Foroyaa Newspaper Burning Issue Issue No. 114/2007, 28 - 30 September, 2007 Editorial No Respect for ECOWAS Court If the conduct of the government of the Gambia is to go by, its respect for the ECOWAS Community Court of Justice leaves much to be desired. It has persistently failed to appear before this court to give it’s own side of the story relating to the violation of the human rights of Chief Ebrima Manneh. On 19 January 2005, Yahya A.J.J. Jammeh, President of the Republic of The Gambia was among 15 Heads of State and Governments that appended their signatures to the Supplementary Protocol that amended the 1991 Protocol on the Community Court of Justice. Article 9 paragraph 4 of this Supplementary Protocol states: “The (Community) Court has jurisdiction to determine cases of violation of human rights that occur in any member state.” The Government of The Gambia was summoned to defend itself against an allegation of violation of the human rights of Chief Ebrima Manneh of Daily Observer. No legal representative appeared on behalf of The Gambia Government on 16 July and 26 September. Does this show respect for the community court or the Supplementary Protocol that was signed? Even where the issue of jurisdiction arises a competent lawyer who respects the law will not boycott the court but will raise the issue in court. There can be no excuse for the government not to appear in court to defend its human rights records. In fact many can interpret such acts as evading the courts because it has nothing to defend. Now the question arises: How will the Government respond to the verdict? On 20 November the Community Court will deliver its verdict. According to Article 19 paragraph 2 of the protocol on the Community Court of Justice (1991) the decisions of the court “ shall be final and immediately enforceable.” Will the Gambia Government respect the verdict of the court or will it simply treat the Protocol and the Community Court as thrash? Let us wait for November 20. Disappeared Journalist Case Set for Judgment The Community Court of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) in Abuja , Nigeria has set aside November 20, 2007 for judgment on the case against the Gambian government over the “disappearance” of Chief Ebrima Manneh, a reporter for the pro-government Banjul-based “Daily Observer” newspaper. The three-man panel of judges took the decision following an argument made by Funmi Falana and Olusola Egbeyemi, representatives of counsel for Manneh, Nigerian human rights lawyer, Femi Falana. As usual, the Gambian government despite being duly served with the hearing notice through its High Commission in Abuja failed to appear. Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA) brought legal action at the Community Court demanding an order to compel the government of President Yahya Jammeh, to immediately release Manneh. At the last hearing on July 16, 2007, the Gambia government failed to make an appearance and no explanation was given. Manneh “disappeared” a week after the July 2006 African Union (AU) Heads of State summit in Banjul . Colleagues of Manneh witnessed his arrest by two plainclothes officers of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA) at the premises of the “Daily Observer”. Since then his whereabouts remain unknown and the Gambian Security agencies and police continue to deny holding him. On July 26, 2007, Manneh was placed under guard of personnel of both the Police Intervention Unit (PIU), (a Para-military wing of the Gambian Police Force) and Prison Service at the Royal Victoria Teaching Hospital (RVTH), the Gambia ‘s main hospital, where he had been hospitalised for treatment of high blood pressure. Eye witnesses later reported to have seen him being transferred to a military clinic in Banjul . Jones & Ceesay’s Case Proceedings Stayed By Yaya Dampha The case of Mam Sait Ceesay and Malick Jones was called at the Banjul Magistrates Court on Wednesday 26 September. When the case was called Cadet A.S.P Buba Keita announced his appearance for the IGP while Lawyer Antounman Gaye represented the two accused persons. In his submission, the prosecutor applied for an adjournment. He said the magnitude of the case is too high and that it still needs further investigations. He said up to the time he was speaking in court, the matter was still being investigated and that the prosecution needs more time to complete their work. Cadet A.S.P Keita said this is the first time they applied for an adjournment. Keita urged the court to grant them an adjournment for a fortnight. For his part defence counsel Gaye applied for the accused persons to be discharged on the grounds that the court or even the high court lacks jurisdiction to hear the case. He said the issue of jurisdiction could be raised any time. He said the accused person should be discharged since evidence is not yet given. He said the very law in which the accused persons are charged is section 4 subsection 1 (a) of the Official Secrets Act. Lawyer Gaye submitted that Section 11 of this Act states one can be arrested, detained and even be charged as it has happened in this case, but as he said there cannot be any proceedings in court without a fiat from the (AG) Attorney General. Prosecutor Keita said he agreed with Gaye’s submission, which dealt with section 11 of the Act. He said the file had been sent to the AG’s chambers for legal advice. He said this does not mean that the accused persons should be discharged, even though the prosecution is yet to fulfill the requirements. The defence counsel said his submission is fundamental; that no further proceedings shall be made if the conditions are not met, noting anything else is null and void. In his ruling, Magistrate B.Y Camara said, the defence counsel’s submission that this court or any other court does not have jurisdiction to hear this case have confirmed the fact that there must be a fiat from the Attorney General. He therefore ruled that the proceedings be stayed until the fiat is obtained. Currency Market Still Volatile By Bubacarr K. Sowe Mam Cherno Jallow, the Chief Executive Officer of The Gambia Chamber of Commerce and Industry, has said that the prices of basic commodities would reduce gradually, since the currency market is still volatile. “You don’t expect all prices to reduce at the same time. Ii is a gradual process. Basic commodities such as rice, sugar and cooking oil are going down,” Mr. Jallow told Foroyaa on Monday. He opined that the reason why consumers are not feeling a huge price reduction is that retailers