Foroyaa Newspaper burning Issue
Issue No. 82/2007, 16 – 17 July 2007
Editorial
MYSTIFICATION OR DEMYSTIFICATION
OF CULTURE, WHICH ROAD FOR AFRICA?
The Kanilai Cultural Festival is now history. Those who had time to follow
the performances are busy informing others what they have seen. The claims are
startling.
Some claim that the Malians created a replica of President Jammeh.
Secondly, others claim that someone was raised from the dead by the Sierra
Leonean Kamajos (hunters).
Others claim that sugar was transformed into rice. Others claim that dust
was transformed into sugar. Those magical feats are presented to indicate the
richness of the traditional knowledge of the African.
The fundamental question that each African or concerned person should ask is
as follows:
How does such traditional knowledge serve to enhance the liberty and
prosperity of the African.
One does not have to be a scientist or a monotheist to conclude that a human
being cannot create another human being. Hence one may be ignorant of the
art of magic which operates on the principle exploiting the concentration gap
that exists when a human being focuses attention on something while another
thing is taking place. Of what value is knowledge that enables a person to
transform sand into sugar without being able to produce sugar to feed one’s
population or for export.
Knowledge which satisfies the curiosity of the eye but does not satisfy
human needs and wants is what constitutes mysticism. Before satisfying the
curiosity of the eye by transforming human beings into monkeys one should rather
transform monkeys into cows to provide abundant meat to save Africans from
starvation.
What Africans need at this time of our history is the demystification of
knowledge. It must be made a property of the people so that no one can mystify
himself and herself as having divine powers.
What Africa needs is knowledge that can enable the people to take charge of
knowledge and society to promote liberty and prosperity. Any knowledge that
makes people to surrender their minds and powers to others and allow
themselves to behave like marionettes at the mercy of others amounts to mystification
of reality. From the North to the South of the Sahara, Africans of many
generations have seen the most mysterious display of magical feat, but despite all
that, malaria, war and poverty have been sending people into their graves
and reducing the continent into a concert of highly indebted poor countries.
The battle of the 21st Century is not to unite those who are mystifying African
realities. On the contrary, it belongs to those who are ready to look at
reality squarely in the face and try to shape nature and society to address
their needs and aspirations to live in liberty, dignity and prosperity.
OMAR NDOW IN THE DOCK
By Abdou Jeli Keita
Mr. Ebou F. Badjie, a police Sub-Inspector attached to the Anti-Corruption
Unit at the police headquarters in Banjul, testified in the ongoing trial
involving the former Managing Director of GAMTEL Mr. Omar Ndow. S.I Badjie
testified that on April 28, 2007 he was assigned by his boss at the Anti Corruption
Unit to obtain a statement from Mr. Omar Ndow. He said he wrote a statement
and read it to the accused (Omar Ndow). He said the accused told him that he
prefers to write his statement. He said Ndow wrote his statement and appended
his signature on the document. He added that the statement of the accused
was recorded in the presence of an independent witness.
At this juncture, the police prosecutor, ASP Bojang produced a written
statement which the accused recognised as the one he wrote at the anti-corruption
unit of the police at the police headquarters. ASP Bojang tendered the
written statement to the court as an exhibit.
Under cross-examination, the prosecution witness said he came to know Omar
Ndow when he was brought to the Anti-Corruption Unit. When asked by the
defence Counsel, Sheriff Tambedu, to tell the court the kind of person he thinks
Omar Ndow is, S.I Badjie said he didn’t know the kind of person the accused is,
but admitted that the accused looked gentle and nice by appearance.
ASP Bojang applied for the trial to be adjourned to enable him to call for
more witnesses. Omar Ndow is standing trial on two counts, namely: alleged
disobedience of statutory duty, contrary to section 115 of the Criminal Code and
alleged abuse of office, contrary to section 90 of the Criminal Code. The
accused is alleged to have willfully omitted to refer a contract proposal to
the Gambia Public Procurement Authority (GPPA), as statutorily required of him.
He is also accused of willfully failing to follow the required procedure of
the GPPA regulation.
The trial is adjourned to a later date in July for further hearing.
