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The Science of Eating Dates during Ramadan

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By Prof. Raphael Nyarkotey Obu

Dates (Phoenix dactylifera) are the sweetest fruits native to Iraq. The date palm tree produces these fruits, which have long been a staple food in the Middle East. In the Month of Ramadan, dates become more popular.

Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) recommended Muslims break the fast with fresh or dry dates.  When one examines the nutritional facts and the health benefits of this amazing fruit from the date palm, one will realize that it is indeed a must-have fruit after fasting for hours during Ramadan and post-Ramadan. It is also recommended in a hadith to eat dates on daily basis in the morning.

Anas bin Malik narrated: The Messenger of Allah would break the fast with fresh dates before performing Salat. If there were no fresh dates then (he would break the fast) with dried dates, and if there were no dried dates then he would take a few sips of water. (Jami` at-Tirmidhi 696, Book-8 Hadith-15).

In this article, I examine the scientific aspect of eating Dates as recommended by the Prophet Mohammed.

Nutritional Profile

The US Department of Agriculture reports that date calorie content is higher than most fresh fruit. The calorie content of dates is similar to that of other dried fruits, such as raisins and figs.  The following is the nutritional profile of a 100-gram date:

  • Calories: 277
  • Carbs: 75 grams
  • Fiber: 7 grams
  • Protein: 2 grams
  • Potassium: 15% Daily Value(DV)
  • Magnesium: 13% DV
  • Copper: 40% DV
  • Manganese: 13% DV
  • Iron: 5% DV
  • Vitamin B6: 15% DV

 Date and Ramadan

Dates are used in Ramadan due to many reasons:  this is because after fasting one feels hungry, and a study confirms that the best time to eat date is when you’re hungry or want to eat.

Though many health gurus claim that there are best times for the body to digest food — and that eating outside of these times will result in poor digestion — there’s little scientific proof to support these claims.

Boland M, (2016) explained that the human body is ready to digest food before it even touches your mouth. It releases specific digestive enzymes in the mouth and continues to release them throughout the entire course of digestion.

The body can recognize the type of enzymes needed basing on the food’s macronutrient ratio — its carb, protein, and fat composition — and can do this at any time of the day.

Four studies (Müller et al. 2018; Hervik and Svihus, 2019; Rock et al. 2009; Ormsbee et al. 2014) established that the best time to eat dates is the following:

  1. At breakfast. Dates can be an excellent way to add natural sweetness and fiber to your diet in the early morning. What’s more, their high fiber content can keep you full and satisfied throughout the morning.
  1. As an afternoon snack. Dates are a good source of fiber and are high in natural sugars. This pairing of fiber and sugar allows for a slower rise in blood sugar to help you feel energized without crashing soon afterward.
  2. When you’re hungry. They’re a concentrated form of calories and very filling due to their high fiber content. If you’re feeling hungry but aren’t ready for a full meal, pair dates with some peanut butter for a good source of fiber, carbs, and protein.
  3. Before a workout. Though dates are naturally high in sugar, they don’t spike blood sugar quickly. Rather, they provide a type of slow-releasing carb that allows for a steady stream of energy to fuel your workout. Try having 2–4 dates 30–60 minutes before a workout.
  4. As a nighttime snack. They’re an excellent bedtime snack due to their high fiber content. Fiber takes longer to digest, which can help you stay full and keep midnight hunger pangs at bay.

Dates, Science

Fiber

Fiber is good for our overall health. Fiber enhances frequent bowel movements by contributing to the formation of stool (Dreher ML, 2018).

In one study (Eid et al. 2015), 21 people who ate 7 dates per day for 21 days had improvements in stool frequency and a significant increase in bowel movements compared to when they did not eat dates.

The fiber in dates also reduces blood sugar control by slowing digestion (Mirghani HO,2021). Also, dates have a low glycemic index (GI), which measures how quickly your blood sugar rises after eating a certain food (Atkinson et al. 2021).

Fights diseases

As compared to similar types of fruit, such as figs and dried plums, dates appear to have the highest antioxidant content (Siddiqi et al. 2020).

Below are the three most potent antioxidants in dates:

  • Flavonoids:  Three studies (Xu et al. 2018; Mossine et al. 2020; Bakhtiari et al. 2017) studies found that dates contain flavonoids, powerful antioxidants that may help reduce inflammation and reduce the risk of diabetes, Alzheimer’s disease, and certain types of cancer.
  • Carotenoids:  Neelam et al. (2021)  study found that Carotenoids support heart health, and eye-related disorders, such as macular degeneration.
  • Phenolic acid:  Two studies (Roleira et al. 2015; AlFaris et al. 2021) found that date anti-inflammatory properties, and phenolic acids may help lower the risk of cancer.

 Brain Health

Dates could improve brain function. For instance, Saryono et al. 2020; Essa et al. 2016; Hüll et al. 1996) found improvement in neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s in laboratory studies.

Also, Essa et al. (2016) animal studies found dates to decrease the activity of amyloid beta proteins, which can form plaques in the brain.  Another study by Subash et al. (2015) in animals found that mice fed food mixed with dates had significantly better memory and learning ability, as well as less anxiety-related behaviors, compared to those that did not eat them.

More human studies are needed to confirm the role of dates in brain health.

Heart Health

Shahdadi et al. (2015) found that dates can fight free radicals and prevent cardiovascular diseases. The anecdotal evidence suggests that the antioxidants in dates may prevent atherosclerosis. These antioxidants may also stimulate cholesterol removal from the artery cells.

An earlier study by Threapleton et al. (2013) also found that dates also contain isoflavones (the second highest of any fruit) known to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease.

Dates contain fiber. As per one UK study, regular intake of fiber may lower the risk of coronary heart disease. Slavin J (2013) study held that Fiber also helps in weight management. Ideal body weight could further reduce the risk of heart disease.  Finally, dates potassium content reduces high blood pressure (Houston, 2011). One medjool date contains about 167 mg of potassium. This content is relatively high when compared to other fruits. Not taking adequate potassium may also lead to kidney stones, though more research is needed to understand this mechanism.

Enhances Labor

Dates have been studied for their potential to promote and ease late-term labor in pregnant people.  One study by Kordi et al. (2017) confirmed that consuming dates in the last few weeks of pregnancy may promote cervical dilation and lower the need for induced labor. And reduces labor time.

A previous meta-analysis by Al-Kuran et al. (2011) examines studies on pregnant people who consumed dates before their due date and revealed that pregnant women who ate dates were in labor for less time than those who did not eat them, but also notes that the link between eating dates and a faster delivery needs to be researched further.

Another by Razali et al.  (2017) of 154 pregnant women also found that those who ate dates were less likely to be induced compared to those who did not.

In a third study,  Kordi et al. (2017) also found similar results in 91 pregnant women who consumed 70–76 grams of dates daily at the 37th week of pregnancy. They were in active labor for an average of 4 fewer hours than those who did not eat dates.

Dates could act as a natural oxytocin, a hormone that causes labor contractions during childbirth (Kordi et al. 2017).

Furthermore, dates contain tannins, compounds that have been shown to help facilitate contractions. They are also a good source of natural sugar and calories, which are necessary to maintain energy levels during labor (Kordi et al. 2017). Hemorrhoids are a common complication during pregnancy. Dates are excellent sources of fiber. They may help prevent hemorrhoids during pregnancy.

Avert blindness

One study by Al Binali et al. (2014) found that the primary cause of night blindness is a deficiency of vitamin A. Dates are rich in this vitamin as well and can help combat this condition. Regions with higher dates consumption seem to have rare incidences of night blindness. Dates may also help reduce night blindness in geriatric cases.

Prevent Intoxication, Sexual Health

One study by Mahmoudi et al. (2008) states that dates are added to native beer in Nigeria to make the drink less intoxicating.

Also, Kotta et al. (2013) state that date palm pollen is used in traditional medicine for enhancing male fertility.  Its efficacy in this area has been linked to the amino acids in dates that may also boost sexual stamina.

Natural Sweetener

Dates are a source of fructose, which is a natural type of sugar found in fruit.

For this reason, dates are very sweet and also have a subtle caramel-like taste. They make a great healthy substitute for white sugar in recipes due to the nutrients, fiber, and antioxidants that they provide. Brianna Elliott, (2022) explained that the best way to substitute dates for white sugar is to make date paste by mixing dates with water in a blender. A rule of thumb is to replace sugar with date paste at a 1:1 ratio.

For example, if the recipe calls for 1 cup of sugar, you’ll replace it with 1 cup of date paste.

It is important to note that although dates are high in fiber and nutrients, they are still fairly high in calories and best consumed in moderation.

Natural Anti-diarrhea.

One study by Al-Alawi et al. (2017) found that dates are rich in potassium and may help improve diarrhea. Date fruit has antimicrobial properties that act against microbes that cause diarrhea

Take Home

In conclusion, dates have many health benefits and should be consumed post-Ramadan as well. I end with this: “Do not grieve! Your Lord has provided a stream at your feet. And ˹if you˺ shake the trunk of this palm tree towards you, it will drop fresh, ripe dates upon you. So, eat and drink, and put your heart at ease. (Quran 19:24-26).

NB:

Prof. Nyarkotey has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations to justify his write-ups.  My articles are for educational purposes and do not serve as Medical advice for Treatment. I aim to educate the public about evidence-based scientific Naturopathic Therapies.

The writer is a Professor of Naturopathic Healthcare, a Medical Journalist, and a science writer. President, Nyarkotey College of Holistic Medicine & Technology (NUCHMT), African Naturopathic Foundation, Ashaiman, Ghana. E. mail: [email protected].  Currently, BL candidate at the Gambia Law School, Banjul, The Gambia.

