Foroyaa Newspaper Burning Issue
Issue No. 019/2007, 16-18 February, 2007
Editorial
SoS for Social Welfare Should Intervene!!
Beggars And The State
The poverty in The Gambia affects those living with disability more than
anybody else in the country.
There is a general myth that all beggars in the street are from neighbouring
countries. As arrest of beggars becomes a norm, many Gambians who are living
with disability and who had not benefited from any initiative to be employed
are beginning to protest vigorously.
On Wednesday 14th February, 2007 some of these beggars approached Foroyaa to
lay their grievances. They want the authorities to know that they the
beggars who are living with disability do not have any other means of existence
apart from begging. They claim that many of them have families and are required
to provide for them. They argued that if they stay at home they will be
totally dependent on poor family members who may disrespect them. According to
them they have had the opportunity to earn respect at home by contributing their
quota to the feeding of family members.
They informed Foroyaa that many family members depend on beggars to exist.
They call for an end to what they term as their harassment.
Foroyaa considers Gambia to be a heavily indebted poor country. Many people
depend on secret or open begging in order to survive. The authorities should
provide the means for people living with disability to earn an income and
then consider what to do about beggars.
The level of humanity of the people in a country is determined by the
quantity and quality of support to those living with disability. The SoS for Health
and Social Welfare should engage the leaders of associations committed to
the plight of those living with disability to prepare a more dignified and
humane approach to the problem.
“PRISONERS IN MILE 2 WITHOUT TRIAL,”
Says A Convict
By Fabakary B. Ceesay
One Michael Rossel Vante, a British citizen, has complained to Magistrate Pa
Harry Jammeh of the Kanifing Magistrates’ Court about prisoners detained at
mile two prisons for years without standing trial.
Mr. Rossel Vante added that there were lots of insects locally called
(Karankoo) or bed lice in the cells that they sleep in. He stressed that the people
in the cells are human beings who should not be treated as animals. He noted
that some inmates told him that they were never taken before any court of
law, adding “Some of them have already spent years in detention.” Magistrate
Jammeh asked him whether he wanted to stand for those prisoners. “You better
think of how to get out of that place, before talking about others,” says
Magistrate Jammeh. Mr. Vante said, “I don’t know, but they are out there
sleeping with what they call “Karankoo” they are detained for years without coming
to court.”
Mr. Rossel Vante was convicted by the same court on the 13th December 2006
for defrauding one Babucarr Dicko of his money on false pretence. He was
alleged to have promised Mr. Dicko that he had a friend in Dakar who was a Captain
in a Danish ship and who could get him to Europe. Mr. Vante pleaded guilty
to the charge and was fined D70, 000 of which he had paid D18, 000. Magistrate
Jammeh granted him bail in the sum of D60, 000 and that he must provide a
Gambian surety. Jammeh also adjourned the case to 20th February 2007 to enable
the convict to come with a report for the settlement of the outstanding
amount. Mr. Vante insisted that he knew some Gambians but could not say whether
they had such amount of money. He added that he knew one who had a compound but
he did not know its value. Magistrate Jammeh asked him to forward the matter
to his Embassy. “No I don’t want my Embassy to know about the case, it is
so disgraceful. I am suffering in silence,” said Mr. Vante. Representing the
IGP was 493 Badjie. The case was heard at Kanifing Magistrates court on
Tuesday 13th February 2007.
MAI FATTY RELEASED ON BAIL
By Bubacarr K. Sowe
Mai Fatty, a barrister, who was recently interrogated by the police has been
released on bail.. Police Spokesman, Superintendent Aziz Bojang, has
confirmed Mr. Fatty’s release on bail. Bojang told Foroyaa on Wednesday that he will
not comment on the matter since police investigations are yet to be
finalized.
However, Foroyaa has gathered that Fatty is being investigated by the Major
Crimes Unit of the Gambia Police Force. Efforts to speak to Mai Fatty could
not materialize as we go to press.
AT THE COURT MARTIAL
CAPTAIN PIERRE MENDY TESTIFIES
By Fabakary B. Ceesay
Captain Pierre Mendy, the former Commanding Officer (CO) of the Fajara Army
Barracks has testified before the Court Martial at the Yundum Barracks on
Tuesday 15th February, 2007.
