Foroyaa Newspaper Burning Issue
Issue No. 119/2007, 11 – 14 October 2007
Editorial
Rambo is Seen
What is the Next Step?
In its issue of 28-29 March 2007, Foroyaa reported that Ousman (Rambo)
Jatta was seen at Sare Ngai Police Station in the eastern end of the country.
However when a writ of Habeas Corpus was filed on 7 May 2007 at the High Court
in Banjul calling on the Director General of the National Intelligence Agency
and the Inspector General of Police to produce Ousman Jatta and Kanyiba
Kanyi, the court order to produce them was not complied with.
Rather, in a subsequent proceeding the DPP told the court that after an
order was made, he had a meeting with the police and the NIA but that “the
position remains the same.” An earlier court order in December 2006 to release them
did not bear fruit. The two are yet to be produced before the court. But
that is a matter for the applicants and the court.
Putting court matters aside, what is the executive going to do now that
Ousman (Rambo) Jatta has been seen in police custody in broad day light by
Amnesty International personnel?
Will they act like honourable men and women who respect constitutionality
and value the liberty of its citizens by releasing him at once, or, if indeed
they do have a case against him, grant him bail or take him to court to face
trial? It makes no sense for the executive to be bound and gagged before
doing what they are supposed to do. Let us hope that they will not wait for a
future court order or to buy time and only to later subdue to pressure and
releasing him.
The liberty of Rambo Jatta is at stake! Act now. Section 19(1) of the
constitution states: “Every person shall have the right to liberty and security of
person. No one shall be subjected to arbitrary arrest or detention. No one
shall be deprived of his or her liberty except on such grounds and in
accordance with such procedures as are established by law.”
Rambo’s Impounded Vehicle
Reported Missing
By Fabakary B. Ceesay
Family members of the detained Councillor, Ousman “Rambo” Jatta, have
expressed their concern regarding the whereabouts of his impounded vehicle. They
said the vehicle, an Audi brand, with registration number Km 6371 C, was
parked at Bakau Police Station immediately after the arrest of Councillor Jatta on
September 23 last year.
Family members explained that they were expecting that the vehicle would be
handed over to them when “Rambo” was arrested. They said the car was impounde
d at the Bakau Police Station; that is when Inspector Samba Sowe was the
officer in charge of the said station. They reported that the vehicle is no
longer parked at the station and that they have been making frantic efforts to
locate it, but to no avail.
The police spokesman, Inspector Sulayman Secka, said he has enquired about
the said car at both Bakau and Kairaba Police Stations, but the police at the
two stations denied keeping the car. He however said it will be difficult to
enquire from the officer who was in charge of Bakau Station at the time the
vehicle was impounded, because he is now on a mission in Darfur. PRO Secka
said the present officer in charge of Bakau Station indicated that he knows
nothing about Rambo Jatta’s vehicle and that the O/C is also a new man at the
station. He added that officers at Kairaba Police Station said that they did not
know anything about the whereabouts of the impounded car.
Spanish Officers Allegedly Detained
By Fabakary B. Ceesay
Reports reaching Foroyaa have indicated that about seven Spanish Immigration
Officers were on Friday 5 October detained by the Personnel of The Gambia
Immigration Department attached to Banjul International Airport.
According to the sources, the seven Spanish officers arrived at the airport
escorting four Gambian deportees from Spain who were allegedly maltreated by
the Spanish authorities. The four Gambians were said to have been in
handcuffs upon their arrival at the airport. Sources added that there was a lady
(female) deportee among the four. She was said to be in a poor state of health;
that she was also in handcuff when they arrived with their Spanish escorts.
This lady was also said to have been rushed to the hospital for medical
checkup.
However, the Immigration spokeswoman, Superintendent Olimatou Jammeh Sonko,
confirmed to Foroyaa that there was only one lady who came from Spain. The
PRO said The Gambian lady was not a deportee, but was refused entry for failing
to meet the requirements to enter Spain and that was the reason why she was
returned to The Gambia. She brushed aside the allegations that the lady was
in handcuff but admitted that she arrived sick. Mrs. Jammeh Sonko confirmed
that the lady was taken to hospital for check-up and was treated and
subsequently discharged.
Jammeh Sonko refuted the claim that the Spanish Immigration officers were
arrested and detained by the Gambian Immigration Officers. She said the Spanish
Officers were only asked to stay until The Gambian lady’s health condition
was confirmed before they would be allowed to go back. She noted that the
Spanish were allowed to return after The Gambian lady was discharged from
hospital. She however added that the flight that brought the Spaniards had left them
behind.
World Teachers’ Day Celebrated
By Musa Barrow
The president of Gambia Teachers’ Union, Mr. Omar Ndure, has emphasised the
need for better working conditions for teachers as a prerequisite to
achieving quality education.
Mr. Ndure said in order for teachers to perform and achieve the desired
goals, there has to be a conducive environment, good living condition, better
remuneration packages and recognition of the valuable service offered by
teachers.
The Gambia Teachers’ Union’s president further indicated that his union is
encouraged by the recent incentive package provided to health workers by the
government. He however called for this gesture to be extended to teachers in
the form of housing, frequent promotion, in-service training and hardship
allowance. Commenting on the theme of this year’s World Teachers’ Day which is
“Better working condition for teachers,” Omar Ndure described the theme as
challenging and said it requires serious debate. He noted that the subject of
discussion is no longer an issue for teachers alone, but for the public at
large.
Mr. Omar Ndure made these remarks at The Gambia Telecommunications and
Multimedia Institute Hall. World Teachers’ Day celebration in The Gambia took the
form of a march pass from the Africell headquarter to GTMI which was
followed by a symposium GTU President Ndure also explained that it is a moral
responsibility on all and sundry to support teachers and their work. He also
stressed that there can hardly be qualitative education in the absence of
committed and highly motivated teachers. Ndure further revealed that teaching and
learning processes are so intricate and demanding that not every one is up to
the task. He outlined that teaching requires commitment, dedication, and
selflessness and above all love for children.
GTU President Ndure also stressed that the high attrition rate of teachers
is a cause for concern and if the trend is allowed to continue unchecked, it
would definitely have an adverse impact on our education system. According to
Ndure, this high attrition rate of teachers is triggered by the deplorable
environment most teachers found themselves in. Responding to the demands made
by the GTU President, the Permanent Secretary Department of State for Basic
and Secondary Education, Mr. Babucarr Boye, said the demands will be seriously
looked into as they are all genuine demands.
