>lives beyond the
>classroom. Students bring hygiene lessons home from school, changing
>behaviour within households. Water, sanitation and hygiene education allow
>girls to
>go to school. Central water sources free girls from the onerous and often
>dangerous task of fetching water. Gender-segregated facilities afford
>girls and
>young women privacy and alleviate parents’ fears about the safety and
>dignity
>of their daughters.
>
>In 2006, UNICEF expanded school water and sanitation coverage in 85
>countries, up from 76 in 2004. In Cameroon, the Democratic Republic of the
>Congo and
>Pakistan, for example, participatory hygiene education and safe,
>gender-Segregated facilities have been included in national education
>guidelines. In
>India and Kenya, major studies on the impact and sustainability of school
>water,
>sanitation and hygiene initiatives were launched in 2006.
>
>Girls’ education remains a priority for UNICEF, with country offices
>reporting that 69 countries had national plans for reducing gender
>disparity, an
>increase from 59 in 2005. In 2006, Côte d’Ivoire developed a national
>girls’
>education acceleration strategy, Mali adopted specific measures for
>improving
>access to education for girls living in poor, rural areas and initiated
>gender-based teacher training, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo
>encoded
>universal access to primary education into its new constitution.
>
>In 2006, school fees were abolished in selected grades in Sierra Leone,
>and
>in Lesotho free education was expanded to all seven primary grades. UNICEF
>supported scholarships and other financial incentives in Kenya and
>Liberia, and
>augmented scholarships in Guatemala’s poorest municipalities to help
>keep
>girls in school.
>
>Furthering girls’ education, the United Nations Girls’ Education
>Initiative
>(UNGEI), a dynamic partnership between nearly three dozen UN agencies,
>donors non-governmental organizations and other entities, expanded to
>include 36
>countries. A two-year joint UNICEF-UNESCO Education for All plan was
>adopted
>in Turkmenistan. Joint basic and girls’ education initiatives took hold
>in
>Egypt and Mozambique, and UNICEF technical assistance helped secure more
>than
>$42 million for Kyrgyzstan, Moldova and Tajikistan and $70 million for
>Rwanda,
>with a special focus on girls’ education.
>
>Non-formal education has been expanded for excluded and older children. In
>Bangladesh, for example, 50,000 urban children were admitted into 2,000
>new
>learning centres as part of the Basic Education for Hard-to-Reach Urban
>Working
>Children project. Students between ages 10 and 14, mostly girls,
>participate
>in lively discussions and acquire basic life skills with the goal of
>breaking the cycle of poverty. In Myanmar, a national ‘Let’s Read’
>initiative
>engages young people who do not attend formal school in life skills
>training and
>HIV-prevention education.
>
>Gambia Raises Funds To Fight Poverty
>By Annia Gaye
>With the objective of mobilizing resources for the implementation of the
>activities of Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper (PRSP), The Gambia and its
>development partners are organizing a Roundtable Conference on November
>20/21 in
>Geneva, Switzerland.
>The government will present and discuss the Poverty Reduction Strategy
>Paper
>(PRSP) II, worth $876 million with its development partners with the aim
>of
>mobilizing funds for a result oriented implementation of the PRSP.
>Mr. Ngum, Chairman of the National Planning Commission had told a
>stakeholders sensitisation meeting last week that “this will be the fifth
> roundtable
>conference since 1990 when the first roundtable was held on the Programme
>for
>Sustained Development (PSD) followed by an Economic and Capacity Building
>(EMCBP) conference in 1992, the Strategy for Poverty Alleviation (SPA)
>conference
>in 1994 and the macro Economic issues and social sectors (Population
>Health
>and Education) conference in 1998”.
>He noted that the meeting would also aim to deepen the development
>dialogue
>and enhance partnership building and consolidation between the government
>and
>development partners so as to strengthen their appreciation of
>government’s
>development agenda. He further noted that in addition to the PRSP, a
>series
>of thematic papers covering the crucial areas of the PRSP such as
>employment,
>growth and competitiveness under the integrated framework governance,
>climate
>change, gender, health education, legal sector strengthening, civil
>service
>reform and strengthening the national statistics system have been prepared
>and would be shared during the two-day consultations.
>He concluded that the donor consultation process would target the donor
>community both collectively and individually in a series of bilateral
>interactions where government would develop sector or theme specific
>proposals to
>address specific sectoral needs.
>Finance Secretary of State Gaye told the sensitisation meeting that, the
>forthcoming round table conference of The Gambia has come an appropriate
>time. “
>The government of The Gambia prepared its first Strategy for Poverty
>Alleviation (SPA1) in 1994 and SPA11 or PRSP1 with view to reducing
>poverty.
