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“It’s a blatant lie” – Nemasu Enterprise CEO reacts to allegations at LG inquiry

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The Chief Executive Officer of Nemasu Enterprise, Almamo Dibba, has reacted to procurement and registration allegations in which his business was mentioned by Ebrima Sanyang, the Director of The Gambia Public Procurement Authority (GPPA), at the ongoing commission of inquiry into the conduct of Local Government (LG) councils.

As published by The Standard and shared by this medium, the Director of GPPA, in his testimony at the commission of inquiry on Thursday 27th July, said, in 2020, Mansakonko Area Council purchased 655 bags of rice amounting to D4,025,750 from Nemasu Enterprise, with a unit cost of about D6,000 per bag.

Mr. Sanyang added that Nemasu Enterprise was not registered with the GPPA and that the law prohibits area councils from trading with suppliers that are not registered with the GPPA.

Speaking to The Fatu Network, CEO of Nemasu Enterprise, Almamo Dibba, responded that the allegations or statements of the GPPA Director are not true.

“It’s blatant lie for Mr. Ebrima Sanyang, the director of The Gambia Public Procurement Authority to say that, in 2020 Mansakonko Area Council purchased 655 bags of rice amounting D4,025,750 from Nemasu Enterprise which means that each bag of rice costs a little over D6,000.

Nemasu Enterprise sold each bag of rice to Mansakonko Area Council at D650 and the said bags were 25kg [25 kilograms] and the total amount in cash was D425,750,” he explained.

Reacting to the allegation that his business was not registered, Almamo Dibba said the Nemasu Enterprise renewed its registration with GPPA with certificate of goods to allow them to operate in the country.

“Saying Nemasu Enterprise was not registered with GPPA is the biggest lie ever. In April 2020, Nemasu Enterprise renewed its registration with GPPA with certificate of goods to allow them to lobby any contract bidding throughout the Gambia,” he noted.

CEO of Nemasu Enterprise, Almamo Dibba, shared with this medium the renewal registration certificate with GPPA in for 2020 which he asserted authorized his business to have done the said transaction with the Mansakonko Area Council in 2020.

He said Nemasu Enterprise is a responsible business entity that compiles with legal requirements concerning the business.

Prof. Nyarkotey & Mao Cessay: Emojis could land you into Court Room as evidence

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Types of emojis

In the coming years, emojis may play a significant role in cases of serious crimes like human trafficking, child grooming, sexual abuse, murder, and more.  It will not be surprising when people begin to institute actions of breach of promise to marry, breach of contract, defamation, negligence, etcetera as a result of wrong use of social media emojis- it is so imminent.

It appears the days when we use emojis to communicate for fun are a thing of the past as it could land you in the courtroom. The traditional ways and aids of interpretation of contract documents are also no longer sacrosanct as the courts have started using emojis as aids to the interpretation of contract documents.

Though, the courts in the Gambia, Ghana, and other African countries are yet to be tested in this digital era, emojis are becoming an issue in the courts in advanced countries in both civil and criminal cases. The recent decision of the Canadian court that a thumbs-up emoji (??) sent as a text message can be interpreted as consent to a contract, even though novel, seeks to unveil a new aid to the interpretation of contracts.

In the same vein, an Israeli court has recently determined that an emoji can illustrate legal intent. It ordered damages to a landlord who claimed he replied to his detriment when he received a text with positive emojis and took down the ad for the property.

Another in the US happened when a teenager was arrested for terror threats after posting a status showing emojis of guns pointing at a police officer (amongst other things) and a 12-year-old was charged with computer harassment and threatening school staff after posting two messages that included gun, bomb and knife emojis with messages that read “Killing” and “meet me in the library Tuesday”.

The work of Professor Goldman

In the aspect of the law and emojis, Professor Eric Goldman, an expert emoji professor of law at Santa Clara University School of Law has done extensive legal work and reasoning in this area of the law.

For instance, he explained that when issues arise in court that have to do with emojis, he examines the words, looks at the symbols included, and interprets them all together.

Also, in a criminal situation where someone criticizes the police and says, “I really hate the police,” that alone would not be actionable. But if it started to sound like a threat against the police officers and then it was coupled with emojis like the gun emoji, the bomb emoji, and the knife emoji, those emojis will be interpreted in the context of your words to determine whether or not you had made a threat to commit violence. So, when you add the gun knives and bomb emojis to your disparagement of the police, that could add legal consequences that the words themselves wouldn’t have had.

Another example could be that you’re chatting with friends about a transaction. They might be offering to sell their car or TV set, or some other item and they are suggesting whether or not you might be interested in buying it. If you give the emoji, the thumbs up saying that you’re interested. That’s a legally binding contract. You’ve committed to purchase it by how you’ve expressed your intent. The fact that it was done by an emoji versus saying yes or “I agree to buying the product,” or writing a signature on a piece of paper is immaterial. The symbol expressing your enthusiasm for the proposal can be enough to constitute a commitment that would be legally recognized.

So the question is whether we should continue using emojis even though they have legal consequences. Absolutely, according to Prof. Goldman. Emojis are fun, but he warned that we should treat them as a legally binding obligation.

Emojis statistics

Emojipedia.org reports that as of September 2020, there were 3,664 emojis in the Unicode Standard. Additional colourful and detailed images are released every year. The latest emoji release is Emoji 15.0. The next expected release is Emoji 15.1, currently scheduled for September 2023.

Prof. Goldman, studies also report that his caselaw tally shows 132 cases referencing emojis or emoticons in 2020, a 25% increase from 2019, which itself had seen a near doubling from 2018. Goldman says, “The most common emoji case involves sexual predation of children. Other common cases include murder, discrimination, and harassment.”

Emojis in the Courts: Lawyers, Judges argues over meaning

Though the cases we examine were not decided in our jurisdiction, we explore the common law perspective as they have a persuasive effect in the absence of any authority. In other jurisdictions, lawyers are arguing the meanings of emojis, and judges examine their legal impact, but based on the case.  Our first case for analysis is Jesse R. Enjaian V. Mark S. Schlissel [2015], a University of Michigan student who sent a friend a text that said he wanted to make a classmate “feel crappy” and experience “deep dark pits of depression.” He claimed that his inclusion of the “laughing” emoticon 😀 altered the text’s meaning. The judge disagreed, ruling that the emoji “does not materially alter the meaning of the text message.”

The second case is Elonis v. United States [2015], where the U.S. Supreme Court, for instance, reversed Elonis’s appeal due to the absence of intent to threaten and his right to freedom of speech. The Supreme Court reasoned that the placement of the one “tongue sticking out” emoji is not a threat.

In this case, Elonis divorced his wife and posted a series of lyrics and statements online that could be perceived as threatening toward his ex-wife, local law enforcement, an FBI agent, a kindergarten class, and other entities. One of the statements considered as a possible threat included “Tell Riley he should dress up as Matricide for Halloween. I don’t know what his costume would entail though. Maybe your head on a stick? :-P”. Elonis was originally convicted on four of five counts of threats and was subsequently sentenced to 44 months in prison.

Also, in an Israeli small claims court case, Dahan v. Shakaroff [2016], a couple interested in an apartment sent the landlord a text that included the emojis of a smiley face, a comet, a champagne bottle, dancing Playboy bunnies, and a chipmunk. The court held that to be a valid acceptance on the part of the tenant.

In a recent case of Burrows v Houda [2020] NSWDC 485, proceedings were brought by Zali Burrows against Adam Houda concerning posts made on Twitter in July 2019 and May 2020 at the District Court of New South Wales. The court reasoned that the zipper-mouth emoji, by itself, could constitute a defamatory statement.  Also, in State v. DRC [2020], emojis helped keep a teen out of jail.  Also in Johnson v. State, 2020, it was reasoned that a fire emoji didn’t support an involuntary manslaughter prosecution.

