Foroyaa Newspaper Burning Issues Issue No. 26/2008, 3 - 4 March, 2008 Editorial Health Risk To Tipper Garage Drivers Urgent Action Required We wish to share the agony and anguish the drivers and other users of the premises of Tipper Garage Car Park in the Serrekunda suburb of Bakoteh are enduring because of the lack of proper excreta disposal system and over congestion. It is indeed welcoming and moreover timely for the affected community of the aforementioned public place to make their plight known to the general populace, particularly the concerned authorities for swift redress or intervention. According to the story in the Foroyaa publication, the state for the motor park is rather deplorable and inconceivable as it is grossly unfit for human habitation. Health, which has been vividly defined by World Health Organisation as the complete state of physical, mental and social wellbeing and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity, has had its philosophy threatened by the car park’s unhygienic environmental condition. Suffice to say that the unsound environmental scene besieging Tipper Garage - lack of latrine and congestion - have the potent to expose the users to life threatening communicable diseases like cholera and tuberculosis. The act of open or scattered defaecation by drivers and passengers can promote the outbreak of diarrhoeal diseases within the garage dwellers as faeco-oral transmission or infection of bacterial agents can easily take place. The presence of food vendors in such an unfriendly health environment amidst congestion puts the health of the car park worker and even visitors at risk since the food offered for sale is prone to contamination, resulting into gastro-enteritis or other associated health problems such a helmint infestations, cholera, diarrhoea and dysentery. It should be borne in mind by all and sundry that poor sanitation can spread disease through effective exposure to contaminated soils, skin contact with contaminated water, drinking contaminated water, eating contaminated animals or plants. This is precisely the reason why health experts recommend that defecation areas should be far from water storage and treatment facilities, down hill of settlements and water sources, far from public buildings or roads, not in field crops grown for human consumption, far from food storage or preparatory areas, and at least 30 metres from water sources which of course depends on the function of soil factor. However, environmentally sound management goes beyond the mere safe disposal or recovery of wastes that are generated and seeks to address the root cause of the problem by attempting to change unsustainable patterns of production and consumption. This implies the application of the integrated life cycle management concept, which presents a unique opportunity to reconcile development with environmental protection. Therefore, the untold poor sanitary condition at Tippa Garage taxi park as highlighted by the report can be addressed easily by constructing a simple pit latrine with a reasonable depth about 2 metres; supported by a good superstructure with a cover slab or tight fitting lid. The brunt of the associated health implications is being shouldered by the drivers who spend the day at the taxi park. This is one of KMC’s responsibilities. Foroyaa will get in touch to find out what they intend to do Needless to say, the erection of a simple pit latrine at the taxi park will greatly minimise the problem of odour and flies, thus transforming the environment into a relatively conducive place for habitation. Please don’t wait any longer, act now, as the saying goes, “prevention is better than cure”. Kanyiba Kanyi’s Family Remain Uncertain!! By Fabakary B. Ceesay The detention of Kanyiba Kanyi incommunicado for 15 months now, made his family and loved ones to be uncertain about his fate. The family, who were in tears, said Kanyiba’s long disappearance had a negative psychological impact in their family life. According to them, they could not understand the sudden disappearance of Kanyiba; that they are yet to know the offences he might have done to deserve his long incarceration. They pointed out that Kanyiba was not a politician neither a state employee, instead a charitable worker under the Christian Children’s’ Fund ( CCF). They expressed their frustration and wondered as to whether Kanyiba is death or alive. They complained that since he was arrested by security agents in September 2006; they have never heard any information about his whereabouts nor the conditions under he might have been held. They explained how they daily lived in sorrow and distress not knowing joy nor happiness since his disappearance. They stated that they have done everything possible within their power to locate Kanyiba’s place of detention but to no avail. The Kanyi family wonder when justice would prevail, because as they said their lawyer had sought the release of kanyiba through the high court in late 2006, which was granted but is yet to be honoured by the state. “ We have been waiting in vain since the court’s ruling, we have no other alternative but to leave everything in the hands of Almighty”, they lamented. It