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Yanks Daboe promises to make known his salary to the public if elected as chair of BAC

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Yanks Daboe promises to make known his salary to the public if elected as chair of BAC

By: Muhammed Lamin Drammeh

The United Democratic Party’s (UDP) candidate for the Brikama Area Council (BAC) Chairmanship election, Yankuba Darboe, has promised to combat corruption in the council and make known his salary to the public if elected as the chairman of the council, citing that fighting against corruption should begin with him.

Quizzed whether he will be willing to fight against corruption, Darboe answered in the affirmative, noting that his salary will be known to the public.

“Number one: My salary will have to be known to the people. People should know how much I earn. Number two, I don’t want to build anything beyond my salary scale. I don’t want to have any car that is beyond my salary scale. And I don’t want to take anything that is not mine. If I take anything, I will make sure that I tell people what I want to take and how I intend to repay it. That is the way I intend to fight corruption,” he said in an interview with LSTV 1.

The UK-trained Lawyer asserted that if elected, his council will not joke with corruption and that they will prosecute whoever is accused of any financial malpractice or mismanagement. According to him, if the government or the police fail to take care of any corruption or theft allegations, his council will hire a private lawyer and prosecute whoever is being accused.

“If that happens [stealing money] on the West Coast, we will institute a private prosecution. So, the council will pay private lawyers, and then we bring our evidence and prosecute the person before a magistrate court,” he explained.

Yankuba Darboe is the candidate for the opposition United Democratic Party for the top local government seat in the West Coast Region. He should be battling for the seat with National People’s Party Seedy Ceesay and two independent candidates in Ahmad Gitteh and Ibrahim JS Sanneh.

‘We can’t sleep’: Kanifing south residents ask QGroup CEO to stop night construction works

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‘We can’t sleep’: Kanifing south residents ask QGroup CEO to stop night construction works

By: Ousman Saidykhan

Residents in the Kanifing neighbourhood close to the QCell building along Kairaba Avenue have been deprived of proper sleep at night owing to the ongoing construction of underground parking just behind the Qcell headquarters by the QGroup CEO Muhammed Jah, distraught Kanifing South residents told The Fatu Network.

The residents say the “nuisance” has been going on for two weeks now and they can’t bear it anymore.

The CEO of Qgroup, Muhammed Jah said he is building underground parking, a project he said would make the street a commercial one after completion.

The residents say the continuous noise that comes from the excavators and “huge” crisscrossing trucks at night always deprive them of sleep.

“No one can stop them from working during the day but let them allow us to sleep at night. No one sleeps here these days at night, at all,” an old woman, Fatou Lowe said.

The fact that this is happening in the month of Ramadan when one “needs to rest, sleep and wake up and do your prayers” makes it awkward for residents like Mamasa Tunkara.

“I was startled when I heard the noise the first day. I thought something was happening. The be honest, if something has to be done, it has to be done quickly because we can’t sleep,” Tunkara told this medium.

The residents argue that work should not go beyond sunset because the area is residential, not a commercial area.

They told this medium they have approached workers at the site who told them they work at night because traffic is mostly congested during the day.

The owner of the project, Muhammed Jah, however, said his contractors will continue the night works because they want to finish the digging before the rainy season.

“Before starting the works, we have informed all the neighbours about it,” said the Qgroup CEO. Muhammed Jah said Gambians should start working both day and night, “like other countries,” to finish work quickly.

The residents who spoke to this medium all denied Muhammed Jah’s claim that he visited them to inform them with regard to the construction.

“This is just the beginning. Before the completion of the building, we will die if the foundations are what they are digging currently. Let them stop the night works and work only daytime,” said another resident Ngoneh Secke.

Meanwhile, the other concern of some residents is that the route Jah’s contractors use to get to the Highway is tight and causes the truck to come into contact with NAWEC’s electricity cables hanging over the “tight” road.

According to the residents, they witnessed an electricity spark one night, which they said is as a result of the trucks’ crisscrossing on the narrow road. They said they are afraid if those “big trucks” continue going through that “narrow road,” it may cause damage to them.

Gambia Constitutional Building Process – a second bite at the cherry

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Gambia Constitutional Building Process – a second bite at the cherry
By: Salieu Taal and Siddharth Sijoria

 

