By: Sarjo Brito

The Gambia Ports Authority has in a press statement dated 4th March 2022, said the institution has launched an investigation following damning reports of allegations of corruption involving its staff at the rating unit.

In a report that made the rounds on social media, some of the institution’s employees at the rating unit have been allegedly duplicating paying receipts, resulting in the loss of millions of dalasis.

The Gambia Ports Authority has since reacted to the news, announcing an investigation is underway and that four of its employees suspected of carrying out the dubious activity have been interdicted, pending the outcome of the investigation.

“The GPA Management expresses concern over the trending allegation making rounds on social media that allegedly involved certain staff at the Rating Unit, who are said to have duplicated payment receipts resulting in a loss of revenue,” the statement read.

It further informed members of the public that whistle-blower information raised an issue about signals of the likelihood of leakages. Subsequently, the matter was raised and discussed at a management meeting held on Monday 28th February 2022.

On Tuesday 1st March 2022, a memo was issued constituting a three-member committee, excluding the affected Department, to investigate the drop in shore handling revenue covering from 2020 and 2021 and report back on Wednesday 16th March 2022.

“Apparently, on Thursday 3rd March, an alleged ‘multi-million-dalasis scandal’ broke indicting the Authority. This remains an allegation until proven by the outcome of the investigation. However, four staff suspected of the allegation have been interdicted pending the investigation outcome.”

“Meanwhile, it is instructive for the public to know that the GPA Management has since early 2021 stopped all cash collection at the Ports and all importers have been paying at the Bank (GT Bank). Further to that, arrangements are underway to have the Bank produce the Delivery Order (DO), which is the source document.

This is being discussed with the shipping agencies who normally authorize releases on the DO before payments are made. The Port digitalization project also envisages online payments to eliminate all associated risks.”

“The Management assures the general public of its resolve to get to the bottom of the allegations swiftly and then take the next appropriate steps.”

By: Sarjo Brito

One of the nation’s top Imams, Imam Abdoulie Fatty has reacted to the first-ever appointment of female Cadi’s in the history of the country, describing the move by the country’s Judiciary as a mockery to Islam. The two female Shariah Judges, Fatoumatta Sowe and Mariama Jatta will be hearing matters relating to inheritance, marriages and divorces involving Muslims.

While women rights advocates praised the Judiciary for the historic move, scholars and religious leaders have been divided on the matter. Imam Abdoulie Fatty during his recent Friday sermon called the appointment of the women judges un-Islamic, urging the Judiciary to rescind its decision. 

“If you leave your matters in the hands of women, you will never win. Why would we have to sit here today and allow our Judiciary to willy-nilly appoint women Cadis instead of men? You are laughing at Islam and anyone who laughs at Islam will see the consequences,” the Muslim cleric said.

“Fear God. Those women should fear God and reject those positions if Islam is what they truly studied. Their parents should fear God and ask them to forego those positions. If they are married, their husbands should ask them to reject those positions. Let’s go back to the teachings of the Quran. I call on everyone to speak out against this. Muslim groups, Supreme Islamic Council etc everyone needs to speak out,” he said.

“It is said in Islam that if you cannot correct something with your hands then correct it with your tongue. It is the Judiciary who can correct this with their hands since they always tell us that they are independent. No interference from the president, military, or any other person. 

That whatever decision they take, is what we should all accept. That is where the problem of democracy begins. This is your job Judiciary, to use your hands and remove these women from these appointments. We have men who are more versed in Shariah than these two women. Give them the positions.”

The appointment of female Cadi’s has always generated divided opinion even in other countries, with some schools of Islamic thoughts ruling that the appointment of a woman to judgeship is prohibited.

The leader of the United Democratic Party (UDP) Lawyer Ousainou Darboe has confirmed that the UDP will not be boycotting the National Assembly Elections scheduled for April 2022 as speculated, but rather will be part of the political parties contesting for the National Assembly seats.

He was answering to questions posed by pressmen during a press conference at the Office of the Secretary-General and Party Leader on Kairaba Avenue.

Lawyer Darboe noted that they will participate in the electioneering process as their nonparticipation will be a disadvantage to the party and its political ambition.