could be recalled that Kanyiba Kanyi, was said to be arrested by three plain clothes security agents from his residence at Bonto Village in Kombo Ea st, on 18 September 2006, barely few days before the presidential elections. His detention incommunicado now clocks 521 days. Upon his arrest, his younger brother, Wandifa Kanyi, was also arrested and spent a night at the Police headquarters’in Banjul before being released. As for Kanyiba, since then, the family has not known his whereabouts or condition of detention. Gambia Gets $28 Million Assistance to Fight Poverty By Bubacarr K. Sowe The Gambia has benefited about $28 million from the World Bank and the African Development Bank Joint Assistance Strategy (JAS) to support the implementation of the country’s Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper (PRSP II) for the period of 2008 to 2011. According to a release from the World Bank Communication and Learning Coordinator in Dakar, Mademba Ndiaye. The endorsement for the assistance was done by the World Bank Board of Executive Directors on February 26 in Washington, United States. Madani M. Tall, country director for The Gambia, is quoted by the release as saying, “this JAS is an important step in the process of aid harmonisation because for that small country, more than 15 donors are providing assistance, which is channelled through a broad variety of entities, both governmental and non-governmental, and although most external partners are aligning external assistance with country objectives, they are preparing separate assistance strategies for the period 2007-2011”. Francoise Perrot, task team leader for the Bank noted that the strategy represents the first step of an effort to harmonise donor assistance in The Gambia in line with the Paris Declaration on aid effectiveness. “It will allow us to align our development programme, avoid duplication of efforts, and combine our technical expertise,” Ms. Perrot said. She said that the joint strategy is prepared on the basis of an estimated $18 million allocation on the World Bank side and $10 million on the AfDB side over the period of 2008-2011. “These are indicative amounts,” Ms. Perrot added. The release indicates, “under this joint strategy, the World Bank and the AfDB have developed shared-objectives and a common platform for lending and non-lending services under two main pillars. So that the two institutions will support The Gambia to strengthen its institutional framework for economic management and public service delivery, and to enhance its productive capacity and accelerate growth and competitiveness. These will include coordinated contribution to budget support, complementary investments in growth and competitiveness, and joint analytical work in the areas of public finance, civil service reform and governance.” The release states that the Gambian economy has been strong in recent years, with an average annual real Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth rate of about 6% during 2003-2006. It added that the completion of a Millennium Development Goals-based Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper II (2007-2011), the completion point under Highly Indebted Poor Country (HIPC) in December 2007 and eligibility under Multilateral Debt Relief Initiative (MDRI) and indications of increased project aid from development partners provide an opportunity for the country’s achievements and accelerated growth. Media Practitioners Fight For Decriminalisation Of Media Laws A regional seminar on “The decriminalisation of media laws”, held in Ouagadougou from February 27th – 29th, Burkina Faso with objectives to reinforce the comprehension of the de-criminalisation of the press offence laws in West Africa, has set up a lobbying strategy at the regional level and is to prepare a common lobbying document. Deliberations and plenary sessions focused on decriminalisation of the press offence laws in relation to the social responsibility of the journalist and arguments for and against the de-criminalisation of the press offence laws. In West Africa, only Togo and Ghana have de-penalised the press offence laws. Presentations on their experiences and the processes to decriminalisation were made. Participants noted that the de-criminalisation of press offences within a society that should build itself as a democratic State, will contribute to and reaffirm, not only the right to the freedom of the press which opens the way to the freedom of expression and opinion, but also the right to criticize the decisions of the institutional powers established to open the path to plural debate. It was also argued that the arrests and imprisonment for violations of the press offence laws, though sometimes legal, are sanctions that restrict 1) the basic right to information and the free expression of the opinions and thoughts; and 2) the installation of democracy. A declaration known as the Ouagadougou Declaration was issued by the participants at the end of seminar. Considering that the freedom of the press remains essential to the establishment of good governance and economic, political, social and cultural sustainable development; of prosperity and peace in