Foroyaa Newspaper Burning Issue
Issue No. 93/2007, 10 – 12 August 2007
Editorial
Where is the Local Government Reform?
A Step Towards Democracy or Monarchy?
People hardly hear about chairpersons of Area Councils. The governors are in
control of major ceremonies and activities in the regions.
A short quiz will reveal that the mayor or mayoress of the Banjul City
Council/the Kanifing Municipal council and the chairperson of the Brikama Area
council are all appointed and can be removed with the stroke of a pen as had
happened recently regarding the KMC.
After a national debate which lent credibility to the opinion that councils
will be more inclined to serve their local government areas if the mayors,
chairpersons are elected and subject to recall by the electorate for
maladministration, the 1997 Constitution incorporated section 193 subsection (1) which
reads:
“Local government administration in The Gambia shall be based on a system of
democratically elected councils with a high degree of local authority.”
Section 194 states among other things that “An Act of the National Assembly
by or under which a local government authority is established shall include
provisions for…...
(c ) the direct election of the mayor or chairman/woman of the authority.”
Before section 20 of the Local Government Act was amended, a chairperson
including a mayor or mayoress could be removed from office for abuse of office,
corruption, misconduct or affliction with physical or mental incapacity.
However, the documents were to be handed to the Chief Justice who was
required to constitute a tribunal comprising judges of the high court to
investigate into the allegations within seven days.
This has been amended to remove the role of the Chief Justice.
Now the documents are to be transmitted to the Secretary of State who
replaces the chief Justice. The Secretary of State now has power to
(a) suspend the chairperson, deputy chairperson or other members of
the Council concerned;
(b) in the case of-
(i) the chairperson, appoint an acting Chairperson, and
(ii) Deputy Chairperson, appoint an acting deputy chairperson,
from among the elected Councilors;
(c ) investigate the allegations contained in the notice;
Hence it is clear that the mayor, mayoress and chairperson of each council
are under the complete dictate of the Secretary of State for Local Government
and the president. They have decided to give more prominence to governors than
the elected representatives of regions.
The decentralization and devolution of power promised in local government
administration has failed. There is more centralization of power.
3 JAILED FOR TREASON ONE ACQUITED
By Fabakary B. Ceesaay and Bubacarr K. Sowe
Alieu Jobe, Tamsir Jasseh and Omar Faal Keita, who were civilians accused of
taking part in the 21 March 2006 attempted coup d’etat, were yesterday
sentenced to 20 years of imprisonment each with hard labour by Justice Avril Anin
Yeboah of the Banjul High Court. Demba Dem, a former Member of Parliament was
freed by the court. Tamsir Jasseh, a former Director General of Immigration
and Deputy Inspector General of Police, Alieu Jobe, the former Accountant
General and Marabout Omar Faal Keita were all convicted and sentenced to 20
years on each of the counts, but the sentences will run concurrently.
Honourable Demba Dem, the former National Assembly Member for Niani
constituency under the ruling APRC party, was discharged and acquitted on two counts.
According to Justice Yeboah, there was no doubt that the prosecution has
proved their case beyond reasonable doubt against the three accused persons on
the three counts. She said that twelve (12) witnesses were called by the
prosecution and that they have tendered exhibits before the court. The exhibits
include statements of the accused, video tape, tape recorder and a cassette and
the statement that was to be read by the jailed Army Spokespersons, Captain
Bunja Darboe, if the coup should succeed. In the case of Demba Dem, Justice
Yeboah added that the prosecution has failed to prove its case beyond
reasonable doubt on the two count charges preferred against him. According to the
judge, Tamsir Jasseh, Alieu Jobe and Marabout Omar Faal Keita were found guilty
on count one, (treason), on count two (conspiracy) and on count three
(accessory to the fact of treason). She later sentenced them to 20 years on counts
two and two years on count three which are to run concurrently. As for Demba
Dem, she ruled that she did not found him guilty on treason and conspiracy. She
acquitted and discharged him on those counts.
