50 NADD Supporters Charged

By Habibu Ceesay  & Alhagie Boye

Fifty people purported to be supporters of the opposition coalition
(National Alliance for Democracy and Development) in Upper Saloum have been
charged with illegal possession of Gambian documents, The Independent was
informed.

The fifty were yet to appear before the courts. They were arrested during
the run-up to last Thursday’s by-election in Upper Saloum in which the
incumbent opposition candidate Hamat Bah controversially lost the seat to
Sainey Mbye of the ruling party. They were at first detained in Njau and
Kaur Police Stations respectively. Reports indicated that none of the
arrested 50 supporters were allowed bail. “All their Gambian documents have
been seized,” a source told our reporters.  The people arrested are said to
be from Thaiba, Bantanto, Njau, Panchang, Porli and Kerr Kodu. Speaking to
The Independent shortly after being summoned, Mad Jallow, a 75-year-old man
said he was born in Thaiba in 1930 and has been holding Gambian documents
since 1950. “How can the APRC government of 11 years call me a Senegalese?
Where are the compound taxes I was paying especially when this government
came to power?  I am ready to face the court because the law does not belong
to Yahya Jammeh. It belongs to every Gambian,” he angrily stated. He
criticized President Jammeh for always trying to disgrace elders. “He who
always tries to disgrace elders, God will for sure disgrace you,” he
threatened.

On her part, Councillor Channeh Ceesay of Njau Ward expressed disgust of the
behaviour of the security forces during the run-up to the by-election in the
constituency.

After describing the by-elections in Upper Saloum as neither free not to
talk of its fairness, Ms. Ceesay said the police and immigration officers
have conducted what she described as ‘heavy handed arrest and intimidation’
meted out to their supporters.
She said more than 50 people were arrested and detained in Njau and Kaur
Police Station. “Their actions were very inhuman and against the principles
of democracy and good governance,” she said.

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US Speaks On Border Closure

By Sana Camara

The U.S. State Department has added its voice to the border closure between
The Gambia and Senegal, indicating that the periodic closures by Senegal
disrupts the important re-export trade activity for The Gambia.

According to Fitch Ratings, a website managed by the Bureau of Public
Affairs of the State Department, the relations between The Gambia and
Senegal is “specially important”. The site, which describes Senegal as a
country that completely surrounds The Gambia, resorting to periodic
application of border closures to address scores of “ongoing disputes”
between the two countries have a toll on the country’s re-export activity
that affect both external and fiscal balances.

On the credit outlook, the site described The Gambia as having met a number
of conditions which involve some of the reform areas that have proven
difficult to implement in the past in order to reach ‘floating’ completion
points when the country is expected to receive the full total of U.S.$
67million (D 1,876 Million) in Net Present Value (NPV) terms of debt relief.
Implementation of these reforms, the site added that it would be crucial to
maintain the current rating level, which factors in Highly Indebted Poor
Countries (HIPC) debt relief.

“The rating reflect The Gambia’s good external payment record and an
improved outlook for the medium term sustainability of its external debt
burden as a result of debt relief under the enhanced HIPC initiative”, it
said, adding that qualification was based on satisfactory reform record.

It said strong donor support towards poverty reduction at a donor conference
held in September further supports the ratings, while observing that
together with HIPC debt relief, this will provide a reform anchor, ensuring
that the overall direction of addressing formidable poverty and
institutional and structural reform challenges will be positive.

Meanwhile, The Gambia’s economic strengths were defined as relatively sound
monetary and exchange rate policy; debt relief and reforms anchored by HIPC
initiative; significant future aid flows as a result of the donor
conference; low debt service and strong external liquidity, as well as good
external payment record.

Weaknesses were also said to be related to what it describes as “fiscal
slippages” which according to the site, undermines public finances, weak
public institutions and administrative capacity, narrow-based economy, weak
infrastructure (particularly electricity), significant poverty and other
social challenges as well as periodic border closures by Senegal.


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Ghanaian Dies After Release From Custody

A Ghanaian, resident in The Gambia, Daniel Adjei Banin (alias Kantinka)
allegedly died from starvation and torture shortly after he was released
from Gambian police custody in a bizarre sequence of incidents.

