Foroyaa Newspaper Burning Issues

Issue No. 37/2005, 12-15 May 2005



Editorial

WOMEN AND THE NATIONAL AGENDA

Gambia is going through a most dramatic phase pf its history. The economic, social, political and cultural landscape of the country are being redrawn. Mainstreaming gender, children and poverty eradication issues in all aspects of life are the trend. The issue of human rights and good governance especially, protection of the security of the person and freedom of _expression are the burning issues of the day. One development t that is unique is the amplification of the voices of the Gambian women. In the past, women were considered to be activist only when they stand on a political platform. Now it is clear that political activism is only one form of activism. It is abundantly clear that all areas of freedom and rights needed activists to be protected and defended. This tradition of struggle to change backward social and cultural practices is being pioneered mainly by women. It is not uncommon for moderators of radio programmes to caution men who try to promote backward traditional
 practices to be weary of women activities. The Gambian women have shown that when a group of activists are sufficiently organised and determined, backward thinking can be challenged and changed.

Gambia is indeed heading towards the building of a culture of rights. Once this builds up to its height there will be general enhancement of the dignity and self worth of the person in the country and a common struggle against arrogance and impunity.

The women are showing us that the future we are working for is where people can choose to be public servants and be protected to exercise all their rights.

We envisaged a future when it would not appear like a sacrifice to join political parties to seek political office. On the contrary, to seek office to represent others would be seen as a duty for any citizen, man or woman, who is capable of safeguarding the national interest.

It is time for women to work to build such a society which would enable them to become legislators and policy makers without having to endure any hardship or rely on the goodwill of an ordinary citizen like themselves. Democracy is yet to be entrenched in any country where people have to endure harassment or combat fear of intimidation to be representatives of a people.



D68 MILLION CASE BACK IN COURT



By Surakata Danso

The D68 million case against Mr. Winston Able Thomas and his Gambia Investment Brokers Ltd is back in the High Court. When the case was called, counsel for the state, Chernor Marenah, who was the only counsel present indicated his presence. The defence was not represented by either by Mr. Thomas or his counsel. Mr. Marenah went on to inform the court that despite the seriousness of the case, the defence do not seem to be serious with it, since it is the second time that they failed to appeared. The state counsel further submitted that there are records showing that the accused had been served.

Mr. Marenah applied for a bench warrant to be issued against the accused, to be arrested and brought before the court at the next sitting. The trial judge granted the application.

Readers would recall that Mr. Thomas’ D68 million case is also part of the D407 million case which arose out of the Central Bank’s Foreign Exchange Department, involving a lot of officials of the bank and foreign exchange bureaus. The case was heard before Justice AK Savage in 2004, when it was withdrawn by the state on the grounds that the accused was ready to pay. The case is adjourned till the 23rd day of May 2005. The matter is currently handled by Justice Tahir.



LANG CONTEH’S CASE ADJOURNED FOR THE LAST TIME



By Bubacarr K. Sowe

Justice Tahir of the Banjul High Court on Tuesday adjourned the case of the former Foreign Exchange Manager of the Central Bank of The Gambia, Lang Conteh.

Justice Tahir made this decision following the application for adjournment by the counsel for the accused.  However, he stated that the plea bargain has protracted longer than expected. Defence counsel, Musa Bittaye, craved the indulgence of the court to expedite the trial.

The Director of Public Prosecution, Mr. Agim, submitted that he had no objection on the plea bargain since it is done in the interest of justice. He submitted that section 24 of the constitution said an accused person should be given adequate time for fair hearing.

Justice Tahir said that the he will grant the application, but warned that it will be the last adjournment.

Lang Conteh was charged with six counts of economic crimes and one count of defrauding the state of D224 million. Lang Conteh’s plea of “guilty” was contained in a motion for plea bargain filed in court by his defence team.



MANSAKONKO AREA COUNCIL CEO

TRANSFERRED TO BASSE



By Yaya Dampha

Foday Darboe, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Mansakonko Area Council who is accused of using his council’s funds to help the ruling APRC during campaign periods has been finally transferred to the Basse Area Council. The news of the latter’s transfer came to the public domain in the wake of the recent familiarization tour embarked on by the Secretary of State for Local Government, Ismaila Sambou.

Briefing the Secretary of State for Local Government, the Chief of Jarra West, Yaya Jarjusey and Mr. Seedy Cham who was recently appointed as the APRC Divisional Chairman, stated that Foday Darboe has been helping the APRC with funds. They pointed out that the Chief Executive Officer has been financing the APRC political activities during the campaign periods.

Chief Jarjusey further indicated that the Mansakonko Area Council should not be blamed for not measuring up to expectations in view of the fact that it is assisting the ruling APRC party in the area. Mr. Darboe is replaced by Yusupha Manneh who was at one point the Chief Executive Officer of the Basse Area Council. Mr. Darboe was some months ago informed of the possibility of his transfer to Basse.