Challenges to users understanding of Emojis

Emojis present several interpretive challenges as interpretations are context-dependent on multiple levels.  Also, one of the biggest points of contention for emojis in court cases is that they render differently on varying platforms, depending on the type of phone you are using. Although the Unicode Consortium sets the standard for emojis, software makers, such as Apple and Google, then design versions for their platforms, opening up a path for inconsistencies and miscommunication. For instance, take the implementations of the “dancer” emoji: for Twitter and Apple, it’s a female flamenco dancer. But for Google, it was, until recently, a John Travolta lookalike dancing disco style. And now it’s a weird blobby thing. So, if you’re about to tell someone “You look gorgeous, like a ?”, make sure they aren’t reading it on a new Android phone.

Also a study by Miller et al.(2016) from the University of Minnesota, participants rated popular emoji characters on Android and iOS as positive or negative. In the case of the emoji called “a grinning face with smiling eyes,” some people interpreted the image as “blissfully happy” on Android, while it looked like it was “ready to fight” on iOS. Hence, no uniformity in their meaning by users.

Another study by Hillberg et al. (2018) found about 25% of participants were unaware the emojis they posted on Twitter could appear differently based on their followers’ devices. After being shown how one of their tweets was rendered across platforms, 20% said they would have edited or not sent the tweet.

Interpretive Issues with Emojis

We found that there is no standard test for interpreting emojis.  For instance, the courts’ understanding of emoji use is limited at best (see, for example, Warren v Peat [2017] FCCA 664 and R v Mella [2017] NSWDC 193).

Another is the Dahan case, the would-be renters and the landlord were introduced by a mutual friend, a type of social connection that may inspire more casual communications. Also, an emoji may mean one thing on Twitter, yet have an alternate meaning when it appears on Instagram.

Emojis can also have metaphorical meanings, as do the “fire” ? and “locked with key” ? emojis. Interpretations can vary by culture, region, or community.

In People v. Jamerson, 2019 Cal. App. Unpub. LEXIS 940 (Cal. App. Ct. Feb. 6, 2019). The defendant is alleged to be a pimp.  In this case, an expert witness detailed how a series of sent emojis, including a crown, high heels, and bags of money, provided evidence of prostitution, noting a crown often references a pimp in sex trafficking. This helps because the expert claims that the emojis have specific and non-intuitive meanings in the sex trafficking context that would not be clear to lay observers.

Here, the court doesn’t need to know about the possible alternative meanings of the crown emoji; the court needs to know what the crown emoji means in the context of this thread between a putative pimp and a putative sex trafficking victim. For this type of inquiry, a community expert helps more than a linguistic expert says, Prof. Goldman.

In People v. Smith, 2019 Cal. App. Unpub. LEXIS 1691 (Cal. App. Ct. March 12, 2019). Prof. Goldman reasoned that:   the court interprets the emojis. It’s not that hard in context. “Rat” is a well-known euphemism for someone who makes “disloyal” information disclosures, and the gun emoji isn’t subtle. Evaluating the emojis in this context doesn’t require fancy judicial work. Instead, interpreting these emojis is part of a skill the court system has been refining for hundreds of years.

In Ghanam v. Does (2014), this is what the court says about emoticons: The third allegedly defamatory statement was posted by hatersrlosers in this thread and stated: “They are only getting more garbage trucks because Gus needs more tires to sell to get more money for his pockets :P”

This statement on its face cannot be taken seriously as asserting a fact. The use of the “:P” emoticon makes it patently clear that the commenter was making a joke. As noted earlier, a “:P” emoticon is used to represent a face with its tongue sticking out to denote a joke or sarcasm. Thus, a reasonable reader could not view the statement as defamatory.

In U.S. v. Christensen (2013), this is the court’s entire discussion about emoticons: Christensen claims Neuhardt violated attorney-client privilege and the Sixth Amendment by offering, in an e-mail to the prosecutor accompanied by an emoticon, to “stipulate that my client is guilty.:)” No one took Neuhardt’s frivolous e-mail as an actual stipulation. Neither element of the Strickland test is met. This claim is denied.

In Re Nichol [2017] QSC 220 an unsent text message deemed to be a last will and testament included consideration of a smiley emoticon. The Court found this informality didn’t prevent it from constituting a will.

 

The absence of an emoji was raised in a claim before the Fair Work Commission for unfair dismissal by a baggage handler who included the statement “We all support ISIS” in a Facebook post and claimed it was sarcastic (Singh v Aerocare Flight Support Pty Ltd [2016] FWC 6186).

 Take Home

Remember that emoticons are a group of keyboard characters (such as :-)) that typically represents a facial expression or suggests an attitude or emotion and that is used especially in computerized communications (such as email). On the other hand, unlike emoticons, emoji are actual pictures, of everything from a set of painted nails (?) to a slightly whimsical ghost (?). Once they form part of communication tools, they are legally binding.

Who Interprets Emojis? “Emojis cannot be considered a universal language,” if that is the case, we see how our lawyers and judges would argue and interpret emojis in our jurisdiction. The second issue to consider is that symbols vary by culture.

For instance, the thumbs-up gesture has been up for debate as offensive or vulgar in the Middle East, while it’s a sign of something good in other parts of the world. A smiley face emoji is taken as sarcasm in China. Neither court opinion displays the actual emojis at issue. We wait to see what happens in our jurisdiction.

                                       

The authors are (BL) candidates at the Gambia Law School, Banjul.

The legal article is for academic awareness only.  

UTG’s sex-for-grade scandal: Law student wants independent, speedy investigation

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By: Dawda Baldeh

Ebrima Jallow, commonly known as The Ghetto Pen, a second-year law student at the University of The Gambia (UTG) has called on authorities investigating the college’s sex-for-grade scandal to ensure speedy and independent investigation.

Ebrima, who is known for his style of poetry, said it is taking too long since the scandal was reported, saying authorities concerned must speed up the investigation to restore the school’s integrity.

“I commend the authorities for establishing an investigative panel to look into the allegations which I believe is a great move. [However], the authorities should not interfere [with the investigations] but maintain an independent panel that will carefully conduct a fair and transparent inquiry,” he emphasized.

He recommended naming and shaming of any person found wanting after the investigation to deter the commission of such ‘illicit conduct’.

The Ghetto Pen described the sex-for-grade news as ‘disturbing’.

The law student believed that such acts, if not handled properly, would undermine the integrity of the school and its students in the international community.

“Unfortunately, such scandals could smear the reputation of the school, so until and unless the report is furnished, I am not confident that sanity would be restored.

It is heartbreaking and I am deeply saddened. Looking forward to the outcome of the investigation,” he told The Fatu Network.

Below is a recent poem the law student wrote on the scandal:

“SEX-FOR-GRADES

Some call it sexually transmitted grades

It’s when a lecturer and a student engage in a trade Quite unfortunate, a hotcake’s ‘D’ was edited to ‘A*

It came with a persuasion to lay on the bed for the lecturer to perpetuate

A nauseating norm that places mediocrity at the top of the food chain

Devastate! I don’t wish to boast of such a student as our graduate Safeguard your dignity, so it’s better to honorably fail

Zip up, dissociate with the vulnerable, and avoid the dating game

It’s not in the interest of our educational development; the university’s image is at stake

Suspect anything concerning SEX-FOR-GRADES, don’t procrastinate

Report the matter and the authorities will investigate

So, anyone found wanting must be brutally dismissed, named, and shamed.”

