Foroyaa Newspaper Burning Issue
Issue No. 49/2007, 30 - 1 May, 2007
Editorial
A TORCH OF SINCERITY AND OPENNESS HAS CEASED TO GLITTER
TRIBUTE TO MADAM BELINDA BIDWELL
Life is indeed a journey from the cradle to the grave. We must pass many
stations as we take this journey which may be long or short. We meet people and
leave lasting impression on them or simply pass as shadows without a trace.
Belinda Bidwell is one of those people who had the capacity to leave a lasting
impression in people’s mind.
One thing that distinguished her from the rest is her sincerity. She could
not be artificial in her relationships. She could not hide her true feelings.
She was who she was, a frank and open human being. She is therefore treasured
by those who love truth and appreciate sincerity.
Madam Belinda Bidwell could not get older in mind. She never got tired of
learning. She had fascination for knowledge. Her ever disciplined and enquiring
mind inspired her to pursue excellence. She could learn quickly to cope with
the standard of discourse in any intellectual gathering. She had the
countenance of an erudite scholar and constantly pursued the refined and progressive.
Madam Bidwell made great effort to be her brothers’ and sisters’ keeper.
She gave of what she had to those in need. Her heart could not tolerate seeing
people suffer unnecessarily. She spent time talking to the bewildered in
order to give them hope. Her heart beats in unison with the heart beat of all
those who mourn.
As she takes her final journey back to the earth, we, who are still left
with a station or more to head to, can never forget the lessons she has rendered
for today’s generation and those yet unborn to follow.
She lived for something and died for something. She always aspired to live a
better person in a better world. She has left the baton hanging on the wings
of time for any lover of truth and justice to grab.
Rest in peace, honourable Belinda! Rest in peace!! You have played your
part.
The wisdom of the ages teaches us that it is not how long we live which
matters but how we live on this earth. Those who live trying to make the world a
better place to live in do not die. They live in the hearts and minds of the
people for ever.
SCHOOL GIRL AND MOTHER PETITION ARMY
By Yaya Dampha
Reports have it that a seventeen year old school girl (name withheld)
together with her mother, who allege that they were severely beaten by soldiers on
6 April 2007, have forwarded a petition to the Commander of the Army Camp in
Basse, URR.
According to family sources, a Lance Corporal from the Army Camp followed
her home and insisted that she returns to the camp and when she refused he
started to drag her out of her mother’s bedroom.
The sources claim that the school girl’s mother enquired from the soldier
why her daughter must go to the camp but he did not respond. The mother said
she asked the soldier to leave her daughter and go to the police as they are
civilians. She said she was taken aback when the soldier kicked her (the
mother) and then left, but returned with a pick up full of soldiers. She alleged
that these soldiers seized her daughter and took her to the Army Camp where
they beat her up. She also alleged that her daughter’s clothes were torn and her
earring and shoes were missing. She further alleged that when they went to
the Army Camp together with some neighbours they found the soldiers torturing
and harassing her daughter.
The mother claimed that at one stage, the Sergeant Major and a sergeant had
to intervene, asking the soldiers to leave the school girl alone.
According to the mother, she and her daughter lodged a complaint against the
soldiers at the Basse Police Station but they were told by the police that
the police have no jurisdiction over army officers.
Upon enquiry, the police in Basse confirmed that such a complaint was
launched but referred our reporter to the police PRO. When asked, the PRO said the
matter should have been reported to the military police for action.
After seeing the police, the family proceeded to see the Deputy Governor who
invited the soldiers and listened to both sides. The Deputy Governor blamed
the soldiers and asked them to apologise to the girl and her mother. Our
information is that the lance corporal did not only refuse to do so, he verbally
insulted the Deputy Governor.
This reporter got in touch with the GAF PRO, a fortnight ago, to get their
reaction to the story and have visited the office twice and made several phone
calls (almost daily). He has promised to find out and give their reaction
but up till Friday the position of the GAF on the matter is yet to be known.
Foroyaa shall continue to solicit for the position of GAF on the matter and
publish it as soon as it is available.
