There is no doubt that if Mayor Talib Bensouda had failed woefully they would have associated this failure with the party, as UDP is still being blamed for Barrow’s presidency. Now that Talib Bensouda exceptionally performed in his first tenure, they want to reduce this to his personal contribution without mentioning the party that nominated him in the first place.
Why is it difficult to consider the successful delivery of Talib Bensouda as a true reflection of his party’s commitment to serving the people? In fact, all the UDP mayors and chairmen did well in their first term. What is being said about Talib Bensouda in terms of his delivery is true in the cases of Rohey Malick Low, Landing Sanneh, Modou Lamin Bojang, and Foday Danso. This explains why both Rohey and Landing were re-elected while both Foday and Bojang were defeated thanks to tribal politics in URR and NBR. No wonder Mr Bojang’s contender in the Kerewan Area Council Papa Tunkara attested to the performance and moral competence of Mr Bojang on King FM.
Thus, the first tenure of these UDP mayors and chairmen was marked with decency, moral competence, professionalism, development and commitment, unlike the NPP-backed chairman of Brikama Area Council, Mr Sonko, who has set a record of moral incompetency as a chairman.
Is it a coincidence that these UDP mayors and chairmen delivered to the expectations of their people? Why can’t the credit be given to the party instead of one particular individual? Are you suggesting that these mayors and chairmen operated in isolation of the policy guidance of UDP?
By the way, UDP has the opportunity to turn all these councils into political bureaus and to use their revenues for the party’s political activities as by APRC before them. Since such things never happened, UDP should be given credit for changing the operations of local councils.
Anyone who closely monitors the performance of UDP MPs would find that they are exceptional in that legislative chamber. Without their resilience and firmness, Barrow would have turned this country into another failed state.
Therefore, the performance of Talib Bensouda and others cannot be imagined in isolation of UDP, as in the case of UDP MPs.
Thus, instead of suggesting that Talib Bensouda should be the flag bearer of UDP, you recommend that UDP present someone who has a similar interest like Talib to take the country forward. However, insisting on Talib only suggests more than what you people are actually stating.
If anyone wants to join UDP or to vote for the party’s candidate in the next presidential elections, his or her decision should not be conditioned to the candidature of a particular person, as if no one in the party can equal that particular person. More surprisingly, such a suggestion is coming from people who label UDP with all negative names.
If we want this country to move, we have to be honest with ourselves. Unnecessary hatred of a party member who sacrificed and continues to sacrifice everything for the salvation of the country would only benefit those who are only interested to divide us along tribal lines and to loot the scanty resources of the country for their own enrichment, while we will continue to suffer under their watch.
Delivering the closing remarks of a four-day International Conference of the ECOWAS Court of Justice yesterday 25th May 2023 in Banjul, Justice Edward Amoako Asante, President of the ECOWAS Court of Justice commended Gambia for appointing the Minister of Justice Dawda A. Jallow as the country’s authority for the enforcement of the judgment of the court.
Justice Asante revealed that less than 30% of the member states comply with the judgment of the court, which according to him is not encouraging.
“We were here in March to discuss the conference and they (the Gambian government) promised to appoint their authority. Today, I’m happy that I received the authorization from the president of the Gambia appointing Hon. Dawda A. Jallow as their competent authority for the enforcement of the judgment of the court,” he said.
According to the ECOWAS president, the 30% complaint of member states is not encouraging and is capable of eroding public confidence in the court.
He mentioned that six out of the fifteen member states namely Benin, Cape Verde, Guinea Bissau, Niger, and Sierra Leone are yet to appoint their competent authorities for the enforcement of the judgment of the court.
“We have written to all these countries to their national offices, attorney generals and chief justices to discuss with their presidents that in line with the ECOWAS protocols, their countries have to appoint the authorities whether they will have the weapons to enforce the judgment or not,” he emphasized.
Justice Asante urged the member states to domesticate their ECOWAS revised treaty and protocol on the court in order to create the enabling legal environment for the enforcement of the judgment of the court by the national courts of the member states.
He told the gathering that there is an urgent need for them to review and strengthen the judgment, and enforcement mechanism of the court.
“We recognize that the most important element is the political will and good faith of member states to comply with the judgment of the court. I thank all and sundry of member states for making this conference a success,” he added.
Dawda A. Jallow, the Gambia’s Attorney General and Minister of Justice, said the theme of the conference which is “ECOWAS Zero Tolerance for Unconstitutional Change of Government” has been deeply explored, honestly debated and thoughtfully analysed.
The Gambia Justice minister added that they have delved into the complexity of constitutional adherence, the challenges of maintaining democratic order and the solution that paves the way to the shared goals.
“West Africa is firmly rooted in Democracy, the rule of law and respect for the constitution. The conference has not only enriched our understanding of these issues but has also strengthened our resolve to fortify our democratic values and institutions.
We have collectively demonstrated the power of collaboration on dialogue and mutual respect towards the pursuit of our common aspiration of our sub-region,” he said.
Minister Jallow expressed the country’s gratitude to the members of the ECOWAS Court of Justice for hosting the conference.
Jallow said hosting the conference has further given Gambia a unique advantage to re-enforcing conviction that strong democracies are built upon the strength of cooperation and shared insights.
Jallow further told his colleagues in the ECOWAS Court of Justice that the Gambia is willing to host such a conference shortly.
From a terrific and historic Africa Under 20 Cup of Nations in Egypt to qualifying the Young Scorpions to the FIFA U20 World Cup round of 16 with a game left to play in the group stages, The Gambia National U20 tactician, Abdoulie Bojang said they want to write their names into the history books of the Gambia as they set sight on delivering the country’s best appearance in the FIFA World Cup in Argentina, looking nothing further than winning the trophy.
After what could be described as a stunning performance against pre-tournament favourites France in a 2-1 win, Abdoulie Bojang outlined they are taking it game by game but hinted that he and the whole team are looking to carve their names into the annals of Gambian football history.
He said there is no other target now after booking a place in the round 16 except winning the competition.
“We also want to write our names in the history book of the Gambia; this is always what we focus on. As I always say, we keep taking [it] game by game. That’s the most important thing, but we always have a target.