The defence counsels, Lamin S. Camara, Borry S. Touray and Lamin S. Jobarteh
urged the court to temper justice with mercy on them. They appealed that the
convicted persons were responsible men in the society and were holding key
important positions in the country. They added that they were the sole bread
winners of their families. They said human beings are bound to make mistakes,
and finally asked the court to exercise leniency on the convicted persons. As
the verdict was being read, the relatives and sympathisers of the convicts
started to shed tears. The family members and sympathisers of the convicts
wailed and stumbled after the verdict was read by the judge. Some threw
themselves on the ground and sobbed as the convicts were whisked away by armed police
and military officers. However, Honourable Demba Dem, who was acquitted and
discharged, was also whisked away along with the convicts to mile two prison,
even though his counsel complained to court that as far as Demba was freed
by the court, he should be allowed to step down from the dock. The trial judge
insisted that counsels cannot tell her what to do about her case.
FARMERS DEMAND FOR FERTIILIZER ON LOAN BASIS
By Ousman M.M Jallow
With the announcement over GRTS that a certain businessman has imported
fertilizer into the country, a Foroyaa reporter was despatched to the farming
community to see if farmers have benefited from the consignment.
Our reporter chooses to visit the Lower, Central and Upper Baddibus. He
visited Kerewan where farmers told him that the problem is not lack of fertilizer
but the money to purchase it. The Kerewan farmers said what they knew to be
of help to them throughout the 1970s up to the year 2000 was that farmers
were given fertilizer on loan basis. They said the Cooperative Union and ACP
project used to give fertilizer on loan to farmers and when the trade season
comes, farmers would in turn pay back the loan. Others said they purchased it at
an exorbitant cost of D650 per bag.
A farmer in Kerr Pateh Koreh in Central Baddibu, one Alhagie Njie, said he
was able to buy five (5) bags of fertilizer. He said fertilizer is very
important to them, which he applies on his groundnut farm; that he normally have
good harvest.
Two other farmers emphasized the need for farmers to be given fertilizer on
loan basis.
One Fa-Burama Darboe, a businessman at Farafenni, said he purchased
fertilizer early in June, but he got it from Senegal. He said he could not wait for
The Gambian fertilizer to arrive because he was not sure if it was going to be
available or not. He also said that the price he got it for is cheaper than
the price in The Gambia.
Another farmer in Farafenni, Alh. Ebrima Sonko, explained that during their
time, they were given fertilizer on loan basis by the Cooperative and GGC and
that when they sold their nuts at the secco, they would pay back the loan.
At Minteh Kunda in Central Baddibu District, one Kebba Lamin Jammeh said he
was able to buy four (4) bags of fertilizer only, but he complained that the
groundnut he had sown did not germinate well and as a result he did not apply
the fertilizer but instead sold it to others who needed it. Others simply
said they did not buy fertilizer because they do not have money to do so.
At Yallal, I spoke to one Fa-Burama Darboe who said he could not purchase
fertilizer because he had used the money he had to buy rice to feed his family.
He, however, explained that fertilizer is very important to him, but as a
poor farmer, he cannot afford to purchase it and leave his family to go hungry.
Most of the farmers I spoke to at Njawara, Panneh Wollof, Kerr Sulay and
Sambou Taal etc., suggested that the government should create the enabling
environment where farmers can get fertilizer through loan basis. They all agreed
that if this is possible, it would help them to apply fertilizer on their
farms thereby creating the possibility of increased yield.
CROP FAILURE REPORTED IN NORTH BANK
By Ousman M.M Jallow
Reports reaching the Foroyaa have it that crop failure has affected parts of
Lower Baddibu, Central Baddibu and Upper Baddibu.
Our reporter has observed the situation in these areas. According to Lamin
Jallow, after sowing his groundnut, coos and maize after the first rain, his
groundnut did not germinate and the coos also did not do well. He also said
that many of his fellow farmers have experienced the same.
Mr. Mbye Njie of Kerr Pateh Koreh said his groundnut and coos did not
germinate at all due to the late rains. Another farmer in Kerr Sulay said his coos
and maize farm germinated but all of them got dried; that he had to replant
when the rain resumed again and which took more than a month between the first
rain and the second.
As it stands now, farmers in these areas are hoping that the rains will
continue up to end of October, otherwise , as they fear, their crops may not
mature.