Adama Barrow as flag bearer of a coalition of political parties defeated President Yahya Jammeh in the December 1st Elections of 2016 and was sworn in as President of Gambia in 2017 bringing an end to a 22-year-long dictatorship that was characterized by a systematic abuse of the law and manipulation of the constitution with the aid of a rubber stamp National Assembly. The Barrow led government in line with its campaign promise to replace the 1997 constitution, proposed the Constitution Promulgation Bill in 2020, which aimed to replace the 1997 Constitution of the Gambia and establish a new one. The new Constitution would have introduced significant changes such as Presidential term limits, quotas for women’s participation, parliamentary vetting of the appointment of senior public officers and limitations on the power of the executive. The 2020 draft also introduced socio-economic rights and had a more progressive bill of rights provisions. The 2020 draft would have marked a significant departure from the 1997 constitution which was amended over 52 times at the whim of the former President. Despite the overwhelming public buy-in and participation in the 2020 constitutional building process, the Government sponsored bill was rejected at the first reading at the National Assembly. The Bill could not pass the first stage as it did not receive the required three-quarters majority in the National Assembly, with only 31 out of 54 members supporting it. Despite this setback, the President of Gambia at the 2023 Legal Year promised to re-introduce a new Constitution in line with the legitimate expectations of the Gambian people.[1] . The Minister of Justice has not made any formal pronouncements on the modalities of introducing a new constitution or the applicable legal framework. It is presumed that the legal basis of re-enacting a new constitution will be section 226 of the 1997 Constitution. However, it is interesting to note that some scholars and politicians have questioned the constitutionality of using s 226 and some even characterized the attempt to replace the 1997 constitution using section 226 as treasonous. Suffice to say that, the first attempt to enact a new constitution in 2020 using s.226 was not challenged at the courts, it is prudent to examine the provision and its applicability for the wholesale replacement of the 1997 constitution. In this article, the authors will provide a brief history of the making of the Gambia’s 1997 Constitution and constitutional structure and the practical challenges that may arise in constitution’s reformation/reenactment. The authors will critically examine the constitutional basis of replacing the 1997 constitution under the current constitution.

In 1997, The Gambia’s current Constitution was established after a military coup against one of Africa’s oldest democracies led by Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara in 1994. The military junta, called the Armed Forces Provisional Ruling Council (AFPRC), led by a young captain, initially suspended and eventually dissolved the Constitution through a decree passed by the AFPRC council, ending the first republic. The current Constitution was adopted through a direct referendum and not a constituent assembly, as proposed by the National Consultative Committee (NCC), a body constituted by the military junta to establish the timetable and modalities for the return to civilian rule.

The 1997 Constitution’s preamble stated that the people of Gambia endorsed the “change of government on July 22” (the day the first republic was undemocratically and unconstitutionally ended). The constitutional building process initiated by the APRC military junta’s context and background is not discussed in this blog, but many observers have commented that the process was under repressive circumstances and opaque.

The democratic removal of Yahya Jammeh from the office in the Gambia marked the beginning of a transition from dictatorship to democracy in Gambia, which involved drafting a new constitution and addressing past human rights violations through the Truth, Reconciliation, and Reparations Commission (TRRC).[2] The new government, as part of their campaign promise, established a National Transitional Justice Program, which included the formulation of a new constitution. The Constitutional Review Commission (CRC) was established in December 2017 to review the 1997 Constitution and draft a new one. The CRC had a two-fold mandate to review the constitution and prepare a report on the draft constitution. They used a participatory approach to gather the views of Gambians on constitutional issues, which led to the creation of a comprehensive list of 369 questions and issues.[3]

The CRC conducted nationwide consultations, engaged with various stakeholders, and consulted with Gambians in the diaspora to prepare a draft constitution, which was published in November 2019. The CRC then conducted a second nationwide consultation tour to gather feedback on the draft constitution, which was submitted to the President on 30 March 2020. The Bill was twice published in the Government Gazette and introduced in the National Assembly but failed to receive the requisite majority vote in the National Assembly at the first reading.[4]

In reference to the Gambian Constitution of 1997, there appears to be no exit provision that provides for the formation of a constituent body for the re-enactment of the Constitution. Article 226 of the Gambian Constitution provides the power to initiate a process for the substitution of the Constitution with a new one. The power to initiate such a process lies with the National Assembly. The Preamble to the Gambian Constitution confirms that the sovereignty in Gambia lies with the people of Gambia. It affirms that all power emanates from the people and mentions that participatory democracy is a key element in the Gambian Constitution, which provides for the undiluted choice of the people. Article 1 (2) further

provides that sovereignty lies with the people and that the organs of the state must perform their role in accordance with the Constitution. Article 4 further emphasises that the Constitution is supreme.

The Constitution of Gambia states that the people’s sovereignty was not relinquished in the 1997 Constitution. Instead, they maintained their original will which is represented by their representatives in the Gambian National Assembly. There are no implicit constraints on amending the Gambian Constitution as per the constitutional text. The power to amend the Constitution granted to the National Assembly by Article 226 is a manifestation of the constituent power, rather than a derived constituent power. Hence, the Gambian Constitution can be amended to the extent that a new constitution can be formed by exercising the power to amend.[5]

The wording of Article 226 offers a legal pathway for the re-enactment of a constitution with or without changes. This in our view gives full legal authority to the National Assembly to consider the replacement of the existing constitution with a new constitution provided the procedures stipulated in detail under s 226 are complied with.

