By: Alieu Jallow

In recent years, many young people have been motivated to migrate irregularly to Europe in search of socioeconomic progress.

According to the International Organization for Migration (IOM), between 2014 and 2018, over 35,000 Gambians arrived in Europe through irregular means, while others along the Central Mediterranean Route in Africa have chosen to return voluntarily.

Musa Gako, a tourist taxi driver in Senegambia, shared that he embarked on a risky journey to Europe with the hope of improving his economic status and providing for his family.

“I needed a change to change my economic situation following family pressure,” he told The Fatu Network.

Apart from being a tourist taxi driver, Musa also sells coffee at the beach and shares his aspirations of a better life. He wanted to follow in his friends’ footsteps and make the journey to Italy through the Mediterranean Sea. In 2016, he left The Gambia and travelled to Libya via Dakar. However, he returned voluntarily in 2017. According to him, he was imprisoned for two months but his family was able to secure his release by paying a ransom.

“I was imprisoned for two months, but then my mom paid the ransom. [From there] I proceeded to the capital and had to do some petty jobs just to make money to pay for my crossing. So, [on] one bad Sunday, we were caught by the Libyan police at a checkpoint and sent to the detention centre where I was kept until IOM facilitated my return”.

Musa mentioned that the reintegration package he received, which amounted to D53,000, was not enough to purchase a taxi that could sustain his livelihood. Despite this, he decided to save the money in his account until he met an elderly tourist who generously provided him with additional funds to buy the taxi he currently operates.

“The beach was my place before leaving so when I came back, I went back there and used a friend’s car to drive tourists around until I met an old white man who later supported me with some cash to buy the taxi I’m using today,” Musa said.

When asked if he still wants to take the risky journey, Musa replied that the situation has changed since he felt pressured before. Nonetheless, he still believes that in order to succeed in life, he needs to go to Europe – a dream he strongly desires. He emphasized that the government is not providing a supportive environment for young people to thrive.

By: Alieu Jallow

The Jerma Tourist Taxi Drivers Association in Senegambia has requested the removal of Minister of Tourism Hamat MK Bah due to a perceived lack of action in promoting development and growth in the tourism industry.

The Gambia’s tourism season is heavily dependent on European visitors seeking warmer climates during the winter months, leading to fluctuations in arrivals and challenges for businesses to maintain a steady income throughout the year.

The Jerma Tourist Taxi Drivers Association urges the President to appoint a creative and innovative individual to lead the sector.

Lamin Njie, a taxi driver, emphasized the need for year-round tourism and called on the Ministry of Tourism to be more creative and innovative in marketing the industry.

“We are tired of every year seeing the minister laying foundation stones for tourist sites without anything happening. I think Hamat MK Bah should be relieved from his portfolio because he does not know our challenges nor even do something to address them,” Njie said.

Mr Njie also expressed disappointment over drivers not receiving any benefits from the 100 million COVID-19 funds allocated to the Ministry of Tourism for distribution.

Meanwhile, Pa Njie, a tourist taxi driver controller, pointed out that tourist sites are in dire need of renovation and upgrades as most of the facilities and structures are outdated or dilapidated.

Mr Njie emphasized that tourists often question the relevance of visiting these places, noting that they have remained the same for over a decade.

“From day one, there is no development and no changes and most of the sites are worn-out, and I feel shy to drive and escort tourists to Kunta Kinteh because there is nothing significant in there. The island is submerging into the river, and nothing is being done to revive the place”.

Njie mentioned that they have no choice but to transport tourists all the way to Fataala Park in southern Senegal due to uninteresting and poorly managed destinations in the country.

The Gambia’s tourism industry mainly revolves around beach tourism and wildlife reserves. Therefore, expanding the range of tourism products and targeting niche markets such as cultural, eco, and adventure tourism can attract a broader audience and increase their length of stay.

However, Abdou Sonko, the Secretary of the Jerma Tourist Taxi Association accused Hon. Hamat NK Bah and his senior management team of embezzling funds allocated for the tourism sector’s development. Sonko believes that Hon Bah’s actions are detrimental to the industry. He criticized the ministry’s “All-inclusive initiative for tourists,” claiming that it is not beneficial for young people trying to make a living, as they are left to scramble for leftovers from hotels.

“We want Hamat to resign because he is not doing enough to empower the youth to work and the all-inclusive which he proclaimed is here to stay will put us off business which will force most of us to embark on the back way,” Sonko said.

The Jerma Tourists Association, consisting of 120 young people, aims to improve the tourism sector and alleviate poverty by creating more job opportunities.

By: Muhammed Lamin Drammeh

Madi Jobarteh, a human rights activist, has expressed concern in response to the recent comments made by President Adama Barrow regarding Gambian democracy and emphasized that the president does not possess the authority to silence or order the arrest of any citizen through the Inspector General of Police.

During a recent visit to his supporters in Niani, President Barrow expressed concern about the state of Gambian democracy and promised to instruct the police chief to detain individuals who make statements intended to incite violence.

However, activist Madi Jobarteh criticized the president’s plan, stating that it is concerning to see the government attempting to silence its citizens. Jobarteh argued that the president has no authority to suppress free speech.

“It is indeed highly worrying that Barrow is speaking about silencing and detaining citizens simply because in his mind people are engaged in empty talk while he is working.