are not axing prices down as the wholesalers have done. Mr. Jallow said the depreciation of the dollar; euro or pound sterling is good for both consumers and business people, since it results in low prices thus making businesses flow rapidly. “The depreciation of the dollar and other currencies could be a blessing or could create some problems as well,” Mr. Jallow opined. He said that the depreciation of the major currencies would be a problem for people who depend on remittances from abroad. “Others who will be affected by the depreciating currencies, are those businessmen who export and re-export.” “Those coming from outside The Gambia will find the dalasi very expensive,” he added. On why certain banks are not buying hard currencies, Mr. Jallow opined that they might be having enough hard currencies with them. Tabara Samba Faces Death For Murder By Fabakary B.Ceesay Madam Tabara Samba who was standing trial for allegedly murdering her husband, Mr. Ebrima Nyan by pouring hot oil on him while he was in bed sleeping, was on Wednesday 26 September convicted and sentenced to death by Magistrate Pa Harry Jammeh of the Kanifing Magistrates Court. The judgement was delivered before a crowded court. Enthusiastic onlookers who were eager to hear the verdict stood next to the windows and at the vereanda of the court room. The Inspector General of police represented the state while Lawyer Amie Joof Conteh and Lubna Farrage represented the defence. The accused was holding prayer beads in her hand and murmuring words. She was asked to sit down when Magistrate Jammeh started reading his two-hour marathon judgment. Jammeh said the accused is charged with murder contrary to section 187 of the criminal code. He adduced that the prosecution has called ten witnesses and tendered exhibits, which includes, photos, cautionary statement, statement of the deceased and a medical certificate. He noted that the defence called two witnesses, the accused and her brother. Magistrate Jammeh dwelt on the evidence before the court. He asserted that the totality of the evidence before him is that the prosecution has proved their case beyond all reasonable doubt. He said there are two terminologies that emerged in the case that are pouring and splashing. He said the two words deferred in meaning. Jammeh said the accused has admitted splashing hot oil on the deceased because she was provoked by the deceased. He asserted that the accused might have been provoked to the point of losing control of herself. He noted that a spoon full of hot oil or even 380ml of hot oil couldn’t do such a severe harm to the whole body of the deceased. “By watching these photos of the burnt body of the deceased one cannot believe it is a spoonful of hot oil.” He said there are clear indications on the photos that the deceased was lying down instead of standing as claimed by the accused. “I have no doubt that the deceased told the truth that it was the accused who poured hot oil on him while he was in bed. It was the intention of the accused to cause bodily harm to the deceased. The accused said she has been cooking since at a tender age. She is in a better position to know the consequences of pouring hot oil on somebody. “I hereby convict you on section 198 of the criminal code, laws of The Gambia”, pronounced Jammeh. Mitigating on behalf of the accused, counsel Amie Joof Conteh said Madam Tabara Samba is a 42 year old who represents the voice of every woman in marriage, who are at some point provoked, beaten and abused in their matrimonial homes. Counsel Joof Conteh said some women are strong enough to endure the hardships they encounter while others are weak. “Tabara Samba is among the weak ones who retaliated”. Mrs. Joof Conteh pointed out that no woman has an intention to go into marriage to kill her spouse. She noted that the court knows without doubt that the accused was remorsed throughout the trial. “What has happened, has happened. We are urging on the most compassionate part of the court to have mercy on her. She was a devoted wife who mothered three sons all serving in the service.” A bad mother would not be able to raise such number of children in marriage. No marriage is perfect, no man is perfect and no woman is prefect. We urged the court to convict her with mercy,” said Mrs. Conteh. Magistrate Jammeh lamented that during the trial the accused has alleged that she was put in cell alongside men for days without charges preferred against her. He said the accused is a human being and entitled to her human rights. He then ordered the IGP to mount an investigation into the matter. Magistrate Jammeh pronounced the verdict , noting that it was difficult for him to deliver the judgment in the matter. He said he had observed the accused throughout the trial, that she had shown remorse but that her actions are inhuman. “ Your actions were deplorable, disgraceful, dishonourable, distressing and unpity. You are a deceitful personality who can create nightmares for men. My hands are tied. I hereby convict and sentence you to death in line with section 18-2 of the constitution of The Gambia” said Magistrate Jammeh. When the magistrate rose, people started arguing about the verdict. Madam Samba stood motionless in the dock with her head bowed down. She stood in the dock until the crowd dispersed from the courtroom before she disembarked with tears rolling down her cheeks. GFPA Donates Bicycles To Partners & Institutions By Annia Gaye &Madiba Singhateh The Gambia Family Planning Association (GFPA) on Wednesday 20th September 2007 donated 210 bicycles worth D357, 000 to partners, individuals, private institutions and government institutions at a ceremony held at the Association’s headquarters in Kanifing. Speaking at this presentation the president of the Association Mr. Abass A.S Cham expressed his profound gratitude to the volunteers and staff in their effort to complement Government’s efforts. The International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF) is the main body that funds these activities of GFPA and supports the Association. Mr. Yankuba Dibba, Executive Director, said since 1988 they became part of the Family Planning Association, which has a membership of 182 member organisations. He said over the years they have been engaged in the collection of used phone cards, which they send to their parent body that in turn send them some funds which are utilized to buy these bicycles that are being distributed to their partners. Aja Menge Joof-Gomez, the Vice President of GFPA and Mrs. Awa Janneh-Lewis- Finance & Administrative Manager did the presentation. Foroyaa is one such partner to receive a bicycle from the GFPA. Old Man Arraigned For Injury On Cow By Modou Jonga Jerreh Kulai Bojang, a resident of Brikama was on Thursday 27 September, 2007 arraigned in court for allegedly causing injury to a cow on 26 August. The accused is alleged to have willfully and unlawfully chopped the said cow with a cutlass. The cow is said to be the property of one Bakary Dembo Santang Bojang. When the charged sheet was read to the accused in a language he claimed to understand, the latter admitted to the court that he injured the said cow but that the said animal has entered his orchard. The presiding magistrate Njie ruled that a plea of not guilty be entered for the accused. The prosecutor was sub-Inspector Saine. FOCUS ON POLITICS 1987 GENERAL ELECTIONS OPPOSITION LEADERS LOST THEIR SEATS We have been focusing on politics in this column with the objective of bringing forth the past so as to help our young people especially to learn lessons from it. We have commenced the narration of events from pre-Colonial to post-independence era. We have gone far into the narration of events up to the 1987 general elections. We have stopped where we said Mr. Camara also denied being engaged in tribal politics. Let us continue from where we stopped. The results of the March presidential and parliamentary elections was announced on the 11th and 12th of March showing the incumbent Alhagie Sir Dawda K. Jawara in the lead. The PPP also won the parliamentary contest as well. According to the PPP organ, the PPP won in 31 out of the 36 constituencies whilst the incumbent president won the presidential vote in 32 out of the 36 constituencies. The president got 59% of the votes cast. According to the Times, the results of the 1987 polls were not much different from other election results in the Gambia since independence in 1965. According to the Times, the victory by Jawara must have surprised many because as they observed, many did not expect such overwhelming success for the Gambian leader. They say this is the first time since independence that Jawara was faced with what looked like a formidable challenge from two experienced politicians, i.e. Mr. Sheriff M. Dibba and Mr. Assan Musa Camara who were all his former Vice Presidents and each was leading seemingly well established national parties. According to the PPP organ, the second reason why many felt that Jawara may not have succeeded the way he did was because Gambians had undergone some harrowing experiences since the 1982 election brought about by an IMF adjustment programme adopted by the Gambia Government. The Times agreed that the standard of living following the government’s decision to let the Dalasi float as part of the ERP had generally declined. What was however surprising according to the Nation was that in the rural areas where the inhabitants suffer from lack of progress , both socially and economically , the PPP appeared to be constant . The times which has never spoken like this went on to assert that subsequently there has been more than 100 percent drop in the value of the Dalasi as well as a general rise in the prices of goods and services. Salary increases, according to PPP Times were not also allowed during the ERP period. As far as the elections were concerned, the PPP organ opined that even though the 1982 elections were conducted under the unusual conditions of state of emergency just after a bloody attempted coup, this year’s elections were held in a quiet atmosphere. During the 1982 elections the leader of the main opposition party NCP, had to contest both the presidential and parliamentary elections while in detention because of allegations of complicity in the failed coup. According to the opinion of the PPP Times some observers must also have concluded that, having put Jawara in power for 25 years, there was now need for some change, if not by replacing him altogether then at least by giving him less support this time around. The 1987 election results showed that both presidential candidates lost their seats. The GPP leader has always been in parliament since independence but lost his seat to a young Pa Mandu Sanyang who stood under the PPP Ticket. Mr. Sheriff M. Dibba also lost to Dr Lamin Nafa Saho of the PPP.. Mr. Dibba who was 46 years at the time lost by a margin of only 95 votes whilst Mr. Camara lost by a margin of 510 votes. Mr. Sidia Jatta and Halifa Sallah, spokes persons of PDOIS did not also win their seats. However, according to the Times Halifa made a good attempt when he scored more than 1000 votes in 1987. According to the Times, both Dibba and Camara would have to consider their political future. This attempt was Dibba’s third time he had been contesting for the presidential elections and lost. He had also lost his constituency seat in the last two-consecutive elections. The results also showed that Mr. Dibba managed to gain 27% of the votes cast while Mr. Camara gained 13% of votes cast. A little survey of the results has shown that with the combined force of the opposition, Jawara would have had a tougher time. The combined opposition in 1987 defeated Sir Dawda Jawara in Banjul Administrative Area by a margin of 880 votes. The combined opposition also defeated president Jawara in the presidential vote by 1233 votes in KMC area. Looking at the overall percentage, the combined opposition polled 41% of the votes cast country-wide. The sad thing about Gambian democracy is that whilst 41% of the Gambian voters opposed the policies of the government, they had to endure with it for another five years with only 6 representatives in parliament. This means that the vast majority of the opposition supporters had not been represented in parliament. Sir Dawda fared well mainly in the rural areas. In the Brikama administrative area he scored 20,715 whilst the combined opposition scored 15,955 votes. In Mansa Konko administrative area, the PPP gained 12,102 while the combined opposition came out with 6555 votes. In Kerewan, the PPP score was 22,871 whilst the opposition combined came out with 18,41d1 votes. In Georgetown, PPP had 28,510 and the opposition had 13,134. For Basse , the president had 23,791 whilst the opposition had 13,530 votes. In parliamentary elections the opposition would have captured many places if they had combined their strength. For example, in Lower Niumi Mr. Dodou Ngom managed to win by a margin of only 51 votes but with the combined votes of Jain Colley Faye GPP and Jerreh Jammeh NCP he would have been