Foroyaa Newspaper Burning Issue

Issue No.12/2006, 16-19 February, 2006

Editorial

POLITICS AND GOVERNMENT



Government is based on politics. If we conceive politics as the science of the state, we cannot separate government from politics since the executive is a branch of the state. 

Multi party politics has two components. One component is the campaign necessary to win the hearts and minds of the people in order to be entrusted with their authority to govern. 

The other component arises when one is entrusted with the responsibility of managing the affairs of the state. In that respect one has the authority to collect taxes from all tax payers irrespective of party affiliation and has the duty to provide public services to address their needs and aspirations.

In the provision of services, ministers or secretaries of states are provided with the means to perform their duties and conduct tours to find out and promote the implementation of government policies. 

However, once secretaries of state are on a campaign trail to promote party objectives they are ethically bound not to utilize public resources and facilities to promote their partisan objectives.

We hope that once secretaries of state Touray and Jahumpa return from their nationwide tour, they will sit down to ask themselves whether they were on a tour purely to monitor and promote the implementation of government policies or were engaged in the promotion of their party. They should also be ale to gauge whether they were using state resources to promote the public interest or partisan interest. If they conclude that they were promoting partisan interest then they should know that they are in breach of ethical political conduct.

The use of public resources by people holding public offices to further partisan objectives must not be seen as an academic exercise. It is unfair because tax payers belong to different political parties. The state therefore has two options. It can either prevent all sides from utilizing pubic funds to promote partisan political objectives or provide public funds to all political parties. This is the only legitimate way of handling the issue. 



THE STATE OF NADD

The Executive Committee of the National Alliance for Democracy and Development (NADD) comprising the leaders who emerged from five political parties to constitute NADD has met on Monday 12 th February 2006 to review the state of NADD and related issues that are breeding confusion among the populace. It is important for the people to note that trust in government or political parties is not to be based on individual likes and dislikes of each other, on the contrary, it is determined by the degree of commitment of stakeholders to clear fundamental objectives as well as the institutions and institutional processes which make a government or party viable. 

The Executive Committee of NADD decided to review its Memorandum of Understanding and the Code of Conduct that its members had subscribed to. It maintains that NADD's objectives as well as the institutions and institutional processes that are put in place to attain them are viable and intact. Hitherto NADD members had adhered to its Memorandum of Understanding and Code of Conduct up to the point of establishing procedures for the selection of a presidential candidate or flag bearer /standard bearer. Part III of the Memorandum of Understanding paragraph (8) states categorically that "The selection of the candidate of the Alliance for the presidential elections shall be done by consensus, provided that in the event of an impasse selection shall be done by holding a primary election restricted to party delegates comprising the chairman, chairwoman and youth leader of each party from each village/ward in the constituency."

NADD has started the process of selecting a flag bearer through consensus. One method of reaching consensus was tried without success. The second method is yet to be fully applied. This method called for the establishment of a selection committee with representation from all shades of political opinion within NADD. The selection committee was mandated to draw up criteria for selection, take note of the names of people in the list for selection and proceed to guage the candidature of these persons in accordance with the set criteria. In order to promote consensus at the end of the exercise the selection committee recommended for those whose names were entered in the list to make a declaration that they would accept the verdict of the committee once it is made. 

The criteria for the selection of a NADD presidential candidate by consensus are as follows:

1. We need a candidate that can win. We need someone who has a nationwide appeal.

2. We need someone who 'can serve as a unifying factor for both the executive and the people.

3. We need a candidate that can tackle the APRC candidate very effectively in terms of strategy, tactics and style.

4. We need a solid rock who can withstand all weather, a bold person who can surmount all difficulties in order to achieve victory.

5. We need someone with experience and foresight, someone who has been exposed to politics in the Gambia and abroad.

6. We need a charismatic leader, someone who is very articulate and is capable of moving people, someone with good public relations.

7. We need someone who is reliable, with leadership qualities that transcend all ethnic and partisan influences.

8. We need someone with a high moral standing, someone with a clean record.

9. We need someone who can be trusted to be absolutely committed to the MOU in its entirety.

The selection process is on hold because not only have we failed to get a declaration from some quarters but have not received any new recommendation to quash the method that has been unanimously adopted. In the same vein proposal to go to the primaries has not been made.