NaNA ON GLOBAL BREASTFEEDING WEEK
By Yaya Bajo
Mr. Malang M. Fofana, Senior Programme Officer at the National Nutrition
Agency (NaNA), who also doubles as the national coordinator of the International
Baby Food Action Network (IBFAM), said every year, the International
Community, under the coordination of World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action (WABA)
chooses a relevant theme to mark the celebration of “World Breastfeeding Week’
. Mr. Fofana made these remarks in an exclusive interview with Foroyaa on
Thursday 9 August, 2007 at the NaNA head office in Kanifing.
He said throughout the World, the celebration of the event started from the
1-7 August, but that in The Gambia, because of the importance attached to
breastfeeding, the whole month of August has been identified to mark the event.
He added that the theme for this year’s celebration is “Breastfeeding: The 1
Hour”; that in The Gambia, the activities of the celebration include a
statement by Isatou Njie-Saidy, the Vice President of The Gambia. He said Radio
and T.V programmes will be launched to sensitize the masses on the initiative.
Mr. Fofana further said the celebration will also include “open field days”
in all the regions of the Gambia which will be characterised by questions and
answers sessions where prizes will be awarded to the participants. He added
that at health facility levels, health talks will be organised to raise
awareness among patients on the significance of the programme.
Mr. Fofana remarked that NaNA children’s Club will also be coming up with
activities geared towards marking the event. “We would also love to have the
media to be part of the programme,” he said.
Mr. Fofana explained that NaNA works in close collaboration with DOSH, NGOs,
multi Disciplinary Facilitation Teams (MDFTS) and other stakeholders to
implement their programmes; that over the years, NaNa had registered a
significant improvement on ‘Exclusive Breastfeeding’ (four to six months
breastfeeding); that about 45.6% of mothers are practising exclusive breastfeeding. He
said this is the highest prevalence rate in most of the countries in the
subregion.
He said NaNA and its stakeholders are supporting this initiative through the
Baby Friendly Health Initiative (BFHI), Baby Friendly Community Initiative
(BFCT), Child Survival Programme, Reproductive and Child Health (RCH) and “
Kabilo” Peer Counselling Programmes.
In conclusion, Mr. Fofana called on mothers to listen to the relevant
messages and follow the advice of health workers for the benefit of their children,
families, communities and the country, as a whole.
MARRIAGE AND FAMILY
IS MONEY LIFE?
With Amie Sillah
Part 3
Fights; insults, intrigues characterized Chaneh and Essa’s home. They are
total strangers. Chaneh go for cash and is ready to have it by any means. Essa’
s love for her have weaned out. The couples drifted and became estranged to
each other.
Essa Confronts His Boss
Essa was overwhelmed by grief. He did his utmost but Chaneh remained
unsatisfied. She eyed big porsh cars, wealth, money and prestige. There are other
men in the city who surpassed Essa. She started to look down at her husband.
She wanted to dress like the rich ladies. This made her involved in extensive
prostitution. To be free she decided to engage into inter country trade. This
gave her the liason to engage in open prostitution. She extended her trade to
Asia, Europe and America. Alhajj provided the initial cash. In one of her
trips she forgot her bag. Essa went through it and found out that Chaneh
travelled with Alhajj to Singapore. When they came back Chaneh decided to reside
in a hotel. Alhajj came to work. Essa confronted him. They fought. This made
Essa lost his job and subsequently charged with assault.
Alhajj Is Ashamed
The scandal spread in town. Alhajj’s family summoned him. They protested at
the shame and scandal he brought to them. The first wife Aja Marie told him
off. “What do you want? Allah blessed you with twenty children of both sexes.
Your elder children are graduates with wives, husbands and children. You have
seen your grand children, some about to get married. With four wives, still
you go after women. You should be ashamed of yourself.” The other wives
concurred. Today they are in agreement to safeguard their common interest. That is
to make Alhajj responsible to his family and society. He is bad example for
the young generation to follow. Alhajj promised to change his lifestyle. He
was ashamed of himself.
Chaneh Is Stranded
Chaneh got stranded in a hotel in the neighbouring state. She tried to
contact Alhajj to bail her out but he decided to switch off his mobils. Chaneh was
forced to sell her jewelry to come out of the ‘deep shit’ as the Americas
would say.