defeated by 854 votes. Similarly Dr. Lamin Nafa Saho had a margin of 95 votes over Sheriff M. Dibba but with the combined votes of GPPs Abdoulie Jaiteh’s, Mr. Saho would have been defeated by a margin of 19 votes. Again in Eastern Wuli Mr. Seni Singhateh was elected with a majority of 385 votes but with the combined votes of the opposition he would have lost with a margin of 72 votes. The tactical Alliance suggested by the PDOIS was rejected by the two main parties at the time perhaps because of the feeling that PDOIS was not only a new party but that they had no structures on the ground and no influence whatsoever except the symparthy they may have from the people that as intellectuals who had sacrificed to stand for their principles. The other consideration for the lack of collaboration must have been the feeling that with tactical alliance a new party may succeed in registering a seat in the parliament, which may create future obstacles for them. What is however not in doubt is the fact that Mr. Dibba especially have always been suspicious of intellectuals to the extent of urging his supports to distrust them. As for Mr. Camara, he may have been over confident of winning. Jawara however lost the urban vote in 1987 to the combined opposition. Many attributed that to the lack of employment opportunities and the high cost of living generally. Others also attributed it to the February 13th student disturbances, which drew the public’s attention to their vital needs. According to the press release of the students, “the voice of the Gambia student’s union” the students said it has never been their intention to perform such a strike, which they dubbed “an operation,” but due to unbearable circumstances which they said the Education Department was aware of, but decided to ignore it. They said their action was seen to be the only option to liberate them or as they dared said, die in the cause of it. The students lamented lack of transportation facilities (very few school buses) which they said made life unbearable for them. The students vowed to continue if the police would not release their colleagues. They also urged the authorities to allow those students who were suspended or expelled to resume classes. See next issue as we analyze post 1987 elections. MARRIAGE AND FAMILY BLACKMAIL, JUSTICE AND SENTIMENT Part 7 Detect And Greg Detective Desmond gave Greg a full report of his wife. “Your wife is under blackmail. The blackmailer has already received over ten million from her”. “ What! Who is defrauding my family through my wife?” “Keep calm! I don’t have his identity yet. Don’t ask your wife any question. Blackmailers always call again. We will surely get him soon”. Desmond reassured Greg. “Get him fast before I get him”. Desmond gave Greg Daado’s fallen earring. Daado At Home Today Daado is at home preparing a delicacy for her husband. That is a ‘ Domooda’ (a groundnut soup) and ‘findoo’ with mutton. Greg loved Daado’s cooking. “I cannot eat anywhere. My wife is the best of cooks. My mum would have cursed me if she were alive”. “Why?” Daado asked. “Because her son cannot eat any food other than his wife’s. The duo would then laughed over the joke. Daado is now ready to serve Greg his food. The phone rang. Greg took it. The blackmailer changed his voice and mimicked. He asked for Daado and announced he was Angela, and proclaimed to be Daado’s business partners. Greg became suspicious. He firmly believed the voice was that of a male mimicking to be a female. Daado was panicky but she pretended to be calm. “Here take the phone”. “ Who is it?” she asked. “She said she is Angela but I firmly believed it to be a male voice”. Daado took the phone and pretended to be talking to Angela. Justin threatened her and made another appointment with her. All the while, Daado pretended to be speaking to Angella her supposed business partner. Greg was suspicions. “Give me the idiot! Can I talk to her?” Daado quickly put the phone down. “She had left. Let me go and get your drink”. Greg was not convinced. Daado Visited Her Lawyer Cynthia is Daado’s university batch mate. Even though they were in different departments they still liked and appreciated each other. Cynthia now ran her own chambers. Daado decided to make her personal lawyer. She visited Cynthy’ s Chambers. Daado broke down. She intimated Cynthia with the facts. “I am losing it Cynthy! This man is choking me. He had already extorted over ten million from me. And now he have developed another line of interest”. “What is it? ” Cynthy asked. “He is asking me for sex. I can’t. He has to kill me first. Justin is wicked and mean”. “Does your husband know about the blackmailing?” Cynthy asked. “No! He has not. Infact, Justin is Greg’s business associate, his friend”. “Which Justin are you referring to? Is it Docter Justin?” “ Yes! Docter Justin”. Daado replied. “Docter Justin is a drug suspect. We are trying to set a trap for him”. Cynthia gave her courage. “We will get him Mrs. Johnson, we will get him! This time no smart lawyer can set him free”. “Be quick about it! I am losing it!” Daado pleaded. Desmond Visits Cynthia Desmond is Cynthia’s friend. She sometimes used his services as a private investigator in some of her criminal cases. Cynthia discussed about Daado’s case. “Who Mrs. Daado Johnson?” Desmond asked. “Do you know her?” Cynthy asked. “Yes! Her husband hired me to investigate her. She is being blackmailed and the blackmailer is her husband’s business associate. Greg does not know about it”. “Fine!” Said Cynthy. “We have to strategize to tackle the problem. You are the best in town. You never disappointed me”. Said Cynthy “Tell Daado to be calm. Tell her we are ready for action”. Greg Meets Justin Greg met Justin to discuss a business proposal put down by Docter. Greg was going out with Daado to an executive meeting when he met Justin who called him aside to talk about his business proposal. He hypocritically apologized to Daado. “Please give me a minute Madam to speak to your husband”. Daado became edgy, afraid and worried. She feared Docter will expose her and make her earn the wrath of Greg. Greg agreed to do business with him for mutual benefit. Greg entered his car. And as Daado tried to enter Docter spoke into her ear and irritated her. She ignored him and entered her husband’s car. Daado Pays A Visit To Cynthia Daado was agitated. She cried over Cynthia’s shoulders. Cynthia took five minutes to calm her nerves. “Justin almost told Greg everything”. “How? What do you mean?” “Exactly what I said”. Desmond entered Cynthy’s