Foroyaa Newspaper Burning Issue
Issue No. 120/2007, 12 - 14 October, 2007
Editorial
Rulers and Leaders
The Sovereignty of the People in Question
Sovereignty of the people simply means that authority to govern is derived
from the political will of the people and exercised to promote their liberty
and prosperity. Where the sovereignty of the people is absent representatives
are transformed into rulers who expect the led to behave like subjects and
regard all exposure of wrong doings as subversion of authority. Such rulers
react to any expression of dissent by enlarging the jackboot of oppression and
stand on the neck of the led until they yield to total submission to their
rule. In this way they spread the yoke of tyranny and alienate themselves from
all those who love freedom and justice or are yearning for the protection of a
free and just society. Ultimately such rulers deprive themselves of popular
will and are discarded into the dustbin of history.
On the other hand, where the Sovereignty of the people reign supreme
representatives become leaders who react to all exposures of wrong doings by
engaging in self reflection and contemplation to provide redress to grievances. In
this way they nurture popular expression of grievances and enlarge freedom
and democracy. Such leaders become the humble servants of the people and
because of such service are seen as guides in the struggle of the people to carve
a destiny of liberty and prosperity. They therefore enjoy love of most and
respect from even those who are opposed to them.
The Gambia needs leaders and not rulers after 37 years of Republican
existence. All those who love truth and justice especially those among the elders
who will visit the president on the day of the coming feast in the Gambia
should ask him to release all prisoners of Conscience who are simply detained
without charge and trial before an independent and impartial tribunal. They
should ask him to set up a complaints unit at the Attorney General’s Chambers to
receive all grievances regarding human rights violation and injustice for
investigation and redress. The recommendations of such a department should be
honoured without any regard to political expediency.
In our view the case dealing with the Amnesty Internatioanal staff, chief
Manneh and other Journalists, who are the victims of delayed justice like Fatou
Jaw Manneh should be swiftly handled in a judicious manner and concluded:
Only a weak and immoral government will defy just criticisms and
recommendations just to give the impression that it is not bowing to pressure. A
government of the people takes pride in bowing down to enlightened public opinion, be
it national or international.
The Gambia has existed as a Sovereign Republic for 37 years. Foroyaa has
existed as a Newspaper with the primary motive of defending the sovereignty of
the people for 20 years. As we give solidarity to victims of injustice we must
equally call on all Gambians to make 2008 the year of consolidation of the
Sovereignty of the people.
Foroyaa is older than the APRC administration. We survived the first
Republic, the coup and the Second Republic. We have exposed all the inadequacies of
the First and Second Republics and are convinced that they can never be
addressed until we redouble our efforts to raise the awareness of the people and
consolidate the democratic culture of the sovereignty of the people. Foroyaa
in collaboration with the People’s Centre for Social Science Research, Civic
Awareness and Community Initiative shall intensify this civic education in the
coming year. We are not interested in amassing wealth from the paper. We
will, plough back every butut we earn from the paper to enlighten the Gambian
people. We will help consolidate the culture of the sovereignty of the people
through songs, drama, poetry, arts and literature. The People’s Centre will
establish a Pan African Library and a high grade research centre to produce
learning materials for those literate in the official language, the local
languages and those of the African Union.
To make the Gambian people to be among the most enlightened people on earth
has been Foroyaa’s strategic objective. We therefore call on the Gambian
people in particular, at home and abroad, and just humanity at large, especially
the youth who have more to gain and more to lose, to join us in this urgent
indispensable and noble task of human civilization; the task of enlightening
the people so that Sovereignty or power would truly reside in them and thus
create an impregnable fortress for democracy, liberty, dignity and prosperity
on our soil. The future is bright for those who are ready to shape it by
having a vision and mission to facilitate and consolidate the sovereignty of the
people as the cornerstone of an open, free and democratic society.
Lawyer McCarthy Nearly Sent To Jail
By Fabakary B. Ceesay
Principal Magistrate Moses Richards of the Kanifing Magistrates Court, on
Thursday 11 October, nearly sent senior legal practitioner, Mr. Tubalo McCarthy
to mile prison for contempt of court.
Lawyer McCarthy was representing a defendant before Magistrate Richards. The
complainant wanted to withdraw the case from the court, but the defendant has
to sign a certain document for the withdrawal to be effected. Magistrate
Richards asked the parties, including Lawyer McCarthy to discuss the matter in
order for them to strike an agreement. Mr. McCarthy insisted that his client
would not sign the document and that he intends to proceed with their defence.