PROSECUTION EXAMINE JOBE & JASSEH IN TREASON TRIAL
By Fabakary B. Ceesay
Alieu Jobe, the former Accountant General and Tamsir Jasseh, a former
Director General of the Immigration Department, who are both standing trial at the
High Court for treason, were cross examined by the state counsel, E.O
Fagbenle on Thursday, 12 July. The state counsel asked Alieu Jobe whether he had any
relationship with Lieutenant Musa Jammeh’s ex-wife. Mr. Jobe said their
relationship was based on educational basis only. He said he was her tutor at
Nusrat and Jollof Tutors where she was studying ACCA. He said that Musa’s wife
used to call him in the presence of her husband, and that Musa used to ask him
to help her because he (Musa) wanted her to be a Chartered Accountant. When
asked whether he was aware of anybody’s involvement in the March 21 2006,
foiled coup, he answered in the negative. He added that he was not aware of any
coup attempt and that he would have revealed it if he was aware of it. E.O
Fagbenle asked him how he appeared before the panel of investigators and what
was his response to the questions about the foiled coup. Mr. Jobe said he
appeared before the panel in handcuffs and that he told them that he knew nothing
about the coup plot. He added that he also told the panel that he needed a
lawyer. He also said he cannot remember how many questions were put to him by
the panellists. When asked whether he knew Captain Musa Jammeh, Captain Wassa,
Captain Yaya Darboe, RSM Alhpa Bah, Alieu Ceesay, Tamsir Jasseh, Manlanfi
Corr, Leiutenant Pharing Sanyang, Sainey Bayo, Private Alagie Nying, Marabout
Omar Faal Keita, Colonel Ndure Cham and Honourable Demba Dem. Mr. Jobe said he
heard about Captain Wassa Camara as a military officer; that he knew
Honourable Demba Dem and that he knew Colonel Ndure Cham, adding that he rarely met
Colonel Ndure Cham. He added that as far as the rest are concerned, he did
not know them before. When asked if he is familiar with Gambian soldiers
wearing black uniform, he said he only saw them putting on black uniforms when he
was arrested and taken to Mile Two Prison. He said he and Tamsir Jasseh were
escorted together from mile Two Prison to the NIA on the 14 April 2006. He
said they did not mingle together, nor did they discuss anything. He said he has
no relationship with Mustapha Lowe. He said he met him when he was remanded
by the court after he had already spent 42 days in detention. Mr. Jobe noted
that he was not allowed access to a lawyer and his family members. He denied
having any private affair with Defective Sergeant Boto (Keita) before he
Keita took his statement. He added that Sergeant Keita never insulted or harassed
him at any point in time. “Am putting it to you that the Alagie Nying you
said you don’t know, is a mechanic and that you wrote in your statement that
you have informed him about the coup plot,” said Fagbenle. Alieu Jobe replied
that they have no mechanic at their department and that he cannot remember
putting that in writing. He told the court that he served as an Accountant
General for 15 months before being arrested at his office and dumped at Mile Two
prisons. When asked whether Captain Musa Jammeh was part of the panel of
investigators, he replied in the positive, adding that it was Musa Jammeh who
interrogated him. He was, at this juncture, given the list of names of the
panellists, but he said he did not find Musa Jammeh’s name on it. Mr. Jobe
indicated that when he was arrested, Captain Musa Jammeh told him that he has fallen
into his hands. He said two soldiers were present when Jammeh made this
statement. He added that he did not know the names of those two soldiers. “Am
putting it to you that Musa Jammeh was not involved when you were being taken to
Mile Two and to the NIA,” said E.O Fagbenle. Mr. Jobe said, “That is
incorrect.” Mr. Jobe said he was beaten by 5 soldiers for about one hour and thirty
minutes. He added that the beating was supervised by Musa Jammeh. He said
during the course of the beatings, he sustained wounds. He said he cannot
produce a medical report on that. Mr. Jobe indicated that he was beaten with sticks
and batons. He said there were intervals when they stopped the beatings and
posed questions to him. “Am putting it to you that the T-shirt that you
tendered before the court belongs to Tamsir Jasseh and that all what you have said
before the court are stories and not the truth,” said Fagbenle. He said, “
That is incorrect and am telling the truth.” Tamsir Jasseh also testified as a
defence witness (DW1) in the trial of Alieu Jobe in the “Voir dire” (trial
within trial). Mr. Tamsir Jasseh, the former Director of Immigrations told
the court that he is currently detained, in cell number 12 at the security wing
in Mile Two Prison, while Alieu Jobe is in number 11. He said it is not
correct when the prison medic (Bakary Wharf Kujabi) testified that there is no
cell numbers at Mile Two Prison. He said he first met Alieu Jobe at the NIA and
that he saw him in handcuffs, and a plastic bag covered his head and he was
sweating. He said the idea of putting plastic bag over the heads of people “
was to suffocate you”. Mr. Jasseh said they used the plastic bag to make you
do what the investigators wanted you to do. During cross examination, Mr.