News from Ghana indicated that Magistrate Moses Richards ordered Mr. Banin
to be put in police custody after he sued an Englishman residing in The
Gambia. The man had allegedly duped him of a huge sum of money on the
promise of trafficking him to Europe. Upon reporting the case to the court,
according to the Ghana News Agency, the magistrate instead of calling the
case for appropriate hearings, demanded from the Ghanaian to produce his
alien’s identity card and resident permit, which he duly provided. The news
agency further indicated that the magistrate went ahead to demand that Mr.
Banin provides an expatriate tax certificate. He however reportedly told the
magistrate that he was a mere labourer (mason) and therefore not liable to
pay such a tax. The magistrate then allegedly ordered his detention.

Mr. Banin is alleged to have been starved and maltreated while in police
custody for
four good days until he became frail, weak and frustrated. “A few hours
after he was released he died in his house. It is being speculated that the
police only released him when they realized that he was so weak and might
die in their custody,” it was alleged. Mr. Banin was buried in Banjul on
Friday, 23rd September 2005 and the Ghanaian community performed funeral
rites the following day.

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Partnership To Improve Health  - See Page 2

A Unique partnership between Swansea, Wales and The Gambia has been forged
to help improve the health of some of the poorest people in the country.

According to the national website of Wales, Sarah Hudson, Jenna Powell and
Bethany Dick, who have just started their second year in the four-year
graduate entry programme in medicine, at Swansea’s School of Medicine, spent
a fortnight working in a remote village in eastern Gambia. The three Swansea
University medical students spent the summer in the country, helping people
living in remote villages to improve their nutrition and prevent malaria.

While they were in the country, they studied the use of mosquito nets to
prevent malaria and the level of nutrition in children under five. They saw
the devastating impact of malaria in the country. “Malnourished children are
significantly more susceptible to disease, so awareness of their nutritional
status will enable Gambian healthcare to devise strategies to improve health
standards within the village,” one of them remarked.

As part of their work with the charity organisation ‘Tesito’, the trio also
laid the ground for setting up long-term links with their contemporaries at
the University of The Gambia. It is hoped that this will be a student-led
venture to enhance the education and experiences of both groups of students
with respect to international health issues - a key topic of the second year
curriculum at Swansea. The initiative builds on a similar link between
Swansea and the University of Nigeria.

“This was an amazing opportunity for us to use some of the skills that we
have developed over this last year and to observe the completely different
health concerns and set-ups.

The high incidence of malaria in the village was particularly shocking. It
made us realise just how important it is to educate the villagers about
preventative measures such as the use of mosquito nets,” the website quoted
Sarah.

Dr Stephen Allen, senior lecturer for the graduate entry programme said, “
Our partnership with the Gambia will help student doctors in both
institutions learn more about international health. It will give them a
broader perspective of the disease in the global village. Importantly, the
partnership will enhance their learning about diseases like malaria and
tuberculosis, which are seeing resurgence in the world and have global
implications for healthcare. And it will help them to understand the global
impact of priority health problems such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes
and obesity, which are common to both Wales and the Gambia.”

According the site, the partnership will also form the basis for medical
students to visit the collaborating institution during the elective period
in the final year of study.


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NAWEC Faces Industrial Tribunal

By Dawda Faye

The National Water and Electricity Company (NAWEC) is in the Industrial
Tribunal to face claims of unlawful termination of services.

One Abdou Corr of Sanchaba Sulay Jobe is claiming D639, 408 from the Company
for unlawfully terminating his services. The claim sheet stated that Mr.
Corr was an employee of NAWEC until his dismissal in September. It further
stated that, the defendant is a social service provider and was at all
material times the employer of the plaintiff.

Mr. Corr (plaintiff) noted in his claim that the defendant in a letter dated
29th September 1997, addressed to him as a dispatcher, was offered an annual
salary of D10, 512 with effect from 1st November 1997. The claim sheet
stated that during the course of the plaintiff’s employment as a dispatcher,
he had an increment of D3, 253 at the time of his dismissal. It further
stated that since the plaintiff was a dispatcher, he had never been a
subject of disciplinary action during the course of his employment.

The sheet added that the plaintiff in his letter of appointment was informed
that either party upon one month’s salary in lieu of notice would terminate
the appointment.

According to the claim sheet, upon completion of six years or more of
continuous employment, the plaintiff would be entitled to two month’s
notice.
Mr. Corr’s final claim was damages for loss of earnings for 28 years at D22,
836 per annum and also D50, 000 for breach of contract and trust.

Magistrate Moses Richards presided over the case and was assisted by
panellists Njie and Cole. Pa Modou Faal and Jewru Krubally of the Gambia
Workers Confederation represented the plaintiff.