“In the WAFU, we wanted to qualify for the AFCON, and in the AFCON, we wanted to qualify for the World Cup, which we archived. I told them that this time, there is no other achievement that we can work on, but only to go for the trophy. But, let’s start it game by game,” Bojang told the press after the victory over France.
This is the second time the Gambia U20 is participating in the global competition, and just with two games less than the 2007 team in the World Cup in Canada, Abdoulie Bojang and his array of stars equalled the country’s record goals (4) in the competition and booked a place in the round of sixteen with a game left to play in their group. Thus, this array of stars is the first group of players to proceed to the next stage of the FIFA World Cup just after two matches.
An own goal in the thirteenth minute and a fabulous strike by Mamin Sanyang in the second half was all the Young Scorpions needed to inflict pain on France and eventually secure a place in the round 16 of the competition. This came following a 2-1 triumph over Honduras in the opening game.
Coach Abdoulie Bojang exalted his array of youngsters for the incredible performance in the two games. He outlined that the first two games have always been exceedingly significant for them.
The last time the Gambia U20 participated in the World Cup was in the 2007 edition in Canada. The Young Scorpions, led by Ousman Jallow, were booted out of the competition in the round of 16. They played four games and scored four goals, and only
managed to qualify after the last group game.
However, after 16 years of absence, Bojang returned the country to the competition. Just in two games, his boys produced four goals, two in each game, equaling the 2007 generation.
Prolific 18-year-old goal poacher, Adama Bojang is just a goal away from establishing another national record. If he scores again in the competition, he will be the country’s top scorer in the FIFA U20 World Cup. Already, he is the only and first-ever Gambian player to have scored a hat trick in a CAF continent competition.
If I write to you about the current situation of our country, will you read? If I speak to you about the direction our nation is heading, will you listen? If I tell you what our people are going through, will it soften your heart? If I tell you about the pains and sufferings of my people, your people and our people, will it be enough for you to do something?
Greetings from this nobody who voted you into office from where it all began – at a time when we knew so little. We could not see beyond salvation from tyranny, bigotry, tribalism, dictatorship, torture, and extra-judicial incarcerations and killings. We went to the polls and entrusted you with our nation because we had little a choice but to trust you despite how little we knew you. We looked up to you and hailed you as our messiah. You gave us your word that you were just going to be a transitional president; you told us the three years was what you would stick to, but little did we know you would never be better than your words. You took our power and use it against us; you chose the Constitution instead of your moral duty to keep the promise you made to us. Despite all that, we remained calm and supported you to complete the term. After five years of struggle, we put you back in office because of circumstances beyond the control of most electorates. We sat hoping to see the trend change, but unfortunately, it kept escalating.
Let us face it now; Mr. President, your silence is killing; your inaction is unconstitutional, and [the way] you handle the suffering of innocent Gambians. Gambia has become a country where the cost of living is penetrating the skies. Imagine waking up one morning and discovering that the prices of bread, rice, oil and other basic food items have sky-rocketed by over 40%. Imagine waking up one morning and finding out that your transportation cost spiked by over 100%. Imagine waking up one morning and your landlord tells you from the distance, “hey! I have doubled the rent of this house. If you cannot afford it, you look for somewhere else?” As a father, who is employed by your government on wages that can barely get him food for a month, he must meet his professional obligation of reporting to work even if it takes spending 50% of his embarrassing salary on transport, he struggles to feed, shelter and school his children while the tax he pays is used to pay you handsomely, clothe you elegantly, feed you nutritiously, protect you highly, house you heavenly, and school your children lavishly. The same system that is supposed to be regulated by your constitutional orders and powers is affecting his mental health badly, taking away his happiness completely, frustrating him uncontrollably, depressing him deeply and killing him slowly. He would have no choice but to beg or worship people just to survive. If that fails, he will inevitably steal from us as a nation just to make a living. Hence, corruption and bribery become institutionalized. If no one is informing you rightly, Mr. President, I am doing it for absolutely free.
Moving to the road traffic accidents causing countless untimely tragic deaths of people, it saddens me to know that almost every week a person suffers, in The Gambia, from road traffic accidents. The last time I checked the literature, it was indicated that the Gambia’s roads are safer than that of only seven out of the 195 countries in the world today. Mathematically, this means that approximately 96% per cent of the world’s population is safer using roads than Gambians are. A lot of manly men and industrious women lost their lives, and their only crime was using our roads. Your Excellency, this is another urgent matter that needs timely intervention to flatten the curves on the statistical graphs of this undesired data.
Your Excellency, the current state of our nation, is affecting our productivity. High attrition rate: all the talented young people of this beloved nation are moving abroad to use their knowledge and skills for better pay and enhanced conditions of living for themselves and their families. This emanates from the lack of hope for meaningful employment opportunities with above-average job satisfaction. As a result of the poor quality of life, the number of senior citizens developing hypertension is escalating; and the figures of working group people that die preventable deaths are alarming. These effects put further pressure on our health system and depress our economy. Your Excellency, your effective intervention, will serve as a beacon of hope for our beloved nation, The Gambia.
Your Excellency, I do not intend to disrespect you even though writing to a person in power about serious national concerns in this country is considered disrespectful, what I want us to achieve together is a better Gambia- a Gambia where the government governs the people, and not a few groups of business owners ruling and exploiting the masses; a Gambia with not just a constitution, but enforcement of the law; a Gambia with price control, rent regulation and traffic monitoring; a system that will make you leave a legacy, rather than a miserable history. Therefore, I am your well-wisher.
Your Excellency, the situation is becoming increasingly unbearable, and the opinion of the public is swaying fast from your direction. I understand you are a peaceful person, but if your definition of peace is to leave every citizen to do as he or she pleases, then there is a fundamental problem. Therefore, it is time to put a stop to the looming household ‘foodlessness’, national ‘youthlessness’ and societal ‘houselessness’. These devastating situations, if not mitigated, have the potential to break people, rob them of their sanity and patience, kill their hearts of humanity, and reform them into ruthless revolutionary movements that no power in the world can tame. Your Excellency, prevention is better than cure. I wish these words do not run down the drain. Long live!
Ebrima Nyang, administrative secretary (1) of the opposition Gambia Democratic Congress (GDC) has claimed that President Adama Barrow and most of his ministers are not trusted by Gambians and that he [President Barrow] will never win an election again or dominate Parliament or Council.