Instead the Executive Committee became preoccupied with the attempt by a member of the Executive to resign from NADD while his original party remains a member of NADD the Alliance. The Executive Committee holds that NADD the Alliance is a by-product of the MOU and NADD the Party is a by-product of the Supreme Court decision; that NADD the Alliance and party became indissoluble unless the majority of parties withdraw from NADD the Alliance. In that case NADD the Alliance shall disappear and NADD shall be run by its registered members. However to ensure the indissolubility of NADD the Alliance and NADD the party the Executive Committee members had to declare their allegiance to NADD the Party to ensure equal representation of all stakeholders. Consequently the Executive Committee has requested all members to explain the content of the MOU and the Code of Conduct to the executives of their original parties to prevent any distortion and misunderstanding regarding their conduct of political activities as long as they remain members of NADD.

Paragraph 2 of the Code of Conduct regarding the harmonization of principles, policies and coordination of activities among member parties states that "During the lifespan of NADD each member party shall regulate its activities to promote the objective of NADD and shall, at all times subordinate all its policies, programmes and activities to that of NADD." 

Paragraph 3 adds that "All member parties shall always be bound by the principle of good-faith in their dealings with each other, draw attention to any infringement of the Code of Conduct during meetings of the Executive Committees and maintain strict confidentiality in discussing differences to ensure their amicable settlement." Hence the Executive Committee wishes to convey that it is not delayed by indecision, on the contrary, it is delayed by making attempts to get everybody on board so that NADD's objectives shall be attained. All members were asked to be sincere to NADD by adhering to its Memorandum of Understanding and Code of Conduct or honourably distance oneself from NADD to allow other members to continue on the road that has already been paved. 

The Executive Committee wishes to convey to all sympathizers and well wishers of NADD that it is not in disarray. The attempt by NADD to engage all its members in democratic debates in a frank and open manner should not be mistaken for indecisiveness; on the contrary, it is done to ensure that no member can abandon NADD and claim that a dictatorship was imposed on them. Party representatives have veto power in NADD and cannot be marginalized. Sincerity in not wanting to be seen as the stumbling block had enabled NADD to move forward to develop its institutions and institutional process on the basis of the principle of unanimity. The Executive Committee of NADD resolves that the method adopted to resolve contradictions and problems by putting all issues on the table  and debate it out until the superior view stands is the best way of maintaining the integrity of NADD so that no member can ever question its openness and democratic characteristics. The Executive Committee members wish to reassure the people that they have not collectively departed from the Memorandum of Understanding, the Code of Conduct and Constitution of NADD. The Executive Committee maintains that registering NADD to be an umbrella party to contest the forth coming presidential elections is a requirement of both the MOU and the Constitution of the Republic. NADD is to get reassurance of loyalty from its members in the next meeting and proceed with the process of selecting a flag bearer. 

Finally, the Executive Committee wishes to reassure the people that it will continue to maintain its sense of bearing, face all challenges in a calm and serene manner so as to build its pillars of integrity and earn the trust and confidence it deserves.        



STATE WITHDRAWS CASE AGAINST HALIFA AND OJ

The State has withdrawn charges against Mr. Halifa Sallah and Mr. Omar Jallow, both members of the Executive Committee of NADD during proceedings at the High Court on Tuesday 14th February 2006 presided over by Justice Yamoa.

When the case was called, the trail judge, Justice Yamoa noted that she had seen the notice of discontinuance filed on the 10th of February 2006. The Prosecutor Marley Wood indicated at this stage that the state intended that the case against Mr. Halifa Sallah and Mr. Omar Jallow be discontinued.

Halifa Sallah confirmed that he had been served and then proceeded to cite section 85 (1) © of the constitution "The Director of Public Prosecutions shall have power in any case in which he or she considers it desirable to do so, and subject to the approval of the Attorney-General, to discontinue at any stage before judgment is delivered any criminal proceedings instituted or undertaken by himself or herself or any other person or authority." 

The trial judge asked him whether he had any problem with the DPP's intention and he said no. 

Mrs. Chorgan who represented Mr. Omar Jallow then stood up to say that she had no objection to the DPP's intention.