The authors are of the view that formation of a new constitution is a political question and not a legal one. The 1997 constitution has set a very high bar for the amendment of certain clauses mentioned in articlw 226(7) which require higher threshold for amendment ( a replacement of the constitution will be result  to the amendment those clauses ). At the initiation stage ( 2nd and 3rd reading) 75 %  ( three quarters ) of the members must agree. This means that there has to be political consensus at the National Assembly due to the fact that the no ruling political party has an absolute majority in the National Assembly. This means the ruling  and main opposition party must work on  a bipartisan basis  if the draft constitution is to be renacted as each of the major parties has a de facto veto power due to the high threshold.[6]. Even after scaling this hurdle , the final hurdle which is even a taller order is the threshold set at the referendum stage [ 50% of all registered voters and 75% of those who have cast their vote].[7]Given the very high threshold for public acceptance through a referendum, the need for a high level of political consensus and a bipartisan approach is critical to drum up public support.

The challenge  in Gambia is whether the ruling party  is able  to get  a super majority (75% ) in National Assembly election. Without a super majority or a bipartisan coalition , it will be difficult to reform the Constitution. The procedure for amendment of the constitution provided in Article 226 of the constitution functions as express limitation on the amendment power. The Constituent power [8]can be exercised in the manner provided under article 226. Without procedural compliance, there may be incompatibility with the constitution.

In conclusion, whether or not the Gambia gets a new constitution befitting of an emerging democracy is more of a political than a legal question. Notwithstanding, constitutional building is a tapestry of legal, social and political processes which are all interlinked. The Government Gambia has an opportunity to re-enact a new constitution and the possibility of doing so in keeping with the participatory approach taken in the 2020 constitutional building process.

The authors conclude that section 226 of the current constitution  provides the Government a legal pathway in our view to re-enact a new constitution to finally usher in a Third Republic.

[1]https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/re-elected-gambian-president-barrow-promises-new-constitution-term-limits-2021-12-07/

[2] https://blog-iacl-aidc.org/2020-posts/2020/9/29/attempts-at-constitutional-reform-in-the-gambia-whither-the-draft-constitution

[3] https://blog-iacl-aidc.org/2020-posts/2020/9/29/attempts-at-constitutional-reform-in-the-gambia-whither-the-draft-constitution

[4] https://thepoint.gm/africa/gambia/headlines/what-next-as-deputies-reject-the-draft-constitution-2020

[5] Article 226(9) of the Gambian Constitution, 1997

[6] The Presidents Party NPP won 19 seats out of 53 against the UDP opposition party’s 15 seats. https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/4/10/gambian-presidents-party-narrowly-wins-legislative-polls

[7] Section 226 (4) (d) of the 1997 Constitution

[8] Refer to the Article for understanding of the constituent power. https://blogrevistaderechoestado.uexternado.edu.co/2021/02/11/constituent-vs-constituted-powers-comparing-the-origin-of-the-basic-structure-doctrine-with-the-colombian-substitution-doctrine/

To cite: Salieu Taal and Siddharth Sijoria, “Gambia Constitutional Building Process – a second bite at the cherry” in Blog Revista Derecho del Estado, March 31st, 2023. Available in:

KMC CEO Sainabou Martin denies owing staff welfare association, threatens to sue Agib Bank & KMC mayor

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KMC CEO Sainabou Martin denies owing staff welfare association, threatens to sue Agib Bank & KMC mayor

By: Dawda Baldeh

Embattled Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Kanifing Municipal Council (KMC), Sainabou Martin Sonko has denied owing the council any debt, saying the staff welfare association, which accused her of applying for and securing a 12 million dalasis loan from Agib Bank Gambia Limited without the knowledge and consent of the association and therefore instituted a civil suit against her at the High Court, is acting under the directives of the mayor.

Responding to a letter from the Staff Welfare Association, the KMC CEO said, “I wish to make it clear herein that I Sainabou Martin Sonko do not owe the Kanifing Municipal Council Staff Welfare any debt as stated in your letter.”

She further said that she does not know any person named Baba Bass whose name was mentioned in the letter from the association claiming he was among the CEO and others in the alleged financial dealing.

“I further wish to state that this matter was taken to court by the Kanifing Municipal Council and that case is still ongoing at the High Court Annex. I believe that we should allow the High Court to decide on the case before bringing up another case in the same vein,” she added.

She questioned why the staff association executives waited until they are reinstated back to the council to demand debt payment.

“I believe that this so-called Executive of the Welfare Association decided to initiate such because they are being used politically against myself and co-accused. The reason being, the mayor and his council failed in their quest to wrongfully dismiss us from the services of the council based on their personal hatred and political vendetta,” she asserted.

When asked about the recent court case, she responded, “I don’t receive a summon from any court.

Reacting to the matter, Ms. Sonko noted that she is prepared for any legal battle, saying she has evidence of meetings with some executives of the staff association.

