Foroyaa Newspaper Burning Issues
No. 11/2008, 25 - 27 January, 2008
Editorial
APRC Not Popular But the opposition is extremely weak and without mature
tactics
The results of the Local government elections have been trickling in as we
go to press. What is very clear is that there is general voter apathy. Never
in the history of Gambian elections had such an intensive and extensive voter
education campaign been conducted. No Gambian can claim not to be aware that
elections are taking place.
The role of the councils were clearly explained by the Independent Electoral
Commission and the National Council for Civic Education.
However, the people were also fully aware of the fact that the councils were
not as autonomous as they are expected to be by the Constitution.
The Local Government Act has made the councils to be accountable to the
Governors of regions who are appointed by the President and are accountable to
the Secretary of State for the Local Government and Lands.
The elections therefore were not designed to empower party candidates to
have the capacity to perform their duties without being subjected to dictation
by the Executive.
The results of the election have revealed that independent candidates have
done better than party candidates. The best tactic the Opposition could have
adopted was to have encouraged credible candidates to stand as Independent
Candidates and then take concerted action to support them so as to bring to the
fore the unpopularity of the trend towards a monarchical system of Local
Government. This would have facilitated concerted action to promote Local
Government and electoral reform.
Foroyaa will analyse the results of the elections to determine how each
party is faring one year after the presidential and National assembly elections.
It is very clear that the Gambian people are demanding for a new electoral
and political system. They are no longer satisfied with the way politics is
being conducted in this country. We will explore the demands for a way forward.
Low Voter Turnout at Council Elections
Voter turnout at the council elections has been very low in the areas
monitored by Foroyaa as narrated in the following reports.
Banjul Council Elections
By Amie Sanneh
Voter turnout for the local government elections in Banjul has been
described by most presiding officers as poor. No reason is given to for the low voter
turnout.
Samba Faal, the APRC candidate for the Mayoral seat of Banjul shortly after
casting his vote at the Gambia High School told reporters that there are many
poling booths without long queues. “Hopefully by the end of the day more
people will come and vote,”he noted.
Mr. Faal who spoke with confidence said he has a master plan for Banjul
which includes infrastructural development and environmental sanitation. He said
his priority will be environmental sanitation to ensure that the city is
clean. “We will see the difference,” he noted confidently.
Femi Peters, the UDP candidate who also spoke with optimism said the public
holiday is not necessary because people did not come out to vote. “The public
holiday was meant for people to come out and vote but they are not making
good use of it because it shows that there is no need for the holiday,” he
remarked. Mr. Peters noted that had it been that there was no public holiday
people would have left their offices to come and vote and the turn out would have
been better.
Commenting on his objectives, Mr. Peters said Banjul as a city needs to have
a plan of its own. He pointed out that he will improve the revenue base.
When asked whether he will be able to work with the government while he belongs
to an opposition party, he explained that he intends to have a cordial
relationship with the government and also hopes that the government will be
cordial with him. “Government will not be that negative towards development plans
for the city.”
The two mayoral candidates for Banjul both described the voting process as
fair and urged their supporters to exercise patience and be peaceful.
The Returning Office for the Box Bar Road in Banjul , Siaka Joof said in his
view many people had not turned up because they wished.
He said they did not encounter any problem except in the case of voters not
knowing their polling stations.
Kanifing Municipal Elections
By Fabakary B. Ceesay
The turnout at the 2008 local government elections in the Kanifing
Municipality has been extremely low despite a massive propaganda campaign from both
parties involved. Many presiding officers described the turnout as the worst in
the history of election in the country. There was hardly any queue at all
the polling stations I visited.
At the New Jeshwang and Ebo Town polling stations from B59 to B70A, all the
presiding officers expressed dismay over the low turnout of voters. They
pointed out that on most occasions the queue does not exceed three people. They
pointed out that most voters were elderly women. Most presiding officers
indicated that they have 500 to 1000 voters in their voters list but that up to
midday less than hundred voters cast their votes. They all said that they had
not encountered any problem with the voters and that all their election
materials were in tack.
At Tallinding Ward, from B71 to B82A, it seems as if no voting was taking
place at all. The polling sign board was the sign polling going on within the
area. Electoral officers and polling agents could often be seen chatting for
minutes before a voter turned up. They said that up to 2:00 pm none of the
polling stations had received more than 150 voters, noting that the majority of
voters were women. They expected voters to turnout in large numbers before
the end of the day as it is a public holiday.
