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Authorities say increase in NCDs in Gambia underlines need, urgency to combat tobacco use

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By: Momodou Justice Darboe, Association of Health Journalists (AOHJ)

The Gambia has carved an enviable position for itself in the global tobacco control arena but the increase in non-communicable diseases has gravely concerned the country’s health authorities. According to official statistics, about 400,000 people in the Gambia are tobacco users, which is 16.7% of the country’s nearly two million population.

The Gambia’s health authorities have been presented with another line of tobacco-related challenges as Shisha use increasingly gain popularity among the country’s youth and evolved in usage.
Health officials reported that Shisha jars are now being used to smoke drugs and other intoxicants.

But the urgency to intensify the Gambia’s tobacco battle has been underlined by the trending of people of school-going age towards tobacco and Shisha use as e-cigarettes continue to gain a foothold in the global tobacco market.

The Nigeria-based Management Health Sciences (MHS) is currently bankrolling the implementation of three key provisions of the Gambia’s 2016 Tobacco Control Act as the country races against time to prevent more tobacco-induced deaths and pressures on the country’s already challenged healthcare system.

The three provisions, being implemented under the Tobacco Project initiative by the Non-Communicable Diseases Unit of the Gambia’s health ministry, seek to support the enforcement of the Act’s provisions on the use of graphic health warnings, ban on display of tobacco products, tobacco advertisement, promotion and sponsorship, and sale of tobacco products to and by minors.

According to the Gambia’s Deputy Director of Health Education and Promotion, Mr. Sanjally Trawally, the Gambia had leapt forward in terms of tobacco control.

“The Gambia has gone very far in terms of tobacco control. At every stage or any part of the world, Gambia has been mapped as one of the best-performing countries in terms of tobacco control. We’ve produced one of the best tobacco control Acts in the whole world. I think Gambia is one of the best-awarded countries in terms of tobacco control awards,” Mr. Trawally, also the program manager for Gambia’s Non-Communicable Disease Unit, informed health journalists in a press conference recently.

He, however, stressed that these feathers in Gambia’s cap in the tobacco control arena should not give any room for complacency and his point was reiterated by the Program Manager of Gambia’s Non-Communicable Diseases Unit, Omar Badjie also the National Tobacco Control Focal Point at the country’s health ministry.

“We all know tobacco is so harmful and nowadays, we are seeing a lot of youths engaging in tobacco use, especially Shisha and other forms of electronic cigarettes. We are seeing an increase in non-communicable diseases by the day because risk factors are on the increase,” Badjie lamented.

He explained that the implementation of the Tobacco Project has now entered its third month and that the project has already conducted a lot of activities in conformity with the objectives of the Tobacco Policy Action managed by MSH. Senior health ministry official Fatoumatta Komma disclosed that the Tobacco Project was the second of its kind funded by MSH.

16 Years Later, The Gambia Returns to the FIFA WC Today

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By: Muhammed Lamin Drammeh

In June 2007, when the Gambia first participated in the Under 20 FIFA World Cup in Canada, none of the current players in the team was above the age of five, and today in Mendoza, Argentina, The Gambia will return to the FIFA U20 World Cup after 16 years of waiting when the young Scorpions face Honduras in a curtain-raiser to their World Cup journey in Argentina.

Guided by a soft-spoken coach, Abdoulie Bojang, both in Mauritania for the WAFU U20 competition and a historic U20 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt, the young scorpions are on the verge of setting a record on the world stage in Argentina provided that they pass the round of 16.

Speaking to The Fatu Network earlier last month after the group stage draw, coach Abdoulie Bojang said it was a fair draw, noting that the team has been prepared to face any side in the World Cup.
This was corroborated by prolific striker Adama Bojang, who was equally okay with the grouping.

In June 2007, a group of players fancied by my many Gambian football commentators as the golden generation of the country’s crop of players, the young Scorpions stunned the world with a mesmerizing performance in Canada. The team was led by prolific striker Ousman Jallow who recorded two goals in the competition and was the country’s top scorer. The Gambia crashed out in the round of 16 when they lost by two goals to one against Australia.

WONDER KID BOJANG EYES GOLDEN BOOT

Speaking to The Fatu Network ahead of the FIFA U20 World Cup in Argentina, Bojang revealed that his target as an individual is to be part of the leading scorers in the competition, with a dream to end the competition as the outright top scorer.

“My target,” he revealed to The Fatu Network is that “I am dreaming of being part of the leading goalscorers and eventually winning it, which will be exceptional for me going to the World Cup and winning the golden boot,” he voiced.

Known as the ‘Gambian Hurricane’, the 18-year-old prolific goalscorer had an impressive U20 continental competition in Egypt where he set up a national record by scoring a hat trick against South Sudan in the quarter-final of the competition, a performance that ignited attention from top European teams.

Much attention will be on him in the competition.

A Massive PLATFORM FOR THE PLAYERS

Like it did the 2007 generation of Ousman Jallow, Abdoulie Ken Mansaly and others, the competition will likely be a gateway for many of these youngsters to a professional career. Some of them are already in the books of European teams and many will be a target of several teams.

Players like Alagie Saine, Mamin Sanyang, and Ebrima Singhateh are in the books of European teams. Fortune FC’s Moses Jarjue has already signed for a Ukrainian team and will join them after the World Cup. Mahmud Bajo, the hard-tackling midfielder, is expected to sign a professional contract in the coming days.

The Gambia is grouped in group F alongside Honduras, South Korea and France.

The young Scorpions will open their campaign tonight against Honduras.

Editorial: For Gambia to live, the ego must die

Gambians have spoken through the ballot. In the just concluded mayoral/chairmanship elections, the electorates shared equally the country’s eight mayoral/chairmanship seats into two. They gave the ruling National People’s Party (NPP) four seats and another four to the main opposition United Democratic Party (UDP).

The opposition UDP won the top local council offices in Banjul City Council, Kanifing Municipal Council, Brikama Area Council and Mansakonko Area Council; while the governing National People’s Party (NPP) won the said seats in Kerewan Area Council, Janjanbureh Area Council, Kuntaur Area Council and Basse Area Council.

By order of hierarchy, the Banjul City Council and Kanifing Municipal Council, where the UDP won, are the biggest forces in local government dispensation in The Gambia.

In his congratulatory message to all elected mayors and chairpersons, President Adama Barrow said:

“Now that we have completed this cycle of elections, I urge all Gambians to now focus on national development and solidify the peace and stability of the country.”

The statement of the President is a call to enhance national development collaboratively. However, such a call would not be truly evident if the two big players fail to kill that feeling of importance and being in charge.

Mayors, chairpersons and councillors elected on the UDP ticket should see the need to use lobbying and dialogue persuasively and diplomatically in securing the required human, financial and material resources from the NPP-led central government to realize massive developments in their respective councils.

The ruling NPP on the other hand must not only accept defeat orally in the councils won by the main opposition. The NPP-led central government should always provide the needed financial and technical supports to the UDP-led councils as mandated by law. Also, the central government should willingly, wholly and practically transfer devolved functions to the councils. Devolved functions should be transferred with the required human resource and logistics.

Be it the central government or local government, whenever landmark development takes place, people benefit direct or indirectly, and the nation prospers. But when there is little or no positive development, the nation retrogresses and the people suffer. So, let the ego die, so that Gambia may live in peace and prospers.

Seedy congratulates UDP Yankuba Darboe, thanks voters

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Seedy Ceesay, NPP BAC chairmanship candidate:

“Thanking the electorate for the support given to my candidature

“I take this opportunity to thank every Gambian, particularly the citizens of West Coast Region, for completing a successful electoral cycle with the just concluded Mayoral and Chairperson elections. Every Gambian must be commended for the peaceful manner in which the elections were conducted. This shows the maturing of our democracy and that everyone is a winner.  I am proud and privileged to have participated by seeking the mandate of the people of West Coast Region as chairman of Brikama Area Council.

“Even though the results did not turn out the way we had hoped, we all should be proud of what we have achieved. I want to assure you that our desire to serve our great nation is still immense. We will continue doing our best to serve the people of West Coast Region and the Gambian people at large.

“I want to take this moment to thank the voters, particularly those who voted for me, our supporters, members of the NPP and all executive members and the entire campaign machinery. I also thank all those who supported and encouraged me over the course of the election.  They take credit for our achievements.