The trial judge then granted the prayer and accordingly discharged the two defendants. Halifa Sallah, Omar Jallow and Hamat Bah were arrested on 15th November 2005 and brought to Court before Justice Paul on 18th November 2005 without being served. The Court remanded them in custody but they were granted bail by the Court of Appeal. The three have always maintained that they have done nothing wrong and no impartial and independent Court can find them guilty on the charges leveled against them. This is now over taken by events because the President at the signing ceremony of the MOU announced the intention of the state to withdraw the cases against the three NADD executive members. Notice of discontinuance has been filed in respect of two of them and it is expected that the same will apply to the third, accused Hamat Bah.





MAYOR CONTEH'S CASE ADJOURNED

By Fabakary B. Ceesay

The economic crime case involving the Mayor of the Kanifing Municipal Council, Abdoulie Conteh and the State, was on Tuesday mentioned at the Banjul High before Justice Dordzie.

Conteh's Lawyers told the Court that their client cannot take his plea because service has not been effected. Justice Dordzie told the Court that it is the constitutional right of the defendant to be served with the indictment before he appears in Court. At this juncture, the trial High Court Judge decided to adjourn the matter to the 9th of March 2006.

Readers could recall that Mayor Conteh was acquitted and discharged by Justice Haddy Roche of the Banjul High Court who upheld the Preliminary objection raised by Antouman Gaye. Barely two hours after he was acquitted by the Court, he was rearrested and detained by the Police.



VILLAGERS TO DEFY ALKALO TODAY

By Bubacarr K. Sowe 

Villagers at Kafuta, Kombo East District, have vowed that they will go ahead with the inauguration of a controversial new Mosque this Friday regardless of the Alkalo's disapproval of the move.

According to villagers who talked to Foroyaa on Sunday the aim of constructing the mosque is to ease the movement of people for Fridays ("Juma") prayers. They complained that the village's Central Mosque is very far from the area where the new Mosque has been constructed and, as a result, they thought it was necessary to have another mosque in the area.

The issue of the mosque became a hot debate last Friday when the village authorities objected the inauguration of the mosque. According to eyewitnesses the Police were at the scene inorder to quell any commotion between the villagers.

One Mamwally Bah told Foroyaa that the Alkalo has no justification to deny them their rights to have a Mosque in their own community. He added that a letter written by the Supreme Islamic Council ordered them to defer the inauguration on Friday.

The said Alkalo, Sulayman Bojang confirmed the story, adding that anything the villagers are doing should be authorized.

However, he said that he will never allow the proposed inauguration of the mosque, if it is not done with honour and good spirit.

As a result, the claim and counter claim may bring the debate to its peak on Friday at Kafuta.





ADVICE TO GOVERNMENT AND WARNING TO YOUNG PEOPLE

I am writing this for the sake of the well being of society.  The government should increase it's effort so as to pay more attention on how Cannabis gets into the Country.  Cannabis use is alarming and I realized that cannabis smokers did not feel afraid to smoke anywhere.  They smoke in the streets and everywhere they feel to smoke, even at ceremonial places, without hiding.  The government should take serious action against the cannabis traffickers and smokers, to protect young people.  We know that people began with cigarettes and from there they start to smoke cannabis and finally drugs.  People start cannabis at a very young stage.

I realize that primary school children are smoking cigarettes and cannabis which means that there will be a drug epidemic in the country unless we get to the root of problems.  If we sit and think very carefully, we will realize that it is very sad that human beings have been created with the capacity to control everything, and to also think and distinguish good and bad.  But yet we cannot know what is harmful to us.

The World Health Organization (WHO) says that every 8 seconds someone dies from tobacco related illnesses.  I think tobacco is killing more people than any other disease in the world.  The government should play a key role to control cannabis and to also create a Drug Education Forum to educate the young people about the hazard of tobacco, cannabis and drugs.

I will mention a tragic story about a brilliant student who grew up in a happy and successful family and was killed by heroin at the age of 21.  She was very clever and polite, but her family said her life was blighted, the moment she started to date a young man who was a heroin addict, leading to her first fix at the age of 19.  She had left Aylestone High School with two A-levels, in psychology and communication studies.  Her parents saw her change from a happy, outgoing girl to a less motivated, unhappy and disturbed individual.  She initially abandoned her plans for University, and seemed to have less time for her brothers and sisters.  She sold possessions for money to buy drug, but touchingly handed back a family heirloom, a gold watch she had been given for her 18th birthday to avoid the temptation of selling it.  