“I have my audios of the meetings and the attendance list that was signed. Even Modou Njie who is spearheading everything signed in that list,” she told The Fatu Network.

According to the CEO, some members of the staff association are not happy with the executives’ actions by consulting a lawyer’s services without their consent.

“The issue surrounding the matter is politically motivated. The general staff of the council is not happy with the fact that they went ahead to consult the service of a lawyer against us without informing them.

The staff was informed, and everybody was informed, and we have our evidence. We are only waiting for the right authorities to present the evidence to them,” she emphasized.

Ms. Sonko who strongly believes she has evidence of their meetings in the council told TFN that she is not afraid of meeting anyone in court.

“If this matter is to be followed, I can sue the bank and the mayor. The bank breached the contract that was legal and backed by legal documents which were signed by the rightful authorities. They act based on the misleading information the mayor gave them. I am only waiting for them to take the lead then I will follow. I believe the matter is far from over,” she noted.

Bakau residents urge NAWEC to solve electricity & water shortage amid increment of bills

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Bakau residents urge NAWEC to solve electricity & water shortage amid increment of bills

By: Fatou Kebbeh

Residents of Bakau are requesting that the National Water and Electricity Company (NAWEC), which has recently announced the increment of water and electricity bills, step up in their provision of water and electricity in the town instead of increasing bills for that which they say is deficiently supplied. 

This call comes just a couple of days after NAWEC announces they are increasing electricity and water bills by April 10th.

The increment is informed by the price hikes in the global market due to Covid-19 and the Russia-Ukraine war, according to NAWEC’s MD Nani Juwara.

The residents are not in total opposition to the increment but say they can’t see the logic in increasing something that is barely available to them.

“I pay my bills every month and I don’t have enough water and electricity supply. Whether there is water or not, I have to pay and that is not done, because it is not okay to pay for what you did not use,” a Bakau resident, Famara Jatta told this medium.

According to Famara, there is only one borehole in his area and that is where everyone gets water, rendering the pressure always high.

Another resident Fatima Darboe said: “Right now, as I am speaking to you, there is no water and electricity, and this is a daily routine for the people of Bakau. When we have water in the morning, we don’t have it at night which is not okay.”

“Now that NAWEC wants to add on water and electricity bills, they should know that we are not against the increment, but they should help with the current situation faced by the people of Bakau first,” she added.

A student and resident of Bakau, Momodou Janneh, said the new tariff came at a bad time looking at the current situation of the people of Bakau.

“We don’t have water for a day or two. Women and children walk long distances to get water and it is sometimes not safe for them, especially at night,” Janneh said.

He believes NAWEC should have looked into the problems causing inadequate water and electricity supply to settle that first before coming up with a new tariff.

A restaurant at Bakau New Town, Awa’s Restaurant, which sells lunch to a good number of people daily, is one of those frustrated by the inadequate availability of water in the area.

A cook at the restaurant told The Fatu Network that they encounter delays sometimes when they must walk from their restaurant to the Independence Stadium to fetch water.

Mariama Jawara said: “A lot of offices in this area buy their lunch from this restaurant and when we have some delay due to water, that doesn’t always look good.”

“Sometimes even the toilets don’t have water and one can’t sit without going to the restroom. So NAWEC should really look into this issue,” she added.

007Jb University of The Gambia Medical Students Association Health myths/benefits

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007Jb University of The Gambia Medical Students Association Health myths/benefits

Fasting is a practice that dates back centuries and plays a central role in many cultures and religions. As a practice fasting has been associated with a wide array of potential health benefits, including improved blood sugar control, weight loss, as well as heart health, brain function and cancer prevention.

1️⃣ Promotes Blood Sugar Control by Reducing Insulin Resistance
Several studies have found that fasting may improve blood sugar control, which could be especially useful for those at risk of diabetes.

Decreasing insulin resistance can increase your body’s sensitivity to insulin, allowing it to transport glucose from your bloodstream to your cells more efficiently. Coupled with the potential blood sugar-lowering effects of fasting, this could help keep your blood sugar steady, preventing spikes and crashes in your blood sugar levels.

2️⃣Aids Weight Loss by Limiting Calorie Intake and Boosting Metabolism. Theoretically, abstaining from all or certain foods and beverages should decrease your overall calorie intake, which could lead to increased weight loss over time.

In fact, one review showed that whole-day fasting could reduce body weight by up to 9% and significantly decrease body fat over 12–24 weeks.

Other benefits

3️⃣ Some studies have found that fasting could decrease several markers of inflammation and may be useful in treating inflammatory conditions, such as multiple sclerosis.
4️⃣Fasting has been associated with a lower risk of coronary heart disease and may help lower blood pressure, triglycerides and cholesterol levels.
5️⃣Animal studies show that fasting could improve brain function, increase nerve cell synthesis and protect against neurodegenerative conditions, such as Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s.
6️⃣Some animals and test-tube studies suggest that fasting could block tumour development and increase the effectiveness of chemotherapy.

