Foroyaa Newspaper Burning Issues
Issue No. 28/2008 6-7 March 2008
Editorial
ICE In Turmoil
Urgent Action Needed
Bad news has struck from the Institute of Continuing Education (ICE) Senior
Secondary School. The flowers of our future nation are languishing at home at
a time when they should be blossoming.
What has happened in ICE is too ghastly to contemplate - teachers and
students engaged in a brawl. Teachers impart knowledge on students and offer them
leadership by guiding them as they grow from childhood to adulthood. They are
expected to be of exemplary character, to be seen as a role model by the
students; one who serves as a source of inspiration.
A good teacher should be proud of his/her profession and should show love
and concern for the wellbeing of his/her students. The attributes of a teacher
outlined above paves the way for students to love, respect and honour their
teachers.
Students are generally proud of their teachers, even where they feel such
teachers have been too strict.
Thus what has occurred at ICE is a disaster and calls for urgent action.
Any solution, temporary or otherwise, cannot lose sight of the continuation
of the education of the students who are now staying at home. We are now at
the middle of the academic year and prolongation of their stay at home can
cause harm, especially as the WASSCE exams are fast approaching.
The issue is not merely how to pre-empt a clash but rather how to ensure the
continuation of the education of the flowers of the future Gambia.
Serrekunda Health Centre In Deplorable State
By Saikou Ceesay
After Foroyaa’s editorial of issue number 25, on the state of Serrekunda
Health Centre. this reporter confirmed that the situation at the Serrekunda
health centre leaves much to be desired.
The officer in charge of the health centre, Mrs. Haddy Sanyang has indicated
that the battery of their standby generator was stolen and this has a
negative impact on their work. According to her, whenever light goes off at the
health centre, they should operate a generator, but they are yet to get a
battery. She said the incident was reported to the authorities at Kaning who
promised to provide them with a battery.
She therefore urged the authorities to provide the health centre with
security personnel. She further stated that whenever light goes off, darkness
envelops the entire health centre and people escorting patients have to put on
candles to provide light. She added that the nurses sometimes find it hard to
perform clear X-rays and sterilization.
Mrs. Sanyang appealed to the staff of the National Water and Electricity
Company (NAWEC) to address the intermittent power shortage that sometimes hit
the health facility. She further stated that the health centre is faced with
acute shortage of water supply as people accompanying their patients have to go
out and fetch water for themselves. She confirmed that the health centre was
faced with lack of toilets for five months.
Mrs. Sanyang explained that during the five months closure of the toilets at
the ward; she contacted Kanifing Municipal Council for their vehicles to
empty the toilets; that the response from the council was that their vehicles
were engaged.
Speaking to this reporter, a patient told Foroyaa that they are faced with
acute shortage of water and electricity which make them unable to flush their
toilets. Another patient described the situation as horrible.
Multiple Cases Against Lt. Camara, Supt. Sanyang
By Bubacarr K Sowe
Multiple cases of stealing against two senior personnel of the military and
the police are before the Banjul Magistrates’ Court as the prosecution
pressed more charges on Wednesday.
Lieutenant Bakary Camara, body guard to President Jammeh, has two cases of
stealing to answer, while his co-accused, Superintendent Manlafi Sanyang,
controller of government vehicles is involved in three cases of stealing before
the same Magistrate.
Both men alongside Momodou Lamin Sonko, proprietor of Boto Construction were
first charged with conspiracy, stealing and economic crime. Lt. Camara was
later charged with stealing and giving false information. All the two cases
involving Lt. Camara are in respect of a government vehicle he allegedly stole.
He had pleaded not guilty to all charges.
Meanwhile, his co-accused was on Wednesday, March 5, arraigned before
Magistrate Kayode Olajubutu on a charge of stealing a government vehicle which he
pleaded not guilty to.
While Supt Sanyang was in the dock, another case of stealing was called
against him and Lt. Camara, but the charge against Lt. Camara in this particular
case was struck out by the Magistrate. The squashing of the charge against
Lt. Camara followed an objection by his lawyer, Lamin Camara who argued that it
is exactly the same charge he is facing in a separate case on the same
subject matter.
The prosecutor, Inspector Yaya Touray disagreed and said that the objection
is premature.
Supt Sanyang who was detained despite a million dalasis bail granted to him
on his initial case was again granted bail for these two new cases. The
conditions of this latest bail are a 200,000 dalasis bond and a surety who should
be a senior civil servant not less than the rank of a permanent secretary in
any Department of State.
However, Lamin Camara who is representing both Sanyang and Camara harped on
the continuous detention of the accused persons when they had been previously
given bail over two weeks ago.
All cases against the two senior security officers were adjourned till
Monday, March 10.
Italian Theft Trial Hears Police Testimony
Bubacarr K. Sowe
A police officer in charge of vehicle number plates on Thursday testified in
the trial for stealing of Domenico Fideli, an Italian national. Mr. Fideli
is accused of stealing a motor vehicle, marked Ssangyong Korando 290 SR with
registration number BJL 4063 B. The particulars of the offence alleged that
the said act happened on January 10, 2008 at the Licensing Department of the
Gambia Police Force in Banjul.
Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Fansu Fabureh told the court that
while at his office on January 10, he received a phone call from Superintendent
Manlafi Sanyang, telling him that President Jammeh has given out a motor
vehicle (BJL 4063 B) to the accused person, Domenico Fideli.
ASP Fabureh testified that, Supt Sanyang told him to effect an ownership
transfer of the vehicle, and he told him that ownership can only be transferred
with a letter from state house authorising such.
According to ASP Fabureh, all of a sudden he saw a police intervention unit
officer came with a transfer letter to his office.
He added that the letter was from Supt Sanyang, who used to head the
government transport unit.
ASP Fabureh adduced that after cross checking the letter with the records in
his office, he discovered that they tallied.
