Foroyaa Newspaper Burning Issue
Issue No. 106/2007, 10 – 11
September, 2007
Editorial
19 Million For
Government Vehicles and
2.2 Million On
Celebrations
The Secretary of state for
Finance and Economic Affairs introduced a supplementary appropriation bill to
the National Assembly requesting the members to approve an additional sum of
82.9 million dalasis.
It is important for the
Gambians to realize that the government allocated a budget of 118 million
dalasis for the holding of the AU Summit. The Auditor General’s Report should
contain how much was eventually spent which is likely to exceed the sum
allocated. Many foreign governments also gave financial support. The number of
official vehicles available to carryout services was amazing to many. It is
therefore rather strange that a sum of 19 million dalasis is being requested to
purchase additional government vehicles.
Where are all the AU
vehicles? Were they rented? Were they purchased? Were they sold? The public
needs an explanation.
Secondly, the Secretary of
State told the members that 2.2 million dalasis is to cover a shortfall in expenses on celebrations of
National events. It is therefore important for the public to realize that the
financing of celebrations come from their tax money. The more the government
wastes on elaborate celebrations the more taxes they pay to finance the
wastage.
The Secretary of State
also stated that 6.7 million dalasis is to be utilised to do additional works
on the West Field - Mandinaba Road. The public has witnesed the wastage of resources
which go with the lack of a holistic approach to project planning and
implementation. One has to look at the drainage system on the road mentioned.
The drains do not go
beyond certain junctions, thus causing water to flood the junction resulting in
their erosion. In certain areas the drains are not paved thus resulting in soil
erosion that is likely to reduce the durability of the roads.
Many residents of
compounds near the road are complaining of floods because of the poor drainage
facilities. How much have they spent on drainage? Who are the contractors? Who
are the consultants? Why is another 6.7 million needed? How much has been spent
so far on this project. Foroyaa will conduct its investigation
and submit its findings to the public in due course.
It should however be clear
that government finance comes from the public purse. The people should
therefore be concerned about how their money is spent. This should determine
who they entrust their money through their ballot.
National Assembly
Divided Over Indirect Election of Local Government Heads
By
Bubacarr K. Sowe
The
National Assembly members were on Thursday, September 6, divided over the
amendment of the constitution to allow the election of local government
chairperson by the councillors rather than universal adult suffrage.
The Bill
seeks to amend section 194 (c) of the Constitution of The Gambia 1997 which
shall pave the way for the amendment of section 13(c) of the Local Government
Act 2002. This would provide for the election of chairpersons of the local
governments authorities, excluding mayors and mayoresses, by the councillors
themselves rather than through universal adult suffrage which was the method
being used until recently.
The
legislators were polarized over the amendment with the members of the ruling
APRC supporting the bill while the opposition members disagreed. However the
ruling party used its number to get its way and the Bill was eventually
passed..
Kebba
Sanyang, the Secretary of State for Justice, who introduced the Bill to the
legislators, said the change in the constitution is necessary to facilitate the
monitoring and supervision of the councils by the department of State for Local
Government and Lands.
According
to the Secretary of State, since the enactment of the Local Government Act in
2002 and the holding of local elections in each of the regions and the Kanifing Municipality and Banjul, the Act has been operational, but
some abnormalities have occured which need to be addressed.
Mr.
Sanyang said: “It is for this reason that there was an amendment in April 2004
and subsequently in May 2006. However, despite these amendments and given that
decentralization is an ongoing process, it has become necessary to amend
certain provisions of the Act to align it with the realities on the ground.”
He said
the government is concerned that council chairpersons and councillors do not
know their roles and functions and that of the governors.
“Working
relationships between council chairpersons and councillors have deteriorated
leading to conflict which prevented them from addressing the problems facing
local communities in a responsible and collective manner,” the Secretary of
state pointed out.
Mr.
Sanyang expressed that since the local government elections are due in a year,
it is urgent to amend the provision.
Fabakary
Tombong Jatta, the
member for Serrekunda East and majority leader said the reasons advanced by the
Secretary of State are tangible.
“It is
imperative to make local councils more efficient in service delivery,” Mr.
Jatta said.
Sidia
Jatta, the member
for Wuli West, questioned when his colleagues would stop undermining the
capacity of the Gambian people who should decide for themselves.
Sidia
said: “This particular amendment aims to deny the capacity of electors to
determine the type of person the people want to elect as chairpersons. “Nothing
is really going to convince me that denying the people the right to elect
chairpersons is what is going to improve the efficiency of the councils. I for
one, I am opposed to the amendment of section 194 because this is undermining
section 193.”
He
explained that the fundamental problem lies with the decentralization process
which has not been implemented as provided for by the Act.
Mr. Jatta
dismissed the notion that people in the local areas cannot elect their own
chairpersons who at the same time elect people in high places such as the
legislators and the president.
“We want
to empower our people to assume the responsibility of their affairs. We cannot
do that if we deny them power to do that,” Mr. Jatta decried.
He
expressed his dismay over the gradual cancellation of election for councillors
in the future.
According
to him, the amendment of section 194 “will not serve the purpose, but on the
contrary it will serve a negative purpose.”
Babanding
Daffeh, the member
for Kiang central, concurred with the view of the Wuli West representative.
“This is
a direct seizure of power from our people. They have to choose for themselves
who they want to represent them,” Mr. Daffeh told his colleagues.
“I am against the change, but even if it takes
place it will be counter productive. Most of the councillors at councils are not elected, they have been
handpicked. So they cannot produce,” Mr. Daffeh warned.
The
Minority Leader and member for Kiang West, Momodou Sanneh also opposed
the amendment of the section.
Mr.
Sanneh said that the constitution is the supreme document of the country and
amendments to it need to be looked into critically.
The
member for Sami, Lamin Ceesay said councillors viewed the amendment as a step
backwards in democracy.”
Cherno
Cham of Lower Niumi believed that his colleagues from
the opposition are making a “mistake” for opposing the amendment.
Mr. Cham
said the modalities are just like in the National Assembly, where the speaker
also does not face any election.