Safety and Side Effects When Fasting

Be sure to stay hydrated, eat nutrient-dense foods and get plenty of rest. It’s best to consult with your doctor before fasting if you have any underlying health conditions or are planning to fast for more than 24 hours.

#Ramadan Mubarak

For more info, comments, queries or questions contact us at [email protected]/ 3777256.

Bakary Badjie: ‘I am the most accessible minister in the country’ 

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Bakary Badjie: ‘I am the most accessible minister in the country’ 

By: Dawda Baldeh

Bakary Y Badjie, the Minister of Youths and Sports and National People’s Party’s (NPP) candidate to contest against incumbent Talib Ahmed Bensouda of the opposition United Democratic Party (UDP) in the forthcoming Local Government Elections has refuted claims that he is not accessible by the people, describing himself as the “most accessible minister in the country.”

Speaking at a press conference held at the former KMC mayor’s residence in Talinding, Mr. Badjie described the claims of his inaccessibility as “serious and misleading”, saying he is almost everywhere.

“I am the only minister in the country who is attending [invitations] and seen everywhere. I attend every invitation that reaches my office. I attend local ceremonies organized by young people, nawettan competitions, and musical events…,” he explained.

He added that if socializing and accessibility are the basics that defined a good leader then he is undoubtedly a great leader.

“My phone number is everywhere, and people can call me anytime. People don’t need appointments to see me at work if they can bear patience.

I may miss people’s calls which is in nature due to the engagement. But to say I ignore people is not true,” he emphasized.

The youths and sports minister further told journalists that the position doesn’t matter to him but the service he can deliver to the people.

“I heard even Musa Yali Bachilly saying I have abandoned my friends since I became a minister which is misleading. Sometimes I walk from my home to meet and interact with people in the community because not everyone will have the opportunity to meet me at their convenience time,” he noted.

Former KMC mayor Colley: ‘We endorse Bakary Y Badjie because of his commitment to the development of the country

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Former KMC mayor Colley: ‘We endorse Bakary Y Badjie because of his commitment to the development of the country

By: Dawda Baldeh

A group of former councillors, chairperson, and finance director led by Yankuba Colley, the former mayor of Kanifing Municipality have announced their endorsement of Bakary Y Badjie’s candidature for the forthcoming local government elections.

The endorsement, which was held at the former mayor’s residence in Talinding, was described as an “endorsement for development.”

“We endorse Bakary Y Badjie because of his commitment to the development of the country. He has manifested beyond reasonable doubt that he is an agency of change,” Yankuba Colley told journalists.

He added that voting for Bakary Y Badjie means voting for the development of the Kanifing Municipality.

“The council under the leadership of Talib Ahmed Bensouda has failed in the development of the council. The council is far from the people of KMC,” he claimed.

He further claimed that if Bakary is voted in, the people of KMC will witness a massive development.

“The mayor should be accessible by all, and I know Bakary is very down to earth. He can eat with a mad person because he is very humble,” he added.

They also attributed the country’s recent outstanding performance in sports to the commitment of the youths and sports minister.

“Bakary is very concerned about the development of the country, and this is why he is leaving a ministerial position to come to the level of a mayor,” Yankuba Colley added.

They further expressed optimism that the National People’s Party’s (NPP) chosen candidate will overcome incumbent Talib Ahmed Bensouda of the opposition United Democratic Party (UDP) in the forthcoming local government elections.

According to the group, the youths and sports minister if elected, will lead the council to the development aspirations of its people.

NPP regional chair hopes Gitteh reconsiders decision when discussion takes place

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NPP regional chair hopes Gitteh reconsiders decision when discussion takes place

By: Muhammed Lamin Drammeh

The West Coast Region Chairman of the National People’s Party (NPP), Lamin Jatta, hopes that party member Ahmad Gitteh will rescind his decision to run as an independent candidate for the Brikama Area Council chairmanship election when the party discusses with him, noting that he doesn’t believe Gitteh will want to see the death of the party that he worked so hard to getting it established.

Speaking to The Fatu Network, Mr. Jatta explained that Gitteh only said he would go solo, but that is not yet done. He said Gitteh, who said he carried the pregnancy of the party and gave birth to it, will not want to see the end of the party.

“Ahmed is just saying that he will go as an independent candidate for now. Whether it will happen or not, I cannot tell. But what I believe in is what Ahmad said – that he is the person who impregnated the party and carried the pregnancy of the party until birth. I am not sure whether he will be willing to kill the child [NPP]. So, him saying he will go as an independent candidate; he is yet to go independent. I am hopeful that when we have a discussion, he will not run as an independent candidate. This is a family matter, there can be discussion and resolve the differences,” he uttered.