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NAS Disburses D1M

By Alieu Darboe

In their attempt to curtail the menace of the Hiv/Aids pandemic, the
National Aids Secretariat (NAS) in collaboration with the Divisional Aids
Committee (DAC) recently disbursed a cheque of one million Dalasis to youth
groups and women ‘kafos’ in Western Division.

In presenting the cheques to the recipients, Abdou FM Badjie, Commissioner
of Western Division described the disbursement as another historic event in
the division. “This one million Dalasis is going out to the affiliate groups
in order to fight against the Hiv/Aids pandemic,” he remarked. He said the
government is disbursing the monies to promote the welfare of its citizens.

According to the commissioner, Hiv/Aids is one of the diseases affecting the
whole world. “It is time for the people, especially youths to change their
attitudes and abstain from early sex.”  He urged the beneficiaries to put
the fund into Hiv/Aids sensitisation. Lamin Gassama, the Divisional Aids
Coordinator said his office is ready to release more funds to campaign
against the pandemic. “This can only be done with the full participation of
the communities.” “Hiv/Aids is existing and the only means to prevent it so
far is to change our attitudes.” Mr. Gassama warned the beneficiaries not to
divert the funds to other uses.


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Harry’s, Jollof Battle In Court

By Buya Jammeh

The legal battle involving Harry’s Supermarket, Jollof Tutors and Alagie
Kurang was recently heard at the Kanifing Magistrates’ Court, with the
plaintiff (Harry’s Supermarket) failing to appear.

With the absence of the plaintiff, the presiding magistrate Kebba Sanyang
decided to adjourn the case to November 1st. The 2nd defendant, Alagie
Kurang filed an application for costs. Magistrate Sanyang who was not
satisfied with the plaintiff’s failure to diligently pursue the case, ruled
in favour of the 2nd defendant. Unless the plaintiff paid the D2, 000
compensation, Magistrate Sanyang ruled out that the case would not continue.
The plaintiff is claiming D100, 000 for damages, D10, 000 being estimated
cost of profit by the plaintiff and an interest of 30%, from the date of
filing the case to date of judgement, with costs for the damages caused to
their business by the defendants who piled garbage at the entrance of their
supermarket along Kairaba Avenue.


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Son Apologises To Mother

By Dawda Faye

Fodayba Jaiteh, who earlier on threatened his mother’s life with a knife,
has apologised for his actions before Magistrate Kebba Sanyang of the
Kanifing Magistrates’ Court.

Following his apologies, Magistrate Sanyang urged the mother Nyaranding
Kanteh to discuss the matter with her son and her brother. The Principal
Magistrate said he would take a decision when the case resumed.

Fodayba Jaiteh was brought before Principal Magistrate Sanyang for
threatening his mother’s life.

In her earlier testimony, Nyaranding Kanteh said her son; Fodayba Jaiteh who
threatened to kill her with a knife complained of late preparation of his
meals. She said to satisfy her son, she one day cooked lunch very early but
that did not stop Fodayba from complaining. She said she told him to marry a
wife if he wanted someone to prepare his meals for him on time. This
according to her angered her son who eventually followed her when she was
going to the tap to fetch water and threatened to kill her with a knife.

Mrs. Kanteh said she moved to her brother’s compound where her son followed
her with the same threat. “It was my brother who intervened and saved my
life,” she told the court.


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EDITORIAL: Watch the Violence

When civil war broke out in Sierra Leone in March 1991, many people who had
lived in that country expressed shock at the extent of the ensuing brutality
of both soldiers and rebels. Gambian students who had studied at the
University of Sierra Leone were particularly amazed that Sierra Leoneans,
the peace-loving and non-violent Sierra Leoneans they knew, were capable of
such brutality. But so is the reality. All human beings are capable of
brutality.

It is a proven fact that human beings can become literally “beastified.” All
human beings have just as much capacity for love and kindness as they have
for hatred and cruelty. So long as human beings are able to meet their most
basic needs, so long as they are sheltered from persistent abuse- both
physical and psychological - so long as they are not treated with extreme
contempt and brutality, they could generally be depended upon to remain nice
and non-violent.

True, there have been some situations, historically, where people had
remained peaceful and non-violent in the face of the most unimaginable
brutality and oppression. But in these cases, such as in Gandhi’s and Martin
Luther King’s non-violent civil disobedience movements in India and the
United States, the communities involved had undergone a rigorous process of
instruction and socialization in the merits and techniques of non-violence.
In the absence of a guiding philosophy or ideology, human beings generally
become abusive if subjected to abuse for any extended period of time.