Magistrate Richards adviced him to do something to free his client from
custody since he was granted bail by the court but could not meet the conditions
of the bail. There was a push and pull between Magistrate Richards and Lawyer
McCarthy. Mr. McCarthy was cautioned to behave himself or else he would be
sent to jail for contempt of court, but he responded that he would not heed
the advice and that he does not mind to be sent to prison with his client. He
was shouted at the top of his voice and Richards ordered for his arrest. He
was arrested and detained in the company of the accused persons in court, but
Mrs Merley Wood and Njammeh Jallow, the two state counsels, together with
Lawyer sissoho and other police prosecutors intervened and pleaded with the
Magistrate not to send him to jail. Magistrate Richards insisted that he would not
tolerate Mr. McCarthy coming to court drunk and disrupt the court sitting. “
Why should he appear before me when he is drunk? I will not allow it in my
court,” said Magistrate Richards. Magistrate Richards rose and entered his
chamber followed by the two state counsels and Sissoho. They returned after a
while and asked Mr. McCarthy to go home. Mr. McCarthy is a South African Lawyer
who has been practicing law in The Gambia since 1981.
SOS For Trade Clarifies
By Bubacarr K. Sowe
Abdou Kolley, the Secretary of State for Trade, Industry and Employment has
promised that there will be no restrictions to anyone who wants to venture
into the 2007/2008-groundnut trade season.
Speaking to Foroyaa on Monday, Mr. Kolley said the “groundnut sector is
liberal like any other “product.” He said groundnut has ever been liberalized.
He said the sector sometimes have one or two operators and the people tend to
have the impression that it is limited.
“The groundnut sector is liberal. Any investor, who wants to come in, can
come. Be it in production, processing, buying and selling. There is no
restriction,” the Secretary of State said. He added that as far as the groundnut
trade is concerned, the Department of State for Trade would collaborate with the
Department of State for Agriculture and the Department of State for Finance to
create an enabling environment for the operators.
On the issue of buying nuts on credit basis by operators in the past years,
Mr. Colley said there has been government intervention through frameworks and
this year too he is hoping that the same thing would happen. “But I can sit
here today and say to the farmers there is going to be no credit buying. As I
speak now I do not know what is going to be put in place, it has not been
finalized yet.”
He said there is criteria put in place for operators to make sure that
farmers are paid on the spot of buying and any operators who do not satisfy those
criteria will not be eligible to participate in the trade season.
On the sale of other products such as cotton, sesame and cashew nuts, the
Secretary of State assured the general pubic that there are no barriers against
possible investors.
A I Demands Unconditional Release of Staff
Amnesty International today called for the immediate and unconditional
release of its two delegates and a local journalist who was detained with them in
the Gambia.
No charges have been brought against the Amnesty International delegates or
the local journalist.
The organization confirmed that while Tania Bernath, Ayodele Ameen and
journalist Yaya Dampha were conditionally released yesterday evening, they are
still not free to leave the Gambia.
“Our delegates were on a public and official visit to investigate the human
rights situation in the Gambia, and the Gambian authorities had been informed
of their visit,” said Erwin van der Borght, Director of Amnesty International
’s Africa Programme.
“It is completely unacceptable for any government to attempt to impede the
work of human rights workers and we are dismayed that our colleagues and the
local journalist have not yet been unconditionally released. We are taking
this up with the Gambian authorities at a senior level.”
The Amnesty International delegates were in the Gambia looking into various
long-standing concerns the organization has about the human rights situation
in the country, including conditions of detention, arbitrary arrests and
detentions without charge.
Journalists And Scientists To Launch Malaria Research Network
By Bubacarr K. Sowe
“The African Media and Malaria Research Network (AMMREN), will soon be
launched in The Gambia,” said Pa Modou Faal, Country Coordinator of The Gambia
Chapter.
“Plans are at an advanced stage to launch it this month,” Mr. Faal told
Foroyaa on Monday. He said that structures are already in place and
organisations such as the Medical Research Council (MRC), The Centre for Innovation
Against Malaria (CIAM), The National Malaria Control Programme (NMCP) and the
Media are among the partners.
“Our coming together will reduce the Malaria toll on the public through
vigorous campaign and close collaboration with scientists and experts working in
the area of malaria,” Mr. Faal stated.