Captain Mendy told the court that he was arrested on the 21st March 2007 at
his residence at Kairaba Avenue. He said that while he was about to break his
fast at around 19:30pm, he heard a knock on his gate. He indicated that he
asked his son to go and open the gate for the person knocking. He noted that
his son spent about five (5) minutes chatting with the guys at the gate. He
said he then asked his son to allow the person in and thereafter he saw four
(4) soldiers coming in, namely, staff Sergeant Umpa Mendy, Corporal Babou Bob
and two others. He said he did not know the names of the two other soldiers.
“Umpa greeted me and said, ‘Sir we are here for you’ I told him can you
excuse me to drink water, but he said no,” Captain Mendy said. He noted that he
then followed them outside and there was a black land rover waiting with four
(4) soldiers. Mendy said, “I asked staff Umpa what is going on,” he said, ‘
am working on instructions to pick you up.’ I told him, is this the way to
pick me up, he said it is instructions.” He pointed out that he then boarded
the vehicle and sat between two soldiers on both his sides, and the vehicle
moved to mile two (2).
He explained that upon arrival at mile two prison, he was handed to the
prison authorities. Mendy noted that he then asked staff Sergeant Mendy whether
that was the instruction and he replied, “Yes Sir.” He indicated that he was
taken to the security wing and was put in a cell, and that the guy told him “
good night.” He indicated that he later called on the attention of that same
guy to give him water to drink, hence he was fasting. Captain Mendy noted
that on the 23rd March 2006 around 1pm, Lieutenant Colley and some soldiers came
to his cell and he was asked to get ready for questioning. He said he was
handcuffed, but before he boarded the vehicle for NIA, one soldier whom he
later knew as Malick Jatta insulted him, and later said “Can you remember me in
1995, when you were in the military police, you wanted to dismiss me? I told
him, take your time.” He pointed out that upon arrival at the NIA, as he was
climbing the stairs, the same Malick Jatta held his PGL and struck him at the
left side of his head and blood started oozing, he indicated that he warned
Malick to take his time. He said Malick responded, “This is just the
introduction.” He said that he was taken before the panel that included Momodou
Hydara, Cham, Boto Keita, ASP Ceesay and Nfally Jabang. “I was told by the panelist
that I was there to defend myself and to tell them all what I know about the
March 21st alleged coup attempt,” he said. See the next edition that is
coming out on Monday for the details of the case.
DISABLED PERSONS ARRESTED
By Abdoulie Dibba
Information reaching this paper reveals that two visually impaired persons
and many other physically disabled persons were on Monday and Tuesday arrested
in Banjul and Serrekunda by the Police. According to the source, two of the
visually impaired persons were granted bail through the intervention of GOVI.
However, the source informed our reporter that they were subjected to daily
reporting at Banjul and Serrekunda Police stations, respectively.
Talking to this reporter on the issue, the President of the Federation of
the Disabled, Mr. Muhamadou Corah, said it is unfortunate that their members
are arrested. He said when they received the information of the arrest, they
went to Banjul and Serrekunda Police Stations and received the same information
from the Police that “they were arrested because they were begging and want
to clear the streets of beggars. “This is what the Police in both stations
told us” he said. As to their plans to address the situation, Mr. Corah said he
is currently writing letters to the executive members of the federation for
a meeting. He said they would discuss matter with a view to coming up with a
decision on the issue. Attempts to get the comments of the Police PRO proved
futile.
AZIZ TAMBA, 2 OTHERS IN THE DOCK
By Fabakary B. Ceesay
The former APRC Deputy National Mobiliser, Aziz Tamba, who is also serving a
term of eight years imprisonment, has appeared before Magistrate Pa Harry
Jammeh of the Kanifing Magistrates’ Court on Monday 13th February 2007. Mr.
Tamba has appeared with two others, namely, Famara Colley and Mustapha Bojang.
Two of the accused persons did not have representation at the court. Famara
Colley was said to have a lawyer, Lamin S. Camara, but he was not in court.