“We cannot boycott the National Assembly Elections, if we do our political presence will dwindle and you cannot sit for five years and not have your political activity ongoing,” Darboe said. 

When they participate and win, he said they will have candidates in governance at the local level to oversee their activities. 

By Sainabou Sambou

The recent spate of abandoning newborn babies is gradually becoming a cause for concern and a national problem. Almost every month, people hear or read about reports of people being arraigned in our courts for dumping their newborn babies in a pit or dumpsite.

On 3rd March 2022, a newborn baby was discovered at Sukuta Nema, dumped and left to die. It was later discovered that the baby was dead. Eyewitnesses say the baby was dumped there overnight.

According to Bubcarr Minteh one of the eyewitnesses he saw the baby lying on the bare ground in the morning as he went out to the shop to buy himself breakfast.

“I asked the shopkeeper what was going on, he said someone dumped her baby here. Then I went to the land and saw it. I then went to the police station to call the police officers to come and see the baby,” he said.

He further noted that the fire service was also informed about the incident. When they (the firefighters) arrived they informed the Jammeh foundation medical team to check the baby, they waited on them but none of them showed up.

“I don’t know the exact time the baby was dumped here but its body had started going bad, maybe the baby was dumped here overnight,” Bubcarr noted.

“Dumping babies is not good, before you dump your baby you can give it to people because there are people who are yearning to get a child, but they have not had one,” he said.

The dead baby was eventually taken away by the police.

A car accident that occurred in the early hours of Friday 4th March 2022 involving a truck and a van in Pirang, West Coast Region has claimed at least ten lives (10) leaving dozens of others in critical condition according to an eyewitness. 

It is reported that the driver of the van was coming from a neighbouring village in the West Coast Region when his vehicle collided with a truck. 

The eyewitness account states that the truck driver was asleep at the time while his apprentice was driving the truck. Ten people are reported to have been confirmed dead on the spot as others were rushed to Brikama hospital. 

Our source further reveals that the driver of the van was struggling to apply the breaks when he saw the truck coming in his direction, but the brakes as he later learnt failed.

Eleven (11) others were admitted at the Bakau hospital, with some in critical condition. Such accidents are not uncommon in that region.

By: Christian Conteh

Opposition strongman Ousainou Darboe, leader of the country’s main opposition United Democratic Party (UDP) has accused the country’s Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) and the National Peoples Party (NPP) of what he described as ‘monumental fraud’.

Darboe Esq was speaking during a press conference at the Office of the Secretary-General and Party Leader on Kairaba Avenue.

Darboe said that the country’s electoral body and the governing NPP stole the verdict of the Gambian people. He expressed his frustration about the outcome of last year’s presidential election.

“The IEC AND NPP perpetrated ‘monumental fraud’ on the People of The Gambia and the courts refused to hear us. As I speak the IEC is seating on tons of evidence of this Fraud which they have refused to make available,” he said.

He accused the IEC of extending the registration period for several registration centres, a decision which he says among other things caused the NPP to win the December election.

He further expressed frustration at the rejection of their case by the court on procedural grounds, insisting that they as a party had and still have valid reasons for rejecting the results of the presidential election 

“There were gross violations from registration to voting and the NPP aided by the IEC stole the victory from the Gambian people,” he emphasised.

By: Dawda Baldeh

The Gambian Goodwill Ambassador Tijan Jaiteh on Thursday 3rd March 2022 presented sports materials in different categories to the Office of the President. These sports gears were received by President Adama Barrow at State House in Banjul.

The Former Scorpion Captain donated twenty sets of original Umbro Jerseys, one hundred footballs (100) and forty (40) sets of goalkeeping gloves.

Speaking after presenting the sports materials, Mr. Jaiteh told Journalists that the sports gears are meant for the youths. He said the materials are worth over one million dalasis (D1m).

He further assured the president of his commitment to continue supporting the youths in different areas of sports.

Gambia is among 141 countries that voted in favour of the “immediate, complete and unconditional” withdrawal of Russian military forces from Ukraine. The voting took place on 2^nd March 2022 at United Nations General Assembly.