We are talking in these terms because we are growing increasingly concerned
at the emergence of a culture of violence in our country. The bloody events
of the post-coup months and years, including those of November 11, 1994, the
gruesome unsolved murder of Ousman Koro Ceesay, the massacre of over one
dozen school children and journalist Omar Barrow by security forces on April
10 and 11, 2000, the repeated burning of media houses and presses, and the
gruesome and also unsolved murder of veteran journalist Deyda Hydara last
December are all incidents that constitute a growing culture of violence in
our country that should be watched.

More recently, the arrests of NADD supporters in Upper Saloum before the
bye-elections, the stoning of Hamat Bah’s vehicle, the firing of shots by
PIU officers in Jarra Soma after Kemeseng Jammeh’s victory and the storming
of Fatoumatta Jahumpa Ceesay’s house by angry youths are clear signs that a
culture of violence is growing in this country.

Clearly, the reasons for this, in our opinion, are not hard to find.
Violence begets violence. Over the past few years, the government of
President Jammeh has perfected the art of intimidation and bullying. These
activities are promoting the language of violence in our body politic. So
that at some point, those on the receiving end of violence in all its
aspects are likely to respond violently. It is therefore imperative that the
authorities watch their actions and, as custodians of national security, do
something or desist from doing certain things, in order to help to
neutralize this rising culture of violence. If nothing is done in this
direction, the price would be very high to pay, as many recent examples
around the world attest.

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The Beautiful Child



by David Thoronka

Beauty, they say, lies in the eyes of the beholder, so we would not dispute
that.  However, what has puzzled Man for centuries is the answer to the
question of what constitute true beauty.

Debates have raged on this topic and many hold on to diverse views.  But one
thing is certain true beauty always last forever. Human society and culture
are responsible for the sculpturing of public opinion and understanding of
issues that affects individuals.  In society, credit is given to the media
for this job, while society set the standards of one’s level in life.  They
use measures such as wealth, fame, attractive appearance and more, to rate
consensus on how successful a person is.  Apparently, the consensus public
opinion on true beauty seemed to have been married to success.  Once you are
attractive then you are successful.  It is this one simple factor that has
propelled many to undertake appearance-enhancing prescriptions.  Some people
have even admitted that for a woman to be successful in the job market, she
must be beautiful.

The media on a daily basis reiterates this idea. They continue to constantly
bombard their audience with glamour graphic images of beautiful women and
men.  Thus seducing the public to quest for what they view.  Furthermore,
the media as gifts portrays opportunities, love, joy and satisfaction as the
ultimate goals of Man. That is why everybody, including children always try
to look good.

Nowadays, people are doing all they can to ensure that they appear pleasant
and attractive in society.  Others in their quest have applied harsh
chemicals on their skins for rapid reaction.  Also some spend huge amount of
their income on cosmetics and body accessories.  Yet, others have gone
further to undertake surgical operations.
But it is not women alone who have been deluded; men too have joined the
bandwagons.  Some spend a lot of time in the gymnasium trying to build up
their image while others take steroids.  All for what?  The answer is to get
the desired look that goes with the modern age of 21st century.

Moreover, as expensive as these processes are, they are accompanied with
health implications that may be terminal in some instances. Beautiful
appearance is temporal and fades away with time. If all of these are vanity,
then why should it be pursued vehemently?  After all, it will not shroud our
real beauty for long. True beauty lies in our characters and attitudes, our
behavioural pattern and way of life in general.  It is these innate
characters that should be enhanced, not the physical outlook. A husband
openly admitted that he loves his wife because she is kind, obedient,
respectful, honest and faithful.  He said though she is not ugly as it is
her character, which attracts him to her the more.

When an individual possess such attitudes, people become more attracted to
you than others without. A compassionate, loving and caring individual will
always be sought for than a wicked, bad-manner and intolerant person.  This
distinction draws the barrier between good and evil and light and darkness.
This virtuous character inevitably earns an individual respect, dignity, and
success, thus official recognition in society.  Good moral characters
out-lived time.  It is prudent then that all right thinking individuals
enhance their characters for a better society.

In society today, people with appealing appearance and influential positions
have been deposed and shunned or better still, imprisoned because of their
vicious characters.  Such people portray dishonesty, deception, greed,
corruption, embezzlement of public funds and other covert manipulative
characters.  Their ends are definitely not hard to predict.