“I then effected the transfer to Mr. Fideli,” the prosecution witness said.
According to him, he issued a certificate of transfer in favour of the
accused person, which he said he stamped.
The certificate of transfer of ownership, certificate of registration of
vehicle number plate and ownership title admitted in evidence.
ASP Fabureh said that few days after the transfer, he was called by
Inspector Yaya Touray of the prosecution to make a statement about the transfer of
the said motor vehicle.
The case was adjourned till March 12, for continuation of the trial at the
Banjul Magistrates Court.
Ugly Scene At ICE
By Fabakary B. Ceesay
Reports have it that on Wednesday 5 March students in grades 10 and 12 at
the Institute for Continuing Education, known as ICE were involved in a brawl
with their teachers and administrators. The said incident has prompted an
abrupt closure of the school till further notice. According to our source, the
pandemonium ensued when the school authorities insisted that the students pay
their second term exams fees warning that those that fail to do so would not
be allowed to seat to the exams. Our source stated that the move did not go
down well with the students who insisted that they would seat to their exams
even without paying.
It is also reported that students also put it to the authorities that they
are yet to receive their first term exam results which they have paid for. The
reports added that the students questioned the authorities on the reasons
for paying terminal exam fees when they are paying school fees.
According to some students, the exchanges soon intensified and the acrimony
soon transformed into a brawl. The same source said that what subsequently
happened was too unpleasant to witness.
Teachers and the students could be seen exchanging blows on each other.
However, our sources could not confirm any casualties during the brawl. This
reporter visited the school campus yesterday but neither the teachers nor the
students could be seen as classes were suspended. I am yet to have the
opportunity to speak to an administrator or a teacher.
Foroyaa made several phone calls to the regional education office to seek
for their comments on the matter but to no avail. Both the director and the
chief executive officer were said to be engaged in a programme in Banjul.
Bank Manager Under Fraud Investigation
By Bubacarr K. Sowe
The Human Resource Manager of Guaranty Trust Bank is currently detained at
the Kairaba Police Station for fraud investigation. William Jarju, according
to police sources has been at the station since Wednesday, but an anonymous
source has revealed to Foroyaa that he has been there since Tuesday.
Police spokesman, Inspector Sulayman Secka, said the matter is still under
investigation as more details are emerging from the bank.
Carnegie Minerals Trespass Trial
Accused Acquitted And Discharged
By Modou Jonga
Magistrate Ayub Johnny Njie of the Brikama Magistrate court on Tuesday 4
March, 2008 acquitted and discharged Willem Wincker and Momodou Jallow. The duo
who pleaded not guilty were arraigned in court on 3 March, 2008 and jointly
charged for entering the restricted site of Carnegie Minerals Mining Site at
Sanyang Kombo South without authority and causing annoyance to officers on
duty on the 27 February, 2008, at the said site.
In delivering his verdict, the magistrate in brief noted that the court is
of the view that the evidence adduced by the prosecution witnesses is weak. He
accordingly acquitted and discharged the duo.
Readers could recall that two officers of the police Intervention unit on
duty at the said date at the said site, Alieu Kurubally and Amadou Sanyang have
testified. The third accused person Willem Tako Battema, a Senior Diplomat
of the United Nation was acquitted on the preferred charge by the court due to
his Diplomatic Status.
STGDP Calls For Liberty Of Fatou Jaw Manneh
The Save The Gambia Democracy Project has called for the liberty of Gambian
Journalist Fatou Manneh who was arrested a year ago upon her arrival at the
airport from the USA where she resides. She is still on bail while her trial
lingers on.
According to the release, every Gambian within and outside the country is an
involuntary witness to the violations of civil and fundamental liberties;
the hiring and firing of civil servants and the personalization of power by the
president.
The release goes on to say that one year has passed since Fatou’s dutiful
trip to mourn the death of her father was cut short at Banjul International
Airport by agents of the regime who whisked her away into what has since become
a clownish circus of trial for treason. Fatou’s intended and short visit with
her family has turned into a nightmare of a juridical circus. The release
asserts that in Fatou’s case, the Government of the Gambia has a message to all
Diaspora Gambians - that you can exercise your democratic rights as long as
you are not on Gambian soil, to remind us that those rights will not be
protected in the Gambia.
STGDP continues to join Fatou in her fitting struggle to fight for her
freedom from the injustice going on in The Gambia. The release has urged the
government of President Jammeh to recognize Fatou’s inalienable rights and
immediately halt what it calls these kinds of judicial embarrassments.
The STGDP is an organisation of Gambians in the USA
Last July before the completion of the trial of Fatou Jaw Manneh at the
Kanifing Magistrates Court, the case was transferred to the Banjul Magistrates
Court. This court then held that it should be transferred to Brikama
Magistrates Court. In the interim, the state appealed. Upon appeal, the High Court
returned the case to the Kanifing Magistrates Court in December 2008. But since
that time the case has not proceeded.
Purported Alkalo Detained
For Alleged Cattle Deal
By Fabakary B. Ceesay
One Alkali Jallow of Bantanding Wollof, who was said to be verbally
appointed as Alkalo of the said village by Chief Jim Fatma Jobe, was on Sunday 24
February arrested by the police at Ndungu Kebbeh Police Station for involving in
cattle business without proper authority. According to sources, Mr. Jallow
was arrested at his house and taken to the police station for interrogation.
Sources alleged that Mr. Jallow was said to have sold two cattle and was in
possession of another one which had been reported missing for months. Sources
added that Mr. Jallow never reported the missing cattle to the legitimate
Alkalo of the village and also failed to report the matter to the police for
identification purposes.
The police spokesperson, Inspector Sulayman Secka confirmed the arrest and
subsequent release of Mr. Alkali Jallow. Inspector Secka stated that their
officers received a complaint from one Alieu Badou of Munyagen village that his
cattle are missing and that he learnt that Mr. Alkali Jallow of Bantanding
Wollof had sold two cattle to one Alieu Jallow of Samba Chargen Village. Mr.