At the Fagi Kunda Ward, from B1 to B9A, the same trend of low voter turnout
was observed. Electoral officials expressed surprise at the low turnout of
voters. Most said they were expecting a good turnout within the Kanifing
Municipality as it is one of the most populated electoral division in the country.
Some party agents alluded the low voter turnout to the loss of confidence of
the people.
At the Bundung Six Junction/ Bundung Mauritani Ward, from B18 to B25, it
seemed like no election was taking place at all. Voters could be seen coming to
cast their votes but only one at a time. Presiding officers indicated that
it seemed like the message of local government elections did not reach the
people; or that the people did not take the matter seriously. Party agents said
even though their parties had campaigned vigorously for the masses to come out
in there numbers to cast their votes on the election date this did not seem
to have yielded result.
At the Serekunda/ London Corner Ward, from B83 to B90A, at around 2:00 pm,
there was no queue at all the polling stations mentioned. Presiding officers
expressed dissatisfaction at the turnout.
At the Bakau/ Cape Point Ward, from B41 to B48, there was an average voter
turnout at some polling stations. At most polling stations in the Old Bakau
area the turnout was a bit better than many places. Voters could be seen
trying to locate the polling stations where they were supposed to cast their
votes. Many people could also be seen at the last minutes rushing to cast their
votes before the time elapsed. Many presiding officers indicated that in the
morning there was very low turnout; that later in the day many decided to come
out to cast their votes. Party agents indicated that they are not satisfied
with the turnout compared to the number of eligible voters in the area. They
also added that more campaign time would have been given to politicians to
enable them to inform the electorate about their policies; that the electorate
also needed more time to differentiate whom to vote for.
Most of the people that I spoke to within the Kanifing Municipality seem not
to have interest in the local government polls. Most said they did not see
the significance of voting in these elections when they did not even know the
contestants. Some said they only saw posters of the candidates whom they
could not even identify within the general public. Some pointed out that most
the contestants are out to pursue their personal benefits and not the general
development of their wards. Some said they totally lack confidence in the
political leaders, pointing out that they only come to the people when they need
their votes.Foroyaa will get int touch with those elected to get their views.
Kombo Central
By Modou Jonga
The council elections in the Kombo Central Constituency for three wards,
namely Marakissa, Kembujeh and Nyambai Wards went on smoothly and according to
schedule.
The presiding officers who spoke to this reporter at various polling
stations said they were supplied with adequate election materials and the voting
process was uninterrupted. However the presiding officer at C143A, Kembujeh
Ward, Kaddy Jatta said she was given 700 tokens out of which 154 were cast. She
noted that the unused ballots amounted to 546. Another presiding officer at
C143, Kembuje Ward, Njemeh Njie also noted a low voter turnout. She said she
was issued 700 ballot tokens but 183 votes were cast while 517 were recorded as
unused ballots.
New Malaria Drug Launched
By Isatou Battaye
The National Malaria Control Programme (NMCP), in collaboration with the
Department of State for Health and Social Welfare, on Wednesday, January 23rd
launched a new Malaria treatment drug called Atenisinin Combination Therapy
(ACT). The launching Ceremony was held at the Conference Hall of the Department
of State for Health and Social Welfare.
In his welcoming remarks the NMCP manager, Mr. Malang Fofana said the
launching marks a major turning point in the history of malaria control and
prevention in the Gambia. He added that it is the true reflection of the combined
efforts of the RBM partnership to fight malaria. Mr. Fofana noted that it is
only through effective partnership that a change in anti-malarial policy is
possible .This, he said, will enable them to join forces to roll back malaria in
the Gambia.
He said malaria cuts across many sectors and needs a multi-sectoral approach
to fight it effectively, noting that the Department of state alone cannot
combat malaria. He said the Gambia is a signatory to the Abuja Declaration
which is committed to providing access to good quality, affordable and
efficacious anti-malarial drugs to those at risk of malaria. Mr. Fofana noted that
based on evidence and consultation with partners, the Gambia thought it prudent
to change from choloroquine to Atemisinin combination Therapy (Lunifantrine
plus Artemeter) or Coarrtem, as a first line treatment for uncomplicated
malaria.