The prosecutor 1748 Mballow, called his first witness before the court. The
witness Yankuba Jatta, an accountant at the Kanilai farm, told the court that
he started working at the farm in August 2005, adding that he knows all the
accused persons in the case. Mr. Jatta indicated that Famara Colley was his
senior as a financial controller of the farm. He said that Mustapha Bojang was
the Deputy Manager of the farm and that Aziz Tamba was the Manager. He said
that he is responsible for preparing receipt books for monies coming in and out
of the farm. Jatta said that Mustapha Bojang was responsible for collecting
monies from the provinces and paying them to Famara Colley and this he added
Famara would confirm. Accountant Jatta indicated that payment vouchers were
prepared before payment could be done to anybody, including Aziz Tamba, and
that he had to sign it. He indicated that Aziz Tamba used to receive monies
which he claimed on behalf of the president without any supporting document to
back his claims. He said that he did not know the total amount that Mr. Tamba
actually received from the farm. He added that Mr. Bojang also did the same
as Mr. Tamba by receiving monies from the farm. Mr. Jatta pointed out that
monies that are yet to be taken to bank are under the
authority of Famara Colley. Mr. Jatta finally told the court that he was
called to the National Intelligence Agency (NIA) to make a statement. The
statement was tendered and marked as exhibit. The case is adjourned to 21st
February 2007 for the cross-examination of the witness.
Famara Colley, Mustapha Bojang and Aziz Tamba are standing trial for fraud
at the Kanilai Family Farm. They are charged on two counts. According to count
one (1), the trio, on 17th June and 23rd August 2005, and in diverse places
in The Gambia, conspired to commit felony. Count two (2) indicated that being
an employee of the said farm, between 2005-2006 and in diverse places, they
jointly stole D19, 589,779.34(Nineteen million five hundred and eighty nine
thousand seven hundred and seventy nine dalasi thirty four butut, contrary to
section 282 of the Criminal Code, Laws of The Gambia. All the defendants
pleaded not guilty.
PRESS RELEASEARRIVAL OF NIGERIAN TECHNICAL AID CORPS VOLUNTEERS
The Nigeria High Commission wishes to inform the general Public that the
first batch of 32 Nigerian Technical Aid Corps Volunteers comprising Medical
Doctors, Pharmacists, Nurses, and Teachers will arrive in Banjul, The Gambia on
Friday 16th February, 2007.
The Volunteers who would be deployed to various parts of The Gambia, for two
(2) years would be fully paid by the Government of the Federal Republic of
Nigeria as part of Nigeria’s Technical Assistance to the Government and people
of the Republic of The Gambia, under the subsisting bilateral agreement
between our two countries. The second batch of 32 TAC Volunteers is expected in
The Gambia on 20th February, 2007 while the third batch of 27 volunteers will
arrive on 23rd February, 2007.
It may interest you to note that Nigeria has been sending volunteers to The
Gambia in the Judicial, Health, Education (including the University of The
Gambia), Agriculture, Trade, Youth and Sports sectors for quite a long time
now. Nigeria is pleased to note that The Gambia has played the role of very good
hosts to the Nigerian volunteers over the years and has also fully embraced
the scheme in line with the principle of South-South cooperation.
FOCUS ON POLITICS
THE JUSTIFICATION FOR COLONIALISM
The colonialists justified the actions in the annexed countries by
propagating the lie that they have come to educate the uncivilized peoples around the
world. This is why they created two systems of justice in the country. They
created the socalled “native” courts in the provinces for the socalled
uncivilized natives and created magistrates courts where the socalled civilized
British settled. Since it was not their objective to truly educate the people,
this was why they left the education sector to the missionaries to
indoctrinate the people to become Christians. The effort of the missions to transform
Gambians to become Christians was stifled by the intervention of the jihadists
movements in the 1850s.
The truth of the matter however is that the real objective of the
colonialist was economic and not egalitarian.
According to Kenneth Boulding, after 1870, the manufacturing and trading
supremacy of Britain was greatly impaired; that other nations, especially
Germany, the United States and Belgium, advanced with great rapidity, while they
have not crushed or even stayed the increase of the British external trade and
that their competition made it more and more difficult to dispose of the full
surplus of British manufactures at a profit.