Secka noted that Mr. Alkali Jallow was then arrested. Inspector Secka pointed
out that Mr. Alkali Jallow was later released and urged to assist the police
in their investigations to locate the cattle owners and to report any missing
or lost cattle he might have come across to the police or to the village
Alkalo.
Mr. Alkali Jallow, has recently been verbally appointed as the Alkalo of
Bantanding Wollof in Jokadu district by Chief Jim Fatma Jobe, without following
the proper procedures. His eldest cousin brother who is the Alkalo, of
Bantanding was said to be verbally removed by the same chief, Jim Fatma Jobe.
P.S. Harps On Integration of Tertiary Institutions
By Gibairu Janneh
“The current plans by my department to integrate the public tertiary schools
namely Gambia College, (GC), Gambia Technical Training Institute (GTTI) and M
anagement Development Institute (MDI) under the University of the Gambia
(UTG) is designed to promote and improve the education quality of the country.”
These were the words of the permanent secretary, department of state for
higher education, research, science and technology, Dr. Saidou Jallow. Dr. Jallow
made this remark recently while delivering a lecture on the integration of
tertiary schools at the National Union of Gambia Students (NUGS) congress held
at the Friendship Hotel in Bakau. He said the integration process which is
contained in the 2004-2015 education policy document is designed to promote
the university of the Gambia to build and establish a working relationship with
the existing tertiary institutions so as to strengthen its infrastructure.
He said his department has set up a task force on integration and the
membership of this task force include all the tertiary institutions, adding that the
task force has already conducted internal consultations, workshops, and
seminars in all the affected institutions and have submitted their reports which
is in support of the integration process and they have used the task force
report to draft a cabinet paper which is sent to cabinet for approval. Dr.
Jallow said the process if accomplished will promote the quality of education as
an integrated UTG will provide standardize programmes for tertiary and higher
education, expose students to academic disciplines and programmes that have
international recognition, ensure quality and relevance, set a recognized
standard for accrediting and validating qualifications, alignment of
professional and academic programmes and prevent the unnecessary duplication of the same
or similar programmes in the various schools. He concluded that if the
proposal is realized, it will not only improve the country’s education system, but
it will also aid the country in the realisation of its vision 2020 dream
since it will increase capacity to provide quality and sustainable tertiary
education, promote research that will support the human resource needs for
national development and empower students to realise their potentials in the
society.
Immigration Dept Warns Non-Gambians
The office of the Director General of Immigration has announced in a press
release that all Non-Gambians who need to be in possession of an up-to-date
Alien Identity Card and a Residential or Work Permit should by now complete all
the transactions. The release goes on warn that any person not being in
possession of the requirements is in contravention of the Gambia Immigration Act
and as a result has urged all to regularize their status as soon as possible.
The release further notified the public that from Monday 10 of March 2008,
Immigration officers will be patrolling all areas country wide to this effect.
Many Vehicles Impounded
Drivers, Owners Risk Prosecution
By Bubacarr K. Sowe
A great number of vehicles have been impounded by the police across the
country. This decision by the police followed the failure of the vehicle owners
or drivers to renew their licenses and pay road and income tax for the year
2008.
Police Spokesman, Inspector Sulayman Secka told Foroyaa that their operation
has been successful with “more than a thousand vehicles impounded country
wide”. Inspector Secka said both drives and vehicle owners risk possible
prosecution after meeting the police demands.
He urged drivers to abide by the law to avoid such things in the future.
According to the police spokesman, every divisional police headquarters now has
a testing officer and licences issuing officers, which he said is done to
ease the congestion of people demanding licence at the main police headquarters,
Banjul.
Inspector Secka said that the Motor Traffic Act requires licenses to be
renewed on the not later than 15 January each year and drivers had enough time
since then.
He apologised to commuters who are being affected by the shortage of
vehicles in the traffic.
Fisheries Employees Trained On Negotiating Agreements
By Annia B. Gaye
A two day national training workshop on strengthening the negotiation
capacity for fishing agreements was opened on Thursday 28 February 2 at Palm Grove
Hotel in Banjul. The Permanent Secretary, Department of State for Fisheries,
Water Resources and National Assembly Matters, Mr. Lamin Nyabally, in
deputising for the Secretary of State stated at the opening that the training is
important as it will enhance negotiation skills and techniques which he said
could serve as a catalyst for better conservation of the marine resources.
He noted that the fisheries sector has continued to play an important role
in national development efforts. He underscored his department’s resolve and
commitment in achieving the Millennium Development Goals by ensuring
significant reduction in poverty, increased food security, increased employment
opportunities and increased foreign exchange earnings by way of sustainable
management, exploitation and utilisation of fisheries resources.
He noted that they need to uphold the principle of protection of the
biological diversity of species and the preservation of the environment. He further
noted that, The Gambia is among the members of the international and
sub-regional organisations such as the Fisheries Committee for the Eastern and
Central Atlantic (CECAF) and the Sub Regional Fisheries Commission (SRFC).
“It is therefore prudent that given our common interest for sustainable
management of the fisheries resources and the protection of marine environment we
develop our negotiation skills for fishing agreements,” he said. This, he
said, will no doubt make it possible for them to ensure rational exploitation
and utilisation of this scare resource and prevent over fishing among others. “
Given the migratory nature of our fish stocks within the sub-region,
countries are bound to share this common heritage and thus agreements have to be in
the spirit of good neighbourliness, inter and intra regional cooperation,
especially now that the high value demarsals stock are reported to be dwindling,”
he said.
Ardiatou Njie, Director of Fisheries, noted that negotiating fishing
agreements whether reciprocal or compensatory agreements is always a complex
exercise that requires proper planning, strategising and team building with strong
emphasis on conservation. He said the training is pertinent to our situation
in the sub-region and The Gambia in particular.