In conclusion, the lessons that children can learn from this illustration
are numerous.  True beauty does not depend on your out-ward appearance.  A
true beauty is the reflection of the virtuous inner characters that
illuminates the inside of a person.  So, as children, resist all
unprofitable ideas.  One-way of determining what a person’s worth is to
ascertain his/her capabilities?  If his ability is to be generous and
virtuous, then he/she becomes a good and useful person in society. On the
contrary, if a person has instinct to commit crime and do mischief in
society, then he automatically becomes a bad and suspicious person. They can
learn that moral values earn a person prestige and dignity.

While external beauty will fade away, true beauty will always be there to
vindicate and reveal one’s true nature.  If there are other things a child
should go after, apart from education, it is true beauty. The beautiful
child therefore is one with pleasant characters and attitudes that can stand
the tides of time.


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The Arrival of Ramadan

By Ahmed B Saidybah


All praise is to Allah, The Almighty, the Merciful, who has blessed this
nation with this Holy Month of Ramadan. Allah has once again blessed us with
the unique opportunity to repent, be forgiven our past sins and be admitted
to Jannah (Paradise) as the most important reward for fasting during this
month... We wish everyone a blessed Ramadan.

Fasting the month of Ramadan is confirmed by sighting the new moon, even if
it is seen by only one just person, or by the passage of thirty days in the
immediately preceding month of Sha’ban.

Ibn ‘Umar said: “The people were looking for the new moon and when I
reported to the Messenger of Allah that I had seen it, he fasted and ordered
the people to fast.” (Related Abu Dawud, AI-Hakim, and Ibn Hibban, who
declared it to be Authentic). Abu Hurairah reported that the Prophet, peace
and blessings be upon him, instructed: “Fast after you have seen it [the new
crescent] and end the fast [at the end of the month] when you see it. If it
is hidden from you, then wait until the thirty days of Sha’ban have passed.”
(Related by AI-Bukhari and Muslim)

Commenting on these reports, At- Tirmidhi states: “Most knowledgeable people
act in accordance with these reports. They say that it is correct to accept
the evidence of one person to determine the beginning of the fast. This is
the opinion of Ibnul-Mubarak, Ash-Shafi’i, and Ahmad. An-Nawawi says that it
is the soundest opinion. Concerning the new moon of Shawwal [which signifies
the end of the fast], it is confirmed by completing thirty days of Ramadan,
and most jurists state that the new moon must have been reported by at least
two just witnesses. However, Abu Thaur does not distinguish between the new
moon of Shawwal and the new moon of Ramadan. In both cases, he accepts the
evidence of only one just witness.”

Ibn Rushd comments that: “The opinion of Abu Bakr Ibnul-Mundhir, which is
also that of Abu Thaur and, I suspect, that of the Dhahiri school of
thought, is supported by the following argument given by Abu Bakr AI
Mundhiri: there is complete agreement that breaking the fast is obligatory,
that abstaining from eating is based on one person’s report, and that the
situation must be like that for the beginning of the month and for the
ending of the month, as both of them are simply the signs that differentiate
the time of fasting from the time of not fasting.” Ash-Shaukani observes:
“If there is nothing authentic recorded that states that one may only accept
two witnesses for the end of the month, then it is apparent, by analogy,
that one witness is sufficient, as it is sufficient for the beginning of the
month. Furthermore, worship based on the acceptance of one report points to
the fact that such singular reports are accepted in every matter unless
there is some evidence that specifies the peculiarity of specific cases,
such as the number of witnesses concerning matters of wealth, and so on.
Apparently this is the opinion of Abu Thaur.”The punishment for breaking the
fast in Ramadan without valid reason.

Fasting in Ramadan is one of the pillars on which Islam is built. Allah
tells us that He has prescribed it for the believers of this ummah [nation],
as He prescribed it for those who came before them. Allah says
(interpretation of the meaning): “O you who believe! Observing As- Sawm (the
fasting) is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you,
that you may become AI-Muttaqoon (the pious” [al-Baqarah 2: 183] “The month
of Ramadan in which was revealed the Qur’an, a guidance for mankind and
clear proofs for the guidance and the criterion (between right and wrong).
So whoever of you sights the crescent on the first night of the month of
Ramadan, must observe Sawm (fasts) that month, and whoever is ill or on a
journey, the same number of days which one did not observe Sawm (fasts) must
be made up from other days. Allah intends for you ease, and He does not want
to make things difficult for you. (He wants that you) must complete the same
number (of days), and that you must magnify Allah [i.e. to say Takbeer
(Allaahu Akbar: Allah is the Most Great)] for having guided you so that you
may be grateful to Him” [al-Baqarah 2: 185] AI-Bukhari (8) and Muslim (16)
narrated that Ibn ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) said: The Messenger
of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “Islam is built on
five (pillars): the testimony that there is no god but Allah and Muhammad is
the Messenger of Alia ah; establishing prayer; paying Zakaah; Hajj; and
fasting Ramadan.