The AMMREN Country Coordinator went on to say that their programmes will
include the training of journalists on how to give adequate attention to topics
related to malaria. The network will be publishing a quarterly magazine as
well.
This body came as a result of a workshop on malaria reporting for African
journalists in November 2006 in Ghana.
It was subsequently launched in Mombassa, Kenya on April this year at a
follow up workshop. According to Mr. Faal it was recommended at the Mombassa
meeting that the nine member countries (The Gambia, Ghana, Malawi, Mozambique,
Gabon, Kenya, Senegal and Nigeria) have AMMREN chapters.
Army Warns Civilians And Sister Forces
By Fabakary B. Ceesay
The Army Spokesman, Lieutenant Alagie Sanneh, has warned the general public
and other security personnel in the country to desist from wearing military
outfit. He said camouflage uniform is for soldiers only and not other security
officers, much less civilians.
Lieutenant Sanneh said it had come to the notice of the Army that civilians
and personnel from other sister forces wear military uniforms. He said some
soldiers who are dismissed from the Army are also of the habit of putting on
military clothes so as to deceive the society that they are still in the army.
PRO Sanneh revealed that they do receive complaints from the public that
people dressed in military clothes have committed unlawful acts. He explained
that when such incidents are reported, they do conduct investigations and often
discover that the culprits are not soldiers, but impersonators. “Nobody is
allowed to put on military gears such as Caps, T-shirts and trousers. The
Armed Forces Spokesman said that the military police are responsible for
confiscating military clothes from anyone who is not a soldier, but was quick to add
that while executing such a task they should not act in any arrogant manner
but rather with respect and discipline. He said they have piles of military
clothes that were confiscated from the ports before they entered our markets.
PRO Sanneh was informed of an allegation that a military police in uniform
entered a shop at the Serekunda market the previous week and seized five sets
of children’s camouflage clothes. In response, he said children’s clothes
are not included because they cannot be used for the purpose of impersonation.
PRO Sanneh warned soldiers to desist from such acts and promised to mount an
investigation into the allegation and that if it turns out to be true, the
clothes would be returned to the owner. He emphasized the need for a cordial
civil - military relationship in order to facilitate their work. He said
civilians and security personnel should not see each other as enemies.
Mental Health Day Commemorated
By Sarjo Camara Singhateh
October 10, every year, the world over, World Mental Health Day is
commemorated and this year’s theme is “Mental Health in a changing world: The
impact of culture and Diversity”.
According to the statements read by the World Health Organisation’s (WHO)
Representative to the Gambia, Dr. Nestor Shivute and the Secretary of State for
Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Tamsir Mbowe on the day, it is indicated that
this year’s theme further reiterates that fact that but with emphasis on
bringing the world’s attention to trans-cultural mental health services and
treatment. The WHO Representative said that World Mental Health Day is an annual
campaign and a golden opportunity for all of us, irrespective of who we are,
where we are and what we do, to reflect on the plight of the mentally ill,
and to take the necessary action for the promotion of the mental well-being of
our communities.
Dr. Shivute said the day is not only dedicated to awareness raising on
mental issues, but it is about taking the right decisions, putting the right
policies in place and taking the appropriate actions at all levels for the
prevention and control of mental and neurological disorders. Dr. Shivute said The
Gambia is in the forefront in mobilizing the much needed policy support for the
promotion of mental health in the country. “The development of a mental
health policy and a strategic plan is a clear testimony of the Department of
State for Health’s resolve to improve the mental well-being of the Gambian
community”, he said.
The WHO Representative said what is now left it to raise the necessary
resources for the realization of the goals and ideals contained in these policy
document. He stated that it will be recalled that last year we focused
attention on Building Awareness-Reducing Risk, Mental illness and suicide; that poor
Mental Health Status of our populations can lead to negative health
implications.
Dr. Shivute, however, said it must be emphasized that just as health is not
merely the absence of disease, mental health is also not simply the absence
of mental disorder, but represents a positive state of mental well-being and
no meaningful health can be achieved without positive mental well-being.
“We do not have to conduct any scientific research to establish these facts
as some of these changes are just at our door steps,” he said. In the mental
health care setting, culture impacts on how people label and communicate
distress; explain the causes of mental health problems; perceive mental health
providers, and utilize and respond to mental health treatment.