“Just compare the past governments where it was only enough for the ministers to campaign and win a majority in Parliament and Councils. The brutal truth is that trust is key and you [President Barrow], your ministers, and political allies have lost it completely to Gambians,” he added.
Nyang’s comments came after the ruling National People’s Party (NPP) suffered defeat in the country’s top councils: Banjul City Council, Kanifing Municipal Council, and Brikama Area Council; in the recently concluded mayoral/chairperson elections.
“If President Barrow only appointed these ministers to win elections, then he will never win an election again or dominate councils or Parliament,” he claimed.
Nyang further claimed that Gambians have lost respect for most of President Barrow’s ministers and political allies, saying their credibility is questionable.
The young politician said the President together with his ministers and ambassadors were on the ground canvassing for votes for the party’s candidates whom he said “have lost absolute respect to Gambians.”
“It is funny they are the same ones who were assuring people of winning a landslide victory in elections and most especially within Greater Banjul Area,” he said.
He cited that the NPP lost woefully despite its alliance with parties.
Nyang further stated that the 2021 presidential election was a protest vote against Darboe, claiming that so many irregularities took place.
“Why is it so difficult to gain the same momentum after the presidential election? With the state resources, many parties are in alliance, and still, you are not happy with the outcome of your party’s result in the Parliamentary, councillorship, and mayoral/chairperson elections.
Mr. President, most of your ministers and parties in alliance are political liabilities because no meaningful impact can be realized by you from them,” he mentioned.
For Nyang, it is an insult that the partners, ministers, and ambassadors can’t do the job until Barrow has to be on the ground campaigning.
“What they are making you believe isn’t the fact, that the NPP is a new party but a ruling party for that matter, besides, we all knew that your alliance has nothing to do with you winning in provincial Gambia.
“Your ministers lost their credibility and the alliance is without the numbers to politically give you the seats you need. The alliance will claim every little success and will take ownership of it but the fact remains, your alliance partners and ministers do not influence the people because they are far from the realities and lack social and honest interactions with the public
“All these also coupled with your bad leadership as Gambians are seriously feeling the pinch of hunger and nothing is being done or said by you,” the GDC administrative secretary (2) called out the President.
Niang alleged that the President has tried to kill the GDC party, saying that the GDC brought the NPP to its feet by endorsing candidates from other parties.
“Mr. President, the GDC brought you into power in 2016 as the change maker, but it reduced your chances to zero in the 2023 mayoral/chairperson elections and will remove you in the 2026 Presidential election,” he stated.
The MAA Foundation for Women in collaboration with Work Health Solutions Tuesday 23rd May 2023 conducted a day-long training on workplace health and emergency preparedness for employees from different institutions at Alliance Française.
The training brought together employees and bosses from different institutions.
The attendees were taken through cardiac arrest at the workplace, traumatic injuries, bleeding, attitude at the workplace, sexual harassment and how to go about it, anger management, stress, depression, and work.
Fatoumata Jawara Dukureh, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of MAA Foundation, said their main objective is to empower women and organize pieces of training that will help impact their lives.
“Because of our undying commitment to promoting women empowerment,” she explained as she talked about the purpose of the training, adding that she contacted different institutions headed by women to train their employees on healthy work life with the help of health solutions.
She emphasized the importance of the training and urged participants to make the best use of what they have learned because it will go a long way in improving their health and work conditions.
Bubacarr FS Bojang, Program Manager of Work Health Solutions, said Work Health Solution aid is an innovative approach of the way to bridging the gap between employees and their employers and how to put their health into high consideration.
“A healthy employee is a productive employee, and that is why we train employees on work and health, their wellness, how to approach certain emergencies at work and how to safe oneself and colleagues from danger,” Bubacarr said.
He added that the reason they collaborated with MAA Foundation for Women is because they are very influential and well-integrated in society.
According to him, they usually visit institutions and collaborate with them to do training like this, and MAA foundation was a perfect fit because they are committed to improving the livelihood of every Gambian.
Fatoumatta Jammeh, a female mechanic and a participant in the training, expressed gratitude for being part of such an important training considering the environment they live in.
“As a mechanic, you have a lot of customers who are very negative and that stresses an individual, but this training is giving us solutions to these problems and that is an important initiative,” she said.
Fatoumata added that this is not the first time she is being trained in first aiding because she is a Red Cross volunteer, but she has learned some important skills that she has never been exposed to and that is a plus for her.
According to her, she will be able to assist her colleagues if they are injured or encounter some situations that require assistance.
Fatou AB Njie, Secretary General of Club Foire Gambia, said she is lucky to be one of the participants of this noble training.
She added that the training has inculcated some important and life-changing skills in her.
According to her, this is one of the most important trainings she has attended because this is about health, work, and how to save lives.
The training is designed to provide a basic understanding of wellness programs and a guideline on how to improve employee health and job performance.
Alasanna Jallow, a 23-year-old tanner (someone whose job is tanning) residing at London Corner in the Kanifing Municipality, has narrated why he chose tanning over other jobs that many young people prefer; a business he said he and his family depend on for survival.
Tanning is a process by which hide, or skin is processed into leather products. It has been existing for centuries as it was used by our ancestors.
Since ancient times, humans have decorated leather and used it to adorn themselves.
The young Guinean tanner said he started tanning some three years ago by making amulets for traditional and local use.
“I choose to tan to sustain myself than idling and engaging myself in illegal activities,” he told The Fatu Network, adding that he is grateful because the business is better, and he is hoping to expand it.
The young tanner mentioned that he used different types of skin and hide that are ordered from Cameroon and Mali except for horse and goat skin which he can get at Abuko Veterinary.
For young Alassan, tanning is a business that earns him income as survival for himself and his family in Guinea.
“I started building a house for my family in Guinea through the income generated from my tanning business,” he revealed.
Despite the ups and downs, the business continued to endure. Jallow said he is committed to making it grow.
Jallow further told The Fatu Network that sometimes business is not as good, noting that that in some instances customers rarely come to either buy any material or sew amulets.
“Sometimes it takes time before the materials we ordered from Cameroon or Mali reach the Gambia,” he said.