The Ghetto Pen who is using the powers of words in creating awareness on issues affecting society is said to have written over 30 poems on pertinent socio-political and economic issues.

Batchilly calls for suspension of diplomatic ties with Turkey amidst reported rights violation of Gambians

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By: Dawda Baldeh

The leader of the opposition Gambia Action Party (GAP), Musa Ousainou Yali Batchilly, has called for the immediate suspension of diplomatic ties with Turkey and demanded the repatriation of Gambians amidst reported violations of their rights.

Mr. Batchilly made these comments in a statement obtained by The Fatu Network on Saturday 29th of July 2023.

“To protect our citizens, we demand the repatriation of Gambians from Turkey and the immediate suspension of all diplomatic ties with your country.

“Both embassies in Banjul and Ankara should be closed until you demonstrate a genuine commitment to respecting human rights,” he said following complaints of rights violations.

The GAP boss further suggested that Turkish Airlines operations in Banjul cease immediately as a measure to protest against the atrocities committed under the leadership of President Erdogan.

“President Erdoğan, the ball is in your court. The Gambia Action Party demands immediate action to end the suffering of Gambian citizens in Turkey.

“Only then can we truly appreciate any positive contributions made towards the Muslim community,” he added.

Batchilly commended President Erdoğan for standing with Muslim nations, however, he expressed disappointment in the manner in which Gambians in Turkey are treated.

He warned that such actions will not be tolerated and that the Turkish government must act to prevent the rights of every person in Turkey.

The opposition leader further condemned the maltreatment, discrimination, and deportation inflicted upon Gambians, saying “We demand urgent and unyielding action to put an end to this despicable situation.”

“President Erdoğan, your unflinching efforts must extend to ensuring the respect and dignity of all individuals within your country, irrespective of their nationality.

“The inhumane treatment of Gambian citizens in Turkey is a stain on your administration’s record, and it must be rectified immediately,” he lamented.

Mr. Batchilly reiterated his commitment to fighting for the right of every Gambian saying he has high regard for the Turkish president, but he must speak up to ensure Gambians are free from what he describes as inhuman treatment.

“It is time to display true leadership by protecting the rights and well-being of all individuals, not just those from your nation or faith.

“The world is watching, and your failure to act decisively will only further tarnish your reputation on the global stage,” he added.

Batchilly said his party will not rest until the suffering of innocent Gambians is halted, and justice is served.

He warned that any further delay or negligence in addressing these human rights violations will be met with intensified scrutiny and condemnation.

He reminded Turkish authorities that the international community will not tolerate the mistreatment and abuse of innocent individuals, and his party will relentlessly push for justice until this issue is resolved.

“Your leadership will be judged by your actions, and the time to act is now,” he ended.

The Grass that Never Grows

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ESSAY

By: Pa Alhagie Musa Kassama (The New Pen)

The Gambia is one of the smallest countries found west of the Prime Meridian and north of the equator. It has a population that is relatively less than three (3) million, with a huge youthful population whose potentials remain untapped since it regained her political independence from Great Britain on February 18, 1965. Following independence with the ascension of Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara to the throne of presidency, the hopes and aspirations of many Gambians raised exponentially in spite of being labelled as an “improbable nation” because of its limited resources and poor economy. However, Jawara and high-ranking officials of his newly born government stood their ground very firmly and proven beyond the imagination of the global community that ensuring a functioning administration is not only determined by the size of the country but by the demonstrated commitment and vision of its leadership. This was evident during the early days of his government when many had already remained uncertain about the prospects of a new global south nation called Gambia.

Clearly, after ruling the country for almost three decades, Jawara in his blessed memory made a name for himself on the global stage. Several international awards and recognitions for his tremendous contributions and commitment to the protection and preservation of peace and human rights were acknowledged and appreciated by the international community. According to the elders who lived during the first republic, food was in abundance through the intervention and support of the government to farmers to increase domestic production of rice as the staple food of the country. Cost of living was thrice or so less than it is today. People lived a happy and contented life under a man whom many described as peaceful and selfless that ultimately earned him “Kairaba” which means abundance of peace; such that the announcement of his resignation from being the president of the republic was greeted with strong resistance and mixed feelings from the local people. He ruled the country under the guiding principles of democracy, rule of law, and good governance even though some insignificant cases of corruption involving senior members of his administration were reported.

In July 1994, after an abortive putsch of 1981 led by Kukoi Samba Sanyang which left many elderly people with stack memories, a military junta forcibly overthrew a democratically elected government of Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara. Prompted by massive corruption and poor conditions of service, the junta promised to change the status quo and never to return to the barracks despite the constant international pressure for the immediate restoration of constitutional order. From 1994 to December 2016, Gambians were leaving under the iron-fist leadership of a brutal dictator. Extrajudicial killings, forced disappearance, and unlawful arrest and detention took in different shapes in the Gambian politics. To the blinded supporters and sympathizers of the brutal regime, these were misguided allegations to put the reputation of the tyrannical rule under disrepute. It is not lost on me that one must appreciate and acknowledge the whiteness of the teeth of a dog with all its associated undesirable behaviour. Under Jammeh, the Gambia arguably witnessed unprecedented infrastructural development, especially the establishment of the University of the Gambia in 1999. Roads, health centres, and schools were built to improve the quality-of-service delivery. Public security was strengthened, and civil and public servants became more disciplined and considerate of the ethics and standard procedural manuals of the workforce.

However, with instilled fear in many Gambians, a once hardworking young man turned himself into a beast with the unapologetic use of state resources and its security apparatus against his own people. The economy became crumbled as a result of centralized corruption—-living on the sweat of poor suffering Gambians. The seed of the grass that was sown by the preceded government stopped growing. Anger, frustration, and public outcries all fell on deaf ears as we yearned for a transition from the dictatorship to a more liberal society. The lives of vocal and prominent Gambians were under threat forcing many to flee to seek international protection elsewhere. The accumulated experiences of Gambians under a brutal dictator gave impetus to the formation of a coalition of seven registered political parties as the ultimate political strategy to remove Jammeh from power.

Fast forward on December 1, 2016, Gambians of all backgrounds spoke the same language and went to the polls to decide their own fate. Amma Darko is right in her novel” Faceless” that “No seed grows into harvest joys without the planter’s diligent labour and love.” The seed of change was sown on December 01st, and we were waiting to see it grows on the following day Friday, 02nd December 2016. Gambians, both home and abroad, became anxious to know the outcome of the elections, and so was the international community as Jammeh was a hard nut to crack by the Europeans throughout his 22 years of dictatorial rule. No sooner the winner of the hotly contested presidential election was declared than Gambians flooded the streets of the country in a jubilant mood. Initially, he conceded defeat to Adama Barrow in a recorded telephone conversation but as if revelation came to him a few days later, he changed his words and announced on state TV that the results were manipulated; therefore, rejected in totality until we go back to the polls. This unexpected announcement was made in a threatening voice that threw many into a state of despair and confusion. This marked the beginning of a ‘political impasse’ in the country which a significant number of indigenes returning to their origins after years of lost identity. Some foreign nationals lost their lives while seeking refuge with their families in overloaded vehicles. This is not something to be celebrated but to be remembered in the political revolution of the country.