Permanent Secretary Boye explained that although better incentives for
teachers is a precondition to achieving quality education, it is not however
guaranteed that quality education will be realized even in the presence of better
working conditions for teachers. He finally expressed his department’s
willingness to work with The Gambia Teachers’ Union to ensure that teachers get
better working conditions and realization of quality education.
Mrs. R. A Ceesay, an executive member of Gambia Teachers’ Union who
delivered the opening remarks, said World Teachers’ Day was set aside by UNESCO and
is celebrated in over hundred countries around the world each year.
Mrs. Cessay indicated that teaching is more than a job, noting that it is a
profession which should not just be attractive, but requires putting an extra
commitment to the upbringing of school children who are the hope of the
nation. He further stressed that there can be no quality education in the absence
of well trained and qualified teachers. Mrs. Ceesay implored both parents
and students to play their roles in our quest to achieve quality education.
Another Daily Observer Employee Sacked
Mr. Abdoulie John, News Editor and Desk Officer of the French column of the
Daily Observer newspaper has his services terminated in a letter written to
him and signed by the paper’s Managing Director, Dr. Alieu Badara Saja Taal.
The reason advanced for the termination of the editor’s service was that he
has been warned on several occasions against what it describes as ‘the
embarrassment his writings have been causing the paper.’ It mentioned two incidents
which concerned the French and Cuban embassies, the latter on an article on
Che Guevara.
The letter also indicates that the news editor has ‘confessed working as a
foreign correspondent’ and which it states is in contravention to the paper’s
in-house rules.
It concluded by assuring the sacked editor that ‘all his entitlements will
be paid in full.’
Rapist Sentence To Ten Years In Prison
By Modou Jonga
Magistrate Ayub Johnny Njie of the Brikama Magistrates Court has on Friday 5
October, 2007 convicted and sentenced one Serigne Joof to a jail term of ten
years for raping a twelve year old girl (name withheld).
In delivering his judgment, Magistrate Njie recalled that the accused is
charged for allegedly having had unlawful carnal knowledge of the complainant on
26 March, 2007 at Mariama Sambouya contrary to Section 121 of the Criminal
Code.
Magistrate Njie recalled that four prosecution witnesses had testified in
the persons of the complainant (name withheld), Mariama Joof, Lamin Danso and
Dr. Patrick, a Medical practitioner attached to Brikama Health Centre.
Magistrate Njie said the complainant told the court that she was sent to the
accused person’s residence by her mother (second witness) to take local
incense, she said while she was there, she was given a fish on a plate by the
accused. Magistrate Njie stated that the complaint said she was later asked by
the accused to take the plate into the bedroom, noting that while she entered
the room, she was followed by the accused who subsequently raped her.
According to the presiding magistrate, the second prosecution witness,
Mariama Joof, has testified that the complainant has narrated to her the
circumstances of the rape and that the latter was taken to the Brikama Health Centre
for medical check-up.
Magistrate Njie noted Lamin Danso, the third witness and a police officer,
stated that he arrested, questioned and detained the accused on the preferred
offence. He said the fourth prosecution witness Dr. Patrick noted that he has
medically examined the complainant and that the latter got Sexually
Transmitted Diseases (STDs). Magistrate Njie recalled that a medical certificate was
tendered in court and marked as an exhibit. On the testimony of the accused,
Magistrate Njie said that the accused made a complete denial as his defence
and admitted that the complainant came to his residence on several errands but
nothing had occurred. The presiding magistrate ruled that the court is
satisfied that the prosecution has proved its case beyond reasonable doubt and
accordingly found the accused guilty as charged. The accused person was convicted
and subsequently sentenced to ten years in prison and a further fine of
twenty thousand dalasis (D20,000) as compensation. Both sentences are to run
consecutively in case of a default.
Interview With Halifa Sallah
On his engagements abroad; his books; the dalasi; the sale of public
enterprises; the ECOWAS Court on Ebrima Manneh and other burning issues
Correction! Correction!
The publication of the introduction to Halifa’s paper entitled “Clash of
Civilizations or Peaceful Co- Existence of Peoples”, part one in the interview
contains an error: The following is the error:
“However, these normative mental processes embodying reason and conscience
or the hypothetical id; to couch it in Freudian parlance, which should
presumably control and direct human behaviour everywhere; appears to be defied in
the killing fields of Iraq, Darfur, Palestine.”
It should read as follows:
“However, these normative mental processes embodying reason and conscience
or the hypothetical Super Ego, to couch it in Freudian parlance, which should
presumably control the id and direct human behaviour everywhere; appears to
be defied in the killing fields of Iraq, Darfur, Palestine, Somalia,
Afghanistan, Serbia, Croatia, Apartheid South Africa, Liberia, Rwanda, Sierra Leone,
Northern Ireland and the streets of many countries where bombs kill
neighbours with impunity and people of different appearances and cultures are labelled
and regarded with suspicion, fear and contempt. The spirit of brotherhood
and good neighbourliness appears to be honoured with disregard. Distrust and
suspicion which is fuelling Xenophobia abound.”
The error is regretted.
Foroyaa.: You left the Gambia since the 21st of September and were in Benin
up to the 27th .What for?
Halifa: I received the following invitation from the COUNCIL FOR THE
DEVELOPMENT OF SOCIAL SCIENCE RESEARCH IN AFRICA and had to present papers mainly to
throw more light on the crucial question they raised for discussion, partly
to restore my link with academia and partly to enhance the integrity of the
People’s Centre for Social Science Research, Civic Awareness and Community
Initiative.
Dear Hon. Halifa Sallah,
Greetings from CODESRIA! Kindly find attached an invitation to participate
in an Advanced Research and Policy Dialogue on the subject of “The Politics of
Succession in West Africa’s Democracies”. The proposed Dialogue is
scheduled for 24-25 September in Cotonou, Benin Republic. We would appreciate if you
can confirm your availability to attend by sending back the attached
registration form. We look forward to hearing from you.
Office of the Executive Secretary
Foroyaa: Who were the participants?
Halifa: The dialogue attracted University professors; Former Heads of
transitional governments such as Colonel Ul Val of Mauritania; Chairpersons of
National Conferences in Benin; Cote D’ Ivoire; Chairpersons of
Constitutional Commissions; Chairpersons of Electoral Commissions which presided over
successful transitions; Jurists; Prominent academics involved in party politics
like Professor Batchilly of Senegal; heads of Unions like OATU and other
Civil Society Segments such as Women Organisations and personnel from the UN
system and ECOWAS.