Essa Turns A New Leaf
Essa took Chaneh to her parents. And handed her over to them with all her
belongings. “I marry a whore. She cannot cook or housekeep. She sleeps with
every guy in trousers. She is a high risk for me. AID is real. I love my life. I
hate wife battering but in guilt she forces me to fight. In self defense, I
have to fight her. She has turned me into an animal. Let her be free to
follow her big ‘shots’ in trousers. Excuse me!” Ya Bintou, Chaneh’s mother
started to insult Essa. “Good for nothing rascal! How dare you accuse my daughter
of prostitution? Where is your proof?” Pa Basirou concurred. “Where is your
proof?” “My proof is my job loss when I confronted Alhajj in his office. Our
fight which led to my being fired and subsequently charge with Assault. All
thanks to your daughter, Chaneh! I didn’t blame her. I should have known
better. After all what sort of parents brought her up! Like daughter like
parents. Take everything given to her. I don’t want anything to remind me of Chaneh.
Good riddance to bad rubbish!” Ya Bintou rushed to hit Essa. Pa Basirou held
her. “Leave him to go. It’s alright.” Essa ran out of the compound. “It is
not alright! My enemies will mock me! My distractors will gossip about me!
What about Lang? The genuine suitor Chaneh betrayed! Its retribution time!
Allah is watching.” Ya Bintou wailed. Chaneh remained mute. The events have
overwhelmed her.
Lang Turns A New Leaf
Lang brought a utility car. He drove to visit Ousman. Ousman was surprised.
He did not notice him at first. “Oh! Wonders shall never end! Lang! Whose car
is this?” Ousman enquired. Lang smiled. “It’s ours, myself and Helen. This
is Helen’s blessing and good luck. Uncle Victor gave us a cheque of what?” “
Half a million dalasis!” “It’s a lie! Its impossible!” Ousman exclaimed. “
Uncle Victor have raised our status for life. We are now a car owner. You are
a family. Feel free to utilize it whenever you are in need. We have also
bought a ‘gele gele’ (passenger van) to be plying the villages. Also a dozen of
honda bikes and bicycles for rent. This will help the villages with
transportation.” “Allah be praise! Allah be praise! Uncle Victor have done it again
for humanity. Teach me how to fish not giving me daily fish.” Ousman remarked.
Helen Is Pregnant
The couples got married and now lived happily together. Helen is pregnant.
Lang proved to be a perfect husband. He dotted on Helen. Helped her eat a
balanced diet, do regular exercises and strolled with her in the evening. Lang
helped Helen in the household chores. This was greatly appreciated by Helen and
it lifted a heavy burden from her shoulders. The other village couples were
amused. They were referred to as the ‘European couples.’ Some men saw Lang
as being foolish. Some women envy Helen and see as a woman who disrespects her
husband. “How can Helen, a married woman who should seek blessing from her
husband make Lang do all the household chores?” The village women debated at
the village well. Some supported Helen, others opposed her because of
ignorance and backwardness. Helen is scared. She feared for their relationship. “
Lang! Don’t profess your love and care for me before the evildoers hear about it!”
“Don’t mind them! Allah is with us. We have done nothing wrong by devoting
to each other.” Lang reassured his darling wife.
Chaneh Swallows A Bitter Bill
Chaneh refused to belief that she is ditched by Alhajj. She went to the city
and she visited Alhajj’s office. He refused to see her. She went to their
hide out and found Alhajj in the company of two fresh succulent chicks. Chaneh
confronted him. “You evil man! The son of a dog! You sucked me dry and made
my good husband divorce me! Now you want to ditch me? No way! Over my dead
body would I allow that!” Alhajj became callous. “You are an old hag! Look at
these succulent eaglets you are now an expired stuff! Get out of my sight for
good!” Chaneh was disgraced, insulted and humiliated. She cried her heart
out. She regretted her action. “I was foolish! How could I have been blinded to
play with my marriage! I am doomed.” She cried and indulged in self
pity.Alhajj asked the hotel guards to throw Chaneh out. She was dragged out in
disgrace.