With a three-year term campaign promised, Adama Barrow was entrusted with the remarkable responsibility of running the affairs of Gambians, majority of whom were immersed in renewed hope. However, these hopes for a new Gambia, for a new constitution, and blooming economy, and gainful employment for the youth were dashed. Today, with massive reported cases of corruption, misappropriation of public funds, insecurity, the use of our foreign service as a dumping ground for rejected and unwanted politicians, galloping inflation, daily rising costs of living, etc. have rendered many Gambians despondent. Under the watchful eyes of Barrow, impunity is seen as a normal thing, our institutions turned into profitable family enterprises, leaving the poor at the mercy of God. The Gambia with its small population is ranked one of the highest indebted countries with an under-reported external debt standing at over D99.09 billion, and a significant drop in remittance flow. What could have been the factor other than run-away corruption and mismanagement of public resources? The young and the old have a responsibility to rescue this country from sinking further deep in the coming 2026 presidential election. If nothing is done, the grass will remain stunted and we will only continue languishing in our own misfortunes and complaining to a government that has eyes but cannot see, ears but cannot hear and conscience if any that cannot prick.

—END—-

EXCLUSIVE: Govt plans to construct new stadium in Lamin

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By: Muhammed Lamin Drammeh

The Government of the Gambia, through the Ministry of Youth & Sports, is planning on constructing a new stadium in Lamin, West Coast Region, that will go side by side with the Independence Stadium in Bakau, Youth and Sports Minister, Bakary Y. Badjie, confirmed to The Fatu Network in an exclusive interview.

He said the government has already acquired land in Lamin, in the West Coast Region, as well as got a 30-thousand-capacity stadium design.

“As a government, we have been looking at the option of the possibility of having a second stadium because we have the land, and we have the design. What is left now is the financial aspect of it,” he told TFN.

What is pending now, according to him, is funding to build the stadium. He explained the government is seeking funding to build a new stadium that will complement the Independence Stadium, which is currently under renovation and remodelling.

Badjie, however, said that the government does not currently have the fund to build the stadium but are looking at means to get funds.

“Like I said, 100 million dollars is about 6 billion Gambian dalasis. That is how expensive a stadium is, but we are looking into that; it is just a matter of time, and we are hoping to do it.

“But we don’t expect the government to fund it because the government does not have those kinds of funds. But we are looking at possible ways either through bilateral arrangements or some kinds of arrangements that can make us have a stadium. As a minister of youth and sports, I will want us to have multiple stadiums,” he told TFN.

The Gambia’s only stadium is currently under renovation after it has been deemed unfit to host international games. The 35-thousand-capacity stadium was built in the early 1980s. Since then, the Gambia has not built another stadium.

Youth & Sports minister hoping for temporary stadium approval by CAF if…

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By: Muhammed Lamin Drammeh

The Minister of Youth & Sports, Bakary Y. Badjie has said his ministry has put to CAF field inspector, Muhammed F. Sidat, to grant the Gambia temporary approval to play its home match against Congo in the Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers in September at the Independence Stadium if the football body’s requirements are not met before mid-August, although he stressed that the contractors are working tirelessly to meet the requirements before the CAF deadline.

He confirmed this in an exclusive interview with The Fatu Network yesterday, July 26 at his home in Kanifing Estate.

Mr Badjie explained the commitment on the side of the government to ensure that the stadium is remodelled to the CAF standard but noted that the approval is a decision that can only be made by CAF.

“In our meeting with him (Muhammad F. Sidat), we told him that even if there are certain things that they believe are supposed to be done but are not done, we can go in for a temporal approval to allow the September match to date to be played here, and then we can complete the rest later,” he told TFN.

However, he stressed that the ministry and contractors are tirelessly working harder to make sure that everything is done to fulfil the requirements to host games at home.

“We are working tirelessly to ensure that what is needed to be done is done before their final coming. And hopefully, we will be able to fulfil that,” he remarked.

Badjie further emphasized the commitment of the government of the Gambia towards remodelling the stadium. He explained that the government spending 160 million dalasi on the renovation of the stadium clearly indicates the government’s desire to improve the stadium to host games.

“One thing that is clear is that there is an absolute readiness on the side of the government. If the government is ready to spend 160 million dalasi on the stadium which was not budgeted for, we are committed to improving the stadium and putting it up to standard,” he remarked.

Deportation: Migration activist blames Gambian Government for being ‘careless’ 

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By: Dawda Baldeh

On the deportation of Gambian citizens from Europe, Yahya Sonko, a prominent Gambian migration activist residing in Germany has called out Gambian Government for what he called “careless leadership” over the deportation issue.

Sonko made these remarks in an exclusive interview with The Fatu Network on 15th July 2023.

The migration activist challenged the government to point out a single example of where they made efforts to help address the plight of Gambian migrants facing deportation in the diaspora.

“They are careless. I challenge the government to point out a single example of where they made efforts in addressing the issue of deportation.

Years back, they denied signing the agreement and now is the time they are talking about it. They are sending immigration officials to the EU to help identify Gambians for deportation,” Sonko alleged.

When asked about the possibility of the government revising the said agreement, Sonko wasted no time in saying he is not hopeful.

“The government has betrayed the citizens. Years ago, President Adama Barrow was in Germany in search of greener pastures. He was deported and he never relent.

He tried and went to England where he established himself and then come back home to start a business. No youth will wish to stay in Euro forever. They are here to establish themselves because there is no hope at home,” he told this medium.

Mr. Sonko further explained that he will continue to work with partners in helping Gambians reintegrate into Germany.

He claimed that when the EU imposed a visa ban on the Gambia for not accepting the deportation of the citizens, the government acted swiftly because they [the government] were affected directly.

“They were concerned because they were not given visas to travel to Europe. If you see they are silent about the issues is because none of their families are affected.

The only people affected are the poor families and government is not interested in helping them…,” Sonko added.

The young migrant activist noted that the deportation will further lead to insecurity in the country, citing several murder incidents that were committed by deportees due to mental health problems.

“This deportation will increase the country’s insecurity. We all remember the man who killed his father in Brikama. He was a deportee with mental illness, and the Bakau incident that led to the vandalism of the Bakau police station was also committed by a deportee; just to name but a few,” he mentioned.

From January to date, over one hundred and sixty-five Gambians have been deported back from EU countries particularly Germany; while twenty-five more are expected to arrived in Banjul on 26th July 2023.

University of The Gambia Medical Students Association: Paracetamol

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Pain is the most important symptom, without pain most people would not go to the hospital to see Doctors. No wonder many people turn to Paracetamol/Paracetamol-containing products, like relief tablets when they feel pain or headache. Undoubtedly, it’s one of the most widely used over-the-counter drugs in The Gambia and worldwide at large. Indeed, paracetamol is a very powerful tablet capable of relieving pain within minutes/hours after intake. However, because of its rapid pain-relieving property many people abuse the drug. In this short article, we take a look at how Paracetamol works, how it should be properly used and what are the possible consequences when it is abused.

Paracetamol and How it Works

Paracetamol is used to relieve mild or moderate pain by blocking the release of certain chemicals in your brain that signal the sensation of pain. However, it doesn’t treat the cause of the pain.

Side Effects of Paracetamol

Paracetamol has side effects, but most people don’t experience them. In rare cases, people have had allergic reactions to it. The most concerning side effect, though, is severe liver damage. It usually only happens when you overuse paracetamol. Your liver processes paracetamol and converts it into a different substance. If you take large amounts of paracetamol, your liver produces more of that substance. And when there is too much of it, that substance can damage your liver. However, if you take paracetamol at the recommended dosage, liver damage from the drug is not likely.

How to Prevent Paracetamol Overuse

Paracetamol overuse is more common than you think. That’s because paracetamol is a common ingredient in many different over-the-counter drugs. Keep track of how much paracetamol you take in one day. This can decrease your risk of overuse.