the sub-region, and to the fight against corruption, famine, poverty, violent conflict, disease and lack of education, the participants reaffirmed their responsibility as women and men of media to conduct an “energetic campaign in the long run against the violations and the restrictions on freedom of the press”. The Ouagadougou Declaration calls on The Member States of ECOWAS and Mauritania to recognise the indivisible character of freedom of the press and respect the commitments they have signed within the framework of the international, regional and sub regional conventions reaffirming freedom, the independence and the safety of press and, “to urgently support this objective by the abrogation of the laws on defamation and public insult.” Among other issues, it further calls on the governments and the Parliaments of the Member States of ECOWAS and Mauritania to urgently examine and abolish all the other laws that limit freedom of the press; to immediately release journalists imprisoned in the exercise of their professional duties and authorise the journalists in exile to return to their home country; to condemn all forms of repression of the media in the ECOWAS region and Mauritania that make it possible to prohibit newspapers, and the use of other sanctions like the taxation laws on the importation of newsprint and printing equipment and the suppression of advertising interdiction in private newspapers; and to create a fund for the development of the media and give priority to legal reform of the media and, in particular, to the campaign for the removal in the West African region of the laws on defamation and public insult. The Declaration also reminded ECOWAS Member States and Mauritania to conform to the principles stated in Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and other protocols, and to offer constitutional guarantees to freedom of the press. This Declaration will be presented to the President of the Commission of ECOWAS with the request that it be distributed to all the Member States of ECOWAS to be approved during its next meeting at the summit of the Heads of State. Gambia/Guinea-Bissau Sign Joint Communiqué By Gibairu Janneh The Gambia and Guinea-Bissau on Thursday signed a joint communiqué aimed at fostering relationships between the two countries at the end of a joint inter ministerial commission at the Corinthia Atlantic Hotel in Banjul. The communiqué, which focused, among other things, on trade, tourism, social security and housing, transportation, justice and other issues, is designed to bind up efforts of the two countries to speedy realisation of the objectives of the various development sectors. On trade the communiqué states, among other things, that there will be a tripartite meeting between the Gambia, Guinea Bissau and Senegal which will aim at facilitating the free and easy flow of goods among the three countries. On tourism, the joint communiqué states that there will be co-operation in agreement that The Gambia will help Guinea- Bissau to facilitate and build its tourism industry. On social security and housing it states that the Gambia will facilitate and help Guinea Bissau develop and implement a housing scheme and on justice it states, among other things, that there will be a treaty on extradition which would enable the two countries consult each other on judicial matters. Addressing delegates after the signing of the communiqué the Prime Minister of Guinea- Bissau, Mr. Martinho N’ Dafa Cabi, congratulated the government and people of The Gambia for their hospitality and successful hosting of this 3rd joint inter ministerial commission. He said Guinea Bissau needs its neighbours in order to achieve its goals and this is why they come to The Gambia to put aside the past and look forward to the future, noting that the contribution of The Gambia in bringing peace to Guinea Bissau is no news to anybody. He noted that the signing of the documents is very important but it will be more meaningful if it goes into its practical phase. “If we implement what we have signed we will make history and our people will be grateful,” prime minister N’Dafa Cabi remarked. He concluded his remarks by stating that strengthening love and solidarity among African states was the vision of Amilcar Cabral and if achieved will promote peace, tranquillity and development in Africa. In her closing statement, the Vice President, Madam Isatou Njie Saidy, welcomed the conclusions of their deliberations with great satisfactions. She said after in-depth reflections the two sides have identified problem areas and they now know the way forward with regards to how they should jointly implement the many programmes for which they have entered into partnership. She however said that the job is not done yet. She said as the ink dries on the documents that they have signed, they should not be left to gather dust in an obscure corner but rather they must endeavour to meet not only at regular intervals but also the policy makers as well as our representatives must not shy away from knocking on each another’s doors and call up ad-hoc meetings on any subject matter that they hold dear. She noted that Guinea Bissau and The Gambia