office. “Sit down Desmond”. Daado got scared. “Good morning Mrs. Johnson”. “Good morning!” Daado replied. “How did you know me?” Cynthy came into the discussion. “ Well Daado! This is the detective I told you about. He is the best in town”. Desmond answered her question. “Greg gave me a contract to investigate you”. Daado was surprised. “Investigate me? Why?” “Your husband knows you are being blackmailed. What he does not know is by who? He does not know that his friend is the blackmailer. Keep calm! Don’t let your husband suspect you know anything. Everything is under control”. Daado agreed. “we have laid a trap for the blackmailer”. Desmond left. Daado cried. Cynthy counseled her. “Take it easy on yourself. Everything is under control”. Daado Goes To Justin’s House Daado took the bull by the horn. She was quite agitated. She visited Justin’ s house to retrieve the video cassette. She got a spare key and opened the house. Daado in her hurry put the house upside down. She searched everywhere and found nothing. Worst Case Scenario What did she see? Justin and Greg entered the house. Justin was surprised. “ Your house is upside down what happened?” Greg asked. “Is it burglary?” “I don’t know. I am confused as well. What is happening?” They heard foot steps. They waited. Who opened the door? Daado opened it and bounced over Justin and Greg. She almost fainted. She was shocked. She ran away. Greg was flabbergasted. Daado left her bag behind. “This is a zig-saw puzzle! What is my wife doing in your house Docter?” Justin answered rudely. “Question your wife! What is your dumb wife doing in my house? Look at how she put my house upside down!” Greg became disappointed and dumbfounded. Greg started to go. Justin called Greg back. “No business talk?” Greg turned back and started to leave. “ If you’ll not talk business, come back and collect your wife’s shit on your way out”. Greg collected Daado’s back and started to leave. He turned to Justin and said. “I’ll be back!” “Am waiting!” Justin replied. As Greg left Justin jumped up and glee. He is vain and mean. Disability Does not Mean Inability CHALLENGING DISCRIMINATION Culled from “A Handbook on Mainstreaming Disability” Published by VSO We have found that the most effective way to challenge discrimination is for disabled people to demonstrate that they can participate in society. Telling people that discrimination is wrong cannot match the impact of seeing disabled people working, bringing up children or performing similarly respected roles within their community. VSO volunteers who have impairments can also play this role in some situations, although it is important not to focus this responsibility on disabled volunteers, who are recruited for their professional skills and expertise, not because of their impairment. In addition, non disabled people may not take the ability of a disabled person from a rich country to participate as a sign that disabled people from their own community can do same. Non-disabled people’s biggest contribution is to support and empower the disabled to play this self-advocacy role. This can be as simply providing mobility assistance or other enabling supports, or even pencil and paper, as in one case study from Papua New Guinea. VSO volunteers and programme staff also have a role to play in building the capacity of DPOs to express their priorities. We can all be role models of more equitable relationships between disabled and non-disabled people. The simplest way to do this is just to interact with disabled people in public, especially in wider social events, for example encourage non-disabled and disabled children to play together or inviting a local disabled adult to accompany us to a social gathering. For example, one of VSO Indonesia’s partner organizations working with children with autism regularly takes the children out shopping. Staff encouraging the children to ask for what they want, and have conversations with the children in public. This has led local shopkeepers recognizing and interacting directly with the children, rather than their caregiver. It can be difficult to challenge discrimination, especially when it is seen as having roots in local or national culture. People who were brought up within that culture, including national staff, may find it hard to raise these sensitive issues, or may see attempt to address them as an attack on their culture. Expatriates, including VSO volunteers, are rightly cautious of imposing inappropriate values or undermining the culture of their host country. However, culture is not uniform or static. Every culture is made up different streams, and these streams are constantly interacting with each other, changing and being changed. The cultural values attached to disability and impairment are not always negative for example. The traditional values stories often attribute particular wisdom to blind people. Societies that have recently experienced wars of liberation tend to link disabled people with veterans, who are often admired and supported with states benefits, although this may largely benefit men with visible impairments such as missing limbs. Disabled people are part of their country’s culture too, and their perspective is as important as anyone else’s. We have mentioned that it is more effective to demonstrate disabled people’s participation than to tell people to change their attitudes. This is why it is so important for disabled people to be actively involved in every stage of disability mainstreaming. Many disabled people are already working for change themselves, and VSO has a legitimate role to support them. While attitudes are clearly important, it is generally more effective to focus on changing behaviour. Neither VSO nor anyone else is in a position to police people’s thoughts. However, if we come across discriminatory or disrespectful behavior, or hear people using derogatory language, it is possible to ask them why they are behaving like that. It will not help to alienate colleagues and partners. It is important to find ways of approaching these issues that are appropriate to the context, based on relationship of trust with people around us. We also need to consider our own attitudes and values – these are shaped by culture and experience like everyone else’s, and it is essential to recognize where we are coming from as well as where we are trying to go. INTERACTING WITH DISABLED PEOPLE Many non-disabled people are ill at ease when interacting with disabled people. They may be nervous about accidentally causing offence, or simply embarrassed