Chaneh Returns To her Village
Chaneh returned to her village. Ya Bintou confronted her. “Shame be unto
you. How can you make me a laughing stock in the midst of my enemies? A rich
city guy came to marry you I became the envy of my distractors. I thought you’ll
take the advantage and turn it into an opportunity for us. You see our
condition. Your dad is retired from government service. Pensioners receive
pittance. We live from hand to mouth. If not for Lang our lives would have been more
miserable. Lang sacrificed for our family to know happiness. You betrayed
Lang and married Essa. Where is the rich Essa? What have you to show of that
marriage? Where is your fat bank account? The duplet he built for you in our
home? Instead, he dragged you as a goat and returned you back as an unwanted
property. He accused you of being a whore. What have you gained from
prostitution? Shame on you! I regretted giving birth to you shameful beast!” Chaneh
talked back to her mum. “You and dad forced me to marry Essa. He bribed you with
his project fund. You threatened to curse me if I don’t marry Essa. You look
down on Lang. You are the cause of my unhappiness. I was young, inexperience
and frivolous I married Essa for fun. There was no love for him. I married
him due to opportunism. We were strangers and we were incompatible. Thanks to
your greediness mum and dad!” Chaneh decided to go out for a stroll to avoid
her mum’s confrontation for the time being.
FOCUS ON POLITICS
THE AFTERMATH OF THE 1981 POLITICAL CRISIS
State of Emergency Lifted as The Senegambia Confederation Wriggles
With Suwaibou Touray
We have been making strenuous effort to focus on politics in general and
Gambian politics in particular in this column.
We are endeavouring to do this because it is seen to be a useful exercise
that would help our young people to understand the past so as to shape the
future and prepare for the challenges that lie ahead. We have received many
useful feed backs, most of which strengthens our direction and resolve while some
of it simply expresses appreciation for the work being done.
Let us now pick up from where we stopped.
There was an ensuing by-election for Sami constituency in early 1985, but
the main opposition party , the National Convention Party (NCP), led by Mr.
Sheriff Mustapha Dibba, issued a press release stating that it would not take
part in Sami by-election nor any other elections in this country, as long as
the State of Emergency exists in The Gambia. This must have had taken the
ruling party by surprise.
The political organ of the ruling PPP “The Gambia Times” challenged the NCP
position arguing that the NCP party had participated in the 1982
presidential and parliamentary elections and the 1983 Jarra East constituency
by-elections, all under a State of Emergency and when the situation, according to them,
was more tense. They then asked why can’t the NCP take part in the Sami
constituency By-election as well.
The NCP fired back with a zeal that is not reflective of the N C P and
asserted that their participation in the 1982 General and Parliamentary elections
and the 1983 Jarra East constituency By-election cannot be taken as a
confirmation of the free and fairness of the way the elections were conducted.
According to the NCP release, in 1982, they could not have known that a free
and fair election was possible under a State of Emergency. They, however,
stated that they have learnt through their participation that an atmosphere
where an individual can express his political opinion and associate with the
political party of his or her choice, without fear of victimization, harassment
and arbitrary arrest and detention, does not exist in The Gambia.
The NCP release indicated that this was why they have categorically stated
in their statement of 26 November 1984, that “the bitter experience of the
members and sympathizers of the NCP during the last three elections is
sufficient reason for the party not to subject its members to further suffering and
deprivation’.
The NCP statement continued that if ‘The Gambia Times’ newspaper of the PPP
cared to know, they would certainly learn from the people of Darsilameh in
the Jokadu constituency; that one Mrs. Kaddy Jimby Trawally, an expectant
mother at the time, was beaten by a gang of PPP thugs in the presence of the PPP
candidate for the constituency with the portfolio of a Minister of State, Mr.
Momodou Sarr Manneh; that the woman ended in forced abortion as a
consequence.
The NCP statement reported in the ‘Torch’ newspaper also mentioned two men
who were arrested a day before the casting of votes at Jarra East
constituency By-election of 1983, namely; Mr. Yaya Sora Darboe of Bureng and Mr. Almami
Lambo Sanneh of Darsilameh, both prominent supporters of the NCP, were
released only a day after the election, meaning they were only merely arrested to
prevent them from casting their votes.