Generally, 5 countries voted against while 35 abstained from voting. The countries that voted against the motion are Russia, Belarus, North Korea, Syria and Eritrea.

In Africa, Eritrea is the only African country that voted against the resolution.

17 African countries abstained from voting: South Africa, Algeria, Uganda, Burundi, Senegal, South Sudan, Mali, Mozambique, Sudan, Namibia, Angola, Zimbabwe, Equatorial Guinea, Central Africa Republic, Madagascar, Tanzania and Congo.

All other African countries voted for the immediate withdrawal of Russian forces from Ukraine.

Uganda said it abstained from the vote to uphold “neutrality” as the incoming chair of the Non-Aligned Movement (Nam).

Nam is a forum made up of 120 developing countries to assert their independence from the competing claims of the two superpowers.

In a tweet, Uganda’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Adonia Ayebare, said the country will “continue to play a constructive role in the maintenance of peace and security both regionally and globally”.

By: Christian Conteh

The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) has revealed that it will allow National Assembly Candidates in the upcoming elections to review their nomination papers and make the requisite changes if need be.

This is in line with the High Court Decision in the case of Dr. Ismaila Ceesay of the Citizen’s Alliance Party VS the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) and a similar case, Mai Ahmad Fatty of the Gambia Moral Congress VS the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC).

On both occasions, The High Court in Banjul ruled in favour of the petitioners. The courts said the decision by the country’s electoral body was a contravention of the Electoral Laws.

“If you don’t fulfil all the requirements when you submit your nomination papers, we shall inform you immediately. You will then have the opportunity to go back and make the necessary corrections and present them on the 12th and 13th March 2022.”

According to Sambujang Njai the Commissions Chief Electoral Officer, it is not their intention to object or reject the nomination of any candidate. However, candidates he said must fulfil all the requirements.

By Sanna Jallow

Fishermen at Brufut fish landing site have blamed the scarcity and high price of fish on the presence of Chinese fishing vessels which they alleged are destroying their fishing nets at sea.

The Gambia, a land blessed with beautiful and navigable river for fishing is faced with shortage of fish in the market. This has resulted in price hiking of fish. Fish is part of the staple foods in the Gambia and also as an income generating avenue for many.

Dam sarr, a fisherman accused the Chinese fishing boats of destroying their fishing net which is making their work difficult and thereby not being able to catch enough fish to meet public demand.

He lamented that fishing is their source of income from which they feed their families and also take care of other needs.

Mariam Colley, a dry fish seller at the Brufut fish landing site, said life has been difficult for her since the landing site started facing scarcity of fish for the past few months, noting that her source of income has reduced drastically, making it difficult for her to pay rent and her children’s school fees.

Fishermen and fish vendors at the Brufut fish landing site called on government to come to their aid and settle the problem between them and the Chinese fishermen, disclosing that they are losing millions of dalasi.

The recent shortage of fish has left both fisherman, vendors and consumers in difficult times especially in this moment of Covid-19 pandemic.

It is evident that such a situation adversely affects the lives and livelihood of fishermen, traders, retailers and consumers in the Gambia, and it also makes life difficult for most households in the country.

By Dawda Baldeh

The NAFANTA foundation in collaboration with CHAFFINCH TRUST, a charitable organization in the United Kingdom, on Wednesday 2nd March 2022 handed over to the Ministry of Health of The Gambia a 40-feet container of medical items worth over Seven Million Dalasis (D7m). The handing over ceremony was done at the Central Medical Store in Kotu.

The health items presented to the Ministry are to be distributed to various health facilities across the country. The items include intensive Care Unit (ICU) beds, wheelchairs, chairs, face-masks, mattresses, bandages amongst other.

Speaking at the presentation, Buba Darboe, Program Manager at the Ministry of Health described the donated materials as “life saving,” noting that it would help to better strengthen the health sector. He confirmed that the materials donated are of high quality and can last longer. “This partnership is very helpful to the ministry and the Gambian people at large,” Buba Darboe said.

He said the ministry was glad to receive the materials and assured the donors that the materials will be used for the intended purpose. “These medical items are highly demanded at this time,” he stressed.