Former Speaker Passes Away
The former Speaker of the National Assembly Hon. Belinda Bidwell passed away
on Saturday 28 April 2007 at her residence in Fajara. According to a family
source, Hon. Bidwell’s death was as a result of heart failure. The source
told this paper that Hon. Bidwell showed no sign of illness in the early hours
of Saturday and that at around midday, she drove herself to visit a family
friend where she met her sudden death. Hon. Bidwell was nominated as a member of
the National Assembly in 2002 and elected as Deputy Speaker by the members
of the National Assembly, a position she handled with devotion and sincerity
up to April 2006 when she was unanimously elected Speaker of the National
Assembly. She steered the affairs of the National Assembly by strictly adhering
to the provision of the Standing Orders and the constitution of the Republic
of The Gambia.
INTERVIEW WITH HALIFA
On The President’s Comment
Foroyaa: In the victory celebration of the APRC in the Kanifing Municipal
area the President expressed joy that you are no longer a member of parliament.
It was alluded that you were a thorn in the flesh of the APRC. Do you have
any regrets?
Halifa: One thing that no single person owns is a country and power to
manage its affairs. One should never take public office as permanent. People come
and go according to the political tide. The person who is best suited for
public office is one who see it as a place of duty and service to be occupied
temporarily and vacated to give others to render their own.
I have always said that being a National Assembly member had not given me
wealth or prestige. It only gave me opportunity to serve the country. If the
people select another person to serve I should gladly bow down and give the
other person chance to also prove his/her worth to the Nation. After the end of
the five years people will then be able to compare records. As it stands
there is no need for jubilation.
O/C COLLEY HELD INCOMMUNICADO AT MILE II
By Modou Jonga
Foroyaa has been reliably informed that the former station officer of
Sibanor Police Station, Assistant Superintendent Abdoulie Colley, has been held
incommunicado at the State Central Prison.
According to the sources, ASP Colley was transferred about two months ago
from Janjangbureh Prison where he is reported to have been detained since his
arrest on 14 August 2006 by security officers.
ASP Colley, according to family sources, has been held incommunicado for
more than six months and that his arrest came in the wake of intensification of
fighting in the Senegalese region of Casamance last year.
The same sources further told this reporter that ASP Colley is yet to be
arraigned before any court of law and that, although ASP Colley is not
accessible, his basic needs such as clothing are allowed in.
When contacted by this reporter, Police PRO ASP Jobarteh said he cannot
confirm as yet the detention of ASP Colley and the reason for his arrest.
COMRADE SILLAH’S MEMORIAL FOUNDATION LAUNCHED
By Fabakary B. Ceesay
A Memorial Foundation, on behalf of Comrade Ebou Madi Sillah, was launched
on Thursday 26 April at the Alliance Franco Gambienne. Comrade Sillah was a
renowned Gambian artist and described as an intellectual with a Pan Africanist
and Socialist Outlook.
Following the introduction of the ceremony programme by Ousman Sillah, the
Chair Mr. Baboucarr Gaye delivered the Goodwill messages from friends and
relatives staying abroad. Mr. Gaye also explained how Comrade had introduced him
and many others to Latin American writers, such as, Neruda, Gabriel Garcia
Marquez, Paolo Freire, etc.
In his welcoming statement and the introduction of the foundation to the
general public, Mr. Alieu O. Jallow, the Chairman of the foundation, said that
Comrade Sillah has contributed immensely to the progress of arts and culture
in The Gambia and beyond. He said that Comrade Sillah’s ambition and his
thirst for arts can only be compared to his knowledge and dedication to humanity.