Also speaking at the launch, the acting Chief Pharmacist, National
Pharmaceutical Services, Mrs. Markieu Janneh Kaira, said the new drug, which is a
combination of Artemether plus Lumefantrine formulated into one tablet called
Coartem, is registered. Mrs. Janneh Kaira said the drug is effective and advised
people to use the medicine. She added that the medicine should be used only
when prescribed by health workers, the full dose for treatment, she said,
must be completed and the treatment should not be shared.
In her statement, the representative of WHO, Mrs. Agnes Quaye, said the WHO
provided financial and technical support in drug efficacy studies, which
revealed increased chloroquine resistance. Mrs. Quaye added that it is as a
result of the evidence of the studies that the Department of State for health
requested for technical assistance from WHO to facilitate a change in the drug
policy for the treatment of malaria. She said that in response to the request,
WHO fielded a consultant to start the process of policy change in the
treatment of malaria. She added that the WHO supported DOSH in the development of
case management protocols and guidelines, training of Health Workers in the
rational use of the new drug and procurement of the new drug. She emphasized WHO’
s continued support in the implementation and monitoring of the new drug
policy.
In his launch statement, the Secretary of State for Health and Social
Welfare, Dr. Malick Njie, said the Gambia has recorded success in the treatment of
malaria, but that despite the successes, malaria still remains a cause for
concern in The Gambia. Dr. Njie added that the spread of anti-malarial drug
resistance is one of the challenges facing effective malaria control in the
world. He said this has been identified as a potent hindrance to the achievement
of the set targets aimed at halving the malaria burden by 2010. Dr. Njie noted
that to ensure that this trend does not abort the laudable achievements in
malaria control in the country, the DOSH has put in place effective mechanisms
to monitor parasite resistance to anti-malarial drugs and to use the output
to inform treatment policy. He said the policy change has been consented to
by the cabinet in February 2007, and procurement and distribution of drugs
have also been effected. Dr. Njie added that health worker trainings and
community sensitizations on Coartem are also ongoing. He concluded that the policy
change is a vital step given the importance of effective malaria treatment.
Fire Causes Anguish On Family
As Apartment Burnt To Ashes
By Musa Barrow
A mysterious fire, on Wednesday, 23 January, 2008, raged in a compound
belonging to one Arafanding Ceesay of Manjai Kunda, resulting to the complete
destruction of a whole apartment. The apartment, which consisted of a sitting
room and two bed rooms, was burnt down by the fire.
Speaking to this reporter, the landlord, Arafanding Ceesay, said the items
destroyed by the fire included clothes, two radios and a television set. He
added that even the foodstuff for the family, including bags of rice and other
food items, had all been consumed by the fire.
Arafanding Ceesay called on sympathisers to come to the aid of his family.
He said that the effect of this destructive fire incident is rather
devastating. He, however, remained upbeat that the family can pick up the shattered
pieces and rebuild their ruined home.
Commenting on how it all came about, Mr. Ceesay explained that the actual
cause of the fire was yet to be established. He said that he was away at the
time when the fire erupted; that it was when he coming home that he found a
group of people in his compound, apparently attempting to put the fire under
control .
Luntanding Drammeh, the wife, on her part also said the same thing as her
husband; that she too was out of the compound when all of a sudden she heard
people shouting, as they were trying to put out the fire raging in their
compound. She also appealed for assistance.
Also reacting to the fire outbreak, the coordinator of Youth Progressive
Network in Manjai Junda, one Mr. Alpha Bah, said the frequent fire outbreaks in
their community has prompted their organization to come up with a package
for young people to train them on how to properly tackle fire incidents. Mr.
Bah explained that such training is necessary in order to raise awareness on
the risks and dangers involved in fire fighting. He also revealed that his
organization will endeavour to set up a Disaster Relief Committee with a view to
assisting future victims of such disasters. He also appealed for help for the
Ceesay family.
Editor’s Note:
Any good samaritan who is willing to help the Ceesay family, can either
contact the Alkalo of Manjai Kunda or call 9881781.
Gambian Red Cross Society Holds Home Base Care Training
By Bakary Seedy Dampha
A five day Intensive Home Base Care training workshop organized by the
Gambia Red Cross Society kicked off on Monday 21 January, 2008 at the Sinchu
Baliya Community Clinic.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Mr. Lamin Fatty, the Western Region Branch
Officer, welcomed the volunteers of GRCS to the training and urged them to
be very keen and vigilant to the subject matter. He said that home base care
is challenging and that he would challenge volunteers to make the training as
participatory as possible in other to overcome such challenges when it comes
to practical delivery.
