Foroyaa Newspaper Burning Issue
Issue No. 027/2007, 7– 8 March, 2007
Editorial
Ghana Is Now 50 Years Old
THE LESSONS FOR AFRICA
Ghana was the first sub-Saharan African country which consciously struggled
to set aside the colonial yoke. At independence Kwame Nkrumah declared that
the independence of Ghana was meaningless unless it was linked to the total
liberation of the African continent.
This commitment is what made Kwame Nkrumah to stand shoulder high among the
pioneers of National Liberation. Nkrumah was mostly misunderstood in Ghana
because of conviction that no African country could become truly liberated and
developed without the unification of the continent. Ghana had to be the
bridgehead towards continental liberation.
Consequently, all liberation movements began to send their militants to
Ghana to study different fields and prepare themselves to go back home to
contribute to the liberation of the other countries.
One may now ask: What was the situation of Ghana before independence? How
did it thrive after independence? What happened after the coup d’etat of 1966?
What lessons should those in the present learn from the past?
The independence of Ghana on 6th March 1957 was preceded by the aftermath of
the Second World War. Ghana was the nerve centre of the British Empire in
West Africa. Over 70,000 Ghanaians served the colonial armed forces. The
military council of West Africa had its headquarters at Archimota College. The
colonialists took donations from their Ghanaian subjects and gave interest free
loans to themselves from their tax money. The export of cocoa, palm products
and rubber increased. The mining of manganese ore and exploitation of bauxite
deposits increased.
In October 1945 few months after the end of the war the fifth Pan African
Congress was held. Dr. Dubois chaired the meeting and Dr. Nkrumah wrote the
Declaration to the colonial workers, peasants and intellectuals. This
declaration which calls for the establishment of mass movements against colonialism was
adopted by the congress. All the sincere leaders left Manchester with the
commitment to return to Africa to work for her liberation.
In Ghana the United Gold Coast Convention emerged in 1947 to pioneer the
cause for Independence. Both Dr. Danquah and Mr. Nkrumah were members of the
convention. However a split occurred in 1949 when Nkrumah saw the need for mass
action against colonial domination and for the total emancipation of the
people. This is what gave birth to the Convention People’s Party.
The general strike, civil disobedience and boycotts of goods which followed
in 1950 led to the imprisonment of Dr. Nkrumah. However, the people of Ghana
intensified their struggle under the Convention People’s Party. This
compelled the colonialists to hold election in February, 1951 leading to the
resounding victory of CPP. Nkrumah who was in prison was elected. He was released
because of fear of new demonstrations. Peoples’ power was asserted. The post of
prime minister was created and Kwame occupied it on 5th March 1952. The
colonialists did everything to exploit the differences between the various
political forces to delay independence. However, the Ghanaian people voted for
independence in July 1956.
Consequently, on 6th March, 1957 Ghana was proclaimed Independent.
In April 1960 a referendum was held and the vote in favour of a Republic was
1 million for and 131,000 against. In the election for the presidency Dr.
Nkrumah had 1 million plus votes to Dr. Danquah’s 124,000 votes. On 1st July,
1960 Ghana became a Republic. Two years after independence Ghana opened its
own law school. A state maritime shipping company was established in 1958.
Civil Aviation with its own aircrafts followed.
In 1961 alone 2495 new elementary and 374 secondary schools were
established. Compulsory and free education was introduced in September 1961. Progress to
eradicate illiteracy among adults was arranged. The state University of
Ghana was also established in 1961. A second university specialized in
technological area was opened in Kumasi. A third university in Cape Coast in 1962.
By 1963 the National Research Council established in 1958 was converted into
the Academy of Sciences. Union of musicians, writers, journalists and
cultural workers mushroomed. A film industry was established. A committee to work
on the written unification of all the ethnic languages was established. The
scaring emerging from tribal marks were abolished to unify the Ghanaian people.
Nkrumah’s legacy is where he concentrated on the Akasombo Dam and the Volta
Aluminium project to prepare for Africa’s Industrilisation. This was further
buttressed by preparing the ground for the development of nuclear technology.
