Foroyaa Newspaper Burning Issues
Issue No.107/2007, 12-13 September, 2007
Editorial
Two Systems, One Country
Amendment of the Constitution
The APRC members of the National Assembly have passed a Bill to amend
section 194 paragraph (c), which states that an Act of the National Assembly by or
under which a local government authority is established shall include a
provision for
“The direct election of mayor or chairman of the authority.”
It was the intention of the constitution to have autonomous councils. This
is why section 193 subsection (1) states that “Local Government administration
in The Gambia shall be based on a system of democratically elected councils
with a high degree of local autonomy.
Subsection (4) buttresses the issue of autonomy by asserting that “It shall
be an objective of the local government system that as far as possible,
issues of local policy and administration shall be decided at the local level and
that local government authorities shall coordinate with the central
Government in adopting a policy of decentralisation. Decentralisation goes with the
devolution of power to the councils comprising elected representatives.
The APRC government, however, has shown without any pretension that it is
not interested in autonomous councils or the devolution of power to local
authorities.
This is confirmed by the amendment of the Constitution and the Local
Government Act.
When the Local Government Act was initially enacted, section 15 gave the
chairperson of a council the following powers:
“(1) A Chairperson shall be the political head of the Local Government Area
and shall –
(a) preside at Council meetings;
(b) supervise the general administration of the Area; and
(c) perform such other functions as may be imposed on the Chairperson
by this or any other enactment that may be necessary for the efficient
conduct of the business of a Council.
(2) The Chairperson shall be answerable to the Council in the performance of
his or her functions and shall uphold the Constitution, the council’s By-laws
and the laws of The Gambia.
(3) The Chairperson shall submit to the Council an annual report on the
state of affairs of his or her Local Government Area.”
The amendment in 2004 removed the role of the chairperson being the
political head of the local government area. The amendments in 2006 removed the power
of the council and made the chairpersons answerable to the governors in the
following words:
“The Chairperson shall be answerable to the governor in the performance of
his or her functions.” Under the Local Government Act a chairperson could be
removed for abuse of office, corruption, misconduct and physical or mental
incapacity which renders a person incapable of discharging the duties associated
with office.
However, it was to be subjected to review by a tribunal set up by the Chief
Justice. Now it is the Secretary of State who receives notice indicating
that irregularity has been done by the chairperson. The Secretary of State can
suspend the Chairperson and investigate allegations and report findings to the
president.
Under section 51, “the Secretary of State empowered to make recommendations
to the council for the removal of any member of the council including the
chairperson, if the irregularity concerns any action or omission of the members.”
The Secretary of State can “give such other directions as the Secretary of
State may deem appropriate to deal with the situation and the council shall
comply accordingly.”
What then is left of the autonomy of councils? Absolutely nothing!!!
The Gambian people should now reflect on how the colonialist intended to
rule The Gambia and determine for themselves whether there had been any change
in rural administration since the colonial period. Now the commissioners are
called governors. Chiefs are supposed to have paramount chiefs. They can all
be removed by the executive without resorting to any judicial inquiry.
When the Constitution Review Commission was established it was mandated to
review the 1970 Constitution and determine its adequacy or otherwise for the
good governance of the country.
The 1970 Constitution did not have a provision dealing with Local Government.
The Commission took note of this and recommended for the eradication of the
system of dividing the country into provinces and a city with two different
sets of administration.
Foroyaa would want people to recall what it said that the democratic
provisions could only be kept alive electing democratically minded leaders otherwise
amendments will take us back to square one. This is precisely what is
happening today.
The lesson should, therefore, be clear that it is the government of the day
in collaboration with the National Assembly of the day who pass and assent to
laws, respectively.
Constitutions and laws do not make themselves, they are made by people.
Hence if we want laws which would empower the people we should elect
representatives interested in empowering the people.
The type of representatives we have will determine the type of laws we will
have. The laws of the country are creation of the people we elect. Every law
we disapprove should lead us to rethink who we are to elect to be lawmakers.
Where Are Malick Jones and Mam Sait Ceesay?