He said that Comrade Sillah’s desire to improve the poorest segments of our
society can never be questioned. “Comrade Sillah never set himself time limit,
only the sky is the limit”, Jallow stressed. He added that Comrade Sillah’s
works were scattered all over the world, in government departments, private
institutions and in residences of private individuals, both at home and
abroad. Mr. Jallow noted “Comrade Madi Sillah mounted the intellectual front like
a moving star, a self taught man, who drank deep into the fountain of
knowledge to satisfy his curiosity”. Mr. Jallow branded Comrade Sillah as somebody
with knowledge in philosophy, politics history and anthropology with
excellence. He said that Comrade Sillah was a genius who never hesitated to use his
knowledge to mould the minds of the people. Jallow added that Comrade Sillah
was a man who dedicated his life to liberate The Gambian people from the
shackles of colonialism, neo-colonialism and exploitation. He mentioned that one of
the objectives of the Foundation is to preserve the legacy of Comrade Sillah’
s Art works in the history of The Gambia and beyond. He said that the
Foundation is to institutionalize a regular art exhibition dedicated to the memory
of Comrade Sillah, to promote arts education in The Gambia, to generate funds
to sponsor the activities of the Foundation and help Comrade Sillah’s
children in school and to advocate for and support the creation of art schools in
The Gambia. In her remarks, Mama Drammeh, a former student of Comrade Sillah,
at both the Gambia College and the University of The Gambia, said that
Comrade Sillah was an artist and an educator who gave The Gambian people tangible
knowledge and information about our tradition and culture and at the same time
revealing the secrets of nature and beautifying it. She said that God has
given a knowledge of creativity and wisdom to Comrade Sillah. For his part, the
Director of the National Centre for Arts and Culture, Mr. Momodou Joof, said
that Comrade Sillah’s work has gone into the annals of Gambian history. “I
think, it would be unfair and dishonest on our part not to celebrate the live
and times of Comrade Sillah, and that it would be dishonest not to launch a
Foundation in his memory,” Joof stated. Mr. Joof said that Comrade was not
only a colleague but also a brother to him. The Guest of Honour, Patron and
Chief launcher, Mr. Mustapha Njie, Chairman and CEO TAF Holding Company Limited,
narrated that he and Comrade Sillah had grown up together in Banjul and that
they were neighbours and at the same time members of the same “vous” or “
grande place”. He recalled way back in 1967, when they started interacting with
Comrade as their elder brother; that it was then that they started
developing self confidence through the intense and educative debates they use to have;
that then they were in school and that this it is this self confidence that
had helped them to became successful in their careers and Ebou was very
instrumental in it. Mr. Njie revealed that the TAF Holding Company logo was desi
gned by Comrade Sillah. Mr. Njie made a pledge of D100,000 to the Foundation
and stressed that this contribution was on his own personal capacity as a
brother and not as CEO of TAF, that he will continue to give full support to this
good cause. He finally concluded by appealing to Gambians to start giving
honour to those who selflessly serve the people and nation. Mr. Njie finally
thanked the family and friends of Comrade for this initiative. A Salute to
Comrade Sillah was made in a speech by Njogou Touray, a fellow artist. The vote of
thanks was delivered by widow, Yaa Joor Bah Sillah. Many people made
financial pledges before the end of the programme. The atmosphere was witnessed by
old pals, Comrades in the struggle, former students, family members, likewise
fellow artists and musicians. The Senegalese Ambassador, H.E Momodou Faal, the
wife of the Cuban Ambassador and Honourable Sidia Jatta, were among the
other distinguished guests. There was a film show on Comrade Sillah during the
Roots Home Coming Festival which was presented by Ebou Waggeh. It was also
noted that the Alliance Franco-Gambienne, as part of its contribution, had
provided the facility and other essential technical services free of charge to the
Foundation. Institutions like the Social Security (SSHFC), Gambia Tourism
Authority (GTA), National Centre for Arts and Culture (NCAC), Gambia Family
Planning Association (GFPA) have all made financial contributions towards what
they described as ‘a good cause.’
The ceremony ended with musical entertainment provided by some Kora and
Balafong players, Ras Kouras and Yusupha Ngum.
FOCUS ON POLITICS
SIGNS OF DISCONTENT GLARING; EMERGENCE OF GAMBIA’S UNDER GROUND MOVEMENTS
If The President’s Citadel
Is Not Safe, Where Else is Safe?
With Suwaibou Touray
We have been focusing on the history of politics in The Gambia, which
culminated into re-writing our history. We have dealt with the epoch of
colonialism. We are now dealing with the happenings of the 1970s.
In the last issues we have dealt with the beginning of the underground
political movements in The Gambia. We have also mentioned the clandestine
leaflets. “THE VOICE OF THE FUTURE,” and so on. We have stopped where the Nation
Newspaper quoted “THE VOICE” as saying, “Who am I? You want to make me a
destitute to overcome me. Try”
Let us continue from where we have stopped. So as you can see, the first
objective of the leaflets was to expose people they deemed to be responsible for
all the ills of the Gambian society. The second objective was to enlighten
the people. Many activities such as arson occurred during this period but it
was not clear as to who were behind them. For example, on Saturday 8th October
1977, a car windscreen was smashed. According to Outlook, it was done by
what it called unknown villains.