Boulding went on to assert that the encroachments made by these nations upon
the old British markets, even in their own possessions, made it most urgent
that they should take energetic means to secure new markets. So as you can
see, the British were desperate for new markets.
And what are those new markets? The new markets, Boulding said, had to lie
in hitherto undeveloped countries, chiefly in the tropics, where as he said,
vast populations lived and who were capable of growing what he called economic
needs which British manufacturers and merchants could supply.
Boulding went on to unequivocally assert that their rivals were seizing and
annexing territories for similar purposes and when they had annexed them,
they closed them to their trade.
And this is why he said, the diplomacy and the arms of Great Britain had to
be utilized in order to compel the owners of the new markets, like the
Gambian kings, to deal with them. He said what experience has shown is that the
safest means of securing and developing such markets is by establishing “
protectorates” or by annexation.
As far as the British were concerned, the use of force to secure new markets
by annexing new territories is not only sound political policy but also
necessary economic policy for advanced industrial countries like Britain.
So as you can see, the objective was to have markets for their growing
manufactures and to have new outlets for the investment of their surplus capital.
This whole enterprise depended on raw materials from foreign lands.
As Tapan Mukejee puts it “So long as England held a virtual monopoly of the
world markets for certain important classes of manufacturing goods,
colonialism would be un-necessary’.
Colonialism also means that a one way transfer of goods which creates a
revenue economy created what is termed as a “threat” system. Tapan puts it as
thus, “The threatener saying to the threatened,” “You give me things that I
want or I will do things to you that you don’t want.” According to him, this
scenario is akin to a system where the threatener, ie, the colonialist has the
possibility of getting some kind of surplus of goods from the producer, ie,
the colonized, and as he said, this can create a lot of stability.
So as it can be finally pointed out, since colonialism used coercion on its
victims, it is certainly not to the benefit of both parties and as Boulding
observed, with the development of science based productivity, it became
possible to squeeze ten dollars out of a people by the use of British imperial
power which is a form of tribute.
From the point of view of the British at the time, that however perilous
colonial expansion may be, it is necessary to the continued existence and
progress of the British nation. Therefore it was seen then that colonialism was a
necessity and not a choice to them because as it was thought, if it was
abandoned they would leave other countries to cut into their trade, and even impair
their means of securing the food and raw materials they require to support
their populations.
COULD GAMBIA GO ON LIKE THIS?
Even though the colonialists refused to promote education in The Gambia as
well as disallow the few educated elites to participate in the running of the
protectorate, this did not stop the spark of resistance in the Gambia.
The colonial government initially refused to invest in Education and
according to a Gambian historian, Mr. Dawda Faal, education was left entirely in the
hands of the Christian missionaries since 1821. It was only Sir G.C Denton,
Governor of The Gambia in 1900, who encouraged government to accept
responsibility for education. Even that, the government only gave grant in aid of 416
pounds to the missions and local schools.
The fact that, out of a Budget of almost £275,000 pounds in 1925, only £3460
pounds was allocated to private schools as grant in aid. It was only in 1940
when the colonial government took a more direct intervention in education
for the people, and allocated 5,528 pounds which also included the salary of
the newly created post of Director of Education. It purchased the abandoned egg
project buildings and converted it into a teacher Training College in 1952.
According to Faal, many Gambians who received higher education in The Gambia
during that time went to the United Kingdom or Fourah Bay College in Sierra
Leone. The only school built by the colonialists was established in
Janjangbureh (GeorgeTown or Maccarthy Island) and initially meant to educate the sons
of their partners, the protectorate Chiefs who they believed would never have
rebelled against them and would infact help to consolidate their grip on the
country.
Despite the small number of educated elites in the country, by 1918, the
struggle for National Emancipation began in The Gambia.
POETRY
POWERCRACY
With draconian stern face
Typical of tyranny
Seeking absolute power
Sinking in absolute corruption
Soaked in flammable paraffin
Of truth fright
Wanting to mincemeat the right
To cultivate might
In an infertile land
Of “Kumunsamorom duma”
Many languishing in detention
Forgotten in confinements
And undisclosed dungeons
Unthinkable woe
To the very people
Who afford the mantle of power
For the “powercratic” regime
Baboucarr Ceesay © 2007
BABYLON THROUGH THE BACK WAY
When Shall Our Pastures Be Green?