Malick Jones and Mam Sait Ceesay are the latest journalists to disappear.
They could not be found at home or their offices, while it is rumoured that
they have been arrested and detained, though the security forces deny this.
According to information reaching Foroyaa, the duo were arrested by the security
agents last Sunday and taken to the National Intelligence Agency (NIA)
Headquarters in Banjul and later to the police headquarters.
However, when contacted, the police Public Relations Officer (PRO),
Inspector Secka, asked our reporter to wait while he cross-checked with the crime
management and control unit of the police. He later said they were not under
police custody.
This reporter was later informed that the two journalists are currently
being detained at the NIA headquarters. When contacted, the NIA maintained that
the two are not under their custody.
If the information given by the security is anything to go by, then what
Foroyaa can say is that the two have disappeared and the state should do all it
can to find the two journalists.
Mr. Malick Jones is a radio broadcaster with the national radio for decades
and Mam Sait Ceesay is a press officer at the Office of the President. The
reason for their arrest is not known.
Social Forum Demands Extension of EPAS Negotiation
By Bubacarr K. Sowe
The Gambia Social Forum demanded the extension of the deadline of
negotiations of the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPAs) between the European Union
(EU), on the one hand, and the African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) countries,
on the other.
Speaking at a sensitisation workshop for commercial farmers on the EPAs on
Saturday, September 8, at the Paradise Suites Hotel, the Chairperson of the
Social Forum, Sirra Ndow said the deadline for negotiations should be extended
beyond December 2007 for an additional three years.
Ms. Ndow recommended to Africas trade ministers as well as those in the
Pacific and Caribbean regions not to sign the EPAs in their present form and
should ensure that EPAs are aligned with national and regional development
priorities and the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).
The Social Forum chairperson urged the civil society organizations to
monitor the EPAs negotiations and conduct independent assessment of the
implications of the EPAs on the African economies.
Ms. Ndow cautioned that the coming into force of the EPAs would result in
significant declines in government revenue due to loss of custom duties on EU
imports, which will deter social investment in the case of The Gambia by US$
40.719 million annually.
She said that reduction in allocations in key areas such as education,
health and agriculture would take place.
In 2000, the ACP countries and the EU signed the Cotonou partnership
agreement, replacing the Lome Convention. Under the Lome Agreement, the ACP
countries had free non-reciprocal access to the EU market for nearly all products and
a wide range of agricultural products. Since 2002, negotiations are on-going
for a World Trade Organisation (WTO) compatible reciprocal trade agreement
referred to as the Economic Partnership Agreements, which if signed by the
seventy-five ACP countries by January 2008, will open the ACP markets for EU
products with tariffs.
Buba Khan of Action Aid International-The Gambia, one of the strongest
advocates against the EPAs, said they would be more severe in their impact than
the World Bank/International Monetary Fund structural adjustment policies, as
well as the WTO agreements.
Mr. Khan said: “The EPA negotiations are being conducted between some of the
world’s richest countries, which have a combined GDP of US$ 13, 300 billion,
and six small groups of ACP countries. SADC $ 66.4 billion, ECOWAS $ 162.3
billion ESA$ 67.7 billion, Central Africa $ 47 billion, Pacific $ 9.4 billion
and the Caribbean $72.1 billion.”
He said the potential impact of the EPAs would be intrinsically unfair
competition between large and highly competitive producers or exporters from the
EU in relation to the much smaller and weaker counterparts in the ACP
countries.
He also warned that it will lead to trade deficits in the weaker economies,
contributing to balance of payments difficulties, continued external
indebtedness and continuing aid dependency.
Lamin Dampha, principal economist at the Department of State for Trade,
Industry and Employment, said The Gambia would certainly require budgetary
support to cushion the effects of revenue loss as a result of the EPAs.
On balance of payment, the economist said the 42% increase in imports would
require twenty-two fold increase in exports to achieve trade balance in post
full EPAs.
Amadou Taal of The Gambia Social Forum said the development aspects of the
EPAs need to be looked into.