are just a phone call away. FOCUS ON POLITICS NCP/PPP TALKS PERSISTED; WAS SHERIFF DIBBA TRYING TO BETRAY THE NCP? With Suwaibou Touray We have been focusing on politics in this column. We have embarked on the narration of significant political events from pre-colonial to post Independence era. We are now in the 1990s. Let us continue from where we stopped. At this particular time two issues concerned the populace. One was the huge political debate in the country on the PPP/NCP discussions. The other was the continuous price hikes experienced by the ordinary people. The Gambia Bakers’ Association met by 17th August 1990 and increased the price of bread from D1.75 to D2.25 per loaf. This was a time when Government was trying to convince the people that the Economic Recovery Programme has worked and that the new programme the P.S.D had begun. If the bakers were allowed to increase the price of a stable diet like bread, would that not defeat the debate that had heated up in parliament and outside it? This was why the Hon. Minister of Economic Planning and Industrial Development, informed listeners through the radio Gambia on Thursday, 9th August, 1990 that the Gambia Bakers’ Association had been ordered to dissolve itself because it increased the price of bread. The minister based his reason for the dissolution on the price increase which he opined was high and that consumers had complained. According to the Nation, Sabally concerned himself with the price increase because as he argued price increase would encourage CARTEL instead of competition. The Nation said the question that however persisted was, (1) could the minister really order the dissolution of any enterprise, group, or organisation without the due process of the law? (2) whether the procedure to stop the price increase was proper? And (3) can it be said that the Bakers’ Association has infringed the law there was no price control control? The Nation opined that it was the removal of price controls that led the business or service providers to be able to increase prices of essential commodities. PPP/NCP TALKS The second issue that continued to however exercise the minds of the populace were the secret meetings between Sir Dawda and Mr. Sheriff Mustapha Dibba in 1989, and this had been a subject of public interest for a very long time. Many people thought that the talks had since died down, but they were surprised to learn that they did not. Many people could not believe the rumour which was being propagated that a PPP Yai Compin had persuaded the NCP leader to meet President Jawara again so that he could rejoin the PPP. The rumour was so intense that no media house could ignore it. Foroyaa sent a reporter to Mr. Sheriff M. Dibba to find out whether the meeting had in fact taken place. Mr. Dibba confirmed that the meeting indeed took place at State House, on Wednesday, 29th August, 1990 at 10:30am. He was also asked as to who initiated the meeting, Mr. Dibba confirmed that Ajaratou Fatou Sallah, a prominent PPP woman organizer, initiated the meeting. He said Aja Fatou Sallah told him that even though she has not gone through formal schooling, it was her view that political differences between the NCP and the PPP should be set aside so as to work together for the good of the country. He said, Mrs. Sallah approached Mr. Jawara to tell him the same thing. He added that being a political, he was willing to talk to any body who was interested in talking to him; that the consultation continued until agreement was reached for a meeting to take place. Mr. Dibba also claimed that it was the secretary general of the PPP who proposed for each side to send four people to represent them. Foroyaa asked Mr. Dibba the issue on which the discussion was centered; Mr. Dibba said it was centred on two issues i.e. the establishment of a coalition government or an alliance. He however categorically denied any talk of a merger. Mr. Dibba disclosed that the NCP sent Mr. Gibou Jagne, Mr. Solo Darboe, Mr. Kemeseng Jawara and himself while the PPP sent Mr. Kelepha Samba, Mr. Yaya Ceesay, Mr. Kiti Jabang and President Jawara himself. Since Foroyaa had the intention to put to rest the rumour, it asked Mr. Dibba the out come of the discussion Mr. Dibba said the talks were to continue; that they did not arrive at a conclusion. He also argued that it was not clear from the talks at the time whether what was ideal was to establish a coalition government or an alliance. Foroyaa which was observing the scene told Mr. Dibba of the broadcast of radio Gambia, the text of which went like this. “The President Alhagi Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara, this morning, had a meeting with the leader of the National Convention Party (NCP), Mr. Sheriff Dibba, at State House. “Sir Dawda later told the press that the meeting which lasted about ninety minutes was held at the request of Mr. Dibba. Sir Dawda said the discussion was very cordial and the NCP group proposed a way for the two parties to work together. Three options were considered; i.e. (1) a coalition, 2) an alliance or 3) the NCP members joining the PPP. Sir Dawda according to the release said the discussion did not come to any conclusion