On 11th November 1977, the Nation and Outlook both reported that a car
belonging to one Tom Chapman, a Gambian Merchant was hit by a petrol bomb which
exploded underneath it. One of its kind in the Gambia. This had met the
required objective. Panic was created. The community or residents of Grant Street
were startled by a loud explosion as they saw a car gutted and in smoke.
According to the Nation, again on Saturday October 25th 1978, the NTC
(National Training Corporation) was burnt down, a petrol store and an office at PWD
also burnt, simultaneously. The fact that they happened at the same period
was alarming enough.
The alarm bell reached a climax when on October 28th 1978, not only was
another car gutted, but documents were reported to have been missing at State
House.
According to the Nation in a caption: IS STATE HOUSE SECURE?” the documents
were very important documents which the President himself would need among
others. The paper asked, if the president’s citadel is not safe, where else is
safe? According to the Nation, the pattern is the same. The horror and terror
was clearly felt by everyone at the time.
A LONE PROTESTOR STUNNED SIR DAWDA. DID HE MAKE A POINT?
The MOJA which was registered were very active. They were equally organising
the populace as the parliamentary opposition. They would tour the
neighbourhood, discuss with students etc. Through that they were able to infiltrate the
learning institutions such as the Yundum College, etc. This was why on 25th
May 1978 student disturbances, a lot of suspicion abound as to whether the
students were influenced by the MOJA-G. The whole college was closed down just
because students wrote placards and threatened to march on the Education
Department Headquarters on May 26th 1978.
According to the Nation, there was the feeling of mutual suspicion between
the students and the college authorities. It appeared that the suspicion
increased when the principal wanted to find out the exact authors of the posters.
The students resisted the investigations culminating into a confrontation.
According to the report of the findings, the principal closed the school but
re-opened it after the investigations on June 4th 1978. Students who were
suspected of authoring the posters were arrested.
As you can see, the fear or terror had been planted in the minds of not only
the authorities but even among the ordinary people. Mr. Badara Joof captured
the feeling in his letter to the Nation Newspaper as thus; “Live and
Let-live so-as to eat and let-eat, and the general attitude would always be “Let
sleeping dogs lie” But unfortunately the harsh and terrible realities of the
situation cannot be camouflaged indefinitely especially when the strain and
stresses can no longer be contained. 1978 is unfolding critical events that have
their roots in a system set up in 1965. It is said that things badly begun
make strong themselves by ill. This is true of 1978 Gambia. What began badly in
1965 is now rotten in 1978. The writing is on the wall.
1978 is witnessing an era of headlong change when nothing seemed to be what
is not. The change has come through men. It telescoped all forms of doings
and deeds in contemporary Gambia. It magnified the changing shapes and shifting
images not only of the pathetic Gambian time but also of a tired, worn out
society. It focuses into light the contrast between the ruler and the ruled,
the contradictions between politics and loyalty, and the parallel between
cowardice and leniency.
It was this year that evidences of dishonesty long buried in the silt of
neglect became transparent, it was in this year that the strain of the grievous
cases of fraud and corruption began to tell on people, and it was also in
this year that some people were deprived of their duties, others interdicted,
dismissed and some imprisoned.
Almost every bank had a theft case, and thousands of dalasi disappeared.
Departmental cases concerning corruption were said to be rampant. Allegations of
top representatives owning many plots of land and compounds and taxis were
irrefutable. Rumour had it that there was a six door limousine in town which
seems, to be without an owner. People were saying that second hand engines
failed. The GUC is almost a fiasco, and has been placed on the crematorium. Some
people interpret GUC as “Gambians Used Candles.” People’s parcels tampered.
Tele-human was airing that the former head of Civil Service disappeared
unnoticed. Operation 78 struck Yundum College; crises became prevalent in some
schools, and some government workers submitted a memorandum: demanding better
wages/grades. There was a cabinet reshuffle in 78. Signing and resigning,
exposure and concealment, re-instatement and replacement and cross-carpeting, all
in 78. There may be many more things to transpire. The atmosphere
surrounding the changing events is horrifying, electrifying and paralyzing. Everyone
seems afraid of an unknown nameless terror. This is a feeling of anxiety,
uncertainty and insecurity. It becomes a matter of seeing everything but not
saying everything. The questions being asked were; what will happen next? Who
will go again? Where will it all end? Whatever may happen, and whosoever may go
with whatever happens, the fact remains that changes and not modifications
will come, and God willing, may come soon”.
