By: Hadram Hydara

The Authority of Heads of State and Government of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has over the weekend instructed the commission to consider the acute need to “enhance the ongoing Defence and Security Sector Reform (DSSR) efforts and the implementation of the Truth, Reconciliation and Reparations Commission (TRRC)” in the Gambia at the 63^rd Ordinary Session of the regional bloc held on Sunday, July 9, in Bissau, Guinea.

The TRRC was set up to investigate gross human rights violations and abuses committed under former President Yahya Jammeh’s regime, and Gambia’s president, Adama Barrow, pledged to implement the commission’s recommendations, but political observers have since questioned his resolve to do so.

The TRRC, in its final report, made 265 recommendations on prosecutions, reparations, reconciliation, and reforms.

Meanwhile, in May 2022, the government released its White Paper rejecting 2 out of the commission’s 265 recommendations, leaving the rest earmarked for implementation.

Although the government at the time said it lacked the financial resources to implement the recommendation, it has since released an implementation plan on May 12 and announced that the European Union (EU) has committed 9 million euros to the process.

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has commended Senegal President Macky Sall for his recent address to the people of Senegal, a move the regional bloc believes has help in addressing the then tensions in the West African nation.

ECOWAS’ commendation to the Senegalese leader was made at the 63^rd Ordinary Session of the Authority of Heads of State and Government of ECOWAS held on 9^th July in Guinea Bissau.

“The Authority commends HE Macky Sall, President of Senegal, for his address to the nation on 3^rd July 2023, which has contributed to appeasing tensions and reaffirm his commitment to the peace, security and stability of Senegal,” ECOWAS said in a statement.

The regional bloc called on politicians in the country not to use violence in handling issues but rather make use of dialogue in all elections related processes.

“The Authority urges all political stakeholders in Senegal to refrain from violence while prioritizing dialogue to ensure consensus building and a conducive environment for the peaceful conduct of the electoral process,” the statement appealed.

By: News Desk

TRAHASS executives, now trained Naturopaths

9 traditional healers in the Gambia have graduated from 6 months of training in Naturopathy and Holistic Medicine from the Nyarkotey University College of Holistic Medicine & Technology, Ashaiman, Ghana.  The Nyarkotey College is Ghana’s first recognized college by the Traditional Medicine Practice Council (TMPC) of the Ministry of Health.

The College is also registered with the Commission for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (CTVET). The college under CTVET developed Ghana’s first National Occupational Standards programs in Naturopathy and Holistic Medicine at the Higher National Diploma and Bachelor’s level.

The college also offers certificates and Diploma programs in Naturopathy and Holistic Medicine. The College is also an educational member of the World Naturopathic Federation (WNF), Canada.

The 9 traditional healers, who graduated from the 6 months program in Naturopathy, were members of the National Traditional Healers Association of The Gambia (TRAHASS).

The graduation was part of the activities that heralded the 1^st National Conference on Traditional and Alternative Medicine organized by the healers that took place at the Gambia College, Brikama.

The training was a result of a scholarship package worth 10,000 dollars provided by the president of the college, Prof. Raphael Nyarkotey Obu, who has been in the country to pursue his legal education at the Gambia Law School.

Prof. Nyarkotey admonishes modern Naturopaths to strive to adhere to the standard in the practice of natural medicine. He also advised not to be at loggerheads with mainstream practitioners as medicine is not competition and integration is key in the modern era.

He also advised them to collaborate with mainstream practitioners and refer cases beyond their control to save their patients. He further admonished them to practice within their scope of practice to avert cases of medical negligence in their profession.

On their part, the president, Mr. Saliue Puye, of the traditional healers thank Professor Nyarkotey for such an upliftment and recognition of their practice.  He also notes that not many people would do what Professor Nyarkotey has done for the traditional healers since he arrived in the country to pursue his legal education, but he has done more to help them get huge recognition in their trade in the Gambia and the global front.

On behalf of the healers, Mr. Puye asserts that the coming of Professor Nyarkotey to the Gambia was the light to raise awareness and introduce them to modern naturopathy. They have not heard about naturopathy and thus he was the first person to bring naturopathy to the Gambia, and they have not regretted studying naturopathy.

About Naturopathy

According to Prof. Nyarkotey, Naturopathy or Naturopathic Medicine is a system of healthcare with a deep history of traditional philosophies and practices, medically trained practitioners, and a breadth of natural treatment options to serve patients.