“As the elections are over, let us now unite as a nation and build the country we want for now and for the next generation.

“I extend special gratitude to all NPP members, the national executive, the regional Executive as well as the foot soldiers and much also to his Excellency President Adama Barrow, Party leader and Secretary General of the National People’s Party for his tremendous and invaluable support. I take this opportunity to assure everyone and more so the leadership that we will continue working with party structures, the energised membership and the people of our great nation to promote the agenda of the party and the obvious interest of the Gambian people and implement the vision of the party and leadership for the Gambian people.

“Once again I extend my appreciation to the NPP party and assure its members of our undiluted commitment to serve the party at all levels.

“To our party alliance members APRC, CITIZEN ALLIANCE, NRP, NCP, and GPDP thank you. We are more committed to the course than ever; we may lose today but our bond will always be strengthened by the setbacks we endure together. We will continue to work together and am sure we will overcome the challenges we may have this time around.

“To the winner, Yankuba Darboe of the United Democratic Party, I congratulate you on your victory and pray that Allah grants you the strength and wisdom to serve the people of West Coast Region. Our doors are open and for the interest of our common people and are ready to lend our support and cooperation to help change the life of people we hold dear.

“Finally, I want to assure you all that we will continue serving as the people’s voice. Our service to this nation will not be diminished by this setback and we will continue the fight to see a better Gambia and a prosperous West Coast Region.

Asalamu Alaikum Warahmatoullah

Seedy Sheriff Ceesay

NPP Candidate

Area Council Chairpersons

Election 2023″

Opinion: Learning lessons from the results of the Gambian elections

Over the past six months, The Gambia has undergone multiple cycles of voting, with each round bringing new developments and outcomes. The first cycle saw the incumbent president and the national people’s party secure a comfortable win in the presidential election. However, subsequent cycles of voting have seen the balance of power shift in unexpected ways. In the national assembly election, the national people’s party was able to secure a majority of the seats. However, they fell short of the two-thirds majority that they had hoped to achieve. This result set the stage for further political developments, as both the ruling party and the opposition began to strategize for the upcoming councillorship election. In the councillorship election, the main opposition party was able to secure a majority of the seats in urban areas and won the overall popular vote nationally. This was a significant upset for the ruling party and marked a turning point in the political landscape of The Gambia. Most recently, the mayoral and chairperson elections have seen the main opposition party continue its upward trajectory, winning most of the seats and popular votes. This article will explore the various factors that have contributed to this trend, including shifting voter demographics, changing political alliances, and evolving campaign strategies. By examining these factors, we can gain a better understanding of the complex political landscape of The Gambia and the forces that are shaping its future.

  1. NPP SHOOTING ITSELF ON THE FOOT.

One of the primary factors contributing to the shift in political power is the infighting and betrayals within the national people’s party. The party is plagued by several politicians who have been given unchecked power despite their inability to win support in their local communities. This has led to a situation where the party has alienated some of its core supporters and has even expelled members who could sway votes in their favor. The different factions within the party have competing agendas, often based on regional or ethnic loyalties, which further exacerbates the problem.

Another major issue is the behavior of the party’s leader, who also serves as the president of the country. In recent years, his rhetoric and public statements have been increasingly unbecoming of a head of state. He has launched personal attacks on those who disagree with him, and his responses to trivial issues have further eroded his standing among the people. The history of the party is also marked by a tendency to discard those who have fought for them in the past, in favor of new political allies who do not necessarily add value to the party or to the national development agenda.

  1. UPD’S RESILIENCE AND THEIR APPILING CANDIDATE

The United Democrats Party is undoubtedly the most prominent political party in the country with a strong national presence. In the last six years, the party has achieved remarkable progress, surpassing its achievements over the past two decades since its formation. The exceptional leadership of the party and the unwavering support of its core supporters have played significant roles in this success.

One of the reasons for the party’s success is its careful selection of candidates. The party has ensured that it fields popular candidates in most areas. They put forward people who are well-known by their constituents, and they run well-planned campaigns that leverage different media, especially social media, to reach the people. The party’s strategic use of social media has been particularly effective in mobilizing and energizing its supporters, which has contributed significantly to its electoral success.

The United Democrats Party’s achievements over the past six years are a testament to the effectiveness of its leadership, its commitment to the welfare of the people, and its ability to engage with its supporters. With its impressive track record and loyal following, the party is poised to continue to make significant gains and contribute to the development of the country.

  1. GAMBIAN YOUTHS AND THEIR ACTIVE PERTICIPATION IN POLITICS

One of the most remarkable changes in recent times has been the increase in youth voter turnout during elections. This is a significant shift from the past when young people were often apathetic towards political participation. The fact that more young people are now taking the initiative to vote is a positive sign for the future of the country’s political landscape.

The rise of youth participation in politics can be attributed to several factors. One of the most significant factors is the increasing awareness and engagement of young people in social and political issues. With the advent of social media platforms, young people are now better informed and more connected than ever before, which has enabled them to be more involved in the political process.

Another factor that has contributed to the rise of youth participation in politics is the changing attitudes of political parties towards young people. Many political parties have recognized the importance of young people in shaping the future of the country and have made efforts to attract and engage them in the political process. This has resulted in more young people occupying leadership positions in political parties and running for political offices.

ADVISE TO THE PRESIDENT

The President of any country is a symbol of unity and national pride. As such, every word spoken by the President should embody wisdom and prioritize the greater good of the nation. It is essential for the President to reduce unnecessary rhetoric and avoid engaging in petty disputes with others over trivial issues. The President must focus on the bigger picture and work towards achieving national goals.

To achieve this, the President needs to put his house in order. This means getting rid of politicians who do not add value to his political ambitions and the national interest. The President should surround himself with competent and trustworthy advisors who are genuinely interested in his success and the progress of the nation.

It is also time for the President to reach out to his political opponents and start working with them for the greater good of the nation. This would require the President to put aside any personal or political differences and focus on what is best for the country. The President should seek out and work with competent individuals who can help drive the nation forward.

In addition to working with his political opponents, the President should also prioritize the development of the nation. This means investing in infrastructure, education, healthcare, and other essential sectors. The President must also work towards creating a conducive environment for businesses to thrive, which would ultimately lead to job creation and economic growth.

WRITTEN BY

BAKARY S SONKO

STUDENT

TVER STATE UNIVERSITY- Russian Federation  (Bsc International Relations and Diplomacy)

NATIONAL RESEARCH UNIVERSITY; HIGHER SCHOOL OF ECONOMICS -Russian Federation ( Masters in International Management)

Email : [email protected]

Rohey Malick Lowe: ‘I am sure President Barrow voted for me’

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By: Fatou Kebbeh

Rohey Malick Lowe, the incumbent Mayor of Banjul City Council (BCC) who is seeking re-election under the umbrella of the United Democratic Party (UDP), said she is sure that the president of the Gambia Adama Barrow voted for her.

“I know he voted for me because he will vote for development and I am development that is why I am optimistic that he did vote for me,” Rohey said.

During her discussion with journalists, she revealed her main agenda if re-elected which, according to her, is serving the youth.

“This time, the first thing I want to do if re-elected is to support the youth, I will breastfeed my children up to their satisfaction,” Rohey told journalists.

Rohey added that she has served Banjul for the past five years of her tenure and has served them well, especially women.

Adding that this time, she will undoubtedly focus and serve the young people up to their satisfaction because she has heard their cries.

The female politician further said that elections are about ideas and programs but not the push and pull of words, and that is why she told her supporters to exercise patience and maintain peace.

“I was tried in so many ways, but I did not react because I love civilize politics and that is why I campaigned peacefully,” she added.

She thanked her supporters and well-wishers, adding that without them this would not be a success.

The incumbent Mayor of BCC told the media that the reason she came late to vote is because she was breastfeeding and had to receive enough prayers from her mother before leaving to vote.

She advised the youth to always come and vote during elections because it’s their constitutional right and they need to exercise it.

NPP mayoral candidate Bakary Y. Badjie brands UDP as ‘problematic party’ 

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By: Dawda Baldeh

The ruling National People’s Party (NPP) candidate for the Kanifing Municipal Council mayoral seat Hon. Bakary Y. Badjie has branded the main opposition United Democratic Party (UDP) as the a ‘problematic party’.

Speaking to journalists after casting his vote at Ebo-town Central Mosque, Badjie accused UDP of ignoring their continued attacks on people who are not supporters of the UDP.