By 1978, clandestine activity intensified. The MOJA leader would sometimes
tour the country, meet with people and discussed politics with them. He became
a well-known figure. He was popular and well respected by the then vibrant
younger generation. The young people as I said were very interested in
politics. They were searching for answers for all the issues troubling the nation.
The unemployment, the wastage and corruption, the lack of roads and lack of
opportunities etc. The young people used to call him “King Koro.” He was a
huge fellow and respected but highly viewed with suspicion. Fear struck the
hearts of corrupt elites at his sight.
Concerned about the situation, a young man by the name Baboucarr Langley
wrote his banner and surprised the security personnel, rolled up his banner and
moved through the crowd until he was levelled with the president, and then
unrolled his banner. Before anyone could notice whether he was supporting or
demonstrating, Sir Dawda read the embarrassing slogans’ “Sir Dawda come down!
It is ENOUGH! EVERYBODY IS TIRED! Alaahu Akbarr!” Mr. Langley was not only
showing his banner to the president, he was also shouting his slogan on top of
his voice. He had stunned everybody. He was later arrested and taken away.
His banner was seized from him. For the ruling party, Langley had overstepped
his bound, for the opposition, he had exposed in practical terms what many hid
to express. The young man was jailed for six months for his open and defiant
protests, even though he had exercised it peacefully.
Has Langley Made A Point?
Mr. Langley’s banner said everybody was tired. What was the economic
situation in 1978?
According to a booklet published by the National Executive Committee of the
ruling PPP, “A BETTER LIFE FOR OUR PEOPLE,” with a sub-title “Achievements
of the People’s Progressive Party 1962-1979" The total revenue in the
financial year, ending in June 1977 amounted to D60.5 million dalasis; that indirect
taxes (mainly taxes on international trade) accounted for almost two-thirds
of total revenue and direct taxes for about 14%. According to this booklet, a
special tax, National Development Levy, was introduced for the first time in
1976/77. It imposed a levy of 10% on salaried workers, public or private
would be required to pay. Only farmers and pensioners were exempted.
Secondly the second five year plan suffered from a low level of domestic
savings as well as heavy reliance on external resources. According to this PPP
booklet, 85% of the total investment was to be financed by foreign capital
assistance.
So as you can see, due to the low income level of The Gambia, the potential
for generating domestic savings has been limited and therefore the country
relied heavily on foreign assistance for the implementation of its development
programmes. This acceleration in foreign aid inflows in the recent past, the
booklet said, has had important consequences for the hitherto limited
indebtedness of the country. According to records, the total public debt outstanding
increased from D11 million in 1972 to D66 million in March 1979. Records
also showed that the foreign loans had been mainly contracted on concessionary
terms thereby making the debt servicing burden to continue to be relative to
current government expenditure, export receipts and national income.
According to the PPP, the expectation was that other donor countries would
convert their loans to the least developed countries into grants like was done
by the United Kingdom. This was what tempted the government to take more
loans not only from European countries but also from the Middle East countries
who did not do as anticipated.
The other bottleneck was the fact that financing of future development
programmes and projects constituted the mobilization of the necessary
complementary domestic resources.
The average, from 15% to 20% of development project investments had to be
financed by Local funds but as shown by the records, the traditional sources of
these counter-part funds, were transfers from the accumulated GPMB reserves
and Central Government savings which the experts said could not make
substantial contributions to the development fund.
What option did this summary leave for the Government? The only option was
to take more and more foreign loans even for the local contributions to
projects, thereby steadily reducing the small resource-less country from least
developed country status to the status of HIPC (Highly Indebted Poor Country)
status.
IN SONKO’S TREASON TRIAL
GNG Commander Continues Testimony
By Bubacarr K. Sowe
Lieutenant Colonel Biran Saine, The Gambia National Guard (GNG) Chief of
Staff, on Thursday, April 26, continued his testimony in the treason trial of
Abdoulie Sonko who is accused of murder and treason following the November 1996
military assault on the Farafenni Military Camp.
Lieutenant Colonel Saine under cross examination by defence counsel, Mai
Fatty, adduced that the attack started at about 3 am and lasted for eight hours.
He said that he did not know the exact number of attackers but saw six of
them. He added that none of the attackers was in The Gambia Armed Forces, and
none of them lived in the barracks.