Touching on its history, he said, Naturopathy has been part of Germany for centuries. Many of the principles and philosophies of naturopathy originated in Germany and Europe in the 16th and 17th centuries. The original naturopaths – before the 1900s – from around the world, were trained by European doctors using hydrotherapy, herbal medicine, and other traditional forms of healing.

Currently, European countries consider their practice of naturopathy as a system of healthcare that has evolved by incorporating the traditional medicine of each country with the naturopathic principles, theories, modalities, and traditions that have been codified in North America. Traditional forms of naturopathic teaching and practice are still common in Europe.

He further said North America is considered the home of modern naturopathy, or naturopathic medicine. Most North American schools are government-accredited and all regions within North America are working toward regulation or licensure (with 50% of Canadian provinces and 38% of all states/regions in the USA regulated). There are strong national and regional naturopathic associations, ongoing naturopathic research, and specialized groups and journals to support the practice of naturopathic medicine. North America is credited with codifying the naturopathic principles and for contributing some of the established theories and practices that are now used worldwide.

Throughout its history, naturopathy / naturopathic medicine is introduced into a country when a naturopath / naturopathic doctor that has been trained in North America or Europe moves and takes their skills with them.

There is a synthesis of European or North American training with the traditional systems of medicine in their country. For example, naturopathy was introduced to India after a medical doctor was trained by naturopaths in Europe; also, those in Southeast Asia were originally trained in the USA.

He also said that he had an encounter with Naturopathy and Holistic Medicine when he met a renowned Naturopathic and Holistic Doctor in Cyprus.  Today, he is a strong advocate of Naturopathy in Ghana and Africa.  This made the Indian Medical Association, Junior Doctors Network, Odisha, confer on him the pioneer of modern Naturopathy in Ghana.

On his part, he is infusing the European practice with the African context, thus, the name African Naturopathy in the modern era.

Prof. Nyarkotey also explained that Naturopathic Doctors study biomedical courses and Natural therapies in their accredited schools. “Two facets of professionals exist in the profession; Naturopaths-those who studies close to 2,500 hours and Naturopathic Doctors-those who study over 4,500 credit hours and write the professional qualifying examination and are also licensed in the country to practice.  In the case of Ghana, he said, qualified Naturopathic Practitioners are also inducted into the healthcare system by the Traditional Medicine Practice Council, of the Ministry of Health.”

He further urges them to strive to attain the highest standard at the degree level to be Naturopathic Doctors. He congratulates them as history makers in the profession of Naturopathy in the Gambia.

By: Muhammed Lamin Drammeh

Essa Njie, popular political commentator and lecturer at the University of The Gambia, has said all political parties in the Gambia are the same “in terms of misappropriation of public funds”, saying they “should have condemned” parliament’s decision of buying cars that are each worth over 2 million dalasis but instead “they are keeping quiet because their parliamentarians are affected”.

The political Science lecturer argued that the political parties in the country should take a share of the blame since the National Assembly Members are from political parties who have a responsibility to talk to their members. He emphasized that political parties have to be blamed, and the buying of these cars has equally affected the trust many have in the parties.

“At the end of the day, you cannot blame only the parliamentarians for this, but the political parties as well. All these political parties are the same in terms of misappropriation of public funds. It will be difficult for people to even trust these political parties because, on the side of the opposition regarding this issue, they cannot say certain things about President Barrow,” Njie explained in an interview with LSTV 1.

Njie further argued that the United Democratic Party (UDP), the biggest opposition political party in the country, and others should have condemned parliament’s act.

“All these political parties, including the UDP, the biggest opposition party that has been vocal against corruption and other issues about this government, are keeping quiet on this. They are not talking about it. They should have condemned this, but they are keeping quiet because their parliamentarians are affected. If they hadn’t been affected, they would have come out. Other parties are like that too,” Njie commented.

The National Assembly of the Gambia has purchased 2023 model Toyota Prado vehicles worth over 2 million dalasis each. Half of the cost of these vehicles will be paid by the taxpayers’ money, something that many political analysts and commentators argued should not be done.

It is not apparent how much the parliamentarians will pay for the purchase of these vehicles. Some sources believe MPs will pay only 30% and the rest will be paid by taxpayers.