Samba Njie, the Voluntary Management Officer of GRCS, for his part, said
that home base care is essential in the sense that after completing ones
training, one will immediately start the work of Home Base Care tthat will enable
the monitoring of ones activities as HBC volunteer. He said that the training
marks the beginning of another badge to the team; that this will create an
effective networking system within HBC volunteers in the Western Region and
Kanifing Municipality . Mr. Njie further said that the training involves
practical delivery; that this is why it is important to take it seriously.
The HIV/AIDS Program Coordinator of GRCS, Mrs. Aunty Fatou Gaye, disclosed
that the GRCS Home Base Care started as far back as 2002 with only 7
volunteers. She said it is through their conserted efforts and dedication to the
services of home base care that has made it possible for this team to be trained.
Mrs. Gaye, however, reminded that the service is pure volunteerism and that
therefore no body should expect a penny She concluded that they still
remained as the volunteers of GRCS to fulfill their promises of voluntary service to
the community.
Alleged Counterfeiters To Appear In Court
By Fabakary B. Ceesay
Messrs. Charles Lawson, Amadou Wattara, and Ebrima Danso, Nigerian, Guinean
and Gambian, nationals, respectively, who were arrested by the police in
connection with counterfeiting, late last year, are expected to appear in the
Bundung Magistrates Court to take their plea on January 28.
According to the police spokesperson, Inspector Sulayman Secka, the trio are
charged with fifteen counts. He said that the accused were earlier brought
before the said court, but had refused to take their plea without legal
representation, but that now they have promised to secure the services of a
counsel.
It could be recalled that Messrs. Lawson, Wattara and Danso were earlier on
paraded before the press on the 27 December, 2007 for their alleged
involvement in printing and dealing in fake currencies, amounting to D12, 100 and CFA
200,000 in cash. They were also paraded alongside their purported money
making machines and other liquids said to be for the purpose of making of
counterfeit money. The three were said to be arrested on Christmas eve at Bakoteh,
in the Kanifing Municipality .
HEALTH AND NUTRITION BANTABA
By Yaya Bajo
Infant and young child feeding education is a relevant tool for lactating
and would-be lactating mothers, as good knowledge of it enables breastfeeding
mothers to practice ideal methods of breastfeeding. In view of this
development, Health and Nutrition Bantaba takes an extract from the IBFAN Africa news,
which attempts to highlight the tips and advice for proper ways of
breastfeeding.
It is recommended that women breastfeed their babies for at least 2 years.
Yet many women don’t even come close to six months due to lack of support with
breastfeeding. Mothers can be discouraged from breastfeeding if they do not
get proper support with good positioning and attachment of baby to the breast.
Make sure your baby has a good latch. This right here is the primary problem
of breastfeeding. Poor latch can result in sore, cracked and bleeding
nipples. Your baby’s lips should be flanged (fish-face) around your areola. The
baby should be feeding on your areola, not on your nipple. The tongue should be
beneath your areola, not on top of it or in front of it. Remember that
breastfeeding should never hurt, though it may be uncomfortable in the beginning.
If your baby has an improper latch, disengage it from your nipple by sticking
a finger in the mouth to release the suction, and then try again.
Get comfortable when you breastfeed. Always bring your baby to your breast.
Don’t bring your breast to the baby. Go to the bathroom, drink a glass of
water and prop pillows beneath your arm for help.
You should be hearing your baby swallow. In the beginning, your baby may
only swallow every five to ten sucks, but once your milk comes in you should
hear a swallow at each suck. A swallow will sound like a faint click.
If you believe you have mastitis contact your care provider. Mastitis is a
special breastfeeding issue. It’s an infection or inflammation of your milk
ducts. It can make breastfeeding very painful. Symptoms include a tender,
reddened patch upon the breast, or entire tender and reddened breast, fever of 101
degrees Fahrenheit, chills, headache and fatigue.
Mastitis is caused by extra milk in the milk ducts. A circular problem can
be created if you try to empty your breasts at each feeding by pumping, since
your baby will assume more milk is needed and will produce more milk.