Jallow, who has begun to enjoy the fruits of his business, expressed optimism that one day he wants the business to reach every corner of the country.
Once humans began to wear animal skins, they soon tried to colour them with the juice of plants—indeed, perhaps this desire for adornment is what spurred the invention of vegetable tanning.
Known for his flair and appetite for writing, prolific young Gambian poet, Momodou Sey, commonly known by his moniker name as 𝐓𝐇𝐀-Wordscraft, is set to launch his maiden literary work ‘The Scorpion’, a collection of 30 poems centred on cross-cutting national issues including the new pattern of activism in the Gambia at the weekend as he moves into the realm of literary authorship – a voyage, which for the poet, aims at changing issues and turning wrongs into rights.
Over the years, the 23-year-old has crafted a name for himself as one of the most fascinating emerging young writers in the country with enticing, stylish writing. A poet, an essayist, and a budding literary scholar, SEY’s aptitude in writing has garnered considerable attention.
A final-year English Language major at the University of The Gambia, the young poet is about to begin his authorship journey on the weekend, a path that is expected to be long trekked holding a pen with a vast potential to make an impact through writing.
MOMODOU SEY’s INSPIRATION FOR WRITING!
Born on the 4th of January in 2000 in Albreda in the North Bank Region, Momodou Sey developed a contagious passion, appetite and knack for writing at a very tender age.
According to him, his dear mother instills the spirit in him to write as far back as in 4th grade.
“My mother instilled the courage in me to write as far back as in my Grade 4 where she was serving as the Women Club President of my village and most of their literary recordings were done by me.
“Another aspect of my inspiration for writing draws from the exposure I had as an Arts student in my senior school days and interacting with different literary materials. I developed a strong passion for writing, especially poetry. Again, this transcends to my university too, where I’m currently reading the English Language as my major,” he explained to this medium.
Sey may have traced his steps into writing back to his grandfather. He hailed from a literary family. His grandfather, according to him, was a prolific and influential reviewer of Islamic texts who spent the greater part of his life preaching Islam through writing. He grew up watching his grandfather closely when propagating Islam through writing.
Momodou Sey has been writing ever since. In 2015, when he was at Kuntaya Basic Cycle School, he won the National Essayist championship of the Gambia Postal Service Company Upper Basic School competition.
ABOUT THE BOOK
The Scorpion is an anthology of 30 poems with a unique, fascinating and societal-related theme. According to the author, the book seeks to repel the minnow stance of the country’s authorship role in the arena of literature. It is an embodiment of a symbolic configuration of the country’s sociocultural descriptive to sting a reposting identity. The author, himself a social commentator, uses poetry to convey salient national issues. The book covers other thematic aspects including the theme of love, death, politics and the new pattern of activism in the country.
The book will be launched on the 27th of May at the Regional Educational Directorate 2 in Brikama.
Honourable Omar Ceesay, former opposition Gambia Democratic Congress (GDC) Niamina East Lawmaker, has congratulated the mayors and chairpersons who are elected to represent their local government administrative areas in the recently concluded mayoral and chairmanship elections.
He urged all the winners to work towards the development of the country as they are entrusted by the electorates.
“I wholeheartedly wish to congratulate all the duly elected local government authorities across all parties and the losers by extension in the recently concluded mayoral and chairmanship election. Now let them get to work for the development of the country,” he said.
Hon. Ceesay also added that he is satisfied with the high sense of political maturity demonstrated during the elections.
“Accordingly, it gladdens my heart to express my sincere satisfaction with the high sense of political maturity demonstrated throughout the process by candidates and supporters,” he added.
The former opposition lawmaker stated that he is optimistic that the elected mayors and chairmen will deliver on their mandates to the people.
“I am optimistic that they all stand on their mandates to better serve the masses despite the political differences.
Whilst they assume responsibilities in their respective regions/ municipalities, it should be in their memories that no one of them was voted into office by a single tribe, sex, religion, or party supporter. It’s required of them to treat everyone equally,” he emphasized.
Photo: Lady Aja Fanta Basse Sanyang and Sir Farimang Singhateh, Courtesy of the Singhateh/Jawara family.
In Communion with Lady Aja Fanta Basse. While researching my ‘Communion with History’ series, I discovered that Lady Fanta Basse, the first Gambian-born First Lady and wife of the last Governor General of the Gambia, Sir Farimang Singhateh, is alive and currently residing in Bakoteh with her family. This piqued my interest, so I reached out to a couple of journalist friends to inquire if they knew anything about her or if they knew anyone who had interviewed her. However, they all responded that they had no information on her, and some were even unaware of Sir Farimang’s role in our nation’s history, let alone Lady Fanta Basse’s.
Nonetheless, her granddaughters kindly facilitated a FaceTime call, allowing me to be in the presence of the first Gambian-born First Lady — a political activist from an era predating the social media phenomenon. Lady Fanta Basse, a woman older than my nation by a whole generation and then some, informed me that while she couldn’t recall the exact year and date of her birth, she was born in Georgetown, McCarthy Island, as she referred to it, to Tenengba Conteh and Banding Sanyang.
As a researcher, I came fully prepared, having conducted extensive research on her years as a PPP stalwart, political activist, philanthropist, and First Lady. Following the Western tradition of structured interviewing, I was trained to prepare questions in advance and adhere to the script — asking questions and expecting answers, then following up to clarify any discrepancies or significant points. However, during my conversation with Lady Fanta Basse, she reminded me of the beauty of oral traditions, specifically praise-singing, as a means of narrating history. The First Lady illuminated this age-old tradition, breathing life into history.
The Importance of Praise-Singing and Oral Tradition. As the conversation progressed, I set aside my prepared questions and let Lady Fanta Basse guide the discussion. She enthralled me with her rendition of “Farimang Singhateh, Kambano Nata: Kodo Keta Sang-jio Tee” (Farimang Singhateh, the young man, has arrived — money has turned to rain). Through our conversation, I discovered her deep affection for her beloved husband, Sir Farimang, evident in her recollection and performance of praise songs dedicated to him. It was a language of love, a captivating blend of spontaneity and tradition. Despite the weight of memory and the passage of time, there were things she could express through song that she found difficult to articulate, compelling me to decipher meaning and read between the lines of her melodic stanzas.