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Court of Justice on 5^th July 2023 issued a landmark decision in the case of the enforced disappearance of Saul Ndow during the regime of former Gambian President Yahya Jammeh. The ECOWAS Court found that the Republic of The Gambia violated the right to life and failed to investigate and prosecute those responsible in a timely manner. The ECOWAS Court also called on the Gambian Government to implement the recommendations of the Truth, Reconciliation and Reparations Commission (TRRC) and ordered to submit, within six (6) months of notification of its decision, a report, among others, on the status of the TRRC recommendations.

With legal support from the Institute of Human Rights and Development in Africa (IHRDA), Nana-Jo Ndow, assisted by The African Network against Extrajudicial Killings and Enforced Disappearances (ANEKED), had been pushing for the Republic of The Gambia to take up its responsibilities for the human rights violations suffered by her father Saul Ndow in relation to his enforced disappearance during the Jammeh regime, and the pain and injustice inflicted on his family as a result.

“After ten years since my father’s disappearance, years of litigation and delays, I am happy that the court has finally recognized our long suffering. Today’s ruling does not correct the wrong that was done to us, but it is an important step towards accountability” – Nana-Jo Ndow, daughter of Saul Ndow

Saul Ndow, a businessman and a critic of the Jammeh regime, was abducted in 2013 alongside Mahawa Cham, a former member of the Gambian National Assembly and an equally fierce critic of the regime, by the Junglers, a death squad allegedly reporting directly to Yahya Jammeh.

Since 2013, and despite the transition to the Adama Barrow Government in 2017, the multiple appeals and efforts from the families of Saul Ndow and Mahawa Cham, the strong and credible evidence that surfaced through investigative journalists and activists, testimonies before the Gambian police and the TRRC, the Gambian Government has failed to conduct any proper judicial investigations and to prosecute those responsible in a timely manner.

“This decision further emphasizes the duty of the State to investigate human rights violations, irrespective of which Government is in power. It speaks not only for Gambian victims, but also blazes a trail of hope for victims of human rights abuse across Africa”- Edmund Foley, Interim Head, IHRDA

Jammeh’s 22-year rule (1994 to 2016) was marked by systematic oppression, widespread human rights violations and crimes against humanity, including torture, extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearances, and sexual violence. This judgement is a milestone for the victims who still await justice and sends a clear message to the Government of The Gambia that accountability is inevitable and is not negotiable.

Ousainou Darboe Esq, leader of Gambia’s main opposition United Democratic Party (UDP), has commended the no-third-term declaration of neighbouring Senegalese President Macky Sall.

This comes following President Sall’s announcement that he will not be running for a third term as President. Before the announcement, it had been widely rumoured that he intended to do a third-term presidency.

In a letter written on behalf of the UDP to the Senegalese leader, the former Vice President of The Gambia and leader of the UDP described President Sall’s broadcast to the Senegalese people, in which the announcement was made, as “statesmanlike, patriotic and the voice of a genuine democrat.”

Lawyer Darboe called on other African leaders to follow what he called “great example” of President Macky Sall and not seek third terms. He further encouraged leaders across the continent to accept that “term limit for the highest office in any democratic nation is not merely a matter of constitutional or legal restraints against self-perpetuation, it is in fact a democratic imperative of the modern age.”

Read full letter below

…

The United Democratic Party presents its compliments and fraternal greetings to Your Excellency President of the Republic of Senegal and the Party Leader of the Alliance Pour la République -APR.

Dear Macky Sall

I am writing on behalf of the National Executive Committee of the United Democratic Party-UDP, the Minority Leader of the National Assembly of the Gambia and the Mayors of Banjul, the Capital City of the Gambia and the Kanifing Municipality, and the Chairpersons of West Coast Region and Lower River Region Local Government Authorities of the Gambia and indeed on my own behalf to offer my personal commendations on your decision not to be a candidate in the forthcoming Presidential Elections of the sister Republic of Senegal.

Your Excellency I have listened attentively to your broadcast to your people in which you place great emphasis on the primacy of peace in national affairs. I found your broadcast to be statesmanlike, patriotic and the voice of a genuine democrat. Confirming once again your Excellency’s democratic credentials and personal commitment to peaceful means for peaceful ends.

While we applaud your democratic stance Mr. President, as West Africans we are aware that our sub region is going through a democratic recession, this is seen in the republics of Mali, Guinea Conakry, and Burkina Faso, all three are currently under sanctions by the ECOWAS Commission. We pray that other leaders in our sub region and African continent will follow your great example and not seek third terms. And to accept once and for all that term limits for the highest office in any democratic nation is not merely a matter of constitutional or legal restraints against self-perpetuation, it is in fact a democratic imperative of the modern age.