“Not just focusing on trade but development,” Mr. Taal said.
He noted that development aspect of the EPAs should adjust the production
sectors, improve competitiveness of the economic operators, establish links
between complimentary enterprises and shift trade specialization towards higher
value added goods and services.
Kekoi Kuyateh, the Deputy Permanent Secretary at the Department of State for
Agriculture, said the EPAs would affect developing countries like The Gambia.
Mr. Kuyateh said the implications on food security and the economy are clear
to all the players in the negotiations and the developing countries are on
the weaker side.
He has foreseen that the developing countries will be turned to dumping
grounds of EU goods with the agriculture and service sectors adversely affected.
N.B Read the farmers views in our next edition(s).
Gambia Falls Short on Health Expenditure
By Bubacarr K. Sowe
The Gambia Government has fallen short on the World Health Organisation
(WHO) recommended annual expenditure of US$ 34 on health per person, a new study
revealed. A study to trace the sources of health expenditure in The Gambia
was carried out by the National Health Accounts (NHA) under the Department of
State for Health and Social Welfare with the objective to determine the total
health expenditure from the government, private, parastatals, non-government
organisations and individuals or households out of pocket expenditures.
The NHA report which covered the financial years of 2002, 2003 and 2004 has
not been released yet, but a dissemination workshop held recently at the
Paradise Suits Hotel revealed some of the findings.
According to a paper presented by Sekou Omar Toure, Director of Planning and
Information at the Department of State for Health, it was only Cape Verde
who met the WHO recommendation during the years covered by the NHA study.
It stated that the per capita general government health expenditure was less
than US$ 10 in Cote D’Ivoire, Gambia, Guinea Conakry, Guinea Bissau,
Liberia, Niger, Nigeria, Sierra Leone and Togo.
Among the recommendations forwarded by the Director of Planning and
Information is the need to carry out the second NHA exercise covering 2005, 2006 and
2007, and thereafter make decision on the frequency of subsequent NHA
studies. The recommendations also called for the institutionalization of the NHA and
the establishment of a Permanent NHA advisory and monitoring committee with
a Permanent Secretariat. The NHA findings show that there was 41.9% nominal
growth in the per capita Total Health Expenditure (THE) between 2002 and 2005.
“The per capita (“THE”) was D895 in 2002, D1026 in 2003 and D1203 in 2004"
the study reveals. It added that the total health expenditure was D1, 185,
223, 103 in 2002; D1, 395, 958, 522 in 2003 and D1, 682, 323, 673 in 2004. “
Total expenditure on health as a percentage of GDP in The Gambia was 16.1% in
2002, 13.9% in 2003 and 14.9% in 2004”
Grade 9 Exam Results Released 25 Scored Grade 6
The Department of State for Education has released the results of 2007
Gambia Basic Education Certificate Examinations. Candidates are to receive their
individual results from their respective schools.
The total number of candidates who entered for the examination was 19, 561
students of which 10, 246 male and 9,315 female.
The number of candidates that scored aggregate 6 increase from 3 in 2006 to
25 in 2007. The Top Students with aggregate 6 are:
1. Deborah Akigbogun Gambia Methodist Academy
2. Momodou Musa Bah Gambia Methodist Academy
3. Fatou Joko Conteh Gambia Methodist Academy
4 Mohammed K. Daramy St. Theresa’s Upper Basic
5. Isatou Faal Presentation of Mary
Basic Cycle, Brikama
6. Ceesay Fofana St. Theresa’s Upper Basic
7. Yolande M. Goswell St. Theresa’s Upper Basic
8. Njowene Grey-Johnson Gambia Methodist Academy
9. Madiba Jabbi Farafenni Upper Basic
School
10. Mamadou Jallow St. George’s Upper Basic,
Basse
11. Anna Kah Cates International
Academy
12. Nyima Kinteh Ndow’s Comprehensive
Upper Basic School
13. Mary E. Mendy Ndow’s Comprehensive Upper
Basic School
14. Ousman Minteh Presentation of Mary Basic
Upper Cycle, Brikama
15. Ebrima Njie Gambia Methodist
Academy
16. Yassin Njie Ndow’s Comprehensive
Upper Basic School
17. Yassin Nyan SOS Herman Gmeiner Upper
Basic School
18. Mam Titti Panneh Ebebezer SDA Upper Basic
School
19 Isatou Sanneh Gambia Methodist
Academies
20. Ahmad Tejan Savage Gambia Methodist Academies
21. Pa Sanneh Secka Gambia Methodist Academies
22. Muhammed Touray Gambia Methodist Academies
According to the release, admission to grade 10 should be based on passes in
the core subjects to be decided by boards of governors and not exceeding
aggregate 42.