40 UTG students get 40% semesterly scholarship from UTGSU

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By: Fatou Kebbeh

The University of The Gambia Students’ Union (UTGSU) has offered 40% of semesterly scholarship tuition fees to at least 40 less privileged students.

The move is part of the Students Union’s drive to support less privileged students.

The process, according to the dispatches shared, was very competitive because over three hundred (300) students applied.

Yunusa Saho, a second-year student from the School of Education, who is among the students to benefit from the scholarship, expressed his profound gratitude to the Students Union, saying the support is timely.

“I would have deferred if I was not lucky to be part of this scholarship like I do previously,” he said, adding that the tuition fees are high for people like him. However, he noted that even with the 40% scholarships, he will still have arrears.

“I have applied for scholarships in all institutions that offer scholarships in this country but to no avail, I am grateful for SU’s 40% tuition fee because having a loaf is better than nothing,” Saho added.

Most of the beneficiaries if not all, said they were on the verge of deferring, but the Students Union came to their rescue.

Abubacarr Ceesay a final-year student from the school of ICT said he would have deferred without the timely intervention of the Student’s Union.

The beneficiaries described the UTGSU intervention as timely and beneficial to their academic drive.

Ceesay added that he could not register because he has arrears and that the deadline for registration was coming closer, but this scholarship has helped him register his courses and he is grateful for that.

Lala Ceesay, another beneficiary who is a third-year law student at the Faculty of Law, said the scholarship will go a long way in helping her because it is very expensive to study law at the University.

“I was not expecting to have this scholarship, because I’m not very lucky with having scholarships. I feel so excited that I am one of the beneficiaries because it is really needed,” she added.

For his part, Kemo Conteh, President of the UTGSU, said despite the criterion that was set for the application, they were overwhelmed that a lot of students meet this criterion.

But he noted that the council focused on extremely dire cases during the interview.

Mr. Conteh reiterated their efforts in supporting the students to make their dreams a reality through education.

“We want to make sure most of the students will not defer their courses and we will continue to engage with partners to support the students,” he added.

He further noted that his Council is passionate about the people whom they govern and that they will do everything possible to offer support.

Meanwhile, Fatou L Darboe, a second-year student from the School of Arts and Sciences, Alieu K Dibba, a student from the School of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, Yahya Krubally, a second-year journalism student, and Fatoumatta B Bah from the School of Medicine all expressed excitement over what they described as timely and beneficial to their academic careers.

Prof. Nyarkotey: The Money Traditional Medicine Regulation could give the Gambia

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Prof.  Raphael Nyarkotey Obu,

Many opportunities are associated with legislative regulation. For instance, the global market for traditional therapies stood at more than US$ 60 billion in 2000 and is steadily growing.

The Gambia is a nation of tea lovers especially attaya (green tea), black tea, coffee, and loose tea; a market report found that the tea market was equal to 18.40 million USD (calculated in retail prices) in 2015. Until 2025, the tea market in the Gambia is forecast to reach 48.18 million USD (in retail prices), thus increasing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.01% per annum for the period 2020-2025. This is a decrease, compared to the growth of about 11.46% per year, registered in 2015-2019.

The average consumption per capita in value terms reached 9.61 USD per capita (in retail prices) in 2015. In the next five years, it grew at a CAGR of 8.16% per annum. In the medium term (by 2025), the indicator is forecast to slow down its growth and increase at a CAGR of 5.92% per annum.

In this report, the coffee alone instant market in Gambia was equal to 2.80 million USD (calculated in retail prices) in 2015. Until 2025, the coffee market in the Gambia is forecast to reach 11.51 million USD (in retail prices), thus increasing at a CAGR of 12.80% per annum for the period 2020-2025. This is a decrease, compared to the growth of about 18.39% per year, registered in 2015-2019.

The average consumption per capita in value terms reached 1.48 USD per capita (in retail prices) in 2015. In the next five years, it grew at a CAGR of 14.23% per annum. In the medium term (by 2025), the indicator is forecast to slow down its growth and increase at a CAGR of 9.67% per annum.

Also, Statista reports that the Gambia tea revenue amounts to US$39.83m in 2023. The market is expected to grow annually by 4.71% (CAGR 2023-2025).  The interesting thing is that in global comparison, most of the tea revenue is generated in China (US$111,800.00m in 2023).

This could either be a negative or positive market outlook for the Gambia, as they contribute to the tea market outlook of China. I believe that legislation and strict regulation of the traditional and complementary medicine industry have a chance to benefit the Gambian economy.

The same report also revealed that by 2025, 16% of spending and 1% of volume consumption in the Tea segment will be attributable to out-of-home consumption (e.g., in bars and restaurants) in the Gambia.

On the international front, Fortune Business Insight reported that the global herbal medicine market size was valued at USD 151.91 billion in 2021 and the market is projected to grow from USD 165.66 billion in 2022 to USD 347.50 billion by 2029, exhibiting a CAGR of 11.16% during the forecast period.

Also, The Grand View Research also reports that the global complementary and alternative medicine market size was valued at USD 117,210.3 million in 2022 and is expected to expand at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 25.1% from 2023 to 2030.

The interesting thing is that India’s export of AYUSH (Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, and Homeopathy) and value-added products of medicinal plants during 2015-2016 was $358.60 million.

In Africa for instance, where legislation and regulation exist, Andel et al found that an estimated 951 tons of crude herbal medicine were sold at Ghana’s herbal markets in 2010, with a total value of around US$ 7.8 million. Most of these plants sold at the market were mostly used for women’s health, in rituals, as aphrodisiacs, and against sexually transmitted diseases.

Also, in Benin, one study by Quiroz et al reported that the domestic medicinal plant market in Benin has economic significance. About 655 metric tons worth 2.7 million USD is sold yearly, and traditional spiritual beliefs are the major driving force behind the trade in herbal medicine. Gabon on the other hand; has just 27 medicinal plant products giving the economy US$ 1.5 million annually.

In Nigeria, is reported that the current market value of traditional medicinal plants stands at about N200 billion and could hit N1 trillion by 2025. In South Africa, it has been reported that the trade in traditional medicines in South Africa is estimated to be worth R2.9 billion per year, representing 5.6% of the National Health budget. The report further established that raw materials amount to R520 million per year (in 2006 prices). An additional R2.6 billion value is estimated to be added through the prescription of traditional plant medicines by traditional healers.

The traditional medicine industry in South Africa value does not enter into formal trade and therefore is an addition to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP).  The most intriguing thing is that the medicinal plant trade in South Africa is equal to 5.6% of the National Health budget, equal to the whole Mpumalanga Health budget, or equal to the KZN Provincial Hospital budget.

Additionally, in Tanzania, a study found that more than 61 000 kilograms of nonpowdered medicines valued at US$344,882 are traded in informal herbal medicine markets. Morocco, on the other hand, annual revenues generated from the export of medicinal plants were US$55.9 million in 2015 and US$174, 227,384 in Egypt.

It is interesting how North African countries make a huge number of monies from herbal medicinal products as compared to West African Countries. For instance, a study reported that the Gambia exported just $559 in Tea, making it the 171st largest exporter of Tea in the world. In the same year, Tea was the 239th most exported product in Gambia. The main destination of Tea exports from the Gambia is Switzerland ($365), China ($108), and Spain ($86).

The fastest-growing export markets for Tea in the Gambia between 2019 and 2020 were Switzerland ($365), Spain ($86), and China ($31).

In terms of import: that same year, Gambia imported $23.9M in Tea, becoming the 60th largest importer of Tea in the world. In the same year, Tea was the 14th most imported product in GambiaGambia imports Tea primarily from: China ($21.8M), Sri Lanka ($1.19M), India ($581k), Egypt ($108k), and Senegal ($53.9k). The fastest-growing import markets in Tea for the Gambia between 2019 and 2020 were Sri Lanka ($135k), Singapore ($33.2k), and the Netherlands ($12.8k).

The Gambia is unable to export its herbal medicinal teas outside to generate foreign exchange. The recent regulation on herbal and alternative therapies provides a stringent mechanism for standardization and if implemented well, I believe it could improve the overdependence on foreign herbal medicinal products. The Gambia herbal market could see more investment and export to rake in foreign exchange.

The author is a BL Candidate, at the Gambia Law School, Banjul, The Gambia.

GFD calls for more inclusion of persons with disabilities in electoral systems

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The Gambia Federation of the Disabled is the umbrella body of all registered Organizations of Persons with Disabilities in The Gambia which advocates the principles of Equalization of opportunities and has recommended more participation of persons with disabilities in the country’s electoral system.

The organization called for Full, Effective, Equal Participation and inclusion in society without distinction or discrimination of any kind.

Below is the full statement on the recently concluded local government election and their recommendations.

Similarly, the Umbrella Body calls for respect, promotion, and protection of all the fundamental human rights of Persons with Disabilities irrespective of Race, Gender, Color, Religion, Ethnic, Social Origin, and Birth.

However, The Gambia Federation of the Disabled partnered with CSO Coalition on Elections and Election Watch Committee in the recent Councillorship election to promote the participation of Persons with Disabilities in political activities.

Unanimously, the election observers’ groups of persons with disabilities served as election observers nationwide with impeccable performance and professionalism.

Election of the recently concluded councillors, four persons with disabilities contested as candidates, and one emerged victorious, this is the first time in the history of the Gambian’s election for such several persons with disabilities to be seen as political candidates.