“Our people were in Ebo-town and UDP militants followed them from Ebo-town Badala to Majum Estate Bureau.

“Why are they following our people? Are they the owners of the country and are they responsible for controlling where people should go or not? If people react others will say we should have not reacted,” he told reporters.

Badjie further noted that UDP has been verbally attacking people and that they keep following people everywhere and keep stoning and provoking them.

This, he said, will lead to political violence if others follow the same.

“Let UDP explain to the people where the story started. Majum is a business centre and not a political bureau. What is UDP doing there?

“You are supporting your party and others are supporting their party so you should focus on your party and let others do their politics,” he added.

For Bakary, provoking will lead to violence which can undermine the peace and stability the country is known for.

“If UDP have a case let them go to the police. We have a case, and we took it to the police. We are very peaceful, and we are urging our supporters and the supporters of other parties to maintain peace.

“There is no need for us to engage in election violence because it will not help anyone. We were in Bakau during our caravan tour and UDP militants attacked us there. They stoned our convoy,” he claimed.

Former GDC Niamina East NAM calls upon voters to turn up in large numbers for Saturday’s polls

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By: Dawda Baldeh


Honourable Omar Ceesay, the former opposition Gambia Democratic Congress (GDC) National Assembly Member (NAM) of Niamina East Constituency, has called on all eligible voters across the seven administrative regions to go out in large numbers to elect their representatives in tomorrow’s mayoral and chairmanship elections.

Hon. Ceesay described the local government elections as important as both the presidential and parliamentary elections.

“Mayoral & chairmanship election is as paramount as the presidential election.

“The election of the head of the local government authorities is of equal importance as any other election. Let’s make it a point of duty to cast our votes,” the former opposition lawmaker emphasized.

He added that the authorities expected to be elected in Saturday’s polls are mandated to preside over the day-to-day running of the local municipalities and councils in the best interest of every community.

Ceesay reiterated that every election is important, and every citizen should exercise their constitutional rights to elect their representatives.

“Therefore, I am calling on all eligible voters to heavily and peacefully come out to vote for their choice of candidates tomorrow,” he added.

Hon. Omar Ceesay was elected as Niamina East NAM in 2017 under the ticket of the Gambia Democratic Congress (GDC) at a time when he was said to have been the youngest parliamentarian in the fifth legislative before losing to Honourable Dawda Jeng of the ruling National People’s Party in 2022.

‘You cannot hold me accountable for a 3-decade-long problem’: Bakary Badjie fire back at critics over stadium ban

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By: Muhammed Lamin Drammeh

The Minister of Youth and Sports and the National People’s Party mayoral candidate for the Kanifing Municipal Council (KMC), Bakary Badjie, has said he cannot be blamed for the banning of the Independence Stadium, calling it a 3-decade long problem which has not started in his tenure as a minister, but one which he is now trying to address with the ongoing renovation and remodelling.

However, he said his ministry is making progress in making sure the Gambia hosts international games in a few months’ time.

The NPP candidate for the top seat at KMC has faced a barrage of criticisms as the minister of youth and sports since the Confederation of African Football (CAF) announced the banning of the stadium from hosting international matches due to not meeting the CAF requirements in February 2022.

Badjie noted that the banning has not started during his tenure but as far back as 2014, noting that he cannot be held accountable for something that has been there well before his appointment as the Minister of Youth and Sports.

“The history of the stadium is public knowledge. Anyone who lives in this country will know that you cannot hold me accountable for a 3-decade long problem. As a minister, I will take actions to address it, and we are doing that, but to say I am responsible for it, that is misinformation,” he told The Fatu Network.

The Gambia’s Independence Stadium was built in 1983 by the Chinese. However, since then, the Gambia has been depending on it for matches and different functions. Over the years, its lack of maintenance has warranted being deemed substandard as per the standards set up by CAF for international competitions.

The Gambia was first banned in 2019 before being given a temporary clearance to host international matches. However, in 2022, the stadium received its final banned due to its conditions, lacking the proper facilities to host international games.

According to Minister Badjie, his ministry is doing all it can to fix the stadium but queried that if the stadium’s problem had been solved or well refurbished over the years, it would not have been in this situation.

“What happened over the previous [years] at the Independence Stadium was not my action. I was not there. If other people had made efforts to resolve the issues, we wouldn’t be in this situation.

“But as a minister now, we have taken actions to work on it and that is ongoing. But a stadium in this current situation as how it is, it cannot be finished in five or three months,” he stated.

Badjie’s political opponents have been citing the banning of the stadium and the dilapidated conditions it has been in to measure his lack of competence to be the mayor of KMC.

He will be up against the United Democratic Party’s Talib Ahmed Bensouda who is the incumbent mayor, as well as Pa Modou Mbowe for the Kanifing Municipal Council mayorship tomorrow, May 20.

NPP – The banner itself has nothing to do with politics and its removal was purely for safety and security reason

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Reacting to reports on the lowering of a banner, part of which carries the portrait of Talib Bensouda, Kanifing Municipal Council mayoral candidate of the main opposition United Democratic Party, the ruling National People’s Party (NPP) has said the banner in question has nothing to do with politics, attributing its removal to ‘safety and security reasons’.

“The National People’s Party (NPP) has noted with concern a baseless and totally unfounded, social media reports accusing uniform officers of pulling down Mayor Talib Bensouda’s campaign posters. Contrary to what is being purported in the social media allegations, The NPP wants to make it abundantly clear that the video circulating in the social media was not anywhere in the Kanifing Municipality where Talib Bensouda is contesting the Mayoral seat. The incident rather happened in Sanyang village in Kombo South where the President was scheduled to have his meeting,” the NPP explains in a press statement.

The party’s statement mentions that the banner was an advertisement of a wrestling match between Leket Bu Barra and Yahya Jammeh who is a native of Sanyang, pointing out that the wrestling match is said to be sponsored by Mr. Talib Bensouda.

“For purpose of clarity, the said banner was tied very low, hanging across from one end of the road to the other at the junction where the President’s convoy was to take a turn left towards the meeting venue in Sanyang. The advance team, upon arrival, noticed how difficult and awkward it was going to be for not only the vehicle carrying the tower lights for the event to pass through but also the convoy.

It was then that a decision was taken to remove on the right of way. The banner itself has nothing to do with politics and its removal was purely for safety and security reason,” the statement narrates.

The NPP urges on the public to ignore what it calls the ‘calculated but baseless attempts to spread false information.’

The party cites its leader, President Adama Barrow, as a ‘manifest democrat’ who respects the fundamental rights of everyone to express their political beliefs without fear of being harassed.

“Gambians know better than the petty games of misinformation and disinformation during election times and all are therefore urged not to give credence to these social media pranksters,” the NPP’s statement concludes.

“Appropriate actions will be taken against anyone found wanting” – GAF reacts to reports of banner lowering

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Gambia Armed Forces (GAF) has reacted to viral videos and photos where men in uniform are shown reportedly lowering a banner with the face of opposition United Democratic Party (UDP) Kanifing Municipal Council (KMC) mayoral candidate, Talib Ahmed Bensouda.

A press release signed by Lieutenant Colonel Lamin Sanyang, GAF’s director of press and public relations, explains the content of the banner while acknowledging the attention the videos and photos have drawn.

“The Gambia Armed Forces (GAF) High Command has noted with regret several reports on social media showing images and videos of individuals in military uniform lowering a banner somewhere in the Greater Banjul Area. The said banner contains an advertisement for a Wrestling Competition in which Mayor Talib Ahmed Bensouda of the United Democratic Party (who is one of the contenders in the Kanifing Municipal Council mayoral elections) is flanked by two wrestlers. The images show the individuals apparently lowering the banner which drew a lot of observations and comments from the general public both in The Gambia and abroad,” the press release narrates.

The release describes the incident as “isolated”, adding that the forces’ high command has given directive for prompt investigations and that actions will be taken against anyone found culpable.

“The GAF wishes to clarify that this behaviour, on the part of these individuals, is not representative of what it stands for as an institution. The position of GAF, since the dawn of the new dispensation, is very clear; that its personnel should not participate in partisan politics, incitement of tribal and religious sentiments. It may be gratifying to state that a lot has been achieved by GAF in this endeavour during the period under review hence its position as a neutral and apolitical institution. This is a posture that the Armed Forces will uphold and continue to propagate within its ranks. Therefore, GAF considers this act as an isolated incident. Notwithstanding, the GAF High Command has given directives for an immediate investigation to be conducted into the matter. We wish to assure the general public that appropriate actions will be taken against anyone found wanting,” the press release states.