>Although, SPA1 and PRSP1 were both implemented, the results were less
>satisfactory.
>Currently PRSP II has been finalized, and it is a five year planning
>framework
>to assist The Gambia in its efforts to achieve the MDGs and also the goals
>of vision 2020,” he stated.
>He added that, The Gambia seeks to realise both the vision 2020 and MDGs
>through a series of five year development plans.
>He noted that the long-term goals of PRSP II is to eradicate poverty by
>increasing national income through sustained economic growth, reducing
>income and
>non-income inequalities through poverty reduction priority interventions,
>ensuring maximum private sector participation and investing in people. He
>further noted that PRSP II incorportes strategies and an action plan that
>are
>fully costed at sectoral levels. He revealed that the total cost of
>implementing
>the PRSP II programme is estimated to be US$876 million and said The
>Gambia
>would be in a better position to meet from its own domestic resources
>about
>US$335 million of the cost of the programme. He further revealed that this
>leaves a funding gap of US$441 million. “However, the availability of
>HIPC and
>MDRI funds estimated at US$50 million for the PRSP would reduce the
>funding gap
>from $441 million to US$391 million for the five year period. If The
>Gambia
>is to meet the programmed development targets or MDG targets set in this
>PSRP11, then development partners are expected to commit themselves to fill
>the
>funding gap of $310 million, equivalent to $62 million annually from 2007
>to
>2011 in order to help The Gambia achieve the Millennium Development Goals
>by
>2015, and the vision 2020 goals,” he said.
>He concluded by stating the five pillars of the PRSPII which he said are
>(1)
>improving the enabling policy environment to promote growth and poverty
>reduction, enhancing the capacity and output of productive sectors,
>Agriculture,
>Fisheries, Industry, Trade and Tourism with emphasis on the productive
>capacity of the poor and vulnerable populations and mainstreaming
>cross-cutting
>issues, gender, population, HIV/AIDS, Nutrition and Environment into the
>development process.
>For his part the Deputy UNDP Resident Representative Mr. Vitalie muntean
>noted that the forthcoming round table would provide a unique opportunity
>to
>further strengthen engagement and dialogue with The Gambia’s development
>partners on the basis of the second generation PRSP, in which the approach
>taken is
>based on the 2005 Paris Declaration on aid effectiveness.
>He said the UNDP role is to focus on developing the government’s
>capacity to
>lead and own the aid coordination process to facilitate a
>multi-stakeholder
>dialogue in the interest of reaching development out comes. He therefore
>said
>“In this sense UNDP has been supporting The Gambia government’s
>analytical
>capacity to design, cost and plan an MDG-based poverty reduction strategy
>that has the chance of ensuring donor support and finance, through a
>transparent
>process resting on mutual accountability, monitoring and evaluation, as
>well
>as predictability of development resources.”
>He reiterated that UDNP is ready to play its role as a trusted development
>partner, and to provide its continuous support to capacity development
>efforts
>toward the successful implementation of the PRSP.
>
>German National Deported From The Gambia
>By Fabakary B. Ceesay
>Mr. Birk Carl Padberk, a German National who was recently convicted by the
>Banjul Magistrates Court, was on Thursday 15 November declared a
>“Prohibited
>Immigrant” by the Immigration Department. He was subsequently deported to
>his
>native Germany.
>According to the Immigration Spokesperson, Superintendent Olimatou Jammeh
>Sonko, the development arose after the Foroyaa’s publication about the
>conviction of Mr. Padberk on child pornography in the country.
>Spokesperson Jammeh
>Sonko explained that to declare Mr. Padberk “prohibited immigrant,”
>means
>that he would never be allowed on Gambians soil again. Mrs. Jammeh Sonko
>said
>that Mr. Padberk was escorted by Immigration Personnel to the Banjul
>International Airport where he boarded Condo flight back to Germany and
>never to return
>to The Gambia again. It could be recalled that Mr. Birk Carl Padberk was
>convicted for the second time by Magistrate B.Y Camara on two counts
>(illegal
>importation of a fire arm and 10 rounds ammunition and possession of fire
>arms
>without proper authority). He was sentenced to a fine of D5,000 dalasis
>and
>in default to serve 18 months in prison. Birk carl Padberk was said to
>have
>been living in The Gambia since 1973.
>
>Brikama Community Radio Extends Nation-Wide Coverage
>By Gibairu Janneh
>The community radio station in Brikama, commonly known as FMB village, has
>recently installed 500-watt power transmitter for its studio, thereby
>extending its coverage to the whole nation.