Foroyaa: Can we get a copy of your presentations for publication?
Halifa: Unfortunately, this cannot be done until CODESRIA publishes them
since they and the Open Society Initiative paid the air tickets, hotel bills and
per diems. However, I can wet the appetite of the readers by allowing you to
publish the introductions:
THE POLITICS OF SUCCESSION IN WEST AFRICA
LAW, DEMOCRATIC PRINCIPLES AND PRACTICE
CASE STUDY THE GAMBIA
Introduction:
Statecraft in the 21st Century requires adherence to core principles and
values of political, economic, social and cultural governance which are
translated into juridical instruments to guarantee legitimacy to constituted
authority and ensure the governability of a geo-political entity. Once these core
principles and values are honoured with total disregard the legitimacy of
constituted authority is imperiled and governability risked being the casualty.
Governance in the 21st century is therefore predicated upon the
establishment of a regulatory environment as guards and fences for the exercise of
executive, legislative and judicial authority and the discharge of public services
for the common good. Such a democratic regulatory framework ensures
governance by popular consent or conversely, facilitates change by popular consent,
should the public good be subverted.
It is becoming increasingly evident that government by force yields change
by force. Suffice it to say that the ultimate aim of democratic political
succession in West Africa is to guarantee assumption and vacation of political
office by popular consent.
This paper interrogates the concept of democracy in order to put into proper
perspective what is meant by “West Africa’s Democracies.” It argues that
the nomenclature should not be taken at its face value but should be examined
to determine the nature and characteristics of the democratic governance
environment which is capable of engendering Democratic political succession on a
permanent and sustainable basis. The paper gives a brief history of political
succession in the Gambia, sheds light on the adequacy or inadequacy of the
regulatory framework for a managed transition from military rule to the
restoration of universal suffrage and constitutional rule. It states the outcome,
identifies the challenges of political succession in the country today and
projects the lessons it offers to West Africa.
Foroyaa: That is the gist of the first paper, What about the second?
Halifa: The second is as follows:
“The Opposition in West African Democracies”
ROLE SIGNIFICANCE AND CHALLENGES
Introduction:
In conventional political parlance the opposition is equated with dissent.
Dissent, however, connotes unequal power relations. Is a democracy
characterised by the tolerance of dissent or the negation of unequal power relation
that creates dissidents? Are opposition parties dissident groups? Should there
be unequal power relation between a party in government and parties in the
opposition? Should party and State be equated or should there be delineation
between the two? These are fundamental questions which require epistemological
inquiry in order to identify the role and significance of the opposition under
West African Democracies and map out the challenges and prospects for
repositioning them on the contemporary political landscape of the continent. This
paper interrogates the term dissident in juxtaposition to the term opposition.
It contextualises the place of a party in government and the one in the
opposition in relation to the State. It explores the fundamentals of a democratic
society in relation to political parties. It weighs practice against
fundamentals, reviews the challenges and projects the prospects for the opposition
in evolving West African Democracies.
Foroyaa: You are currently in Europe, What for?
Halifa: THE TREATISE ON FOUNDING A FEDERATION OF AFRICAN REPUBLICS is
ready. I should have launched it in the Gambia since the middle of September.
Unfortunately my printers wanted to do a good job and the delay led to a mix up
in my schedules. I had to leave to honour the invitation to Benin. I am also
invited to deliver a paper at De Montfort University in the UK in November and
I decided to come to Europe earlier to launch the book in Sweden, France,
Germany and finally the UK in October and November.
Foroyaa: What is the topic of the Conference in the UK?
Halifa: The following letter explains the details
EUROPE AND ITS ESTABLISHED & EMERGING IMMIGRANT COMMUNITIES: ASSIMILATION,
MULTICULTURALISM OR INTEGRATION?
10th – 11th November 2007, Leicester, UK
Dear Halifa,
Thank you for agreeing to speak at the forthcoming conference. So we have
the correct contact details please could you complete the attached booking form
and either e-mail it back, fax it back on 0116 257 7982 or send it in the
post.
The conference is being run on a very tight budget. We do however have a
small budget for contributors fees, travel and expenses. What would you fee be
for this event?
We would very much like to feature short biographies of all our
contributors.. If you would like to have a biography included in the brochure, please
e-mail it to me before 28th September 2007 of no more than 120 words. In
addition, please check your abstracts carefully for accuracy.
Full details about the conference can be found on the conference website -
www.dmu.ac.uk/euimmigrationconf.
Finally, thank you again for agreeing to speak at the conference. We look
forward to personally welcoming you to De Montfort University in November 2007.
Kind Regards
Short Course and Conference Co-ordinator
De Montfort Expertise Ltd
De Montfort University
Innovation Centre
49 Oxford Street
Foroyaa: Can you give the introduction of your paper?
Halifa: The paper deals with the following:
Clash of Civilisations or Peaceful Co existence of Peoples
Rethinking the Challenges and Opportunities of Multiculturalism
Introduction:
The 21st century is a defining moment for Humanity. On one hand, Human
beings are confronted with life and death challenges; On the other hand, they are
accorded greater opportunities, today than ever before, to address the major
problems facing the world, that is, poverty, impunity in state administration
and unbridled hostility among peoples of diverse linguistic, Socio-economic
and cultural backgrounds. The world is often described as a global village
because of the growing ease in communication. Conversely, neighbourhoods are
being torn asunder because of poverty and growing hostilities among people of
different backgrounds.
Casting a fleeting glance at everyday happenings tends to give the
impression that, even though human beings are mastering the science and technology
of communication they appear to be either incapable of mastering the art and
science of their own social organisation or are unwilling to do so. History
teaches that this incapacity or unwillingness to create a more inclusive
World has resulted in two devastating world wars and multifarious civil wars
which have wrecked the very fabric of many societies, rich and poor.
This gave birth to a post second world war architecture for world peace
founded on
six cardinal principles , that is, good neighbourliness; peaceful
resolution of disputes; right to self determination; sovereign equality of peoples
and states; respect for fundamental rights and freedoms and equality in dignity
and worth of all human beings irrespective of gender. These principles,
enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations are further buttressed by The
Universal declaration of Human rights which is premised on the conception that
humanity belongs to one race; each being born free and equal in dignity and
rights and endowed with reason and conscience which should guarantee the
existence of all in the spirit of brotherhood and good neighbourliness.