To avoid mastitis, try not to wear an under-wire bra or to miss feedings,
and try to get plenty of rest, food and water. Mastitis is treatable with home
remedies such as warm compress, patience and potentially antibiotics.
Correct latch-on. Note how the baby’s lips are correctly fixed and the mouth
is opened wide. Also notice how much breast tissue has been taken in, almost
the entire areola is in the baby’s mouth.
If your baby is latched on and sucking correctly, you should not feel any
pain. If you feel pain, or the baby does not seem to be sucking correctly, stop
and start over again. Break the suction by putting your finger in the side
of the baby’s mouth between the gums. Do not let the baby continue to feed
incorrectly, as you can develop painful and damaged nipples, and the baby may
not be able to get enough milk.
Expressing Breast Milk
Meanwhile, if a mother cannot take her baby with her to breastfeed at work,
she can express her milk by hand before she goes to work, and leave it for a
helper to feed the baby while she is away. If a mother also expresses milk
while she is at work, this helps to keep up her milk supply.
v Express milk into a clean cup or container. To make sure the cup
is clean, wash it with soap and water and leave it to dry in the sun; then
pour boiling water into the cup. The sun and boiling water will kill most
germs.
v Wash hands thoroughly with soap before expressing milk.
v Lean forward, supporting the breast over the cup or bowl.
v With thumb above and first finger below the nipple, press in
towards the body a little way.
v Then bring thumb and finger together, squeezing behind the
nipple.
v Release and repeat until milk starts to drip or flow.
v Press the areola (the darker area around the nipple) to the left
and right of the nipple in the same way, to make sure that milk is expressed
from all sectors of the breast.
v Express breast milk (EBM) should be given to the baby from a
clean cup. Feeding bottles should not be used because they are very hard to keep
clean and because they make the baby less eager to suck at the breast.
v Expressed breast milk can be stored during the day (up to six
hours if no refrigerator is available and up to 24 hours if kept refrigerated),
but it should be kept covered and as cool as possible. Do not worry if the
milk separates; it can be shaken up and is still good to use.
v Using expressed breast milk is the best way to feed a baby who is
too ill to suck, and expressing milk can relieve very full or leaking
breasts.
Breastfeeding and Diarrhoea
v Babies who are exclusively breastfed are less likely to get
diarrhoea, because breast milk is free from germs and contains anti bodies which
protect a baby from infection.
v If a baby as diarrhea, always continue breastfeeding because a
baby still needs food, and especially liquids, to replace what is lost during
the diarrhea. Breastfeeding will also reduce the stool volume and speed
recovery.
v When a baby has frequent diarrhea, oral rehydration fluids may be
needed as well. These should be given by cup and spoon. If the baby is too
weak to suck at the breast, expressed breast milk can also be given by cup.
v Cups used to feed a baby with expressed breast milk should be
carefully washed with boiled water to sterilize them.
When given oral rehydration solution or expressed breast milk always use a
cup and spoon, never a feeding bottle.
Bottle-fed babies are more likely to get diarrhea. Feeding bottles are very
difficult to keep clean, and dirty bottles are a major source of illness,
especially diarrhea. Bottle-fed babies are also at risk from contaminated water,
which may be used to mix up powdered milk.
Former Ambassador’s Trial Continues
Witness Testifies
By Fabakary B. Ceesay
The trial involving the state and The Gambia’s former ambassadors to France
, Mr. William Joof, continues at the Banjul Magistrates Court on Wednesday,
23 January. The state witness, PW 1, testified.
In his testimony, PW 1, Mr. Moses Benjamin Jallow, said he was a member of
staff of The Gambian Embassy in France, and served as interim Charge d’
Affaires, substantive Counselor and Head of Chancery. Mr. Jallow told the court
that the accused, Willy Joof, was the ambassador from June 2001 to September
2005.
He said that Mr. Joof, as the Ambassador to France , also served as The
Gambia’s Permanent Delegate to UNESCO. He explained that his role as counselor
involves supervision of the general administration of the Gambian Embassy in
Paris ; that he manages all the financial and counselor matters of theEmbassy,
under the direction of the ambassador.