Your paracetamol limit may also be affected by your age or certain lifestyle habits. Severe liver damage is more likely to occur in:

•Adults who take more than 6 tablets in a 24-hour period
•Children who take more than five doses in a 24-hour period
•People who already have liver disease, take other medications that can damage the liver, or drink three or more alcoholic drinks per day, even when they take acetaminophen at the recommended dosage.

Before giving paracetamol to your child, check the package label for instructions. Verify the dosage. The dosage for children is usually in a chart that is based on age and weight. Don’t give paracetamol to a child if the dosage is unclear to you. If your child is younger than 2 years, talk to a doctor before giving them paracetamol. And never give your child paracetamol that is clearly marked for use only in adults.

In conclusion, it’s important to note that most people tolerate this drug well, but we must observe caution to avoid the side effects that may arise from abusing paracetamol, the most dreadful of which is damage to your liver.
Reference: Health Line

For more information, questions/queries or comments contact us on [email protected]
+2203777256

Health committee 2023
Cherno A. Jallow

Former GDC campaign manager joins UDP, describes move as ‘best’ in his political career

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By: Dawda Baldeh

Momodou MC Cham Jr, former campaign manager for the opposition Gambia Democratic Congress (GDC), has joined main opposition United Democratic Party (UDP) after resigning from GDC in March of this year.

Confirming his political defection with The Fatu Network, Mr. Cham described the decision as “the best” in his political career.

Many had predicted that the young politician would join the main opposition due to his attendance and support of UDP programs since he left the GDC party.

“After years of advocating for the development of our nation in the name of democracy, human rights, equity and fairness, I have come to a momentous decision in the next phase of my political career.

After much consultation and reflection, and after considering my conversations with Ousainou A. N. M Darboe, I’m convinced that I’m making the right decision today by pledging my allegiance and full support to the United Democratic Party and committing to its principles and values,” he disclosed.

It could be recalled that, in early March of this year, MC Cham resigned from his party and has since been supporting the UDP, particularly in the recent local government elections.

BAC chairman at loggerheads with youths over selection of council youth rep 

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By: Muhammed Lamin Drammeh

The Chairman of the Brikama Area Council (BAC), Yankuba Darboe, has rejected the councillorship nomination of Baboucarr Sambou, who was nominated by the West Coast Region Youth Committee over supposed ‘fears’ he would oppose his ideas and plans.

According to a source close to the Council, the Chairman is planning to impose another young person, believed to be a United Democratic Party supporter and a leader in their party’s Youth Wing in the position, or the youth risk losing representation in the council.

Yesterday, July 24, several youth leaders in the region expressed their concerns and worries regarding the whole process when a group of young people paid a courtesy call to the chairman’s office and informed him of their plans to organize a youth summer camp.

A youth leader, who requested anonymity, said that Chairman Darboe firmly told them that unless the youths agree with his nomination, the region would not have a youth representative in the Brikama Area Council.

A youth leader present at the meeting in the chairman’s office shared that the chairman is resolute and will not discuss the matter further with the youth leaders.

“After he has failed in his efforts to impose his candidate for us to accept, he angrily went on to say that he doesn’t need any youth rep at the council. He asserted that there is no need to engage him in the subject because he had made up his mind,” an insider revealed to The Fatu Network.

This medium reached out to the chairman of the West Coast Region Youth Committee, Lamin Sanneh for further inquiry and he confirmed that indeed, there is a disagreement between Chairman Yankuba Darboe and the youths of the West Coast over youth representation in the council.

Who Does Yankuba Want As Youth Councilor?

The Fatu Network made several attempts to interview Yankuba Darboe, but as has been the case, he avoided speaking to this medium. However, a source close to him revealed to TFN who Darboe chose and why.

“Darboe has already selected Binta Senghore, the Deputy Youth President of the United Democratic Party. As long as Yankuba is the chairman, he will ensure that UDP members are honest in the opportunity to hold positions in the Council. He made this clear to the West Coast Youth Committee, but they thought it was just a word,” the source revealed to this medium.

Yankuba has reportedly explained that the UDP youth wing, where Binta Senghore is, is an independent group from the UDP regional group.

It is not apparent why Yankuba Darboe rejected the nomination of Baboucarr Sambou. Some claim he does not trust Sambou to support his agenda, while others believe that Sambou is over 35 years old, which supposedly disqualifies him from holding the position. According to a source close to the Chairman’s office, Yankuba prefers a female nominee from the UDP party.

The Fatu Network will continue to make efforts to speak to Yankuba Darboe.

German urges Gambians to unanimously stand against deportation of nationals 

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By: Dawda Baldeh


In the thick of the continuous massive deportation of Gambians from across European countries, Anja, a German citizen residing in Stuttgart, has urged Gambians home and abroad to unanimously stand against deportation.

She described deportation as “inhuman”, saying it has to be stopped as soon as possible.

Anja, who has had family ties to the Gambia for ages told The Fatu Network that her love for the Gambia and its people makes her speak out as the deportation process continues.

“I know and love Gambia and its people. For years I have been trying to support migrants from Gambia in particular, by accompanying them to offices, translating letters, and trying to help and advise them on everyday problems,” she explained.

The German national added that it’s time for concerned citizens from both countries to speak up against deportations.

“I too have lost several friends and acquaintances through deportation,” she added.

Speaking further on the deportation issue, Anja described the agreement Gambia had with the EU as unfavourable, saying it should be reversed as soon as possible.

She added that if the Gambia government is not interested in stopping the deportations, Gambians should protest against it and let it stop like other countries are doing.

“A group of great people, Germans and Gambians, are trying to organize demonstrations and information events, to wake people up, to stand up and fight for their rights.

Deportations are inhumane and must stop. Politics on both sides must be involved. Solutions have to be found,” she mentioned.

Expressing her concerns about the ongoing deportation of Gambian citizens from the EU particularly Germany, Anja said they want to work together with the people in Gambia so that their voices can finally be heard, because…

“Whoever fights can lose, whoever doesn’t fight has already lost…,” she emphasized.

However, Anja expressed disappointment over how some Gambians are silenced about the massive deportation of their citizens.

“We do organize protests against the deportation of Gambians but only a few will turn up which is also disappointing…,” she noted.

Gambian government reiterates concern over missing boat carrying 200 migrants

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By: Dawda Baldeh

Dr. Mamadou Tangara, Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Gambians Abroad, has said the Gambian Government is still concerned about a missing boat carrying two hundred migrants, including thirty-nine Gambians, that left the shores of Gunjur on 8th November 2021.

Minister Tangara made these remarks on Monday 24th July 2023 at the Ministry’s press briefing regarding deportation of Gambians into the country.

“An unfortunate situation that is still a worry to this Ministry and government is the missing boat that left the shores of Gunjur on 8th November 2021.

The boat carrying two hundred migrants, including thirty-nine from Gunjur, left the shores of Gunjur into the Mediterranean Sea for Europe,” he explained.

He told journalists that the whereabouts of those migrants cannot be established still.

“When the information came to the attention of the Foreign Ministry, we engaged our Missions in Mauritania, Morrocco, Spain, the International Committee of the Red Cross, and the Spanish Border Guards on a search mission. But, until today, their trace could not be found,” Dr. Tangara said.

The Foreign Minister revealed that his ministry has been engaging with the community of Gunjur which claims the migrants were intercepted in Mauritania.

“In December 2022, The Ministry facilitated and escorted three youths from Gunjur to Mauritania on a fact-finding mission where all the prisons and immigration detention centers were visited but none of the missing migrants could be found,” he told journalists.

The Gambian diplomat reiterated that they have developed a coherent policy for managing irregular migration as enshrined in the National Migration Policy (2020-2030).

“It is the government’s responsibility to discourage the youths from embarking on irregular journeys to Europe,” he stated.