This is informing the general citizenry and election authorities that persons with disabilities are interested in equally exercising their political rights. Legal Instrument on the election for persons with disabilities.

Gambia’s ratification of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD), and its Optional Protocol in July 2015 without reservation, was a consolidation of the legal framework for promoting and protecting the human rights and fundamental freedoms of all persons with disabilities.

Specifically, Article 12 provides for equal recognition of persons with disabilities before the law and Article 29(a) on the Convention and Section 55 of Persons with Disabilities Act 2021 emphasizes that persons with disabilities can effectively and fully participate in political and public life on equal basis with others, directly or through freely chosen representatives, including the right and opportunity for them to vote and be elected. Gambia has enacted several electoral laws with specific provisions on disability. However, implementation has been limited; hence giving persons with disabilities minimal benefit.

For example, the concluding observations on council elections and all previous elections highlight the inaccessibility of the voting environment for persons with disabilities, specifically wheelchair and crutches users.

Election findings on disability

Both the election observers’ bodies partnered with Gambia Federation of the Disabled revealed, “In most of the observed polling stations, persons with disabilities, pregnant/breastfeeding mothers and elderly were either assisted or given priority to vote.

However, it was also observed that accessibility for wheelchair users was a challenge”.

Inaccessibility to election booths by persons with disabilities recurred in all the elections conducted by the Independent Electoral Commission in the Gambia which is a cross violation of fundamental human rights and contradicts session 33 of the 1997 Constitution of The Gambia.

There is a wide and strong consensus that persons with disabilities in The Gambia believe they are treated as second-class citizens and suffer tremendous discrimination in many areas-including the voting process.

Recommendations for effective participation of persons with disabilities in political activities.

✓ IEC to immediately cease discriminating against persons with disabilities in accessing polling booths. Physical accessibility to registration sites and polling stations is an issue that must be addressed.

✓ Human rights bodies, International Organizations, CSOs should all cooperate with Organizations of Persons with Disabilities in addressing cross violations of rights melted on persons with disabilities in exercising their fundamental human rights.

✓ Human rights bodies, government and non-governmental institutions in charge of electoral democracy in The Gambia should raise awareness of the CRPD.

They should specifically emphasize articles 12 and 29 and Section 55 of Persons with Disabilities Act 2021 that discuss inclusion and equality of persons with disabilities in elections and public life, particularly concerning the right to their involvement in election administration and monitoring.

✓ The ministry of Gender, Children and Social Welfare should be much committed to the issues of persons with disabilities in the Gambia and be in the frontline in addressing ranges of discriminations on persons with disabilities.

✓ Inventory of registration sites and polling places.

As the IEC designates registration sites, polling stations and nomination centres, each should be categorized as their accessibility for persons with disabilities so that a benchmark can be achieved for future reference.

✓ Outreach to disabled citizens. The IEC should initiate a strong voter education and public outreach program to government agencies, NGOs, CSOs, Community authorities, international organizations, Disabled Organizations to disseminate information regarding the registration period, the registration sites, polling place sites and other election- related information aimed at the general public.

However, this would include the development and distribution of promotional materials, posters, radio and TV spots, cassette tapes (for visually impaired voters) and the like such material should be produced in Braille, and also recognize the special needs of the deaf and hard of hearing community.
✓ Securing technical assistance.

To help facilitate the implementation of these goals, the IEC should invite international organizations and technical experts to assist in the continued development of programs designed to provide political access to people with disabilities.

✓ In order to implement many of these recommendations effectively, adequate funding is necessary for both IEC and GFD.

Gambia Federation of the disabled representing the disabled Organizations operate with little or no funding and in locations that are indescribable by providing sub-grants to local disability groups to focus exclusively on facilitating the participation of persons with disabilities in the election, such groups would not have to take resources away from other priorities.

Conclusion
There are several conclusions derived from this intentional violation of political rights of persons with disabilities in the Gambia.

One of these is that a variety of international and national legal instruments safeguard the fundamental rights and freedoms of persons with disabilities to participate in electoral processes in The Gambia.

However, their implementation is still a challenge, which can be attributed to some of their provisions not being disability-specific as well as there being insufficient resource allocation to the preparation and organization of disability-inclusive elections.

Another conclusion that the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948) Article 21 and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (1966) Article 25 guarantees is that everyone has a right to take part in the governance of their country, directly or through free-chosen representatives; and the will of the people shall be the basis of the authority of government, which shall be by universal and equal suffrage and shall be held by secret ballot, guaranteeing the free expression of will of the electors.

Seedy Ceesay says NPP is more popular in West Coast than before despite winning only 2 wards in the region

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By: Muhammed Lamin Drammeh

Despite the National People’s Party winning only two wards out of the sixteen wards they contested for in West Coast in the April 15 local government elections, Seedy Ceesay, the party’s candidate for the chairmanship election denied NPP’s decline in the region, noting that the party is more popular today in the region than ever before.

With political commentators rating his chances of winning low, the NPP candidate for the top office at the Brikama Area Council noted that his party is still popular and had a meeting last night as to what must have gone wrong for them in the Saturday Councillorship election. He postulated that NPP did well in the election.

“I can tell you that NPP is still more popular in the West Coast than ever before. Because going by the result, we can see that the number that went out to vote and the number that didn’t vote. The reason I am upbeat today is that NPP support still remains in West Coast.”

Despite many deeming it as a terrible performance for the ruling party in the West Coast Region, Seedy maintained that the party did well, noting that it is a young party which is participating in its first Councillorship election.

“I think NPP did extremely well. When you look at the West Coast, when you look at the electorate and the number of people who voted is just a fraction. So, we cannot use that as a yardstick to judge the performance of a particular political party. I believe NPP did well in West Coast with its challenges,” he claimed.

According to him, yesterday, April 18, the Councilors that participated in the election from his team gave him feedback as to what must have gone wrong for them that led to their poor performance in the election.

“Yesterday I had an Iftar with all the councillors that participated, and we have our report as to what may have gone wrong as far as the election is concerned and we are studying those reports.”

NPP secured only two seats in the Councillorship election, while Allie’s APRC secured only two, giving them a combined 6 seats in the council out of 28 ward seats.

‘Waste is wealth’: NPP’s Ceesay vows to recycle WC waste into energy

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By: Muhammed Lamin Drammeh

The National People’s Party (NPP) candidate for the Brikama Area Council Chairmanship election, Seedy Sheriff Ceesay, has vowed to transform waste collected by the council into energy, manure, and fertilizer instead of dumping it from one place to another, noting that local government councils in the country have been engaging in waste dumping instead of management.

Seedy, who sounded upbeat about winning the election, told The Fatu Network that a council led by him will not be collecting waste and dumping it but will rather turn it into significant things that will help the region.

“We will bring in a waste management programme that will bring a recycling method where we can recycle our waste and use our waste for energy, for manures and fertilizer. There is so much we can do with waste. Now waste is wealth for the people,” he said.

According to Ceesay, what local government Councils are doing in the Gambia is not waste management but waste dumping, noting that they collect waste and dump it.

“What we have seen right now is the council collecting waste and dumping waste. And that is actually odd. Those days are gone”.

Waste management has been a challenge for Brikama Area Council; thus, this initiative will be challenging for the council. He told The Fatu Network that he will first educate the people of the West Coast Region on waste management and what waste can bring for the people aside from dumping it.

“We must introduce a recycling method, and that is to educate the citizens. When it comes to waste, you must educate the citizens. People must know the waste they produce, and what they can do with it. But if people are not educated on what to do with their waste, what they will choose to do is to put those waste together and dump them,” he pointed out.

Seedy Sheriff Ceesay is expected to face a stiff battle with other candidates for the post of chairman in the Brikama Area Council next month.

BCC goes digital with revenue collection

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By: Dawda Baldeh

The incumbent mayor of the Banjul City Council, Rohey Malick Lowe has today, April 19 presided over the launch of the BCC digital revenue collection project at a press conference held in Banjul.

Speaking to journalists at her office in Banjul, Mayor Lowe outlined development interventions her office is undertaking within the city.

With the digital revenue collection system, the mayor believes revenue collection leakages will be minimized.

“Digitization of revenue collection will help us to minimize revenue fraud,” Mayor Lowe told reporters, adding that sustainability is key for them.

“Now with the digital revenue collection system revenue collection will be easy,” she added.

Mayor Lowe further told journalists that they started the project with UNDP to see if it will be profitable.

“Everywhere in the world people are going digital and Banjul is not an island.

“We are here to launch the digital revenue collection system to fight against fraud. Tomorrow we will start collecting revenue using digital systems,” she added.

The incumbent mayor noted that people should support her office to ensure the project is successful.

According to her, digital revenue collection will enhance proper revenue collection thereby increasing revenue.

“Going digital doesn’t means we are increasing tax. It’s all about moving from analogue to digital,” she emphasized.

The project and the digital system took the BCC and partners almost nine months, according to officials.

Mayor Lowe encouraged people to pay their taxes to help the council in making sure they contribute these social cooperate responsibilities to the people.

Islamic lecturer: ‘Gambia does not need a multiparty system’

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By: Dawda Baldeh

Sheikh Musa Jallow, an Islamic lecturer at Tallinding Islamic Institute has stated that the Gambia does not need a multiparty system and urged the National Assembly to urgently look into the matter by amending the clause in the status book (Constitution).

He made this statement on 16th April 2023, after giving lectures at the Westfield monument youth development conference organized by NAFA Financial Service in partnership with Red Cross Society.

Currently, the Gambia has close to 19 political parties pursuing power, but Jallow sees such as not necessary in the country.