However, Gitteh, during his announcement of going solo without his party’s backing, said no amount of offer or position will make him rescind his bid to contest as an independent candidate. He emphasized that he wants to be the chairman of the Brikama Area Council and nothing else.

Jatta, whose executive comes under criticisms from Gitteh since the last parliamentary election, said that the National People party in the West Coast Region is more united now than in April 2022. He told The Fatu Network that they have learned their lessons and put aside their differences.

Jatta further claims that if Ahmad Gitteh decides to go as an independent candidate, members of the party will turn their backs on him and vote for Seedy. He equally said that Ahmad Gitteh cannot be a member of the party if he contested as an independent candidate.

From Journalism to Politics: Why NPP’s Seedy Ceesay Abandons the Media for Electioneering

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From Journalism to Politics: Why NPP’s Seedy Ceesay Abandons the Media for Electioneering

By: Muhammed Lamin Drammeh

The National People’s Party (NPP) candidate for the Brikama Area Council Chairmanship election, Seedy Ceesay, broke his silence and explained why he abandoned journalism to join politics, despite some labelling it as a mere dirty game.

Thanking members from The Gambia Amputee Association for endorsing his candidacy, Seedy mentioned that he is into politics to make a change and not to abandon it when asked why he is leaving his business and journalism to go into politics.

“Some people have asked me why I have decided to go into politics, saying that it is a mere game, a dirty one, and politicians are in it simply for themselves. My answer is this if you think that the way we do politics is wrong, surely, the way to deal with it is to change it, not abandon it because we cannot do without politics. It is simply our process of collective decision-making. So, the question becomes, how do we change it? Instead of standing on the outside, pointing fingers and shouting to the rooftops the inadequacies of those in public office, I decided to go into the oven, so to speak, never mind the heat because that’s where the cooking is done,” he explained.

Seedy, who described the West Coast Region as the Silicon Valley of the Gambia, noted that if good and conscientious people do not drive into politics to effect change, the quest for development will be in constant postponement.

Yesterday, March 28, members from the Gambia Amputee Association endorsed Seedy Ceesay for the Brikama Area Council chairmanship election and NPP’s coalition partners for the Councillorship election next month.

Seedy’s coming into the frame for the next month’s local government election stunned many people. He was never tipped to be in the frame due to his popular TV show, Kacha Dulaa on QTV.

‘I was always confident’: Tom Saintfiet reacts to Scorpions’ victory over Mali

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‘I was always confident’: Tom Saintfiet reacts to Scorpions’ victory over Mali

By: Muhammed Lamin Drammeh

The head coach of the senior national team of the Gambia, Tom Saintfiet has said he was always confident before the return leg against Mali amidst public outcry over his style of play after a lacklustre performance in the first leg in Bamako where the Scorpions were defeated by two goals to nothing.

Speaking to the GFF media after the narrow one-nil win over Mali in Morocco yesterday, Tom mentioned that he was always confident and claimed that the public doesn’t calculate what was going on.

“I was always confident. The public sometimes doesn’t calculate exactly what is going on. We had a plan, and we had discussed it in advance. We said we prefer more points, but three points help a lot,” he pointed out.

The scorpions’ skipper Omar Colley led by example and inspired the scorpions to a very crucial victory when he headed in a goal from Ebrima Colley’s stunning delivery from a set-piece.

The Gambia now has 6 points but languishes behind Congo who has equal points, but the latter has a head-to-head superiority over the Scorpions following their 1-0 over the Gambia in the second group games.

When the Gambia lost against Mali in Bamako, scores of Gambians took to social media criticizing Tom Saintfiet’s style of play, and many even called for his sacking. However, for Tom, there was never a doubt about winning the return leg. He said that this is African football, and a side cannot win all the games.

“There was never a doubt with us. People sometimes forget also in the previous qualification, we lost to Congo away, Gabon away, and we drew Congo at home. This is normal. This is African football, we do not win every game,” he said.

Speaking further on his side’s chances of making it a back-to-back AFCON appearance, the Belgian posited:

“We are in a good position. We are still on the same track, the same track as what we did a few years ago. “

The scorpions will now have to win South Sudan and hope Mali wins against Congo to make their dream of a back-to-back AFCON a reality.

If the Gambia wins against South Sudan and Mali avoids defeat against Congo, the Scorpions will only need a point against Congo at home, which may be at the Independence Stadium, to secure a ticket to the Ivory Coast for the 2023 AFCON.

The Great Wall and Ramadan

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The Great Wall and Ramadan
By: Talibeh Hydara
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It is field trip again. That means excitement. This time, it is to the Great Wall, the largest man-made structure thousands of years old. The fascinating edifice stretches from the east to the west desert in northern China, cradling mountains like a dragon. The wall, which includes beacon towers, barriers, garrison stations, and fortresses, is an impenetrable integrated defence system; a feast of engineering. I was thrilled to climb the wall but I almost broke my fast.