FOCUS ON POLITICS
REMOVAL OF COMMISSIONER
JUWARA CREATES HUE AND CRY IN L.R.D
Were The Politicians Threatened?
We have been focusing on politics in general and Gambian politics in
particular. This is what motivates us to follow the narration of events from
pre-colonial to post independence era.
In the last issue, we reported on the talks between the NCP and PPP as to
whether they were going to form a coalition, alliance or merger. This was at a
time when the country was experiencing the effects of the ERP.
We have stopped where we said Foroyaa wrote that Mr. Dibba had a lot of
explaining to do to reassert the integrity of his party; that anyone who does not
tell Mr. Dibba that was guilty of dishonesty.
Let us continue from where we stopped.
Mr. Lamin Waa Juwara has been a long serving commissioner. He has served in
that portfolio for quite sometime and has been posted to different
administrative areas in the country.
Mr. Juwara was also at one time or another drifted to the opposition for one
reason or another. He was one time an independent candidate for the Sabach
Sanjal constituency and also became a member of the NCP at another time. It
was said that politicians were always uncomfortable with Mr. Juwara if he was
posted in their areas, because of his shared ambition to hold political office.
So by late May, 1990, Mr. Juwara was removed from his post as commissioner
of the Lower River Division, but his removal this time resulted to a hue and
cry in the area.
Why Was He Removed?
Foroyaa who was compelled to investigate the reason behind his removal sent
this columnist to the region to find. According to the investigations, many
people were impressed by the fact that the money they paid as taxes was
utilized to construct the Soma market and to build a road between Mansakonko and
Soma. The people complained to Foroya that their tax money has not been
properly utilized before the arrival of Mr. Juwara. Many alleged that there was a
conspiracy to remove Mr. Juwara from the area because many politicians became
threatened and were motivated to campaign for Mr. Juwara’s removal; that many
objected to the development projects he initiated as commissioner. Foroyaa’s
investigation further revealed that when Mr. Juwara became commissioner. LRD,
there was only D500 in the coffers of the area council; that the first year
after he took over, the area council had a record collection; that he
activated the divisional planning committee and insisted that the tax payers should
be the beneficiaries of their payments.
It was also revealed to the Foroyaa reporter that despite the fact that
there was opposition to his suggestion for permanent structures to be built at
the market in Soma, he Juwara insisted that the work should continue; that this
led to exchanges of letters between Mr. Juwara and the ministry of Local
Government and Lands.
Since the reason behind Juwara’s removal was still not known, the paper
decided to reach the permanent secretary and informed him of the letters received
from concerned citizens concerning the removal of Mr. Juwara.
According to Foroyaa, the permanent secretary at the time said he was not
ware of the letters but what he was aware of was that Mr. Juwara’s contract had
expired and has not been renewed; that it was the president who appointed
commissioners and that he was not in a position to explain why the president
removed him.
Foroyaa’s Comment
Foroyaa commented among other things that the Gambian people should bear in
mind that the president does not have to give any reasons when he decides to
remove a commissioner from office. Needless to say, a commissioner was a
magistrate and section 3 subsection 2 paragraph (b) of the elections Act states
that “Every commissioner in charge of a division shall be virtute officie,, a
registering officer and returning officer for each and every administrative
area. “With all these roles, administrative structures should have been
created which would free a commissioner from any threat to his or her job security
by making it a permanent post where someone could be removed from office only
for maladministration which would be exposed and known to all.
This was the reason why Foroyaa wrote, the PDOIS insist that the executive
presidency enables a president to reign like a monarch who can remove people
in position of authority without giving any reasons to the populace. “Where is
the democracy? “they asked.
The question that remained to be answered was what Lamin Juwara would do
from here. Would he go back to the PPP for another job or would he go to another
party like he has once done or what?
By about the same time, the PDOIS went on a tour of the Wuli and Sandu which
they dubbed “Giving voice to the voiceless.”
At this stage, people were beginning to notice a difference between the
PDOIS and other political parties. They have not seen much emphasis laid on the
party leader like the PPP or NCPwere doing. And the PDOIS must have known this
because they could not fail to hear such misplaced criticisms such as “PDOIS
has no leader”.
The PDOIS gave long speeches and dwelt into as many national issues as
possible, thereby clarifying and expanding information to the peasantry at a time
when only the national radio which was entirely at the grip of the
Government. So opposition parties were compelled to physically reach the people and
give their messages or risk not being noticed. They would do this irrespective
of whether it was a hamlet town or city. They would then allow the people to
either criticize them or ask any questions on issues relating to the nation.
One question that was asked in many villages in Wuli and Sandu on that tour
was on the issue of leadership. So how did the PDOIS deal with this issue?
PDOIS’ RESPONSE
According to the Foroyaa, the PDOIS clarified to the people that they teach
not by words but by actions; that the type of society they envisage tomorrow
is not one where leaders would be like lords over the people; that on the
contrary, they would want them to be humble servants of the people; that in
order to build such a society, the relationship between the leadership and the
led would not be like that of the Shepard and his flock of sheep; that in order
to prevent such a relationship they must enlighten the people to be
conscious of what is wrong in the country and what should be done tto correct itso
that they would fully understand the role of their political leaders; that
once this is understood they would be able to support a leader when he or she
serves their interest and abandon him or her when he or she fails to serve
their interest.
The emphasis went further to show that this is why PDOIS has been active in
promoting the views and programmes of the party rather than this person or
that person; they should alert their minds to the programmes of the party and
their views on what constitutes a genuine political leadership; that once this
is understood then when they put up presidential and parliamentary
candidates they would be able to gauge for themselves whether they have the qualities
they have been telling them; that the primary preoccupation of PDOIS is to
enable the people to have critical minds so that no one would be able to fool
them any more; that they don’t them to follow personalities any more, but the
best dictates of their critical minds.