MARRIAGE AND FAMILY
CHILD BETROTHAL
By Amie Sillah
Part 6
At The Restaurant
It is Amina’s 25th birthday celebration. Uncle Che celebrated it in style.
He is working hard to get Amina focus on him and him alone. He took her to an
exortic restaurant. Amina was tense. Uncle Che enquired what the problem was. “
I am fine. Thanks” She lied. “I think we have to solemnize our
relationship. I have to tie the knot. We have to settle down. I don’t want any more
distraction”. Amina startled. “No Uncle Che! I’ll marry you only after my Bsc. I
have two more years. Give me that chance. Please!” Amina searched his eyes.
He became weakened. “Okay! But be careful. I’ll wait until you complete your
schooling. Immediately after that I have to do something before anything
happens. You are ripe and beautiful Amina! Boys will put you under pressure.
They will buzz at you as bees do to honey. But I love you. I’ll move at your own
pace”. “Thanks Uncle Che! Thank you very much! I know I can always count on
you”. Amina ask for money to buy books and handouts. Uncle Che gave her
D20,000 (twenty thousand dalasis). Amina thanked him.” Only that?” Uncle Che
asked. “Okay!” Amina went and gave him a peck. “That’s my girl!” Then the duo
left the hotel. Uncle Che drove Amina to his resort.
Uncle Che Plays some Tricks
Amina was tense. She went into the guest room and listen to some love songs.
Uncle Che served her a drugged drink. Amina was wise. She refused to drink
the juice. She fell asleep. Uncle Che crept into the guest room to have an
intimate relation with Amina. As soon as he touched her Amina sprang. She was
sweating. “What do you want Uncle? You want to cheat on me? But why? Why can’t
you wait?” “I can’t wait! You are so ripe! I fear rascals will pluck my ripe
fruit before the end of the two years. I’ve paid so much for you. I want to
be your first contact before anyone else”. “Oh thats your plan! I promise
Allah I’ll be pure until the knot is tied”. “Lets tie the knot! Why are you
hesitating? You want to deny me that honour? I don’t trust you Amina. That
rascal have changed your mind”. Uncle Che accused. “I’ll not take it! You have
started again? Take me home. I’ll not spend the night here”. “Wait until the
morning. It is already late!” “I don’t care. Take me home or I hire a cab”
. Uncle Che was force to drive Amina home at 2.am.
Amina Meets Muhammed
Amina took a cab, disguished herself. She met Muhammed at a secret place and
gave him some money for his unkeep since Muhammed’s dad’s embargo is still
in force. Muhammed is under a lot of stress. “Bear a little! Hardship is not
forever!” Amina counseled. “I’ll pay you back Amina! I’ll pay you back!
Amina went back to her classes.
Haja Corners Alhajj
Alhajj was dodging the situation. He is still crossed with his son. “Why
should he defy me? He wants to destroy an important business contact. I’ll not
allow it. He has to recognise my paternal authority,” he sololiqued. Haja
confronted her husband. “Why are you dodging me? Since a fortnigh ago you
promised to normalize with your son but it is still the same. You would not speak to
him and your embargo on his allowance still holds on. He is on his
postgraduate studies. He needs money for his basic needs and you are starving him. You
want him to go and steal?” “Do I care? He disrespects me. He does not take
my advice. I’ve disown him, period!? Alhajj was infuriated. “You disown your
son because of prof? Hear yourself! Prof loves his daughter. You cannot
force a bride onto your son. It never works. Think about it!” Haja walked out on
her husband.