and they decided to put the matter to their respective parties. “ Sir Dawda said that he did point out at the meeting that under the present circumstances, the ruling party has an over whelming majority in parliament; that there is no need for a coalition. He said he also emphasized that the PPP was still committed to its avowed principles of a multi party system which he said is most desirable for the country and is a system that has been vindicated worldwide”. Foroyaa analyzed that if the broadcast was anything to go by, Mr. Jawara has rejected the possibility of a coalition or alliance with the NCP. This was why Foroyaa asked Mr. Dibba to shed light on the broadcast. Mr. Dibba said what the president said was his personal opinion; that each person is entitled to his personal opinion; that for his part, the talks were continuing; that it was not wise to rule out anything. On the date for the next meeting, the NCP leader said no date was yet set. THE OBSERVATIONS Observers of the scene regarding meetings between Mr. Dibba and Jawara had been a subject of discussion for sometime now. Some said Mr. Dibba was trying to betray the NCP. Other NCP members said Mr. Jawara was about to appoint Mr. Dibba as Vice President, while others maintained that he was going to appoint him as minister of finance. Observation has shown that close associates of Mr. Dibba were the ones spreading the rumour that Mr. Jawara has greater trust in Mr. Dibba than the members of his cabinet; that he has realized that he could not run the country without Mr. Dibba.Others said Jawara was just exchanging the two personalities, that it was now the turn of Mr. Dibba now that Mr. Saho has been removed,etc. The debate intensified when Jawara informed the press of their Banjul meeting. The people refused to stop asking questions. Foroyaa quoted section 59 sub-section (5) of the constitution which did not permit anybody who has stood for elections and did not win to be appointed as an M.P without which one could not be appointed as a minister. It also quoted section 45, section (1) which stated that a vice president must be appointed from among the elected members of the House of Representatives, and asserted that there was no possibility of Mr. Dibba being made a minister or a vice president unless there was a by-election from which he emerges as a winner. Interestingly enough, while President Jawara during meetings in London and else where continued to maintain that a coalition was not necessary; that Mr. Dibba should just write and join the PPP, observers wondered why Mr. Dibba continued to agree to discuss about a working relation with the PPP,that was driving a wedge between him and his supporters. It was also the opinion of some people that Jawara has been very skillful in utilizing these meetings to build up his own political standing by exposing the event to the public. Foroyaa analyzed that Alliance is formed by political parties which have strongholds in different areas. In that way, their combined strength would give them an advantage over their opponent. If an alliance is forged to contest elections, each party in the alliance thereby puts up candidates where it has popular support. All the other members of other parties would support the candidate of the alliance. Foroyaa cajoled that one does not have to be a political scientist to be able to understand that the PPP, which has been a ruling party for 25 years sin ce Gambia supposedly attained nation-hood, would not withdraw from certain constituencies in favour of a candidate put up by an alliance. Hence Foroyaa maintained that what would be realistic to the PPP was to absorb the NCP into its ranks. Foroyaa warned the NCP leadership to realize that a political party without prestige cannot expect to win the support of the masses. These meetings which were designed to develop a working relationship with the PPP at a time when it demonstrated its incapacity to manage the affairs of the country is evident to all, would only erode any confidence the NCP may have enlisted from its supporters. Foroyaa finally assert that never has a party done so much to discredit itself at that moment, when everything was at it worst stage. Mr. Dibba, Foroyaa wrote, has a lot of explaining to do to reassert the integrity of his party as a viable alternative to the PPP. The paper said anyone who does not tell Mr. Dibba that, is guilty of dishonesty. See next edition of Focus as we move into the late 1990s. Senegambia Craft Sellers Lament Slow Down Of Business By Isatou Bittaye The craft sellers at the Senegambia Craft Market have lamented the slow down of business in this year’s tourist season. The craft sellers made this statement in an interview with this reporter on Thursday at their craft market. Speaking to his reporter, Amadou Njie said this year’s tourist season is bad compared to last year. He said last season was far better than this season as sales were good. It is his belief that the cause of the slow down is due to the failure of many British tourists to come to the Senegambia Beach Hotel because of the change to a new management. He said British tourists always buy their materials but this season most of