Foday
Jibani Manka of
Janjangbureh said the amendment is in the right direction.
The
member for Tumana, Netty Baldeh also supported the Bill.
GAMCOT Owe Farmers
Over One Million
By
Lamin Fatty
Information reaching Foroyaa has confirmed that
GAMCOT, the only Cotton Company in The Gambia, owe farmers over one million
dalasis. Mr. Danso, the Manager of the Cotton Company, who spoke to this
reporter at his office in Basse Manneh Kunda, said Gamcot owes farmers D1,821,667.25
as at the time of the interview.
Apart
from this outstanding balance, he said, the company has already paid
D3,425,437.41. He pointed out that farmers on the other hand owe Gamcot
D1,604,383.09 representing 27% of the total credit given to farmers between the
period 2004-2007. He said the farmers are yet to pay this debt. He said there
are farmers whom Gamcot will pay, but they will still owe the company. This he
said happened to farmers whose credit inputs exceeds their total production
value. According to him Gamcot gives credit inputs which is recovered after
production. He pointed out that there is nothing that the company can do
because they cannot take the whole money from farmers in the name of recovering
loans and leave them empty handed. He said if they do that, then they are not
encouraging cotton farmers. He said prosecuting a farmer for failing to pay his
debt would cost them a lot. He said Gamcot is doing everything possible to pay
farmers. He indicated that the company currently employs over forty Gambian
staff whose employment is on permanent basis. He said the salaries of those
members of staffs as well as the administrative running cost are dependent on
the sale of the cotton. He said ginning has already started and very soon, it
would be finished and they will have the opportunity to export it for
marketing.
KMC Mayor in Court
Matter Taken In Chambers
By
Fabakary B. Ceesay
The
acting Mayor of the Kanifing Municipal Counsel (KMC), Mr. Alieu Momar Njie, who
is also the Chief Commissioner of The Gambia Scouts Association, appeared
before Principal Magistrate Moses Richards of the Kanifing Magistrate Court in
chambers, on Friday 7 September.
Mayor
Njie was spotted sitting in the office of the court clerk from10:55am to 13:00
hours before his matter was called into chambers. All along, he was reading a
newspaper and making phone calls. When the matter was called in chambers, the
police prosecutor ASP Momodou Bojang and two lawyers, Surahata S. Janneh and
Lamin Ceesay went inside to hear the matter. They spent about twenty five
minutes before they came out. The prosecutor was busy making phones calls.
Later, Commissioner Burama Dibba appeared, followed by the Inspector General of
Police. Discussion took place and Mayor Njie was taken into the clerk’s office.
This reporter saw two passports being tendered and documents signed. Mayor Njie
was later escorted and assisted by two people to join a vehicle with the
registration number BJL 5577D. When the police prosecutor was approached for
comments on the matter, he declined to comment. It could be recalled that Mayor
Alieu Momar Njie was arrested on the 21 August and subsequently detained at the
Serious Crime Unit at Police Headquarters in Banjul for a day.
SOS
Education on Graduate Teachers’ Pay Scale
By Abdou Jeli Keita, Bubacarr K. Sowe
& Isatou Bittaye
In the
third meeting of the National Assembly in the 2007 legislative session, the
Secretary of State for Basic and Secondary Education, Fatou Lamin Faye, during
the Question and Answer Session, responded to the question raised by the
Honourable Member for Foni Bintang Karanai, Ebrima Jammeh, who asked for what plans,
if any, does her Department have in upgrading the pay scale of Gambian
University Graduate Teachers from Grade 7 to Grade 8, to minimize the rate of
attrition.
The SoS
in response said: “All university graduates are placed on Grade 8 when they
take up appointments in the senior secondary schools”. She added that, however,
due to lack of graduate positions in the Lower Basic and Upper Basic schools
those who choose to serve at this level will have to wait for promotion to be
upgraded. She added that, it might interest them to know that plans are also
underway to create graduate positions in the lower and upper basic schools. On
the question raised by Honourable Njie Darboe, Member for Jarra West, as to
whether there are plans to build another high school in the Lower River Region,
as the Region has been blessed with only Tahir Ahmadiya High School, the SoS replied:” There are plans
to build another senior secondary school in the Lower River Region. She said
the Regional Education Directorate of the Department of State for Basic and
Secondary Education is currently working on the modalities to start another
senior secondary school in the region.
She also
said, there are plans to provide a senior secondary school in the Niaminas but
the location of the school is the subject of discussion between the different
constituencies concerned. He said there are no immediate plans to build
structures at Ballanghar and Kaur. She, however, said plans are underway to
convert the school in Ballanghar to a Basic Cycle School which will require building more
classroom facilities.
NaNA
Harps on Nutrition
By
Yaya Bajo
Malang
Fofana, the Senior Programme Officer of the National Nutrition Agency (NaNA),
has stated that nutrition is a science that deals with the ingesting of food,
digestion, absorption, utilisation, metabolism and interaction of nutrients by
the body of an individual. Mr. Fofana who is also the National Coordinator of
the International Baby Food Action Network (IBFAN) made these revelations in an
exclusive interview with Foroyaa on Wednesday, 5 September 2007
at the NaNA head office in Bakau.
He said
nutrients are substances that are found in food and are classified into two
main groups, namely micro nutrients-required in small quantities such as
minerals and vitamins, and macronutrients which is required in large quantities
like carbohydrates, proteins and fats. Mr.Fofana added that both micro and
macro nutrients are required by the body in order for it to function
effectively.
Mr.
Fofana adds: “The requirement for nutrients differ from one person to another
as it depends on the age, sex and size of an individual”. He said infants and
children require more nutrients because they are growing. He added that
nutrients provide energy for all types of activities, help in growth and
development and protects the body from
infections and diseases. He remarked that infants and children are vulnerable
when it comes to nutrient intake and therefore their nutrient requirement is
always high. “They have immature immune system and the development of this
immune system is largely dependent on the availability of nutrient, this makes
nutrients very important for them,” said Mr.Fofana.