On his part, Dr. Mbowe said understanding and tolerance of all cultures and
lifestyles is crucial in the delivery of competent mental health care. He
said in 1948, following the devastation of world war II, the founding document
of World Federation of Mental Health (WFMH) called for a world community based
on “respect for individual and cultural differences. It proclaimed the goal
of mental health as the ability to “live with one’s fellow in one world”. He
said by advocating equal treatment and opportunity for all, regardless of
culture, ethnicity or socio-economic status, and including refugees, mentally
ill persons and women, the new federation challenged the values and practices
of traditional and authoritarian societies. “The underlying message is that
health and well-being cannot survive either, the violation of basic freedoms
or the deprivation of basic needs,” he noted.
Economics Is A Science; Lets Look Before We Leap
By Suwaibou Touray
First and foremost, the Dalasi was pegged to the British Pound since
independence and it had been re-valued sometime in the late 1970’s because of the
strength of the British Pound.
The pound sterling is always strong because a huge deposit of gold that
Britain had accumulated has been backing it since from her imperial days. The
gold is historically used as a medium of exchange in trade and this is why it is
used as a valuable commodity to back or serve as guarantor of currencies
because the value of the gold hardly depreciates.
This is precisely why many currencies are being backed by gold. The problem
with our currency is that it is not backed by gold anymore, since it has been
detached from the pound sterling in 1985.
The development of economic science had made it easy so that now the Central
Banks in developing countries do not have to hold actual gold for Dollars
worth .All that was required is confidence in the currency .So if a country
cannot buy Gold to back its currency, it can achieve confidence by utilizing its
currency to buy the currency of strong economies such as Britain (the
Sterling) which is backed by Gold or the US Dollar which is popular in
International reserves because of the domination of the US over the World economy and
ofcourse the fairly stable history of its currency. Their currency is also
strenghtened by the buying of US Treasury Bills that can easily be converted to
Dollar denominated Assets.
According to the Secretary of State for Finance, the Gambia is paying its
debts from the Central Bank reserves. In most cases, developing countries have
only three to four months import cover just in case there is an emergency
problem such as a disaster etc. Reserves help countries to manage the risks they
face, and it builds up confidence in both the country and its currency.
In economic terms reserves form a buffer against un- expected changes in the
cost of debt by an increase in interest rates. Reserves can also be used to
manage the exchange rate. Without Reserves the exchange rate can fall, often
quite dramatically, as speculators seeking profit or what they called
currency manipulators sell a country’s currency.
According to researchers, instability in exchange rates can lead to enormous
economic instability. It has also been discovered that if a country engages
in what they called countervailing; i.e. buying the country’s currency when
others are selling the country’s currency when others are buying –Government
can stabilize the exchange rate and thereby stabilize the economy.
Mark you, this can only be done by selling dollars to buy the local currency
if they indeed have adequate reserves to sell .The danger in this is that if
you use your limited reserves in Dollars to buy your own currency and should
there be an emergency it can have a serious negative effect leading to
economic crisis.
So as you know by 1986 it was felt by the government at the time that the
Dalasi was over valued and therefore found necessary to effect what they called
a fundamental reform of the foreign exchange system in order to induce
efficient allocation of resources. As a result, the Dalasi was floated through the
introduction of a flexible inter-bank system.
According to the government, one immediate result of this measure was the
curtailment of a thriving “Black market” in foreign currency, so that the
margin in exchange rates between the “Black market” and Commercial Bank rate
could be narrowed.
Since the Dalasi is not backed by gold, it can be made strong only by one of
three ways. 1. The Gambia must make effort to produce raw materials as such
as groundnut in good quality and in large quantity. This can also be
transformed into value added products leading to the production of more commodities
for export.
The Gambia also produces cotton, this can be ginned and subsequently
transformed into cotton wool, clothing etc, which can be exported to other countries
to generate the much needed foreign exchange.
The country is also blessed with the ocean. If we are serious about the
development of our economy, the ocean can be utilized as a springboard to
generate immense resources by investing in this sector. Fish and fish products are
required everywhere in the world. So if we adequately invest in this sector,
it can employ quite a large percentage of the citizenry as well as generate
foreign exchange. It is these wealth and resources, which go to back the
Dalasi and thereby make the economy not only stable but to grow as well.
It is the resources and wealth of the European countries, which are terribly
needed by the world that we have to buy the Euro to buy those merchandise.