Alastrair Smith, CHAFFINCH TRUST representative, said the materials they donated to the Health Ministry are meant to better strengthen the health sector and to make quality health accessible to all Gambians.

He assured that the foundation will continue to offer humanitarian assistance to the health sector.

Modou Faye, Nafanata Foundation (CHEEPP CHARITY UK) also speaks on behalf on the foundation. He said the foundation’s objective is to help the needy and also to continue on the support that NAFANTA has been offering to Gambians before her death.

He gave assurance that this will not be the last time the foundation will support Gambians especially the health sector.

Mr. Faye expressed gratitude to the Ministry of Health for facilitating the shipment of the container to the country.

Fatou Samateh, Deputy Director at the Ministry of Health said the donation was timely, expressing the ministry’s appreciation to their partners; adding that the government cannot do it alone.

Rene Geofrey Renner, Chairman of Ministry of Health’s Donation Committee also thanked the donors for the gesture. He promised they would distribute the materials to the beneficiaries, noting that the role of the committee is to maintain accountability.

“As a committee, we make sure that every donation received gets to its beneficiaries. This committee was set up to enhance transparency and accountability in handling medical donations.” He commended the donors for the initiative and called on others to emulate them.

The NAFANTA Foundation was formed to promote Awareness of Anxiety and Depression in societies and to contribute to supporting the health and wellbeing of vulnerable people in deprived communities.

By Amara Thoronka

As the April 9^th National Assembly Election draws close, Interparty Committee (IPC) – an interparty forum in The Gambia, has called on all political parties that would be contesting in the forthcoming assembly election to award symbols to women, youths and persons with disability (PWDs) to enhance fair representation in the lawmaking body of The Gambia.

The call was made in the press conference held on 1st March 2022 at Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara International Conference Center by IPC and their partners: United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and National Democratic institute.

Co-chairperson of IPC, Hon. Musa Amul Nyassi, said the body was established to promote interparty dialogue and co-operation tailored toward promoting peaceful political dialogue, credible electoral processes, national unity, democracy and peace in the country.

“Since its formation, the IPC has facilitated constructive conversations among political actors on reform issues and helped in diffusing political tensions, particularly during contentious electoral processes and reform initiatives”

“We are advocating and encouraging more women, youths and persons with disability to vie in the forthcoming national assembly and local government elections. We are also appealing to all Gambian voters to consider voting for those women, youths and persons with disability who will be nominated by political parties or vying as independent candidates. This is the right thing to do if our democracy is to be inclusive and become stronger”

Hon. Nyassi disclosed that during the June 2021 quarterly breakfast meeting in Masankoko, Lower River Region, political party leaders committed to elevate more women to party leadership positions by nominating more women to vie for elective seats, thereby contributing to Gambians efforts of achieving at least 30% gender quota in national assembly and local councils.

He added that the inclusion of women, youths and persons with disability in decision-making is a fundamental human right and an issue of social justice, especially in a country such as The Gambia where the largest population and registered voters are both women and young people.

In his contribution, Project Manager of United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Thomas Kimaru noted that the UNDP will continue to promote good governance and development in The Gambia.

Lala Touray, Senior Program Assistant of National Democratic Institute also reiterated her institution’s commitment to enhancing inclusive governance in the country.

It could be recalled that, recently, a constitutional amendment bill seeking to reserve 15 seats for women in the National Assembly failed to pass into law on procedural grounds. The tenure of the fifth parliament of The Gambia ended on 28th February 2022. As nomination of candidates for the April 9th assembly elections begins in few days, rights and gender activists await to see the fate of women, youths and PWDs.

People living in Nyamanarr, Upper River Region (URR) of The Gambia are to experience power supply for the first time in 145 years.

This comes after the commissioning of the first Solar Green Mini Grid plant in the said area by Unique Energy, with an estimated cost of D54 million.

The Commissioning of the 120-kilowatt peak power solar PV mini-grid in Nyamanarr took place on 25 February 2022. The commissioned Distribution and Generation Network is expected to bring clean, reliable, and metered renewable energy to the doorstep of the people of Nyamanarr for the first time in over 145 years, a population of over 6500 people benefiting more than 200 households and businesses.