On the deportations that have raised eyebrows of many Gambians, Tangara reiterated that the government has not and will not arrange or facilitate the return of anyone without due process.

“We have no interest in facilitating the return of our nationals from Europe considering the support given to their families through remittance,” he claimed.

He further claimed that comprehensive and mutually beneficial partnerships on migration with the European Union and member states are underway.

The Foreign Affairs head added that they have been engaging the European Union to consider the plight of Gambians that are currently within the EU Jurisdiction and have been law-abiding to be considered for integration.

He said the cabinet has met over the matter and the government will soon negotiate with the Federal Republic of Germany bilaterally to explore the new law on residence permits that came into effect on 1st January 2023.

This law is expected to allow migrants who have already lived in Germany for at least five years by 31st October 2022, to apply for a temporary German residence permit, according to Tangara.

“This temporary permit will allow holders time (18 months) to further regularize their statuses whilst in Germany, to become holders of the “regular” German residence permit,” he explained.

Additionally, he said Gambian migrants in Germany are qualified for a residence permit under these new arrangements.

“Some have already been successful in obtaining permits after applying under the new system. The requirements include having committed no crime and acquiring proficiency in the German Language,” he concluded.

 

Gambia Law School student publishes book on regulation of Traditional Medicine

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By News Desk

Professor Raphael Nyarkotey Obu, a renowned Ghanaian Naturopathic Professor, who is currently studying for the Barrister at Law course at the Gambia Law School, has published a groundbreaking book titled “Regulatory Framework of Traditional and Alternative Medicine in the Gambia.”

The book investigates the constitutional and other statutory provisions on traditional medicines in the Gambia and their recognitions. The author reviewed several legal documents in the Gambia to evaluate their justifications for traditional and complementary medicine recognition and the need for legislation.

The author reasoned that the Constitution of the Gambia recognizes the customs of the people as part of the laws. The Evidence Act 1994 of the Gambia further notes that custom is admissible in evidence. Hence, traditional medicine is part of the customs of the people of the Gambia, and thus they need to be accorded the needed recognition in the healthcare system. Besides, a profession that is not regulated poses a danger to public health.

The author further emphasizes that if the customs of the people are recognized by the Constitution and the Evidence Act, then, the trade or businesses of the people are also recognized. It is therefore prudent for the medical business of traditional medicine to be given full recognition in healthcare to improve the lives of the people.

Hence, in this book, the author justifies the need for legislation on Traditional, Complementary, and integrative Medicines Practices in the Gambia. The book is structured into six chapters with an interesting regulatory framework discussed with 111 pages and published by Generis Publishing, Republic of Moldova. The book is currently being sold for 37.99 € on the online platform Liberoterra and is edited by Anna Rothman.

Prof. Nyarkotey has been pushing for better healthcare for all in the Gambia with traditional and complementary medicine legislation.

The author has other two books yet to be published in the course of his legal education at the Gambia Law School. He has also published 10 scholarly papers as a student of the law in the Gambia.  The book was dedicated to the National Traditional Healers Association of The Gambia (TRAHASS). He was recently honoured for his tremendous contributions to the traditional healthcare industry in the Gambia with “The Trailblazer & Father of Modern Naturopathy Development Award in the Gambia.”

Africa loses more than $10.7B annually from tobacco smoking – WHO Health Promotion

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By: Dawda Baldeh

Mamadou Gassama, WHO Health Promotion Officer, has revealed that the African continent is losing about 10.7 billion dollars annually due to tobacco use while spending more than 10.4 billion on tobacco cultivation.

Mr. Gassama made these revelations at a day-long orientation for journalists organized by RAID The Gambia in partnership with the World Health Organization (WHO), and the Ministry of Health on the implementation of the 2016 Tobacco Control Act which aimed at eliminating the use of tobacco products in the country.

The objective was to build the capacity of journalists on Tobacco Control Activities in the Gambia such as prevalence, rate, health and economic implications and the government response towards tobacco control.

Speaking at the opening of the event, Mr. Gassama outlined the negative effects of tobacco use and how it has become a leading global health threat killing more than other diseases.

He told journalists that about 57 million deaths are registered of all cases, and from that 41 million are due to non-communicable diseases.

“Tobacco alone kills 8 million people of which 7 million die as a result of direct use of tobacco while 1.2 million died as a result of secondhand smoke,” he revealed.

“Africa is spending 10.4 billion dollars on yearly bases and it loses about 10.7 billion as a result of tobacco use. There is nothing that we are gaining from tobacco.

“We are losing our loved ones as a result of tobacco and the world is losing about 22 billion tons of water as a result of cultivating tobacco which is an environmental hazard,” Gassama added.

Mr. Gassama revealed that 80 billions of carbon dioxide are being released into the air due to tobacco smoke, which is increasing global warming, adding that the world also loses about 22 billion tons of water due to cultivating tobacco.

Tobacco which is categorized as a non-communicable disease has been ranked as the world’s biggest problem that causes cardiovascular diseases, and infertility in both men and women among other diseases.

“NCD kills about 77% annually and there is no safe level of tobacco smoke. Tobacco is deadly. About 1.3 billion smokers are registered in the world and the majority are young people. The world is losing 1.4 trillion dollars because of tobacco use annually,” he explained.

Sambujang Conteh, the Executive Director of RAID, outlined some of the activities they have been engaging in since inception.

Mr. Conteh told journalists that they have been advocating the elimination of tobacco, implementation of the laws that prohibit public smoking, and awareness campaigns towards the fight against tobacco.

“This engagement is important because you are key partners for us to achieve our goals in eliminating tobacco use which is deadly. You can help to spread the message so that people can be aware of the risk they are exposed to by smoking.

We have participated in the process of drafting the tobacco control act 2016 which was accepted by President Yahya Jammeh,” he said.

Muhammed S. Bah, the President of the Gambia Press Union (GPU), thanked RAID the Gambia, WHO and the Ministry of Health for involving journalists towards the elimination of tobacco used in the Gambia.

“Media is not about reporting on speeches, it goes beyond that. The information and analysis shared by the experts are facts and not just mere political statements. I urged you all to take the task and report on these issues because it is a global threat,” he said.

MS. Bah further called on journalists to help in spreading awareness to the public in making sure that the risk of tobacco is well communicated.

The GPU president further recommended continuously partnering with the media to create more awareness of tobacco use. Bah, also called on RAID the Gambia, WHO and the government to help simplify the laws and translate them into the local languages for people to easily understand them.

Omar Badjie, NCD Program Manager & National Focal Person for Tobacco Control said the dangers of tobacco smoke are beyond imagination and has devastating effects on people.

“Smoking damages tissues throughout the body, clogs arteries cause blood clots/bleeding. Inhalation of smoke from tobacco products increases the risk of asthma attacks, risk of respiratory infection among others,” he said.

Different speakers buttress the need for the elimination of tobacco use in the country as the WHO warned that in a few years, tobacco smoke will be a leading cause of death in the world and countries globally are doing all it takes to eliminate the use of tobacco.

Senegambia bridge recycling: benefit, drawback & misconception

By: Foday Joof, PhD student, Eastern Mediterranean University, Cyprus

Introduction:

The Gambia government embraced the Asset Recycling (AR) scheme of Africa50, an infrastructural investment platform established by 33 African governments, the Africa Development Bank, the Central Bank of West African States and Bank Al-Maghrib. The deal entails a $100 million for the recycling of the famous Senegambia Bridge for a period of 25 years or a 15% return on investment.  Proponents argue that the deal offers significant benefits, such as reducing government debt, stimulating economic growth, and improving the quality of essential services. However, it is crucial to acknowledge that asset recycling is not without its share of misconceptions, risks and concerns. In this blog, we will delve into its potential advantages, and critically evaluate the perceived risks and misconceptions, and forward drawbacks associated with this approach.