GAF concludes that it regrets any inconvenience this unfortunate incident might have caused.

Prof. Nyarkotey & Sackey: Why the Court is not Bound by Expert Evidence in Medical Negligence

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Every profession has its bad apples and physicians are no exception. The most important irony of modern healthcare is that public expectations are rising faster than the ability of health services to meet them. Patients nowadays no longer want to be treated as passive recipients of medical care. Instead, they want to be treated as co-producers or partners able to manage their illnesses.  In the field of medical negligence, expert opinion is called upon for the possible determination of the case against medical men.  Is the court bound by expert opinion by medical men in the determination of medical negligence?  We examine this in this article.

Opinion

An opinion is normally defined as an inference, a belief, or a condition drawn from facts. It is different from a fact which is a reality, a thing, or a state of things that can be seen, touched or heard, or otherwise perceived by the senses.  The general rule of evidence is that the court may allow witnesses to testify of facts which are within their knowledge and therefore opinions of witnesses are inadmissible as evidence. Witnesses are supposed to depose or give evidence of facts and not opinions. What a witness thinks or believes is generally irrelevant. Section 60 of the Ghanaian Evidence Act, 1975 (NRCD 323) states as follows “A witness may not testify to a matter unless sufficient evidence is introduced to support a finding that he has personal knowledge of the matter.” The reason for excluding the opinion of a witness is twofold:

  1. It is usually irrelevant; and
  2. The admissibility of opinion evidence may amount to a usurpation of the functions of the court. It is the duty of the court to decide on all facts and issues that are before it and draw the necessary conclusion or inferences therefore and not for others to perform that task.

Exemptions

This notwithstanding, there are exemptions to this rule. For instance, Section 75 of the Evidence Act of the Gambia which is in pari materia with Section 112 of the Ghanaian Evidence Act, 1975 (NRCD 323) permits expert opinion to be given in evidence before the court in matters relating to foreign law, customs, science, the identity of handwriting, and fingerprints. The list is more indicative than exhaustive. Experts nowadays give evidence on a wide range of matters in various forms, eg, age, pathologist’s report, chemical analyst reports, fingerprints, footprints, DNA identification, blood samples, handwriting, etc.

In both the Gambia and Ghana, a person is qualified to testify as an expert if he satisfies the court that he is an expert on the subject to which his testimony relates because of his special skill, experience, or training. This notwithstanding, there is a procedure to adopt when calling an expert witness and this includes;

  1. The witness should first give evidence of his training, qualification, and or experience in that field, i.e. the foundation must be laid for him to qualify and be treated as an expert witness;
  2. The Privy Council had occasion in the case Said Azani v Comptroller of Customs(1954) WLR 1405 to answer the question, “Who is an expert?” the court, in relation to expertise in foreign law, held that “not only the general nature but also the precise character of the question upon which expert evidence is required, have to be taken into account when deciding whether the qualifications of a person entitle him to be regarded as a competent witness.” Accordingly, the practical knowledge of a person who is not a lawyer may be sufficient in certain cases to qualify him as a competent expert on a question of foreign law;
  • Having laid the foundation, the witness must then depose to the facts which form the basis of his opinion or conclusion. In the case of Reuben Allen v the State, the court held that the evidence of a witness to the effect that the accused appeared drunk, has no probative value “especially since(the witness) did not give the facts on which opinion is based. Also in R v Davies, a road traffic case in which it was also held that an ordinary non-expert witness may give his opinion that a person is drunk if he gives the facts upon which his opinion is based.

For whenever an opinion is relevant and admissible as evidence, the facts which form its basis are likewise relevant and admissible as evidence according to Section 65 of the Evidence Act of the Gambia. Thus a pathologist deposing as to the cause of death will first give evidence as to the physical condition of the corpse, any injuries or abnormalities which have been discovered, and then proceed to give an opinion as to what may have been the cause of death.

Bolam Test as starting Point in  Expert evidence

Expert evidence is admissible in court whenever there are matters or issues which require their expertise in terms of observation, analysis, description, and resolution. In medical negligence litigation, the ‘Bolam’ test is cited as the starting point.

The ‘Bolam’ principle has long been the traditional test governing how much information is necessary to avoid liability in negligence. Doctors would rely on their professional judgment to determine the amount of information to be disclosed.

For instance, the Evidence Act 1994 of the Gambia, Section 75 which is in pari materia with Section 112 of the Evidence Act of Ghana,1975 (NRCD 323) permits expert opinion to be given in evidence before the court in matters relating to medical, science, pathologist’s report, and many others.

In Mahon v Osborne [(1939) 2 KB 14], the plaintiff was admitted to the hospital for an abdominal operation. He later died and a swab was found in his body. The plaintiff was entitled to call expert evidence that the accident would not have occurred without negligence. In this case, the Court of Appeal held that the standard of care is to be measured by expert evidence.

Lord Justice Goddard p.47 stated: I would not for a moment attempt to define in vacuo the extent of a surgeon’s duty in an operation beyond saying that he must use reasonable care, nor can I imagine anything more than disastrous to the community than to leave it to a jury or to a judge, if sitting alone, to lay down what is proper to do in any particular case without the guidance of witnesses who are qualified to speak on the subject… As it is the task of the surgeon to put swabs in, it is his task to take them out, and in that task, he must use the degree of care which is reasonable in the circumstances and that must depend on the evidence.

From supra, Justice Goddard seems to be aware of the fact that the medical profession has always been shrouded with a lot of complications and technicalities, which a judge may not be able to comprehend. Therefore, the message seems to be very clear that to reach a just and accurate decision, medical experts should be the ones helping the court to deal with such complex issues. Hence, a doctor cannot be said to be guilty of negligence if he or she has acted in accordance with a practice accepted by a responsible body of professional opinion. In other words, a doctor who is in breach of his or her duty has to be judged by his peers and not by the court.

In the case of Roe v Minister for Health [(1954) 2 QB 66] the plaintiff became paralyzed after receiving an injection in hospital. Phenol had leaked into the syringe causing the paralysis. At this time, it was known that phenol could get into the syringe through invisible cracks. The court held that the defendants were not negligent as judged by the standard of a reasonable person at the time of the accident, they could not have avoided the accident. The court would not condemn a defendant with ‘the benefit of hindsight’. Perhaps, it is vital here to refer to the passage from the judgment of Denning LJ which indeed provides a clue to the philosophy of the Bolam principle. His Lordship at p.83 said:

If the anesthetists had foreseen that the ampoules might get cracked with cracks that could not be detected on inspection, they would no doubt have dyed the phenol a deep blue; and this would expose the contamination. But I do not think that their failure to foresee this was negligence. It is so easy to be wise after the event and to condemn as negligence that which is only a misadventure. We ought always to be on our guard against it, especially in cases against doctors and hospitals. Medical science has conferred great benefits on mankind, but these benefits are attended by considerable risks. Every surgical operation is attended by risks.

Based on the statement above, Denning LJ had in mind that medicine as a profession has pros and cons in the course of treatment. Being aware of the considerable risks in the medical profession, perhaps it is justified the decision taken by the courts that a doctor or defendant should be judged by his peers in medical negligence cases. The other relevant case to cite here is the case of Hunter v Hantley [(1955) SLT 231, (1955) SC 200]. In this case, the plaintiff claimed the doctor treating him was negligent in using an unsuitable needle. Lord President Clyde p.217 stated:

To succeed in an action based on negligence, whether against a doctor or anyone else, it is of course necessary to establish a breach of that duty to take care which the law requires, and the degree of want of care which constitutes negligence must vary with circumstances… But where the conduct of a doctor, or indeed of any professional man, is concerned, the circumstances are not so precise and clear as in the normal case. In the realm of diagnosis and treatment, there is ample scope for genuine difference of opinion and one man is not negligent merely because his conclusion differs from that of other professional men, nor because he has displayed less skill or knowledge than others would have shown. The true test for establishing negligence in diagnosis and treatment on the part of the doctor is whether he has been proven to be guilty of such failure as no doctor of ordinary skill would be guilty of acting with ordinary care.