Envying the “Malangos” and “Semesters”
Create concentration camps
Of brain storming
As youth adventure parliaments
Become commonplace in localities
Where private member bills
On Babylon through the back way
Are passed without controversy
For greener pastures in the west
With identified fronts
For the migrant trade
Costing tens of thousands of Dalasi
And Millions of CFA
That swells the pockets of agents
Migrant aspirants
Expose to the gamble of life and death
The boats of Senegal’s Soumbe Dione, Fass Mbao...
The Gambia’s Tanje, Banjul Wharf…
Are microscopes of this chronic nerve syndrome
That caught our youths’ heart
A big shame for our leaders
Who cannot translate taxes
Into public amenities
Leaving youths unemployed
Mothers remain in unprofitable trades and farming
Fathers die as bracken back laborers of all sorts of menial jobs
Our pastures can of course be green
Surely but only
If we stand as one people
Work progressively for prosperity
Then our pastures shall be the greenest
And we shall tour the whole world with dignity
As humble beings with a cosmopolitan identity
Baboucarr Ceesay ©2007
TREASON TRIAL ADJOURNED
By Bubacarr K. Sowe
The treason trial involving the suspects in the alleged March 21 foiled coup
plot could not proceed on Wednesday as presiding judge, Justice Avril Anin
Yeboah was reported sick.
Court clerk, Ebou Sowe, said that the judge telephoned him to say that she
is ill with malaria. This is the third time in a row that there is no hearing.
Previously it was due to the illness of one of the accused persons, Demba
Dem, who has now recuperated.
Dem and his co-accused, Tamsir Jasseh, Alieu Jobe and Omar Faal Keita were
all in court. The trial is adjourned to the 21st February, 2007.
FORMER FONI KANSALA CHIEF AND CO STILL IN DETENTION
By Modou Jonga
The former District Chief of Foni Kansala, Modou Lamin Nyassi, and two other
persons, Mr. Ndongo Mboob and Buba Sanyang are still in detention at an
undisclosed place, a source revealed.
According to information from their respective families, the three people
were all picked up on the same day in November last year by plain clothes
officers at their native village of Bwiam in the western region. These family
members have expressed concern over the enforced disappearance of the trio who
they said are yet to be arraigned before any court of law.
The trio are further said to be staunch supporters of the ruling APRC party.
The same family sources lamented that their effort to locate the whereabouts
of their loved ones have been consistently frustrated by the “uncooperative
attitude” of the authorities.
This continued detention of the trio for over two months and the denial of
access to them by their families, is causing stress and strain on the loved
ones.
FIRE ARMS DEALERS IN COURT
By Bubacarr K. Sowe
Five Senegalese nationals on Wednesday appeared before Magistrate Pa Harry
Jammeh on two charges of fire arm offences contrary to section 6 and 8 of the
Arms and Ammunitions Act.
The five, Serigne Ngum, Pap Drammeh, Saidou Cham, Yusu Jobe and Alieu Cham
are charged with possession of fire arms and importation of fire arms in to
The Gambia. All the accused have pleaded not guilty to the charges preferred
against them.
According to the particulars of the offence on count one, on or about the
6th of February 2007, in the territorial waters of The Gambia, the accused had
in their possession three AK 47 rifles, one magazine with fifteen rounds of
ammunition, 93 milimetre caliber gun and a magazine with seven live rounds of
ammunitions 7.62 milimetre caliber.
Count two states that the accused were found in The Gambia territorial
waters, in Bakau, with AK 47 rifles and live ammunitions without an import licence.
Principal state counsel, Merley Wood, made an application that the accused
persons be remanded in custody as investigations are going on. Mrs. Wood said
that the accused persons are Senegalese nationals found in Gambian waters and
there is need to conduct necessary investigations.
Magistrate Jammeh therefore decided to remand the accused persons to the
state Central Prisons in Mile 2. Trial continues on 28th February.