because they have not spent much time with disabled people. There are some simple rules that can help those who are uncertain about how to behave. The main principle is to treat everyone with courtesy and respect, including disabled people. Treat each person as an individual, with her own way of interacting. Other general guidelines include: · Speak direct to the person, in the same way as you would to anyone else, not her interpreter or assistant. · Speak normally and clearly. Don’t rust your words, shout or mumble. If you are talking to a person with limited hearing, check that she can understand you. · Get on the same eye level, and look the person in the eye (assuming this is actually appropriate). This is the best way of making sure that your attention is on her and what she is saying. · Don’t treat a disabled adult like a child. Talk to her like an adult. A person’s impairment may prompt your concern – but don’t restrict her freedom. · Offer assistance, but don’t help someone without asking first. If you are helping someone, always do what she asked you, not what you think is best. · Try not to stare if something about the person seems unusual to you – while many disabled people are used to being looked at, staring will make anybody self-conscious and uncomfortable. · Avoid language which you know is rude or derogatory. When talking about people, refer to them by their name rather than their impairment. · Be polite. Treat the person the same way as you would treat anyone else. VSO GHANA: PRSP CONSULTATION The World Bank invited the Ghana federation of the disabled (a VSO partner) to a civic society videoconference in April 2005 with Jim Wolfensohn, the president of the World Bank. GFD invited VSO to participate as well, along with other organisations working in disability. Civil society groups in Senegal, Peru, Japan and Belgium also participated. Before the videoconference, MacDuff Phiri, VSO Ghana’s disability programme Manager, arranged a meeting of all the invited organisations to agree on a common position. This preparation was vital in presenting a coherent message. While the other country groups discussed a wide range of development issues, the Ghana team focused on including disability in development planning. HEALTH AND NUTRITION BANTABA Raising Awareness On Malaria By Yaya Bayo The Scourge of Malaria has become an outstanding public health concern at this time of the year around the continent, particularly sub-Saharan Africa. Research suggests that about 200 million people get malaria in tropical countries every year, and about 2 million die of it. A single-cell organism called plasmodium causes this deadly epidemic. Interestingly enough, the female of the Anopheles Mosquito spreads it. The mode of transmission of the single-cell organism should be known by all and sundry with a view to putting contingent measures in place to avert its transmission from an infected person to a non-infected one. The plasmodium lives in the salivary glands of an infected female Anopheles Mosquito. The mosquito feeds on human blood. When it bites in order to take a meal of blood, the saliva enters the blood taking with it the parasites. The blood carries them to the liver where they enter the cells, feed and multiply rapidly. Later the parasites invade the bloodstream and enter the red blood cells. Inside the red blood cells, the plasmodium grows again and reproduces. The new parasites then break out, destroying the red cells and producing poisonous substances. This causes very severe fever with high temperature and sweating. Eventually the fever passes but returns again and again as long as the parasites remain in the body. Next time the infected person is bitten by a mosquito, some of the parasites are taken into the mosquito’s stomach. Here t hey continue to multiply. They break through the stomach wall and pass in the bloodstream to the salivary glands. They wait here until they are passed on to the next healthy person the mosquito bites. Symptomatically, the typical attack of malaria has three stages. It begins with a feeling of cold, headache and weakness. There is shivering for 15 minutes to one hour. Very serious fever, often 40°c or more follows this. The person is weak and sometimes not in his right mind. The fever may last several hours or days. Then the person begins to sweat as his temperature comes down. People who have malaria often and over a long period of time may develop an enlarged spleen and anemia. Anyone who suspects he/she has malaria or suffers from repeated fevers should report to a health centre. Malaria can be controlled, if everyone co-operates. All the control measures should be practiced at the same time. One method is the destruction of the mosquito. The adults can be killed by spraying surfaces on which they may settle with benzence hexachloride (BHC) or dieldrin. Aerosol spray may be used to kill them in the houses. However, it is best to use those, which do not contain chloropfluoro carbons (CFC’s). Moreover, the larvae and pupae (young) can be destroyed by spraying on the surface of pools and marshes where mosquitoes breed. The oil lowers the surface tension of the water, causing the larvae and pupae to sink and drown. However, the recent biolarvicide exercise undertaken by the officials of the Department of State for Health in the gutters and other drainage outlets of Banjul is a worthwhile venture in the crusade against the malaria scourge in the country. This is a laudable initiative, which is embraced by all, especially the residence of Banjul. The Department of State for Health also promised to extend similar ventures to other parts of the country where the population of mosquitoes is quite noticeable. Notwithstanding, this should be done before rather than after the “Malaria Season” begins in earnest in the country. Additionally, fish such as topminnow can be introduced into the water to feed on the larvae and pupae. The breeding grounds too can be drained or completely filled with sand. Another highly placed traditional way of preventing mosquito bites is by sleeping under insecticide treated mosquito nets (ITNs) and also covering windows with a fine-mesh screen to keep them out. It is gratifying to note at this point that, the Association of Youths Against Malaria (TAYAM), UNICEF. Department of State for Health’s National Malaria Control Programme component and other partners recently embarked on bed net dipping campaign in Western Health Region to curb the menace of malaria. This campaign which is conducted free of charge is