Furthermore, the people were told that the fundamental difference exists
between PDOIS and the other parties; that other parties are just interested in
positions, hence they would want to promote one personality and create a lot
of myths around that personality so that the masses would follow the person
unreasonably; that this is why they could neither enlighten the masses nor did
they have the desire to do so.
According to the Foroyaa which covered the tour, they emphasized that to the
people that this is the reason why such parties are known through the names
of their leaders; that the only important figure in such parties is the
leader whom everyone sings praise to and bow down to; that once those leaders
disappear such parties die with them. It was also emphasized to them that such
parties simply disappeared just because their leaders decide to quit. Examples
of such parties in the earlier phase of independence were cited such as the
Democratic Party, the Muslim Congress, and the PPA.They asserted that in all
such parties including the PPP are no exception; that the leaders constitute
the big tree on top of which like birds, all the rest nest; and once the big
tree falls all the birds must fly away.
The people were told just as they don’t want to be lords above the people
tomorrow but to be their servants, in their party they have no lords; that they
have a group of dignified and knowledgeable people who have voluntarily come
together to combine their knowledge and efforts to serve the interests of
the people; that a leader in their party is not a privilege but a role which
anybody in the leadership would be in a position to perform; that whoever is
considered appropriate becomes the party leader; that none hungers for this
role and that there can never be any competition for it since no role is
privileged role in the party.
By May 28th, 1990, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS)
met in Banjul. The PPP government did not take this occasion lightly. They did
everything to show that all these heads of states were coming to the Gambia
because of Jawara’s respect for human rights and democracy and for the respect
they have of the man himself.
So what did the government do to create an illusion? Months before the
occasion, message spread that the Gambia was to witness its largest gathering of
heads of states. Intensive efforts were made to rehabilitate the VIP lounge at
the Banjul international Airport. A new five star hotel, (the Kairaba beach
hotel) which was constructed for D135 million dalasis built to accommodate
the guests. A committee was set up headed by a minister to mobilize mass
support in welcoming the visitors. Buses were provided, food was available and even
cloths were provided to people to encourage them to participate.
According to reports, very few people came out to welcome the presidents. It
was also observed that most of those who even stood near the main road were
children drawn to those places out of curiosity because of the bleeping noise
that accompanied the presidential motorcade.
Foroyaa attributed this poor reception from the masses as a lesson to the
Jawara regime one indisputable fact and that was, it was losing the confidence
of the people. The paper also said it was clear that the people do not
necessarily have to go out in the streets to demonstrate or to show their
dissatisfaction to the government.
It appeared that the ECOWAS was more concerned with the economies of the
region. According to the Executive Secretary of ECOWAS who reviewed the
performance of the West African economy during the 1980s, “It is quite obvious that
the period was a lost decade for the sub-region and for the rest of Africa.
The Executive Secretary lamented that,” inspite of the tremendous and
sustained efforts of all member states at economic reform to halt the economic
decline, the standard of living of our people was still well below the pre-crisis
level. The different structural adjustment and economic recovery programmes
notwithstanding; the prognosis for the 1990s is a very gloomy period indeed
for the West African Economy, unless dramatic changes are engineered and some
fundamental rethinking of our strategies is inaugurated.”
The chairman of ECOWAS also asserted that “The aid allocated by the Western
countries to Eastern Europe is on a dramatic increase, to the detriment of
aid in developing countries; that multinational enterprises operating in our
countries are abandoning the sub-region and relocating in the North, with an
eye on the prospect of the 1992 single European market. This trend is
dangerously compromising the increase of capital flow to developing countries and
needs to be reversed”
Foroyaa claims that the statements constituted an indictment of all
governments in the sub-region and the ECOWAS in general; that it confirms that no
meaningful achievements have been made by the individual nations in particular
and the community of nations they had established in general; that despite the
fact that opinions on reinforcing political will to revitalize sub-regional
integration, some member states considered it so insignificant that they do
not even pay their contributions.
Foroyaa maintained that the ECOWAS summits were in fact becoming occasions
for heads of states to go on holidays in one African country just to talk
about their intentions and why they have not materialized.
Foroyaa then asked, since ECOWAS could not rely on the industrialized
countries to promote economic development, what was their solution?
Quoting the executive Secretary of ECOWAS “One obvious avenue that holds
much promise for our member states is regional integration.”Foroyaa however
asserted that anybody who believes that African countries would make headway by
integrating the current economies under their present parasitic systems of
government would qualify to be called an idle dreamer.
Foroyaa maintained that the unity of present day African economies would be
a unity of debtor countries. The paper quoted the ECOWAS chairman as thus; “
Efforts to resolve the debt problem have still not yielded anticipated
results; that there were several plans, proposals and measures for temporary debt
relief but these unfortunately did not cover all countries and the debts we owe.
”Foroyaa maintained that only six heads of state excluding the host,
participated in this summit, this it wrote, indicated how much importance such
countries attached to sub regional integration.
Foroyaa agreed with the Executive Secretary among other things that the
economies were “Characterized by conditionalities” and that confirmed that it
was an illusion to expect the gloomy situation to be changed by relying on the “
International environment.” The paper finally maintained that the only
solution was to build self reliant economies.
HEALTH AND NUTRITION BANTABA
Nuha Ceesay On Awareness Raising On World AIDS Day 2007
By Yaya Bajo
In this edition of Health and Nutrition Bantaba, Mr. Nuha Ceesay, UNAIDS
Country Officer presented a paper on awareness raising on World AIDS Day 2007,
at a civil society organisation training workshop from the 4th to 6th March,
2008 at TANGO Conference Hall in Bakau. The three day forum which was funded
by UNAIDS was about civil society organisations intensifying HIV prevention
programmes and their role in prevention towards meeting universal access to
care, treatment, support and prevention.