Reacting to ‘The Gambia Times’ comment that the NCP was in disarray, the
statement alleged that it was instead the PPP leadership which was engulfed in
what they described as ‘an internecine personality conflict’ with the
protagonists gradually disappearing from their inner cavity.
The release further alleged that Momodou S.K Manneh did make unofficial and
unmerited meetings in the Baddibus to commit what they called ‘these illegal
tortures’; that one Pa Sambujang Kanteh of Salikeni, Central Baddibu, an old
man, suffered an attack from misguided PPP hooligans and died shortly after
the beating.
The NCP in justifying why they would not take part in any election,
whatsoever, under the Emergency Powers Act, stated that through the instigation of
certain politicians, the District Chief, in the presence of a Senior Police
Officer, Sub-Inspector Kawsu Touray of Kerewan, NBD, ordered the demolition of
the NCP political bureau at Kerr Pateh which order was carried out in the name
of Emergency Powers. The report finally indicated, among other things, that
Messrs. Sidi Gaye, an NCP Chairman at Kerr Pateh Koreh and an NCP Chairman
at Kerr Sheikh Taal, Ousman Jallow, were both tied with rope all over their
bodies, thrown on board a truck and taken round to almost all villages in the
Central Baddibu constituency; that at each village, people were assembled
while the two victims of torture and brutality were displayed for public
inspections.
The report finally stated that Dr. Lamin K. Saho and Dr. Momodou Sarr k.
Manneh, both cabinet ministers, escorted and commanded the villagers to
surrender their voters’ cards if they did not wish to undergo similar humiliations as
the two.
Shortly after the NCP boycott of the election, the President of the
Republic, Sir Dawda Jawara permanently lifted the State of Emergency by proclamation.
Many people breathed a sigh of relief when these extraordinary laws which
had existed in The Gambia since August 1981 became non-existent.
In the opinion of the ‘Torch’, there would certainly be a pickup of
political expression which shall provide an atmosphere for fuller and fairer
discussions especially on the Senegambia Confederation and other matters of
immediate importance in the country.
As far as the confederation was concerned, there were two fundamental
differences, i.e, approach and speed. These differences surfaced through the
utterances of two confederal parliamentarians, i.e.; Mr. M. Abdul Aziz Ndow, a
Senegalese and Mr. M.C Cham, a Gambian. Mr. Ndow expressed his opinion that the
kind of stagnation has set back the momentum of the confederation; that their
wish was to see the confederation of Senegambia become a reality.
However,Mr. Cham, for his part, opined that “the speed of integration
achieved is second to none, and that when you consider the differences in
administration, colonial experiences as well as the system. You would appreciate the
speed’’. As far as he was concerned he was satisfied with the establishment
of the Secretariat, the Parliament and the setting up of a joint defence and
security forces, which he said were’no mean achievements’ within a period of
two years.
At that meeting, a common or joint Foreign Policy approach was also
discussed, a Senegambia Passport and ID card, the establishment of six strategic
defence zones, in Dakar, Banjul, Cassamance; Senegal Oriental and North. Also two
riot brigades were to be set up in Banjul and the other in Dakar by 1985/86
and the harmonization of equipment. The confederal budget for 1984/85 stood
at 3 billion CFA Francs.
Observers of the scene deduced that the differences exemplified by the two
confederal parliamentarians, Ndow and Cham still remained a thorny point, even
at the highest level.
On the eve of the third anniversary of the confederation, President Diouf
expressed his eagerness to block out what the Torch called the basis of the
rose. Mr. Diouf indicated that certain conditions have to be met in order that
bilateral or any other agreement could be serious; that betraying their own
rule and pessimism in The Gambia have made them to resort to an only necessary
application of their laws and rushed parliamentary sanctions in Senegal.
According to the Torch, Diouf’s pipe dream was” Economic and Monetary Union “.
As for Mr. Jawara, he promised on the need to expand production, but
according to the Torch he did not touch on the organization of this; that OMVG which
brings in three Republics was a much likely fulfilment of the monetary
union. According to some observers, Mr. Diouf did not find Mr. Jawara a willing
listener even though he shared with him the sentiments of what they called pure
Republicans.
It was a wonder for many that a President who threw his towel into a
confederation was now dragging his feet to have a unified currency for that
confederated state.