“ Whoever does not fast has abandoned one of the pillars of Islam, and is
committing a grave major sin. Indeed some of the salaf were of the view that
he is a kaafir [disbeliever] and apostate -we seek refuge with Allah from
that.



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Are You Aware?
“ The Dilemma Of Gambian Youths”

By Baboucarr Ceesay

The Gambia has a youthful population and youth are the lifeblood of
development. Therefore, one should wonder why should a President who boasts
of being with the youth stereotype young people of his country as lazy.

A Gambian poet says, “Youth is a flower that blossoms.” This poet is trying
to make a poetic depiction of the importance of youth. Thinking about how
most young people in the Gambia live today and the factors giving rise to
such life can boil the blood of anyone whose heart beat in unison with the
youth population. We should be aware that the Gambia has a leadership that
is trying to earn itself a rapscallion title and dares to sacrifice the only
oasis in a desert of progress for self-aggrandisement.

In this time of reflection, the youths have a very delicate responsibility
to know who represents them. The July 22nd coup d’etat of 1994 gave birth to
mass support of youths for a junta of sham revolution.

The 22nd July Movement was formed and some young people were sent to Libya
for a training they said to have something to do with revolution. I have no
right to speculate because I am all the time, guided by the dictum of “No
investigation, No right to speak”. I talked to a youth who was part of the
contingent to Libya. He boasted of having training, which is purely military
in nature. This shows that the young people are used and cajoled by the
President just to perpetuate himself in power and finally use them as
scapegoats of his government’s fault calling them lazy people as if they are
the nonconformists of development.

Here is a story of two young Gambians who struggled with main and might to
complete their Senior Secondary School education with high expectation to
find a job to relief their parents from their long suffering. The one met
his untimely death and the other nowhere to be found or heard.

Modou and Suntu were friends who met in the Kombos. They used to travel to
Banjul to attend School. Modou came from the Kombo coastal area and Suntu
came from the central part of the country. After completion of their Senior
Secondary School they were filled with disbelief and excitement. With all
expectations to find a job, to become dignified and responsible citizens.
These two ambitious youths have been job hunters for two consecutive years
without finding one. Modou went to the beaches of the hotel industry as a
‘bumster’ (tourist chanter) while Suntu went back to the provinces to farm.
Six months later Modou met a tourist couple who were very friendly to him
and helped him meet his domestic needs. He was able to make a little saving
out of that.

One day he thought about his best friend Suntu and decided to visit him in
the provinces. When Modou met Suntu in the village they discussed and
formulated a travelling action plan. Suntu managed to sell the only two cows
of his family because as a lone child of his parents. The boys came back to
the Kombos and met a travel agent who knows the African route to Europe.
Modou and Suntu went to Morocco with the agent who connected them with
another agent to cross to Spain by boat. “Life is seriously unfair and
difficult. There is need for economic emancipation. But we have to take the
bull by the horn or by the tail, which are all pretty the same thing,”
remarked Suntu.


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We should not blame anybody

By Namory Trawally

The president of the Gambia football association (GFA) Alhagie Omar Sey have
said that blames should not be aborted on anybody for the early exit the
National U-17 team in the just ended FIFA World Championship in Peru.

Mr. Sey made these remarks on Wednesday in a press conference at the GFA
Secretariat in Bakau. He said the results should be taken as ‘God’s will’.
He added that the results in Peru were satisfactory despite that the
expectations were not fulfilled. “We all should be blamed or giving credits
if we want to assess the performances of the team,” he said. He pointed out
that referees at the Peru tournament were good and just were just
implementing the rules and regulations of the tournament.

On the way forward, Mr. Sey said the technical committee would meet to
prepare a report to be submitted to the GFA executive. “From there, we will
take the necessary measures to avoid what happened in Peru.” Mr. Sey said
they have learned that a tournament is won through preparations and the
U-17’s camp in UK and US contributed to their success in Peru.