Excerpts
In the face of the overwhelming complexity and rampant stigma that surrounds
AIDS; failed promises have become the norm. The change that is desperately
needed is radical, but also simple.
“Accountability-the theme of World AIDS Day required every president and
prime minister, every parliamentarian and politician, to decide and declare that
“AIDS Stop With Me”. (Kofi Annan, Former Secretary-General at the United
Nations).
“AIDS is the biggest challenge humanity has had to deal with,” Says Van
Soest, More than the technical problem of developing drugs and making sure they
are delivered, “AIDS is related to all the taboos and vulnerabilities that
urges us more than any other infections diseases”.
Around 95% of people with HIV/AIDS live in developing nations, that HIV is a
threat to men, women and children around the world; and there is need to
raise awareness about the disease and get the leadership to renew their
commitments and pledge. World AIDS Day was first declared by the World Health Org
anisation and the United Nations General Assembly (Resolution 43/15) in 1988. On
December 1988, the WAD was commemorated. The first year- World AIDS Campaign
was launched by UNAIDS in 1997. The objective of the campaign was to
substantially extend the impact of WAD by improving more partners and translate
increased global awareness of AIDS into a more sustainable programmatic response.
Since then, it has progressively become one of the most successful
international day for raising awareness on a global issue. After consultation with
partners began in 2003, the World AIDS campaign became an independent
organisation in 2004 to strengthen and enhance collaboration among various national
advocacy efforts. The World AIDS Campaigns Supports, Strengthens and connects
campaigns that hold leaders accountable for their promises in HIV and AIDS and
has its secretariat based in Amsterdam.
World AIDS Day is not just about raising money but also increasing
awareness, fight prejudice, stigma and discrimination and improve education. Remember
that there are still many things to be done.
Challenges
v Stigma and Discrimination
v Cultural barriers
v Refocus political commitment
v Universal Access to prevention, treatment, care and support
v Shifting from purely sensitisation to combining IEC with BCC
v Employment of women, young people and children
v Strengthening quality service delivery
v Poverty and under development
v Scaling up access to ART especially in rural areas
v Knowing the epidemic (what is driving the epidemic)
Agenda For Action
v Strengthen the institution al capacity
v Enhance support to Orphan and Vulnerable Children (OVCs)
v Implement the Three ones
v Target women and children
v Accelerate up take for VCT and provide services
v Advocacy, individual, national, community
v Greater involvement of people living with HIV (PLHIV)
v Community mobilisation-ownership
v Gender, racial and sexual equalities
v Promotion of life skills education and counselling especially for CABA/OVCS
v Comprehensive care and support packages
v Prevention of parent to child transmission of HIV/AIDS
v Policy development, national
v Legal protection for PLHIV
v Greater involvement of religious/ traditional and opinion leaders
v Integrate HIV education-primary, secondary tertiary
v Strengthen partnership.
“Leadership can imply the power and authority to make a difference, to lead
by action and example. In many faith contexts, though, a leader is a
servant-and shy someone who responds to the needs of the community, supports others
in their planning and action, and empowers people by both words and resources.
By taking on the global theme of leadership for World AIDS Day, faith
leaders and the communities they are a part of can help articulate a vision, build
relationships and take concrete action in solidarity with all people
committed to reaching universal access for HIV prevention, treatment and care”.
(Linda Hartke, Coordinator, Ecumenical Advocacy Alliance).
“We are still dying! Leadership requires that we face this reality. While
leadership is a strong call and can easily be embraced, I have been very
disappointed with our leaders. While scaling up of HIV care is prioritised, it is
under funded and poorly implemented. Faith leaders continue to deny the
existence of HIV/AIDS in the communities and congregations they serve. Governments
are complacent, and have not provided the leadership needed to end the
epidemic”. (Deloris Dockery, Chairman, Global Network of people living with
HIV/AIDS and representative for international community of women living with
HIV/AIDS).
“Young people are the worst hit by HIV/AIDS but they also have a vital role
to play in the fight against the pandemic. Youth leadership is essential to
an effective international response to HIV/AIDS and young people must be
empowered with the knowledge, skills and resources they need in order to achieve
the goal of universal access by 2010”. (Prateek Suman, Youth Coalition).
Despite progress made towards the acceleration of HIV prevention, access to
HIV testing and counselling and prevention of mother-to-child transmission is
low .We estimate that only twelve percent of adults know their HIV status.
In 2005, only 11% of pregnant women infected with HIV received antiretroviral
therapy. Access to treatment and care increased significantly in the last
four years in the Africa Region, from an average of 1% in 2003 to 30% in 2007.
However, it is important to highlight that today 70% of people in need do
not have access to these services. Efforts to scale up access to these life
prolonging medicines are hampered by important challenges such as low adherence
to treatment regimens and the development of antiretroviral resistance
strains. Although the prices of antiretroviral drugs are decreasing, they are still
unaffordable for most people in our region. Furthermore, for every patient
that was treated with antiretroviral medicines last year, six new infections
occurred worldwide. Therefore, the combination of intensification of HIV
prevention efforts with the scaling up of treatment and care remains the only
realistic and effective strategy to stem the spread of HIV infection in
sub-Saharan Africa.
There is still a serious shortfall in resources for AIDS and stigma and
discrimination around AIDS. As a result, two thirds of those who require
antiretroviral treatment are unable to access it..
Sustaining leadership and accelerating action on AIDS isn’t something just
for politicians. It involves religious, community, youths, council s, chief
executives and union leaders. It involves people living with HIV, and their
families and friends. It involves you, me-each and every one of us-taking the
lead to eliminate stigma and discrimination, to advocate for more resources to
tackle AIDS. And it requires us all to focus on AIDS every day of the year.
Only then can we hope t o achieve the global goal of universal access to HIV
prevention, treatment, care and support.
MARRIAGE AND FAMILY
Is She A Fortunate Woman?