Nkrumah felt that the unification of Africa will follow the heels of African
Independence and Ghana will receive the support it needed from a unified
Africa to ease its burden of giving support to the liberation process on the
continent. Many attempts were on his life between 1962 and 1964. Finally on 24th
February 1966 a coup d’etat occurred. Nkrumah was on his way to mediate in
the Vietnamese Crisis. He eventually had to fly to Guinea. Since then Ghana
experienced coups and counter coups until the present democratic atmosphere is
established. However, the vision of Pan Africanism which motivated Nkrumah to
call for a union of government, a continental army or high command, one
currency, one central bank, one investment bank is yet to materialize. The lesson
is clear. Africa needs to create a new path to development. Since coups have
interrupted her progress the real road to development is the creation of
sovereign people whose enlightened mind and free will would enable them to
select democratic and responsible governments that would enhance liberty and
prosperity. Such governments that have no dictatorial tendencies and are committed
to the implementation of people centred policies will make it possible for
the enlightened and democratic people in all countries to make the unity of
the African continent possible. A Democratic and prosperous Africa is on the
horizon.
It is the duty of our generation to build it. We owe this to Nkrumah and all
those who died to make it a reality.
DETENTION WITHOUT TRIAL UPDATE
Five months after the presidential elections, detention without trial is
still not a thing of the past. It seems to have come to stay. The detainees
listed below are still held in detention without trial.
Even though the High Court ordered the released of one of them, Master Tamba
Fofana, (a head teacher) in December 2006, the government is yet to comply
with that court order.
There is a slight change in the list prepared last month. Dr. Badara Loum
was on Thursday 22 February 2007 released on bail upon application to the High
Court. A reliable source has informed this paper that the state has preferred
charge against him.
Businessman and UDP supporter was released unconditionally on 13th February
2007. Furthermore, unconfirmed reports reaching Foroyaa say that even though
former Chief of Protocol, Mr. Baboucarr Jobarteh, is still held at Mile II,
he has undergone a process. As soon as the reports are confirmed we shall
inform our readers accordingly.
Sergeant Buba Mendy, GNA, detained at Mile II
Sergeant Buba Jammeh, GNA detained at Mile II
Retired Colonel Vincent Jatta, former CDS, detained at Mile II.
Baba A. Saho, NIA, detained at Mile II
Musa Dibba, NIA, detained at Mile II
Ngorr Secka, former DDG NIA, detained at Mile II
Abdoulie Kujabi, former DG NIA, detained at Mile II
Phoday Barry, former DDG NIA, detained at Mile II
Betrand Sambou, Foni, detained at Major Crimes, Police Headquarters,
Lamin Sanneh, former PS, Works and Construction, detained at Mile II
Karamu Jaiteh, Works and Construction, detained at Mile II
Chief Ebrima Manneh, Journalist Daily Observer
Master Tamba Fofana, Kudang Lower Basic School
Superindent Abdoulie Colley, O/C Sibanor Police Station, detained at
Janjangbureh Prison
Omar Ndow, MD Gamtel, detained at Mile II
Jasaja Kujabi, Foni, detained at Mile II
Marcie Jammeh, Foni, detained at Mile II
Haruna Jammeh, Foni, detained at Mile II
Ousman Rambo Jatta, Councillor Cape Point Ward
Suruwa Jaiteh, DPS Agriculture, detained at Mile II
AT THE COURT MARTIAL
Lt. SANYANG’S WIFE AND CAPTAIN DARBOE TESTIFY
By Fabakary B. Ceesay and Annia Gaye
The wife of second Lieutenant Pharing Sanyang, Fatoumatta Mendy Sanyang and
his co-accused Captain Yaya Darboe have on Thursday 1st March 2007, testified
before the court martial at the Yundum barracks. The duo testified as
defense witnesses.
