Haruna,
You slandered:
"But I will try to find out why you support Global properties' attempts at coercion and bribery."
Your above statement is malicious and outrageous, you ought to have the decency to retract it immediately. Being in the US does not indemnify you from the consequences of making false and demeaning statements against any person not sharing the same legal jurisdiction with you.
Haruna wrote:
“I will bring your attention to a story you shared with us some weeks back: You had shared with us that a certain bird-watching station belonging to a friend of yours that had been torched in an arson effort by the TDA. The TDA is a government department. Should a private bird-watching company attempt to donate a bigger/shinier bird-watching station to the TDA at the location of your fellow citizen's torched station????????”
Haruna,
I think you are deliberately confusing yourself. Anyway, the choice is yours. How could you compare an act of arson with a hospital wards renovation project? Arson is criminal act; a hospital wards renovation scheme is a humanitarian act. But NO! You Haruna want to twist and turn simple facts and weave them into pattern of deception to make others believe that Global Properties did the good they did to bribe the Government. Disgraceful fabrication!. Why don’t you gather facts before you put your slimy fingers to your computer keyboards to slander someone? Please give me a break with your insinuation and innuendos of impropriety by decent, hardworking patriotic citizens.
NB: TDA stands for Tourism Development Area; it is not a government department. Gambia Tourism Authority (GTA) committed the arson against my friend’s property.
Every case should be judged on its merits and demerits.
At least you owe Global Properties an apology over your following false statement. I don't expect you to apologise to me because you would think that such a necessity is demeaning to your personality.
"But I will try to find out why you support Global properties' attempts at coercion and bribery."
Bailo
--- On Mon, 17/11/08, Haruna Darbo <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
From: Haruna Darbo <[log in to unmask]>
Subject: Re: Corporate citizenship or just part of doing business?
To: [log in to unmask]
Date: Monday, 17 November, 2008, 4:07 PM
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Thanx Bailo for sharing more of your disposition. In order to focus the conversation better, I will use your notes to see if we can come to terms.
[Date: Mon, 17 Nov 2008 11:11:30 +0000, From: [log in to unmask], Subject: Re: Corporate citizenship or just part of doing business?, To: [log in to unmask]
Haruna, I believe we (Dr. Jaiteh, Haruna and myself) are all in agreement that philanthropy is good and unduely putting pressure upon companies to go the extra mile in exhibiting good corporate citizenship is bad.] Bailo.
Indeed Bailo, we and most of our fellow citizens are in agreement on this. Thank you for ferreting it out so succinctly.
"I still consider a philanthropic project such as the renovation of Wards 6 and 7 of RVTH, a publicly-funded hospital undertaken by Global Properties as both highly desirable and to be encouraged." Evian.
This I believe is where we disagree. Renovation, underwritten by any person or entity, of wards at any hospital that is publicly-funded is philanthropic. The fundamental question is whether it is proper for a For-Profit entity like Global Properties to donate 'in cash or kind' to a publicly-funded hospital like RVTH? I believe that is both highly undesirable and ought not be encouraged. Here are some of my reasons:
1. The management and governing board of RVTH is not constituted according to the constitution. I am confident you understand what I mean by that.
2. Out of the taxes paid by for-profit businesses, including Global Properties, a budget is drawn for the running of RVTH. To further augment that budget, a discount is given to NPOs with the expectation that all other philanthropy, including that of NGOs and foreign governments, can assist RVTH in better serving the citizens of Gambia and guests of Gambia.
3. We have seen and are aware of untold harrassment of businesses and persons in Gambia for not donating "in cash or kind" to illegally constituted outfits to include the Jammeh Foundation, Kanilai farms, APRC, RVTH, TDA, YDE, etc. Why does GLobal Properties feel obliged to donate to government in kind? I think that if they desire to be good corporate citizens, Global Properties ought to channel their philanthropy through a Health NGO in Gambia or if there is no health NGO in Gambia, they ought to set up an NGO, through which they conduct their philanthropy, for propriety's sakes.
4. Because Global Properties cannot ascertain the good running of RVTH and they have no say in its day-to-day management, and because of the climate of fear in Gambia (I refer you to AI's recent report: Fear Rules in Gambia), Global Properties is justifying Yahya's contention that all businesses and persons in Gambia are obliged to donate to government in cash or kind.
[To my mind, this kind of development interventions by operatives from the private business siector tantamounts to a direct commendable support to the Gambian public.] Evian.