However these normative mental processes embodying reason and conscience or
the hypothetical super ego, to couch it in Freudian parlance, which should
presumably contol the id and direct human behaviour everywhere;appears to be
defied in the killing fields of Iraq, Darfur, Palestine, Somalia, Afghanistan,
Serbia, Croatia, Apartheid South Africa, Liberia, Rwanda, Sierra Leone,
Northern Ireland and the streets of many countries where bombs kill neighbours
with impunity and people of different appearances and cultures are labelled and
regarded with suspicion, fear and contempt. The spirit of brotherhood and
good neighbourliness appears to be honoured with disregard. Distrust and
suspicion which is fuelling Xenophobia abound.
The post world war architecture for peace presupposes the universalisation
of freedom, Justice and development. It envisages the transformation of the
world into a universal home where all human beings can live in collective
liberty, dignity and prosperity. The Regulatory mechanisms characterised by
statutory, institutional and normative measures which should create the environment
and inculcate in the minds of the people that there should be no
discrimination on the basis of religion, gender, place of origin, colour and physical
appearance are either not in existence or are disregarded because of prejudices
invoked by one form of loyalty or the other. What has gone wrong in the
creation of this universal space of freedom, justice and development? Have the
governments negated their responsibilities? Have the people created other
spaces of their own based on narrow nationalism and other ethnic, religious,
linguistic, racial and ideological peculiarities, with guards and fences to
restrict the loyalties of their members and keep others away? How have the
statutory, institutional and normative measures adopted so far impacted on the
peaceful co-existence of peoples? Where do we go from here? These questions require
epistemological intervention to be addressed. This is the precise object of
this paper.
Foroyaa: Now let us move to the Sales connected with GAMTEL and other public
corporations, the Dalasi, The ECOWAS Court, the current political
environment and the future of the country. How do you see the disposal or sale of
shares connected with GAMTEL?
Halifa: I could never have imagined that a government can mislead the
national assembly into believing the very opposite of the justification it had
given for the current disposal of a percentage of shares in GAMTEL. It is claimed
that this had to be done because GAMTEL had been poorly managed for 13years
and the company had been driven to the verge of bankruptcy. My brother Kofi
Harris the former member of Parliament for Banjul Central must now be telling
every one that some of us in the previous National Assembly did predict the
current outcome while the Secretaries of State tried to prove the contrary.
Foroyaa: What do you mean?
Halifa: As the then Minority leader in the National Assembly I had
constantly challenged the figures we were being given and the APRC stalwarts,
including the President, constantly claimed that I was just being negative. Now their
own statements can be used as reference to indict them. Let me recall some
of the facts to prove my point .In the budget speech of the Secretary of State
for Finance in 2006 he claimed that GAMTEL recorded profit after tax
amounting to 71.5million Dalasis in 2003; 120 million in 2004; 246 million for 2005;
and 300 million for 2006. The cellular company GAMCEL also recorded profit
after tax of 113.5 million. These are the sort of information we constantly
received. Now the president is telling the nation that GAMTEL has been
mismanaged for 13years. He should be asked why he told us in parliament in March
2006 that things were so developed that the Gambia will be the first developing
country to provide telephone service to every village He indicated that
GAMTEL had plans to implement a number of projects aimed at modernizing its
network including the Air Span Project; He added that GAMCEL would expand coverage
and increase capacity with the installation of additional cell sites. The
Secretary of State gave more fascinating figures regarding the volume of
investment of GAMTEL and GAMCEL by indicating that the former had gross investment
standing at 1.9 billion dalasis while the latter’s gross investment amounted
to 601.5 million dalasis. Hence if the authorities now claim that GAMTEL is
driven to the verge of bankruptcy they must equally acknowledge that they have
been misleading parliament and the Nation. A parliamentary inquiry therefore
becomes necessary and urgent if we have a Parliament which befits a
sovereign Republic.
Foroyaa: Are you saying that GAMTEL has been making profit and should not be
sold?
Halifa: What I have always emphasized is the deficit in accountability of
the APRC administration. I cannot defend the records of public Corporations. I
am simply stating what they have claimed before the representatives of the
people and what they are saying now: It conveys duplicity.
Foroyaa: But you said you have always doubted their figures. Can you
explain why?
Halifa: The answer is short and simple: Since Public Corporations were said
to be making tens and hundreds of millions of dalasis they should have been
contributing hundreds of millions to government’s coffers as dividends
annually. I frequently asked the Secretary of State for Finance whether the Public
Corporations were paying dividends to government and his answer had mostly
been in the negative. The biggest shock in my parliamentary life is the
revelation made by the Secretary of State that public corporations did not only fail
to pay dividends but were relying on the public purse to have their loans
financed. This meant that all the wastages of the resources of public
corporations on APRC activities such as July 22nd commemorations were at the expense of
the tax payer
During the campaign I explained these things to the electorate. I told them
that public Corporations were not serving their principal functions of
providing non tax revenue for public investment and provision of public services to
expand the revenue base employment and services. Nobody who listened to the
political broadcast can claim not to know that public enterprises were being
mismanaged and that the end result under the APRC administration is to
privatise them:
Foroyaa: How do you see the way the new share holders developed the state
private partnership?
Halifa: I must say that I have not hidden my concerns since the period I was
in the National Assembly. It was the Assembly that had the responsibility to
Monitor the activities of Public Enterprises and scrutinize their accounts.
The first outrageous revelation is the absence of any sort of inventory of
all public investments: Can you believe that Government since the first
republic had shares in companies like Senegambia Beach Hotel; Banjul Breweries and
GAMCOT. How much dividend had government received from such shares? In 2005
the SoS for Finance told the National Assembly that the Gambia Divestiture
Agency had embarked on the disposal of Government’s 50 per cent shareholding in
Senegambia Beach Hotel. However; when I asked the Secretary of State whether
the Hotel had been paying dividend the answer was in the negative.
The national Assembly needs to look into all these things to ensure that
there is inventory of all government shares and that there is payment of
dividends into the consolidated revenue fund which should reflect in government
estimates and budget annually
Foroyaa: You are not satisfied with the way the divestiture is going, are
you?