“We don’t need a multi-party system in the country because the Gambia is very small for such (a multi-party system).

Or even if the country is to have a multi-party system, let it not surpass two to three political parties. And we can do this because The Gambia belongs to all of us.

But this cannot happen beyond the parliament. The parliament should look into the constitution to address this issue,” he said.

Jallow urged youths not to fall into the traps of politicians to separate them- lashing out at politicians for playing the art of use-and-dump on young people.

“The politicians will come to you and say this person is this tribe. Such remarks will separate us; they will make us not like each other.

“Any country that looks into tribe will not develop that’s why we have only one Gambia. And it is only Gambia that we should see and nothing else,” he stressed.

“They (politicians) will tell the youths to come and come for me and bring partisan politics. They also put this in the mindset of the youths that the party is the best and the other party is not the best.

“This will bring separation. I always emphasize this in my preaching that partisan politics brought us the problems and we should look into them. It has put us into separation.

“It has caused people to dislike each other because of party politics. After all, we are all Gambian,’’ Jallow added.

“The Gambia can have only two to three parties; if this party rules for two terms; it gives the baton to the other party to rule for two terms and it goes like that. If we do this; we will live in peace and develop this country without any difficulty,” he stated.

Skeptical Tuesday: Why Being a DJ is Just Pretending to Be a Musician

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Welcome to the second edition of Skeptical Tuesday, where we do not hold back when it comes to challenging the status quo. Today, we’re diving headfirst into the murky world of DJing, where the idea of pressing buttons on a laptop has somehow been elevated to an art form. Ah, the good old days of DJ rivalries. It was like the Hunger Games of the music world, where Fire Man would go up against DJ Faal and DJ Moore would try to outdo DJ Lamin Cham. The tension was so thick, you could cut it with a butter knife. Ah, how could one forget the illustrious DJ Fire Man and his magnum opus, ‘Fire man Faji kunda’! It was, undoubtedly, the pièce de résistance of its time, the most coveted of all musical cassettes. Tellingly, the whole circus was a clown show on steroids.

So today, we’re going to take a hard look at why being a DJ is nothing more than pretending to be a musician. We’ll examine the illusion of talent that is created by technology, and why DJs are just glorified fast-food workers of the music industry. So, sit back, relax, and prepare to have your minds blown. Or, you know, go press some buttons on your laptop and pretend like you’re adding value to something. Either way, it’s going to be a wild ride.

As we dive deeper into the world of DJing, let’s first address the elephant in the room: the fact that DJs are not musicians. Sure, they may have some knowledge of music theory and composition, but that doesn’t make them a musician. A musician is someone who creates and performs their own music, not someone who plays someone else’s music and presses a button to make it louder.

It’s not like these DJs are curing cancer or solving world hunger. They’re just pressing buttons on a laptop and pretending like they’re adding value to the experience. But let’s be real here, folks. We’re talking about people who press buttons for a living. It’s like giving a participation trophy to a kid who just showed up to practice but never actually played in the game. And yet, somehow, we’ve convinced ourselves that these button-pushers are artists.

It’s almost comical how easily we’ve been fooled by the illusion of talent created by technology. It’s like we’ve all been hypnotized by the flashing lights and bass drops. But let’s face it, anyone can learn how to press a button on a laptop, even your pet cat if you give it enough time.

Looking back, it’s hard not to see the whole thing as a bit of a clown show. I mean, what kind of profession is it where grown men spend their time fighting over who can press buttons on a laptop better? It’s like watching a bunch of monkeys fight over a banana.

And let’s not forget the whole One Tribe sound scene. It was like a cult, with people blindly following these button pushers as if they were the second coming of Mozart. The fact that we ever took this whole thing seriously is a testament to just how deluded we were.

And let’s talk about those buttons for a second. It’s not exactly rocket science to figure out how to press play on a laptop or mixer. Anyone can do it, including your grandma who just learned how to use a computer. So why do we give DJs so much credit for something that requires so little skill?

The answer lies in the illusion of talent created by technology. DJing is a profession that has been completely transformed by technology, allowing people to manipulate music in ways that were once impossible. But just because someone can manipulate a track with a laptop doesn’t mean they’re a talented musician. It just means they know how to use a computer.

And let’s not forget the fact that DJs often rely on gimmicks to entertain their audiences. We’ve all seen the DJs who jump around, wave their arms in the air, and blow smoke into the crowd. It’s like they’re trying to distract us from the fact that they’re not doing anything particularly impressive.

But the reality is that being a DJ is just pretending to be a musician. It’s like putting on a fake mustache and pretending to be someone else. Sure, it might be fun for a little while, but eventually, the charade has to end.

So why do we continue to give DJs so much credit? Is it because we’re afraid to admit that we’ve been conned by the flashy lights and booming bass? Or is it because we’ve been brainwashed into thinking that these button-pushers are somehow the new rock stars? Let’s start giving credit where credit is due, to the real musicians out there who actually create and perform their own music.

And to all the DJs out there, please don’t take this personally. It’s not your fault that society has elevated your profession to a level it doesn’t deserve. But maybe it’s time to start asking ourselves why we’re giving so much credit to people who press buttons on a laptop.

The Fall of the White Stallion: Can the NPP Avoid Extinction?

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As the sun sets on The Gambia’s political landscape, one cannot help but wonder whether the once-galloping National People’s Party (NPP) has lost its spark. Since winning the presidential election in 2021, the NPP’s fortunes have dwindled, while the opposition United Democratic Party (UDP) has gained momentum. The NPP’s recent performance in the National Assembly and local government elections has been lacklustre, and if their downward trend continues, they could be the first ruling party in the history of The Gambia to win a single term before going into extinction. The white stallion that once galloped triumphantly across the political landscape now appears to have lost its pace. What went wrong for the NPP, and can they regain their lost spark?

In the annals of Gambian history, the National People’s Party (NPP) will undoubtedly be remembered as a party that tasted victory but failed to hold on to its power. The once-dominant white horse that galloped across the political landscape, basking in the glory of a resounding electoral victory, now appears to have lost its spark. The NPP’s recent electoral losses have left many wondering whether this is the beginning of the end for the party. Has the NPP lost its way? Has it failed to deliver on its promises? Or has it simply been outmanoeuvred by the opposition United Democratic Party? As the country prepares for the mayoral and chairmanship elections, the stakes are higher than ever, and the NPP’s future hangs in the balance. The Gambia has a rich political history, but if the NPP cannot reignite its spark, it may become just another footnote in the country’s political story.

The results of the recent Local Government Ward Council Elections in The Gambia have sent shockwaves throughout the political landscape, with the ruling National People’s Party (NPP) suffering another humiliating setback.

The scale of the loss is staggering, with the NPP led-coalition managing to secure a mere 61 seats out of a possible 120, while the opposition UDP singlehandedly scored an impressive 45 seats, a clear sign of the party’s rising popularity. The UDP’s success was further cemented by their victory in the Kanifing Municipality and West Coast Region, which represent a significant portion of the total votes cast in the election. The results are a clear indication that the NPP has lost its grip on power and the UDP is poised to take advantage of this newfound momentum.

As the NPP’s fortunes continue to dwindle, the party’s leadership seems to have lost sight of the need to continuously adapt and evolve. Their failure to recognize the changing political landscape and address the concerns of the Gambian electorate has been their undoing. The party’s top brass, who were once lauded for their strategic approach, have become nothing more than a bunch of lazy goons, unwilling to put in the work necessary to get their spark back.

Instead of taking a proactive approach, they rested on their laurels, assuming that their success in the presidential election would automatically translate to victory in other elections. Sadly, they were mistaken, and the NPP is now on the brink of extinction, becoming the first ruling party in Gambian history to win a single term before going into oblivion forever.

It seems that the NPP is currently wandering in a sea of confusion, without a compass or a clear strategy to guide them towards regaining their lost spark. One would think that after suffering a devastating blow in the parliamentary elections, the party would have engaged in some soul-searching and introspection to identify the root causes of their failure.

Unfortunately, it appears that the NPP is content with burying their heads in the sand, hoping that the storm will pass and that their political fortunes will miraculously turn around. Perhaps they believe that if they close their eyes tight enough, they will wake up from this nightmare to find themselves back in the blissful days of the presidential elections. But alas, reality does not work that way, and the NPP’s lack of strategic planning and foresight is leading them down a path of self-destruction. It’s almost comical how they continue to repeat the same mistakes and rely on tired and ineffective messaging, like a broken record stuck on repeat.

It is truly a pity that the National People’s Party failed to comprehend the importance of keeping its foot soldiers engaged after the presidential elections. Instead of capitalizing on their hard work and dedication by nurturing them as the backbone of the party’s grassroots operations, they were rewarded with positions abroad or positions in government where they could do no good. It is no wonder that they have been unable to mount any effective campaign or mobilization since then. It is almost as if the NPP has taken their loyal supporters for granted, leaving them feeling betrayed and neglected. Who can blame them for quitting? It is a terrible mistake that will haunt the NPP as they slide into obscurity.

The National People’s Party (NPP) is at a critical juncture in its political history, and the outcome of the upcoming mayoral elections could determine its fate. With the opposition United Democratic Party (UDP) gaining momentum and securing a significant number of seats in the recent National Assembly and local government elections, it is evident that the NPP has lost its spark. The NPP’s poor performance can be attributed to its top brass, a bunch of lazy goons who believed that the party’s success in the presidential elections would reflect on the parliamentary and local government elections. Alas! They were gravely mistaken.