“I work hand in hand with the Financial Attaché for the disbursement of all
the finances of the Embassy. I am also a co-signatory to all the bank
accounts of the embassy,” said Mr. Jallow. He added that Mr. Willy Joof was an
alternative signatory to the accounts, in the event where either one of the first
two signatories was out of the jurisdiction. Mr. Jallow said that he consults
with the ambassador, Mr. Joof, in the case of major financial expenses; that
for minor expenses, he uses his own discretion to sign cheques. He told the
court that the Embassy operated two accounts, “the remitance and remedy
accounts,” of which he is a signatory to both. Mr. Jallow told the court that the
accused, Mr. Joof, left office in September 2005. He said that after Mr. Joof
’s departure one Gerrard Nuss came to ask for him, but was told that he had
left, but that Mr. Nuss continued to ask for Mr. Joof. He said that Mr. Nuss
had informed him that he (Nuss) had paid an amount of money to Mr. Joof as
ambassador to enable him (Nuss) to acquire the position of honourary counselor
of The Gambia to France . Mr. Jallow said that he came to know the amount of
money given to Mr. Joof by Mr. Nuss through a correspondent from the latter
that was sent to the authorities at the foreign affairs department in Banjul
.
He noted that Mr. Joof had never explained any thing to him about the
transaction between him and Nuss, prior to his departure. Mr. Jallow said that he
was requested by the authorities in Banjul to assist in the investigation they
are mounting in Paris in connection with the trial of Mr. Joof in Banjul;
that he came to know about the account of the Gambian delegation to UNESCO
after Joof’s departure; that said he came to know about the appointment of one
Michael Conocus at a senior staff meeting; that Mr. Joof only informed them
about the appointment of Mr. Conocus, who was never introduced to them (the
staff) until Mr. Joof left; that Mr. Joof also terminated the services of the
same Michael Conucus and one Michael Attias, whom he never met. Mr. Jallow
noted that the termination of the two was made in writing and that copies were
sent to the UNESCO office, to the two concerned persons and the police
authorities within their jurisdiction.
Mr. William Joof, former ambassador and Permanent Secretary to the
Department of State for Foreign Affairs, was initially standing trial on eleven counts
that were later dropped to eight, which include official corruption,
stealing and abuse of office.
The case is before Magistrate Kayode Olajubutu, Representing the prosecution
is state counsel Emmanuel Fagbenle and the defense counsel is Lamin S.
Camara.
Achievement Of Dingding Bantaba
By Modou Jarju
Dingding Bantaba child and family support association is a charitable
orgnisation establish to assist needy children and families in The Gambia.
Tamsir A.B Cham program area manager in his remarks said the imitative
undertaken by dingding bantaba is another land mark achievement in the socio
economic advancement of the area and the country in particular. He said the
project focus mainly on health. Education, welfare of the children etc. Mr. Cham
further mentioned that clinic were built at different village namely Somita,
Kassagne, Batabut, Kapa and Saganfor, employed quality nurses in each of the
clinic and purchased essential drugs too which means they are implementing
government effort in providing a quality health care delivery to the communities
of the area. On the aspect of education, Mr. Cham noted that many students
within the area passed through their sponsorship ticket from middle school,
senior secondary school, GTTI and university. One of the sponsored students was
Lamin Jammeh now working with fuse bank limited and Sherifo Jammeh attending
university of The Gambia to mention but few. According to him, dingding
bantaba also built a lodge at Bwiam, and described health as a right and education
as they only weapon to progress.
Penda Sowe accountant in her words said dingding bantaba came to assist
children, parents and communities especially women. She further stated that as
accountant, schools fees of sponsored children salaries of teacher, nurses,
cooks and other employee are settle early. She dwelt on how significant of
education and mention that dingding bantaba that seeing students at homes without
attending schools especially sponsored onces.
Pah Joof programme board chairman underscored the significance of dingding
project in the area as very timely. According to Pah, dingding bantab
established a vegetable garden at Kassagne when women work earn their living. He said
food they buy and cook for the children, they apply serious HACCP which
stands for hazard analysis critical control points. Is a system which
identifies, evaluates and control hazard or micro-organism which are important for food
safety all this is taking into consideration and stressed that children are
the facture leaders of tomorrow. He added that summers schools are not close
simply summer is always hard for all parents they want children going through
their nursery school should well balance food and learn effectively.
Kaddy Badjie of Somita one of the sponsored child mother expressed her
profound thanks and gratitude to dingding bantaba whom he said without their help,
her child will not complete his grade twelve this year. She further pointed
out that the coming of dingding bantaba, heeps a lot of children, parents and
communities she said she was truly delighted with dingding bantaba.