When she was 20, she temporarily kicked her drug habit after a course of counseling, and in September 1999 started a degree course at Bath University, to study psychology.  But at one Christmas, after one term, she abandoned her studies and moved to a rental flat with her boy friend in Exmouth, Devon.  The week before she died, she rang her mother to say she had a split with her boyfriend and was finding a place of her own.   She also promised to join her parents that weekend to celebrate her stepfather's birthday.  But she never turned up.  That was the day she took her fatal fix.  She collapsed after harmful injection.  She died in vain at the age of 21.  I think she really hated what had happened to her.  But you can't take heroin one day and suddenly decide to stop.  Several months after her death her mother began to campaign by speaking to children at secondary schools about the dangers of drugs.  Please let's stop smoking.  It destroys our health.  It seriously damages our health.  Citizens of Africa and citizens of the world, stop smoking.

By Musa Drammeh

President, Young Farmers Association

Aljamdu Village

N.B.D



ABNORMAL CONDITION OF DIARRHOEA

By Sarjo Camara Singhateh

Mr. Lamin Manneh of the Disease Surveillance Unit has told this paper that people should not be panicked over the recent spate of diarrhea that is racking the residents of the Greater Banjul area. 

He said the Department of State for Health, UNICEF and the WHO is aware of the Situation. He indicated that the integrated disease surveillance unit is working to address the situation. According to him, diarrhoea is a food borne disease. He pointed out that breast milk alone does not cause diarrhea, unless if the nipple is dirty. He emphasized on the need for mothers to breast feed their children. He said the probability for a child on exclusive breast feeding to have diarrhea is 0%. He urged parents to take their children to health facilities if they noticed any abnormal condition of diarrhea. 

Women have been going around with their babies to health facilities for the treatment of diarrhoea. Last week this reporter met with many mothers at Churchill's Town going round with their babies and seeking charity which they believe is the solution of an epidemic of diarrhoea triggered by a breast feeding mother burning her baby's wrapper.

They believe that if they do this (beg for charity around town) the children will be cured of the disease.

This reporter contacted officials of the Disease Surveillance Unit to confirm whether there is an outbreak or not. 

Mr. Sanna Sambou, a unit officer, said that the diarrhoea that the women are talking about is not an outbreak; that it is an abnormal condition which is currently being studied in order to bring it under control. 

He also confirmed that they received reports from the major health facilities like Banjul, Brikama, Fagi Kunda, Serrekunda and the Jammeh Foundation for Peace Health Centre because these health facilities refer patients to RVTH.

He promised that next week, they will try and inform the people on their findings.





ARMED ROBBERS STRIKE AT WELLINGARA MARKET

In the early hours of Monday morning, robbers stormed the Wellingara Market and broke into 2 shops and a tailoring workshop and went away with cash and valuable items. Speaking to Foroyaa, a shopkeeper, Mr. Samba Bah said it happened around 4am while he was sleeping in his shop. He said he heard a big knock on his door and heard a voice saying, "Open the door or else we will shoot you. We have a gun." According to him, he got up and told them that he was not open the door, telling them to shoot him if they wish, but he will not open the door. He said they forcefully broke the door and the first person to enter came with a cutlass and attempted to hack him with it. "I engaged him in a fight and with my self defence experience I over powered him and took his cutlass from him. The other man sprayed me with tear gas and I felt unconscious. After I regained consciousness I realized that they have stolen some of my items and cash as well." Mr. Bah said D3000. 00 cash and 13 radios valued at D3,815 belonging to one Serajo Jallow (a shoe maker) was stolen. For his part, the second victim, Mr. Siaka Saidy said he was informed of the incident by one of her apprentice, noting he later went to his workshop and found out that the robbers broke his pad locks and entered inside the workshop and stole 12 pieces of cloth valued at various prices. He said the 12 pieces of cloth belonged to his customers. Asked if he has no watchman, he replied in the negative, pointing out that it should be the responsibility of the Brikama Area Council to employ night watchmen to guard the market, because they are paying tax to the council. He said they have reported the matter to the Police. 

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