USD$164,000 LAUNCHED UNDER UNESCO PARTICIPATORY PROGRAMME 2006-2007
By Amie Sanneh
An amount of $164, 000 US dollars under the first phase of the UNESCO
participatory programme for 2006 to 2007 was on Tuesday launched at the Gambia
National Commission for UNESCO (NATCOM) Secretariat. The beneficiaries of this
project are women’s Bureau $ 25, 000 USD, Gambia college $25, 000 USD
Department of Education, National Federation of UNESCO CLUBs (NAFGUC) $ 20, 000 USD
and the Associated schools project Network (ASPNET) $ 20, 000 US Dollars.
At the official launching of the project, the Secretary of State for
Education, Fatou Lamin Faye, said UNESCO, though not a funding agency has always
been a partner as evidenced from the last biennial projects. During this
biennium project she said ASPnet will be consolidated and expanded through various
activities in the educational regions to promote inter cultural dialogue and “
breaking the culture of silence.”
Under the NAFGUC’ project, she said that a community multi-media center will
be established at Soma which will be established by the youths in that area.
On the side of the Women’s Bureau, SoS Faye said since women constitute the
majority of the population, their capacity building programme will help the
councilors not only to monitor women’s projects but also provide technical
support when necessary.
“I hope that other partners will assist in consolidating the gain from this
project.” She said.
The activities under the UNESCO programme which is supposed to be
implemented before the end of this year she noted demands a lot from both NATCOM and
implementers of the projects.
Speaking earlier, the UN Resident coordinator, Fadzai Gwaradzimba described
the participatory programme as a unique feature. She added that this provides
catalytic funding to complement planned activities of UNESCO and to enable
member states realise projects that may not have been provided by regular
programmes and budget.
“The ability to mobilise un-programmed or non core funds is an era for major
concern for UN agencies, particularly in smaller countries such as The
Gambia, and initiatives such as the participation programme go a long way to
assisting country offices and member states to have flexibility in fulfilling
their mandates, she said. Also speaking at the ceremony, the Secretary General of
NATCOM, Sukai Mbye Bojang, in her welcoming remarks gave a brief breakdown of
the projects they have handled over the last two biennials.
In the implementation of this biennial project, Mrs. Bojang said they will
work closely with the beneficiaries in ensuring maximum publicity and make
UNESCO and the National Commission more visible. The programme also witnessed
the signing of the project by the beneficiaries.
NB: In four consequetive issues, the FOROYAA has been featuring an interview
that we have with Oko Drammeh, the renowned Gambian International Music
Promoter, with a view to generating and sustaining an instructive debate as to
how to help to revive or establish music in The Gambia. In this exclusive
interview, contained in the Nos. 14th,15th,16th and 17th of 2007 Issues of FOROYAA
(5th to 12th February), Oko elaborated on the history of organised band
music in the country and coming all the way to its present state, which one may
not be wrong to describe as ‘Lethargic’, given its lack of vibrancy.
The concern, therefore, is to start a national debate involving all those
who matter and or are interested in this noble national business of reviving or
establishing vibrancy or the identity of Gambian Music. The Gambia have a
bevy of young and talented singers and musicians who try the instruments. But,
unlike the earlier generation of Gambian musicians who had learned,
self-taught and perfected their skills to become professionals in an informal way, you
hardly see the young ones being experts in guitar, keyboards, horns,
saxophone and other musical instruments. They are very few in number. Although,
there are some who are good with traditional insruments.How can we then help to
separately improve on and also blend these skills with modernity and get a
truely Gambian cultural phenomenon in the sphere of music.
Efforts will be made to talk to, as many veteran musicians as possible,
particularly, the likes of Badou Jobe, Oussu Njie ‘Senor’, Seneme Taylor, Bai
Janha, Laba Sosseh, Abdel Kabir ‘Lie Ngum’, Musa Ngum and all the others who
are both in the Gambia and abroad to share with their ideas.
I am, therefore, as the columnist, urging all those Gambians and cultural
nationalists, at home and abroad, who are really interested and following this
discourse to help inform these musicians about it and the need for them to
partake of the issue.
It is high time for us Gambians to start inhibiting the culture of given
honour to the past and those who made selfless contributions to society and the
nation.
I am also inviting everybody to make contributions. The numbers to call
00220-4393177 / 00220-9953212 or E-Mail: [log in to unmask] /
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