See next issue as we forge into the happenings of 1985.
HEALTH AND NUTRITION BANTABA
Role of NaNA vis-à-vis The Food Act 2005
By Ousman Sillah
Recent media reports have disclosed an outbreak of the deadly ‘Foot and
Mouth disease’ affecting cattle in an area in South East England. This
development had raised alarm, particularly, among European Union (EU) member states and
thus resulting in the formalisation of a ban of British meat, milk products
and live animals by the EC. It is also reported that the UK government has
banned the movement of all livestock across Britain. These are said to be
precautionary measures being taken to contain the outbreak.
Apparently, this is the second time, in few decades, that Britain has been
visited by such a health and life threatening ‘pathogenical calamity’ which
wreaks havoc to both livestock and human beings, alike. Apart from taking its
toll on human lives, the foot and mouth disease also impacts negatively on
national economies and with farmer’s incomes, with the attendant export/import
ban and the culling (selective slaughter) of affected livestock. According to
media reports, these disease outbreaks have caused Britain to lose billions
of dollars.
The reason why this parallel is being drawn is to show readers that if
Britain, as a highly industrialized nation having most, if not, all the necessary
information, expertise and infrastructure in disease prevention and control
in place, can be so prone and vigilant at the same time, then how about the ‘
HIPC classified’ Gambia, which is fledgling in many development oriented
endeavours. We need to be more vigilant in terms of putting in place a more
robust and effective prevention awareness regime which is indeed the area where
our strength lies in terms of expertise and resources.
It is no secret that life expectancy in The Gambia is very low due to
factors of poverty, disease and poor dietary habits. According to reports from
health experts, the incidence of diet related diseases such as diabetes,
hypertension, obesity, etc is alarmingly on the increase and resulting in many
untimely deaths. Interestingly, diseases that were traditionally associated with
the low income groups in the industrialized societies of the West, such as
diabetes, obesity, hypertension heart and lung disease are invariably the ones
that are now affecting the high and middle income earners in developing
countries, such as The Gambia. Research has revealed that the main cause of these
debilitating and often fatal illnesses is poor diet provided by junk food,
lack of physical exercise, etc. ‘Junk Food’, however, is food that is
(industrially manufactured, non-fresh, oil based, genetically engineered, chemically
preserved, expired etc)
We will be consulting the health and nutrition experts in our subsequent
editions, so as to enable them to shed more light on the safety of food that
are produced and consumed in The Gambia.
In this issue, the Foroyaa intends to bring The National Nutrition Agency
(NaNA) to the spotlight, as it is the National Institution established and
empowered by law (the constitution) to coordinate, regulate, oversee and enforce
all matters dealing with food safety, control, production, consumption, etc
in The Gambia. The objective is to help generate public awareness of the
existence and role of this vital national institution whose contribution in the
prevention of disease, promotion of health, protection and preservation of
life needs to be given full support by government, consumers, business, media,
civil society in order for it to be effective in its work of promoting
healthy dietary habits, control in the importation and sale of sub-standard
(expired) food that is unfit for human and animal consumption, negative media
advertising of unhealthy food products, etc.
Therefore, our primary occupation and concern, before talking about food
being exported outside of the country, should be to focus on the quality of food
that is consumed locally, whether imported or locally produced e.g
sub-standard food, aflatoxin in nuts and grains, frozen foods, etc.
What are the Functions of the National Nutrition Agency (NaNA), as provided
for by the FOOD ACT, 2005 which establishes it?