In this regard I am reminded of your principled stand during one of the ECOWAS Summits of Heads of States in Abuja where only the Gambia and Togo refuse to endorse the Protocol on term limits for West African leaders. I firmly believe that our subregion and our continent must evolve to be a place where the respect for human rights and the observance of the rule of law is the abiding creed of good governance.

May I take this opportunity to applaud your Excellency’s visionary Plan Senegal Emergent: The modernisation, infrastructural development, and rebranding of Senegal during your term of office is a matter of public record. Your Excellency’s solid track record of impactful leadership in ECOWAS and AU and recently the African Leaders Peace Mission to Russia and Ukraine have firmly cemented your status as one of most influential Statesmen of the 21st century and the seminal role you have played in the transition of the Gambia from autocracy to democracy.

I pray to almighty Allah: the most merciful, the most beneficent make your remaining time in office to be productive peaceful and fulfilling for you personally and for the Republic of Senegal a successful and peaceful campaign in coming months. Please Sir, accept the assurances of my highest consideration and fraternal esteem.

Sincerely,

ANM Ousainu Darboe (Former Vice President of the Republic of the Gambia)

Secretary General & Party Leader

By: News Desk

Prof. Raphael Nyarkotey Obu(L) with TRAHASS executives

A renowned Ghanaian Naturopathic Professor, who is currently studying for the Barrister at Law course at the Gambia Law School, Banjul, has been honoured by the National Traditional Healers Association of The Gambia (TRAHASS). He was honoured for his tremendous contributions to the traditional healthcare industry in the Gambia during his legal education at the Gambia Law School at the recently ended 1^st National Conference on Traditional and Alternative Medicine dubbed: “Legislative Regulation of Traditional and Alternative Complementary Medicine Practitioners in the Gambia: A Tool for Recognition in the Healthcare System”, under the auspices of the National Traditional Healers Association of The Gambia (TRAHASS).

The event was held at the Gambia College, Brikama, and attracted over 500 healers over the country and abroad to deliberate on the need and the importance of legislation in the Gambia.

His recognition was a result of his contribution to pushing for National legislation on traditional medicine in the Gambia. He also provided a scholarship package worth 10,000 dollars to the traditional healers to pursue a diploma program in Naturopathy and Holistic Medicine at the Nyarkotey University College of Holistic Medicine & Technology, Ashaiman, Ghana.  The College is also an educational member of the World Naturopathic Federation (WNF), Canada.

For decades, traditional healers in the Gambia have been fighting for national recognition in the healthcare system but all their efforts proved futile.  The healers were grateful for Professor Nyarkotey’s upliftment and recognition of their practice. The citation to the award signed by the president, reads:

“A true Leader has the confidence to stand alone, and the compassion to listen to the needs of others. He does not set out to be a leader but becomes one by the quality of his actions and the integrity of his intent. In the end, leaders are much like eagles. They don’t flock, you find them one at a time. The Gambia is blessed at this time to find you pushed for National Legislation on Traditional & Alternative Medicine during your days as an aspiring Barrister. Also, despite your tedious legal training at the Gambia Law School, Banjul, you devoted your time to supporting the traditional healers to become the first-ever Modern Naturopaths in the Gambia. On this 1^st July 2023, we confer on you Prof. Raphael Nyarkotey Obu “The Trailblazer & Father Of Modern Naturopathy Development Award In The Gambia.”

Professor Nyarkotey’s citation by TRAHASS

Professor Nyarkotey expresses appreciation to the healers for their recognition and promised to make Gambia his home. Delivering the keynote address, he avers that medicine is not competition. Hence, there is no need for conventional and natural healers to be at loggerheads. He calls for collaboration in the healthcare system. Also, he explains that legislation will go a long way to enhance standardization.  Touching on the National draft bill on traditional medicine, he supports the idea of the restriction on the use of the title Doctor by traditional healers without having sound academic training.

Prof. Nyarkotey said natural healthcare tends to improve the economy with legislation.

On his part, the President of TRAHASS, Mr. Saliue Puye, confirmed that Professor Nyarkotey is  God sent to the Gambia to help the healers as well to come to the limelight. Thus, the healers also show appreciation to the Gambia Law School for admitting Prof. Nyarkotey to pursue his legal education in the Gambia, which has led to the huge development of the traditional healers in the Gambia.