Similarly it is the merchandise produced in the Gambia that must attract
outsiders to buy the Dalasi in order to get those goods. The interesting thing is
that despite the fact that the Dalasi is not guaranteed by gold, despite the
fact that the main foreign exchange earner groundnuts and cotton have not
fared well in 2007 and the impression given to was that there is too much
foreign currency in stock which is not needed by anyone since there is no scramble
over the Euro or dollar. Therefore their rates have depreciated against the
Dalasi. The other interesting thing is that the Dalasi is appreciating against
not only one but all the other international currencies. This is what
baffles many people.
Well, the Dalasi can have periodic appreciation against other currencies if
other currencies fluctuate. For example, the Dollar has fluctuated recently
because the interest rates in America had gone down, reducing the scramble for
the Dollar. Other countries can also reduce the power of their currencies so
as to encourage business between them and other countries as it was done
with the Euro sometime ago. Right now the Euro countries are contemplating as to
whether to reduce the strength of the Euro for the second time to facilitate
trade between them and other countries. When that happens, smaller
currencies can appreciate against it.
Secondly, Central Banks or governments can re-value a currency and peg it
upwards just like they can devalue it. If they revalue it, it means the value
has gone up. For example, the value of D5 would be equivalent to D4 and what
D5 used to purchase, D4 would be able to acquire that, and so on. Revaluation
however should not be done without the proper assessment of the economy, just
like the sort of assessment done to devalue the Dalasi in 1986. Law should
back this type of revaluation or devaluation.
It is however highly unlikely as some opinions suggest that commercial banks
may have a lot of foreign currency in stock that is the reason why they are
not willing to buy foreign currency. The lack of foreign currency was what
led to the high price of the Dollar and the Euro. How will the banks be stocked
with foreign currency when the export volume of the country is at an all
time low? However, we cannot discount it because of the International Bank
secrecy laws. They may do so just to avoid bankruptcy So as you can see
the only two possible methods to stabilize the exchange rate in the absence of
exports is for the Central Bank to utilize its reserves in Dollars to buy the
Dalasi when people are selling it or to sell it when people are buying it.
The other method, which is unconventional, is for speculators to bring in huge
amounts of foreign exchange and buy the Dalasi when people are selling it or
sell it when people are buying it just for the sake of profit making. It
however remains to be seen how there can be a strong macro-economic stability
without exporting our cash crops and investing in the productive sectors of the
economy
So as it stands it is very important that our economists undertake to study
our economy, which appears to be volatile, so as not to venture into non-
conventional methods, which may not be sustainable in the long run by resulting
to things such as capital flights or reduced investor confidence.
Mark you; Gambia has to pay debts due for repayment and that too must be
paid in foreign currency not in Dalasi. We are a Highly Indebted Poor Country
(HIPC) which has taken loans from left, right and center .As a result of the
IMF conditions we will not be able to meet the basic needs of the citizenry and
will not be able to make the necessary investments which we must do if we
are to grow out of this poverty trap. So let us look before we leap or else we
will falter.
According to Stiglitz, the debt relief sought by HIPC countries is done in
ways that detract a country from acquiring other sources of assistance.
According to him debt relief was a powerful tool for the IMF to compel such
countries like The Gambia to go along with almost anything it demanded. According to
him some type of debts are incurred by Governments that are either not
democratically chosen or are civilian dictatorships, and the borrowed money may
even have helped a brutal regime to stay in power.
Researchers also noticed that some lenders do give loans to countries either
for political reasons, such as to buy economic favour to gain access to rich
mineral resources or to gain support in the UN general Assembly, etc.
So as Stiglitz asserted, it is even immoral to force the people of those
debtor countries to pay such debts.
MARRIAGE AND FAMILY
Discrimination In The Family
Part 2
News Of Her Appointment
Haja was not aware. She came to work and continued her normal schedule. Co
workers came to congratulate her. “For what!” She exclaimed. “You are
promoted to the rank of a Perm Sec. It is being announced over radio”. They said. “
What? Unbelievable!” “No! it is not. You deserve more. You are a deligent
team leader. We wish you well madam”. “Thank you”. She said. Then her mobile
rank. The call was from the Secretary of State (SoS). “Congratulations Madam!
You have been promoted. Keep up the momentum!” “Thank you Ma! Thank you!”
She exclaimed with excitement.