the Senegambia tourists are Spanish and Norwegians. Amadou noted that tour operators always take tourists to other craft markets such as in Brikama and Banjul which has also impact negatively on their business. While acknowledging that the month of January was better in the season, she was quick to say that even that is not good enough. Also speaking, Gibou Sidibeh a vendor at the said craft market said last season was better than this season. Gibou added that this season, their business is dull and the cause of it is that the tour operators go with tourists to other craft markets. He added that tourists who used to come to the Senegambia craft market has reduced in number, and even if they do come, they don’t usually buy anything. Agie Sainey Faye, a craft seller also said their business had slowed down this season as the number of tourists coming to the Senegambia has reduced. She thinks the cause is the lack of control of the business. She said everywhere people are selling craft materials in the markets and the tourists go to other craft markets. She said the change of management in the Senegambia Hotel also impacted on their business because this season, new tourists such as the Spanish and Italians who are come to Senegambia hardly buy craft materials. She said she could not tell which month she got the highest sale because since the start of the season the business has not been doing well. Agie concluded that since she started selling in the craft market this season is the worst of all. Forestry & Environment SoS Issues Warning By Annia B. Gaye Anybody found dumping refuse in the streets would be prosecuted, states Momodou A Cham, Secretary of State for Forestry and the Environment. Mr Cham made this statement on Wednesday,28 February at the Banjul Breweries Grounds . .Speaking at a handing over ceremony , Mr Cham said the benefactors (Banjul Breweries) who were handing over cleansing materials to the KMC (the beneficiary Institution) has keen interest in ensuring that the environment is sustained. Hon Cham commended Banjul Breweries for adopting the slogan ‘Operation Clean KMC’ .He urged the KMC to ensure that the materials are sustained. The tools that were donated by Banjul Breweries include 70 Wheelbarrows, 70 rakes, 70 forks, 70 buckets, 70 dustbins and 50 T-Shirts with the slogan “ Operation Clean KMC.” Mrs. Fatou Sinjan Mergan, the financial comptroller, Banjul Breweries limited stated that the staff of her institution had in November 2007 pledged to the country the sum of 1 million dalasis to compliment government’s efforts in key priority areas. She further stated that they have decided that this amount should be spent on waste management within KMC .. Mrs. Sinjan Mergan said the project also includes pushing and spreading waste at the Bakoteh dumpsite and the mounting of a public awareness campaign over the Radio and TV. She said Banjul Breweries are proud to be associated with KMC in this project, and expressed hope that the items would be used by the communities .She expressed hope that at the end of the project the public will see a difference in the management of waste in the KMC.. For his part, the Mayor of the Kanifing Municipal Council,Yankuba Colley, thanked the Banjul Breweries and said cleansing is their number one priority. He assured the company that the materials would be used in a proper way. “ Operation Clean KMC would continue forever”, he said. He concluded by appealing to drivers and vehicle owners to start putting dustbins in their vehicles. Other speakers include Mr. Momodou B.S Kanteh, Director of Technical Service Network and Mr. Buba P. Jallow, Permanent Secretary, Department of State for Forestry and Environment. Bulk Of “Half Die” Residents Vacate By Saikou Ceesay The majority of Banjul South residents, commonly known as “Half Die” are vacating their dwellings after they were given a month’s notice by The Gambia Ports Authority (GPA) to quit. The compounds that were listed to vacate premises comprised 36, after The Gambia Ports Authority’s decision to include the area in the ports complex. According to the residents that are yet to vacate the area, they were flabbergasted and dismayed by the short notice given by The Gambia Ports Authority. The residents said they has unanimously agreed on a six month period with The Gambia Ports Authority before they would finally vacate. They suggested that the new site (Cape Point Bakau) should be well prepared by the Ports Authority before they can erect their structures. They stressed that the agreement with the Ports Authority includes the provision of social amenities amongst others in the area (Cape Point, Bakau). Those who vacated indicated that they are toiling both day and night at their utmost to secure a house for their families. They described the eviction order as unfortunate. Speaking to this reporter a resident at “Half Die” and a compound head indicated that almost all the compounds at “Half Die” are owned by extended families. He applauded the development of the ports authority but posited that the Ports Authority should have offered them more than what has been offered. The Ports Authority had issued an ultimatum, whose deadline