If the NPP loses in the upcoming mayoral elections in KMC, Banjul, and West Coast, it will be a recipe for the party’s doom and damnation. It will also mark the first time in the history of The Gambia that a ruling party wins a single term and goes into oblivion forever.

Unless a miracle happens, it is highly likely that whoever the UDP puts up in 2026 will easily defeat the NPP.

G-QUIZ launches free study program for WASSCE candidates 2023

G-Quiz, the leading online educational learning platform in the Gambia designed for secondary school learners and candidates preparing for WASSCE, TOEFL, BAC, IGCSE, A levels, and other international exams has announced a new initiative to provide free study classes for students in the upcoming West African Examinations Council (WAEC) exams. The program will be conducted in collaboration with a team of educators recommended by school principals all over the region.

The G-Quiz platform covers a wide range of subjects such as English, Mathematics, Science, Biology, Physics, Literature, and more. The goal is to ensure that students pass their exams with maximum understanding and relatable effort. The company provides a wide range of educational services and resources to students across the country for Free.

The initiative was launched in response to the serious mass failure of students in the WASSCE exams last year, which highlighted the need for additional support for students during the exam period. G-Quiz believes that providing students with extra free classes will provide students with the necessary tools and resources to improve their academic performance and achieve better results in the exams.

The failure of Gambian students in the WASSCE exams highlights the critical need for additional support and resources to improve their academic performance. This initiative is part of G-Quiz’s commitment to providing quality education to Gambian students.

The classes will provide free study classes conducted by experienced educators, study materials, and other necessary resources to help students succeed in their exams. G-Quiz believes that by providing students with extra support, they will be better prepared to take on the challenges of their exams and ultimately achieve academic excellence.

This program is more than just a mere initiative; it is a commitment to the future of our nation. With the aid of experienced educators, we will provide free study classes to students in need. Additionally, we will equip them with all the necessary resources required to excel in their exams, including study materials and other vital aids.

We firmly believe that this program will have a profound impact on the academic performance of our students. It is our duty to provide them with the best possible chance at success, and this initiative serves as a significant step towards achieving that goal.

The classes will be conducted over a period of six weeks during the span of the WASSCE exams 2023 and it will not disrupt the regular school activities as it will be conducted in accordance with the rules and regulations set by the Department of Education.

The launch of this initiative is a significant step towards achieving this goal, and G-Quiz encourages all Gambians to support this program and help ensure the academic success of our youth.

For more information about the free study program, please contact G-Quiz at +220 301 4437 or send an email to [email protected]
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G-Quiz launches a new initiative to improve the academic performance of Gambian students in response to recent mass failure in WAEC exams. The program will provide free study classes conducted by experienced educators, study materials, and other necessary resources to help students succeed in their exams.
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EDITORIAL: A national call for traditional medicine legislation

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EDITORIAL: A national call for traditional medicine legislation

For some time now, a Ghanaian Professor of Naturopathic Healthcare, Raphael Nyarkotey Obu, who is currently a Barrister-At-Law Candidate at the Gambia Law School, Banjul, has been canvassing for support towards traditional medicine legislation in The Gambia. He combines this advocacy with the workload at the Gambia Law School, Banjul. His advocacy has created a huge interest in natural remedies with his frequent evidence-based articles. He has been working with the traditional healers in The Gambia to achieve this feat. We believe that this call is timely in The Gambia, and we support his call for legislation.

Our case is that: Bearing in mind that the history of standard medicine is actually through empirical work from plants and based on experience and research on the active substance content, that is what Paracelsus (1541-1493 BC) did. Hippocrates (459-370 BC) used more than 200 types of plants in his medicine. We recommend following the WHO Traditional Medicine Strategy. The desire to applicable legal regulations in the law on the practice of traditional medicine, complementary medicine, and alternative medicine is an essential wish for Parliament in the Gambia to implement.

We support Prof. Nyarkotey Obu’s positive thinking and support regarding traditional medicine legislation in The Gambia. We hope the idea will be implemented and his way of thinking befits the aim of legal training.

Indeed, the global market for traditional therapies stood at more than US$60 billion in 2000 and is steadily growing and many countries are benefiting from the regulation of traditional medicine. The likes of China and India are typical examples. Also, Ghana has over 55 government hospitals with herbal medicine departments with trained Medical Phythotherapists. The economy of Ghana and the healthcare space is benefitting from effective regulation of traditional and complementary therapies. Also, as Professor Nyarkotey asserts, even in countries where regulation exists, the risk of traditional practices has been reported in the media space. What therefore is the fate of The Gambia without legislation for the practitioners? We, therefore, call on the government to help with legislation.

MC Cham Jr: ‘Mayor Bensouda has a high chance of re-election

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By: Dawda Baldeh

Former opposition Gambia Democratic Congress (GDC) campaign manager and now political commentator Momodou MC Cham Jr has stated that incumbent Kanifing Municipal Council (KMC) Mayor Talib Ahmed Bensouda has a high chance of re-election following United Democratic Party’s (UDP) dominance in the just concluded Local Government elections in the Kanifing Municipality (KM).

MC Cham was speaking to Star Fm Talk Show host Pa Nderry Touray this morning.

“Talib has a high chance to win again because all his councillors are back. This shows that people want him back to the council,” MC Cham asserted.

He said, historically, the ruling party always dominate local government elections in the rural area which he noted has changed in the recently concluded elections.

“This change shows that the rural people are now aware, and they are voting for development not based on bribery.

The opposition parties are also reaching every corner to engage the people on their agendas,” he said.

According to the young politician, UDP securing more seats within KM in the councillorship election is a plus for Mayor Bensouda.

“The mayor has no executive power to do anything without the support from the councillors.

“The mayor needs the councillors to support him. This is why Bensouda has been campaigning for his councillors,” Mr Cham added.

Asked about how he viewed the election, he responded: “Gambians are now voting for change. NPP has spent millions of dalasis on this election, but they can’t control the councils.”

MC Cham mentioned that Talib got more seats this year than in 2018 when he was campaigning with the president.

“In 2018 he got only 12 councillors but this year he secured 15 councillors.

This shows that the people of KMC have seen Talib’s work because the councillors he was with in 2018 are all back in the council,” he added.

Mr. Cham further explained that with all the allegations against Bensouda, there is no evidence to prove against him over the years.

“His biggest achievement is the ‘mbalit project.”

Before most of the places within KM were in a mess. Trash everywhere but now that has been a thing of the past,” he added.

He urged politicians to be flexible by not limiting themselves to only their parties so they can win the hearts of the electorate.

Commenting further on the election, MC Cham said: “I have the belief that the people of KMC have decided because they have shown that they want Talib back to the council.”

According to him, the government has put more focus on Talib with a lot of attacks and allegations without any evidence.

This, he added, is making people believe that the government is just using power against Talib.

“What happened in KMC should be a lesson to NPP because people are aware,” he said.

GAP National Admin Secretary Calls for Joint Campaign to End Corruption

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By: Dawda Baldeh

The National Administrative Secretary of the opposition Gambia Action Party (GAP), Badara Faal has called on all political parties to unanimously form an anti-corruption campaign to end what he described as “endless corruption practices in the government.”

Speaking to The Fatu Network, the young politician said the problems of the country need to be addressed by all for the betterment of all.

“Fixing these problems is only possible through collective action by all political and non-political groups in-order to pass anti-corruption laws in parliament.

“We can do this by forming anti-corruption campaigns despite our political affiliations because we believe the government should work for every Gambian, not just a handful of people within the government and few others,” Badara told TFN.

In his view, Badara believes Gambians will be able to get rid of the corrupt political system, save the country, and fix everything else that’s broken in the country.

Speaking on a range of issues, GAP Admin Secretary added, “The government is ours; we pay our taxes and so it needs to work for us and right now it is not.”

He noted that Gambians have been witnessing a total system failure in governance and something has to be done.

“It is the opposite of what we the Gambians had in mind when we maturely and democratically removed Yahya Jammeh and his dictatorial government from power in 2016.

This is a corrupt system in which we the people have almost zero per cent influence over our government, which is very sad,” he noted.

According to him, young people believe their votes don’t matter hence they feel neglected by the government.

This he noted is not what Gambians fought for in 2016.

“The worse is by allowing this to happen, we’re causing the failure of the most important issues facing our nation today.

“Three out of every five Gambians are living below the poverty line.
Our health system is a mess.

The basic food commodities rate is escalating. Poor electricity and water supply, poor agricultural sector, losing our youthful population to migration, drugs, and imprisonment,” he emphasized.

To Badara the government has failed the citizens and will continue to fail them until everyone is involved in the fight against corruption and injustice for all.

President Barrow congratulates all Gambians for the peaceful conduct of the councillorship elections; Reaffirms his commitment to democratic values

His Excellency President Adama Barrow, the Secretary-General and Party Leader of the National People’s Party (NPP) wishes to thank all members and supporters of NPP, National Reconciliation Party (NRP), Alliance for Patriotic Re-Orientation and Construction (APRC) Gambia Party for Democracy and Development (GPDP), National Convention Party (NCP), Citizen Alliance (CA), ANRD, GANU and all other non-party affiliated Gambians for their participation in the just-concluded Local Government Elections on April 15, 2023, and giving the NPP a satisfactory majority.

The President further commends all Gambians for their peaceful conduct throughout the voting process thus confirming the maturity of our new democratic dispensation. President Barrow reaffirms his commitment to the consolidation and nurturing of peace, development and prosperity in our nation.