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I have been keeping fast in China since Thursday. It’s been easier than I originally thought. Our schedules have momentarily eased up a little, so that helps. Since we attended the international forum on democracy on Thursday, where I sat in awe of speakers from Spain, Zambia, Pakistan, America and, of course, George Galloway, one of my favourite speakers of all time, Chinese calligraphy was the only activity we had. Even that was brief but very relaxing and amusing. The international forum discussed how each country can adopt its own democracy based on the unique values of its people like China does. Athenian democracy started around the 6th century BC in the Greece. Since then, democracy has been bastardised and some countries think they have the best version but what I learned from the forum is that the best democracy is one that suits the values and traditions of a people, not other countries’ perverted concepts.

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Back to Ramadan. My colleague and I would occasionally go to Wumart supermarket to buy stuff, mostly rice, Irish potato, onion, beef, chicken, and other consumables. We would then take turns cooking our iftar. We initially struggled to make our food taste ‘Gambian’ chiefly because we are amateur cooks and, sometimes, we don’t have the exact spices. So far, it’s been great. It’s always great for me when there is rice and I was delighted to find out that as far as rice is concerned, there is no difference between Chinese and Gambians. This is a rice country. I can eat rice every day for the rest of my life and each time it would feel like the first. I might have been made of rice.

We stroll between Wumart and SevenEleven, a minimarket near the DRC. We frequent it so much that one of the staff has now recognised us because we always buy “jīròu” which is chicken in Chinese, and not “zhūròu” which is pork. It’s been an interesting adjustment. We say jīròu and zhūròu more times than any other Chinese word.

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The most difficult thing I ever did in Ramadan is fishing when I was at the village. That might sound a bit of a stretch but when you’re fasting, you don’t eat or drink until sunset. It’s the basic requirement and the most difficult to fulfil. But while fishing, away from the accusatory eyes of people, I would have enough water around to drink and fish to eat, without anyone seeing me. But not once have I ever thought about it. That is tough, no? The rest of the things I do regularly in Ramadan are just…regular. Back when I used to play football, I would go for a run sometimes three hours before sunset. That is usually when it is so hard and you’re just hanging on. But it felt so effortless for me. What I am trying to say is that I never really faced any significant challenge in Ramadan. Maybe because I never spent it anywhere else beyond the comfort of family. This is the first time, and it is a tough one.

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Welcome to the Great Wall, a genius defensive architecture that has been impregnable for more than 2,000 years. The Great Wall proved to be a tactical defensive masterstroke for Chinese soldiers as it prevented the invaders from entering and provided them with strategic offensive positions from the inside. The first astonishing structure inside the Wall is the rectangular Cloud Platform which dates back to the Yuan dynasty. Built from white marble, the Cloud Platform was once the base of three dagoba towers. On the walls of the doorway, statues of four heavenly gods and sutra scriptures were carved. In numbers and groups, we took to the steps and climbed. One step at a time. The first steep is difficult to climb but that’s when I was energetic. I moved through the rest of the steps like I was carrying a bag of cement. Staggering like a drunkard and panting like a marathoner. There is no excuse, however, because up and down the steps, there are kids as young as five years or elders as old as 70 with walking sticks, smiling and relishing the challenge. You just have to keep going and I kept going. My pulse was pounding. My throat was drying. My stomach was heaving. But I could not give up and drinking water was not an option. If you climb the Great Wall, you’re a hero, so said Chairman Mao. I am a hero; a battered hero.

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Chángchéng connotes the indomitable spirit of the Chinese people; a nation and people who endured decades of brutality and then built a legacy that stood the test of time. It tells you everything you need to know about the Chinese; hard work, grit and unity. The Wall is the Chinese people. The Chinese people are the Wall and that is why it has been an undiminished source of inspiration for the nation from its physical structure to being mentioned in the National Anthem. The Great Wall is a marvel; it has been for thousands of years. Not even angels could have built that defence system and stayed symbolic this long. Some made it up and down in a jiffy. I took hours just to descend while others spent 5 years to reach down. We almost called an emergency air ambulance to pick them up atop the wall.

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Reaching back at the residence, I dropped into the bathtub. You never know how small the bathtub is until you’re exhausted and want to just roll over. The warm water briefly massaged the tedium away. I nearly slept in it. My back. My waist. My knees. My ankles. My thighs. I felt like I was hit by a truck. I was static like a dead horse and went to bed by 9 pm—the earliest since I have been here—and slept 11 hours straight. A tired body is a sleepy body and I slept like a corpse. Greatness, and fitness, can be attained at the Great Wall. It was a lifetime experience but Ramadan and the Great Wall cannot go together. I found that out the hard way; the hungry and thirsty way.