Jasseh said they were restricted from contacts and were prevented from
interaction at Mile Two Prison. He said they couldn’t share information within the
cells. He said on 14 April 2006, he and Alieu Jobe were taken together from the
NIA headquarter to Mile Two Prison.
Alieu Jobe, Tamsir Jasseh, Honourable Demba Dem and Marabout Omar Faal Keita
are standing trial for their alleged involvement in the March 21 abortive
coup plot.
ECOWAS COURT TO HEAR CHIEF MANNEH’S CASE TODAY
The Community Court of Justice of the Economic Community of West African
States (ECOWAS) will today commence hearing a human rights case filed on behalf
of Chief Ebrima Manneh, a staff reporter of the Daily Observer newspaper.
Reports have it that he was led by two men believed to be security agents to
board a vehicle parked just beside the Daily Observer premises on 7 July,
2006. Reports also have it that he was seen at Fatoto Police Station in January
this year. Both the police and the National Intelligence Agency (NIA) have
denied holding Chief Ebrima Manneh in custody. When this reporter visited the
Community Court of Justice, he discovered that “Chief Ebrima Manneh Vs The
Republic of The Gambia” was included among the pending cases filed this year.
The case will be heard in Abuja.
According to the Supplementary Protocol Amending the Protocol to the
Community Court of Justice “The court has jurisdiction to determine cases of
violation of human rights that occur in any member state.”
According to Article 20 of the Protocol, decisions of the court shall be
final and immediately enforceable.
The case was filed by the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA), a
regional, independent, non profit, non governmental organisation based in Accra.
KAWSU CEESAY TESTIFIES IN THE IEC ALLEGED FORGERY CASE
By Fabakary B. Ceesay
Kawsu Ceesay the former Chief Electoral Officer of the Independent Electoral
Commission (IEC), who is charged with forgery, had on Tuesday, 10 July,
testified before Magistrate Bubacarr Secka of the Kanifing Magistrates’ Court.
Mr. Ceesay testified that he was asked by the former Chairperson of the
I.E.C, Mr. Ndondi Njie, to look for quotations of electoral materials abroad.
Kawsu narrated that he later consulted a company which is based in Canada
called, “CODE INCOPORATED”. He said the company is specialized in the
production of election materials; that CODE has been providing materials for the IEC
since in the days of the Provisional Independent Electoral Commission (PIEC),
that is from 1995 to April 1997. “The first place to look for was CODE, they
do not only supply election materials, but they have the “earthwork” of the
IEC voter registration card”, said Ceesay. Kawsu noted that he was
instructed by the Commission to send the quantity of the materials to CODE and asked
them to provide the IEC with such materials.
Mr. Ceesay said the Central Statistics figures on the 2003 Population Census
did show that the population has grown over the years; that the required
quantity of election materials was based on this figures; that what they need
was 120,000 registration cards and 120, 000 lamination papers, 100 cameras and
films to cover 120, 000 voter cards. The former CEO of I.E.C indicated that
the other materials needed were indelible ink, pool tight seals, rectangular
seals and tampered evidence bags; that CODE provided them with an invoice with
regards to their demands. “I presented it to the chairman, Mr. Ndondi Njie.
His reaction was that the quantities were too high and he asked me to reduce
it by 25%, except for the cameras and the tampered evidence bags”, said Kawsu.