The D54 million mini-grid plant is financed by the Unique Energy and Unique Solutions under the Unique Group of Companies with part grant from the US Agency for International Development (USAID) through the ECOWAS Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (ECREEE) with support from the government through the Ministry of Petroleum and Energy, PURA and GIEPA demonstrating the theme of the inauguration, promoting energy for all through Public Private Partnerships.

Unique Energy as part of its contractual and funding obligations, have invested over 43 million Dalasis over the past 2 years towards the infrastructure being inaugurated today consisting of a land size area of 4050 square meters donated by the village of Nyamanarr, a generation and distribution network of  over 130 poles with GPS mapping and power lines covering the whole village, a 120kwp PV plant with 310 Panels, Inverter systems, 192 Batteries for storage with a combined capacity of 576 KWh providing electricity 24/7 right around the year and over 40 solar street lights across the village, house wiring for houses and businesses, system monitoring tools, prepaid single and 3 phase smart meters, first class billing and vending platforms. The other equipment and infrastructure such as the office Sales and residential unit, first class smart fire detection and alarm system and the new access road leading to the plant, taking the total project and investment cost to over 54 million Dalasis in this first phase.

The grand launching of the billing prepaid platform “Lerral” Energy on the Go” or “Lehri” as they say in Myanmar also took place during the commissioning.

Acting Executive Director ECREEE Mr Bah F.M. Saho said, expressed hope that such development would be the beginning of Gambia’s mini grids revolution, assuring that they will continue to partner in order to enhance energy sufficiency and stability in the country.

Representing President Adama Barrow, the Minister of Energy and Petroleum Hon. Fafa Sanyang stated, “It is therefore very clear that The Gambia has significant solar energy resources which can be deployed via solar PV plants and other renewable energy solutions. Thus, in accordance with the Roadmap (2021-2040), part of the contingency plans to ensure Universal Access in 2025 as indicated is through the increment of solar PV plants and to have 35% of Energy generation in country to be through renewables by 2030”.

Electricity availability has a direct impact on quality of education and as part the Unique Group’s corporate social responsibility agenda, a WIFI zone for Nyamanarr Lower Basic School was installed at no cost, a 40-inch TV with a satellite decoder was also donated the school library, 3G and 4G android tablets, apple iPads, Electric Water dispenser, Electric Kettle, Electric Fridge, Deskjet printer and accessories, fans were also donated.

As part of the celebrations for the inauguration, Unique Foundation provided a mobile Medical caravan with first class equipment offering free health diagnostics services such as- Mammography (Breast Cancer Check-up)- Hepatitis B- Gynaecological and prenatal consultation- Ultrasound (Abdomen, uro-genital, gyneco-obstetrical)- X-ray- Glycaemia (Blood Sugar) to the people of Nyamanarr and the Basse Region. The event was done in partnership with Radiologie Mobile Zatifa, Africmed, Gambia Red Cross Society, Trust Bank and Access Bank.

Unique Energy hopes that the inauguration of The Gambia’s first Green Solar Mini-grid plant will open doors for many more opportunities in promoting energy for all through public private partnerships including the creation of much needed jobs for our young people and impacting thousands of ordinary Gambians in taking advantage of clean renewable energy sources.

Commenting on the 54 million Dalasis project, Papa Yusupha Njie Chairman and CEO of the Unique Group pf Companies said, “we hope the inauguration of The Gambia’s first Green Solar Mini-grid plant will open doors for many more opportunities in promoting energy for all through public private partnerships including the creation of much needed jobs for our young people and impacting thousands of ordinary Gambians in taking advantage of clean renewable energy sources.  We take this opportunity to thank His Excellency the President, Adama Barrow and his entire government especially the ministry of Petroleum and Energy and his team under Honourable  Fafa Sanyang for creating the enabling environment allowing companies like the Unique Group of Companies to leave a mark in the energy landscape and making us partners in development along the way”.

By: Christian Conteh

The Chairperson of Gambia’s Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) has reiterated the call for urgent reforms in the country’s electoral system, revealing that the commission spent a whopping 2 million dalasis (plus) per candidate just for ballot drums in the December 4th 2021 presidential election. Suggesting it might incur a similar cost in the upcoming National Assembly Elections. 