Part 1
By Amie Sillah
Maria and George were lovers since High School days. They continued their
romance into university. Their mutual love was so strong that they decided to
marry as undergraduates with no money. The couple have to do odd jobs here and
there to make ends meet. Then came their graduation. George graduated as a
civil engineer and Maria has a BSC in political science and international
relations. After graduation, no job was in sight for the couple. They had an
idea! They took a loan and opened up a classic restaurant, selling local and
continental dishes. The good, healthy, delicious dishes became talk of the town.
Lovers, couples and singles came to dine in their restaurant. They started to
develop their family. Their first child was a boy named after father George.
He is nicknamed Junior. Within a year Beatrice was born. It became too much
for Maria. George stood beside her. He proved to be the best of husbands.
George dotted on his wife and gave her one hundred percent support. Something
happened? Was George tempted? What happened to their positive relationship? Read
to find out.
At The Hospital
Maria was expecting her first baby. She is a small sized person. Her gynic
doctor announced that her baby is over weight. Maria was admitted earlier. Her
doctor could not take chances. She wanted her to go through a normal child
birth. George literally stayed at the hospital. When she was in labour, George
paced up and down the corridor in anxiety about his wife. He prayed for her
to have a successful delivery. Maria did not deliver that day. George went
home to prepare a soup for her.
A Successful Delivery
George is a good cook. He prepared a healthy tomato, meat, vegetable and took
it to his wife. The nurse talked about him. “He is a devoted husband. Let
us pray to marry such a man. He is handsome, well mannered and caring. Madam
Johnson is lucky woman. She has to hold her husband with tight arms before the
vultures pluck him out of her hands”. They kept quiet as George approached
them. He politely greeted them and asked after his wife. “How? How is she? How
is Maria? Has she delivered?” He bombarded them with repeated questions
pacing up and down. Nurse Rose laughed at him. “Cool down Mr. Johnson. Your wife
has safely delivered a bouncing baby boy. Congratulations!” “You are welcome!
Can I see her?! “Yes! You can. But let me check with her doctor”. “Okay!
But be quick about it”. Nurse Rose was amused by Mr. Johnson’s anxiety.
Nurse Rose told Maria that George was downstairs waiting to see her. “But
she needs some rest. No visitors!” Maria protested. “Doctor! Please can I see
my husband? He is downstairs all this while. He is an anxious person. If you
don’t let him in he will think that I am in danger and you are trying to hide
something from him”. “No problem Maria! You can have him in”, said Doc
John. “Thank you doctor”. “You are welcome”. Nurse Rose went to escort George.
He walked past her and opened the door. He rushed to hug his wife in bed. “
How are you darling? I feared for you. I prayed for you. God has answered my
prayers”. He raised his hands and thanked God. Nurse Rose smiled and left. “
Where is he?” He asked his wife. “She! Who told you it is a he?” Maria teased
him. “I don’t care whether it’s a he or she. Where is my child?” Maria
pointed to the cradle. George went to examine his child. “He/she is beautiful.
He/she is just like me”, he said mockingly. “He is handsome”, Maria corrected
him. They had fun and were very relaxed. The nurses were amused. “They love
themselves. Aren’t they Johnson lucky?” the nurses on duty asked each other.
George showed great concern and care for Maria. He congratulated her. “Thank
you my dear wife. You are a great woman. You have brought forth a life on
earth. Let me go now. I’ll cook you a delicious fillet vegetable soup. You need
it after your great job”. He kissed her forehead gave her a bunch of fresh
beautiful flowers and a congratulations card. He left to cook her soup. Maria
smiled. She is a contented, fulfilled woman. “We have no money but we have
enough to give us a decent living. What more do I need from a husband? He is
handsome, caring, loving and well mannered. Above all, he loves and dotes on me”
. Maria smiled. Nurse Rose entered to give her iron tablets. “You are amused
Maria, Is it about your husband?” Maria nodded her head. “You are lucky. Aren
’t you?” Maria agreed. “Take care of your husband. He is innocent. He is
nice. Beware of the vultures. They might want to take advantage of him. Be
warned!” “Thanks! I’ll take care”. Maria replied. Before George left Maria
asked him to contact their parents. “Don’t be overwhelmed by the restaurant
work. Contact our parents immediately and tell them the good new.” “Am I crazy?
That’s the first thing I’ll do”. George promised.
At The Restaurant
A customer sat for a while without being served. He got frustrated and left.
He met up with George. He enquired and he protested. “I sat for 15 mins
without any service. I am a regular customer to your restaurant but I cannot
stand the neglect. I am going elsewhere.” “George pleaded with him”. No! Don’t
say that I apologize for them. Let us go. I’ll serve you”. “No! Its okay. I’
ll go else where”. He left dissatisfied.
George Is Angry
George came and shouted his wife’s name. “Maria! Renben! Where are you
people? Why are you not serving the customers? Look at that regular customer! We
have lost him. What is it? Can’t you do anything if I am not around? What is
it? Do you want to frustrate my efforts?” He was angry and emotional. The
other customers looked on as George went into tantrums. Maria was dissatisfied. “
Can’t you listen for once? Am I two persons?” “Where is Renben?” George
posited. “Have you asked before you exploded?”
To be contd.
OPINION
The G.C.C.I. Business Talk
The Gambia Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s talk on Sunday 10‘“ February,
2008 was most interesting as it was an evaluation of the recent annual
dinner and awards which took place at the Sheraton Hotel.
About two to three years ago, civil society did not seem to know much about
the Chamber’s functions and activities. As a journalist, I wanted to know
more about the G.C.C.I and was gratified to have been given the opportunity to
go and interview Mr. Jallow the young Director of this Business Enterprise.
Since then it appears that the association has been put on the map and there
have been articles published in the Daily Observer from time to time to inform
the public about the G.C.C.I activities.