At Home
Uncle Che came to pay a visit. He narrated his encounter with Amina. Mamma
took it lightly. “Its okay! She is yours. You can take her anytime whether the
knot is tied or not”. “Mum! How can you say that? You always teach me to be
chaste. I’ll know ‘manhood’ only at my matrimonial bed when the knot is
tied. Uncle Che have not tie the knot. Until then he has to wait”. “But why not
tie the knot? Uncle Che wants you. You are ripe. The young rascals might
pluck the ripe fruit if the owner is negligent”. “Mamma! Stop it! I’ll not do it
”. Uncle Che became the umpire between mum and daughter. “It’s okay mum! I’
ll wait. Two years is in the corner. Anything to make my priceless jewel
happy!” Uncle Che posited. “Come here! Come here my darling!” Amina came and
stood at the carpet. Uncle Che stroke her hair and sang her love songs. He
caressed her hair.
Muhammed Walks In
Muhammed came and found them in that position. “What!” he exclaimed and
rushed out. Amina noticed him late. Uncle Che gleed amusingly. Amina rushed to
follow him”. What! Come here! This is where you belong”. Amina was depressed
and crying.
Muhammed Comes Home
Muhammed came home very angry. Rokiya was concerned. “Bro! What is eating
you up?” She asked. Muhammed refused to speak to Rokiya. Problem shared is
problem solved”. Rokiya counseled.
Amina Comes Crying
Amina came crying. She begged Muhammed’s parents to intervene. “Beg him for
me! What he saw is not the reality. I can explain”. Muhammed sparked. “You
whore! A cheap lying bitch! You rogue! Double timer! I saw him! I saw Uncle
Che stroking your hair and you were enjoying it while mamma watched on. Your
mum hates me. She wants you to marry Uncle Che, your family benefactor”. Haja
felt pity for Amina. She loves her at first sight. She believes her. Rokiya
loves Amina naturally. She also pitied her. Daddy’s heart softened. He knows
about love. He feels the same for Haja. No family member can make him take
another wife. With or without children he abhors polygamy; and Haja is just
fine, a real wife and partner.
Alhajj Speaks To His Son
“Young man! Take your woman inside your room and talk to her. Iron out your
differences. Sometimes the road is rough and tough. Hear what she has to say.
At least you owe her that!” Muhammed took Amina into his room. “I am sorry
my darling! I am sorry!” Amina cried on Muhammed’s shoulder. “Accepted! I
was jealous! I love you Amina. I cannot imagine you in the arms of another man”
. Muhammed posited.
Alhajj Accepts The Relationship
Alhajj saw reality. He made peace with his family. He accepted Muhammed and
Amina’s relationship. “What cannot be helped must be endured. They love each
other. Who am I poise an obstruction? No one can be an obstruction between
myself and my Haja”. He drew his wife and gave her a peck to the amusement of
the children present. There was fun and laughter. The family knows peace
again.
Aunty Mai’s House
The lovers went to Aunty Mai’s house. Aunty Mai saw reality and called a
spade a spade. She accepted. She narrated her rich person phobia. “My children!
I am sorry! I treated you badly”. She confessed to Muhammed. “I have my
fears. I never like you in the beginning. I thought you want to use and dump my
baby. I am proven wrong. I am sorry. You have respect. You since hang out
with my daughter under thick and thin. I embarrassed you but you never falter.
You truly love my daughter. I can ascertain to that. I wish you well. I bless
your relationship”. Mama shed emotional tears. The lovers were equally
emotional.
Uncle Che Comes In
Uncle Che came into the sitting room and found the lovers in a romantic
mood. They were surprised. He came in a sobre mood. At first, Amina was sued. She
feared a showdown. But Uncle Che surprised all of them. He turned to
Muhammed and said. “I’ve got your note my sweetie lad! I have appreciated your
sentiments and respect. It is difficult to let go but you have spoken the truth.