>According to the studio Programme Manager, Mr. Yusupha Bojang, the
>transmitter was donated to the station by Action Aid The Gambia on the 18
>of July 2007
>and was installed a week ago. He said that the coverage of the radio
>station
>which used to be limited only to Brikama Town and its surrounding villages
>has now been extended to the whole of Western Region, the Nuimis in the
>NBR,
>LRR and up to Kaolock in neighbouring Senegal. He further said that this
>new
>development now poses a great challenge to the radio as it needs to come
>up
>with more educative programmes for the wide range of listeners. He
>disclosed
>that upon receiving the transmitter the management of the studio has
>decided to
>embark on capacity building for its staff which he said will take place as
>soon as possible to update their skills and techniques on radio
>presentation.
>When asked about the problems the radio is facing, Mr. Bojang said the
>greatest problem of the radio is inadequate staff. He said that most of
>the staff
>of the radio are serving on voluntary basic which affects the provision of
>enough programmes to satisfy the listners. He however said that plans are
>under
>way to put the staff on salary basis. He also called on civil society
>organisations and the business community to come forward and petronise the
>radio so
>as to help it generate the much needed funds that will sustain the radio.
>The Managing Directress of the radio Mrs. Mbinkinding Sanneh, alias Mbi
>Sanneh explained the challenges facing them and also expressed gratitude to
>Action Aid International The Gambia for the support it has given to the
>Radio FMB.
>
>Banjul Add to Sukuta’s Woes
>By Madiba Singhateh and Sulayman Bah
>Banjul had added to Sukuta’s Super Nawettan woes defeating them 2-1 at
>the
>Serrekunda East grounds on Saturday.
>The first half ended 1-0 in favour of Banjul after striker Ousman Jange
>headed in the 32nd minute to put them in the lead. Sukuta hoping to force
>their
>way back into the game in the second period found themselves 2-0 down from
>an
>own goal by defender Ousman Badjie.
>But skipper Ousman Jarjue pulled one back to end the match 2-1. Sukuta
>will
>now play Bakau on Tuesday at the Serrekunda East grounds and they need all
>three points from that game with a high number of goals to stand any
>chance of
>qualifying to the semis.
>
>Bakau Edge Pass SK East
>By Lamin Komma
>Bakau pulled a surprise 1-0 defeat to defending champions Serrekunda East
>on
>Saturday at the West grounds.
>Pateh Nyang scored the only goal of the game in the 90th minute in a match
>that pitted two of the big sides in the competition. And with only two
>minutes
>added for injury time, Bakau held out to collect all three points.
>Serrekunda East went into the game with three points from their first
>match
>against Sukuta, but Bakau who played a goalless draw with Banjul in their
>opening match, frustrated the easterners and waited late to inflict the
>injury.
>East were on the attack from the start and in the 13th minute Abdoulie
>Njie,
>the Bakau keeper was forced to flick over the bar for corner. And from
>that
>moment East controlled the pace of the match trying to open the Bakau
>defence.
>Serrekunda East had two clear opportunities to take the lead in the second
>half but the brilliance of Abdoulie Njie, held them at bay.
>And when the match was destined for a draw with only two minutes added for
>stoppage, Nyang was on hand to tap in and killing-off the match
>
>Gunjur Hold Serrekunda West
>By Sulayman Bah
>Gunjur held Serrekunda West in a 1-1 draw at the yesterday at the
>Serekunda
>East football grounds in the Super Nawettan Championship.
>The lowly Western Region side where unlucky not to have picked all three
>points largely due to their inexperience. Sainey Gibba put them in the
>lead in
>the 31st minute capitalising from a poor goal keeping by the West keeper
>who
>failed to handle properly a long drive outside of his area.
>Gunjur earlier missed three clear chances twice from the mishandling by
>the
>West goalkeeper and the other hitting the top angle of the post from the
>spot. West were however allowed by the loose playing style of Gunjur to
>push
>forward and were twice denied an equaliser by good timing of the Gunjur
>keeper.
>And just before the end of the first period, Serrekunda West pulled level
>when Ebrima Drammeh struck home from a beautiful cross registering his
>third in
>the competition. The second half witnessed both sides pushing forward for
>the winner and Serrekunda West came closest in the closing minutes but the
>ball
>could not find its way through the thick wall of legs inside the Gunjur
>area.
>The result has now opened a possibility for Gunjur to progress to the
>semi-final and the final matches of the group on Wednesday, will determine
>who
>qualify to the semis. Brikama, who are on a hundred percent record in the
>competition so far, saw off Lamin with a 2-1 score line on the same day at
>the West
>Grounds. They will play Serrekunda West on Wednesday for their last group
>match at Serrekunda East, whilst Gunjur take on Lamin at the West Grounds
>to try
>to secure their passage to the semi-final.‘
>
>
>
>
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