Interwoven with the praise-singing for Sir Farimang, Lady Fanta Basse would intermittently reminisce about their life before moving to the State House when “the Queen of England” appointed Sir Farimang as the Governor General of the Gambia. She recounted their time in Georgetown prior to the grandeur and ceremony, as well as their family home on 48 Grant St., Banjul.
“Farimang Singhateh, Kambano Nata.” By the time I interviewed the First Lady, she was already a nonagenarian, burdened with the weight of memories that come with her age. However, she vividly recalled various aspects of Sir Farimang’s life, most of which were passed down through oral tradition — praise singing and poetry. For instance, she explained how the youth of Georgetown revered and admired Sir Farimang, recalling the chants and songs they would sing for him.
While I didn’t need anyone to emphasize the importance and necessity of praise-singing and oral tradition in storytelling, as it is arguably the oldest form of history, a reminder is always valuable in our world of ivory towers and modern modes of communication for preserving historical records. Drawing inspiration from the brilliant composer and poet Muhammed Fairouz, I would assert that Lady Fanta Basse reminded me of the timeless presence of praise-singing and oral tradition in human existence. It has accompanied humanity since time immemorial, entwined with our society from the very inception of our journey.
Separating praise-singing and oral tradition from societal aspirations — the utilitarian uses of singing in our cultures, be it marching off to war, celebrating the harvest, serenading loved ones with “Farimang Singhateh, Kambano Nata,” or lulling a child to sleep with a lullaby-like “Ayo Neneh” — is, therefore, ahistorical. Thus, through this communion with history and the remarkable Lady Fanta Basse, I was reminded of the inherent storytelling nature of our lives, connecting us to the past and future of our society, transcending the tumultuous present.
This conversation left me with a renewed appreciation for the importance of praise-singing and oral tradition as powerful and necessary tools for preserving history. It reinforced the central role of oral tradition in African history and its resilience in upholding itself through praise-singing.
For Posterity. It is my hope that our society, encompassing our education system, national television, and radio, will undertake the study, preservation, and widespread narration of the lives of such important individuals in our society, documenting their stories for posterity. Unfortunately, The Gambia is one of those countries where the stories of its first native-born head of state and the First Lady have been obscured by time and imagination, largely absent from our collective memory and history books.
Thus, as I highlighted in the initial piece of the “In Communion with History” series, my journey of discovery, research, and storytelling is an endeavour to document and catalogue not only my personal history but also that of our society for future generations. It places me in conversation with both the living and the deceased, connecting the present generation with those preceding it and those yet to be born.
Farimang La Muso Nata. Throughout our conversation, Lady Fanta Basse, like many of our elderly, prayed for my well-being. Now that she belongs to the ages and can no longer offer her prayers, it is incumbent upon me to return the favour. Therefore, may Sir Farimang warmly welcome Lady Fanta Basse to the highest realms of heaven with the evocative words, “Fanta Basse, Farimang La Muso Nata” (Fanta Basse, Farimang’s wife, has arrived).
So Long, First Lady. My heartfelt condolences go to the Singhateh/Jawara family, particularly her granddaughters, Chilel Jawara and Fanta Jawara, who graciously organized and facilitated this meeting with their remarkable grandmother.
Rest in Peace and farewell, First Lady — Godspeed!
Ahead of the young Scorpion’s opening game tonight in the FIFA Under 20 World Cup in Argentina, Head Coach Abdoulie Bojang has said his team studied the strengths and weaknesses of Honduras and plans to capitalise on exploiting their weaknesses, noting that his team anticipate a respectable performance on the pitch tonight.
Speaking to The Fatu Network, Bojang said the team is well-prepared and focused for the game. He highlighted that his technical team studied the strength and weaknesses of Honduras, and they are ready to hit them on their weaknesses.
“The team is very well-prepared. We are hoping to put up a respectable performance. We are very well-focused. Not only that, but we did the opposition analysis last night. Furthermore, we know their strength and weaknesses, so we will capitalize on where their weaknesses are and try to win our game,” he told TFN.
The young Scorpions will be back on the world’s biggest youth football competition stage tonight after sixteen years of absence.
According to Bojang, the team is confident that it will sting their opponents tonight considering the preparation for the encounter.
However, he mentioned that despite the high expectations of the young Scorpions, they will not underrate their opponents.
By: Momodou Justice Darboe, Association of Health Journalists (AOHJ)
The Gambia has carved an enviable position for itself in the global tobacco control arena but the increase in non-communicable diseases has gravely concerned the country’s health authorities. According to official statistics, about 400,000 people in the Gambia are tobacco users, which is 16.7% of the country’s nearly two million population.
The Gambia’s health authorities have been presented with another line of tobacco-related challenges as Shisha use increasingly gain popularity among the country’s youth and evolved in usage.
Health officials reported that Shisha jars are now being used to smoke drugs and other intoxicants.
But the urgency to intensify the Gambia’s tobacco battle has been underlined by the trending of people of school-going age towards tobacco and Shisha use as e-cigarettes continue to gain a foothold in the global tobacco market.
The Nigeria-based Management Health Sciences (MHS) is currently bankrolling the implementation of three key provisions of the Gambia’s 2016 Tobacco Control Act as the country races against time to prevent more tobacco-induced deaths and pressures on the country’s already challenged healthcare system.
The three provisions, being implemented under the Tobacco Project initiative by the Non-Communicable Diseases Unit of the Gambia’s health ministry, seek to support the enforcement of the Act’s provisions on the use of graphic health warnings, ban on display of tobacco products, tobacco advertisement, promotion and sponsorship, and sale of tobacco products to and by minors.
According to the Gambia’s Deputy Director of Health Education and Promotion, Mr. Sanjally Trawally, the Gambia had leapt forward in terms of tobacco control.
“The Gambia has gone very far in terms of tobacco control. At every stage or any part of the world, Gambia has been mapped as one of the best-performing countries in terms of tobacco control. We’ve produced one of the best tobacco control Acts in the whole world. I think Gambia is one of the best-awarded countries in terms of tobacco control awards,” Mr. Trawally, also the program manager for Gambia’s Non-Communicable Disease Unit, informed health journalists in a press conference recently.