aimed at preventing our children, pregnant women and the general populace at large from the scourge of malaria. In addition, wearing long sleeved shirts and trousers in the evening in mosquito infested areas will also help prevent bites on arms and legs. Smearing repellant creams on exposed skin may also prevent bites. More importantly, taking regular weekly doses of preventive (prophylaxis) drugs will tremendously help in the prevention process. Finally, malaria is treated with anti-malarial drugs, but unfortunately, the parasite seems to have developed resistance to some of these drugs. Therefore, a trained medical worker’s advice should be sought before taken these drugs. In Gambian Pair Clash in Austria Pa Saikou Get the Better of Modou Jange By Modou Nyang Pa Saikou Kujabi’s SV Josko Fenster Ried defeated Modou Jange’s SCR Altach 3-0 on Wednesday pushing them deeper into the relegation dogfight. Ried completed a league double against Altach who currently occupies 9 position in the 10 team Austrian Bundesliga liga. Jange’s Altach put up big fight in the first half before the home side rallied in the second to score 3 straight goals, Hamdi Salihi firing a double and Daniel Toth completing the rout. But Pa Saikou did not end the match as he was sent off in the 78th minute for a second bookable offence. Modou Jange playing in attack, first tested Ried’s goalkeeper with a 11th minute strike and Hans-Peter Berger responded well to the challenge. Jange cut through the packed Ried defence and forced a powerful shot towards goal but Berger was up to the task, parrying to ball to his right for a corner. Berger who before the start of the match was presented with an award by the Austrian National League for best goalkeeper for the previous season, showed that his heroics that led to the award were not a fluke either. Altach mount pressure on the Ried defence and in the 16th minute, Roland Kirchler forced another wonder save from Berger. Berger showed his class by thwarting another succession of chances from Altach striker Patrick Mayer in the 18th and 33rd minutes.But when Altach felt they had got the breakthrough just before the end of the first half when Karsten Hutwelker beat Berger to slot home, the central blew offside. Ried having survived a first half from a determined Altach side, made no mistake after the resumption of hostilities in the second, as leading scorer Hamdi Salihi fired them into the lead just 10 minutes into the half. Altach regrouped in a bid to avoid a repetition of their first leg home defeat to Ried back in July. And as they fought to keep their area off the threat of Altach, Pa Saikou got sent off for repeated offences. But the loss seemed to have tilted in Ried’s favour as Salihi fired back to score his second late on in the 86th minute to secure all three points before Toth, rounded up the day with the third in the 90th. SV Josko Fenster Ried this season completed played a double against SCR Altach scoring six times. Ried won their first leg encounter 3-2 away to Altach in July, with Pa Saikou Kujabi scoring Ried’s opener in that epic encounter. 3 New Magistrates Sworn In Office By Fabakary B. Ceesay Three new magistrates were on Wednesday 26 September sworn into office. The trio is, Mrs. Kumba Sillah Camara, Mrs. Sainabou Wadda Ceesay and Mrs. Sagar Cecelia Jahateh. They were all members of the Bar, but they later decided to join the magisterial bench. In her opening remarks, the President of the Bar Association Mrs. Amie Bensouda noted that in The Gambia, the Magisterial bench is mostly drawn from the ranks of law graduates. She said these three did their Bar training and are qualified legal practitioners. She noted that the three magistrates come to the bench with a much richer experience, as hitherto all of them are barristers and solicitors of the High Court of the Gambia. Mrs. Bensouda indicated that for forty years, the bench is still agonizing over judges, magistrates, and state counsels. “We are still wondering around from jurisdiction to jurisdiction begging for lawyers who would serve our people,” said Mrs. Bensouda. In her statement, the Attorney General and Secretary of State for Justice, Mrs. Marie Saine Firdaus said she had worked with all the three sisters when the trio was defence counsels while she was a prosecutor. She pointed out that there is no doubt that the newly appointees are fit and proper persons to serve in the magistracy. SoS Saine Firdaus advised the newly appointed that the path they have chosen is an honourable one and requires each of them to execute their responsibilities with dedication, commitment and diligence without fear or favour, affection or ill will to the best of their abilities. She said the magistracy has been playing a pivotal role in the administration of justice. She threw light on the volume of cases adjudicated at that level. The Attorney General indicated that the task of a magistrate is more challenging, but are in line to ensure widely access to justice. “I would also want to assure you that the Department of State for Justice will continue to work closely with the judiciary in ensuring a better and more efficient administration of Justice, ensuring that Gambians serve as lawyers, judges and magistrates all over the country to make access to justice a reality and bring it closer to the people,” she said. The Chief Justice, Abdou Kareem Savage, highlighted the government’s policy to meet 95 per cent Gambianisation by the year 2011. Chief Justice Savage noted that their interventions a re to train and develop the Cadre of magistrates to prepare them for higher judicial functions. The Chief justice explained the three points, which a magistrate should be doing. She said they should be competent, shall have the ability to utilize the knowledge from their academic and professional training to deliver justice. “Competence requires that judicial officers employ the analytical, interpersonal, leadership, managerial and administrative skills”. Justice Savage added that the second part is to do justice. “Doing justice entails playing the game by the rule. It implies fairness, insistence on the due process and the maintenance of the rule of law. Doing justice is ensuring that justice is not only done but is seen to be done. You cannot do justice without adhering to the rules,” said Justice Savage. He noted that the third thing is to do justice for no other consideration but for justice itself. Savage told the newly sworn-in magistrates that motivation as magistrates and Judicial officers should at all