Captain Darboe told the court that he remembered Seeing Lieutenant Sanyang
at the state prison at Mile two on the 22nd March 2006. He said that he saw Lt
Sanyang with blood on his head and a pain plaster attached to the left side
of his neck. He said that he then asked Sanyang what had happened to him, and
Sanyang told him that he was tortured by Malick Jatta and others. Captain
Darboe indicated that he later saw Corporal Wharf who came to dress Mr. Sanyang’
s wounds. Darboe noted that he and Sanyang saw each other everyday because
their cells are almost two metres from each other. He said that after Sanyang
was dressed by the prison medic, he saw plasters on Mr. Sanyang’s head but
cannot remember how many plasters. He added that he knew Mr. Sanyang was taken
to hospital to remove a broken tooth, because Sanyang has informed him about
it.
During cross examination by the state counsel, E.O Fagbenle, Captain Darboe
informed the court that he first saw Lieutenant Sanyang with a pain plaster
on the neck and that after his wounds were dressed by the medical officer he
saw plasters on his head. He added that he cannot estimate the size of the
plaster.
Testimony of Sanyang’s Wife
Mrs. Fatoumatta Mendy Sanyang has told the court that the first time she
visited her husband at the Mile Two Central Prison; she was given a plastic bag
by her husband. She said that she later opened the bag and found a military
camouflage (uniform) in it with blood stains on it. She said that the blood
covered from the shoulders of the uniform to downwards. She added that she also
found a torn piece of cloth with blood stains, two plasters, dressing
bandage with blood and a cloth doctors use to stop blood from oozing out of a
wound. She indicated that she went to Banjul and handed over the plastic bag and
its contents to Lawyer Lamin K. Mboge. She said that she told Mboge that she
saw something which she wanted Mboge also to see. Mrs. Sanyang asserted that
after some days, Mboge called her to inform her that his office was broken and
that the plastic bag with its contents were stolen. She said that she later
informed her husband about the stolen bag with his blood stained uniform. She
pointed out that during her visit to her husband, she realised that he has
lost weight and as he was talking to her, she noticed a missing tooth. She
added that she observed his head and saw marks and as she said she asked him
whether he has been beaten. She said he told her that what he had encountered
was just that his death was yet to happen or else he would have been dead by
now. She said he told her that he had been beaten at the NIA headquarters.”
During cross examination by E.O Fagbenle, Mrs. Mendy Sanyang asserted that
the scars she saw on her husband’s head were new. She added that when her
husband was going out, he did not have scars on him. She said that the time she
visited him, the scars were already healed. When asked when she visited her
husband, she said it was in May, but cannot remember the exact date. She said
she did not take anything to her husband when she visited him but that she was
given a plastic bag by her husband. Fagbenle asked what her husband was
putting on when she met him. She replied that Mr. Sanyang was wearing the dress
that she took to Mile Two Prisons prior to her permission to visit him. She
stressed that she gave the dress to one Sunkaru, a prison officer in the
presence of Lieutenant Colley.
IEC OFFICER PLEADS NOT GUILTY
By Bubacarr K. Sowe
Kawsu Ceesay, Chief Electoral Officer of the Independent Electoral
Commission (IEC) has pleaded not guilty to forgery on Monday at the Kanifing
Magistrate Court.
Mr. Ceesay is accused of forging the signature of the then IEC Chairman
Ndondi S.I. Njie purporting the approval for the purchase of electoral materials
from Code Incorporate, a Canadian firm at the sum of Canadian $21,071.94,
roughly six million dalasis.
Testifying before Magistrate Pa Harry Jammeh, the erstwhile IEC boss said
the accused was working under him as Chief Electoral Officer at the time of his
tenure. Mr. Njie said between November 2005 to March 2006, the IEC was
searching for suppliers of electoral materials and Ceesay was assigned to look for
suppliers on the internet. He told the court that the accused persons
brought to him a proforma invoice of a Canadian company, but he asked him to search
for competitive bidding. Around March and April 2006, Njie said, Ceesay
obtained another invoice from Land Trade, and they received an enquiry from Code
Incorporate asking when IEC would like to receive the materials. Mr. Njie
narrated that he encouraged Ceesay to write to Code Incorporate and inform them
that they have not made an order, but the firm persistently told them the
materials were already packed in a container ready for shipment.