Every year, a gala dinner is organized at one of our prestigious hotels. It
is an auspicious and elaborate event. This annual event usually a grand and
exclusive one and in recent years awards have been given to various
individuals in the business sector, who have excelled in their services given to the
community. This awards programme is a noteworthy innovation, as it focuses on
and selects all those whose efforts in the business sector have been
recognized and appreciated by the G.C.C.I.
I regard this social event as exclusive when I discover how much is charged
for an individual or a couple to attend this annual gala extravaganza. From
The Gambia’s perspective, the cost of more than D 1, 000 for a social evening
of this nature is exorbitant which not many individuals .or couples can
really afford. The business community are the people in the country who have money
on the whole to afford such grandiose social events. Most people I have
spoken to about these exorbitant rates for some of these dinners at the various
hotels during the festive season agree that D1, 000 for a dinner or a night
out, is expensive for a poor country like The Gambia at a time when most people
are grumbling about the high costs of living pertaining at the present time
and we know that many families are unable to provide good, nourishing meals
each day for the family.
There are those Gambians who want to be included among the elite and
affluent and will go through no end of expenditure to be numbered among these
affluent groups of the society and will even borrow or beg just to be able to
attend such prestigious ‘dos’, the name given to these social events.
This attitude is recognized as a Gambian failing and is very sad indeed.
They must attend these functions at any cost.
I for one cannot afford to spend over D1,000 for a night out no matter how
prestigious the event. It is folly to spend so much money on dinners when we
know that the majority of our people are struggling to feed their families
daily and those of us who entertain in our homes obviously don’t spend D1, 000
plus for lunch or dinner. This is what makes the G.C.C.I gala dinner expensive
and unaffordable for the average Gambian. I hope it will not be misconstrued
that I am opposed to these grandeuse social activities, on the contrary, The
Gambia is rated a poor country, the cost of living has escalated in recent
years and we must live within our means by cutting our coats according to the
material available for our various circumstances and not indulge in luxuries
we cannot afford or which leave a huge hole in the family budget or resulting
in large debt burdens within the family.
Finally, kudos to the two ladies who are members of the G.C.C.I, namely
Beatrice Prom, media consultant and communications officer and Sarata, it is
impressive that they displayed much knowledge about the organization, they were
up to the task assigned to them and were eloquent in the way they responded to
the questions put to them by Peter Gomez the proprietor of West Coast radio
and a journalist. They are all commended for their performance and a job well
done on behalf of the Gambia Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
Congratulations are meted out to the GCCI and entire staff in spite of the
expensive nature of their annual celebrations.
By Bijou Peters
FOROYAA SPORTS
Armed Forces Blank Nine-man Hawks
By Isatou Bittaye
Armed Forces defeated Hawks by two goals to nil yesterday at the Serrekunda
East ground.
Ken Malamin Jammeh was the culprit when he played the ball to his opponent
under no pressure, allowing Buba Darboe to easily slot home Armed Forces
opener in the 34th minute. The military club piled pressure on Hawks from the
start and Hawks’ reduction to nine-men in the early part of the second half,
proved their final undoing. The frustration was clearly visible on Hawks and
Omar Koroma received his marching orders compounding matters for the 2006 FA Cup
winners.
And in the 43rd minute, Armed Forces nearly doubled the score when Abdou
Darboe setup his brother Buba, but the header flew narrowly over the bar. With
only a minute to the end of the first period Hawks almost leveled the score,
but Omar Sarr shot weakly towards goal giving little trouble to the keeper.
Hawks returned to the field in the second half ready to make fight their way
back to the game. Coach Sang Ndong made a double substitution bringing in
Mustapha Jatta and Dawda Ceesay in place of Arthur Sengore and Omar Sarr.
Armed Forces decided to go for the kill in the first minute of the half with
playmaker Sarjo Janko’s volley going inches over the bar. And it was time for
Hawks to also reap their share of the goal gifting blunders when Armed
Forces goal keeper played the ball to the Hawks number 8, but he hurriedly fired
and the ball flew off out of play.
But Hawks struggled to maintain their stand to pull an equaliser, they were
reduced to nine and a penalty awarded to Armed Forces. The ever-present Buba
Darboe was freed by a defence splitting pass from midfield. Ken Malamin
Jammeh raced to the rescue just before Darboe released his shot and caught him off
the ball.
The referee called for a penalty. But Jammeh reacted angrily and he was
shown a straight red card. Abdou Darboe stepped to fire home the spot killing all
chances of Hawks getting back to the game. It was almost oneway traffic now.
Armed Forces pressured further for more goals but stood firm at the back
making some determined counterattacks.
Wallidan Share Spoils with B/United
By Lamin A. Darboe
Sainey Touray’s 69th minute close range goal saved the day for Wallidan as
they trailed Bakau United from the first half. Bakau United were leading at
the start of the second period from Demba Sarr’s 42nd minute goal. But Touray’
s introduction in the second half resulted to a tactical masterpiece from the
Wallidan bench, as ensured the 2005 league champions avoid defeat. The
Gambia youth international was an instant hit as he rose and fired a low header in
the United net. A keenly contested affair ensued with either side fighting
for the killer goal. In the 43rd minute Ebrima Kanteh could have delivered
the full results for Wallidan but his effort went high. And in the dying
moments of the game Alagie Janneh also had an opportunity from close range only to
shoot high.
Elsewhere in another match of the day, Gambia Ports Authority opened their
2008 season’s account with a 1-1 draw with Steve Biko. Ports returned to town
after being knocked out of the CAF Confederations Cup by Ivorian side ES
Bingerville last weekend. The FA Cup holders went three goals down in Abidjan
ending the doubled legged contest 4-0 on aggregate. Bingerville earlier won the
first leg 1-0 at the Independence Stadium.
However, Ports has proved to be formidable side in the local scene having
only surrendered their league crown last season at the match. They won the 2008
league curtain raiser – the Super Cup, against Real de Banjul.
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