He said that when he was taken to the guard post by the attackers, which is
200 meters from his quarters, the armoury had already been broken into by
the attackers. He added that the armoury has a strong door which was opened
when he arrived there.
According to him he saw one of the attackers coming from the Guard Master’s
store with some military uniforms. After the incident, the witness said, they
checked and improved on the security of the camp.
“The Regimental Sergeant Major (RSM) and the adjutant were responsible for
the duty roster”, he told the Court. The witness testified that he saw four
dead bodies lying around the guard post area, adding that he did not see them
being shot but knew that they had bullet wounds.
Lieutenant Colonel Saine went on to say that he could not tell the time the
attackers began loading weapons into the “Gele-Gele” van and the pick-up
truck they were using, adding that he only became aware of it when he was under
hostage and taken to the armoury.
“The attackers took off immediately after loading the weapons”, he said. He
continued to say that the attackers disembarked when they encountered the
GAF re-enforcement from Banjul. He narrated that the attackers were moving up an
d down in the bush, adding that one of them opened fire and the
re-enforcement force also returned fire.
He told court that other soldiers taken hostage by the attackers were
Bajinka and Baldeh. The witness is to re-appear at the High Court at a later date
for the continuation of cross-examination before Justice S.M Monageng.
GAMBIAN WOMEN TO VALIDATE FEDERATION TODAY
By Bubacarr K. Sowe
Several representatives from various women groups across the country with
the facilitation of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights
(ACHPR), the Women’s Bureau and the University of the Gambia will today validate the
constitution of the National Gambian Women Federation.
This validation session followed a two day women’s right forum held at the
Paradise Suites Hotel.
The federation is expected to serve as the umbrella organisation for all
women organisations and groupings in the Gambia, for collective
capacity-building, initiation and resourcing for the projects of its members as well as
sustaining the constituent women’s groupings.
According to the ACHPR, the initiative to create a women’s network was
inspired by a study conducted by the University of The Gambia’s Department of
Economic and Management Sciences.
In an interview with Foroyaa on Saturday at the women’s forum, Chaffi
Bakari, a senior legal officer at the ACHPR said that the federation will enhance
the struggle of the Gambian women in meeting their rights as enshrined in the
African Charter and Protocol.
Hannah Forster, Executive Director of the African Centre for Democracy and
Human Rights Studies (ACDHRS) told Foroyaa that the women need to be focused
and collaborate.
Mrs. Forster said that there is a need to recognise the strength in coming
together and how those strengths can be harnessed and put into good use for
both women and men in the Gambia.
“We the African Centre when we see people coming together, we are happy. But
then you have to come together with a purpose. The purpose need to be
workable and acceptable to all,” Forster pointed out.
Binta Sey, a women’s rights and advocacy officer at the Agency for the
Development of Women and Children (ADWAC) said that putting the women groupings
under one umbrella will help integrate their programmes and experiences.
“This will consolidate government, NGOs and donor efforts in the rights of
women” Sey said.
The President of the African Women in Diaspora Organisation, Princess Adine
Antigha said that the launching of the federation is a giant leap in
empowering women.
Lamin M. Ceesay, Deputy Executive Director at the Women’s Bureau told
Foroyaa that the federation will bring an end to competition among women’s groups
who should integrate and represent one interest.
KNOW THE NEW IGP
By Bubacarr K. Sowe
The New Inspector General of Police (IGP), Benedict Jammeh, who replaced
Musa Mboob last week was born in 1957 in the village of Kanilai, Foni Kansala
District, in the Western Region.
According to the police spokesman, Famara Jobarteh, the new police boss was
educated at St. Anthony Primary School in Kanilai after which he proceeded to
St. Edward Secondary School and then to St. Augustine’s High School where he
completed in 1976.
Mr. Jammeh joined the Field Force as a cadet officer where he also did his
training on general police duties.
He left the force in late 1982 to further his education at The Gambia
College and obtained his Primary Teachers’ Certificate and, later, the Higher
Teacher’s Certificate. He also served as a teacher in different schools, including
The Gambia High School.
Upon the establishment of the St. Mary’s University Extension Programme,
Jammeh enrolled there in 1995 majoring in history and minoring in International
Development Studies. He graduated in 1998 as one of the first graduates of
Saint Mary’s University Extension Programme in The Gambia.