“I called Mr. Ceesay telling him this is the salesman’s gimmick,” Njie said.
He said they have stated in their correspondence, that they will not honour
any order not accompanying full payment and he had to email them and inform
them that Ceesay was only asked to collect a proforma invoice.
Testifying further, Njie said that after calling Ceesay to his office,
Ceesay insisted that he (Njie), instructed him verbally to make an order.
He said that the staff at the IEC normally applies procedures for the
procurement of goods or services, which this particular transaction did not go
through. The former IEC Chairman said after his removal in July 2006, he received
a number of papers from Ceesay among which was a letter from Code
Incorporate and a Memorandum purportedly signed by him directing the finance department
to effect payment. Mr. Njie added that he neither approved nor signed the
memo, claiming that he saw it for the first time after his removal from office.
He went on to say that Code Incorporate was claiming for a breach of
contract, which he noted to his successor, was not a right contract.
During cross examination, 72 year old Mr. Njie said his removal letter did
not explain why he was fired. The case is adjourned for cross-examination. The
accused was represented by Musa Batchilly.
KANILAI FARM CLERK IN THE DOCK
By Bubacarr K. Sowe
Balah Nyassi, a chief at the Kanilai Family Farm Company is dragged to court
for stealing 20, 000 dalasis from the farm. Mr. Nyassi who is charged with “
stealing by clerk or servant” which contravenes section 258 of the Criminal
Code has pleaded not guilty to the charge.
According to particulars of the offence, Bala Nyassi in the year 2001 at
Kanifing, being a clerk or servant employed by the Kanilai Family Farm Company,
stole the sum of 400,000 CFA equivalent to D20,000 dalasi.
Mr. Nyassi was granted bail by the court in the sum of D30,000 dalasis at a
previous hearing. The trial could not proceed on Monday due to the fact that
a witness was not available in court.
‘ETESEN GHANAMAN?’
By Ousman Sillah
Ghana observes 50 years of nationhood on Tuesday 6th March 2007. Africans,
both at home and in the Diaspora and people who cherish freedom, the world
over, relish with the people of Ghana on this glorious event. Congratulations!
On the 6th March, 1957, in solemn midnight, the Red, Gold, Green and Black
Star flag of Ghana replaced the Union Jack of colonial Britain thus
symbolizing the attainment of independence from Britain colonial rule. This marked
Ghana as the first country on the African continent to gain freedom and
independence from colonialism. The road was a long and strenuous journey waged through
persistent and organised struggle led the illustrious Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, the
father of African nationalism.
On this independence day, in his speech, Nkrumah hilariously told his
compatriots” “Ghana you are free forever.” Nkrumah, the great Pan-Africanist, also
declared that “The independence of Ghana is meaningless unless it is linked
up with the total liberation and unification of the African continent.”
Kwame Nkrumah was a visionary, a pragmatist and a genuine son of not only
Ghana but Africa. He wished and worked for the realization of a liberated and
united African continent, where her people would rely on their collective
capacities and vast resources to live in freedom, dignity and prosperity. His
pronouncements were not a lip service, as he went further and committed Ghana’s
resources towards the fulfillment of these realistic and lofty goals.
Although, Nkrumah’s overall objectives are still not attained, at least, the
Africans have now come to fully appreciate or understand his vision of
harnessing and placing the vast potentials and resources bestowed on the continent
to the service of her people. These prescriptions would have been a panacea
to the misrule, hunger, illiteracy, disease, civil strife, poverty, etc. that
now plague the continent and her people.
The African Union, successor to Nkrumah’s Organisation of African Unity
(OAU), is beginning to evolve institutions, programmes and rules that promote and
strengthen the spirit of Pan-Africanism.