Tailoring
down to the most important food for the infant, the NaNA Senior Programme
Officer mentioned breast milk as perfect, since it contains all classes of
food, particularly in the first six months of a child’s life. He said that
breast milk being a perfect food for infants makes it globally recommended for
lactating mothers to practice exclusive breastfeeding.
He
further stated that after six months of exclusive breastfeeding, breastmilk
becomes no longer adequate therefore other foods have to be complemented.
“Complementary foods should be introduced after six months of a child’s life in
order to fill the gap of an infant’s food requirement,” he divulged. He
maintained that the introduction of other foods should be gradual and the
texture should be liquid and not solid. While noting that the formula should be
watery, its nutritional value must not be compromised. He added that the period
of complementary feeding had become a dilemma because mothers feel that infants
cannot eat other foods at that time. “The pap given to infants are mainly
watery and therefore has little nutritional value. To avoid giving babies less
nutrients that contained watery formula, mothers are advised to practice
fermentation method because research has shown that during the time of
weaning two factors hinder complementary
feeding,” he explained. He said these factors are nutritionally and highly
contaminated food by pathogens.
“If
fermentation method is used it will cut down the amount of bacteria as it
cannot grow on it. It enhances the flavour of the pap and makes it delicious,”
Mr.Fofana explained. He further reminded mothers that complementary feeding has
to go in conjunction with breastfeeding as it has to continue for two years or
beyond. He said as the child gets old enough other family foods can be given
plus fruits and vegetables some of which he advised should be mashed as they
are important sources of micro nutrients.
Mr.
Fofana warned that when the child starts eating family foods, care should be
taken to ensure the child gets fair and equitable share of the food because
traditionally families eat together and, many a time, children are
disadvantaged because they are not often allowed to touch the ingredients. He
said children should be provided with in-between meals (snacks) due to their
smaller stomach capacity”. It is recommended that children should eat at least
five times a day to ensure that they meet their nutritional requirements. The
other fundamental factor is the hygiene and safety of the food. He warned that
care must be taken to ensure basic principles of personal and environmental
hygiene in the preparations and storage of infants’ food”.
Health
Policy and Master Plan Close to Completion
By
Bubacarr K. Sowe
The draft
Health Policy Framework 2007-2020 and the Health Master Plan 2007-2020 will be
finalised soon. This revelation followed a consensus building meeting at the
Paradise Suite Hotel recently. This meeting attracted stakeholders to study and
agree on the two documents which will serve as blue prints for the health
sector for the next thirteen years.
Among the
targets in the new health policy is to reduce the rate of infant mortality from
75 deaths in every 1000 children to 28 deaths by 2015. The policy also seeks to
reduce maternal mortality from 730 to 150 and under five mortality from 99 to
43 for every 1000 by 2015. It also projects life expectancy to increase from
63.4 years to 68 years by 2015 and reduce the prevalence of HIV/AIDS1 from 1.1%
to 0.5% and HIV/AIDS 2 from 0.6% to 0.1% by the same year.
By that
time the policy hopes to reduce tuberculosis incidence from 120 in every
hundred thousand cases to sixty thousand. Total fertility rate is expected to
reduce from 5.4 to 4.6, morbidity due to non-communicable diseases would drop
to 10% and morbidity due to other communicable diseases would fall to 50%.
Sekou
Omar Toure, the Director of Planning and Information at the Department of State
for Health and Social Welfare, told Foroyaa that the draft documents are the
results of a series of consultation and the work of experts.
Mr. Toure
said their technical committee is finalizing both the health policy and the
master plan.
MARRIAGE AND FAMILY
CHILD
BETROTHAL
Part 5
By Amie Sillah
Haja
Rakey And Her Childern
Muhammed
shut himself in his room incommunicado. Rokiya forced herself into the room.
She gave her brother solidarity. “Bro! Hang on! This is your life!” Haja Rakey
came into Muhammed’s room. The children told her their mind. “Mummy! This match
make cannot work. Jami is a snob and a spoilt brat! She has no respect for our
family. You know that mum! You know it!” Haja Rakey was cornered. “Its true!
But what can we do? Your dad has gone far in the marriage arrangement”. “We can
do something mum! We can! This is my life. I have a say in when I want to
marry. And definitely, it is not Jamila”. Rokiya choused and urged her mother
to do something. Haja Rokey got resolved. “Okay! I’ll do something”. “You
will?” the children asked. “Yes I will. Alhajj is my husband. I’ll talk to
him”. “Thank you mum! Thank you!” The children kissed their mum.
Amina
And Aunty Mai
Anunty
Mai tried to reason with Amina. “My child! Don’t kill me with shame. Uncle Che
is our life. Your late dad betrothed you to him. Nothing can change that,
nothing! It’s a dead man’s wish”. “It can be undone. It was only a wish. The
reality has changed. You people never sought my consent. Uncle Che is a nice
man. I respect him a lot. He is like a dad to me. He is my father’s age mate
for Allah’s sake. Mummy! Wishes come and wishes go. Muhammed is the love of my
life. I can’t let him go”. Aunty Mai fell into tantrums. She cried her heart
out.
Uncle
Che Comes In
Uncle Che
confronted Amina. “What is your game? Do you think you can use and dumped me?
No way! What can that little boy do for you?” Amina stammered. “I went for an
excursion” “Liar! Excursion my foot! I saw and heard you speak”. Uncle Che is
smart, he decided to change tactic. “Okay my sunshine! I forgive your escapade.
I have accepted you back but promise
that you’ll never hurt me again. I love you. You are my sunshine. I
can’t do without you”. Uncle Che gave her a peck. Amina left. “Patience! More
patience! Uncle Che left.
Muhammed
Pays Amina A Visit
Muhammed
came to Amina to pay her a visit. Aunty Mai came to answer the knock. Whom did
she see? Muhammed standing at the front door. “Who are you? What can I do for
you?” “I am Muhammed, Amina’s friend”. Aunty Mai reflected. “Oh! You are the
Muhammed who have come to ruin my joy? You are the one distracting Amina? Go!