I understand your desire for "development interventions by operatives" Evian, but how does renovating wards 6&7 of RVTH tantamount to direct support to the Gambian Public, nevermind commendable? consider this:
Might it not be more direct and commendable if Global Properties were to build a wing at SOS children's villages, or purchase medications or hospital equipment or wheelchairs through WHO or another health NGO and designate it for RVTH? That philanthropy can be disseminated by all news outlets (not just the DO) and the marketing manager of Global Properties cann afford interviews to all newspaper outlets. They might even have their name on the SOS wing and since they are in the business of Property development and sales, what better advertisement than that Evian? I want you to consider the unintended consequences of this Fosse philanthropy by Global Properties Evian and I hope you will reconsider your position.
[Mind you, Global Properties funded the renovation of a hospital and did not make a donation in cash or kind as you suggested.] Evian.
Renovating a wing or two of RVTH by Global Properties tantamounts exactly to an in-kind bribe. Forget donation.
[OK, if you still consider it a donation, then it is the kind of donation that will directly benfit the Gambian population.] Evian.
How does that help the Gambian population? It certainly does not reduce the fees paid for NO SERVICE at RVTH. It will however continue the mirage of "treating" tortured and illegally detained prisoners of Mile II. WHen was the last time you went to RVTH Evian?
[There could be nothing wrong for private interests to donate in cash or kind to any deserving government institution as long as the necessary safeguards against corruption are in place.] Evian.
Evian you're so funny you don't even know you're funny. Read your comment immediately above. Again. Again. Do the words "DESERVING", "GOVERNMENT INSTITUTION", "NECESSARY SAFEGUARDS AGAINST CORRUPTION", jump out and grab you by the ears? WHat I'm wondering is why you feel the need to qualify your earlier blanket endorsement of Global properties donating in cash or kind and directly to the government of Gambia. You are now getting closer to Kukeh and my position therefore. Our problem is that Yahya intimidates businesses into donating to his many outfits at the risk of near-bankruptcy or closure of the businesses. There are no necessary safeguards against corruption, and RVTH is not a government institution in reality. Therefore, the current Gambia government is not deserving aiding and abetting to lead to the inevitable demise of Global Properties' competition and other businesses. I think we are in sync now. Although I'm never sure about you Evian.
[Please note that the political leadership of a nations does not entirely make up the government.] Evian.
NOOOOOOOO! I think the kindergatteners at Ndow's school know this Evian. What're you talking about?
[In the equation are ordinary people too , regardless of how marginalised or not they are.] Evian.
NOOOOOOOO! You can't be serious. I'm not so sure you're not neglecting the coefficients, equivalents, and variables of the equation Evian. Prove it men. The variables are the ordinary people, all unique. The coefficients are Global Properties' competitors in the real-estate market in Gambia and other FOr-Profit businesses, the Equivalents are "Deserving government institutions". Just pause for a minute, it'll dawn on you. I can't friggin help make fun of you if I tried Evian. Forgive me for that but I'm dead serious here.
[That's why I don't subscribe to sanctions such as the one imposed on the Iraqis under Saddam or currently on the Gaza Strip under Hamas. You get my rationale?] Evian.
NO I DON'T GET IT EVIAN. I think Kukeh was talking about Private concerns being intimidated/coerced/brow-beat into donating in cash or kind to Yahya Jammeh and his various outfits. How Gaza, Kirkut, Saddam, and Hamas feature in that beats the Jahannama outta me. FYI, I don't believe the GAZA strip under Hamas or the Iraquis under Saddam deserve any sanctions. Let's focus Evian. You frustrate me sometimes but I love you to death.
Haruna.
--- On Sun, 16/11/08, Haruna Darbo <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
From: Haruna Darbo <[log in to unmask]>
Subject: Re: Corporate citizenship or just part of doing business?
To: [log in to unmask]
Date: Sunday, 16 November, 2008, 4:46 PM
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Evian,
I don't agree with your disposition here vis: For-profit enterprises donating to delinquent governments. Here, the for-profit enterprise is Global properties and the delinquent government being that of Gambia. See if you agree/disagree with that so far.
Secondly, corporate citizenship DOES NOT mean donating to a government in cash or in kind. The latter is Bribery and fostering corruption especially to a government that is unaccountable to the "citizenship". In order to expound on this friggin philosophy, I share that the citizenship in "corporate citizenship" refers to the citizens of the corporate's endroit of operation.
I want you to also remmember that the disdain is not as to the friggin person of the proprietor of Global Properties. That would be a narrow interpretation. It doesn't matter if GLobal properties is a corporation or sole proprietorship and it doesn't matter who the proprietor is. It could be the angel Gabriel.