Halifa: In my view, there are areas where Government investments are not
very necessary in the world today. I do not understand why over 400 million
dalasis from Social Security could be utilized to purchase and refurbish Ocean
Bay Hotel while Government is contemplating the privatization of the Social
Security Corporation. Public Investment in Hotels is not a priority: This area
is best left to the private sector: Other than the Social Service Sector like
health band education, the public sector should focus on utilities; public
transport, social security, ports facilities , public works and other
financial, industrial and agricultural services vital for life, security, employment
and general welfare. This Government has not established any priorities for
public investment into the productive base of the economy to generate non tax
revenue.
Needless to say it is deviating from the precedent it established for
divestiture:
Foroyaa: What is the precedent?
Halifa: First and foremost the Secretary of State for Finance told the
Assembly in 2006 that the government had a divestiture strategy which entailed
the contracting of consultants to carryout technical, environmental and
financial assessment of GPTC and GIA, that these sector studies and assessments
would prepare the ground for government to take a position on the transactions to
privatize them if it is advisable: The precedent established by the
Divestiture Agency is to identify the percentage of the shares to be owned by a
strategic investor and the part to be owned by institutional investors and then
invite those interested to express their proposals for review. Despite all
the criticisms the government has not come out to show the procedure it
adopted to dispose of the shares of GAMTEL; The National Assembly members have
powers to ask parliamentary questions for all the transactions to be revealed in
broad day light. As minority leader I spared no effort in unearthing this
sort of transactions; I am sure people like Sidia Jatta will leave no stone
unturned in unearthing the true nature of the deal:
Foroyaa: Let us move to the issues surrounding the Dalasi.
To be continued
MARRIAGE AND FAMILY
Discrimination In The Family
Part 1
Haja Oumu work at the Ministry of Education as a Principal Education Officer
(PEO). Her hard work and diligence made her promotion rapid. Within a year
she was promoted to the position of a Permanent Secretary, Ministry of
Education. She was overwhelmed. She became totally transformed. Earlier she was
pleasant, easy going and loved working in a team and being a team leader. But as
soon as she was promoted, she became a mediocre, arrogant and rude boss who
imposes her ideas and does not listen to anyone. ‘The know it all’ human
being. She became secluded and has a class attitude. Haja Oumu looks up to her
superiors. She adorns authority but looks down on her juniors as thrash.
She brought the same attitude into her family. She is a widow blessed with
two girls. The Senior sister adores wealth and hopes to marry a rich guy. The
Junior sister is easy-going and down-to-earth. She hopes to marry for love
and to be in a mutually rewarding relationship.
Haja favours Bani, her eldest daughter who sees and appreciates wealth but
shurns Zainab who sees simplicity and real love. Haja organised a cocktail
dinner party where she hoped to sell her girls to the rich and mighty. She
invited the class in society. Zainab deliberately refused to attend. Earlier Haja
gave the girls money to buy expensive clothes, jewelry, shoes and bags to
match. Zainab returned her mother’s money. Haja was furious. She came back and
reprimanded Zainab. “You returned my money and refused to attend my party. I’
ll deal with you. Nobody slaps me and go scott-free! I’ll get at you”. She
threatened. She framed Sulayman, Zai’s fiancé, accused him of stealing from
her house. She got him tortured and detained. Haja employed such tactics to
disway Saul but did she succeed? Bani met Mr. Right at the cocktail party and
took off from there. The relationship grew into passion and later into
marriage. Bani’s dream came true. She married a rich guy. Haja felt fulfilled. Was
her expectations met? She discriminated against Zainab. She loathed her fiancé
and wished him evil. How did the two scenarios ended? Read to find out.
Principal Education Officer
Haja Oumu was deligent in her work as a Principal Education Officer. She
pulled well with the Senior Education Officers in her region. She is a team
leader and works in a team. Before she was posted to Region Two, the Grade 12
results were always poor especially the core subjects Maths, English Science and
Social Environmental Studies. Her predecessor could not solve the problem.
She solved her problem in Region one. She was recalled to handle Region Two.
Haja called a meeting of the heads of schools and Senior Education Officers.
They discussed about the poor results and the way forward. They dissect the
parents’ problems, the teachers, the system and the students’ themselves. The
solution: (1) A Parent Teacher Association was to be formed where it did not
exist; were it does, it have to be reactivated (2) Extra-Mural classes have to
be made compulsory to change the trend. The meeting adjourned until later to
assess the situation.
The Girls With Their Friends
Bani and Zai are visited by their friends Yatou and Cynthy. They were
engaged in girls’ chatter, mocking and teasing each other. Zai quarreled with all
of them. She is quick tempered. Mum came very exhausted, hungry and thirsty.
After greetings, she asked one of the girls to give her food. Bani ordered Zai
to give mummy food. “Zai! Zai why didn’t you give her food yourself? Am I
the only available person?” “Yes! You are the youngest”. “So?” Give mummy
food!” Yatou and Cynthy mocked at Zai. She quarreled with all of them before
finally getting her mum food. Zai sulked. The friends bade good bye and left.
Mum And Her Girls
Mum ate with her kids. “Hum! The food is tasty! Who prepared it?” “I did”
Zai responded. “But mum! Talk to Bani. She likes ordering me around. Zai do
this! Zai do that all the time!” “Mum! Let Zai know I am her eldest and have
that prerogative right!” put in Bani. “Oh! So you girls argued as to who
should serve me food? Thank Allah! You have not starved me!” Put in mum. “
Anyway, the food is tasty Zai, keep it up!” She commended her daughter.
Mum And Zainabou
As she was going to work, she called Zai to go for an errand. Zai declined
saying she wanted to go to the library to research an assignment. Bani came
out and said the contrary. “It’s a lie. She had an appointment with Saul, her
boyfriend”. Zai protested. “Mummy! She is at it again. She troubles me all
the time with her useless friends”. Mum took a stand. “Bani! Let her be! Stop
molesting your sister”. She turned to Zai and said. “Go to the library and
complete your assignment. I am an educationist, your assignments are my
priority”. Zai mocked at her sister who frown at her.
Mum And Aminatta, Her Sister-in-law
Aminatta came to visit mum. She querried that Haja was not see at their
monthly family meeting. “Everyone asked after you? What happened?” “I was busy
at work, balancing my accounts and writing my report. I completely forgot. I
am sorry. I’ll attend next month,” She promised. “I am hungry! Anything?”
Haja smiled. “This is your home. There is ‘findi’ and fu-fu”. “Give me findi.
That’s my delicacy”.