Mr. Ceesay said he sent back the revised figures to CODE who provided them
with costing and that they received invoices from CODE in December 2005; that
he was called by Mr. Njie who informed him that the president had promised to
provide D120, 000,000, for the electoral activities from 2005 to 2008. “He
instructed me verbally to place an order to CODE for election materials based
on the reduced quantities and the amount. He further told me that the amount
will be fully paid when the Commission receives the invoices. On 20 December
2005, I placed an order on the IEC letter head signed by me on the
instructions of Mr. Ndondi Njie,” said Kawsu. He indicated that the order was faxed to
CODE and the original was sent through the post. He added that the invoices
were received on the 21 December 2005.
He said the pro-forma invoices which were reduced by 25% totaled 90, 000
registration cards. He asserted that 254, 001.04 US dollars was the total figure
on the pro-forma invoices and this was later reduced to 221, 071.94 U.S
dollars. He said that he later gave Mr. Njie a memo on bank details of CODE, and
the total amount in the invoices. He added that he also highlighted the terms
of payment on the invoice which required 100% pre-payment before the
shipping of the materials.
Mr. Ceesay said he had printed out 3 copies from the computer to economise
the toner. He said he was required to make copies for other officials and
commissioners. He said he signed the single print out and used that to make extra
copies by photocopying it; that he attached the invoice with the signed copy
of the document to Mr. Ndondi Njie for him to give approval to the Chief
Accountant to make preparations for arrangements to transfer the payment to
CODE. He added that he had no mandate to authorise the Director of Finance or the
Chief Accountant to make payments.
Mr. Ceesay said Mr. Njie approved the document by writing “Approved” with
his signature, dated 23 December 2005. He said he is not a signatory to the
IEC accounts and that he is not also mandated to give instructions for
payments. He said he was asked by Mr. Njie to take the signed document to the Chief
Accountant, Mr. Lamin Cham, who told him that Mr. Njie knew that there were
no funds to cover the invoices. He added that he also told Mr. Lamin Cham that
he is only working on the instructions given by Mr. Njie and that if there
were no funds, then it was left to him (Cham) and Mr. Njie. He said he gave
copies of the document to the Director of Administration, Ajaratou Saffie, for
distribution. He said Mr. Njie’s signature is on the document which
authorised payment. He added that the existence of the document was made known to Mr.
Alhagie Mustapha Carayol, the then Vice Chairman, Ajaratou Saffie, then
Director of Administration and Haddy Sambou, then Director of Operations.
Mr. Ceesay indicated that the deletion exercise took place in January 2006
and the supplementary registration was scheduled to take place in March. “
Since the ordered materials included registration materials, it was important
that the registration materials arrived in the second half of February 2006, so
that the exercise could be carried out as planned”, said Ceesay. He said that
after the Commission realised that the funds from the Finance Department was
not going to be available on time for the IEC to pay for the ordered
materials in time for the supplementary registration in March, Mr. Ndondi Njie
decided to send Commissioner Sulayman Mboob to make a follow up for the funding
promised by the President. He said that by early February 2006, CODE sent an
email asking him to advise them on when the IEC would like to receive the
materials as they had already parked the materials in a container which is ready
to be dispatched to them. The case was, at this juncture, adjourned for the
continuation of Mr. Ceesay’s testimony. The state counsel is A.S Umar and the
defence counsel is Musa Batchillly.
Kawsu Ceesay is standing trial for allegedly forging the signature of Mr.
Ndondi Njie in order to obtain registration materials to the tune of almost D6
million.
MARRIAGE AND FAMILY
HEART BREAKER’S NEMESIS
With Amie Sillah
Part 1
Lolly was a menace to her friends. She is jealous and mischievious. She
poised herself as a genuine friend, get their deep secrets, use it to destroy
genuine relationships and later try to snatch such boyfriends to make them her
own. Such relationships never lasted. Then came her turn. Her Mr. Right
appeared. It was pay back time. She has stepped on too many toes. How did friends
come for their pound of flesh? Whatever one cuts bleeds one’s finger. (Lu why
rendi si saloho lai nacha!).