Dilating on the future of the U-17 players, Mr. Sey revealed that they hope
that the big European Academics will recruit most of them, as their ages did
not allow them to acquire International Transfer Certificates. He added that
they would be using the National Technical Training Centre in Yundum to
train 30 young players for the replacement of the present U-17 team. “We
will be looking for an assistant to Osam Duodou in the educational aspect of
the coaches.


Independent Reporter Wins Award


Alieu Darboe, a reporter with The Independent and member of Gambia Sports
journalist Association (GSJA) was last Sunday awarded with best sports
journalist in 2005/06 Brikama Nawettan with a cash prize of D300 by the
Brikama Youths and Sports Association (BYSA).

Speaking during the presentation ceremony, Lamin King Kolley, President of
BYSA expressed delight to the performance of Mr. Darboe for promoting
football during the nawettan season. “Alieu has been reporting in the zone’s
nawettan and he always provided a copy of his report to the committee almost
in all the edition of The Independent sports. He said Mr. Darboe has
manifested that he is ready to develop the zone’s football. “This is why the
committee decided to give him the award to boast his morale in the promotion
of football in the zone and the country at large,” he said.

“The accolade was last year won by Sidique Asemota of The Point newspaper,
but this year, the crown goes to Alieu Darboe, a veteran sports journalist.”
King Kolley commended The Independent for giving all the necessary support
to BYSA during the nawettan.
In receiving the award, Alieu Darboe expressed delight for winning the
accolade. “This is a challenge and I promise to continue the good work I
have started to promote football in the zone,” he said. According to Alieu,
the award is a great achievement for him. “I would like to thank the members
of my family without whose full support, I would not have been able to win
such an award. Though I won the award but it is not for me alone but the
journalists fraternity and The Independent in particular,” he said.

However, the best media house award went to FMB desk.

The Independent family salutes their colleague Alieu Darboe for winning the
award. Alimatu Jarra-Jallow, the acting managing director expressed
appreciation for his reporter’s winning of the world’s famous game award.
She pledge the institution’s continuous support to BYSA.

Ngoyan Claim Banjul League

The talented boys of Half Die, Ngoyan, were crowned the 2005 Banjul nawettan
league champion after beating Young Lions of Kanifing Estate in the replayed
final on Tuesday.

After goalless draw in the final last Saturday, Ngoyan put their house in
order by humbling Young Lions 4-0 on Tuesday. The final, which marks the
official opening of the Banjul mini-stadium known as KG5, was well attended.
Ngoyan who learned from their previous match managed to score three goals in
the first half. Supported by all the City fans, Ngoyan dominated Kanifing
Estate boys from start to the end of the game. The Banjulians continued
their supremacy on the Young Lions in the second half and added another
goal, which ended Kanifing’s dream in the final. The league, which is
sponsored by MSTE printing press, was the best ever organise in Banjul in
the past decade. The winners-Ngoyan, were awarded a giant trophy and a cash
prize of D15, 000 while Young Lions received D10, 000. SoS Faal attended the
final.

Meanwhile on Sunday JSP were crowned knockout winners after humiliating
Plumbi 4-0 in the final. The knockout was sponsored by Western Union. JSP
were awarded a trophy and cash prize of D8, 000 while Plumbi received D5,
000.


-0-


Nema United Are Brikama Champions

By Alieu Darboe

Nema United, last Saturday claimed the 2005 Brikama Nawettan league after
beating Kitty 3-1 in a well contended final at the Box Bar Mini-stadium.

After a goalless draw in the first half, Nema United come back in the second
half with different system of play. They finally opened the score in the
50th minute by Mustapha Sanyang. They however continue their pressure on
Kitty and added another in the 62nd minute with Ebrima Njie scoring the
goal.

With two goals down, Kitty opted for all out but could not penetrate Nema
defence. However, they got the break through in the 80th minute when Pa
Sanyang netted the only goal for them. Few minutes before the end of the
game, Nema United scored their third goal through Alieu Sanneh.

They were awarded a giant trophy and a cash prize of D15, 000 while Kitty
were consoled with D10, 000. The leading goal scorer award went to Ebou Cole
of Blackpool.

Famandi Bojang, National Assembly Member for Kombo Central, graced the
final.


-0-


Taiwan Clocks 94

The Taiwanese Ambassador in The Gambia Patrick Chang on Monday held a
reception at the Senegambia Beach Hotel to celebrate the 94th anniversary of
the National Day of his country.