The Girls
The girls were busy discussing about who is an ideal man. Bani spoke “My
ideal man is rich, smartly dressed, flamboyant and generous”. Zai spoke. “My
ideal man is loving, respectful and god-fearing”. Zai is not impressed by Bani’
s ideal man. She criticized Bani’s class attitude after she described the
recent rich man she met. “I asked for his card and she gave me. He is mega rich.
He wore an expensive perfume and wrist watch. If you see his shoes and suit!
Waw!” “What does he do for a living?” “He is rich! That’s all! Let him
only be generous and extravagant!” “You are sick! I am not impress. Beware of
money ritualists and drug dealers”. “Watch your evil mouth Zainab!” Bani put
her hand on the ground, pick some sand and rubbed it on Zai’s mouth.
Mum Joins In
Mum came into the house. She joined the conversation. She asked Bani. “Who
is your ideal man?” She smile and said. “My ideal man is tall, fair coloured,
handsome, humourous and above all mega rich”. Mum smiled and turned to Zai. “
Who is your ideal man?” Zai responded. “Respectful, loving, intelligent and
god-fearing”. Mum shook her head. “You both have a point but let me
emphasized. An ideal man should be intelligent, your love for each other should be
mutually rewarding and you should have a common goal. Above all, he should be
tolerant and god-fearing. Your late dad was like that. That’s why since his
death I refused to re-marry again. My world is my two girls and my career”.
Zai spoke. “But mum! Advice Bani. She is obsessed with a flamboyant lifestyle
and she adores wealth. All that glitters is not gold”. “That’s true my
daughter. Don’t be shallow!” She advised Bani who frown at her sister.
Shortage of Qualified Teachers Hinders Realization of EFA Goals
By Modou Jonga
The Programme Officer for Education and Science at The Gambia National
Commission for UNIESCO (NATCOM), Mr. Yahya Al-Matarr Jobe, has noted that the
acute shortage of Qualified Teachers is one of the challenges for the attainment
of Education For All by 2015. In order to revise this trend Mr. Jobe said
that UNESCO is assisting member states in restructuring national Teacher Policy
and Teacher Education in order to ensure a quick replacement of large numbers
of teachers lost through attrition or incapacitation.
The NATCOM Programme Officer made these remarks recently at The Gambia
College while deputizing for the Secretary General of NATCOM, Mrs. Sukai Bojang in
handing over Educational and Teaching Materials to The Gambia College,
School of Education,
noted that UNESCO is supporting its member states worldwide in strengthening
national, regional and institutional capacities for teacher education,
recruitment and retention and other issues pertinent to the achievement of EFA
goals and the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), Mr. Jobe underscored that
Teachers are a significant element towards the achievement of the International
Education For All (EFA) Goals.
Mr. Jobe said UNESCO estimateed that eighteen million new teachers will be
needed globally and four million of that number will be needed in Africa
alone.
First Batch of Winter Tourists Arrive
By Fabakary B. Ceesay
As part of The Gambia Tourism Authority’s endeavour to commence the winter
tourist season earlier than expected, the first batch of tourists arrived on
Thursday, 4 October on board a First Choice flight from the United Kingdom
(UK). The flight brought 233 visitors out of which 188 are tourists. The SoS for
Tourism and Culture who was at the Banjul International Airport welcomed the
newly arrived tourists.
Speaking to reporters, SoS Angela Colley said they are expecting a high
winter tourist season this year. She said she was expecting the first flight to
arrive on 7 October. She said the early arrival of tourists is a sign
depicting that the season would boom . She added that it is also an improvement on
last year’s season.
SoS Colley noted that 120,000 tourists visited the country last year, noting
that this year they are expecting more than that number because of the fact
that tourists have decided to come earlier than expected. She pointed out
that the hospitality of The Gambian people motivates tourists to flood into the
country. “We are the best product of our country.. The reason why many
tourists decide to visit the country over and over is because of the pleasant and
conducive environment that they found in the country. Once they come, they
would always want to come again; she said.
According to Mr. Kaliba Senghore, this is the first time the first batch of
tourists arrived in early October. Mr. Senghore said they normally expect the
first arrivals in late October to early November every year. Mr. Senghore
pointed out that First Choice broke the ice by increasing the number of flights
and commencing operation earlier than expected. He noted that there would be
an extra flight in late November to be followed by more flights during the
course of the season. He lamented that their only worries are how to turn the
low season into a high season. Mr. Senghore asserted that this is the first
time that the first batch of tourists has come from England. He said their
first batch of tourists used to come from Scandinavia or Holland. He pointed out
that the idea of starting the tourist season earlier than expected was
conceived by First Choice who are of the opinion that the Gambia is a destination
that could compete with Tunisia and Spain. He added that this year, the
Italians would be involved in tourism in the Gambia and for the first time, a
direct flight would come from Italy to The Gambia. He added that Italians are
known to be summer tourists and if that trend continues, the low season will be a
thing of the past. Mr. Senghore also called on the ‘bumpsters’ to stay away
from hustling tourists and maintain The Gambian hospitality towards
strangers. He urged ‘bumpsters’ to desist from harassing the tourists.. Batch Samba
Fye, CEO and Chairman of Gambia Tours and Mr. Kursat Kahyaogulu, First Choice
holiday area manager, graced the occasion.
Report On Mental Health Policy
By Sarjo Camara-Singhateh
In this edition of Health and Nutrition Bantaba we will take a look at the
Mental and Health situation in the country feature in the 2007 mental Health
policy. As the 10 October draws nearer which is a day set a side for the
commemoration of the World Mental Health Day.
We will bring you a report of a survey conducted by a Mental Health
consultant Mr. Olufemi Morakinyo, a professor of psychiatry, Department of Mental
Health Obafemi Awolowo University, ILEIFE, Nigeria.
In this report it also highlighted the Economic context and consequences for
Mental Health situation; that Poverty remains a pervasive problem in the
country. Poverty, poor housing, inadequate access to basic health services and
educational facilities, insecure jobs and low salaries are the living
conditions for a large proportion of Gambians. It is predicted that there will be a
continuing rapid trend towards rural-urban migration, influx of refugees,
seasonal and economic migrants. Pressure and increasing scarcity of opportunities
will create tensions and misunderstandings. Host an migrant groups will
complete for jobs and business opportunities. These events can perpetuate
existing psychological, social and economic problems within the country and increase
the risk of mental problems as well as illict substance abuse. Tacking these
problems to prevent human potential from being destroyed or directed into
illicit activities is urgent.