Go away the son of the devil! Never come to my home again. You are univited”.
Muhammed was embrassed. He left in a rage. Amina was inside her room. She came
out to enquire about Mamma’s outburst. “Mamma! What is it? Why are you shouting
like that? Who are you shouting at?” “It is that rascal, that son of the devil
who is distracting you from Uncle Che”. “Muhammed? Where is he?” “Do I care? I
sent him away? I strictly warned him never to call to my house again”. Amina
rushed after Muhammed but it was too late. He had already driven away. Amina
came back frustrated. She left for Muhammed’s house.
At
Muhammed’s House
Alhajj
Bangally confronted his son. “How about your arrangement to travel to the U.K?”
“Well! I am on it,” he lied. “I expect you to be on top. Your first degree was
excellent”. “Dad! I have more surprise for you. I do not love Jamila. I would
go to London but not to marry Jamila”. “But my son! You loved her before
especially during your high school days. You can always work it out”. Alhajj
tried to encourage his son.
Amina
Comes In
At this
juncture Amina came in. Alhajj asked. “Who is she?” Muhammed hesitated but took
the courage to introduce Amina to his parents. “This is Amina, the love of my
life”. He turned to Amina and introduced his parents to her. Alhajj was rude
and unaccommodating. “Oh! Is this the Jezebel distracting you from your fiancée
Jamila? Get out of my house! You are not welcome!” Amina rushed out with
embarrassment and shame. Muhammed went after her. “Come here!” Alhajj ordered.
Muhammed ignored him. Rokiya exploded. “Dad! Mum! This is unfair! You cannot
treat Muhammed like a teenager. He is 30 years for Allah’s sake”.
Alhajj
Reacts
“No more
pocket money! No more privileges! I am done with Muhammed until he comes back
to his sense”. Rokiya went after Amina.
Muhammed
And Rokiya
Alhajj
put an embargo on Muhammed’s privileges. He started to feel the pinch. He
cannot drive his unfuel vehicle. It has to be parked at home. He came out and
found Rokiya watering the flowers. He begged her for some money to meet some of
his basic needs. Rokiya had D400.00. She decided to give him D200.00. He was
happy.” Thanks my dear sister. I can now fuel my car and satisfy some basic
needs thanks”.
Lovers
At The Love Garden
The
lovers met at the love garden. Amina knew Muhammed’s suffering. She gave him a
bag full of groceries, fruits and other basic needs. “All this for me? But why?
You are a student”. Muhammed posited. “I have the means to help. What is love
about if not to help a friend in need?” Muhammed kissed her at the forehead and
thanked her. Amina handed her an envelope, in which D10, 000. was enclosed “It
is not much but it can go a long way given that your dad put an embargo on your
allowance”. “But it is too much. The groceries and other miscellaneous items
then D10.000 cash! That’s too much!” “No! It is not. You are always welcome”.
Amina begged for Muhammed’s indulgence. “Sweetheart! No more outings until my
problem with Uncle Che is solved. I am working out a plan. Be patient and give
me more time”. She gave Muhammed a peck and left.
Muhammed
And Amina’s Friends
Muhammed
met Jackie and Jenny. He greeted them nicely and left. Jackie criticized him.
“He is evil. He is trying to drive a wedge between Amina and her benefactor Uncle Che. It is not
right”. Jenny supported him. “They are made for each other. Don’t you see how
Amina is radiating? Arranged forced marriage is wrong. Marriage should be based
on consent. I am happy for them and I wish them well,” put in Jenny. The friends
disagreed again.
Haja
Rakey And Alhajj Bangally
Haja
Rakey woke Alhajj at the middle of the night. She tried to win him over and to
make him softer toward Muhammed. “Darling! You should review you stand towards
you son. Don’t you think he has a say in this matter?” “What say? Muhammed is
stubborn. He is challenging me. I’ll show him I am his dad not the other way
round”. Dad was rigid. “Don’t frustrate our only son, let us allow him make a
choice. Remember your clan wanted you to marry a second wife but you disagreed.
According to you polygamy is ‘wahala’ (trouble); that you don’t want to die
early. We love each other. Your clan cannot separate us. Why? Because of our
true, genuine and mutual love. Don’t deny your only son of that opportunity.
Think about it?” Haja kissed her husband. “Rakey! Leave me to sleep. I’ll think
about it”. “Thank you my love! Thank you!” Haja was happy. There is light at
the end of the tunnel.
Amina
And Aunty Mai
Aunty Mai
is employing all tactics to woe over Amina to love Uncle Che. Amina explained
about her appreciation for Uncle Che. “I appreciate him a lot but I do not love
him. That is my point. Uncle Che is my dad. I cannot se him as a husband”.
Mamma tried to discourage Amina from Muhammed. She told her a lie about
Poor-Rich-Theory. “Rich people are all the same. They have no love or respect
for the poor. Muhammed will use and dump you”. Amina doubted her mum and
pointed out a contradiction in her theory. “Uncle Che is rich and you are
praising him”. “Yes! Uncle Che is different”. “Mamma! That’s is why it is wrong
to generalize”. Mum was cornered. She emphasized, “Uncle Che is different. He
has proven himself and Muhammed has not”. “But mamma! Have you given Muhammed a
chance?” “Your birthday is fast approaching. Uncle Che have promised to
celebrate it with a style”. Mamma announced excitingly.
FOCUS
ON POLITICS
THE
1987 GENERAL ELECTIONS
PDOIS’
ARTICULATES ITS ALTERNATIVE POLICIES
With Suwaibou Touray
We have
been focusing on politics in general and Gambian politics in particular. The
narration of events commenced from pre-colonial to post-independence epoch. We
have gone far into the narration of events in the 1987 general elections.