Gives News To Daughters
Bani was doing laundry at the backyard. Her mum called to give the good
news. Bani jumped up the sky. “What? Mum! Congrats! Let me inform Zai. She is in
her room”. “Okay! I am coming just now. We need celebration”. “Thank you
mum! Thank you!” Bani shouted Sai’s name. “Zainab! Zainab! Come good news!
Good news!” Zai came but rushing. “What is the good news? I am all ears”. “Mum
is promoted to the rank of a Permanent Secretary. Our class status is
raised. Don’t you get it?” The two girls rejoiced and thanked Allah.
Mummy Comes Home
Mum came to a happy home. They cooked a delicious dish, drank juice and
played music. “It is great!” They all exclaimed.
Transfer To New Quarters
The family relocated to Government Quarters. Senior Servants have
privileges. The family was very happy. Zai lamented missing the old house. “Nonsense!
Try to get and appreciate class. How can we stay at the old house when Mum’s
status have risen?” They started their girlish arguments again. Mum stopped
them. “Not again! New year new style. Forget about the old squabbles and start
all over again”. She advised. “Lets eat, drink and be merry for tomorrow we
may die”. She said.
New Style
Bani dressed to go to the shop. Mum called her back. “Look at your dress!
You look like a Slut at Red Light District. You are making yourself a victim of
abuse. Go back into your room and change your immoral dress”. Bani defended
herself. “I thought it okay. I am just buying bread at the shop”. “Is the
shop not in the street? Go in there and change. I am not entertaining any
argument”. “Okay!” Bani went back and changed her dress reluctantly.
Zai With A Male Friend
A male course colleague, Mustapha came to share notes with Zainab. As they
were discussing, Mum entered the compound. Zai was scared to death. She
signaled Mustapha to leave. Mum passed him on his way out. He greeted her but she
refused to respond. “Who is he?” She asked her daughter. “He is Mustapha, my
course mate. He came for us to share notes”. “Nonsense! I disallow and
forbid it! Men are callous and mean. They take advantage of naive fools like you.
Take care of yourself. Be focus!” “Okay mum!” Zai responded. She was glad to
cool off the temperature. Mum asked for Bani. “She is out mum”. Zai replied.
Transfer To The New House
They are now officially transferred to the new house with an official car
and orderly to escort Haja Oumu around.
High Class Life
Haja criticized her gateman. “Come here Musa! What is this?” She examined
his dress. “Your shirt is torned and rumpled! Have you quarrel with iron? Look
at you shoes! You wore slippers to manage my gate? Go and change your dress
and wear sandals. If I ever see you dress like this again, you’ll be sacked!
Get out of my sight”. Mose went to change to secure his job.
Meeting Heads Of The Various Regions
Haja called a meeting of the Educational Heads of Regions. They all
attended. She gave her sets of rules. One officer tried to rectify her but she
blasted him. “Shut up! No one interrupts while I speak. You have to obey my
instructions without any hesitation. I worked in the field for forty years. I know
what is there. I did an exemplary work at Region one. That’s why I was
recalled to handle Region Two before my present promotion. Do as I say. I was there
before you. Okay! Go back to your various regions and implement my orders.
Understood!” “Yes ma!” They responded. Before she left a lady raised her hand.
“Yes!” “Madam! We cannot make any observation or comment?” “It is
unnecessary. I have spoken. Good day!” She left. The heads of Regims shook their
heads. “She was rude and disgusting!” they exclaimed.
Taking To SoS
As Haja talked to SoS you noticed total submission. She became a humble
servant. “Yes ma! I understand. Okay! Consider it done. Bye-bye”. She put down
her phone. SoS was asking Haja to do an errand for her. If you look up, you
have to look down.
At Home
Saul came to visit his girl friend. The orderly announced that a visitor is
asking after Zai. “Who is he? Has he a car?” “Madam! I don’t know him. He
came on foot”. Let him come in”. Haja said nonchalantly
Visitor Is Questioned
Saul came in and greeted Haja. She answered snobbishly and refused to give
him a seat. She called Zai. She came into the sitting room. She was excited to
see Saul. As she went to greet him Haja stopped her. “Stop! Sit down! Don’t
go to him”. Zai sat down. She felt embarrassed. Haja started her questioning.
She belittled and discriminated against Sulayman. “Who are you? Who are your
parents? Where do you work?” She did not give him time to answer the
questions. Zai protested. “Offer him a seat for Allah’s sake. Why are you
embarrassing my friend with all these irrelevant questions?” “Nonsense! Shut up! He
has to answer before he is welcomed in my home”. “Well! My name is Sulayman
Faal. I am an accountant working at the Continental Bank. My parents are poor
peasants living at the village”. “You are below our class. You cannot marry
my daughter. Get out of my house!” Zai wanted to follow him. “Stop! Go into
your room”. Haja ordered.