From supra, there is no doubt that there is a heavy burden of proof on a claimant to start a case against the doctor or a professional man based on negligence. This is because the claimant would have to establish that the doctor or a professional man deviated from the ordinary skill that is required as far as the profession is concerned. To succeed in his or her claim, the claimant would have to establish that no professional man of ordinary skill would have followed the course taken by the defendant i.e. in the course of diagnosis and treatment.

Thus, the usual practice of other professionals in the same area will be a significant factor in determining this issue. “Looking at the decisions of the courts before the advent of the Bolam principle, it is evident that the earlier cases have paved the way for the development of the Bolam test as used in medical negligence cases. Medicine is an inexact science of which its outcome is rarely predictable. It would be a disservice to the community at large if liability were to be imposed on hospitals and doctors for everything that happens to go wrong (Puteri Nemie, n.d.). Hence, there must be a proper tool to gauge the standard of care of a doctor in determining his or her liability in medical negligence cases” (Puteri Nemie, n.d.).

 

 

 

Difficulties with the Bolam Test

The justification for the  Bolam principle was stated by Lord Scarman in Maynard v West Midlands RHA (1985) 1 All ER at p. 635 when he said: “Differences of opinion exist, and continue to exist, in the medical as in other professions. There is seldom any one answer exclusive of all others to problems of professional judgment. A court may prefer one body of opinion to the other, but that is no basis for a conclusion of negligence.

The Bolam principle is seen as unfair to claimants and too protective of professionals. This is because the doctor is only considered to be negligent based on what is determined by a body of professionals. Also, the rule is yet another example of professions protecting one another. It is important to note that in the case of medical negligence following the Bolam principle, courts have resorted to a doctor’s testimony for help. Finally, the Bolam principle requires the defendant to conform to a ‘responsible’ body of medical opinion.

Court Not Bound by Expert Evidence

There are instances where the court is confronted with a conflict in what is regarded as expert opinions.  In the Gambian case of Babourcarr Touray v MRC and 2 OR GCA CIV.APP. 55/94, where medical experts presented diverse explanations as to the cause of gangrene(death of body tissue due to a lack of blood flow or a serious bacterial infection) which led to the loss of the plaintiff’s two hands. When this happens, the court is not bound to accept the opinion of an expert or anybody else.  It is the duty of the court to describe what is logical, not the medical profession. The court has to examine all the issues that are put before it.

In other Ghanaian cases such as Conney V Bemtum Willaims, [1984-86] 2 GLR 303,  the court held that the report of an expert being a handwriting expert was merely to assist the court in arriving at a conclusion and the court can choose to if ignore same.

Additionally, in Tetteh V Hayford, (J4 34 of 2011) [2012] GHASC 12, the court is not bound by the evidence of the expert report but if the court rejects the evidence of the expert, the court would have to give reasons for the rejection.

In Feneku V John Teye,  (2001-2002] SCG LR 985, the court also stated that the testimony of an expert is only to guide the court, and the judge is not bound by it.

Finally, in Manu @Kabonya V The Rep, [1977]1 GLR 196, the court rejected the medical evidence which was to be used to prove the cause of death because the cause of death was not beyond common experience. Therefore, if the issue of contention is so obvious and the ordinary man can understand, there is no need for an expert opinion.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Authenticity of Expert Knowledge

Thus, Bolitho questioned the authenticity of expert knowledge given the Bolam test to the extent that opinion among expert groups may not be based on sound current knowledge. But where the opinion is sound, the case listens.

Another case worth discussing is the Ghanaian case of Asantekramo, alias Kumah v. Attorney–General [1975] 1 GLR 319, where a nineteen-year-old woman who was diagnosed with ruptured ectopic pregnancy underwent an urgent surgical operation at the Komfo Anokye Government Hospital. While the surgery was successful, her right arm became swollen and gangrenous after being transfused an amount of blood by the nursing staff through a vein in that arm. To save her life, her arm was amputated. Two years later, the woman sued the State, seeking damages for negligence on the part of the hospital staff.

The defense raised by the testifying surgeon that the occurrence was a ‘mystery’ was rejected by the court. The expert evidence showed that the bacteria that caused the gangrene was either transmitted through the blood transfusion needle or a dextrose infusion administered to the woman.  The Court held the State liable for the negligence of the hospital and awarded damages to the plaintiff.

In Life Healthcare Group (Pty) Ltd v Dr. Suliman (529/17) [2018] ZASCA 118 (20 September 2018):  The alleged grounds of negligence related to the nursing staff’s failure to alert the attending doctor of decelerations in the fetal heart rate, and the unavailability of the requisite instruments and skills for the urgent delivery of the baby. The allegation in respect of the doctor’s negligence lies in the doctor’s hands-off approach in that he only saw the mother for the first time approximately 10 hours after she had been admitted. The only question before the High Court was the allotment of liability between the hospital and the doctor. The High Court held the hospital 100% liable for the damage as a causal link between the doctor’s negligence and the damage was not proved.

Shongwe ADP, writing for the SCA, reiterated that establishing factual causation with sufficient certainty can be difficult in medical negligence matters. It must be established that ‘but for’ the doctor’s conduct or omission, the harm would not have occurred (Lee v Minister of Correctional Services [2012] ZACC 30). In respect of factual causation, the SCA stated that the High Court should have asked whether it was “more probable than not that the birth injuries suffered by the baby could have been avoided if Dr. Suliman had attended the hospital earlier”.

The High Court relied on an isolated statement of the hospital’s expert to arrive at its factual causation finding, when the expert said that he “could not say that the baby would have been saved [if the baby was] delivered by cesarean section at some time between 17h30 and 20h00”. On appeal, the SCA found that the expert contradicted his statement when he indicated that:

There is strong reason to believe that, [an earlier decision to do a cesarean section] would have [prevented the cerebral palsy], because cerebral palsy or brain damage does not occur to that extent that rapidly.

The joint minute of the respective experts also confirmed that the damage could have been prevented if the doctor had seen the patient earlier as the brain damage probably only occurred at a later stage of the labour process.

After careful consideration of all the evidence, the SCA cautioned judges against readily accepting isolated statements of experts, especially when dealing with a field where medical certainty is virtually impossible. Expert evidence must be weighed, as a whole, and it is the exclusive duty of a court to make the final decision on the evaluation of expert opinion.

Accordingly, the SCA held that the doctor’s conduct was causally connected to the damage. The SCA upheld the appeal and ordered apportionment of 60% – 40% in favor of the hospital.

In MEC for Health, Western Cape v Quole (928/2017) [2018] ZASCA 132 (28 September 2018), his case concerned allegations of negligence against medical staff, which essentially related to the pre-natal period, as it pertained to the treatment of the mother’s urinary tract infection and the non-intervention of medical staff to deliver the baby at an earlier stage. The baby in this matter was born with an abnormally small head (known as microcephaly). The main questions in the case related to the cause and time of occurrence of the microcephaly, and whether the cause was connected to the conduct of the medical staff.

The High Court found that the defendant’s medical staff breached their legal duty towards the mother and baby, and ordered that the MEC pay damages.

The SCA was critical of the High Court’s acceptance of the evidence of the plaintiff’s expert, which had no factual basis, while the opinion evidence of the MEC’s experts was logical, well-reasoned, and founded on facts. The High Court came to a general conclusion which made no factual finding as to the cause of the brain damage, nor did it set out reasons for its preference of the opinion of the plaintiff’s expert, over that of the defendant.

JA Dambuza, writing for the SCA, repeated the principle that “she who asserts a damage-causing event must prove it”. The medical staff’s legal duty to the mother and her baby entailed, as set out in Van Wyk v Lewis 1924 AD 438, “an adherence to the general level of skill and diligence possessed and exercised at the time by members of the branch of the profession to which they belong”.

The SCA confirmed that the evidence of medical experts is central to the determination of the required level of care and whether there was a breach of it. The requirement in evaluating such evidence is that expert witnesses support their opinions with valid reasons. Where proper reasons are advanced in support of an opinion, the probative value of the opinion is strengthened. As was held in the matter of Menday v Protea Assurance Co Ltd 1976 (1) SA 565 (E):

It is not the mere opinion of the witness that is decisive but his ability to satisfy the Court that, because of his special skill, training, and experience, the reasons for the opinion that he expresses are acceptable.