As a political party, the results of the Local Government Election show an improvement from the National Assembly in all the regions. They reflect an incredible performance of our young party which won an absolute majority in the previous Presidential election and majority seats in both the National Assembly and Councils’ elections. These gains must be consolidated and all NPP members and partner parties are urged to take stock of these elections by identifying our strengths and weaknesses and proffering solutions in preparation for the Mayoral and Chairmanship elections that would close the current electoral cycle.

On behalf of NPP, NRP, APRC, CA, GPDP, ANRD, GANU and all other partners, the Secretary-General and Party Leader congratulates all our elected Councillors and wishes them a successful term in their new assignments.

Seedy SK Njie
Deputy Spokesman, NPP.

Get the facts straight: Debunking the false rumours surrounding Achraf Hakimi’s divorce

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Hold onto your hats, folks, because we’ve got a wild rumour circulating the internet about Moroccan footballer Achraf Hakimi and his soon-to-be ex-wife. This rumour is hotter than ‘Bakau Kaniba’ on a scorching day. According to some reports from an untrusted Ugandan news outlet called News 24/7, Hakimi allegedly put all of his assets in his mother’s name to avoid sharing them with his soon-to-be ex-wife, Hiba Abouk. But wait a minute, is there any truth to this sensational story? Let’s separate fact from fiction, shall we?

According to this rumour, which has not even been picked up by Moroccan publications yet, Hakimi allegedly transferred all of his assets to his mother’s name to evade sharing them with his soon-to-be ex-wife. But let’s be honest here, that sounds more far-fetched than a unicorn prancing down Kairaba Avenue. This rumour is as fake as a knockoff Rolex sold on at Serekunda market corner.

It all started when Hakimi’s soon-to-be ex-wife filed for divorce and demanded half of his assets. Suddenly, the rumour mill went into overdrive, and everyone was yapping about how Hakimi was hiding his millions. But I can guarantee you that’s a bunch of hooey.
What we know is that Hakimi has been accused of rape and that could be a contributing factor in the breakdown of his marriage. We don’t know the timeline of events, but it’s not uncommon for such serious allegations to put a strain on a relationship.

And regarding his assets, Hakimi owns a company called Sashi Ha Investment SL with a capital of €3 million, and he recently bought a property in Getafe, Spain. And guess whose name is on all of those deeds? Hakimi Mouh Achraf.

So, unless his mother is secretly moonlighting as a real estate tycoon, this rumour is as bogus as a three-dollar bill. But what about his image rights and sponsorship deals, you might ask? Well, those earnings are personal to him, and he can’t just stash them away in his mama’s account.

And let’s not forget that hiding assets or properties through a proxy is downright illegal. Unless Hakimi is channelling his inner Walter White and hiding his money in barrels buried in the desert, he’s probably in the clear.

But let’s not be too quick to judge here. Maybe Hakimi is just a mama’s boy at heart and wants his dear mother to have a slice of the pie. After all, who wouldn’t want their mom to have a few extra bucks for bingo night at the local community centre?

On the other hand, if Hakimi has indeed been “donating” his money and properties to his mother, he’s in for a rude awakening during the divorce proceedings. The court will uncover every hidden asset, and he won’t be able to escape his obligations. And let’s face it, folks, nobody wants to be on the wrong side of the law.

If we want to get to the bottom of the Hakimi and his wife’s asset-sharing debacle, we should rely on primary sources such as court documents or statements from the actual people involved.

Now, let’s talk about the elephant in the room – the media’s coverage of this story. The rumourmongers have been slandering Hakimi’s ex-wife as a gold digger, and that’s just not cool. We don’t know the details of their divorce, and it’s not our place to judge. It’s high time we put a stop to this nonsense and held the media accountable for their reporting.

The media houses that published this story didn’t even attempt to reach out to Hakimi, his ex-wife, or his mother. That’s just plain lazy journalism, folks. It’s like they’re more interested in sensational headlines than actual facts.

In fact, this fake news about Hakimi’s assets being registered in his mother’s name came from an untrusted Ugandan news outlet called News 24/7 and quickly spread like wildfire on TikTok.

The rumour that Achraf Hakimi registered his properties in his mother’s name to evade asset-sharing with his ex-wife is false. And unless you’re a fan of conspiracy theories, you probably won’t buy this story.

Prof. Nyarkotey: Women’s fertility declines after 35; science says 26 is the magic age for marriage.

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By Prof. Raphael Nyarkotey Obu

Women’s fertility declines after 35; science says 26 is the magic age for marriage.

I read one article that states that the perfect age to get married, according to science is 26 for women and 32 for men. I decided to delve into this more due to the recent craze for fertility discussions on our airwaves. What could be the problem? I found that, though people are talking about fertility, they’re not having the conversation about where and when it matters.  For instance, The RMANJ survey revealed that only 26% of women surveyed have had conversations with their OB/GYN about fertility and nearly half (42%) of women surveyed who had experienced infertility reported that their OB/GYN never started a conversation with them about fertility.

The magic number 26 for marriage

The number comes from the Algorithms to Live By: The Computer Science of Human Decisions, which was written by journalist Brian Christian and cognitive scientist Tom Griffiths. According to their book, people make the best decisions after screening 37 percent of the options.

They use the example of screening job applicants and argue that after looking through 37 percent of the people who applied, it would make sense to choose a candidate who was qualified without looking any further.

The authors of the study say that it’s at this point where the reviewers of the applicants have enough information to make a good choice, but not too much that they will get weighed down by indecision. The study further asserts that this rule works for picking out a partner. The range during which people typically look for love is between 18-40 and the 37 percent mark is 26. Past 26, the quality of the options begins to go down.

However, many experts seem to agree that the late 20s is the sweet spot for getting married. Psychologist Wyatt Fisher says that the reason this time in your life is so ideal for settling down is that it is at the point at which you have already completed your education and started a career.

Clinical social worker Kelsey Torgerson says it’s crucial to at least wait until the human brain is fully developed to find a life mate, which isn’t until age 25.

She says, “I believe it’s best to wait until this marker. It’s also important to experience stressors with your partner that you overcome, so if you have a high school sweetheart, you should see how you two handle college, long distance, studying abroad, or getting two jobs. You want to know that you have the conflict management strategies in place for a healthy, successful marriage down the road.”

Relationship therapist, Weena Cullins, thinks the magic number is 28. As she explains, “In my clinical experience, I’ve found that the best age to get married for women in the U.S. is 28. At age 28, my soon-to-be brides exhibit self-awareness and confidence in their choice of a mate. Most 28-year-olds have had the time to successfully explore who they are on a personal and professional level, discover the qualities they desire most in a life partner, and learn from mistakes they made in previous relationships. You’ve had time to get settled in a career, experience the college, and graduate school if that’s your preferred path, or simply live independently before combining your life.”

The Magic Number 32  for Men

And for men, Cullins thinks the magic number is 32:  “Waiting until age 32 affords men an opportunity to get settled into a career and potentially pursue professional advancement before tying the knot. It also allows them to develop socially and emotionally through living on their own and dating. By 32, many men have spent enough time on the social scene to be able to make an informed decision about entering into married life. They also tend to have a sober perspective about having children and their role in co-parenting. This benefits the overall health of the relationship.”

Why the number 26 is important for women

A recent study by Owen and Sparzak, (2022) found that females are born with a determinate number of oocytes. In contrast to their male counterparts, females do not create new gametes throughout their lifetime. This number of oocytes peaks at around 20 weeks gestation and decreases with age. The female gametes decline stepwise until approximately age 32, at which point the number of oocytes decreases more quickly until about age 37 when they decrease significantly.

As modern women push the initial childbearing age back, age-related fertility decline is increasing among our population. Given this reality and that there is no cure for this phenomenon, the OBGYN Generalist has an important role in educating patients regarding their potential fecundity starting at an early age and referring patients for further workup promptly.

Age and eggs

  • A woman’s age is the most important factor affecting her fertility and her chance of having a baby.
  • The chance of having a child is much higher for women younger than 35 years and men younger than 40 years than for older women and men.

A woman is born with all the eggs she will ever have. As she ages her eggs age with her and their number and quality reduce over time.  This is why her chance of having a baby also reduces over time, especially for women older than 35 years of age.

In one study, Andersen et al.(2000) looked at over 1 million pregnancies, women over 35 had a much higher rate of pregnancy loss; the risk of miscarriage for women over 40 was more than 50%, and by age 45, over 90% of pregnancies ended in miscarriage. Rates of Down syndrome increase significantly as well, from 1 in 1,200 for mothers aged 25 to 1 in 30 for mothers aged 45. So while 35 is not the single “age of fertility decline,” it makes sense as a convenient shorthand.

Age-related fertility decline is a universal and consistent biological trait for all women (and for men too, though the timeline is longer). Unfortunately, the age of fertility decline cannot be extended with a supplement, diet, exercise, or other therapies (though fertility decline can be steepened by certain lifestyle factors, such as smoking, or exposure to chemotherapy or other medications). In other words, women can’t extend their fertility through lifestyle changes or good habits that are beneficial to other areas of health (such as heart health, for example). That’s why egg freezing is such a powerful tool for women who want to preserve the option to have children later in life.

In another survey performed by Reproductive Medicine Associates(2016)of New Jersey in March, the gap between what people believe about their fertility and the actual biology is pretty wide.

The survey, which polled the beliefs of 1,000 adults between the ages of 18–40, demonstrated that 57% of respondents reported that they believed a woman’s “biological clock” stopped ticking at age 44. While it’s true that some women can have children naturally at age 44, fertility declines throughout a woman’s 20s and falls significantly after 35; only about half of women over 35 can achieve pregnancy in one year, compared with three-quarters of women under 31. By age 44, pregnancy rates are a mere 1–5%, with only about 2% of the remaining eggs deemed chromosomally normal. (Of course, the “biological clock” is an imperfect metaphor, but the fact remains that women have a very small chance of getting pregnant naturally over age 40.)