Alieu Momarr Njai was speaking during a training session organised by the commission for civil society actors and the media, the training took place on Wednesday 2nd March at the GTHI Conference Hall in Kanifing.

Mr Njai noted that the commission has to migrate to paper ballots and leave behind its old system of marbles/tokens and drums. Paper ballots he says are cheaper and more accurate. 

“Those who have been out of the country can attest to it. The papers will have all the names, symbols, pictures and details of candidates, all you need to do is tick or thumbprint, it is that simple,” he said.

With one ballot drum costing about D 1,200 conducting elections using marbles and drums is quite an expensive system, Mr Njai noted.

This is not the first time the commission is suggesting a move from the current electoral system, they made the same call ahead of the December 4th 2021 presidential election.

By: Christian Conteh

The African Union (AU) has described reported ill treatment of Africans trying to leave Ukraine as shockingly racist and in breach international law.

According to the current Chair of the African Union and President of the Republic of Senegal, H.E. Macky Sall, and the Chairperson of the African Union Commission, H.E. Moussa Faki Mahamat they are following closely the developments in Ukraine and are particularly disturbed by reports that African citizens on the Ukrainian side of the border are being refused the right to cross the border to safety.

The two Chairpersons recall that all people have the right to cross international borders during conflict, and as such, should enjoy the same rights to cross to safety from the conflict in Ukraine, notwithstanding their nationality or racial identity.

“Reports that Africans are singled out for unacceptable dissimilar treatment would be shockingly racist and in breach international law. In this regard, The Chairpersons urge all countries to respect international law and show the same empathy and support to all people fleeing war notwithstanding their racial identity,” A statement from the Union read.

The Chairpersons commend the efforts by African Union Member State countries and their embassies in neighbouring countries who have continued to receive and orientate African citizens and their families trying to cross the border from Ukraine to safety.

The United States Government through the COVAX Facility is set to deliver 100,620 doses of Pfizer Vaccines to the Government of The Gambia. The vaccines will arrive in the country on Thursday, March 3, 2022, at 8:40am.

This new shipment of Pfizer doses follows the donation of over 300,000 doses of the Single-Dose Johnson & Johnson Vaccine to The Gambia in 2021 by the U.S. Government, bringing the United States’ total donation of vaccines to The Gambia to over 400,00 since the outbreak of the COVID-19 Pandemic. The donations are part of the U.S. government’s global efforts to fight the pandemic.

The Pfizer Vaccine underwent rigorous testing and is currently being administered in the United States – with millions of Americans receiving the vaccine.

The U.S. Embassy in Banjul is coordinating closely with partners to ensure the safe arrival, storage, and administration of the vaccines in The Gambia. The United States Government will continue to partner with The Gambia to support its vaccination campaign.

By Sanna Jallow  

In her public lecture at the University of The Gambia (UTG) convocation lecture held over the weekend at Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara International Conference Center, Gambian international academic Dr. Aminata Sillah described youths as the air that enhances national stability, growth and economic prosperity, stating that they should be active in the democratic dispensation of The Gambia.

The convocation lecture is usually done prior to the convocation (graduation) ceremony to explore opportunities for graduands who are expected to be crucial in building the development trajectory for a successful economic transformation of the Gambia.

Dr. Aminata Sillah from Towson University in the United States spoke on the topic: “The role of youths in shaping the future of the Gambia – stolen future or opportunity for bold leadership.”

She added that the involvement of youths in national development is a most. “Young people play one of the most important roles in nation building, therefore they should not be seen as leaders of tomorrow but rather as partners of today.”

Dr Sillah emphasized that young people are social actors of change and an inclusive segment to the country’s development.

“The economic growth in the past few decades has not translated into job creation for young people; young people continue to struggle with high unemployment rate as they find it difficult to secure gainful and meaningful employment opportunities. Joblessness poses serious challenges to their future, driving many to make difficult and uninformed choices”

Vice Chancellor of UTG, Dr. Herbert Robinson, noted that it is a norm in some universities to hold convocation lectures for fresh graduates who have been found worthy both in character and learning to be awarded degrees.