He, however, stressed that these feathers in Gambia’s cap in the tobacco control arena should not give any room for complacency and his point was reiterated by the Program Manager of Gambia’s Non-Communicable Diseases Unit, Omar Badjie also the National Tobacco Control Focal Point at the country’s health ministry.
“We all know tobacco is so harmful and nowadays, we are seeing a lot of youths engaging in tobacco use, especially Shisha and other forms of electronic cigarettes. We are seeing an increase in non-communicable diseases by the day because risk factors are on the increase,” Badjie lamented.
He explained that the implementation of the Tobacco Project has now entered its third month and that the project has already conducted a lot of activities in conformity with the objectives of the Tobacco Policy Action managed by MSH. Senior health ministry official Fatoumatta Komma disclosed that the Tobacco Project was the second of its kind funded by MSH.
In June 2007, when the Gambia first participated in the Under 20 FIFA World Cup in Canada, none of the current players in the team was above the age of five, and today in Mendoza, Argentina, The Gambia will return to the FIFA U20 World Cup after 16 years of waiting when the young Scorpions face Honduras in a curtain-raiser to their World Cup journey in Argentina.
Guided by a soft-spoken coach, Abdoulie Bojang, both in Mauritania for the WAFU U20 competition and a historic U20 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt, the young scorpions are on the verge of setting a record on the world stage in Argentina provided that they pass the round of 16.
Speaking to The Fatu Network earlier last month after the group stage draw, coach Abdoulie Bojang said it was a fair draw, noting that the team has been prepared to face any side in the World Cup.
This was corroborated by prolific striker Adama Bojang, who was equally okay with the grouping.
In June 2007, a group of players fancied by my many Gambian football commentators as the golden generation of the country’s crop of players, the young Scorpions stunned the world with a mesmerizing performance in Canada. The team was led by prolific striker Ousman Jallow who recorded two goals in the competition and was the country’s top scorer. The Gambia crashed out in the round of 16 when they lost by two goals to one against Australia.
WONDER KID BOJANG EYES GOLDEN BOOT
Speaking to The Fatu Network ahead of the FIFA U20 World Cup in Argentina, Bojang revealed that his target as an individual is to be part of the leading scorers in the competition, with a dream to end the competition as the outright top scorer.
“My target,” he revealed to The Fatu Network is that “I am dreaming of being part of the leading goalscorers and eventually winning it, which will be exceptional for me going to the World Cup and winning the golden boot,” he voiced.
Known as the ‘Gambian Hurricane’, the 18-year-old prolific goalscorer had an impressive U20 continental competition in Egypt where he set up a national record by scoring a hat trick against South Sudan in the quarter-final of the competition, a performance that ignited attention from top European teams.
Much attention will be on him in the competition.
A Massive PLATFORM FOR THE PLAYERS
Like it did the 2007 generation of Ousman Jallow, Abdoulie Ken Mansaly and others, the competition will likely be a gateway for many of these youngsters to a professional career. Some of them are already in the books of European teams and many will be a target of several teams.
Players like Alagie Saine, Mamin Sanyang, and Ebrima Singhateh are in the books of European teams. Fortune FC’s Moses Jarjue has already signed for a Ukrainian team and will join them after the World Cup. Mahmud Bajo, the hard-tackling midfielder, is expected to sign a professional contract in the coming days.
The Gambia is grouped in group F alongside Honduras, South Korea and France.
The young Scorpions will open their campaign tonight against Honduras.
Gambians have spoken through the ballot. In the just concluded mayoral/chairmanship elections, the electorates shared equally the country’s eight mayoral/chairmanship seats into two. They gave the ruling National People’s Party (NPP) four seats and another four to the main opposition United Democratic Party (UDP).
The opposition UDP won the top local council offices in Banjul City Council, Kanifing Municipal Council, Brikama Area Council and Mansakonko Area Council; while the governing National People’s Party (NPP) won the said seats in Kerewan Area Council, Janjanbureh Area Council, Kuntaur Area Council and Basse Area Council.
By order of hierarchy, the Banjul City Council and Kanifing Municipal Council, where the UDP won, are the biggest forces in local government dispensation in The Gambia.
In his congratulatory message to all elected mayors and chairpersons, President Adama Barrow said:
“Now that we have completed this cycle of elections, I urge all Gambians to now focus on national development and solidify the peace and stability of the country.”
The statement of the President is a call to enhance national development collaboratively. However, such a call would not be truly evident if the two big players fail to kill that feeling of importance and being in charge.
Mayors, chairpersons and councillors elected on the UDP ticket should see the need to use lobbying and dialogue persuasively and diplomatically in securing the required human, financial and material resources from the NPP-led central government to realize massive developments in their respective councils.
The ruling NPP on the other hand must not only accept defeat orally in the councils won by the main opposition. The NPP-led central government should always provide the needed financial and technical supports to the UDP-led councils as mandated by law. Also, the central government should willingly, wholly and practically transfer devolved functions to the councils. Devolved functions should be transferred with the required human resource and logistics.
Be it the central government or local government, whenever landmark development takes place, people benefit direct or indirectly, and the nation prospers. But when there is little or no positive development, the nation retrogresses and the people suffer. So, let the ego die, so that Gambia may live in peace and prospers.
“Thanking the electorate for the support given to my candidature
“I take this opportunity to thank every Gambian, particularly the citizens of West Coast Region, for completing a successful electoral cycle with the just concluded Mayoral and Chairperson elections. Every Gambian must be commended for the peaceful manner in which the elections were conducted. This shows the maturing of our democracy and that everyone is a winner. I am proud and privileged to have participated by seeking the mandate of the people of West Coast Region as chairman of Brikama Area Council.
“Even though the results did not turn out the way we had hoped, we all should be proud of what we have achieved. I want to assure you that our desire to serve our great nation is still immense. We will continue doing our best to serve the people of West Coast Region and the Gambian people at large.
“I want to take this moment to thank the voters, particularly those who voted for me, our supporters, members of the NPP and all executive members and the entire campaign machinery. I also thank all those who supported and encouraged me over the course of the election. They take credit for our achievements.
“As the elections are over, let us now unite as a nation and build the country we want for now and for the next generation.