Food Act. 2005
PART III - FUNCTIONS OF THE AGENCY
1. The functions of the Agency are to-
(a) co-ordinate all nutrition and related activities in The Gambia;
(b) co-ordinate public information or educational activities to
sensitise the population on food safety issues;
(c) co-ordinate research and investigation into all matters
pertaining to food safety
and control;
(d) co-ordinate inter-sectoral action towards the implementation of
the national
nutrition policy;
(e) co-ordinate the review, up-dating, strengthening, harmonising and
development of legislation relevant to nutrition;
(f) undertake policy analysis and review in order to anticipate
potentially adverse nutrition outcome of development policies and recommend
appropriate protective mechanisms and strategies;
(g) define and develop standards and norms for effective nutrition
programme and service delivery for use by relevant implementing agencies;
(h) develop and pilot intervention strategies before their adoption
for implementation
(i) develop and strengthen the capacities of stakeholders to enable
them to fulfil the role and mandate in the nutrition policy and programme;
(j) increase national awareness on nutrition issues in general, and
the nutrition policy and plan of action. In particular, and strategies and
activities for its implementation, through an advocacy and information,
Education and Communication strategy:
(k) be a national resource centre and think-tank for nutrition issues
in The Gambia;
(l) mobilise technical, material and financial resources to support
a co-ordinated response to The Gambia’s nutrition problems, and co-ordinate
donor support for nutrition activities in The Gambia;
(m) support stakeholders in the integration of nutrition objectives
into their development plans;
(n) monitor and evaluate nutrition policy and programme
implementation and advise the National Nutrition Council periodically; and
(o) perform all other duties assigned to it under or incidental to
this Act.
12. (1) Subject to the provisions of section 14, the Agency Board may
appoint such committees, as it may deem necessary, consisting of specialists
and other members, to assist it in the performance of its functions.
(2) The Agency Board shall determine the terms of reference of each
committee.
(3) The National Codex Committee shall, on the coming into force of
this Act, be deemed to be a Committee of the Agency.
CCF NURSERY SCHOOLS HONOUR ECD PRACTITIONERS
“Aunty” Neneh GalIeh, an American philanthropist, and Mrs. Lisong Bah, two
Early Childhood Development (ECD) Specialists who worked with CCF Gambia, were
recently honoured by CCF nursery schools for their immense contribution in
the improvement of nursery education at a ceremony held at the Tanjeh Program
Site office in June 2007.
In his welcoming remarks, Mr. Ousman Trawally, (ECD) facilitator from “
Dindingbantaba” Program Area, who also chaired the occasion, gave an overview of
the efforts of the two ladies in the Early Childhood Development sector. He
further expressed the nursery schools’ appreciation of memorable times they
have in working together.
For his part, Mr. Habib Bah, the Program Area Manager of “Kaira Suu”
(affiliated to CCF Gambia), also reaffirms the appreciation of CCF family for the
notable support that Aunty Neneh and Lisong have rendered to the ECD sector.
He also thanked the ECD facilitators for such an initiative and all those
present for whatever role they have played towards the success of the occasion.
Delivering the statement on behalf of the ECD facilitators, Mr. Koniagi
Jammeh of Tanjeh social service nursery school, thanked Aunty Neneh Galleh and
Lisong Bah for their contributions in upgrading the nursery schools within the
organization. “Neneh Galleh and Lisong Bah will always be remembered as far
as CCF is concerned,” he said. He finally urged the two ladies to be always
ready to render support to the ECD sector when ever the need arise.
In his keynote address, Mr. Eustace Cassell, The National Director of CCF
Gambia, expressed happiness that he shares the same dream with others for
working for the well-being of children. He urged all stakeholders to work with
clean hearts and sincerity and not to consider their financial expectations. He
finally assured the two ladies that they will always be remembered for their
immense contributions.
In qualifying the appreciation of their efforts, Neneh and Lisong were
awarded with certificates and art works, among others.
For their part, Neneh Galleh and Lisong thanked the nursery schools for
appreciating their efforts. They both urged the facilitators to work hard and
always strive for the advancement of nursery education. “What matters to me is
not what I have given out but how the facilitators apply it for the
advancement of Gambian children’ said Neneh Galleh. They finally thanked the parents
for their support during their stay with CCF.
Present at the occasion were a cross section of community members, ECD
facilitators, Traditional communicators and other CCF staff.
By Bubacarr Jammeh
************************************** Get a sneak peek of the all-new AOL at
http://discover.aol.com/memed/aolcom30tour
To unsubscribe/subscribe or view archives of postings, go to the Gambia-L Web interface
at: http://listserv.icors.org/archives/gambia-l.html
To Search in the Gambia-L archives, go to: http://listserv.icors.org/SCRIPTS/WA-ICORS.EXE?S1=gambia-l
To contact the List Management, please send an e-mail to:
[log in to unmask]
|