The SCA ultimately held that both the cause of the damage and its timing remained unidentified and accordingly upheld the appeal, dismissing the plaintiff’s claim. The SCA warned that the fact that harm had been occasioned was not, on its own, proof that the medical staff caused it, that they had done so negligently, or even that it resulted in brain injury. Such reverse reasoning from effect to cause is impermissible. (Goliath v Member of Executive Council for Health, Eastern Cape 2015 (2) SA 97 (SCA))

 

 

 

Conclusion

In medical negligence civil litigation, an expert witness is called upon to testify. In the olden days, the Bolam test was a shield and overprotective of medical men. In a recent development, the court is not bound to absolve a defendant from liability for allegedly negligent medical treatment or diagnosis just because of evidence of expert opinion… The court must be satisfied that such opinion has a logical basis, … that the expert has considered comparative risks and benefits and has reached a “defensible conclusion”.

 

Prof. Raphael Nyarkotey Obu is a (BL) candidate at the Gambia Law School, Banjul, The Gambia, and Daniel Sackey is a Part Two student of the Ghana School of Law, Accra, Ghana. E-mail: [email protected]

Dr. Omar Alieu Touray is Heroes Award Person of the Year 

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By: Dawda Baldeh

President of the ECOWAS Commission, Dr. Alieu Omar Touray, has been conferred The Fatu Network Heroes Award Person of the Year Award at a ceremony held over the weekend at the Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara International Conference Center in Bijilo.

Dr. Touray was honoured with the Person of the Year Award for being the first Gambian to have been elected as president of the ECOWAS Commission.

The event was graced by high-profile figures, businesspeople, top artists, and ordinary Gambians.

The Fatu Network Heroes Award is an annual award ceremony which honours and celebrates Gambians doing outstanding work in various aspects of life that is impacting the lives of different people in the Gambia.

Below is the biography of Dr. Alieu Omar Touray courtesy of ECOWAS, TFN Heroes Award Person of the Year award winner:

Dr. Touray is the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government during the Sixty-First Ordinary Session of the Authority in Accra, Ghana, on July 03, 2022, to serve for a four-year term.
Dr Touray is a Gambian diplomat and development professional. For several years, he was Ambassador and Permanent Representative of The Gambia to the African Union and Ambassador to Ethiopia with concurrent accreditation as High Commissioner to South Africa and Kenya.

He had been Permanent Representative Designate to the United Nations in New York before he was appointed Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.

He also worked as Regional Policy Advisor at the Regional Bureau for East and Central Africa (ODN) of the United Nations World Food Programme, and as consultant for the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa, United Nations Development Programme Gambia Country Office and the Commission of the African Union. Dr. Touray worked at the Islamic Development Bank in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, since 2012 before his appointment as the President of the ECOWAS Commission.

President Touray holds a Ph.D. in International Relations from the Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies, University of Geneva. He also studied Finance and Islamic Finance at IE Business School in Madrid.

He is the author of peer-reviewed books: The African Union: The First Ten Years (Lanham, New York and London, Rowman and Littlefield 2016); The Gambia and the World: A History of the Foreign Policy of Africa’s Smallest State (Hamburg African Studies Series, 2000) and several papers on international development and African Affairs. In addition to English, Dr. Touray speaks French and Arabic.

Ousman Touray Wins Heroes Award Exemplary Youth Award

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By: Fatou Kebbeh

Ousman Touray, a young Gambian Pan-Africanist has won the Exemplary Youth Award of 2022/2023 Heroes Awards organized by The Fatu Network at a ceremony attended by prominent personalities across the country and beyond.

Speaking exclusively to The Fatu Network, Touray expressed gratitude to the organizers of the award and all those who supported him in the voting process.

Mr. Touray is among those young Africans who are gaining recognition in Pan-Africanism for their active advocacy on issues affecting the African continent.

He completed his bachelor’s degree program in Development Studies in 2019, from the University of The Gambia (UTG).

While waiting for his graduation, he went to Rwanda for a post-graduation program. Ousman is currently pursuing a master’s degree in international development.

“Winning this award is a big plus for me because I felt like we’re being recognized home, and also our work and engagement matters to the people of The Gambia,” said Ousman.

He added that whatever a person does is inspired by a story in one way or the other.

“I grew up in the remotest place of this country where having access to basic needs was a big challenge.

“But seeing people striving to make things better despite the conditions in which they live in has help shape my activities whether in academia or engagements socially,” he added.

The young Pan-Africanist mentioned that he is motivated daily, adding that sometimes he travels around the continent to attend different events with little or no support for his travel expenses.

Narrating his inspirational journey to TFN’s reporter, Mr. Touray revealed his interest and passion in serving young people and how to take part in eradicating some of the challenges faced by young people so they could realize their possibilities.

“The youth need people to look up to as mentors who have been there before them, so they could show them the way because it’s important,” Ousman told the Fatu Network.

He added that, his father, and individual scholars both in Gambia and outside, have really helped in shaping the person he is today.

When asked for his opinion on the award he won out of hundreds of others who are doing the same or similar advocacy, Ousman responded that he had the opportunity to represent Gambia in different national and international forums, helped support young entrepreneurs, took part in giving back to community and has been part of high-level dialogues.

He emphasized that he has been in the spotlight in African discussions, especially in areas of development, worked under logistics in The Gambia where they do distribution of goods across the country and in the sub region.

Despite all these achievements, Ousman outlined challenges he faced while growing up.

“I remember it was a struggle to get to a good high school not [to] talk of moving to the University, [I] also encountered [a] lot of challenges especially securing scholarships.”

According to him, these were not the only challenges because in his entrepreneurial journey, he tried lot of businesses but failed.

He added that he was also deported in some countries, but he never stopped because challenges are what motivate people.

The young Pan-Africanist urged for young people to be supported, noting that it is the responsibility of everyone to take part in making things better.

OPINION: Unemployment in The Gambia: A threat to National Development.

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By: Katiby Sawo

A good number of young people in The Gambia are unemployed. Every year, our schools pumped out graduates, who scavenged to secure jobs on their own.

There is nothing much being done by the Gambia Government under the leadership of His Excellency President Adama Barrow, having the primary duty to create job opportunities for Gambians, to address this menace.

What is the government doing to remedy this problem? Is the government going to allow this problem to persist?

The Gambia has a youthful population. Therefore, The Gambia has the potential to become a vibrant country in Africa since it has the human resource.

However, most of the youth spend their days at the ghettos and would either drink green tea or smoke.

This smoking and drinking green tea in the ghetto doesn’t mean they are aimless. The reality is they are ready to work but the working environment is not provided by the government.

Some want to become teachers, accountants, engineers, journalists, etc. They end up becoming street boys because they can’t fulfil their dreams.

The Gambia government doesn’t establish enough factories; on the other hand, the private sectors are weak.

If the private sector was strong, it would have been the game changer and hope for the young people because it would have consumed most of the jobless youths.

Due to family stress and hope for better living standards, some of the youths would prefer to embark on the back-way journey to Europe in search of greener pastures.

This is because they feel that their situation will never change in The Gambia and they will never be able to realize their potential.

The government of The Gambia should put the youth into consideration, they are the majority in this country.

More than 50% of the country’s population are youths, and half are jobless or not earning good pay. What should be done to remedy this tragic situation in the country, of Gambia?

The ministry through the government of The Gambia should focus on the labour market. The ministries in their capacity can create or build skill centres within each region throughout the country.

Doing so will make it possible for some youths to engage in meaningful activities and then utilize their skills to earn something for themselves and their family.

In conclusion, if all these things are considered, the labour market will reduce and the force of unemployment will beat down, which will eventually result in positive feedback.

The issue of embarking on the ‘backway’ will likely decline.

Mama Kandeh – I can see GDC is stopping NPP from sleeping 

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By: Dawda Baldeh

The leader of the opposition Gambia Democratic Congress (GDC) party Mamma Kandeh has accused the ruling National People’s Party (NPP) of engaging in what he calls ‘dirty politics’, asking the ruling party to speak the truth when engaging electorates.

Kandeh’s rivalry with the NPP dated back four years ago and got tensed after the 2021 presidential election which he and others rejected and refused to congratulate President Adama Barrow on his victory. He said everyone has the right to seek any political position in the country.

“I know that no one can stop the NPP from politics, but politics is not about spreading lies. Let them speak the truth when talking to the people which is better than making unfounded accusations,” Kandeh said, adding that it is not necessary to accuse people.

He said the NPP should remember that they are Gambians and that they have every right to seek any position and that the GDC cannot deny them that right.