expired on Friday 29th February 2008, asking residents to quit or face forceful eviction, which has not taken place yet. This reporter endeavoured to get the opinion of the Gambia Ports Authority on the matter but they were not accessible. Informal Sector Not Benefiting Much From Tourism Says Official Tourist Guides – PRO By Isatou Bittaye The informal sector does not benefit much from tourism, especially this year, the Public Relations Officer of the Official Tourist Guides at the Senegambia Beach Hotel, Lamin Kinteh, opined in an interview with this reporter on Thursday. He said the informal sector comprises tourist guides, taxi drivers, craft sellers, juice pressers and hair-dressers. He said the tourists did not have enough information about The Gambia which should be given to them by the tour operators. He added that the tour operators should make their (tourist guides) job known to the tourists. Kinteh noted that they (tourist guides) are the mediators between the tourists and the local community. He said they should be going with the tourists in the community but the tourists do not have enough information about them (tourist guides). He added that with proper and correct information going around, the tourists would not go on their own when they need guides. Kinteh noted that every business should be promoted as far as tourism is concerned in the country, noting that if there is proper dissemination of information, the whole informal sector would benefit. One guide by the of Lamin, said the number of tourists coming to The Gambia this season is very good and that for the first time tourists from Italy have come to The Gambia and that is a result of GTA’s intervention that new markets have been found. He pointed out that the number of tourists who have been coming to The Gambia for the last 10 years (old friends) has been reduced this season but as he said new ones need to come. African-American History Month Observed By Modou Jonga The Embassy of the United States of America in The Gambia, in collaboration with the Administration of The Gambia College, Brikama Campus on Thursday 28 February, 2008 observed the African American History Month. The African American History Month was observed at the College Auditorium. In his welcoming remarks, Mr. Demba Ceesay, the Registrar of the College said the event is worthy of comemorating as African-Americans are an integral part of the history of the United States of America. Mr. Ceesay noted the efforts of African-American Civil Rights leaders such as Martin Luther King and Malcolm X in the Civil Rights struggle for African Americans. The Ambassador of the United States of America in The Gambia Mr. Barry Wells dilated on the theme. “The lives and History of African Americans in the United States”. Mr. Wells underscored the significance of history. The US Ambassador noted his childhood experience of racial segregation in the State of Ohio, where he grew up. Speaking further, Mr. Wells cited prominent African Americas such as Rosa Parks, Thurgood Marshall, Martin Luther King, Harriet Tubman, amongst others, for their struggle and work towards the emancipation of and the promotion of the ideals of the African-Americans in the US. The President of Gambia College Student’s Union Mr. Musa Camara delivered the vote of thanks. The one day event moderated by Mr. Papa Njie, US Embassy, Public and Diplomacy Assistant, was attended by students of the College and the press. In William Joof’s Trial Bank Statement, Other Docs Tendered As Evidence By Bubacarr K. Sowe A statement of account, demand notes, speeding tickets and documents relating to the purchase of a Peugeot 607 vehicle were on Thursday admitted in evidence by the court in the trial of William Joof, Gambia’s ex-ambassador to France. On Wednesday the prosecution had applied for the recall of the first prosecution witness, Moses Benjamin Jallow, Charge d’Affaires of Gambian Embassy in France, but counsel for the defence, Mr. Camara was objected. However, Magistrate Olajubutu Kayode on Thursday, overruled the objection from Defense Lawyer Lamin Camara. The prosecutor, Emmanuel Fagbenle, recalled Mr. Jallow to enable him tender the documents mentioned above as evidence. All the documents tendered in court were recognised and identified by the witness. They were subsequently admitted in evidence without objection. Mr. Joof is facing eight charges ranging from abuse of office, official corruption, obtaining goods by false pretence, stealing and conspiracy. MARRIAGE AND FAMILY Life Is Not A Game Part 12 With Amie Sillah The Girls Meet Mom The girls met Mom at the shop. They confronted her. Ndey Salma spoke to her Mom. “Can I see the papers Mom?” “Which papers?” Mom pretended dumb. “Mom! Don’t play panks with me. You know what I mean. I have already sent a substantial sum of money to settle the family and make it sustainable. Why did you drive your family Mom? I sent money to build a mansion and rent a shop to enhance the family’s livelihood. Why should you betray your family?” Mom became a beast. She denied receiving any money from Ndey Salma. “I don’t know what you are talking about. The shop is mine, as well as the house. Ask your invalid