“I extend special gratitude to all NPP members, the national executive, the regional Executive as well as the foot soldiers and much also to his Excellency President Adama Barrow, Party leader and Secretary General of the National People’s Party for his tremendous and invaluable support. I take this opportunity to assure everyone and more so the leadership that we will continue working with party structures, the energised membership and the people of our great nation to promote the agenda of the party and the obvious interest of the Gambian people and implement the vision of the party and leadership for the Gambian people.
“Once again I extend my appreciation to the NPP party and assure its members of our undiluted commitment to serve the party at all levels.
“To our party alliance members APRC, CITIZEN ALLIANCE, NRP, NCP, and GPDP thank you. We are more committed to the course than ever; we may lose today but our bond will always be strengthened by the setbacks we endure together. We will continue to work together and am sure we will overcome the challenges we may have this time around.
“To the winner, Yankuba Darboe of the United Democratic Party, I congratulate you on your victory and pray that Allah grants you the strength and wisdom to serve the people of West Coast Region. Our doors are open and for the interest of our common people and are ready to lend our support and cooperation to help change the life of people we hold dear.
“Finally, I want to assure you all that we will continue serving as the people’s voice. Our service to this nation will not be diminished by this setback and we will continue the fight to see a better Gambia and a prosperous West Coast Region.
Over the past six months, The Gambia has undergone multiple cycles of voting, with each round bringing new developments and outcomes. The first cycle saw the incumbent president and the national people’s party secure a comfortable win in the presidential election. However, subsequent cycles of voting have seen the balance of power shift in unexpected ways. In the national assembly election, the national people’s party was able to secure a majority of the seats. However, they fell short of the two-thirds majority that they had hoped to achieve. This result set the stage for further political developments, as both the ruling party and the opposition began to strategize for the upcoming councillorship election. In the councillorship election, the main opposition party was able to secure a majority of the seats in urban areas and won the overall popular vote nationally. This was a significant upset for the ruling party and marked a turning point in the political landscape of The Gambia. Most recently, the mayoral and chairperson elections have seen the main opposition party continue its upward trajectory, winning most of the seats and popular votes. This article will explore the various factors that have contributed to this trend, including shifting voter demographics, changing political alliances, and evolving campaign strategies. By examining these factors, we can gain a better understanding of the complex political landscape of The Gambia and the forces that are shaping its future.
NPP SHOOTING ITSELF ON THE FOOT.
One of the primary factors contributing to the shift in political power is the infighting and betrayals within the national people’s party. The party is plagued by several politicians who have been given unchecked power despite their inability to win support in their local communities. This has led to a situation where the party has alienated some of its core supporters and has even expelled members who could sway votes in their favor. The different factions within the party have competing agendas, often based on regional or ethnic loyalties, which further exacerbates the problem.
Another major issue is the behavior of the party’s leader, who also serves as the president of the country. In recent years, his rhetoric and public statements have been increasingly unbecoming of a head of state. He has launched personal attacks on those who disagree with him, and his responses to trivial issues have further eroded his standing among the people. The history of the party is also marked by a tendency to discard those who have fought for them in the past, in favor of new political allies who do not necessarily add value to the party or to the national development agenda.
UPD’S RESILIENCE AND THEIR APPILING CANDIDATE
The United Democrats Party is undoubtedly the most prominent political party in the country with a strong national presence. In the last six years, the party has achieved remarkable progress, surpassing its achievements over the past two decades since its formation. The exceptional leadership of the party and the unwavering support of its core supporters have played significant roles in this success.
One of the reasons for the party’s success is its careful selection of candidates. The party has ensured that it fields popular candidates in most areas. They put forward people who are well-known by their constituents, and they run well-planned campaigns that leverage different media, especially social media, to reach the people. The party’s strategic use of social media has been particularly effective in mobilizing and energizing its supporters, which has contributed significantly to its electoral success.
The United Democrats Party’s achievements over the past six years are a testament to the effectiveness of its leadership, its commitment to the welfare of the people, and its ability to engage with its supporters. With its impressive track record and loyal following, the party is poised to continue to make significant gains and contribute to the development of the country.
GAMBIAN YOUTHS AND THEIR ACTIVE PERTICIPATION IN POLITICS
One of the most remarkable changes in recent times has been the increase in youth voter turnout during elections. This is a significant shift from the past when young people were often apathetic towards political participation. The fact that more young people are now taking the initiative to vote is a positive sign for the future of the country’s political landscape.
The rise of youth participation in politics can be attributed to several factors. One of the most significant factors is the increasing awareness and engagement of young people in social and political issues. With the advent of social media platforms, young people are now better informed and more connected than ever before, which has enabled them to be more involved in the political process.
Another factor that has contributed to the rise of youth participation in politics is the changing attitudes of political parties towards young people. Many political parties have recognized the importance of young people in shaping the future of the country and have made efforts to attract and engage them in the political process. This has resulted in more young people occupying leadership positions in political parties and running for political offices.
ADVISE TO THE PRESIDENT
The President of any country is a symbol of unity and national pride. As such, every word spoken by the President should embody wisdom and prioritize the greater good of the nation. It is essential for the President to reduce unnecessary rhetoric and avoid engaging in petty disputes with others over trivial issues. The President must focus on the bigger picture and work towards achieving national goals.
To achieve this, the President needs to put his house in order. This means getting rid of politicians who do not add value to his political ambitions and the national interest. The President should surround himself with competent and trustworthy advisors who are genuinely interested in his success and the progress of the nation.
It is also time for the President to reach out to his political opponents and start working with them for the greater good of the nation. This would require the President to put aside any personal or political differences and focus on what is best for the country. The President should seek out and work with competent individuals who can help drive the nation forward.
In addition to working with his political opponents, the President should also prioritize the development of the nation. This means investing in infrastructure, education, healthcare, and other essential sectors. The President must also work towards creating a conducive environment for businesses to thrive, which would ultimately lead to job creation and economic growth.