In the
last edition, we have dwelt on the campaign messages of the ruling PPP, where
Sir Dawda defended his government’s policies. We have stopped where we quoted
Joseph E. Stiglitz where he said “when crisis hit, the IMF prescribes outmoded,
inappropriate, if “standard” solutions, without considering the effects they
would have on the people in the country who are told to follow those policies;”
that the IMF expects countries to follow its guidelines without debate. Let us
continue from where we stopped
The
political atmosphere in 1987 was indeed tense, albeit, amusing. The PDOIS was
the youngest party and its militants were all young and new to the field of
canvassing votes. They only had the science to help and protect them. Sir
Dawda, Dibba and Camara had all been in politics since before independence.
PDOIS’
five candidates were all said to be new in the field. However, the PDOIS
leaders had always emphasized the need to put haste aside even though the
militants and few supporters on the ground were agitating to move to the
country - side. At their rallies, the PDOIS emphasized that their concern at
that moment was not necessarily the votes but the need to build a solid cadre
of party workers; that to build a house, one must build the blocks, establish a
solid foundation, because as they argued, the task ahead was not an easy one.
The PDOIS,
however, claimed that they have a body of leaders each of whom was more
knowledgeable, more honest, more patriotic and more dedicated than any person
in the Jawara government. The PDOIS opined that they had been placed in an
advantageous position; that they had decades of lessons to learn from; that
they had all the instruments necessary to build a Nation that can meet the
aspirations of our people. They asserted that all that was required from them
was sincerity and commitment.
The PDOIS
criticized the Jawara regime for entering into the Senegambia Confederation.
They quoted section 59 of the 1970 constitution, which stated that the Gambia should not owe allegiance to any
foreign power, or authority.
The PDOIS
accused the PPP government of accepting to be in a confederation, which made
them to owe allegiance, obedience and adherence to Abdou Diouf of Senegal; that the type of African unity
that is principled is based on the sovereign equality of states and peoples;
that Governments, which unite, should use the resources for the interests of
the people. The PDOIS emphasized that the SeneGambia Confederation was neither
based on the principle of sovereign equality of the two states and people nor
were the policies and programmes geared to serve the interest or welfare of the
two countries. The new party revealed that the confederal Budget amounted to
D78 million dalasis; that Gambia was contributing D26 million and Senegal was contributing D52 million. They
also revealed that D60 million was spent on the maintenance of the confederal
armed and security forces; that the ministers and parliamentarians were given
double income. They argued that nothing was there to build roads across the two
countries or telecommunications services or any other thing.
The PDOIS
leaders emphasized that the taxes paid by both people were being wasted to
maintain mere bureaucracies. They added that President Diouf of Senegal who had the authority to declare a
state of public emergency permanently led the condeferal government and when
that happens, he could order anybody in the Gambia and requisition goods and services
to handle the emergency situation in the country. The new leaders laid emphasis
on the fact that the PPP regime had sold itself to the Senegalese regime and
the president and parliamentarians had authorized the enforcement of an
agreement that made them to owe allegiance and adherence to the dictates of the
president of Senegal. The PDOIS who are versed and
articulate in local languages argued in their rallies that the D26 million
dalasis paid by Gambia could be better spent to improve
agriculture, health and other services.
On the
economy, they emphasized that instead of diversifying agriculture and
introducing light scale industrialization to process our products to generate consumer
goods and employment, the PPP had relied basically on the production of
groundnuts and the exportation of even rice, our staple food. They said the
GPMB and cooperative union used to collaborate with Gambia Commercial and
Development Bank (GCDB) to purchase the crops of the farmers at a cheaper price
and make profit under the pretext that they would give production and
subsistent credit and creates consumer cooperatives to subsidize production
input and consumption of the staple food, rice, by reducing the prices. The
PDOIS argued that the PPP regime was driving the GPMB, GCDB and Cooperatives
into bankruptcy and thus eliminate all possibilities of subsides to the farming
community; that the farmers were being impoverished by rising prices of consumer
goods and low prices of their nuts in comparison to the world market price.
The PDOIS
emphasized in the campaign that the cooperative union would truly be a union of
producers, marketing and consumer cooperative whose leaders would be elected by
the farmers to represent them; that such a union would have access to world
market price of all commodities produced by Gambian farmers and then negotiate
with the farmers based on all the collateral cost for the exportation of the
crops to determine the local price. They said they would make sure that the
farmers have a say to determine the local price.
On
Employment, the PDOIS revealed that the plan of the PPP was to privatize all
the public enterprises and retrench the workers and argued that public enterprises
could be profitable; that since individuals who managed them end up running
their own private businesses after their companies were privatized confirms
that any public enterprise which becomes bankrupt must have been mismanaged.
PDOIS
emphasized that if it took over, it would manage these public enterprises so
that annually they would yield dividend which would be reinvested both in the expansion of the productive base
and the sustenance of social services.
On
Democracy, the PDOIS said the PPP regime had introduced and consolidated the
politics of patronage; that throughout the country, people had been paying
taxes without knowing that it should be utilized to provide services; that
farmers see their members of parliament, president, councilors and chiefs as
monarchs (kings) rather than representatives; that PDOIS had come to introduce
genuine Democracy in The Gambia by doing their utmost in raising the awareness
of the people to know that the reason why they elect representatives is to
serve them and not to rule over them.
The PDOIS
also exposed the impunity where farmers at the time who allegedly failed to pay
their cooperative loans would have their corrugated iron sheets removed or the
seizure of their implements or were put in transports and driven around
villages, put in seed stores polluted with insecticides etc. They said that
would cease and the law would be allowed to take its course.
Finally,
the PDOIS said among other things that they had in mind the history of Gambian
politics; that they knew that people could often use tribe, religion and
divisive issues to try and discredit a body, which may represent the truth.
This is why the PDOIS said they had worked hard to have people on board from
all sections of the Gambian community united by one desire alone, i.e. a desire
to carve a Nation where every Gambian irrespective of tribe, religion, sex,
philosophy, or race can live happily in prosperity without oppression or
exploitation.
The PDOIS
expressed optimism that the party will never die because, as they forecast, as
long as there are committed and sincere people, the PDOIS will always live to
serve the people for whom it is established.
See next
edition as we dwell into the aftermath of the 1987 elections.