times be, to deliver justice. “You should not be driven by power, arrogance or material consideration”. He said if one does justice but your motivation is for other things order than justice, then your conscience will not allow you to thrive. Justice Savage finally said “You the judge; if you are for the people, the door of goodness would be opened, if you are not for the people, the door of evil and chaos”. The vote of thanks on behalf of the newly appointed magistrates was delivered by Magistrate Sainabou Wadda Ceesay. The ceremony was held at the chief Justice office. Heavy Storm Hits Busura By Modou Jonga A heavy rainfall accompanied by heavy storm over the weekend resulted in the destruction of buildings in more than eight compounds at Busura in the Kombo Central. The heavy wind has also demolished the buildings of Fioretti Nursery School and the Lower Basic Cycle School at the said place. Some of the corrugated iron roofs of the affected buildings were detached by the strong storm. Speaking to this reporter, the village head of Busura, Omar Faye lamented that a total of eight compounds and the youth centre were seriously affected by the heavy storm on the 15 and 16 September 2007 respectively. According to Mr. Faye, neighbours are currently sheltering some of the victims of the heavy wind. He urged the Government and other philanthropic organisations and individuals to assist the victims. The principal of Busura Basic Cycle School Mr. Nfally Badjie said five classroom blocks including the library and his office were destroyed by the heavy storm. Mr. Badjie said the effects of the storm are grave, noting it will seriously derail the learning process. He said classes would be congested because of inadequate space to accommodate the pupils. The head of FIORETTI Nursery School, Mr. Alhagie Malick Camara, noted that the roof of the two-classroom building was removed by the storm on Saturday 5 September. He said this happened around 2 pm. He said the school clinic is affected by the storm. He lamented that some stationeries and ten bags of cement were damaged by the storm. Mr. Camara noted that learning at his school would be halted due to lack of sufficient space to accommodate the pupils. He further urged the authorities to assist his school so that early childhood education can be offered satisfactorily. Many victims lamented the scale of the damage caused by the heavy storm. A compound owner and a victim, Abdou Jarju, noted that he and his family woke up late in the night when their corrugated iron roof was completely removed by the wind. Mr. Jarju lamented that his building was flooded due to the heavy down pour. He said their neighbour accommodated his children. He stated that due to the flooded house, two bags of sugar and three bags of rice got soaked in the water. Mr. Jarju called on the government and other organisations to urgently help them out of the present predicament. A shopkeeper, Musa Dem lamented that the roof of his shop was removed; that his shop was flooded with water and as a result, bags of sugar, rice and other commodities got soaked in the water. He noted that the total cost of the affected commodities is estimated at four thousand dalasis. Another victim Ida Faye noted that the heavy storm has destroyed part of her building; that one bag of rice and three bags of cement got soaked in water when the roof of her building was removed and destroyed by the heavy storm. GTB Donates To Disaster Victims By Modou Jonga Guaranty Trust Bank, Gambia Limited on Monday 24 September, 2007 donated twenty bags of rice, ten bags of sugar and plastic buckets worth over twenty thousand dalasis to various disaster victims. The ceremony was held at the Bank’ s Sub-branch in Brikama In his welcoming remarks, the Public Relations Officer of Brikama Area Council Mr. Seringe Joof noted that the donation came in the wake of an appeal launched by the Western Region Disaster and Relief Committee following numerous natural disasters that hit Kerewan, Brikama, and other places. Mr. Joof commended the Management of Guaranty Trust Bank for the benevolent gesture. In his statement, the Governor of Western Region Mr. Abdou F.M Badjie who is also the Chairman of the Western Region Disaster and Relief Committee lamented the alarming rate of natural disasters in the region. He expressed hope that the donation will uplift the morale of the disaster victims. While commending the Guaranty Trust Bank for the service it is rendering to the public, the Regional Governor, assured the Management of GT/Bank that the donated items will reach the affected victims. Mr. Badjie commended the members of his committee for their unflinching cooperation. The donated items were handed over by a representative of GT/Bank, Mr. Bittage to Governor Abdou Badjie. The Chairman of Brikama Area Council, Mr. Ousman Gaye thanked the bank on behalf of the recipients. In Pirang Land Trial, Accused Persons Discharged By Modou Jonga Senior Magistrate E. F. M’bai of the Brikama Magistrates Court on Tuesday 25th September 2007 discharged fourteen accused persons, all of them residents of Pirang in the Kombo East. The fourteen who pleaded not guilty were dragged to court by the state on 30th July 2007 for allegedly entering the farm of M. G Fielder on 28th July and damaging the animal feed planted by the said M. G. Fielder. When the case was called on Tuesday 25th September, Magistrate M’bai noted that the case was adjourned till 25th September. He stated that the prosecutor told the court that his witness was not yet in court and as such, the case was stood down and later deferred. Magistrate M’bai noted that the prosecution witness and the prosecutor ASP Camara were absent. He stated that no reason was advanced for the absence of the prosecutor. He said all the accused persons were present in court that day except the third accused person. Magistrate M’bai noted that it is the ultimate responsibility of the prosecutor to proceed with his case and be resolved to prove it beyond reasonable doubt, but that the prosecutor has done the contrary. He accordingly discharged all the accused persons on the charges preferred against them. ************************************** See what's new at http://www.aol.com To unsubscribe/subscribe or view archives of postings, go to the Gambia-L Web interface at: http://listserv.icors.org/archives/gambia-l.html To Search in the Gambia-L archives, go to: http://listserv.icors.org/SCRIPTS/WA-ICORS.EXE?S1=gambia-l To contact the List Management, please send an e-mail to: [log in to unmask]