West African Workshop On Spectrum Management Ongoing
By Annia Gaye
The Gambia Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA) in collaboration
with the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) are jointly organizing a
five day West African Workshop on Spectrum Management at the Paradise Suite
Hotel. The workshop commenced on the 8 of October and would end on the 12
October.
In delivering her keynote address, the Secretary of State for Communication
and Information Technology Neneh Macdouall Gaye said the Government of the
Gambia through her department of state is determined to push the agenda of a
liberalized market for telecommunications and allied sectors. This, she said,
means that they are encouraging and promoting competition, putting in place
the needed policy, legal and institutional framework so as to attract
investment, especially in the technology intensive sector. This, she said, is vital to
the transformation of knowledge, economy and integration in the global
economy. She noted that the workshop would provide an opportunity for member
states of ECOWAS to cooperate and collaborate in ensuring that qualitative
spectrum standards are maintained and the incidence of interference minimized so
that it would not affect flexibility and economic efficiency.
“As this workshop focuses on technical efficiency, let us all look for
sustainable solutions and the need to tackle a host of related problems, such as
the use of faulty or non-standard equipment, the need to assist each other in
dealing with unauthorized or illegal use of frequencies, handling the effects
of spillover signals from neighbouring jurisdictions, using appropriate
levels of power and pooling of resources and finding the optimum location for
antennae against the back ground of increasing environment and health and safety
concerns”, she said.
She reiterated that spectrum is a national resource whose efficient
management at national level and harmonization at the international level are
required if they take optimum advantage of its potential so as to facilitate and
enhance communication and development. She informed the gathering that, the
Gambia has started drawing up a National Spectrum plan based on the ITU’s
regional location. She said the coordination of spectrum management is a shared
responsibility between the regulator and the policy maker. SoS Gaye urged the
participants to look at the plethora of ongoing work and issues such as WRC
recommendations, The International Technology Agreement (ITA) with its commitment
to remove tariffs on equipment imports Basic Agreement on Telecommunications
(BAT) and APEC’s Mutual Recognition Agreement (MRA) for mutual equipment
type approval procedures. She concluded by challenging participants to make
effective use of this forum towards the achievements of these note objectives.
In GNTU Forgery Trial
Accused Cross Examined
By Modou Jonga
The forgery trial involving the former first vice president of The Gambia
National Transport Union (GNTU), Mr. Abdoulie Sosseh and the state, proceeded
on Tuesday 9 October, 2007 with the cross examination of the accused by
prosecutor ASP Camara.
While being cross examined before Magistrate Njie, Mr. Sosseh reiterated
that he is the wrong person to be charged with the preferred charge and that
the executive committee should have been charged with forgery. He noted that he
was part of the executive committee. Mr. Sosseh told the court, that the
official address of the Union was at ECOWAS Avenue in Banjul and that its
membership cards bear the signatures of the Union’s President and General
Secretary.
The accused agreed with the prosecution, that exhibit B bears his signature
but that the official address on it is not his. Mr. Sosseh stated that the
executive committee decided to change the Union’s membership cards in order to
tap funds.
The accused told the court that the signatures of the union President and
General Secretary were removed on the Union membership cards because the duo
were absent at numerous meetings despite attempts to have them present at a
time when the Union was moving towards organizing a congress.
The accused agreed with the prosecution that any functional Union should
have minutes of their meetings kept. He noted that all the minutes of the
meetings that resulted in the change of the letter head and membership cards were
taken. He noted that the said minutes were filed and put under the
responsibility of one Assan Bojang. Mr. Sosseh agreed with the prosecution that the said
changes were meant to enhance accountability of the sales of the membership
cards. The accused stated that four branches of the Transport Union and a
group of workers who registered with the Union were supplied with new membership
cards and that he has record of the branches that were supplied with the
membership cards and the money generated from its sale.
Trial of Suspected Senegalese Dissidents Deferred
By Abdou Jeli Keita
The trial of the eight suspected Senegalese dissidents, did not proceed due
to the absence of the trial Magistrate B.Y Camara of the Banjul Magistrates
Court. Principal Magistrate B.Y Camara’s absence was due to the fact that he
was bereaved.