Regional
Effort to Safeguard Baby Food
By
Yaya Bajo
The
International Baby Food Action Network (IBFAN) is a pro-advocacy network of
professionals, institutions, organisations and individuals that protects,
promotes and supports optimal Infant and Young Child Feeding Practices (IYCFP).
It was created as a result of a WHO/UNICEF meeting on infant and young children
feeding in Geneva on the 12 of October 1979, and
currently has over 200 AFFILIATES in over 100 countries in the world. It is a
loose structure of organisations, groups, departments, and individuals sharing
a common goal.
IBFAN
organises conference every three years for its member countries as part of its
regular programmes. This year’s conference was held in Maputo-Mozambique from
the 13-18 August, where 24 countries out of the 30 Anglophone and Lusophone
attended. The conference hosted National Coordinators of Infant and Young Child
Feeding Programme and their collaborators from the 24 countries. It discussed
internal policies and plans with partners, donors and collaborators geared towards
optimal TYCF.
The
conference also provided a forum for sharing experiences enriching and updating
participants on new issues and development on IYCF and create consensus on
matters of mutual benefits and came up with recommendations.
During
the conference, provision was made for regional meetings which gave the members
the opportunity to elect the Advisory Committee (now called the Executive
Committee) for the next 3 years. This Committee formulates major IBFAN regional
polices and advises the regional coordinator on issues of implementation and
coordination of the regional programmes.
The theme
for this year’s conference is “Revitalisation of the Mother and Baby Friendly
Health Facility and Community Initiative in Africa: Successes, Challenges and Forging
Ahead”.
As per
the theme, this initiative was instituted as a means of achieving increased
rates and duration of exclusive breastfeeding in Africa.
However,
major challenges such as the HIV pandemic, national and human made disasters,
poverty, and economic globalization, environmental degradation are negatively
affecting IYCF practices in this regions.
Ten steps
to successful breastfeeding were developed for the Baby Friendly Hospital
Initiative and its tenth step which addresses the community aspect, remains the
corner stone of protection, support and promotion of optimal infant and young
child feeding for all infants. The Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI) and
the Baby Friendly Community Initiative (BFCT) therefore must receive greater
attention in all countries if breastfeeding especially exclusive breastfeeding
for 6 months and optimal IYCF for all children is to be achieved.
OBJECTIVES:
The
overall objective of the conference and general meeting is to improve care and
breastfeeding immediately after birth, exclusive breastfeeding rates for six
months and total duration of breastfeeding and improved support for HIV
positive mothers with optimal infant and young child nutrition specific
objectives.
Ø To update members on the issues,
developments on infant and young child feeding.
Ø To update all countries on the new
WHO/UNICEF, BFHI training and assessment tools in the context of HIV.
Ø To review progress made in BFHI and
community support.
Ø To develop recommendations for
“bringing up to speed implementation” of BFHI and BFCI in the region.
Ø To review the achievements of IBFAN
African and its board, endorse the constitution and elect members.
CONTENT:
As per
the objectives, the conference deliberated on issues geared towards uplifting
infant and young child feeding. The opening statement was delivered by the
Deputy Minister of Health of Mozambique, who underscored her government’s
support to this noble crusade. There were updates on current infant and young
child nutrition and were presented by individual countries. The presentation
focused on the achievement, strengths, weaknesses, challenges and constraints.
Countries also presented on the progress on the BFHI with emphasis on community
initiative and documentation of best practices with emphasis on gender and
breastfeeding and the involvement of men and youth in promoting optimal IYCF.
Five countries, including The Gambia, that benefited from the IBFAN Africa
Capacity Development Project 2006-2008 made a presentation on the progress made
in the project relation to IYCF. This was followed by poster presentations
where countries showcased their national activities on BFHI and other work on
IYCF.
To ensure
improved coordination among network members and to facilitate monitoring of
progress, group works were done for countries to come up with Action Plans
focusing on the National Scaling up of BFHI and BFCT for 2010. The action plan
developed by The Gambia was geared towards the designation of 6 health
facilities as baby friendly by 2010 and these include Bansang, Basse, Essau,
Soma, Farafenni and RVTH. This therefore means concerted efforts are needed to
realize this by all and sundry.
The
conference also elected members to the next executive committee as well as
sub-regional representatives. The West African countries elected their
sub-regional representative from Ghana. After each country presentation,
discussions were made on the burning issues and participants came up with their
experiences on the issues. Although significant progress is made in some
countries in the implementation of the BFHI, there are also countries that need
to speed up in this area. The Gambia, though yet to possess a single
facility designated for BFHI, the country has made significant achievements in
the area of BFCI to support the hospital initiative. This has fascinated other
countries as they registered their appreciation to this initiative and some of
the countries have already started implementing the BFHI
Conclusion:
Overall,
it was a well organised meeting and participants were updated on new
developments on infant and young child nutrition including the context of HIV.
They also had better understanding of the new BFHI training assessment tools,
understanding of the various best practices from the individual countries as
well as documentation of these practices.
RECOMMENDATION
Ø Scale up BFHI implementation
Ø Adoption of the new BFHI training tool
and training/retraining of staff on the new tool.
Ø Implementation of the international
code and national regulations.
Ø Strengthen the involvement of youths
and men in IYCF programmes
Ø Advocate for increase funding for IYBF
programmes
Ø Relocation of the regional office to Nairobi
SOS Faye Addresses NYSS Corps
Members
Omar Faye, the Secretary of State for Youth and
Sports, has indicated that the swearing in ceremony of 160 NYSS Corps members
came at a time when The Gambia and her development partners had to redefine
their strategies to effectively stem the tides of what is manifestly youth in
despair and their attempts at sea ( “Barcelona Wala Barsah”).
SoS Faye made this statement on Thursday 30 August,
at the swearing in ceremony of the 9 intakes of NYSS Corps held at the
Independence Stadium and Friendship Hotel in Bakau.