“It is important for one to put it to Adama Barrow that he is neither the lord nor the owner of the Gambia; hence he has no power to silence any citizen. Similarly, he has no authority or powers to order the IGP to attest or detain any citizen,” Madi said.

Madi further described President Barrow’s comments as “a bunch of irresponsible, dangerous, and self-delusional gibberish that must be confronted”.

He called on the Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Dawda Jallow to educate President Barrow about the content of the constitution because his comments violate his oath of office.

“I hereby urge the Minister of Justice as the government’s chief legal advisor to guide Adama Barrow about the contents of the Gambia Constitution and other laws, as well as the Gambia’s international obligations.

“It is pertinent that Minister Dawda Jallow advised Barrow to understand what a democratic republic is and what is the rule of law and human rights. Jallow needs to educate Barrow to realize that his comments violate his oath of office, hence contravene the constitution, which are grounds for impeachment,” Madi said.

He also called on the National Assembly to advise the president on matters under his responsibility.

By: Alagie Cherno Suwareh

Result-Based Financial reporting, also known as Performance-Based Financing, is a systemic approach designed by the Ministry of Health, emphasizing results in terms of both quantity and quality of service outputs. It involves empowering health facilities as autonomous agencies dedicated to achieving health-related goals and benefiting their staff.

Fortunately, Brufut Health Center has celebrated three consecutive successes, consistently ranking at the top of Result-Based Financial Reporting. In an effort to keep partners informed, the hospital staff engaged with the Brufut community through the Brufut Village Development Committee, women representatives, and other channels.

Omar Dampha, the officer-in-charge, highlighted the transformative impact of RBF on Brufut Health. The introduction of RBF has significantly enhanced the facility’s performance, placing it at the forefront of excellent performance among health facilities benefiting from the project for three consecutive times.

The benefits of RBF have facilitated the refurbishment of the health center’s infrastructure, ensured the availability of medicines, and improved the quality of service delivery. Dampha emphasized the importance of community ownership, stating, “We want the people of Brufut to take ownership of the project because the higher the turnout, the more rewards we will receive to enable us to undertake more development and continue to excel.”

Kebba Omar Jaiteh, a community health adviser to the Brufut VDC and a retired health expert at the World Health Organization (WHO), expressed delight at the success of the campaign in raising awareness among the people of Brufut to utilize the hospital.

He highlighted the significance of community engagement in strengthening the relationship between the health center and the community. Jaiteh emphasized how RBF could help minimize maternal and infant mortality rates and morbidity rates.

He urged influential figures such as council members, imams, pastors, etc., to join the campaign, especially in encouraging pregnant women to visit Brufut Health Center, where quality service delivery is guaranteed. He concluded by assuring that the two parties would continue to collaborate to serve the community with quality service delivery.

Fatou Bojang, accompanied by her new baby, praised the care she received during her recent delivery, noting a significant improvement compared to her previous experience. She emphasized the quality of service and the comfort of the labor ward as a testament to a smooth and safe delivery.

Another woman, Binta, who had not experienced hospital delivery before, encouraged women to visit health centers for delivery, highlighting the incomparable difference in safety. “My baby has recovered thanks to the service we received here at Brufut Health Center.”

In a conversation with Sarjo Fatty, a senior Community Health Nurse Midwife, she shared her experience before the implementation of RBF. “It was very challenging for us as midwives, and we did not receive enough antenatal care.”

With performance-based financing conducted every three months, the staff of Brufut Health Center and community representatives are optimistic about maintaining their excellent service delivery to patients, regardless of tribe, religion, gender, age, or status.

By: Muhammed Lamin Drammeh

The University of The Gambia (UTG) Faraba Campus phase one, which includes four schools with standard classrooms, auditoriums with air conditioning, and a large library, has been completed for the first time since work started in 2017, and according to the Minister of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology, Professor Pierre Gomez, the campus will be handed over to UTG management for lectures on September 30.

The schools of Arts and Sciences, Education, Business and Public Administration and the School of Information and Communication are all set and ready to host students for lectures.

The schools of Arts & Sciences and Business and Public Administration have two standard auditoriums with air conditioning systems, cafeteria rooms and well-furnished classrooms with fans as well as ten water dispensers.

“The electricity and water have been fixed in all the completed buildings on the campus. On top of this, water dispensers have been fixed at accessible spots within the different schools for drinking. This allows students and staff to get cold, hot, and room-temperature water anytime.

“The teaching and learning resources, including chairs, tables, smart boards and overhead projectors will be in the classes,” Gomez said.

The Higher Education Minister, Mr. Gomez, who previously spent more than ten years at the university and then rose to the position of acting Vice-Chancellor, expressed that the Faraba campus is superior to the currently rented buildings being used by the university.

He emphasized that his ministry’s goal is to provide a favourable educational environment for both students and lecturers, without any intention of engaging in conflict with anyone.

This week, the ministry announced that it has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Gambia Transport Service Cooperation, which is expected to ease the burden of transport delays going for lectures in Faraba.

Tomorrow, 30th September, the ministry will hand over the structures to the management of the UTG for usage. Contrary to the information that all schools will be relocated to Faraba, the minister clarified that only four schools will relocate, and the rest will remain where they are for now while they work on phase two of the project.

The university management last week announced that effective lectures will start on Faraba Campus on Monday, October 2.