Ghana, today together with South Africa and to some extent, Senegal, stand
out as the only African countries with thriving democracies. These are
countries were the concept of the state is fully understood and the separation of
powers of the executive, the legislature and the Judiciary clearly defined and
jealously guarded. These are countries where an independent press and vibrant
civil society and a politically proactive populace and the principles of
good governance are respected and exist. A functional State and Democracy is
where robust institutions and known laws prevail, as in these countries. Ghana,
therefore, deserve to celebrate their golden jubilee. want to share with
readers the full text of a speech delivered in 1961 by Kwame Nkrumah on African
Unity, thus:
Kwame Nkrumah Speak of Freedom, 1961
For centuries, Europeans dominated the African continent. The white man
arrogated to himself the right to rule and to be obeyed by the non-white; his
mission, he claimed, was to “civilise” Africa. Under this cloak, the Europeans
robbed the continent of vast riches and inflicted unimaginable suffering on
the African people.
All this makes a sad story, but now we must be prepared to bury the past
with its unpleasant memories and look to the future. All we ask of the former
colonial powers is their goodwill and co-operation to remedy past mistakes and
injustices and to grant independence to the colonies in Africa...
It is clear that we must find an African solution to our problems, and that
this can only be found in African unity. Divided we are weak; united, Africa
could become one of the greatest forces for good in the world.
Although most Africans are poor, our continent is potentially extremely
rich. Our mineral resources, which are being exploited with foreign capital only
to enrich foreign investors, range from gold and diamonds to uranium and
petroleum. Our forests contain some of the finest woods to be grown anywhere. Our
cash crops include cocoa, coffee, rubber, tobacco and cotton. As for power,
which is an important factor in any economic development, Africa contains
over 40% of the potential water power of the world, as compared with about 10%
in Europe and 13% in North America. Yet so far, less than 1% has been
developed. This is one of the reasons why we have in Africa the paradox of poverty in
the midst of plenty, and scarcity in the midst of abundance.
Never before have a people had within their grasp so great an opportunity
for developing a continent endowed with so much wealth. Individually, the
independent states of Africa, some of them potentially rich, others poor, can do
little for their people.
Together, by mutual help, they can achieve much. But the economic
development of the continent must be planned and pursued as a whole.
A loose confederation designed only for economic co-operation would not
provide the necessary unity of purpose. Only a strong political union can bring
about full and effective development of our natural resources for the benefit
of our people.
The political situation in Africa today is heartening and at the same time
disturbing. It is heartening to see so many new flags hoisted in place of the
old; it is disturbing to see so many countries of varying sizes and at
different levels of development, weak and, in some cases, almost helpless. If this
terrible state of fragmentation is allowed to continue it may well be
disastrous for us all.
There are at present some 28 states in Africa, excluding the Union of South
Africa, and those countries not yet free. No less than nine of these states
have a population of less than three million. Can we seriously believe that
the colonial powers meant these countries to be independent, viable states? The
example of South America, which has as much wealth, if not more than North
America, and yet remains weak and dependent on outside interests, is one which
every African would do well to study.
Critics of African unity often refer to the wide differences in culture,
language and ideas in various parts of Africa. This is true, but the essential
fact remains that we are all Africans, and have a common interest in the
independence of Africa. The difficulties presented by questions of language,
culture and different political systems are not insuperable. If the need for
political union is agreed by us all, then the will to create it is born; and where
there’s a will there’s a way.
The present leaders of Africa have already shown a remarkable willingness to
consult and seek advice among themselves. Africans have, indeed, begun to
think continentally. They realise that they have much in common, both in their
past history, in their present problems and in their future hopes. To suggest
that the time is not yet ripe for considering a political union of Africa is
to evade the facts and ignore realities in Africa today.
The greatest contribution that Africa can make to the peace of the world is
to avoid all the dangers inherent in disunity, by creating a political union
which will also by its success, stand as an example to a divided world. A
Union of African states will project more effectively the African personality.
It will command respect from a world that has regard only for size and
influence. The scant attention paid to African opposition to the French atomic tests
in the Sahara, and the ignominious spectacle of the U.N. in the Congo
quibbling about constitutional niceties while the Republic was tottering into
anarchy, are evidence of the callous disregard of African Independence by the
Great Powers.