MARRIAGE AND FAMILY
Divorce or Destruction Part 3
With Amie Sillah
Chat Talks To Mom
Emmanuel have a chat with mom. He made her talked and laughed. He drew mom’s
bag and asked for money for fare. “Dad’s washer man! Go and get fares from
him now. I am not going to give you anything.” Chat defended dad. “Daddy
does not have money. He is only a pensioner.” “Go to him now. Don’t disturb me.
Give me my bag.” “I will not mom! I’ll not.” “Let me tell you my story.
You don’t know that’s why you are defending your evil father. Your dad is
wicked. My son! I have suffered. I have suffered so much! Your dad made me suffer
three abortions: I adopted a better strategy by staying with my mom anytime
I conceived. Your dad hated me the most when I am pregnant. He called me
names. He said I smell like a she-goat and smell as a pig sty. Your pregnancy
would have been aborted had I not adopted a better strategy. He never fend for
you. I did. I relied on my salary and on my petty trading. I foot the family
hospital bill, feeding and clothing. Now you are all blessed he wants to reap
where he did not sow. I’ll not agree. It will be over my dead body.” Mom
tried to poison Emma’s mind. She succeeded. Emma started to hate dad with a
passion. He sided with mom.
Emma Confronts Anita
“Mom told me her story. Dad is wicked. Mom is right to pay back. I am with
her. I hate dad. I have nothing to do with him.” Emma told Anita. Ani tried to
dissuade him. “Emma don’t talk like that! Dad is our father. Whatever
happen between them was in the past. We should not take sides. We should not
grudge our dad. Through our parents, God brings us to this world. To grudge dad
will be a curse upon our family.” Ani advised. “Nonsense! I don’t care! Dad is
wicked and I hate him.” Emma posited. “There is no peace. The war has
started.”
Ani Talks To Mom
Anita went to discuss with mom. She pleaded with her. “Mom! Stop destroying
our family. You have managed to turn Emma against dad that is dangerous. Emma
is sly, mean and wicked. Preaching hate to him can prove fatal.” Ani
advised. “Who cares?” Mom defended herself.
Mom Asked Anita To Sit Down And Hear Her Story.
“Ani darling! Sit down and listen to my story. I am paying back your dad in
his own coin. Your dad made me suffer to the hilt. I live a life of
battering. Your dad was insane, reckless and wicked. He finds an excuse to beat me for
anything. During my first pregnancy. He came and accused me of stealing
his money. When I denied it, he beat me to unconsciousness which resulted in my
first abortion. I nearly lost my life. Your dad found me as a virgin but he
still accuses me of seeing other men. When I fainted it was neighbours who
took me to hospital. My brother, your Uncle said I should never returned to your
wicked dad. My mother, your granny insisted I returned to my husband’s
house. I returned reluctantly. My mum told him off. And asked him to eat me up if
he pleases. I cried myself to sleep. I was accused again after three months
and battered severely my pregnancy was advanced. I gave birth to a premature
baby. Your dad accused me of spreading false rumours against him. He said I
told your aunt, his sister that he caused my first abortion.
I woke him up for discussion at night. He slapped me to stupor. He pushed me
on our arm chair. That led to the lost of my second pregnancy.
He rejected my meals and gave me repeated slaps for not cooking a platable
meal. He criticized me on everything.
When his workplace strike and he got suspended for two weeks he said I was
ill lucked and he threatened to divorce me. I cooked his meal and he threw it
upon me. I was frustrated. I have to go home until things get better on his
side.
My brother took a stance. He refused me to go back to your dad.
My Brother Threatens
My brother threatened to disown me if I return to your dad. I was in a
dilemma. My first son have to grow up in his father’s house. My brother argued
back. “This tradition holds if your husband is a respecter of tradition. But he
is not. Forget about that tradition please.” My brother argued. My mom again
insisted that I go back to my husband. That it was for better and for worse.
After a fortnight, I went back to my hell fire.”
Anita broke in “But mom! Are you not a Christian? The Christian doctrine
teaches us to forgive and forget not to be judgmental. Do not punish all of us.
Your war with dad is consuming the family.”
Mom commented, “Your dad is wicked! I’ll never forgive him not even in
death.” She emphasized.