Establishing the Context:

Governments worldwide are still grappling with high levels of public debt, including The Gambia. The Gambia’s public debt as of December 2022 stood at a staggering level of 81.95% of GDP or GMD 99.03 billion. Thus, further increasing the debt is not a viable option for The Gambia. Primary it will further downgrade the country’s sovereign credit ratings, leading to high-risk premiums which may augment the cost of borrowing. Furthermore, shifts in demographic dynamics (rising healthcare expenses and national/state pension costs) puts more strains on the government’s budget. At the same time, increasing taxes to fund the construction of new infrastructural projects is the least attractive option for the public, leaving The Gambia confined to alternative sources to finance new infrastructure. Raising taxes to fund infrastructure can also be the least attractive option for many countries and their citizens, this leaves Governments with few options left to find alternative sources of funding.

The only Option: asset recycling

Is AR the alternative to resolve the infrastructure adversity in The Gambia? This phenomenon involves two steps. Firstly, governments monetize existing infrastructure by leasing it to institutional investors seeking long-term stable returns. Secondly, the proceeds generated from the lease of the asset are reinvested in new infrastructure to meet the demand of the public. The newly built infrastructure may also be recycled built assets in future, thus accelerating infrastructure projects. The monetizable infrastructure includes (bridges, toll roads, airports, transit systems, power generation and grids).

AR on the Senegambia Bridge may offer the following benefits

  • Reduce debt: AR can help the government of The Gambia to avoid high public debt and continuous tax increments to meet infrastructural needs.
  • Dual benefit: The public will retain access and benefit from the Senegambia Bridge, but also may have additional benefits provided by the $100 million proceeds from Senegambia Bridge (if reinvested in new and/or improved infrastructure).
  • Upfront capital: The AR offers an opportunity for the government to receive upfront capital of $100 from the Africa50 in lieu of future cash flows from the Senegambia Bridge.
  • 12.5% shares will be received by the government from the project
  • Risk transfer: it allows long-term risk transfer and benefits from private sector efficiencies in asset management.

However, the AR is not without risks, taking into account the duration (25 years). Committing to long-term contracts with private investors may constrain the government’s flexibility in responding to future needs or changes in policy priorities. Furthermore, there is a risk that the proceeds generated from the lease of existing assets may not be sufficient to finance new infrastructure projects or use in recurrent expenditures, leading to budget shortfalls and funding gaps. Furthermore, if the public perceives the AR negatively, it may damage the reputation of the government or private entities involved.

Did the government get it wrong?

The research conducted by World Economic Forum (weforum.org) in collaboration with Atkins Acuity titled “Recycling our Infrastructure for Future Generations”, identified nine principles for implementing an infrastructure AR scheme. Were these principles taken into account prior to the asset AR?  

Principle 1: Assessing and answering the needs for new infrastructure

Clear infrastructural investment programs should be published by the government entailing the list of projects. This process involves examining the conditions and capacity of the existing infrastructure, along with factors driving future demand (population growth and urbanization).

Principle two: Adopting a system-wide perspective on infrastructure planning and delivery

The government need to enhance its own planning, delivery, and long-term accountability capabilities. In addition, to attract appropriate investors and specialized infrastructure expertise to deregulated sectors, standardized and transparent bidding processes and contracts should be employed. These contracts should incorporate adequate safeguards, such as service level and price agreements, to ensure fair and reliable operations.

Principle three: Directing capital towards prioritized infrastructure

The government must establish an autonomous infrastructural agency and an infrastructural trust fund to ensure transparency in collection and allocation to ensure that the $100 million from the Senegambia Bridge is invested into new infrastructural needs. The designed institution must possess the resilience to withstand any form of political challenges that may arise.

Public Buy-In:

The government failed in one of the most important elements of an AR, which is the public buy-in (the willingness of the public to accept private investment and management of infrastructure). The government should have initiated public-private dialogues prior to launching the AR program. This dialogue is vital to ensure strong public buy-in and it provides a guarantee that proceeds will be invested in new infrastructure for the benefit of the public.

Misconception about asset recycling

AR is not without its share of misconceptions and this has impeded its level of development as a viable option for infrastructural funding.

  • Did the government privatize or mortgage the Senegambia Bridge?

Privatization is the selling of an asset to the private sector, whereas AR involves two steps: (i) Monetising an existing asset and (ii) Reinvesting the proceeds into a new asset. For the case of the Senegambia Bridge, the lease is for a period of 25 years and an upfront capital of $100 million after which the bridge is returned to the government.

  • Did the government use the Senegambia Bridge as a financing mechanism?

The government use the AR as a funding mechanism instead of financing because the $100 million from the Senegambia Bridge AR will not increase the public debt and do not come with any conditions attached to loans.

  • Will AR decrease government revenues?

When the government entered into the AR deal, it does not forgo the future cash flows from the Senegambia Bridge; rather it receives upfront the present value of the future revenue streams of $100 million that would have been generated by that asset. Thus, the government must reinvest the proceeds; because it may no longer receive future cash flow from the asset. However, even if the government reinvest the proceeds into social infrastructure, the tax revenue generated from the development of this infrastructure, along with the cash flow from ancillary services, can create a virtuous circle of financial benefits.

  • Is asset recycling a gift to the private sector?

How does it benefit the public? If the $100 million generated from the Senegambia Bridge is re-invested in new infrastructural projects, citizens will retain assess and benefit from both assets.

The way forward

Infrastructure is an integral part of economic development; however, there is no comforting prospect to bridge the infrastructural gap. Thus, rethinking the various options is of the essence, and AR is a viable mechanism that we can leverage to scale up infrastructural development. However, the government of The Gambia should reconsider the following: Assessing and answering the needs for new infrastructure and setting a clear infrastructural investment program entailing the list of projects. Adopt a system-wide perspective on infrastructure planning and delivery by employing a standardized and transparent bidding process in the Senegambia Bridge AR deal. Direct capital towards prioritized infrastructure. Establish an autonomous infrastructural agency and an infrastructural trust fund to ensure transparency in the collection and allocation of proceeds into the construction of a new asset. Ensure public buy-in via frequent public-private dialogues prior to launching an AR program. Although the government might not have implemented some of the principles of asset recycling, however considering the staggering debt levels of the country AR is a more viable option to a loan.

 

 

More than 200 Gambian migrants to return home from Tunisia & Libya

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A press release from Gambia’s Foreign Affairs Ministry indicates that over 200 Gambian migrants are set to return to the country following interventions by the Gambian government and partners.

“Following the unfortunate development concerning the situation of Gambian migrants in Tunisia, The Gambia Government wishes to update the public that it has deployed two officials of its Embassy in Rabat, Kingdom of Morocco to the Tunisia-Algeria border to provide consular services to the stranded citizens.

With the instruction of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation & Gambians Abroad, the deployed team is closely working with the International Organization for Migration’s (IOM) Country Office in Tunisia on the evacuation of the affected Gambians,” the press release explains.

The release discloses that: “So far, fourteen (14) Gambians have been identified, provided with hotel accommodation in Tunis and issued emergency travel documents for eventual repatriation to The Gambia by the 27th of July, 2023.  Furthermore, twenty-seven (27) Gambians in Mednine, and five (5) in Zarzis have been processed by the Embassy’s staff and will be joining the flight on the 27th of July 2023 to reunite with their families”.