I have spoken to your dad. I have withdrawn my interest from Amina. I am her
distant Uncle. Her late dad was a friend and a distant cousin. He had served
me well. He was not rich but he was noble. His nobility made him betroth his
only daughter to me to express his gratitude. I accepted to honour his wish. I
came to sponsor Amina from nursery to university with the intention of
making her my fourth wife. Rich men are greedy. But you have taught me another
lesson of life. You are young and single. I am giving you my niece to keep and
to honour, in riches and in poverty, sickness and in health till death makes
you part. Do you agree?” Muhammed got up and knelt before Uncle Che. “I agree
Uncle! I agree! Amina is the love of my life!” “May the good lord bless
your union. I have consented”. Uncle Che embraced the lovers. “Thank you Uncle
Che! Thank you! Well said! You are a true friend indeed!” Aunty Mai said. “
This is a brave move! We are thankful”. Muhammed and Amina concurred.
Muhammed’s House
Prof came to Muhammed’s house. He confronted Alhajj and told him off. “You
connive with your son to betray my daughter. We shall see! I am done with
you. Never call on me for anything!” “Prof! You are a man and a dad just like
me. Love is not easy. Allow Muhammed to make his choice even though his
decision disfavours your daughter. We give birth to our children but we should not
live their lives”. Prof shook his head and said. “I hope Muhammed have not
touched Jami if he did I’ll do what you’ll not like”. Alhajj laughed. No my
dear friend! Jami is not touched, Muhammed have vouched never to touch a woman
until the knot is tied, so Jami is saved. I wish her well”. Prof nodded his
head and left in a rage.
The Lovers Wed
Muhammed and Amina tied the knot. They both opted for a modest ceremony.
Amina proved her honour. Muhammed found her a pure virgin. Uncle Che proved to
be the best of Uncles. He presented a jeep as a weeding gift to the couples.
He praised his niece for preserving herself. He took the place of his cousin
and friend. The couples were grateful and thanked him for everything he had
done for them. They saw him as a mentor and an adviser.
Alhajj sponsored their Hawaii honeymoon. Rokiya wanted to accompany them.
Her parents laughed at her. Muhammed provoked her. “Kiddy! This is honeymoon!
No outsider! Only Amina and Muhammed! Go and get a boyfriend!” Rokiya went and
cuddled to her mum. “Don’t mind them! You’ll celebrate your own”. Rokiya
mocked at Muhammed.
From the honeymoon, the couples proceeded to the U.K where Muhammed
continued to study for his postgraduate course. Amina got her BSC in medicine and
continued to specilise in surgery. Jenny became a gynaccologist and Jackie a
pharmacist. The friends are not yet married but are hopeful.
The End.
West and Central African Human Rights Institute
Amie Sillah Reporting
The West and Central African Human Right Institute (WACAHRI) held its 2nd
Annual Human Rights Advocates Training Programme in Accra, Ghana from 27th
August to 7th September 2007. It was done in collaboration with its partners, The
Media Foundation for West Africa based in Accra, Ghana and the Columbia
State University in New York, U.S.A.
Thirty (30) participants from West and Central Africa participated in the
training programme. They came from thirty human rights organisations.
Professor Kwame Karikari, Executive Director of the Media Foundation for
West Africa (MFWA), opened the training programme. He said that it would be
impossible to attain the Millennium Development Goals without seriously
addressing issues of human rights abuse on the African continent.
Professor Karikari said “we have over the years witnessed violations,
disrespect and trampling of human rights but it is now clear that with
collaboration we can revise the trend”. The two weeks programme, has as its theme “Human
Rights and Development. The United Nations Millennium Development Goals”.
Professor Karikari also said that with democracy taking shape on the
continent, human right issues were now being used as the yardstick to measure the
performance of every government. Professor Karikari also paid tribute to Dr.
Paul Martin, Head of The Columbia Centre for the study of Human Rights for
initiating and supporting WACAHRI.