The eight accused persons, Sidat Jobe, Ebrima Vieux’ Colley, Nuha Jammeh,
Lamin Teww Sambou, Tamsir Badjie, Joseph Jatta, Ansumana Jarju and Abdou Salam
Jammeh are arraigned in court on four counts of criminal charges, namely;
conspiracy to commit felony, spying, receiving stolen properties and unlawfully
possessing Gambian National Identity Card.
When all the eight accused persons were arraigned, they all pleaded not
guilty to the charges on counts one, two and three, but on count four, all but
the third accused (Nuha Jammeh) pleaded guilty.
Outgoing Tallinding UBS Students Express Frustration
By Musa Barrow & Madiba Singhateh
Students who sat for The Gambia Basic Examination Certificate (GABEC) at
Tallinding Upper Basic School have expressed their frustration over the
withholding of their results by the West African Examination Council (WAEC). Talking
to these reporters, the outgoing Grade nine (9) students of the aforesaid
school who are also the school’s second batch of students revealed their utter
shock over what they described as ‘an unfortunate development.’
Speaking to this paper, one Lamin Tunkara, who is one of those students
caught in this limbo, said he was completely devastated when he heard the news
that his school’s results are being withheld. He also explained that he and his
colleagues are in a dilemma since they can neither stay at Tallinding Upper
Basic School nor progress to any senior secondary school. Tunkara told these
reporters that he has been continuously going to Tallinding Upper Basic
School for two consecutive weeks with the expectation that they would hear
something about their fate, but this is always greeted with disappointment and
frustration and that nothing is being said or done about their plight. He
lamented that this seemingly endless ordeal put him and his batchmates under immense
pressure, something which he described as unfair because they did nothing
wrong. However, he gave several alternatives which he believes can get them out
of this ordeal. He first suggested that since the subject under
investigation is science, let the West African Examination Council cancel their science
grades and released their results on the other subjects. Tunkara further
suggested that if his first alternative is not workable, let him and his
colleagues be given the chance to re-write their papers.
John Gomez, also a student said the sheer frustration he and his colleagues
found themselves in is quite upsetting and needs to be addressed.
It could be recall that the West African Examinations Council issued a press
release, a fortnight ago, announcing the withholding of the results of
Tallinding Upper Basic Grade nine (9), the release stated that WAEC was
investigation an alleged examination malpractice linked to Tallinding Upper Basic
School.
Furthermore, when, this reporter contacted West African Examination Council
(WAEC) for their comment on the plight of these outgoing students of
Tallinding Upper Basic School, he was told by one Sherrif Touray that WAEC is not in
a position to say anything about the matter. Mr. Touray instead directed this
reporter to speak to the Principal of Tallinding Upper Basic School.
When the principal of Tallinding Upper Basic School Mrs. Fatoumata Ceesay
was approached by this paper she declined to comment and instead referred this
reporter to the Permanent Secretary Department of State for Basic Secondary
Education.
Sainey Nyassi Scores in Revs Reserves
By Modou Nyang
Under – 20 starlet Sainey Nyassi scored for the New England Revolution
reserve team increasing his tally to two in the MLS reserves league division.
Sainey scored to put the Revs back on terms after trailing Chicago Fires
when John Thorrington scored in first half to put the ahead. Collecting a
through ball from Andy Dorman, Nyassi worked the defenders around with his
trademark runs and beating the Fire’s substitute keeper Nick Noble to the far post.
This is Sainey’s second goal for club New England Revolution in the reserve
division. He and fellow countryman and teammate Abdoulie Mansally earlier
scored in a 4-0 hammering of New York Red Bulls reserves on 24th of September.
The Gambian duo scored in the 80th and 90th minutes to hand Revolution a
convincing win. Sainey headed in Wells Thompson cross and Mansally fired from
outside of the penalty area when Nyassi’s cross got tangled in defence.
The young youth internationals have already won gold in their first season
in the MLS league. New England Revolution defeated FC Dallas 3-2 in the US
Open Cup to lift their first ever trophy. And their stock is on the rise as they
continue to feature regularly on the substitute bench and sometimes are
given the nod to showoff their skills.
New England Revolution are second on the Eastern Conference league table
collecting 49 points with only two matches remaining. They host Columbus Crew
tomorrow at the Gillette Stadium before traveling to Toronto FC for their last
match.
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