Speaking at the occasion, Ambassador Chan described October 10th or Double
Tenth in 1911 as a special day when the revolution against the Ching Dynasty
was achieved and Republic of Mainland China was established. Founded on
January 1, 1912, the Ambassador said the Republic of China (ROC) is Asia’s
oldest constitutional republic. “When the Chinese Communist Party (CCP)
established the People’s Republic of China (PRC) on the mainland in 1949,
the ROC government relocated to Taiwan, where it has maintained effective
control over Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen, Matsu, and some other islets. The two
sides of the Taiwan Strait have since been governed as separate territories
and developed separate identities,” he said.
He said when the ROC government moved to Taipei in 1949, the economy of
Taiwan was still recovering from heavy Allied bombing during the Second
World War. “Only few industries remained, including sugar refining and some
textile manufacturing. In the initial years, two factors stabilized the
situation and laid down the foundations for a future economic takeoff. These
are aid from the US and the land reform program.”

The Taiwanese representative added that from 1951 to 1965, large amounts of
economic and military aid came from the US as part of its cold war efforts
to preserve her valuable ally in Asia. Much of this aid, he said, was used
to improve Taiwan’s infrastructure and the agricultural sector. “Advisors
stationed in the country and the citizens sent abroad for education were all
directed to rebuild the economy. The highly successful land reform program,
which was completed in 1953, reduced land rents, distributed public land,
and purchased and resold land from large landlords. Farmers were supplied
with fertilizer, seeds, pesticides, expert advice, and credit. By 1959, 90%
of exports were agriculture or food related. Increased production and higher
income resulted in low inflation and capital accumulation, as importing food
was unnecessary,” he said.

The Ambassador said between 1962 and 1985,Taiwan’s economy experienced its
most rapid growth in history; an average annual growth rate of nearly 10%,
or more than twice the average economic growth rate of industrialized
countries during this period.  He added that the economic structure of the
nation shifted from reliance on agricultural exports in the 1950s to light
manufacturing in the 1960s and 1970s; and to high technology and chemical
product exports in the 1980s and 1990s. “By 1995, technology- intensive
products constituted 46.7% of exports, and 2002, 54.09%. Today, Taiwan is
the world’s 17th largest economy and 15th largest trading nation, and its
information technology industry is world famous. It is the world’s largest
producer of notebooks, computers, motherboards, and liquid crystal display
monitors.”

Ambassador Chan stated that his country’s economic development was greatly
assisted in its early stages by development aid from other countries. In
addition, he went on, Taiwan‘s political democratisation was also greatly
enhanced by overseas support. “We therefore feel that we have the
responsibility to return the generosity to the international community by
assisting other countries in their development.”

With this notion according to the Ambassador, Taiwan International
Cooperation and Development Fund (ICDF) was established in 1996. He said his
government entrusted the Fund to be responsible for the planning and
implementation of the cooperation programs between the countries.
“Presently, 38 technical missions are operating in 32 countries, including
The Gambia. It is staffed by about 252 technical specialists in agriculture,
fisheries, horticulture, animal husbandry, handicrafts, medicine, transport,
industry, mining, electricity production, printing, vocational training, and
trade and investment.”

On Taiwan-Gambia relationship, Ambassador Chan said the bilateral
cooperation between the two countries has been very close in the fields of
agriculture, health, electricity, educational training, humanitarian
assistance, vocational training, and infrastructure reconstruction. Because
of this cooperation, according to him, many officials and technicians have
been sent to Taiwan to visit or to attend different seminars or training
courses. “Presently, there are more than 30 Gambian students studying in the
various universities in Taiwan.”

The Taiwanese representative expressed delight for his government’s modest
contributions in what he described as ‘supporting the women’s education in
The Gambia as well as helping farmers by teaching and demonstrating to them
how to produce food.’ “In 1996, Taiwan Technical Mission (TTM) started to
work in The Gambia. Due to its hard working and efficiency, it has drawn the
attention of some of the international NGOs. It was for this reason, the
technical mission in December 2003 signed partnership agreements with both
Action Aid and the Department of State for Agriculture. It has been engaged
in reclaiming 678 hectares of tidal irrigation farm in the Jahally area.
This year, 220 hectares will be added to it. With the establishment of the
tidal irrigation system by the technical mission, it will therefore be able
to guarantee a stable production of two crops of rice with about ten tons
per hectare every year without worry of drought.”

The Ambassador expressed his country’s profound gratitude for the unwavering
and staunch support for their bid to participate in the U.N. as rendered by
The Gambia government in the international arena.

-0-

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