father about the money you sent. Did you send it to me?” She used a technicality to dodge the question. She called the security. “Send them out of my shop. They are harassing me.” Mom ordered her security. Nadia and Zahra reacted aggressively. They resisted and called Mom names. Ndey Salma is a well composed, calm person. “It’s okay girls! No need to overact. It’s a wide world Mom. We will meet again. I can’t believe it! Let’s go!” She ordered her sisters. “Dry eye cover shame.” Mom remained hurting and unrepentful. Consoles And Counsels Dad Ndey Salma and her sisters returned to the village on the same day. She consoled and counselled Dad. “The girls are right Dad. I thought they were exaggerating. They were not. I saw everything with my own eyes. Mom denied us. She denied receiving any money from me. She said you received the money.” “That is nonsense. I technically received it but gave it to her to administer.” Mom has transformed into a monster because of lust. Its okay Dad!” Ndey Salma stroked his shoulder. “I’ll buy you a house in town. You can move as soon as possible. Let’s drink to the health of our family.” The family made a toast and prayed for the continued success of Ndey Salma. Dad Praises His Daughters “Who said a daughter is useless?” Look at my daughters! My two younger girls doing well in University. My eldest daughter, my Mom’s namesake, Ndey Salma, a responsible Mom and wife and a practicing doctor in the United States. I am grateful to Allah, to my mom, my kids and to the indomitable Mansata. Her sincere, tender nursing care gave this perfect result. A person can’t enjoy anything in poor health. My advice to society: Take care of our children whether girls or boys. Children are gifts from Allah. Let us give them equal access and equal opportunity, create the conducive environment and Allah willing, they’ll excel.” They shed emotional tears. “Mom has disappointed us. She has killed our soul.” Ndey Salma said. Dad summoned courage and addressed his children. “Its okay girls! Together we shall make it. Forget about mom. She lives in our past. Don’t hate her. She is still your mom. I have forgiven them. I have decided to move on with my life. I have thanked all of you for your support especially Mansata.” He asked everyone to give her a standing ovation. She is shy. She shed emotional tears. They sat down. “I would never forget what you have done form me.” They all gave thanks to Allah. Dad asked Mansatta to come and live with them in the new house. She was shy. The girls and grandma urged her to accept. After much hesitation she accepted. Full Control of The Shop Mom made lover boy Ousman, co signatory to all accounts. The relationship was hot. The heart ruled the head. Mom married Ousman in her own way. “You are now my husband. You control all my financial transactions. I travel a lot. Take care darling. Be responsible! You are the man of the house. I love you! I trust you!” Mom kissed Ousman. Ousman Flirts Birds of the same feathers flock together. Ousman has wealth, has power. He completely forgot his class background. He refused to assist his rural family. His parents suffer at the countryside. He now dates sophisticated teenage city girls. They eat his money, dine and wine with him. He opened a secret account and siphoned mom’s millions which he spends on cheeky city girls. He became wild. Johnny just come. The girls helped him eat his money. Ousman With A Teenager Ousman went to a classic restaurant with a teenage lover Lolly. Lolly is to celebrate her 18 birthday. She wanted to do it in great style. Guess what Ousman gave her, D100,000 (one hundred thousand dalasis) cheque. She was excited. She had never seen such a huge amount of money. She jumped with excitement and passionately kissed Ousman on the lips. “What! D100,000 oh my darling! You are too much! I love, love, love you!” Ousman was highly elated. “You have not seen anything, Just make me happy. There is more to come. Aja does not know how to spend her money. I’ll spend it for her. The lovers drank to eavh other’s health and caricatured Aja. A New House The family moved to the new house. They had a house party. It coincided with dad’s birthday. After drinking to his health, dad made an announcement to his family. “I add a year younger to my age. I feel bliss. I want to remarry.” The girls were shocked. “Remarry! Why Dad? You want to get hurt again? No! We want you to remain single and live the rest of your life in peace and happiness.” Salma argued. Dad gave a broad smile. “Remember my faith. I am a Muslim. Entitle to four wives if I can. Don’t you worry, you’ll like her.” “Do we know her?” Nadia asked. Dad pointed to Mansata. She looked down. She is a shy person. “Did she agree?” Salma asked. “I believe in consent.” “Ask her for yourself.” “Will you marry Dad, make him happy and be our Mom?” Ndey Salma asked. Mansata smiled. “Will you accept me as your Mom?” She humbly asked. “Yes! Yes! We do!” Express yourself instantly with MSN Messenger! MSN Messenger= **************It's Tax Time! Get tips, forms, and advice on AOL Money & Finance. (http://money.aol.com/tax?NCID=aolprf00030000000001) 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]