Penda’s Experience
Penda is Lolly’s childhood friend. They went to school together, from
nursery to university. They became bossom friends. Penda’s boyfriend Chernor is
from abroad. He bought her a bungalow, furnished to taste, an expensive sports
car and million dalasi pocket money for the year. Chernor is caring and
loving. “Chernor is god sent. He so much loves me that when I sneeze or cough he
wants to know the reason.” Penda took Lolly around to inspect her bungalow. She
showed her everything. Lolly was dying with envy and jealousy. She could not
believe her eyes. “No! Chernor bought all these things for you? Furnished
bungalow and a million dalasi pocket money for a year? No, this cannot happen!
It is a fairy tale.” Penda laughed. “It has already happened.” “If all
these goodies are given during courtship, I wonder how your wedding gift would be
like?” Lolly questioned. “Our wedding is coming in three months time.” Penda
revealed. Lolly complained about her boyfriend Jegan.” My boyfriend Jegan is
a false man. He boasted to have come from a rich family. He drives cars to
come to me on the whole they are owned by his brothers and sister. His dad is
a retired civil servant and his mum is dead. If I asked him to give me any
substantial sum of money, he gave me excuses upon excuses. I never receive any
substantial sum from Jegan, only stories, stories!” Lolly lamented. She
referred to Jegan as an idiot. Panda advised Lolly. “Nothing is static. Have
patience. Jegan can be somebody in the future. He is young and promising and he
loves you.” “What stupid love? Look at what Chernor did for you. I want love
expressed in material terms not only in words. Don’t insult me with Jegan’s
stupid love. I am a girl. What I need is material love. I am not lucky. I hope
I am not curse.” “Don’t say that to yourself. God’s time is the best. Have
faith in God and God alone.” Penda advised.
Chernor Visits Penda
Chernor visited Penda and found Lolly there. Penda introduced them. Lolly
winked her eyes at Chernor. He responded. An evil thought entered her mind. How
to snatch Chernor from Penda?
Lolly And Jegan
Lolly met Jegan at the restaurant and snubbed him. She insulted him and
blamed him for being unable to meet her needs. “Why am I killing myself for you?
What have you done for me? Look at Penda and Chernor! Chernor has bought a
well furnished bungalow for her as well as a brand new sports car and a million
dalasi pocket money to last for a year. All these are pre marriage gifts. I
wonder what the wedding gift itself would be like? Look at Nyima! Her
boyfriend established a boutique for her. She travels to Dubai, Hong Kong, South
Korea to buy goods to furnish her boutique. Again look at Jainaba? Her boyfriend
Famara rented her a well furnished self contained. The story goes on and on.
These babes were my course mates. What do they have which I don’t? Yet they
are enjoying all these goodies while I wallow in abject poverty. This is
unacceptable! I’ll not take it again.” She queried. Jegan started to lecture her
on genuine love. “We are a happy couple in real love. Don’t compare our
relationship with material benefits. Don’t compare us to other people. You sound
like a prostitute. Don’t destroy what we have. Nothing is static. I have
plans. I can be anybody tomorrow. Also remember not all fingers are the same.”
Lolly accepted the description. “Yes I am a prostitute, if it means I demand
for benefits from you as in my friends’ relationships. All fingers are not the
same yes. But why should I end with the shortest finger? I am leaving you
before you waste more of my time.” She rose up and left. Jegan was dismayed. “
Lolly, don’t leave! Nothing is static. I can be someone someday.” Lolly had
already left in a rage. Jegan followed suit.
Penda Reveals Her Secret
Lolly visited Penda and enquired more about how she got Chernor to see her
as a wife material. “This is a deep secret sister. I never told anybody. But I
trust you. We are best pals since nursery school. I can trust you with my
secrets. I know you can watch my back. There is this mystic man at the
beachside close to the cemetery; he helped me make Chernor see me as wife material.
There were many women in his life. I was the least to be considered. I took Che
’s picture to him and we prayed over it. His attitude towards me changed and
here we are about to get married.” Lolly posted doubt. “Does it work? I don’
t believe in it.” “It works. As I earlier explained, I was last in Che’s
list of women but now he adores me and does whatever I say.” “Are you really
sure?” “Yes! Definitely sure. Penda emphasized. “But his eyes can be cleared
off before the wedding and he calls it off.” “No! That cannot happen every
Wednesday night I go to Baba with Chernor’s picture to renew his charm. I am
telling you this deep secret. You are my sister and I know you will always
watch my back.” “Of course! I’ll always watch your back. I am happy for you oh!