Evian, you shared that "On the other hand, there are some foreign investors in the Gambia whose sole motives are to maximise their profits through cheap Gambian labour and substantial tax-break incentives while hardly giving back a butut to our local communities." Do you now see your quandry? The emphasis ought not be on "Foreign" or "Local" when it comes to corporate citizenship. One of the reasons is that you may be found wanting in your determination of which corporate is Local or Foreign. All for-profit businesses are premised on maximizing profit. As far as philanthropy is concerned, there is a legal entity called NPO (Non-Profit Organisation). This entity gives back to the citizenry by taking advantage of tax-shelters and clauses afforded by governments so that private individuals and NGO's can be enabled to fill the void of government delinquency and shortcomings. For-profit businesses are under no obligation to donate to government in cash or
kind. The taxes they pay are their contribution to governance. Now if you have some for-profit business feigning to "donate" to government, you set up the very unsustainable "coercion" of other for-profits to believe they must "donate" to government that Kukeh and any sane citizen is averse to. So in other words Evian, the idea behind for-profits NOT "DONATING" to government is a sound public policy that puts a check on further government delinquency. That means NOT aiding and abetting delinquency. Evian I know we Africans have a soft spot for donations and philanthropy, but it is wise to distinguish between donations and bribes.
All for-profit businesses in Gambia are good corporate citizens as long as they can operate without fear of government reprisals and as long as they pay their due taxes. They can channel their philanthropy through legal NPO's but not directly to government departments such as RVTH. These were my discernments. I understand your intent to encourage "giving back" to the community but your method here is counterproductive. And for someone who cherishes good governance, I think you should reconsider your position here. And just because they have a local or foreign name attacched to their principals is not the determinant of being foreign or local businesses. That is a legal discernment. I join you in commending GLobal properties for their assistance in Youth development and I hope they do that through a legitimate NPO without desiring publicity for it. The media secretary for Global properties is best advised to focus on marketing good products and services
of Global properties. Not the "philanthropy" of Global Properties. Evian I hope you view this as a cautionary note and not antagonistic as you're wont to perceive or I will not be pleased with you. I also encourage you to share your disagreements on the ideas shared so that we can yield more value in further discernments.
Thanx for sharing your thoughts
Your brother,
Haruna.
Date: Sat, 15 Nov 2008 20:47:09 +0000
From: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Corporate citizenship or just part of doing business?
To: [log in to unmask]
Dr. Jaiteh,
I believe the good Corporate citizenship being demonstrated by Global Properties should be emulated by other private companies in the Gambian market. The proprietor of Global Properties is a young dynamic Gambian who is also actively involved in sponsoring the advancement of youth development in his locality.
On the other hand, there are some foreign investors in the Gambia whose sole motives are to maximise their profits through cheap Gambian labour and substantial tax-break incentives while hardly giving back a butut to our local communities.
I agree with you that no business entity should be put under pressure to show good corporate citizenship (gcc). Perhaps, the best way for Government to attain gcc is to gently appeal to their conscience.
Thanks for sharing the story.
Bailo
--- On Fri, 14/11/08, Malanding Jaiteh <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
From: Malanding Jaiteh <[log in to unmask]>
Subject: Corporate citizenship or just part of doing business?
To: [log in to unmask]
Date: Friday, 14 November, 2008, 5:06 PM
It is nothing new for private businesses to renovate hospital wards, fund
scholarships, sponsor hajj and even pay for grand gala nights for the selected
few. While many of these may be out of desire to be good corporate citizens, the
government cannot allow businesses to feel pressured into believing that its all
part of doing business in the Gambia.
Malanding Jaiteh
RVTH wards renovated
africa <http://observer.gm/africa/news> » gambia
<http://observer.gm/africa/gambia/news>
<http://observer.gm/africa/gambia/article/2008/11/14/rvth-wards-renovated#>
Friday, November 14, 2008
*The renovation of Wards 6 and 7 (male surgical wards) at the Royal Victoria
Teaching Hospital (RVTH) by Global Properties was yesterday celebrated at a
ceremony held at the Royal Victoria Teaching Hospital (RVTH) premises in
Banjul.*
The project illustrates the real estate company’s intention to contribute to
the development of the health sector in The Gambia. The refurbishment work -
which took twelve months to complete - provides more facilities to the said
wards such as air conditioners and sanitary facilities for both patients and
staff.
Speaking at the inauguration ceremony, Baboucarr Ngum, the public relations
officer, RVTH, who spoke on behalf of the hospital management board, said Global
Properties has taken a laudable step forward. He called on other companies and
NGOs to emulate the laudable initiative.
For his part, Malick Mboob, head of Media Relations of Global Properties,
disclosed that as a small but growing company, they have a responsibility
towards the community and the country as a whole.
"Global Properties is the leader in the real estate business in The
Gambia, a position we earned based on quality service delivery, professionalism
and trustworthiness," he said.
"I believe with the continued support of our customers and a favourable
business environment, Global Properties will be in a position to fund the
construction of more wards for RVTH in a few years time," he said.Modou
Jallow, departmental matron, delivered the vote of thanks.
Author: *by Mariatou Ngum-Saidy &Alieu Ceesay*
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