Mom’s vengeance created a vicious cycle in our family. The atmosphere was
very poisonous. I hate to go home to inhale that poison.
Going To The Village
My parents visited my village. Dad was ready and waiting for mom. She
deliberately wasted time to annoy dad. He was very patient. Mom came out and
deliberately went to occupy the front seat to irritate dad. We were all fed up with
mom’s pettiness. It got on to our nerves myself and Reuben. Emma was now on
her side. He malaise dad. To ease the tension. I tried to crack jokes with
dad. “Greet my uncles dad. Tell them I’ll pay them a visit.” Dad smiled. “
Okay! A promise is a promise. Don’t make me tell a lie.” “Okay dad! I promise.”
I turned to Musa, the driver and asked him to drive carefully. “They are my
parents. I don’t want to lose them. The roads are very terrible.
At The Village
They branched off at my maternal granny. Mom dropped off. Dad went to visit
his brothers. There was an important family meeting.
In Sheriff Minteh’s Murder Trial
Counsels Fail To Appear
By Saikou Ceesay
The long dragging murder trial of Sheriff Minteh, involving Dodou Janneh,
alias Dudu boy, did not proceed on Wednesday, 23 January 2008, before
Magistrate Kumba Sillah Camara of the Bundung Magistrates’ Court.
The adjournment came when the magistrate informed the court that counsel
Tambedou was said to be in bed suffering from blood pressure and could not
attend the court.
She urged the accused to make proper arrangements with the counsels for the
case to progress.
Case is to resume on Tuesday, 29 January, 2008 for Pw5 to testify.
Alleged Insurgents’ Trial Halted Due To Sickness
By Fabakary B. Ceesay
The trial of the nine alleged insurgents from Cassamance in Southern Senegal
could not proceed at the Banjul Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday, due to the
absence of the 8 th accused person, Abdousalam Jammeh, who was reported to be
sick and unable to make it to court.
The state counsel, E.O Fagbenle, informed the court about the development
when all the accused person except Mr. Jammeh appeared in the dock. He told the
court that Mr. Jammeh was reportedly sick and could not come. He asked for a
short adjournment of the trial in order to enable Mr. Jammeh to appear in
court.
The trial Magistrate B.Y Camara concurred with the state counsel’s request
and adjourned the matter to a later date. He ruled that the trial cannot
proceed when one of the accused is not available in court. At one point during
the course of the trial, Mr. Adbosalam Jammeh pleaded to the Magistrate to
allow them to sit down due to his claim that they are suffering from ‘beri-beri’
illness. He also told the court that there will be a day when the trial
will be halted due to their sickness which can led to death.
Magistrate B.Y. Camara ruled that they have the right to lodge their
complaints for medical attention to the prison authorities. He added that he never
heard of a beri-beri disease in the Gambia .
The magistrate, however, did not make any further pronouncement on the ‘beri
beri’ allegation.
Mr. Abdousalam Jammeh and co-defendants are charged with espionage, planning
attack on Senegal and unlawful possession of Gambian national documents.
They are all without legal representatives.
The Constitution Overides The CPC
Says Magistrate Kumba Sillah
By Yaya Bajo
Magistrate Kumba Sillah-Camara of the Bundung Magistrate Court has raised
eye brows over the prosecution’s continuous failure to bring remand prisoners
to court, noting that the accused person has to be charged within a reasonable
time in order for the case to be expedited in the soonest possible time.
Magistrate Sillah-Camara made this submission on Monday January 21, while
presiding over a suspected murder trial, involving one Mustapha Gaye, who was
absent in court because the prosecution failed to ensure his (accused)
appearance, citing logistical problems in transporting the accused person from
prison to the court house. The trial magistrate, however, urged the prosecution
team to regularize the issue of transport at their end as the court cannot
continue to adjourn cases based on logistical difficulties.
Representing the IGP, 772 Samateh, in responding, told the court that it is
rather cumbersome to arrange for a vehicle to ferry the remand prisoners to
the court. He promised to do his utmost best to ensure that the issue is
regularized.
Magistrate Sillah-Camara, however, insisted that something has to be done to
redress the problem or else she will strike out the case. “You cannot keep
the accused persons in remand without bringing them to court. We must go by
the constitution which overrides the Criminal Procedure Code (CPC),” she
stressed. She added that remand prisoners have to be brought to the court as
scheduled and that on time, otherwise they should be given a bail.
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