Pray for me to also have a generous man like yours.” “God’s time is the
best. Your own miracle will come.” Penda reassured Lolly.
Lolly Pays A Visit To Chernor
Lolly visited Chernor and betrayed Penda. She told him everything. Chernor
could not believe his ears. “Tell me it is not true because if it is I’ll
kill that bitch with my bare hands. What have I done to deserve this? I have
given this bitch everything.” “Go between 8 and 9 O’clock at night. You’ll see
Penda with your picture praying with Baba at the beachside close to the
cemetery.” “Can we go together?” Chernor asked. “Oh no! I don’t want Penda’s
trouble. She is diabolical and deadly.” “Okay! All the same. You are right.
Thank you for your concern. I’ll go there at the right time.” “You have done
so much for her but she still wishes you evil. I’ll always watch your back.
You are a good man. Even though Penda is my best pal, I cannot side with her
to do evil.” “Thank you again.” Chernor gave her fare money up to D5000 (five
thousand dalasi). She gleed. “This man is well loaded. Look at him giving me
D5000 for fare. I wish he looks at my direction if he breaks up with Penda.”
Lolly wore a seductive dress when she visited Chernor.
Chernor Visits The Beachside
Chernor visited the beachside as instructed by Lolly. He went at the right
time and confirmed everything with his naked eyes. “Oh, it is true that bitch
wants to destroy me? We shall see!” Chernor made a decision.
Penda Taken By Surprise
Penda was taken by surprise. The Eviction team came to evict her from her
bungalow. She protested. She told them the house was bought by her fiancée
Chernor. She got the shock of her life. “This same Chernor you call your fiancé
sold this house to my brother a month ago.” Badou said, “It’s a lie! It
cannot be true. Let me get to Chernor.”She tried to get Chernor’s office through
the phone but to no avail. The line was switched off. She tried over and over
again. When she succeeded the secretary told her Chernor was not available.
She had to quarrel with the secretary. She tried to drive the car but its key
was also taken from her. She became handicapped. She asked Lolly to wait for
her at her home while she drove to Chernor’s office by taxi. Lolly declined. “
No! No! I cannot wait oh! I am afraid of the police and their troubles. I am
going home.” Penda was disappointed but she drove the experience away. Lolly
left her friend at her time of need. Everything was seized from Penda. She
was devastated.
To be contd.
TABARA SAMBA’S TRIAL TO PROCEED ON TUESDAY
By Fabakary B. Ceesay
The trial of Tabara Samba, at the Kanifing Magistrate Court, for allegedly
pouring hot oil on her husband leading to his untimely death, will proceed on
Tuesday 17 July.
The trial Magistrate, Pa Harry Jammeh told the accused that her lawyers are
not present due to the absence of the prosecution officer. He said the lawyer’
s application on the re-start of the trial will not be granted but that he
will allow the prosecution witnesses to be recalled for cross examination by
the defence counsels.
“For your fundamental human rights, I will make sure you get a fair trial ..,
” said Magistrate Jammeh. Jammeh said he will recall the police detectives,
Mary Sowe and Boto Keita, Ousman Jarju and Lamin Conteh, both civilians to
appear again on Tuesday 17 July, to be cross examined by the defence counsels.
Sergeant Jobarteh was holding brief for CSP Dibba, while the two defence
counsels, Mrs. Joof Conteh and Miss Farage were not in court. Sometime in March
2007, at Old Jeshwang, Tabara Samba was alleged to have killed her husband,
Ebrima Nyan by pouring hot oil on him while in bed. The trial had gone halfway
when her first counsel withdrew from the case. She is now represented by two
female lawyers on humanitarian grounds without any charges. At their first
appearance in the trial they applied for a re-start of the case.