He disclosed that on the actual convocation scheduled for Saturday 5^th March a total of 1,134 students from various degree programmes are expected to be given credentials to get into the job market; saying the graduates have important roles to play in making The Gambia a truly hospitable space and a place everyone will always love to live in.

By: Sainabou Sambou

Fishmongers in Bakau, especially those engaged in the regular smoking of fish have urged the government to renovate their smokehouse facility.

The structure which currently houses the smokehouse is old, unroofed and lacks basic social amenities like water and electricity. According to the women, the current structure has been in existence since The Gambia’s First Republic.

Fatou Kujabi is one of the women who smoke fish regularly, she revealed that the conditions under which they trade are quite poor indicating that they have had to cope with selling fish for over a year without having a roof over their head. Therefore, they have decided to call on the government to help them.

“The current smokehouse we have is not good, it was destroyed by heavy winds during the rainy season. It has been two years since this house was destroyed by the wind. We have sought support from different stakeholders but none of them has shown up,” Fatou said.

Speaking about sales she noted that business is slow, and even when they buy fish to the tune of ten thousand dalasis (D10,000) reselling it to make profit is almost impossible.

“This year everything is hard on us, before the fishermen use to give us fish to sell and after selling it, we give them their money but nothing of such is happening now.

In previous years we will never buy a basket of fish for four thousand dalasis (D 4,000) but now we are buying it at four thousand five hundred dalasis (D4,500) and even more sometimes.”

She added that a basket of Catfish now sells at nine thousand dalasis (D9,000) but sometimes it can even cost ten thousand dalasis (D10,000)

“If you but Catfish for ten thousand dalasis it would be difficult for you to make profit from the sales. Sometimes the money you use to buy the fish is not even recovered after sales.”

Fatou Jammeh is another fishmonger who regularly smokes her fish before selling it. Like other fishmongers, she confirmed that sales are very low and they continue to sell under very difficult conditions.

“We have sat here for five days without having fish because the fishermen say the wind is too much and they cannot go to Sea,” she said.

According to her a basket of Bonga Fish is now bought on wholesale at one thousand dalasis (D1,000) and like Catfish, it is difficult to make profit when resold.

Another challenge she identified is the unavailability of a tap where they could wash up when they are done selling.

“We would like to have a tap here too, so when we are done smoking our fish, we can have a bath before we go home. We are normally at the beach until late at night and we don’t even have electricity in our smokehouse,” she said.

She appealed to the government to come to their rescue as they are affected by both the rain and sun.

“We work in the sun and during the raining season we find it difficult to do our work due to the poor condition of the smokehouse,” she lamented.

By: Dawda Baldeh

Gambia’s youngest film producer and Nollywood actor Musa Darboe alias Chief has pleaded for support as he battles several challenges including lack of finances in Nigeria . Chief made his debut in Nollywood on 13th May 2021.

Speaking exclusively to The Fatu Network he revealed that he joined Nollywood last year and has since featured in three different roles alongside top Nigerian actors and actresses. 

According to Musa, he was contacted by a popular Nigerian film producer who introduced him to the movie industry. He then took part in three different films two of which can be viewed on YouTube. After featuring in the movies, he returned to The Gambia to launch a movie called “Jomfolo”. He returned to Nigeria again on the 13th of November 2021.

Musa says his passion for acting made him leave Gambia for Nigeria to focus on his career.

He has been nominated by the Africa Movie Icon and Celebrity Award under three categories as the best upcoming African actor in 2021. 

He has also produced a movie titled ‘The Unfaithful Girl’ that was nominated as best student film in Africa 2021. He was also nominated as the best young international actor 2021, an awards ceremony that saw him go home with two awards. 

Musa says he is closer to achieving his dreams in acting movies but confirmed that he is faced with numerous challenges. Revealing that he was nominated at the Africa Movie Icon and Celebrity Award, but he could not fly to Freetown to collect the award, he rather went by road and spent days on the journey.

“Other nominees from different countries got support from their tourism ministry with flight tickets for them to attend the award ceremony in Freetown,” he said. 