In 1999 Jammeh rejoined The Gambia Police Force during which he did a
management course at the Management Development Institute (MDI).
He was also a Secretary (Personal Assistant) to the then Inspector General
of Police. Mr. Jammeh also proceeded to the United Kingdom where he graduated
with a law degree in June 2006 at London University. Upon his return to The
Gambia, he was posted at the prosecution department of the police.
Under - 20 Scorpions Lose to Ivory Coast U-23
By Modou Nyang
The National Under – 20 team lost 2-1 to the Olympic team of Ivory Coast in
a friendly international match on Saturday at the Independence stadium in
Bakau.
Oussou Coigny set the visitors sailing in the 28th minute of the first half
and when Sanna Nyassi levelled for the Gambia, substitute Konan Oussou
finished-up the day in the 88th minute of the game. Coach Peter Bonu Johnson
included six newcomers in his stating eleven including Kebba Bah and Suruwa Bojang
who also earned his comeback into the U-20 fray.
The Ivorians started brightly forcing the Young Scorpions to play into their
own half in the first 15 minutes of the game and keeping the defence busy
who struggled to avoid an early goal. With the pressure mounting on the home
side, the visitor’s first attempt for goal fell to Diarrassouba Veira when his
header narrowed out in the 3rd minute of the game. Teko Mensanh displayed to
the Scorpions just what they should expect when he rounded three defenders
inside the penalty area but only to shoot out.
With many new faces eager to impress for a place in the final selection for
the U-20 World Cup in Canada, the Young Scorpions fought back. And Abdou
Darboe was the sharpest upfront as he struggled to unlock the Ivorian defence.
Darboe’s header in the 11th minute from a Pa landing Conateh cross was cleared
and he was on it again in the 23rd minute when he was beat to the ball by the
rushing Ivory Coast keeper Okoua Fabrig, when Sarja Leigh put him through.
And when the Y/Scorpions thought they had neutralized the Ivorians, Oussou
Coigny cut through from the far left and fired his side into the lead. The
Ivorians continued marauding into the Scorpions area and could have doubled the
score line immediately but fired wide from a good position.
As if his new recruits were not delivering the goods, Bonu brought in Sanna
Nyassi Pierre Gomez and Hadji Tunkara for at the start of the second half in
place of Abdou Darboe Abdourahman Dampha and Furmus Mendy. Together with the
change from the 3-5-2 formation to dear 4-4-2, they were instantly on it. The
Ivory Coast goalkeeper who remained untested for the whole of the first half
was forced out of his line for the first time when Pierre Gomez headed for
goal, and as the pressure continue to mount on the Ivorians, Sanna Nyassi drove
in a powerful shot in the 60th minute beating Fabrig to put the Y/Scorpions
back into the game.
The Ivorians made double substitutions introducing Oussou Konan and Doumba
Ouattara to neutralise the Y/Scorpions. And they could have taken the lead
once again in the 67th minute when Coigny lobbed the ball over the bar after
beating the Scorpions defence. Sainey Nyassi replaced Sarja Leigh and Alagie
Amadou Ngum in the 30th and 34th minutes. But as the Y/Scorpions tried to steal
the winner Konan slipped the ball into the Scorpions net when he was put
through from midfield. The referee added four minutes for injury time but the
good were already delivered to the visitors.
Bonu Impressed by U-20 Newcomers
By Modou Nyang
“The sky is the limit” said Under 20 team coach Peter Bonu Johnson when
referring to Ebrima Jatta and Paul Jatta for their five star performances on
Saturday’s friendly International.
Bonu said: “some of them lived up to expectation like Ebrima Jatta and Paul
Jatta [they] have done very well, the sky is the limit. The Under -20 coach
who is about to select his team for the Under – 20 World Cup in Canada this
summer, continued; “they are part of the team if they continue this [type of]
performance, let them continue performing [well]’
Bonu blamed his sides deafeat to the visiting Ivorian team to lack of proper
ball control. “Today our ball control was terrible [and] if you don’t
control the ball correctly you lose. That was where Ivory Coast gained the upper
hand against us” he said.
Kouadio Georges the Ivorian Coach was all but praises for the Gambian side
he said: “the Gambian team is a very good team every one in the world knows
that it’s a strong team. I like every one in this team” he concluded.
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