We have to prove that greatness is not to be measured in stockpiles of atom
bombs. I believe strongly and sincerely that with the deep-rooted wisdom and
dignity, the innate respect for human lives, the intense humanity that is our
heritage, the African race, united under one federal government, will emerge
not as just another world bloc to flaunt its wealth and strength, but as a
Great Power whose greatness is indestructible because it is built not on fear,
envy and suspicion, nor won at the expense of others, but founded on hope,
trust, friendship and directed to the good of all mankind.
The emergence of such a mighty stabilising force in this strife-worn world
should be regarded not as the shadowy dream of a visionary, but as a practical
proposition, which the peoples of Africa can, and should, translate into
reality. There is a tide in the affairs of every people when the moment strikes
for political action. Such was the moment in the history of the United States
of America when the Founding Fathers saw beyond the petty wrangling of the
separate states and created a Union. This is our chance. We must act now.
Tomorrow may be too late and the opportunity will have passed, and with it
the hope of free Africa’s survival.
INTERVIEW WITH PA SANJALLY BOJANG
FOUNDER OF THE PPP (EXCERPTS)
With Suwaibou Touray
Before proceeding, we must first of all know the history behind the
formation of the PPP which can help us to analyse where we went wrong and the
possible ways forward. Let us follow the narration of Pa Sanjally Bojang, the father
and founder of the party in 1959.
Mr. Sanjally Bojang alias Pa Sanjally was born in Brikama in the Western
Division. He has worked for the Board of Health in Banjul during the colonial
period during which he felt that the provincial people were being discriminated
on the basis of their language and or provencialness.
Out of personal experience and conviction, he initiated an organisation
which eventually led to the formation of a national Political Party which ushered
the Gambia into its independence existence. But before Pa Sanjally’s death,
he spoke to this Foroyaa reporter at his residence in Kembuje on the
formation of the PPP, its triumphs, his expectations and final disappointments with
their leader. This interview with Mr. Bojang will explain a lot about the
Gambia’s first faltering steps in our political system while we struggle to
build a democratic dispensation worthy of emulation. Pa Sanjally definitely
deserves to be in our historical records as the first illiterate person to form a
political party in the Gambia.
THE SOCIAL REALITY IN BANJUL BEFORE INDEPENDENCE
The Political Party which led the Gambia to constitutional rule after
independence was the PPP (the Protectorate People’s Party) why the protectorate
people only? The people who found this party in 1959 were mainly illiterate
Mandinka personalities based in Banjul and or working in Banjul who felt at the
time that the colonial system favoured the colony people who were mainly
Wollof and Aku speaking peoples. During the colonial period, many protectorate
people became suspicious of the mission schools because of the fear that they
may convert their children to Christianity since most of the schools were run
by the missionaries. The colonial government was initially only interested in
educating the children of their most loyal partners, the protectorate chiefs.
This was why Aku’s and Wollofs originating from the colony happened to be
the people who occupied Civil Service jobs and in so doing were seen to have
benefited from the “tubab,” colonialists.
As a result, people in the protectorate be they Wollof, Mandinka, Jola or
Fula who were illiterate and who were outside of Banjul could only seek for
labourers’ jobs in Banjul.
According to the Foroyaa issue No. 22/9/,” even people who spoke up-country
Wollof, had the same problem of integration in Banjul” people at the time did
look down on such people as dafts. This was the social reality which only
matured people could have understood, and the failure to understand this was
what had led to the sectionalist sentiments of people who felt that they were b
eing discriminated.”
As you can see all the parties that vied for political leadership after
franchise is extended to the provinces, only one claimed to have come from the
provinces, that is the PPP.