FARMERS’ REPS CALL FOR INCREASED ALLOCATION TO AGRICULTURE
By Modou Jonga
Representative of National Farmers’ Association (NACOFAG) and a regional
farmers Association (ROPPA) have urged the Governments of The Gambia, Senegal
and Ghana in the West African Sub-region to allocate 65-75% of their national
budget to the Agricultural Sector inorder to motivate the farming populace.
This recommendation is one of many agreed upon by farmers’ representatives
at a convention held at Cotonou in the Republic of Benin. The said
recommendations were delivered by Mr. Momodou Jaiteh, of the National President of
Cashew Growers Association, during a consultative forum held recently at the
Friendship Hotel in Bakau.
The farmers representatives demanded for the removal of barriers to access
relevant, reliable and timely information to the farming populace in the
member countries. According to Mr. Jaiteh, the practice of good governance is
vital to the attainment of the aims and objectives of both national and regional
farmers’ bodies.
The farmers have thus demanded for an equitable pricing of their products.
On the importation of agricultural produce into the country, farmers called on
the government to patronize and protect locally produced goods.
Speaking further, Mr. Jaiteh, noted that it is relevant that farmers, who
constitute the bulk of the work force of the country, be motivated and
capacitized. The Cashew Growers’ president, on behalf of the farmers, further urged
relevant authorities to enforce quality control policies on imported products
such as chicken, rice, etc., in a bid to verify the consumption of such
products as safe.
The delegates drawn from the various member countries of ROPPA and Civil
Society Organisations have demanded to be given an effective voice in issues
relating to the farming population of the West African Sub-Region.
The consultative forum was attended by the Permanent Secretary, Department
of State for Agriculture, Mr. Sulayman Trawally, NAM for Foni Bondali, Hon
Muttar Kujabi, Director of TANGO, Mr. Ousman Yabo, Deputy Director of NAS, Mr.
Bai Cham, among others.
Editor’s Note:
The establishment of farmers platform is very significant. It is true that
if one combines both the recurrent and development budget for 2007,
agriculture will receive an allocation of 204 million which amounts to 3.69% of the
combined recurrent and development budget. Debt service charges constitute 1534
million dalasis. However, Foroyaa would like to caution the leaders of the
farmers that before recommendations are made, enlightened opinion should be
sought regarding the allocation of resources to the various sectors so that one
can make a realistic recommendation on the share of agriculture regarding the
budget.
Gambia Hosts SABLE International Literary Festival
By Baboucarr Ceesay
The 2nd SABLE International Literary Festival, organised by the SABLE
LitMag, the first of which took place in London, has brought together writers of
diverse creativity from different parts of the globe to The Gambia as the
second host at the Sun Beach Hotel at Cape Point in Bakau from 13 to 15 July 2007.
In her welcoming remarks, Kadija (George) Sesay, the founder and publisher
of the SABLE LitMag and SABLE Literature Festival, said that SABLE literature
festival is the latest project to evolve from the SABLE concept. She
indicated that the first literature festival held in London in 2005 was a mixture of
readings, performance and workshops as this one taking place in The Gambia.
She said it was their decision to replicate the formula abroad and that The
Gambia with proximity to the UK, the availability of resources and indeed the
warmth of the people, became the ideal location.
Rosamond King read the speech that should have been presented by Dr. Lenrie
Peters, a Gambian man of letters and medical doctor who could not be present.
The speech placed emphasis on the importance and power of literature and the
organisation of such a festival, in particular, and thus thanked the
organisers for their progressive efforts.
Speeches were followed by inspirational music from the Wuli Band and a
renowned Gambian rap artist, Dr. Olugander.
The programme of the first day of the festival was closed with poetry
reading and performance by Mariama Khan and El-Crisis, whose style of poetry and
performance combines a hypnotic mixture of rap, spoken word power and chant.
July 14, the second day of the festival, was opened with the ‘Meet
the writers‘ networking scheme in which discussions on SABLE and growth of
literary festival in The Gambia and other festivals in Africa were encouraged.
During the workshop of the festival, Dorothea Smartt lectured on poetry
associated with local surroundings. Jack Mapanje dealt with Memoir Writing,
Rosamond King dilated on role of the reading club in discovering Gambian
literature and El-Crisis engaged some youths on reading and performance.