“We are not accusing them, so they should stop accusing us. They should do the right thing because they are the ruling party. This is very sad,” Kandeh added.

The GDC leader thanked his supporters for standing with the party, describing them as heroes. However, he denied that the party is dead as claimed by his opponent the NPP.

“I can see GDC is stopping NPP from sleeping. They are not looking at any other party apart from GDC. They can fabricate any story against us by bringing people and claiming they are from GDC who are cross carpeting to NPP.

I heard Saikou Mballow reacting to a recent CepRASS survey which predicted UDP will have more seats in the mayoral and chairmanship election. He (Saikou) agreed with the survey but he said things have changed recently. What led to the change is that they (NPP) have discussed with the GDC militants,” he asserted.

According to Kandeh, the assertions by Saikou Mballow means that GDC is existing even though they (NPP) claimed they have killed the party. The GDC boss added that the NPP wish is to end the existence of GDC saying that will never happen.

“The party will never collapse. I don’t own anyone and I don’t buy anyone but there are people who believe in the party and they believe in me. I am calling our supporters to vote for the UDP contestants wherever we don’t have a candidate,” he emphasized.

Kandeh also mentioned that he heard Saikou Mballow claiming that they formed an alliance with UDP. “This is not true. Saikou cannot witness where we formed alliance with UDP and we know that we don’t have alliance with UDP,” he noted.

Kandeh urged GDC supporters especially in the North Bank to vote for the candidate for the United Democratic Party because they cannot afford to vote for someone who belittles them.

“Papa Njie Tunkara said oppositions are nothing and they cannot do anything that is why he left GDC to join NPP. Hence, he said we are nothing, I believe he doesn’t need our votes and we should not give him our votes.

Let’s give our votes to Bojang, the UDP candidate. He is an opposition like us. I think this is better than sitting at home and not going to vote or by giving half votes to Papa Tunkara,” he stressed.

The opposition leader emphasized that anywhere they don’t have a candidate, apart from the West Coast Region, they will vote for UDP candidates.

“In Brikama Area Council, we endorsed Jainaba Bah, the Peoples Progressive Party candidate. If they are saying we have sold our party to UDP then why are they not saying we have sold our party to PPP? I am urging the NPP to have some shame and do the right thing because that is the only thing that will last,” he said.

 

A HIGH-LEVEL GPF DELEGATION VISITS THE BADEN WUTTERMBERG STATE POLICE OF THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY

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A delegation of nine senior officers of The Gambia Police Force led by the AIG Admin Mr. Ebrima Bah, departed Banjul International Airport on Monday 8th May 2023, for a week-long official visit to their counterparts in The German State of Baden Wuttermberg.

The visit is part of the implementation process of The German Police Support Team Project in The Gambia aimed to provide The GPF delegation the opportunity to participate in a ‘Training Workshop on Evaluation and Strategic Consulting’ to strengthen the management and coordination mechanisms of the Joint Project work activities.

Speaking on behalf of the Inspector General of Police, Mr. Ebrima Bah explained that the visit will not only strengthen the existing cordial collaboration and cooperation between the two parties but also deepen the understanding and perspective of members of The Gambian delegation on general police work. AIG Bah said with optimism that the visit will also help in securing support for more training and capacity-building programs for The GPF.

The Senior Project Officer of The GPST Mr. Sven Stredther, who has served a three-year term in The Gambia, also thanked The GPF for their support and cooperation in enhancing the work of the project since 2018.

The visit continues with study tours to several Police institutions and facilities in the Baden Wuttemberg State.

Veteran floriculturist purchases house from flower sales

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By: Lolly Sowe

Narr Sambou, a Senegalese national in The Gambia and a veteran Floriculturist with over four decades as a floriculturist, has disclosed to The Fatu Network the benefits he gains in a business most people associate with low-income earners.

Narr began selling flowers in the early 80s and he has benefited immensely from the income generated as he purchased a house for his family in Senegal, pays school fees for his children, and feeds the family.

The business of flower vases is more useful than just serving as a water source for cut flowers according to him.

The right vase will help a flower arrangement keep its form for the most attractive display throughout your event and it will also help support blooms in the best position.

Narr Sambou who is described as a dedicated, committed, and passionate old man who started selling flower vases in the 1980s in the previous regimes to date at the Fajara Traffic Lights said the business is beneficial.

He explained that he has been doing the business for 40 years. He normally buys sand and pays workers for workmanship, and then sells them for D2500.

Research has shown that having a flower vase on display is known to stimulate the appetite of your eyes which has more of a purpose in our style.

“This has indeed been a great source of livelihood to me and my family. I pay rent from the income generated, provide clothing for my family, and even bought a house for my family in Senegal,” he explained.

The ancient Egyptians are thought to be the earliest civilization to have used vases for decorative purposes.

TRIBUTE: Omar Amadou Jallow: A Pillar, Patriotic Son, Remarkable Servant

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By Toney F Mendy

Our political scene is pregnant with iniquities, arrogance with its evils, where many souls constantly seduce political power and wealth for no creative use. Today, I am paying tribute to an uncle and a friend who is an illustrious participant in that scene, but I dare say without hesitation that even with the fallible characteristics of all humans, Omar Amadou Jallow was a different player in the political history of The Gambia.

Happily, today… tons of eulogies are in sight all over social media, as could be heard on radio and tv stations each competingly speaking of the distinguishing essences that characterize the person of Omar Amadou Jallow.

It speaks volumes of his person. In truth, there are certain dynamics of the human character, growth, and commitment to an agenda which can only occur within defined principles and conviction. Psychologists contend, and I believe the same to be true, that when a person commits to principles and conviction and sacrifices personal desires for the greater good of the members of his society, he attunes himself to the eternal soul of that society.

He becomes immortal in history. Today, Omar Amadou Jallow has attained such glory. Rest in heaven, Uncle Omar Amadou Jallow.

The great admirer of Kwame Nkrumah and Ahmed Sékou Touré, Omar Amadou Jallow, the son of Alagie Amadou Jallow (1902-1992) and Aji Rohey Jallow (1923-2015- from Makeni Sierra Leone) was a GOOD MAN.

The first Minister of Water Resources and Forestry of The Gambia, former Minister of Agriculture, former Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of External Affairs, former Public Relations Officer of the former Gambia Commercial and Development Bank, former National Assembly Member for Serre-Kunda East, and former Cooperative Societies Inspector… I suppose only one fact stems from these and many more records and memories: Uncle Omar Amadou Jallow lived most if not all his life in the service of the people of The Gambia.

There you have a great case of a selfless, fearless, and patriotic man whose defiance against abuse of state authority meant Jihad. It meant rejecting countless seductive attempts to purchase his political loyalty against his former boss, President Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara. It meant being prepared to be physically weakened by inhuman and degrading torture and treatments, with twenty-two recurring arrests and relentless abuse of his beloved family. Yet it also means: Never surrendering to the inhuman and barbaric ends of former Jammeh-led Government.

Regardless of the bitter experiences he faced and having had the opportunity to revenge, grace and forgiveness continued to fill his heart.  Omar Amadou Jallow was a GOOD MAN.  In faith, he would say, “I believe whatever that ordained to happen would happen”. I forgive him, [Jammeh]…” He meant it.

Momentarily, he would proceed to compare him (Jammeh) to the former military President of Ghana, Jerry John Rawlings’ terrible ascension to power and how through serious self-reflection and guidance became one of the best Presidents to ever emerge in West Africa. Regardless, Omar Amadou Jallow hated coups. As a professed student of Kwame Nkrumah- Omar Amadou Jallow has sworn in protest against the toppling of Nkrumah, never to serve in any military government in his life. He never did.

The former student of Saint Theresa’s School (1954- 1960), and Saint Augustine’s (1961-1966) was admired by many for his straightforwardness and the measured authority with which he expresses his opinions. He was solid yet a humble man.

He could not forget ‘Mother Madalen” and the great memories with Father Francis Farrell, Teacher Moses Sarr, Paul Baldeh, and Father Komma among others. He was grateful to his teachers. Many were later his friends… Every stubborn student is a friend of many teachers.

The passing of time has confirmed that indeed he is a man of the people. A humble man. A humble man.  Friendship meant a lot to him.