However, he thanked the people who supported him and pleaded to Gambians to support him. He noted that his focus is to represent The Gambia at International movie competitions. 

“I want to rent an apartment where I can settle down to focus on my career,” Musa Darboe said. 

“Since I came back[to Nigeria], I am staying with my movie director and his way of life is not in line with my culture and religion, so I want to leave his house,” he added.

He went on to lament about his several challenges including how he got stuck in Sierra Leone at some point in time because he had no money.

“I need an apartment to settle down so I can focus on my acting career,” he emphasised.

“The apartment will cost me about 230,000 Naira which is about 24,000 dalasis. I have no other alternative but to speak up so people can help me out. I have tried to speak to several people in Gambia that I believe can help but the moment I share my problems they never respond. However, I can be reached on whatsapp +220 346 0737.”

By: Christian Conteh

The Director-General of Gambia’s Drug Law Enforcement Agency (DLEAG) has called on all stakeholders including ordinary Gambians to work together with his institution to ensure The Gambia becomes a hostile territory to illicit drug traffickers and patrons.

Bakary Gassama made this call while delivering a statement at the anti-narcotics session at The University of The Gambia the country’s maiden university and the citadel of learning.

The institution’s “Drug Awareness Day” is part of events marking the commemoration of the students’ week.

“We must therefore work together, strengthen our resolve to dismantle criminal syndicates and ensure that The Gambia becomes a hostile territory to illicit drug traffickers and their patrons,” he said.

He revealed that the seizure of tonnes of cocaine at the seaport and cannabis in several parts of the country is a manifestation that West Africa (The Gambia included) continues to be used as a transit point for drugs.

“From 2018 to 2020, the agency seized total quantities of 7 tons 847 KG, 871 G, 61 MG of cannabis, 58 KG 905 G, 343 MG of cocaine, 243 KG, 893 G, 210 MG of cannabis resin (hashish), 1386 tablets of controlled drugs comprising diazepam, clonazepam, bromazepam ecstasy etc and 24 G, 400 MG of heroin. We registered 1958 cases involving 1987 persons during the said period,” the DG said.

He further revealed that in the first three quarters of 2021 (January to September) they seized 2 tons, 22KG, 167 G, 993 MG of Cannabis Sativa, 2 KG, 514 G, 633 MG of Hashish, 2 tons, 952 KG, 946 G, 770 MG of cocaine, 68 G, 280 MG of heroin and 707 tablets of controlled drugs.

In the area of prosecution, he confirmed that from 2018 to 2019, 347 cases were determined with the agency securing 301 convictions and 46 acquittals.

As an institution, the director-general noted that they have been actively engaged in preventive Drug Demand Reduction (DDR). The Public Affairs and Demand Reduction Unit he said conduct on average at least five one-hour weekly radio talk shows over different radio stations across the country.

They have also actively engaged in schools and community outreach programs whilst launching drug-free clubs in several schools across the country.

Mr Gassama was also proud to inform students that his institution has collaborated and supported the launching of Journalists Against Illicit Drug Trafficking and Organised Crime (JAIDTOC).

JAIDTOC he said is an association of media practitioners with a keen interest in reporting on drug-related matters as well as creating awareness on drug abuse and related activities.

Despite all these efforts, he revealed that the challenge is huge and persistent.

“We cannot do it alone. We need your support, cooperation and participation in the crusade on drugs. Therefore, I call on you all to join the bandwagon and get involved in keeping youth, children and drugs apart,” he said.

DLEAG is the lead government institution mandated by law to regulate the usage and possession of controlled drugs, prohibited drugs, precursors and matters connected therewith as provided for in the Drug Control Act (DCA) 2003 Revised Laws of The Gambia.

According to the annual World Drug Report 2021, drug use killed almost half a million people in 2019. The report also indicated that despite the proven dangers, drug use persists with almost 275 million people using drugs.

This figure is a 22% increase from the 2010 estimated global drug users. With the current demographic factors, it is projected that the number of global drug users will rise by 11% and with Africa projected to account for as much as 40% of the global figure.

This Bakary Gassama thinks should be a cause for concern for all of us considering the level of misconception and misinformation surrounding the usage of drugs, especially cannabis.