According to him, the institute was making efforts to become autonomous. He
urged participants to develop a network of activists to defend each other
saying “human rights work is difficult anywhere in the world. I know it provokes
criminals!”
Mrs. Jeannette Quarcoopome, Coordinator of the training programme, said the
event was part of efforts to strengthen the capacity of human rights
advocates to do their work more effectively so as to increase the impact on their
environment. She said although lack of resources had hampered attempts by human
rights activists to bring issues of abuses to bear, they had been able to
make positive changes in their areas of operation.
Participants were divided into four thematic areas chosen according to their
interest area. The thematic areas are
i. Health and Human Rights
ii. Environment and Human Rights
iii. Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment
iv. Rights of Children
Various distinguished sons and daughters of Africa presented Power Point
Presentations on various pertinent topics. A prominent Pan Africanist, Professor
Ernest Wamba-dia Wamba, said that Africa needed self recognition to promote
accelerated growth of the various economies.
Justice Anna Bossman, Acting High Commissioner, Ghana Human Rights
Commission made a brilliant presentation. She emphasized the independence of her
commission. That even though the President of the Republic appoints her but he
cannot dismiss her. She has a tenure of office. Their vote comes from the office
of the Attorney Office. Now her commission is struggling to get direct
funding from the consolidated fund, from the parliament to enable it to be totally
independent of the Executive.
Mr. Femi Falana, President of the West African Bar Association, has said
that the time had come for NGOs to shift focus from the enforcement of civil and
political rights to mobilizing Africans to fight poverty, ignorance and
preventable diseases.
Dr. Bess from Columbia University in New York did the training on strategic
planning, Building Organisational Memory-Database and Fundraising Strategies.
Her University partnered with Media Foundation to make WACAHRI programme
possible.
Topics dealt with were an overview of the MDGs; Conflict and Human Rights-
Refugees and Advocacy Strategies for Promoting Implementation of the MDGs by
Human Rights Organisations; UN Human Rights Instruments and Mechanisms;
Accessing UN Human Rights Institutions. African Human Rights Instruments and
Mechanisms-How to use them; Effective use of International and Regional Mechanism;
Organisational Development, Strategic Planning, Building Organisational
Memory-Database; Organisational Development-Fundraising Strategies, Financial
Development-Financial Management, Budgeting, Financial Reporting; Campaign
Development and Events Organization.
A lot of practical lessons were done to make the learning process easier.
The training session was closed by a representative of the UN system in
Accra, Ghana.
Journalists Capacitated
By Annia Gaye
Madi Ceesay, the President of The Gambia Press Union, said that the role of
the media is to give correct information to the public and also from one
person to another. He noted that giving out wrong information to the public
brings problems and creates damages.
Mr. Ceesay was speaking at the opening ceremony of a one day sensitization
workshop on Gender Sensitization and Capacity Building Training of Trainers
programme for journalists organised by PRO-HOPE International, The Gambia on
Friday 7 September. He challenged journalists to cross check their information
before publication. He thanked PRO-HOPE for organizing such programs for
journalists and urged them to continue. He noted that PRO-HOPE has taken the
media as partners.
He observed that the issues of Gender are very important in our society and
challenged journalists to publish the issue of Gender in their Newspapers.
The Programme Officer PRO-HOPE International Sira Bah gave a brief history
about pro-hope International. She said PRO-HOPE is a voluntary organisation
and its main goals are to promote Gender Sensitivity and sexual reproductive
Health in The Gambia and also the protection of the rights of individuals in
vulnerable circumstances. She noted that their reason for choosing Gender base
violence is to fight the violation of women in our society eg, domestic
violence, early marriage and low education attainment for women and girls. She
revealed that their main strategies are sensitizing women in the community on
women on economic empowerment and also give out scholarship to deserving and
needy students.
Other speakers at the workshop were Musa Sheriff, who delivered a
presentation on Gender Analysis. Nyima Jallow of Gambia Teachers Union on the Analysis
of Gender violence in the Greater Banjul Area and Fatou Touray of the Gambia
daily.
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