THE FORMATION OF THE PPP
According Mr. Sanjally Bojang, a veteran of the people’s protectorate party
who before his death spoke to this columnist has confirmed that there were
very few Mandinkas in Banjul when he used to go there to look for work. He said
one day he was invited by one Dr. Jones for a discussion. He indicated that
Dr. Jones told him that many people died from the provinces without any
relatives to bury them. He said Jones told him that these people were being buried
as the government knew best, without regard to Muslim rites. Mr. Sanjally
Bojang said he could not sleep without thinking of that, so he kept that in his
mind. He said they then established an association called “Linlai Warasul”
meaning (Help for God’s sake). He said they then made an announcement and
called on all those who belong to the Mandinka language grouping to answer to
the call to address their common interest, no matter how scattered they had
been. According to him, Mandinkas answered to the call of “Linlai Warasul.” He
indicated that they were all very poor, so as he said they then agreed that
each person should pay six pence every Sunday, that they used their
collection to respond to any news of a dead person. He indicated that it was the
collection they utilized to buy perfume, needle and cloth for the burial. As the
demand intensified he said many began to leave. He said he therefore saw the
need to include the districts outside of Banjul which led them to form a
society called the (Kombo, Niumi, Friendship Society) which was later transformed
to be a party called the People’s Protectorate Party.
Mr. Bojang narrated that the party arose from hard work they had done for
the people, and when the masses saw the support they had given to their dead
relatives, they were ready to render support. And as he said some people began
to form organizations such as “MACCARTHY COMPINO” led by Kebba Burama Njie.
So when they heard the Elections would be extended to the provinces, they
began to prepare for it.
In 1958, there was a chief’s conference held in Brikama. It was at that
meeting that it became clear as to whether elections were to be extended to the
provinces or not. He said some chiefs asked him to bring elders to the
conference which he did, because of its importance. He said “Linlai Warasul and
Kombo Niumi Friendship Society” all sent representatives. He said the meeting
took place in his brother’s residence, that is Landing Baraballi Bojang. He said
he was later informed by Chief Karamo Sainey Kaba from Kaiaf that elections
were to take place involving the whole entire country.
In that meeting, Mr. Bojang said Mr. J.C Faye attended it with keen interest
since he already had established his own party at the time. According to Mr.
Bojang, it was shortly after that, that they formed the PPP but as he said
the educated people from the provinces did not trust it at the time. They did
not believe that it could succeed so he said they had to find them and
consult them to join them. He said they were spreading their message by word of
mouth because as he said none of them could write. So they then contacted Mr.
Buna Darboe and sheriff Sisay who answered to them and Sheriff accepted to be
helping them in writing their messages. He named personalities like Famara
Wassa Touray who was literate, Jombo Bojang and Buna Darboe who could not write
nor read. He said Sheriff worked very hard until their information reached
all over the country, then they removed the secrecy about their activities. He
named one Lang Fatty and Arfang Lalo Singhateh who initiated the collection
of contributions from many people.
According to Mr. Sanjally Bojang, they had serious difficulty getting an
office where they could meet and plan their activities small in Banjul but as he
said a small house belonging to Pa Francis Small was provided to them with a
little wooden room. He Praised Francis Small as one of the first lights in
Banjul. He indicated that after their subscriptions, they then called on all
the educated Mandinkas to a meeting. He said many people had answered to the
meeting. As the organizer of the party, Mr. Bojang said he kept on informing
people as they came, with the objective of convincing the educated Mandinka
who he said were very skeptical at the time.
According to him, after two meetings, many people said they should select a
leader and what he suggested was for them to identify someone who is
knowledgeable and who would cook but would not dip his or her hand in the food,
he/she should be such a person regardless of whether he was a rich man’s son or
that of a blacksmith, leather worker, slave or a poor man. He said it was Lang
Saho who said they should take caution and go by the advice of the elders and
select a son of a chief. He said all the elders agreed and a Dr. Marena was
selected unanimously.
Dr. Marena was a native of Kudang in the Niamina District. He was a mandinka
speaking and seen to be highly educated. He was seen by Mr. Bojang to be
highly respected and who he said loved the country, but as he said, Marena
turned down the selection. He said when he asked Marena to recommend someone,
Marena recommended Kairaba Jawara. This was how he said they selected Kairaba
Jawara but as he said Jawara was also afraid of people putting him up only to
betray him in the end. He said it took everybody, Mandinka, Wollof, Fula of
protectorate origin to beg to convince Jawara to accept which he eventually did.