As I stood watching mourners at his residence just yesterday, a former classmate of his, looking old, popped in and announced himself and soon there were a few laughs from some family members who seem to know about their relationship. As if to say… “Ah, my friend has lived a worthy life, he is gone, I will soon go too…”, the old feeble friend greeted family members and smiled around. My heart was caressed. What is to life than humanity? Omar Amadou Jallow had it. He was hardly ever drunk with the power to forget anyone. He could recount with clarity for hours, fascinating fun memories of his former classmates, Ousainou Darboe (of the UDP) Lamin Sonko, Abdou Jah, Cherno Joof, Foday Jarjusey, Pa John Williams… list them on. He was a GOOD MAN

Three or so weeks later, I received a call following a public lecture where I invited him through a friend. It was a call of protest.  “Ah Mr. Mendy, my university boy…  I haven’t heard from you since the event ended…? It was strange but mostly, I was ashamed. How could I have not observed that this great citizen was already acquainted with me?  I apologized. He apologized in return and added that he would wish me to visit. ‘I have more to share with you’ he said with amusement.

This is partly because I was enthusiastically opposed to his staunch conviction that former President Jawara was the “best” and that he (President Jawara) has achieved tremendous developments for The Gambia of which young people like myself are unaware. He sought to persuade me further. “Come on Friday, I will show you a list of projects by Jawara…you young people need to know”; And he did. To further demonstrate to me where President Jawara had moved The Gambia from… He would offer me the book “Enter Gambia: The Birth of an Improbable Nation” by Berkeley Rice. It did little help. I could disagree with him even publicly; it meant nothing to him. “One of the best qualities I learned from Jawara…was that a leader must always listen. Jawara listens” He would advise.

Omar Jallow was never happy with the inglorious treatment of Sir Dawda by the Jammeh-led administration and the systematic campaign aimed at diminishing his achievements as head of State. He was a loyal servant, friend, and son to Sir Dawda. He was grateful to him as well.

“People mislead Jawara… If he had listened to me, the 1994 Coup would not have happened, but many made him believe that if he resigns, the party will collapse and because he listens to people… they managed to keep him in power for their interests. Most African leaders were committing mistakes because nobody was there to tell them the truth.” He said as we discussed the pitfalls of the PPP government and the cumulative events leading to the 1994 coup.

As ‘young’ as Omar Amadou Jallow was at the time, he was the only Progressive People’s Party member who frankly and openly agreed with President Jawara to resign as he then intended. In many years to come, everyone else would have seemingly abandoned President Jawara but for Omar Amadou Jallow.

In 2018, he would repeat a similar call for Mr. President Adama Barrow to honour the ‘Coalition Agreement’ and resign after serving three years. “For me… it was a matter of principles, we need to respect each other as [elderly statemen] and fear God”.

In a word, I can’t exhaustively recount the life, history, and invaluable contributions of Omar Amadou Jallow to our beloved country.

Do you know of his stubborn childhood days in Old Yundum, Serre-Kunda, and Bathurst? What of his matrilineage family in Sierra Leone and the delightful annual visits to Mama Salone? Are you aware of his time in Ghana, his love for Banku, Waakye, Kokonte, and plenty more delicious dishes of Ghana, or how he lived in Accra, Kumasi, or Ashanti? Have you heard him speak of his relationship with Ahmed Sékou Touré and what lifting the casket of the former leader of Guinea Conakry meant to him?  Of his trip to Fidel Castro in Cuba or his journey of truth-telling even before then feared Zimbabwe’s President Robert Gabriel Mugabe, and how he was deported from that country while on an official mission for allegedly “disrespecting the President”? What about how young Omar Amadou Jallow became the darling of former Prime Minister of Jamaica, Michael Manley, or how the former President of Ivory Coast, Mr. Félix Houphouët-Boigny was so impressed by his young status, courage, and vocality to the extent of even requesting him to prolong his official mission to Ivory Coast for the fun of his company? The blunder of Thomas Sankara before his eyes at the Conference of African Leaders? Are you fully aware of his relationship with Sir Jawara, Bishop Emeritus Michael Joseph Cleary, or his sports life with the Rockefellers Football Club later renamed Kwame Nkrumah Football Club…?

Admittedly, a book won’t be enough to recount the amazing life of a humble man with a unique passion for the service of his people. A fearless freedom fighter has rested. Uncle OJ is gone.

…that day I visited him…with a smile and in not so many words, what he meant was ‘I want this done before I die’. I smiled back, refusing to accept the irking thought of it. ‘God willing, we will complete it (a project) before the end of the year’ I assured and proceeded to joke that I would need him to guide and show me the survival tactics should beloved Gambia fall back to the dark days of Jammeh. “Oh no… that can NEVER AGAIN happen in this country.” He affirmed.

When we attain the dreamed Gambia, where humanity strives, where citizens are fearless and pride themselves in protest against the abuse of state authority and continuously demand for accountability, respect for human probity, peace, love, and unity… I will remind them that there was once an OMAR AMADOU JALLOW.

Bensouda details plans for affordable housing in KMC

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By: Dawda Baldeh

Kanifing Municipal Council (KMC) Mayor Talib Ahmed Bensouda, who is seeking re-election under the main opposition United Democratic Party (UDP) ticket, has given a detailed explanation of his proposed affordable housing plan within the municipality from 2023-2028 in an exclusive interview with The Fatu Network yesterday, May 15 at his KMC office in Westfield.

Bensouda outlined several development obstacles facing the municipality and said affordable housing is key among his agender if re-elected.

He described affordable housing as a key pillar of his plan from 2023-2028, saying housing is a big problem in the Kanifing Municipality.

“KMC is overpopulated due to rural-urban migration, high birth rate, and land constraints because it is one of the most urbanized regions,” he said, adding that most of the lands in KMC are already built.

The incumbent mayor added that lands in KMC are one of the most expensive lands in the country. This, he noted, continues to make housing and rental prices very high due to the continuously growing population with limited land leading to skyrocketing prices of rent and land.

“One Wiseman said, ‘God has stopped creating lands but has not stopped creating humans so every human wants a land and that’s a problem.’

“We cannot control rental prices because the rent tribunal is no longer under KMC and is now at the Kanifing Magistrate Court. We do not have the mandate to bring legislations to create things such as price ceilings on rent,” he clarified.

He mentioned that to achieve the vision, they can be part of the suppliers to make housing affordable as it is happening in many countries globally.

“In Senegal, they have a ministry of housing and in many countries, municipal councils create what they called affordable housing. For example, in the UK, they called it council flats,” he explained.

According to the incumbent mayor, the purpose is to cater to the most vulnerable people in society.

“In the case of our municipality, these are youths who are just graduating from school and looking for employment, youths in skills trade, new workers who are just beginning their lives and not earning a high income, vulnerable families such as women with small babies in many cases, divorcees, they are very vulnerable because they are the ones who are feeding the children, paying for their school fees, paying rent and there is a lot of pressure on their income,” he highlighted.

Bensouda told The Fatu Network that landlords are increasing rent monthly due to the higher cost of living.

Asked about how he intends to go with the plan with the limited lands within the municipality, Bensouda emphasized that they will partner with private, individual landowners and the central government to make housing affordable for the people.

“KMC as a council doesn’t have enough lands even the government doesn’t have enough lands in KMC. There are a lot of individuals who have empty plots, sometimes abundant houses and we intend to partner with those people to create affordable housing in those communities.

“The few lands we have in some cases are quarries and some are just empty lands like in Abuko, we intend to bring about a project. To get funding, we have set up a task force comprising Doudou Mbye as chairperson who is a longtime serving member of UN-Habitat and specialist on urban planning on affordable housing, Lamin Manneh, formerly part of the AFDB, an expert in sourcing for financing, Lamin Sanneh, who is working formally with Standard Chartered and now working across the globe in international finance and most people know him as the head of OIC before and he is one of the engineers of the OIC project and he is an expert in souring for finance,” he revealed.

Bensouda expressed optimism that the task force will look at private equity, how to attract investors, grant funding, and how to partner with the central government or Social Security and Housing Finance Cooperation to make affordable housing a reality.

Quizzed on the unforeseen circumstances in getting lands from the central government, Bensouda responded: “There will be a lot of obstacles and we know that is a possibility.

“We requested lands from the government for different projects and we didn’t get it, but we requested lands from the government for some projects and we got it. They can be political obstacles; they can be limited lands obstacles but that’s why we are looking at an array of solutions and one is looking at private owners.

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