It is alleged that following the incarceration of the former APRC strongman and Majority Leader of the National Assembly, Baba Jobe, the party cohorts in the area have been receiving funds from Mansakonko Area Council. The reason that triggered the transfer of Mr. Darboe has not been made public.  It is alleged that the transfer of Mr. Manneh to Mansakonko Area Council has been spurred by the latter’s refusal to compromise with the Chairman of the Basse Area on matters relating to finance.



DARBOE AND CO MURDER TRIAL



By Surakata Danso

Early in the morning the court room was full with spectators with the expectation of hearing the prosecutor’s reply to the defence’s submission of a “no case to answer” plea. But when the case was called Mr. Shanaka Wijesingha filed a written reply without dilating on the points. Both the press and the public had to disperse without knowing the case of the prosecution.



AT THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

DoSE UNDER THE MICROSCOPE OF THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

Part 9

FOROYAA has been publishing the report of the National Assembly Select Committee on Education and Training submitted to the Assembly for approval. In this issue, FOROYAA publish the revelations of the report on Gambia College.



On Courses

The report indicates that the School of Education offers two courses: PTC and HTC to be completed within three years and that both courses have a campus-based component (one year for PTC and two years for HTC) and a distance learning/teacher practicum component (two years for PTC and one year for HTC).  It states that the latter is divided into two parts: two years on campus and one year of distance learning them before they are sent out to the schools. The report reveals that there is a private in-service course for ECD. With regard to the School of Agriculture, the report indicates that it offers four main courses and other tailor-made courses. As for the School of Public Health, the report states that it offers a three-year HND on Public and Environmental Health, while the School of Nursing and Midwifery offers SRN on Midwifery for three years and that the nursing course is done in Banjul at the School of Nursing.



On Facilities

With regard to facilities at the college, the report reveals that classrooms are inadequate considering the roll of the college, particularly the School of Education which has up to 76 students in a class for the Primary Teachers’ Certificate.  It goes on to state that although other schools are not affected, it is apparent that classes are overcrowded at the School of Education. With regard to laboratories (Science and Computer), the report reveals that each of the constituent schools has at least one science lab except the School of Agriculture. The report indicates also that two of the schools have computer labs but that the other two use the general lab for the whole college and that computers are not enough and maintenance is a problem. With regard to library / resource centre, the report reveals that “there is only one centre for the whole college.  It goes on to state that the library is below standard because of inadequate financing. On learning and teaching materials, the
 report reveals that there are no course books for almost all the courses and that, lecturers provide their own materials by preparing handouts for the students.  The report also reveals that there are modules for the Primary Teachers’ Certificate course and none for the Higher Teachers’ Certificate. The report further states that other modules ought to be prepared, but that for lack of resources this is not done. The report indicates that there is no overhead projector in the college. With regard to toilets, the report reveals that the toilet facilities are inadequate and the sanitary conditions are poor, particularly for those of the dormitories. The report further states that even the staff toilets are not in good condition. With regard to transportation, the report indicates that it s very inadequate and that mobility is a major constraint.  It states that no fuel is given to lecturers nor a are they reimbursed for transport for official duties. The report reveals that “fuel
 allocation of D500 per month is quite insufficient to undertake the required visits to schools for observation as such student observation is seriously hampered.



FORMER POLICE COMMISSIONER GRANTED BAIL



By Pateh Baldeh

The trial of the former Police Commissioner of Western Division, Mr. Ebrima Camara, continued at the Brikama Magistrate Court and was presided over by Magistrate Bubacarr Jawo. When the case was called, the police prosecutor, ASP Tijan Badjie, stood up to apply for an amendment of the charges against the accused person made before the court, by substituting it with a fresh charge sheet.

At this point the counsel for the accused person, Lawyer Jobarteh opposed to the application made by the police prosecutor before the court.

The counsel told the police prosecutor that he cannot prosecute his senior as the accused seniors him.

At this point, the police prosecutor indicated that there is no law which said that a junior officer cannot prosecute his or her senior, adding that he can even prosecute the Inspector General of Police.

The police prosecutor however maintained that he relied on section 169, saying that counsel for the accused can only object to the application when it is admitted by the court.

The police prosecutor however said that they are substituting the first charges against the accused person to a new one which reads thus:

“Ebrima Camara on or before the 12th March 2005, at Gunjur Police Station in the Western Division, while he was the Police Commissioner of the said division, ordered Sergeant Keita to release Mr. Ousman Jallow on bail, even though his bail was previously revoked by the Deputy Inspector General of Police.”

And the statement of the offence that the accused person aided prisoners to escape, contrary to section 109 (b) of the Criminal Procedure Code.

In his ruling, the presiding magistrate, Bubacarr Jawo, said that section 169 of the CPC mentioned that one can make amendments at any time of the court proceedings before judgment.

He therefore admitted the application made by the police prosecutor.

However, Lawyer Jobarteh applied for an adjournment which was opposed by the police prosecutor, who said that the court should now proceed.

The case was finally adjourned till the 30th May 2005. The accused was granted bail with a Gambian surety.

The trial attracted a lot of onlookers bringing the court room to its maximum capacity.




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