GENDER, NATION BUILDING AND ROLE OF PARLIAMENTS LEARN FROM RWANDA
Rwanda has just hosted a huge international conference to mark the 10th
anniversary of the Rwanda Women Parliamentary Forum, and the theme of the
conference is “Gender, National Building and Role of Parliaments”
The objective of this conference is for the Rwanda parliament to share what
they called good practices with other parliaments in the world and learn
about what they have alone to achieve the objectives stated in international
instruments and declarations such as the Beijing + 10 Declaration and the
resolutions of the Inter-Parliamentary Union’s Assemblies.
The Rwandan Parliament would also like to see strategic partnerships and
capacities of parliaments reinforced in their traditional missions of
legislating, overseeing government action and advocating for the consideration of
gender dimension in the parliament mission the conference also had specific
objectives such as,
1. To understand and draw lessons from different experiences of success
stories of best practices in gender and nation building;
2. To strengthen the networks and partnerships between parliaments and
development partners in order to consolidate gains and to build a stronger network
in gender and nation building.
3. Develop new insights and commitments for institutionalizing gender as a
vehicle for achieving nation building; and
4. Highlight the critical challenges on the road towards gender equality and
national development and map out the strategies for addressing them in order
to move forward.
Four hundred (400) delegates were invited to this conference. (200) tow
hundred were expected from outside or Rwanda, and the other (200) were to come
from Rwanda itself. Halifa Sallah was invited in his personal capacity to give
speeches and play the role of rappateur. Women constitute 48.8 percent of
parliament and is leading world ranking of women in parliament, constituting all
the seven political parties in Rwanda.
A. The Chamber of Deputies
The Lower Chamber of Deputies plays the role of legislating, representing
the people of Rwanda and overseeing Government action. The lower Chamber of
Deputies is composed of eight members elected for a five-year term and
representing all sectors of the population. Fifty-three members were elected from by a
proportional representation system. Of the remaining seats, twenty-four were
elected by women from the provinces and Kigali City, two by the National
Youth Council, and one by the Federation of the Associations of the Disabled.
Women hold a total of 48.8%, the largest representation in the world.
B. The Senate
The Senate is composed of twenty-six members representing all Rwandans. They
are elected or appointed to serve for a term of eight years. Twelve
represent the provinces and the City Kigali; eight are appointed by the President of
the Republic; four are appointed by the Forum of Political Organisations and
two represent Universities and Higher Learning Institutions (public and
private). Former heads if state can also be members of the Senate if they make a
request to that effect and have honorably completed their terms or have
voluntarily resigned.
In the current Senate, nine Senators are women, an average of 34,6% women
representation in the ‘Upper Chamber’ of the Parliament of Rwanda. This chamber
’s main missions include legislating, representation of the people of
Rwanda, oversight of government action, electing and approving high public
officials and supervision of the application of the fundamental principles of the
State of Rwanda referred to in articles 9 and 54 of the Constitution.
AZIZ TAMBA AND CO. TRIAL
Witness Denies Knowing Opening of Account
By Bubacarr K. Sowe
Yankuba Jatta, financial comptroller of the Kanilai family Farm Company has
testified that he never knew that an account has been opened for the farm.
In a cross examination with one of the accused persons, Mustapha Bojang, Mr.
Jatta the Financial Comptroller said that he always inform Mr. Bojang on any
amount he collects from customers. Jatta also said that most of the time he
met Bojang in Foni where he handed over collected amounts to him. Jatta
informed the court that he usually updates Bojang on customers who had paid.
Aziz Tamba, cross-examining Mr. Jatta asked whether the requests he (Tamba)
was making were his assignments; Jatta said yes, Tamba used to say they are
requests he (Tamba) is assigned to. Tamba also asked whether Mr. Jatta do
count the money in a container, Jatta responded in the negative.
Also cross-examining Mr. Jatta, Nfamara Colley asked Jatta whether he
prepares receipts, which Jatta responded in the positive.
The three accused persons, Aziz Tamba, Mustapha Bojang and Nfamara Colley
are accused of stealing about 19.5 million dalasis at the Kanilai Farms. Aziz
Tamba is already serving eleven years jail term.
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