This survey is just the most recent in a series of studies examining public knowledge of fertility. Another recent survey performed by the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists in the UK examined the fertility perceptions of 1,000 young men and women between ages 16 and 24.

In this survey, more than 80% of both sexes believe women’s fertility only begins to decline after age 35. (As we talk about often, fertility decreases throughout our adult lives—it’s just the more drastic decline that sets in at 35.) Additionally, a quarter of young men thought a woman’s fertility only starts to decline after the age of 40 (compared with 16% of girls). And yet another 2016 survey, this one by the Fertility Centers of Illinois, revealed that of 1,208 American women ages 25–45 who had never been pregnant, only 48%—that’s less than half—understood that there was an age-related decline in fertility and increase in aneuploidy and pregnancy loss.

These recent results mirror those of the comprehensive 2011 study by pharmaceutical company EMD Serono that examined the fertility “IQ” of 1,010 women aged 25–35 who had never given birth and were not actively trying to conceive. Despite indicating that they plan to have their first child in their early to mid-30s, 73% of women in the Serono survey “anticipate that they would have an average, or easier than average, time conceiving than most women.” This belief doesn’t match reality: the survey reports remind us that 1 in 4 married women aged 35–44 experience infertility when attempting to have their first child, compared to only 1 in 10 of those under the age of 30.

Additionally, only a third of Serono’s respondents correctly identified age as the leading risk factor for infertility, and most believed that women over 40 have between a 10 and 40% chance of pregnancy in any given month—the actual monthly chance of pregnancy is only about 10%! The respondents also generally overestimated the success of IVF (believing IVF pregnancy rates to be 50–59% when they are 20–29%) and, importantly, were unaware of the importance of the age of the egg too in vitro fertilization success; 54% think that the chance of successful pregnancy via IVF does “not depend on the origin of the egg.”

How can this be?! It seems like everywhere we look, people are talking about fertility—but it turns out they’re not having the conversation where and when it matters. The RMANJ survey revealed that only 26% of women surveyed have had conversations with their OB/GYN about fertility and nearly half (42%) of women surveyed who had experienced infertility reported that their OB/GYN never started a conversation with them about fertility.

This again reflected the earlier EMD Serono survey results, which revealed that a majority of women never discussed future pregnancy plans (52%), age as an infertility risk factor (78%), or infertility treatment options (89–96%) with their OB/GYN. And it’s not because women don’t want this info; the Fertility Centers of Illinois reported that 89% of respondents agreed that infertility education should be mentioned at an OB/GYN visit and 52% of women age 35 or older stated that they would have made different life choices if they had known about the age-related decline in fertility.

Why aren’t women having this conversation with their doctors—before their fertility becomes a time-sensitive issue? Probably, it’s a combination of the fact that doctors aren’t always comfortable breaching the topic with patients (or there may not be a time in an otherwise packed OB/GYN visit); the fact that there’s still a stigma surrounding fertility issues, childlessness, and fertility preservation; and the fact that women can’t ask their doctors about a problem if they’re not aware of it in the first place.

That’s why some experts are calling for fertility education at the high school level, and why Adam Balen, Chair of the British Fertility Society, is advocating for “choice, not chance,” saying, “We aim to ensure that sex and relationship education not only covers how to avoid pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases but also includes information about fertility and planning for the right time to start a family… We want to enable young people to make informed choices about pregnancy, whether that choice is to start a family or not.”

Credit: Extendfertility.com, 2016)

Men infertility

Age and sperm

Men younger than 40 have a better chance of fathering a child than those older than 40. The quality of the sperm men produces seems to decline as they get older.

Most men make millions of new sperm every day, but men older than 40 have fewer healthy sperm than younger men. The amount of semen (the fluid that contains sperm) and sperm motility (the ability to move towards an egg) decrease continually between the ages of 20 and 80.

We’ve all heard about men in their 80s and 90s fathering children, but this is rare. A father’s age also affects the chance of a couple getting pregnant. It takes longer for partners of men older than 40 years to conceive.

Assuming a woman is younger than 25; if her partner is also younger than 25, it takes an average of five months to get pregnant. If her partner is older than 40 years, it takes around two years, and even longer if he is older than 45.

Also, the risk of miscarriage is higher for women whose male partner is older than 45, compared to men younger than 25 years of age. For couples having IVF, the chance of having a baby is higher if the man is younger than 41 years of age.

Take Home

A concern for many women entering their 30s and beyond is when their fertility potential will begin to decline.

Studies show conclusively that older women suffer more fertility problems than younger women. In our society especially, where women pursue rewarding careers and often delay childbearing in the process, deciding when to pursue pregnancy while facing a ticking “biological clock” can be a daunting choice.

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) recently updated its committee opinion, stating that women’s fertility begins to decrease gradually but significantly beginning at approximately age 32 and decreases more rapidly after age 37. Women older than 35 should receive an expedited fertility evaluation and undergo treatment after six months of failed attempts to conceive. In women older than 40 years, more immediate evaluation and treatment are warranted.

While there is no single age that represents a “fertility deadline,” conclusive data shows that the chances of achieving pregnancy are linked with age and decrease with increased age. However, the rate of this decline is relatively modest up until the early 30s. The reasons for this are many, but they center on the concept that increasing maternal age is generally associated with a decline in both the number of eggs and the quality of those eggs.

Women need to understand the effect of age on fertility, especially when they would like to plan a family. In most cases, an evaluation performed by an infertility expert can shed light on the “ovarian reserve,”  a term used to describe how many eggs are available every month. In many instances, other problems are also diagnosed during such an evaluation to increase non-age-related issues that may be causing problems.

NB:

Prof. Nyarkotey has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations to justify his write-ups.  My articles are for educational purposes and do not serve as Medical advice for Treatment. I aim to educate the public about evidence-based scientific Naturopathic Therapies.

The writer is a Professor of Naturopathic Healthcare, a Medical Journalist, and a science writer. President, Nyarkotey College of Holistic Medicine & Technology (NUCHMT), African Naturopathic Foundation, Ashaiman, Ghana. E. mail: [email protected].

Prof. Nyarkotey & Sackey: Can the Police Arrest without a Warrant?

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By Prof. Raphael Nyarkotey Obu & Daniel Sackey

There are instances where the public agitates about arrest without a warrant. The question for discussion in this article is whether a police officer can arrest without a warrant.  As professional law students at the Gambia Law School, Banjul, and the Ghana School of Law, Ghana, we examine this based on the Ghanaian and Gambia jurisdictions. We also examine the objective test of arrest without a warrant.

Arrest

An arrest can be effected either with a warrant or without a warrant.

The Gambia Jurisdiction.

In the case of the Gambia, Police officers, judicial officers, and private persons are empowered before the law to effect an arrest without a warrant. Also, members of the Gambia National Guard and the National Intelligence Agency are clothed with the powers of arrest without a warrant. Section 15 of the Gambian Criminal Procedure Code (CPC) ACT NO. 26 of 1933, provides the road map and grounds for arrest without a warrant by any police officer or any order from the Magistrate.

Additionally, Section 73(1) of the Drug Control Act (Cap 13:05) gives the power to a Narcotic Control Officer, a police officer, a customs officer or any other person acting in the exercise of his or her powers may arrest without a warrant. The grounds for arrest have been provided in this section.

However, in the exercise of his powers under section 15 of the CPC or section 73 of the Drug Control Act, a police officer or Narcotics Control Officer in the Gambia, as the case may be, must demonstrate that there were facts from which it could be reasonably inferred that the suspect committed the crime or offence. Anything apart from this, the police officer or the Narcotic Control Officer would find it defend to mount a defence on his or her action by relying on the statutory provision.

Ghanaian Jurisdiction

Now turning to the Ghanaian Jurisdiction, section 10 of the Criminal Procedure Code of Ghana (Act 30) gives the power to the police to arrest without a warrant.

A police officer has the statutory power to arrest without warrant a person who the police officer suspects, upon reasonable grounds, of having committed an offence or of being about to commit an offence and in order to prevent the commission of the offence in any highway, yard, building or other places during the night. The police officer must suspect that the person has committed a criminal offence or is about to commit the offence in any place. But, the suspicion must be reasonable; in other words, the grounds for the suspicion must be reasonable to justify the arrest. However, there is a very important overriding qualification attached to this common law power of the police, namely, it must be exercised reasonably. This places a duty on the police officer to satisfy himself that there are reasonable grounds for the suspicion of the guilt and the reasonable grounds must exist at the time of the arrest and not after the arrest.

The common law principle in Christie v. Leachinsky is codified under Act 30 in Ghana and states that a police officer has a right to arrest, without a warrant, any person whom he reasonably suspects of having committed a felony, although no crime has in fact been committed.

The objective test for arrest without a warrant

In both jurisdictions: Concerning an arrest without a warrant, the objective test is paramount. This means that the police cannot just arrest anyone based on his or her personal belief but it has to be based on the facts of the case.  Thus the test is objective one. We examine some supporting cases:

The first is the Nigerian case of Chukwuka v Commissioner of Police (1964) NNLR 21. The court reasoned that: “The objective test is not what the police officer himself regards as reasonable but the whether the facts within the knowledge of the policeman at the time revealed circumstances from which it could be reasonably inferred that the appellant had committed an offence”.