In a bid to give writers a tip of how to get published, a panel and
discussion themed ‘Get Published‘ was conducted by Binyavinga Wainaina, author,
founder and publisher of Kwani Couttia Newland who is also an author, playwright
and founder of Tell Tales, Fodeh Baldeh, Gambian publisher and Rosamarie
Hudson, founder of BlackAmber publishing company, also shared their experiences.
Dorothea Smartt read a powerful poem, depicting the fate of a black woman in
a predominantly white populated society, while Rosamond King made a reading
on the Gambian perspective. Courttia Newland and Binyavahga Waiaina read
their works on fiction followed by questions from the participants on their
creative works..
Meanwhile, Janet Badjan-Young staged an extract from one of her popular
plays Hand of Fate. Mr. Edrissa Joof and Baboucarr Ceesay and Sally Sadie
Singhateh read from their works during Gambian writers’ performing session.
Saturday’s activities came to a close with reading by a celebrated Malawian
writer Jack Mapanje, from his brand new collection of poetry, Beast of
Nalunga.
GTU EMBARKS ON LEADERSHIP TRAINING
By Isatou Bittaye
The Gambia Teachers’ Union on Thursday opened a three-day training workshop
for school Managers at the Friendship Hotel in Bakau. In her opening
statement, the Regional Director of Region one, Ms. Anna B. John Ceesay, said it is
important for school managers to measure up to expectations. Mrs. John Ceesay
added that it is only when school managers measure up to expectation that the
dream for quality education will be realised. She said school managers are
faced with challenges. The Region One Director noted that the GTU is bringing
school managers who are experiencing specific management and leadership
challenges together in order to address the concerns of the Department of State for
Basic and Secondary Education.
Mrs. John Ceesay indicated that school managers need to work on school
management strategies to minimize both teachers’ and students’ absenteeism and to
implement the flexible school calendar. She said in order to tackle all
these problems at schools, a high degree of vigilance, commitment and sincerity
to the system is needed.
In giving out the objectives of the training, the Deputy Secretary of the
GTU, Essa Sowe, said the GTU recognises the numerous challenges its members
and leaders encounter on a aily basis in the management of their schools. Mr.
Sowe indicated that the training aims to enhance the efficiency of school
managers by building their capacity in management and leadership roles, to
trial-test the GTU handbook for endorsement, to formally introduce school managers
to the general concept and approach used in study circle matters. He added
that it also aims to provide school managers with some basic guidelines in
conducting their roles and to acquire basic techniques of leadership to enable
them not only solve school problems, but also help their colleagues acquire
positive attitudes towards themselves, their culture, their work and the process
of community and national development.
END OF OYSTER SEASON FESTIVAL CELEBRATED
By Isatou Bittaye
The oyster sellers in The Gambia have formed an association called TRY
group. The association in collaboration with Mrs. Fatou Janha Mboob, a fashion
designer, celebrated the end of the oyster season festival on Friday at Kamalo
near Old Jeshwang.
Speaking at the ceremony, Mrs. Fatou Mboob Janha said the oyster sellers
have been struggling to make ends meet; that the purpose of the festival is to
support the group of oyster sellers. She said members feel that they need help
and that is why they chose to form this group; that the festival is not only
meant to improve the working conditions of the members but to also get them
involved in other business ventures since their work is seasonal. She added
that in so doing, they can engage in other works to sustain themselves during
the course of the season. Mrs. Janha urged everybody to support this venture
by not only buying oysters, but to also donate generously to the TRY group.
Deputising for the Mayor of KMC, the deputy Mayor, Mr. Yankuba Colley, said
the conditions and welfare of the oyster sellers has remained the same for
the past years without any improvement. He added that the task of oyster
harvesting is a “backbreaking and dangerous” one, and the women risk their lives
everyday. Mr. Colley indicated that it is sad that some of these women are
usually attacked physically; noting that last year, one of the women was
murdered and buried in the mud. He said two women were recently attacked and
wounded, and were later hospitalised.
Also speaking, Saffie Jatta, a member of the group, said they are very happy
to celebrate the end of the oyster season festival. The group thanked Mrs.
Fatou Janha for her noble initiative. The KMC donated D5000 to the
Association.
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