As there is a vital connection between poverty and mental ill-health, the
policy recommendations in this documents highlighted the need to improve
conditions for people living in poverty and to address the enormous burden
resulting form untreated mental and substance abuse disorders and also to ensure that
mental health interventions take into account some of this reality.
Addressing mental health problems will require political commitment at the national
and divisional levels. This requires more national efforts to improve the
standards of living, good mental health services and viable self-sustaining
economies in the country.
2. Epidemiology of Mental Disorders
communities in the Gambia are faced with numerous, mental neurological, and
psychosocial disorders that undermine development. Based on prevalence rates
from the World Mental Health Survey, 2004 it is estimated that approximately
27, 000 people in the Gambia (or 3% of the populations aged 15 years and
more) is suffering from a severe mental disorder and a further 91,000 (or 10% of
the population aged 15 years and more) are suffering from moderate to mild
mental disorder. This means that at least 118,000 people in The Gambia (or 13%
of the adult population) are likely to be affected by mental disorder which
require varying degrees of treatment and care.
The above figures may even understanding the prevalence rates in the Gambia.
A situational analysis of the mental health promble in the urban and rural
populations of The Gambia report conducted by Olufemi Morakinyo (Mental Health
Consultant), Professor of Psychiatry, Department of Mental Health Obafemi
Awolowo University, ILE-IFE, Nigeria, state that the prevalence rate of the
somatoform disorders among adults aged 15 and above was estimated to be 7.5%
followed by mood dosrder-6%, and anxiety related disorders 5.2%. These three,
account for a prevalence rate of almost 20% one out every 5 persons aged 1 or
more. This is comparable to other developing countries including Nigeria and
Uganda. Drugs and alcohol abuse were also highlighted as increasingly serious
mental health issues in the Gambia, with 6-8 persons out of every 100 in
Kanifing and Kombo North Districts categorized as alcoholics. Use of illicit
drugs was also noted to be high, though likely under-reported at an average of 5%
with rates as high as 10% in Kombo Central. 37% of prison inmates interviewed
reported illicit drug.
The Gambia Mental Health Strategic Plan 2007-2012
It is estimated that approximately 27, 000 people in the Gambia are
suffering from a server mental and/or substance abuse disorder and that a further
91,000 Gambians have a mild disorder still requiring treatment (world health
survey, 2004). A local prevalence study in the Gambia, puts prevalence rates
high (at 20%) and leads to estimates of approximately 180,000 people suffering
from a mental or substance abuse disorder, providing effective treatment ad
support to all these people is challenging, given the scarce health resources
in the Gambia an overall situation of poverty in the country, where 34% of
the population live below the poverty line and 18% of the population are
extremely poor.
However, consultation with many different experts, health professions and
key individuals from different government sectors had highlighted the great
need, willingness and strategies required to strengthen the overall mental
health system in order to provide effective treatment an care to those in need as
well as to promote the mental health of all Gambians. In fact it is through
this consultation and the work of the drafting committee that enabled the
Gambia to develop its mental heath policy as well as the current mental health
strategic plan. Both these documents should be read side-by side, with the
policy providing the key objectives and the overall directions and the strategic
plan document outlining the concrete strategies and activities that will be
implemented to execute th policy directions.
We extend our gratitude to WHO-Gambia, WHO-AFRO and WHO Geneva offices, who
provide financial an technical assistance for its development. A list of all
those who contributed to the development of this plan are attached as an
annex.
Alleged Escapee’s Case Set For Judgment
By Saikou Ceesay
A Guinean national, Soriba Kondi, who had been convicted and sentenced to
ten years in jail, had finally been dragged before Magistrate Moses Richards of
the Kanifing Magistrates Court.
The accused was charged for escaping from lawful custody, while serving a
jail term at the state Central Prison. He pleaded not guilty to the charges,
but claimed that he was told by Prosecutor Sergeant Omar Jahateh to pay an
amount of fifty thousand dalasi for his escape. Soriba Kondi insisted that he had
paid the amount.
In a similar case the police prosecutor is standing trial for his alleged
involvement in aiding and abetting prisoners to escape. The case of Soriba
Kondi, is set for judgment today.
Teachers Denounce Tamba Fofana’s Detention
By Musa Barrow
As the Gambia Teachers’ Union celebrate International Teachers’ Day on
Friday 5 October 2007, it is worth noting that Mr. Lamin Tamba Headmaster of
Kudang Lower Basic School is still under detention
Mr. Lamin Tamba was arrested since September 2006 and until now the security
forces have not indicated where he is detained. He is yet to be brought
before a court. Mr. Tamba has not been seen by any family member or colleague
since his time of arrest. This mystery surrounding. Mr. Tamba’s fate has been
denounced in the strongest terms by Gambian Teachers.
When the call for Mr. Tamba’s release was made there was great applause, an
indication of the teachers’ desire for their colleague and friend’s release.
Gambian Teachers argued that the continuous detention of Mr. Tamba
constitutes a gross violation of his fundamental rights. They demanded that Mr. Tamba
be either charged or set free.
Teachers also expressed concern over the state of distress and trauma that
Mr. Tamba’s family, especially his children and wife, are being subjected to
by his continued detention and the lack of access to him or awareness of his
whereabouts. Meanwhile, reliable reports reaching this paper have indicated
that both Bansang and Niamina Senior Secondary Schools in Central River Region
are experiencing acute teacher shortage. The source revealed that, as at
last week, the above mentioned senior secondary schools have got only two
teachers a piece.4
SK East: Semi Final Spots Decided
By Isatou Bittaye
The four semifinalists for the Serrekunda East Nawettan have been decided
over the weekend. T.K Snookers FC were the first to sail through to the semis
and were followed through by AC Milan. Zurich FC and Maccassa also secured
their place over the weekend to complete the quartet.
Snookers overcame Juventus with a 2-1 win to secure their ticket whilst AC
Milan ensured their passage to the semis with a narrow one goal victory over
Bantaba FC.
Snookers’ Ebrima Jammeh fired his side ahead in the 6th minute only for
Ansari Kanteh to pull level for Juventus in the 18th. But Snookers regrouped to
go ahead again Ebrima Jammeh, turning scorer. And they fought harder to
maintain the lead.