The Ghanaian court in the case of Solomon Joojo Cobbinah and others v. Accra Metropolitan Assembly and others (2017) with Suit No. HR/238/2015 also set out the test to determine the reasonableness of an arrest by the Police without a warrant as follows; “The test for reasonableness cannot be subjective; it must be objective. The decision to arrest or not to arrest ought not to be left to the absolute and unregulated discretion of the arresting officer or to the whims and caprices of such an officer or else the test for reasonableness will depend absolutely on the officer. That ought not to be the case. The test for reasonableness must be objective. In other words, there must be a common standard or measure for determining whether the arrest is reasonable or not. The standard for reasonableness can be found in the statutory provision that creates the criminal offence. Undoubtedly, each offence has discrete ingredients to be proven by the production of relevant and admissible evidence. And, the facts that give rise to a reasonable suspicion must, at least prima facie, support the ingredients of the criminal offence”.

Also, in the Nigerian case of Jackson v Omorokuna(1981) 1 NCR 283, where the plaintiff was arrested because he was unable to explain to the policeman the whereabouts of his ignition key and could also not produce documents to confirm the ownership of the motorbike. The court held that the arrest was lawful.  The court reasoned that the test here is a reasonable person acting without passion or prejudice.

Hence, if after the arrest, an investigation confirmed that the suspect did not even commit the offence for which he was arrested, and released, the arrest is not rendered unlawful. The most important thing is that at the time of the arrest, the facts disclosed an apparent commission of an offence.

For instance, in the case of Wiltshire v Barret (1965) 2 ALL ER 271, the respondent was arrested without a warrant for driving under the influence of alcohol. In the course of the arrest, he sustained some bodily injuries because he was resisting the arrest. After a medical examination, the test proved he was not under the influence of alcohol. He brought an action against the police for assault and unlawful arrest.  The lower court ruled for the plaintiff but the court of appeal overturned the lower court decision. The Appeal Court reasoned that the arrest was lawful as the police officer have to act at once. On the facts as they appear on the spot and should be justified by the facts as they appear to them at the time and not any expost facto analysis of the situation.

In the Ghanaian case of Miller V. Attorney-General [1975] 2 Glr 31-45, the court making reference to the dictum of Scott L.J in the case of Dumbell v. Roberts [1944] 1 All E.R. 326, C.A. At p. 329, was of the view that the power possessed by police officers to arrest without warrant, whether at common law for suspicion of a felony or under statutes for suspicion of various misdemeanours or offences, provided always they have reasonable grounds for their suspicion, is a valuable protection to the community. They were quick to point out that, this power to arrest without a warrant may easily be abused and become a danger to the community instead of protection. In the words of a learned Judge, “the protection of the public is safeguarded by the requirement, alike of the common law and, so far as I know, of all statutes, that the constable shall before arresting satisfy himself that there exist a reasonable grounds for suspicion of guilt.”

Also a police officer, after arresting a suspect, does not have to take the suspect straight to the police station. He can do what is reasonable to investigate the offence alleged against the suspect.  He can take the suspect to his house to search to get the necessary evidence. Or even to the place where the suspect claimed he was not there when the offence was committed to assess whether indeed he was there before proceeding to the police station.

In Dallison v Caffery (1964) 2 ALL ER 610, the court held that the police officer was not liable for damages for false imprisonment for taking the appellant first to his house to search for stolen money and then to a friend’s house to confirm an alibi before taking him to the police station. It was held that the officer acted reasonably in investigating the alleged offence before taking the suspect to the police station.

One issue which lingers on the minds of many people in both jurisdictions is whether a person can resist an arrest where the police officer has not been able to state any offence known to the law. The Ghanaian court in addressing this issue in Ampofo v The State [1967] GLR 155, held that section 10 of Act 30 enables the police to arrest without warrant any offence committed in his presence or based on reasonable suspicion of the commission of any offence. However, the meaning of any offence does not mean any offence according to the idiosyncrasies and iconoclastic notions of the police officer, but an offence known to the law. It is pertinent to state that the right to resist an arrest is subject to the duty to submit to an arrest.

If in any case, it turns out that a person is unlawfully arrested, Article 14(5) of the Constitution of Ghana provides that the person shall be entitled to compensation from that other person who in this case shall be the police officer.

In conclusion, the police in both jurisdictions, have been empowered to arrest with or without a warrant. However, for arrest without a warrant, the test that has to apply is the objective test. He or she must act without passion or prejudice.

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]

More women voter turnout in LG election, report shows

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By: Dawda Baldeh

A joint report on the April 15th, 2023, councillorship election from WANEP-The Gambia in collaboration with the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) and the National Elections Response Group shows more women voter turnout in polling stations than men.

The report which includes analysis, comments, and recommendations was meant to update the media on the election observation carried out by the various groups.

“Voting started on time but there was a low turnout. Most voters in the queue were women,” Julius Freeman the chair of NERG told reporters.

He noted that the voting process was peaceful, adding that there was a fair representation of women among IEC officials, party agents, and security personnel.

Mr. Freeman further explained that priority voting was accorded to the elderly and persons with disabilities.

Speaking on a range of issues, the NERG chair, told journalists that polls opened on time.

“Opening procedures as outlined by law complied with abs most of the polling stations staff were present.

The majority of the polling stations were easily accessible and polling officials and party agents present carry out their duties,” he added.

According to the joint report, all required election materials were available and security personnel and party agents were visible in all the polling stations.

However, it was observed that the media personnel were absent in most of the polling stations at the time of the opening, the report said.

A Business and A Company: Are they the same?

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By: Juliana Twumwaa Obeng

The Writer

A Business and A Company: Are they the same?

The terms “business” and “company” are often used interchangeably. However, they do have different legal meanings and implications. In this article, we will explore the differences between a business and a company, and how these concepts apply to the context of The Gambia.

A business can be defined as an organization or individual engaged in commercial, industrial, or professional activities. This can include sole proprietorships, partnerships, or corporations. In general, a business is any entity that seeks to earn a profit by providing goods or services to consumers.

On the other hand, a company is a legal entity that is separate and distinct from its owners. It can be created by filing the necessary paperwork with the appropriate government agency, such as the Companies House in The Gambia. A company can issue stock, own property, enter into contracts, and sue or be sued in its own name. A company can also be either for-profit or non-profit.

Legal Framework

In The Gambia, companies are governed by the Companies Act of 2013. This law provides for the formation, management, and dissolution of companies, and outlines the duties and responsibilities of company directors and shareholders. There are several types of companies recognized under Gambian law, including private companies, public companies, and limited liability companies.

A private company is one that is owned by a small group of individuals, and whose shares are not publicly traded. A public company, on the other hand, is one whose shares are publicly traded on a stock exchange. A limited liability company, or LLC, is a hybrid form of company that combines the benefits of a partnership with the limited liability protection of a corporation. It is worth noting that while all companies are businesses, not all businesses are companies. For example, a sole proprietorship is a type of business that is owned and operated by a single individual and is not a separate legal entity from its owner.

One important distinction between a business and a company is that a company has limited liability protection for its owners or shareholders. This means that the personal assets of the owners or shareholders are protected in the event that the company is sued or goes bankrupt. In contrast, sole proprietors and partners in a partnership are personally liable for any debts or legal actions taken against the business.

In The Gambia, limited liability companies is a popular form of business structure for entrepreneurs and investors. This is because they provide the benefits of limited liability protection, while also offering flexibility in management and taxation. A limited liability company can be owned by one or more individuals or entities, and the liability of the owners is limited to the amount of their investment in the company.

Another important consideration for businesses operating in The Gambia is the regulatory environment. The Gambia has a relatively business-friendly regulatory framework, with a relatively low tax rate, streamlined registration procedures, and a favourable investment climate. However, like any country, there are unique legal and regulatory requirements that businesses must comply with, such as obtaining business licenses and registering with the appropriate government agencies.

In terms of industries, The Gambia has a diverse economy that includes agriculture, tourism, manufacturing, and services. The government has identified several priority sectors for development, including energy, infrastructure, and information and communication technology.

Parting Words

While there are legal and regulatory distinctions between a business and a company, both concepts are important for entrepreneurs and investors looking to establish a presence in The Gambia or other jurisdictions around the world. Understanding the unique opportunities and challenges of the Gambian business environment can help businesses navigate the regulatory landscape and build successful enterprises.

The writer is a BL candidate at the Gambia Law School. She is driven by her affinity to the legal profession and relies on Precedents and Acts of the National Assembly to educate the public on bits and pieces of the application of the Laws of the Gambia and the Ethics of the legal profession. These write-ups are for educational purposes only and not to serve as a substitute for Legal Advice. Email: [email protected] 

 REFERENCES:

  1. The Companies Act, 2013. (n.d.).https://www.attorneygeneral.gov.gm/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/The-Companies-Act-2013.pdf
  2. Gaye, A. (2020). Small Business Opportunities in The Gambia: Challenges and Prospects. International Journal of Business and Management, 15(10), 181-190.
  3. The Gambia Chamber of Commerce and Industry. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.gambcci.gm/
  4. United Nations Development Programme. (2021). The Gambia: Country Profile. Retrieved from http://hdr.undp.org/en/countries/profiles/GMB
  5. World Bank Group. (2021). The Gambia. https://www.worldbank.org/en/country/gambia
  6. Njie, L. (2021, January 18). Business Regulations in The Gambia: What Investors Should Know. African Exponent. Retrieved from https://www.africanexponent.com/post/8335-business-regulations-in-the-gambia-what-investors-should-know

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