For those coming from Libya, the Foreign Affairs Ministry confirms that: “165 Gambians in Libya are voluntarily returning home through the collaborative efforts of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, IOM, and the Gambian Association in Tripoli. The evacuation flight of the voluntary returnees is expected at the Banjul International Airport on Wednesday 26th July, 2023.”

The Ministry assures that it will continue to monitor developments concerning Gambian migrants in Tunisia, Libya, Algeria, and Niger.

 

Musa Jeng – We are not interested in sending honest representation to the people’s house

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Popular Gambian analyst, Musa Jeng, has reacted to comments on National Assembly Members (NAMs) acquiring brand new vehicles.

Jeng said such reactions are hypocritical as most of those condemning the assembly members would have acted the same way. He added that Gambians are not interested in electing to parliament people with honesty and integrity but rather corrupt individuals that lack the necessary skills to represent them in parliament.

“This is nothing more than hypocrisy 101; in fact, most of us are just like the NAMS and would have acted the same way. We voted for these NAMS, and if elections were to be held tomorrow, most of them would be sent back to the Assembly. Bu len nyu sonal. We are not interested in sending honest representation to the people’s house. We like to send people that are just like us: corrupt, no integrity and lack the necessary skills to be a law maker,” analyst Jeng explains.

He named former lawmakers whom he said would not have been part of acquiring the vehicles; but reiterated that many Gambians don’t prefer such representation.

“Reading DA Jawo’s piece this morning, highlighting that if Halifa Sallah,  Sedia Jatta and Ousman Sillah were in the Assembly, it is certain that they would not be part of this scandal. Interestingly, there is not a single Gambian who doesn’t know that. But, we are not interested in that kind of representation. We would like people like us, lack integrity, serious character flaw and not even have the capacity or competence as law makers. We all have our own rationalization why we voted for these folks, but clearly character, competence and ultimately the interest of the Gambian people were not the criteria used when we had to make a choice,” he narrated.

Jeng went further to question the electoral choice of the people of Wuli rejecting Sedia Jatta for someone he called “that fellow” and also the people of Banjul North voting against Ousman Sillah whom he said had always been in the Assembly working for in the interest of the people of Banjul North.

He noted that the decision making for representation in the country is still driven by “patronage, party affiliation, ethnicity, and less on finding the best representation”.

“To borrow from Alh Saidy Barrow, “dictator is us”, I would say our problem is us. And again, hiding behind political awareness or lack thereof has nothing to do with it. Vote for the right representation and we will not be dealing with these kind of problems,” Jeng concluded.

Former Gambian Ambassador in UAE testifies before NA Public Petitions Committee

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By: Dawda Baldeh

Fansu Bojang, the former Gambian ambassador to the United Arab Emirate (UAE), who is now the Director General of the Gambia Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) appeared before the National Assembly Public Petitions Commission yesterday 19th July 2023 to respond to a petition that was filed to his office in 2020 by a group of Gambians who claimed to have been representing stranded Gambians in the UAE during the peak of the coronavirus pandemic.

Speaking before the committee led by the Honourable Suwaibou Touray of the Wuli East Constituency, Mr. Bojang said his office had done all it took to help repatriate Gambians who were stranded in the UAE and wanted to return.

The petition was filed by a group of individuals namely, Mansour Faye, Muhammed Kijera, Kinta Kinteh, Ousman Jallow, Assan Jallow, Omar Manneh, Demba Badjie and Delam Yuri Bah.

Mr. Bojang told the committee that the said petition was made at a time when the government of the UAE was dealing with the whole world to facilitate the return of people to their respective countries.

“Our case was a different one because we were asking for support at a time when there was panic and wanted to return to their countries.

“Things weren’t fast because we can only send emails and make calls for follow-up because everyone was working from home,” he said while responding to questions on what led to the delay in repatriating Gambians from the UAE.

He told the committee that his office came to be aware of a petition after they saw a reporter presenting a claim online in front of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Banjul claiming to be representing a group of Gambians stranded in the UAE.

“The ministry contacted us and on the 10th of June 2020 we received the letter from the said group address to the embassy, but it was more of seeking support than complaint,” he said.

The committee chairperson told the witness that the petition was written to the National Assembly to look into complaints of the Gambians in the UAE who were seeking assistance from the embassy.

“Before the petition, the embassy had already written to the UAE authorities for support at the height of the pandemic to help transport Gambians that were caught up by the pandemic and wanted to return.

Flights were suspended commercially. Citizens from all over the world wanted to leave the UAE but it was difficult. About 80% of the UAE are all foreigners. Their population is little over nine million people and the citizens are less than a million,” he added.

The witness told the committee that even states that had their national flights were charging their citizens repatriated at an exorbitant price.

“Gambia was not part of those countries that had their national flights. We depended on support to help the citizens return.

We approached the UAE government for assistance, and they asked us to collect details of our citizens who want to return.

We created a platform and invited the association representing the Gambian community in the UAE and discussed it with them.

Every detail was shared on the platform, so people don’t need to make formal arrangements to meet the embassy. They can channel their concerns using the platform and the embassy will pick it from there,” Bojang explained.

According to him, only 58 people submitted their passports who wanted to return at the time but before they could secure air tickets for them, only 9 ended up showing interest to return who were given the tickets with support from the UAE authorities.

He noted that flights were very expensive and looking at the situation of some of the citizens they could not pay for it.

“This group of people claiming to have been representing Gambians in the UAE is not known to us. Only one name in their signatory is familiar (Mansour Faye) whose name was in the list of those who first submitted their names to return,” he told the committee.

Despite denying knowing the group, Bojang admitted that they have the right to be represented by the embassy but noted that it happened at a time when the office had engaged the UAE authorities in a process that took them about five to six months for the stranded Gambians to be repatriated.

Mr. Bojang told the committee that his office has been doing all it takes to bring Gambians in the UAE together for familiarization by holding a national day celebration together and hosting a religious feast with the Gambian community.

“We do organize a football tournament for the Gambians in the UAE and after the tournament, we hold formal discussions. The association was publicized enough for every Gambian that has the interest to register with the embassy and have had the opportunity to know about it,” he explained.

Ferry-Go-Around

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OPINION

By: Momodou Ndow

In August of 2021, GFS (Gambia Ferry Service) announced plans to spend 30 million euros for the refurbishment of the ferries.

“The ferry management has signed a business deal with a Schottel, Germany Company. It (GFS) has ordered three new caterpillar marine engines worth €11.9 million for the Johe and Kunta Kinteh ferries; two schottel pump jets worth €11.2 million for the Johe Ferry and two new rudder propellers worth €7.4 million for Kanilai Ferry.”

In January of last year, I wrote an article after doing a little research to show how many new ferries 30 million euros can buy us. It turned out to be five. Why refurbish old junk when you can get something new and fresh with a better capacity?

GFS responded defensively a few days later. They claimed that the journalist had made a mistake and that the amount was in Dalasis rather than in euros. I guess nobody at GFS paid attention to the news about them spending 30 million euros instead of Dalasis till I wrote my article five months later. Such boloney!

In any case, let’s just go with GFS’s claim of spending D30 million instead of €30 million. The ferries were refurbished last year, but they are now junk again in such a short period of time, despite the D30 million spent on refurbishment. That’s basically the case here. Either GFS lied about its expenses, or it got ripped off by the German company with which it signed the deal.

Accounting to Yaya Menteng, a member of parliament, he was stuck in one of the ferries for five hours. He was fearful of drowning and was frantically looking around for a rescue team. Belie Yaya mor huta rek! A few hours later, the ferry sent to rescue them was also stuck. Chei! So, 30 million Dalasis howma 30 million Euros bi yepp dafa menteng meless nee rek? Paski the ferries are still junk morm!

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