AC Milan endured a difficult afternoon to overcome Bantaba. Seedy Cham’s
77th minute lone striker put Milan through. And Zurich FC joins the semi final
fray having gone through a pulsating penalty shootouts. Zurich won 4-3 after
playing a 1-1 draw in normal regulation time. Maccassa also went through
following a 4-2 penalty shootouts win over Culture. The game ended zeroes in
normal time.
Ousman Jallow: No To Personal Glory
By Modou Nyang
Ousman Jallow does not harbour any ambition of becoming a top goal scorer in
the UAE League. Instead, the Young Scorpions marksman is looking up to team
success as opposed to personal success.
In an interview with his club web crew, Ous said: “Everyone had a personal
dream, yet i don’t seek personal glory by putting only Ousman Jallow’s name
high. [My dream is to help] Alain become the league champions, only then, it
will be a personal glory when [for] Ousman Jallow. All my colleagues helped me
and it [was] Alain who succeeded and won against Alzafra not Ousman Jallow.
I [always] seek Alain victory in all the matches with all my capability, I
never pay attention for [personal] titles, but if a title [for top goal scorer]
will add to the club [success] only then will I pursue it.”
Ousman Jallow is currently the top goal scorer in the league having banged
three goals in Alain’s first league match. But the wonder boy is refusing to
grow a big head. He continued: It was not actually so fast (refusing to being
a superstar overnight) I have been playing for a while with Alain, I was
[loaned] to the Raja Casablanca [in Morocco] where I performed well, but you can
say that I have grown up here. I’m still a beginner in the football world I
still have so many years to develop and of course I will [always] try to do
more.”
Jallow also spoke of his confidence in Alain finishing the league strong and
he added: “It is a strong motive for all of us and will help us present a
good season. I am sure that [our] recent composition with the support and
attention of the manager, Titi, [we will] perform well. [I] hope that we will be
able to meet the expectations of our fans with better play and better scores”
he concluded.
Gambia Foreign Stars Roundup
By Modou Nyang
Austria – in Austria Pa Saikou Kujabi’s SV Josko Fenster Ried lost 2-1 away
to Austria Vienna on Sunday. Ried took the lead in the 68th minute through
Herwig Drechsel from the penalty spot. But they could not keep hold onto their
lead succumbing to two late goals in the 85th and 90th minutes. Pa Saikou was
substituted in the 45th minute. But Modou Jagne’s SCR Altach were not in
action during the weekend. Their match against FC Wacker Tirol was postponed due
to lack of security for the crowd. Altach were to travel to Tirol but the
State is experiencing some civil and political disturbances in the state
administration and as a result the police could not provide the required security.
Belgium – Mustapha Jarjue and Assan Jatta’s SK Lierse played goalless draw
away to KV Red Star Waasland on Saturday. Jarjue played the full ninety
minutes whilst Assan was an unused sub. But high firing Ebrima Sawaneh and his club
KSK Beveren won 2-1 away to UR Namen on the same day. Beveren are 11th on
the 19 team league table with 7 points, whilst Lierse are 15th with 5 points.
Cyprus – Mustapha Kamal Ndow and his club Doxa Katokopia FC played a 1-1
draw with Alki Larnaca FC on Sunday. Doxa has collected 5 point from 5 matches
so far.
Denmark – Njogu Demba got his nemeses as he was booked again on Sunday in a
0-0 draw with OB. Njogu was cautioned early in the 17 minutes of the first
half. Esbjerg were hoping to capitalize on the quick return match after playing
a 1-1draw with OB on the other weekend.
England – in England, Edrissa Sonko scored his first goal in English
football on Saturday in a match his club, Walsall, trashed Huddersfield 4-0. Sonko
scored Walsall’s second making it two before half time.
Finland – Dawda Bah’s HJK Helsinki was again on the losing side falling 2-0
to FC Lahti on Sunday. HJK are still locked at mid table in the Finnish
Veikkausliiga with 27 points from 23 matches. Demba Savage and Abdoulie Corr
(Paco) with their Finnish second tier league club Kokkolan Palloveikot, won 2-1
against Tornion Pallo 47, on Sunday. Both Savage and Corr were involved for the
full period of the match.
Holland – Ebou Sillah’s MVV Maastricht were flogged 4-1 by AGOVV Apeldoorn
last Friday. Maastricht are 9th on the 20 team league table with 14 points
from 11 matches.
Norway – Tijan Jaiteh is just a single point away from clinching a
championship medal with SK Brann. Brann are 8 points clear at the top of the league
table with only three matches remaining. On Sunday they defeated Lyn Oslo 3-1
to strengthened their grip on the lead. All that they need now is to pick one
point from their three remaining matches are they are champions for the first
time in 43 years. Tijan was an unused sub in their match against Lyn. But
down the ladder it is a complete story with countryman, Ebrima Sohna. Sohna’s
club Sandefjord are at the bottom of the league table are seemingly sure
candidates for relegation. Sandefjord continue with their poor run of form and in
their weekend fixture on Sunday away to Strømsgodset, they lost 4-0. Sohna
was substituted in the 82nd minute.
Peru – Yankuba Ceesay alis Mal saw red in his weekend club game against
Alianza Lima. Mal’s side Alianza Atlético lost 2-1 away to Lima and the Gambian
export in the far south received his marching orders in the 76th minute.
Sweden – veteran goalkeeper Pa Dembo Touray of Swedish Allsvenskan side
Djurgardens IF won 2-0 away to Gefle IF.
UAE – the United Arab Emirates league is on break and young Scorpions
striker Ousman Jallow is currently out of action until late this month.
USA – Abdoulie Mansally made his much awaited MLS debut for club New England
Revolution on Saturday. Revolution lost the match 2-1 despite taking the
lead early in the first half. Mansally got the nod in the 76th minute for his
first for the first team whist teammate Sainey Nyassi remained on the bench.
Three Africans on Fifa Shortlist
Three African footballers are on a 30-strong shortlist for Fifa’s 2007 World
Player of the year award.
Strikers Samuel Eto’o of Cameroon and Didier Drogba of the Ivory Coast as
well as Ghana midfielder Michael Essien have all made the initial shortlist.
The trio were also on the original list for the 2006 award although none of the
players made the final shortlist of three.
There are also three Africans on the list for the women’s award for 2007;
Adjoa Bayor from Ghana as well as Nigerian duo Christie George and Perpetua
Nkwocha.
The list is drawn up by members of Fifa’s technical committees and voted on
by the coaches and captains of every national team. The winner will be
announced at Fifa’s World Player Gala in Zurich on 17 December.
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