WRITTEN BY
BAKARY S SONKO
STUDENT
TVER STATE UNIVERSITY- Russian Federation (Bsc International Relations and Diplomacy)
NATIONAL RESEARCH UNIVERSITY; HIGHER SCHOOL OF ECONOMICS -Russian Federation ( Masters in International Management)
Rohey Malick Lowe, the incumbent Mayor of Banjul City Council (BCC) who is seeking re-election under the umbrella of the United Democratic Party (UDP), said she is sure that the president of the Gambia Adama Barrow voted for her.
“I know he voted for me because he will vote for development and I am development that is why I am optimistic that he did vote for me,” Rohey said.
During her discussion with journalists, she revealed her main agenda if re-elected which, according to her, is serving the youth.
“This time, the first thing I want to do if re-elected is to support the youth, I will breastfeed my children up to their satisfaction,” Rohey told journalists.
Rohey added that she has served Banjul for the past five years of her tenure and has served them well, especially women.
Adding that this time, she will undoubtedly focus and serve the young people up to their satisfaction because she has heard their cries.
The female politician further said that elections are about ideas and programs but not the push and pull of words, and that is why she told her supporters to exercise patience and maintain peace.
“I was tried in so many ways, but I did not react because I love civilize politics and that is why I campaigned peacefully,” she added.
She thanked her supporters and well-wishers, adding that without them this would not be a success.
The incumbent Mayor of BCC told the media that the reason she came late to vote is because she was breastfeeding and had to receive enough prayers from her mother before leaving to vote.
She advised the youth to always come and vote during elections because it’s their constitutional right and they need to exercise it.
The ruling National People’s Party (NPP) candidate for the Kanifing Municipal Council mayoral seat Hon. Bakary Y. Badjie has branded the main opposition United Democratic Party (UDP) as the a ‘problematic party’.
Speaking to journalists after casting his vote at Ebo-town Central Mosque, Badjie accused UDP of ignoring their continued attacks on people who are not supporters of the UDP.
“Our people were in Ebo-town and UDP militants followed them from Ebo-town Badala to Majum Estate Bureau.
“Why are they following our people? Are they the owners of the country and are they responsible for controlling where people should go or not? If people react others will say we should have not reacted,” he told reporters.
Badjie further noted that UDP has been verbally attacking people and that they keep following people everywhere and keep stoning and provoking them.
This, he said, will lead to political violence if others follow the same.
“Let UDP explain to the people where the story started. Majum is a business centre and not a political bureau. What is UDP doing there?
“You are supporting your party and others are supporting their party so you should focus on your party and let others do their politics,” he added.
For Bakary, provoking will lead to violence which can undermine the peace and stability the country is known for.
“If UDP have a case let them go to the police. We have a case, and we took it to the police. We are very peaceful, and we are urging our supporters and the supporters of other parties to maintain peace.
“There is no need for us to engage in election violence because it will not help anyone. We were in Bakau during our caravan tour and UDP militants attacked us there. They stoned our convoy,” he claimed.
Honourable Omar Ceesay, the former opposition Gambia Democratic Congress (GDC) National Assembly Member (NAM) of Niamina East Constituency, has called on all eligible voters across the seven administrative regions to go out in large numbers to elect their representatives in tomorrow’s mayoral and chairmanship elections.
Hon. Ceesay described the local government elections as important as both the presidential and parliamentary elections.
“Mayoral & chairmanship election is as paramount as the presidential election.
“The election of the head of the local government authorities is of equal importance as any other election. Let’s make it a point of duty to cast our votes,” the former opposition lawmaker emphasized.
He added that the authorities expected to be elected in Saturday’s polls are mandated to preside over the day-to-day running of the local municipalities and councils in the best interest of every community.
Ceesay reiterated that every election is important, and every citizen should exercise their constitutional rights to elect their representatives.
“Therefore, I am calling on all eligible voters to heavily and peacefully come out to vote for their choice of candidates tomorrow,” he added.
Hon. Omar Ceesay was elected as Niamina East NAM in 2017 under the ticket of the Gambia Democratic Congress (GDC) at a time when he was said to have been the youngest parliamentarian in the fifth legislative before losing to Honourable Dawda Jeng of the ruling National People’s Party in 2022.
The Minister of Youth and Sports and the National People’s Party mayoral candidate for the Kanifing Municipal Council (KMC), Bakary Badjie, has said he cannot be blamed for the banning of the Independence Stadium, calling it a 3-decade long problem which has not started in his tenure as a minister, but one which he is now trying to address with the ongoing renovation and remodelling.
However, he said his ministry is making progress in making sure the Gambia hosts international games in a few months’ time.
The NPP candidate for the top seat at KMC has faced a barrage of criticisms as the minister of youth and sports since the Confederation of African Football (CAF) announced the banning of the stadium from hosting international matches due to not meeting the CAF requirements in February 2022.
Badjie noted that the banning has not started during his tenure but as far back as 2014, noting that he cannot be held accountable for something that has been there well before his appointment as the Minister of Youth and Sports.
“The history of the stadium is public knowledge. Anyone who lives in this country will know that you cannot hold me accountable for a 3-decade long problem. As a minister, I will take actions to address it, and we are doing that, but to say I am responsible for it, that is misinformation,” he told The Fatu Network.
The Gambia’s Independence Stadium was built in 1983 by the Chinese. However, since then, the Gambia has been depending on it for matches and different functions. Over the years, its lack of maintenance has warranted being deemed substandard as per the standards set up by CAF for international competitions.
The Gambia was first banned in 2019 before being given a temporary clearance to host international matches. However, in 2022, the stadium received its final banned due to its conditions, lacking the proper facilities to host international games.
According to Minister Badjie, his ministry is doing all it can to fix the stadium but queried that if the stadium’s problem had been solved or well refurbished over the years, it would not have been in this situation.
“What happened over the previous [years] at the Independence Stadium was not my action. I was not there. If other people had made efforts to resolve the issues, we wouldn’t be in this situation.
“But as a minister now, we have taken actions to work on it and that is ongoing. But a stadium in this current situation as how it is, it cannot be finished in five or three months,” he stated.
Badjie’s political opponents have been citing the banning of the stadium and the dilapidated conditions it has been in to measure his lack of competence to be the mayor of KMC.
He will be up against the United Democratic Party’s Talib Ahmed Bensouda who is the incumbent mayor, as well as Pa Modou Mbowe for the Kanifing Municipal Council mayorship tomorrow, May 20.