The healers in their citation, signed by the President, to the Gambia Law School, Banjul, read: “For your valuable insight to bring the renowned Naturopathic Professor, Raphael Nyarkotey Obu to the Gambia Law School to pursue his legal education and to contribute to the development of modern Natural Medicine and legislation in the Gambia.”

A student at The Gambia Law School receives the citation on behalf of the school

 Professor Nyarkotey promised the natural medicine healers that he will use his legal training at the Gambia Law School to help develop the practice in the healthcare industry on the African continent as a whole.

Prof. Nyarkotey with the citation in the Gambia

Senegal President Macky Sall has called on Senegalese to embrace social and democratic values which he said are essential in the development of the country.

“Now the essential issue for me is that our dear Senegal, this country that I love, that you love, keeps the head towards emergence in the path of action, peace, stability, respect for law, public order, national unity and social cohesion,” he wrote on Facebook.

President Sall noted that it behooves everyone to embrace the country’s societal model which he said is characterized by a range of factors.

“It requires each and every one of us to adhere to our model of society based on democracy, freedom, respect for our socio-cultural values, respect for this living together that has so far known to gather us and resemble us, respect for our religions, our fraternity and our religious guides; in short, respecting our Senegalese collective identity which is anchored in the Senegalese and African socio-cultural base, but also openness in modernity,” he explained.

He reiterated that it is only by embracing such societal and governance values that the nation’s motto of “One People, One Goal, One Faith” can be realized and sustained.

In a broadcast to the nation, President Macky Sall dispelled long-existed rumour that he was going to seek a third term presidency. He clarified that he is not going to contest in next year’s presidential election.

By: Muhammed Lamin Drammeh

Political analyst and lecturer at the University of The Gambia, Essa Njie, has described the recent purchase of cars each worth over D3.5 million for National Assembly Members as unfortunate, stressing that the parliament is not different from the executive arm of the government in wasting government expenditures.

He described them as a gang of people busy looting the country’s resources from ‘poor’ taxpayers.

The political science lecturer was reacting to the purchase of the exotic 2023 model Toyota Prada cars for National Assembly Members, 50 to 70 per cent of which, The Fatu Network understands, will be paid by taxpayers.

Reacting to the exorbitant cost of the vehicles at the expense of the myriad of challenges the people are faced within the country, Njie said the MPs are not different from the President Barrow executive in terms of wastage of public resources and mismanagement of public funds.

“It is unfortunate. We have a parliament that is not very different from the executives. Corruption, wastage of public resources and mismanagement of public funds are the order of the day in this country. They (parliamentarians) are not different from the executive in terms of wasting government expenditure’, the political lecturer stressed.

He went on further: “We know the executive buys many vehicles for government ministries and departments. It is the same thing happening in parliament too.

“If the executive is buying luxurious cars for ministers, permanent secretaries and directors, the same thing is happening in Parliament as well. From the speaker to the parliamentarians, they are equally buying luxurious vehicles. It is the same parliament that also approved the budget presented by the executive,” he commented.

Njie, however, said that he does not have any problem with the parliamentarians being allocated vehicles, but it does not make sense to buy exotic cars in which half of the cost will be paid by taxpayers who elected them to serve their interests.

He argued that the members of the parliament do not need to get a vehicle worth over 1 million dalasis when the country is faced with challenges that need to be solved to better the livelihood of Gambians.

He said that within five years, the parliamentarians can have a vehicle cheaper than the 2023 model Toyota Prado vehicles. Furthermore, he added that the members of the parliament should rather think of how to bring progressive laws to the country than focus on driving luxurious cars at the expense of the taxpayers.

Njie further emphasized that the parliament, which is supposed to be the voice of the people and hold the executive accountable for wasting public resources, is not different from them, describing the two arms of government as a gang of people that are busy looting from taxpayers.

“I think this is a gang of people that are just busy looting the country’s resources from the poor taxpayers. It is a chain of work for the executive and the parliament. Unfortunately, we have a parliament and executive that are 6&9 in terms of wastage of public resources.”

The members of parliament have come under intense criticism over the purchasing of exotic vehicles that are worth over 3.5 million dalasis, more than the cost expected to be paid by the government from taxpayers’ money.

The National Assembly member for Wuli East, Suwaibou TOURAY, outlined that the vehicles were budgeted for the year 2022 and not 2023. He mentioned that the decision to purchase these vehicles was approved by the fifth legislative council.