Faye said, “We are witnessing the phenomenon of increasing
challenge to the self worth and esteem in our young girls and women folk. In
this regard, its is worth mentioning that not too long ago, The Gambia in
partnership with Spain had drawn a mutually benefiting strategic smart
partnership to tackle this menace. While on the Spanish side, fewer people will
have the need to brave the perilous high seas, we on this side will be able to
invest in more tools for poverty reduction, training and employment
opportunities for both Gambians and European markets thus strengthening our
employment drive”.
“I am pleased to mention that 160 corps members
consisting of 34 females and 126 males are today paraded as the 9 NYSS intake
2007, to be administered the Oath of Service allegiance,” she remarked.
Speaking at the ceremony, the Executive Director of
the National Youth Service Scheme, Musa Mboge, said since the commencement of
the orientation course six weeks ago, the new members from diverse backgrounds
and environments were brought together and were introduced to leadership skills
and good practices. He said they have received introductory lectures in
counselling, sexual and reproductive health, business management, enterprise
development and culture and tradition. He said this is to inculcate in them the
ideals of service scheme and re-orient them towards being responsible and
disciplined citizens, as well as prepare them for their skills training period
and beyond.
Transport Union VP Arraigned
By
Modou Jonga
The
former first Vice President of The Gambia National Transport Union, Mr.
Abdoulie Sosseh, was on Thursday 6 September, 2007 arraigned in court and
charged with forgery contrary to section 322 of the Criminal Code. The
particulars of the offence states that the accused forged letterheads and
membership cards on the 15 of March 2006 and in the month of March 2007 at
Brikama without lawful authority.
Daddy
Sowe, the president of the Gambia National Transport Union, testified that the
accused was appointed first Vice President of the Transport Union when he manifested
his interest to join the Union after returning from the United States of America in 2001. Mr. Sowe noted that the
accused ceased to be the Union’s vice president after his appointment was terminated
sometime last year when he engaged himself in malpractices.
According
to Mr. Sowe, shortly after the termination of the appointment of the accused,
he was invited for questioning at the National Intelligence Agency
Headquarters. He said upon his arrival at the NIA headquarters, documents were
put before him (Sowe) and he identified them as forged letters bearing the
symbol of the transport union and a membership card, and invalid signatures.
The forged letterheads and membership card were identified by the witness and
tendered in court and marked as exhibit without objection by the accused.
Testifying
further, Sowe said he had shown the official letter and membership card bearing
his name as the president of the union. He said he gave his statement both at
the NIA and the police. Under cross examination by the accused, the witness
noted that he was informed that the alleged forged documents were obtained from
the government. The accused put it to the witness that he had not acted
independently with non executive members, but the witness refuted his claims. The
witness said he has the “final say” on decisions pertaining to the transport
union, and any decision taken without his consent amounts to a Coup d’etat. The
accused put it to the witness that the
letterhead and membership card were not forged but were changes authorised by
the Executive Committee.
David
Colley’s Trial
Police
Commissioner Testifies
By
Abdou Jeli Keita
The criminal trial of David Colley, former Director
General of Prisons and the state continued with the testimony of Commissioner
Burama Dibba.
In his
testimony at the Banjul Magistrates Court, Commissioner Dibba said he knew
David Colley. He said Colley is his friend and senior as the former Director
General of Prisons. He added that in June 2007, he, in his capacity as O C of
Prosecutions, brought David Colley from Mile 2 to his office and told him that
he wanted to interrogate him on the accusation against him. He said before
doing that, he asked the accused whether he had a lawyer and the accused
responded that Lawyer Antouman Gaye was his counsel. He said he called Lawyer
Gaye but could not reach him on phone, upon which David Colley told him to
question him, noting that he would communicate what transpired to his lawyer.
He said
he questioned the accused on the D27,000 derived from the use of a tractor. He
said David denied that he put the money into his personal use while pointing
out that it is less than D27,000. He said further that the accused maintained
that the amount was used for official purposes like buying fuel for moving prisoners
to the hospital.
He said
he told David that he was not supposed to use the money. He said David answered
that Volume 3 gave him the mandate to use the money.
During
cross-examination, Counsel Gaye asked the witness whether he told the accused
that he was about to question him, but he need not answer because any answer he
gave will be given in court as evidence against him. Commissioner Dibba said he
didn’t. Counsel Gaye then proceeded to ask him if anybody obtains statement
from David Colley, the witness said he was not part of that. The case is
adjourned till Wednesday 12 September 2007.
Police Sergeant Accused of Extortion
By
Fabakary B. Ceesay
Two Rastafarians, a complainant and a defendant,
appeared before Principal Moses Richards of the Kanifing Magistrates Court and
accused a police sergeant stationed at the Serrekunda Police Station of receiving
money from them in the form of a bribe
and extortion.
According
to the defendant, his brother gave D1500 dalasis to the said sergeant as a
compensation to the complainant. He alleged that the sergeant insisted that the
D500 dalasis is for a bail and the D1000
dalasis for the complainant. The complainant also alleged that he went to the
station to collect the said amount but that the sergeant was so arrogant
towards him that he ordered him to get out of the police station before he put
him in cell. He said the sergeant told him he (the sergeant) had no money for
him and if he insisted he would be put in cell. He added that he left the
station without any money. Magistrate Richards ordered the prosecutor to ask
the sergeant to produce the said money if it is true by the next adjourned
date. The matter was heard on Wednesday 5 September.
Girl, 11, Allegedly Raped
By Modou Jonga
An eleven
year old student complainant (name withheld) has on Thursday 6 September, told
the Brikama Magistrates Court, that she was sexually abused sometime in March
this year by an Adult (name withheld) at Marakisa in Kombo Central.
The eleven year old girl made this remark while
testifying before Magistrate Ayub Johnny Njie. She told the court that on the
date of the offence, she was sent by her mother to collect money from the
accused in exchange for a local incense. She stated that, she met the accused
in his residence and was given D100.00, but the cost of the local incense was
D50.00. She said she was supposed to return the balance of D50.00 to the
accused.
According to the complainant, as she returned to
give the D50.00 to the accused, she was given one smoked fish on a plate to be
taken to her mother. After handing over the smoked fish to her mother, she
returned to give the said plate to the accused at his compound. She said when
she returned to the accused, the accused asked her to take the plate to his room. She said as she was heading to
the room of the accused, the accused held her hand and pulled her on his bed.
She said the accused forcefully undressed her an sealed her mouth with a piece
of cloth. She said the accused mounted on her. She testified that she felt
pain, as the accused could not penetrate her. She said she later narrated the
circumstance of the rape and the matter was reported to the Brikama Police
Station, where she was interrogated and her statement obtained.
The complainant
said she was accompanied the following day by her mother and some police
officers. She said she was taken to the Brikama Health Centre where she was
medically examined. The picture of the alleged scene of the crime and the
statement of the complainant were tendered in court and admitted as exhibits
without objection by the accused.
While being cross examined by the accused, the
complainant noted that the cloth she wore at the time of the alleged rape is in
the custody of the police. The complainant stated that the clothes she wore
were not stained prior to the alleged rape offence. The accused has denied
sealing the complainant’s mouth with a piece of cloth and raping her.
Lamin R Darboe’s Trial
Magistrate Njie Issues Ultimatum
By
Modou Jonga
Magistrate Ayub Johny Njie, had on Tuesday, 4
September 2007, urged the prosecutor prosecuting the criminal trial involving
the supporters of the UDP to proceed with the case, failing which he will
dismiss the case on Tuesday, 18 September (the next adjourned date).
The UDP
supporters were charged with criminal assault after the by election in Kombo
East which saw Junkung Conteh outclassing his opponents in the polls. The
learned trials Magistrate made this statement after he registered his
dissatisfaction over the snail pace with which the matter is being prosecuted
by the prosecution. Magistrate Njie scolded the prosecutor for what he
described as negligence of duty on the part of the prosecution. Lamin Darboe,
the first accused urged the court to help in ensuring that the case precedes.
He informed the honourable court that the case has not proceeded since on the 5
of May; that this is disheartening because they are always in court.
Darboe
said he is not satisfied with the conducted of the prosecution. Dudu Kassa Jaata who is jointly charged with one
Natoma Conteh expressed similar sentiments.
Readers
may recall that Lamin R. Darboe, Buba Darboe, Mariama Jobarteh, Jerreh Fatty,
Momodu Demba, Dudu Kassa Jaata and Natoma Conteh, have all pleaded not guilty
to the assault charges preferred against them.]
Scorpions Win, Mission Unaccomplished
By Modou Nyang
The Scorpions defeated Algeria 2-1 on
Sunday fighting from a goal down. Algeria took the
lead in the 53 minute following a goalless first half. But Assan Jatta came
from the bench and fired the home side on level terms.
Jatta rounded off the Algerian goalkeeper after
being superbly setup by Mustapha Jarjue, to fire home the all-important goal.
And Mathew Mendy controlled well inside in the Algerian Box to slot home the
match winner in the 87th minute.
The Desert Foxes took a surprise lead early in the
second period from some lose play by the Scorpions. Mustapha Jarjue failed to
connect to a throw from Pa Saikou Kujabi and when the visitors took off for a
counter attack, they outnumbered the Scorpions defenders. Abdoulie Corr (Paco)
and Lamin Conateh (Babaye) forced them to play the ball away to the edge of the
area but when the cross went in, Saifi Rafik was on hand to head into Musa
Bajaha’s net.
The Scorpions technicians responded by introducing
Jatta for Njogu Demba and the Belgium Based striker became an instant threat to
the North Africans. And when Ebrima Sohna was given the nod for the injured
Edrissa Sonko, the Scorpions regained the midfield to allow Jatta and co to
ruin their tricks. With some stability in midfield Toubabo was able to locate
the rushing Jatta in the 71st minute and the leggy striker
rounded off the keeper and put the Scorpions back into game.
Back on terms the Scorpions were reduced to 10 on
the pitch when debutant Ousman Jallow was red carded. Jallow making his senior
debut was involved in a scuffle with the Algerian defenders after the Gambia’s goal
and when the referee sought the opinion of his assistant, Jallow was off.
Jallow earlier missed a penalty when he was fouled inside the Algerian area.
It didn’t came much difference as the Scorpions
continued to push for the break through and the moment came again with the
involvement of Assan Jatta. The visitors defence was played out inside their
penalty area and as the ball begged for legs Mathew Mendy showed up and coolly
drove in the winner.
In the corresponding fixture between Guinea and Cape
Verde in Guinea, the Cyli National won
4-0 to seal a place in the Nations Cup as group winners. The Guineans now have
a 11 points to Gambia and Algeria’s 8. The
defeat to the Desert Foxes by the Scorpions meant South
Africa take the remaining spot for the
second best placed teams.
Samger Promoted To 1st Division
By
Isatou Bittaye
Samger FC has gained promotion to the 1st division.They finish second after Interior FC
n the 2nd division league with
a total of 35 points .
The promotion was confirmed by the Chairman of the GFA
league organizing committee mass Axi
Gai. Interior took 1st position with a total of 35 points and qr3
followed by Gamger in second with 33 points. Mr gai said Samger edged past
Brikama United by a one goal difference. He said that the committee was given
the task of running the league upon which completed can dessiminate the result
to the public, noting that without
finishing the task cannot speak to the
press.mr gai indicated that both samger and Brikama did their calculation of the result but the GFA result is the
final.he said that in the 1st division league real de Banjul took first with a total of 35 points , followed by
GAMTEL with 32 points and a goal difference of 6 and Wallidan obtain the 3rd position with 32 points and 4 goal difference.
He said that seaview and steve biko are relegated into the 2nd division and interior and samger are promoted
in the 1st division. Mass axi
added that Y/African got 16 point s
followed by Jambanjelly 8 points who closed the table. He however warned after
every league season all teams should wait for the FA to give the final results before concluding
that they are promoted or not. He noted that both Brikama and samger were
saying that they are promoted. He indicated that in the female
the results are yet to complete but interior took 1st in the 2nd division and anytime they are ready the final
result will be announced .
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