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The visit to the Great Wall was both touristic and didactic. The fun part involved chatting up, laughing, quiz on the bus, etc., while the didactic part involved unity and perseverance. We had it all and that is why we made it to the Red Tower. Cheers to our Chinese colleagues; Hu Jiliang, Chen Xinqi, Xie Weidong, Chen Xinyi, and, of course, the bus driver for a wonderful trip to a wonderful place. Next stop: Hunan! I will see you later, Beijing.

Mother of 8 forced out of house with sick husband by windstorm pleads for help

Hadram Hydara
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Mother of 8 forced out of house with sick husband by windstorm pleads for help

By: Dawda Baldeh

Fatou Darboe, a 37-year-old mother of eight, has explained to The Fatu Network how a windstorm forced her out of her husband’s house in Pakaliba, LRR, and ended up seeking shelter in her friend’s house in Mandinaring, Kombo Central, with her sick husband.

The 37-year-old woman, who is married to a 40-year-old stroke patient, said they abandoned their home to live in her friend’s house in Mandinary, Kombo Central as their living conditions back home were unbearable.

“Our house was destroyed by last year’s windstorm and my husband is sick. I have eight children who are all young and they cannot help us,” she said.

She added that since her husband got sick, life has become extremely difficult for them as the burden of the family lies on her.

“I have five boys and three girls who are going to school. The feeding, treatment of my husband, and school fees are a huge burden. I am urging people to help us so that we can live a decent life,” she pleaded.

Fatou and her children’s condition has forced her to stay in her friend’s house with her sick husband before they get support to construct their house.

“I am currently living with my sick husband in my friend’s house in Mandinary. My children are going to school, but I am afraid they will drop out because I can’t afford to pay school fees and provide feeding and treatment for my husband,” she explained.

The young mother said she is living a difficult life with her husband and children as their living conditions become a huge burden coupled with Ramadan’s needs.

“We are in Ramadan my husband cannot do anything which is making life more difficult. We need any kind of support because nothing is small for us,” she noted.

For anyone who wishes to support Fatou and her husband or needs any further information can reach out to the following contacts. +220 7986346 or +2203125436

NAWEC increases water & electricity bills as it announces new tariffs

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NAWEC increases water & electricity bills as it announces new tariffs

By: Fatou Kebbeh

Gambians will start paying more on both water and electricity bills with effect from next month – 10th April, as the National Water and Electricity Company (NAWEC), announces the increment of new tariffs.

The Managing Director of NAWEC attributed the increment to the rise in prices of fuel, lubricants, spare parts and other materials due to Covid-19 and the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war.

“We used to buy fuel ton for four hundred and forty-four dollars (USD444) but now it has been increased to over six hundred and fifty (650) dollars per metric ton,” Nani Juwara said.

This increment comes at a time when Gambians are already crying over the rise in prices of basic commodities.

It is the first time NAWEC increases the prices of water and electricity since 2015.

Mr Juwara said the company is registering huge losses every month which has compounded the situation.

The old tariff charges customers D5.50 for water consumption ranging from 0-10 per cubic meter; D12.00 for 11-25 per cubic meter; and D16.00 for consumption ranging between 26-40 per meter cube.

However, the new tariff comes with an increment of 6.48 for water consumptions that fall within 0-10 per meter cube; D14.15 for 11-25 per cubic meter and D18.86 for this ranging from 26-40 per cubic meter.

Similarly, D10.14 is the charge in the old tariff for electricity consumption ranging from 0-300 kwh but has been increased to D13.85 in the new tariff. 601-1000 kwh electricity consumption range which was D10.77 has now increased to D14.43

“It is reasonable to increase and continue to supply than go back to the dark days of blackout. That should be history in this country, managing director, Juwara told journalists.

He said they are making sure that the tariff reflects the current situation of the market.

According to Juwara, the company is putting efforts in place to invest in renewable energy, saying that might end up being the only saviour.

“We cannot sustain the operation with the old tariff because prices have gone up and the increase of price on raw materials has impacted the cost of spare parts”, he added.

This is in response to a Weekend Edition Sunday story on NPR Story on March 25, 2023

Hadram Hydara
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This is in response to a Weekend Edition Sunday story on NPR Story on March 25, 2023

Opinion

This is in response to a Weekend Edition Sunday story on NPR Story on March 25, 2023

“NPR’s Miles Parks speaks with Ousmane Diallo, a researcher at Amnesty International, about the state of democracy in Senegal, amid government crackdowns on human rights and political opposition.”

The interview opens with Mr. Parks observing that Senegal has been held up as an example of a successful post-colonial democracy and then goes on to note that recent “crackdowns” on journalists and opposition leaders have caused some to conclude that Senegal is back-sliding away from democracy. He then asks Mr. Diallo to elaborate. While Mr. Diallo spoke the truth; he did not speak the whole truth so I would like to provide some additional context to help your listeners decide if it is the Senegalese government or the opposition that is being unreasonable.

Mr. Diallo noted that Ousmane Sonko was charged with rape but said nothing of his alleged victim.

Adji Sarr was a 12-year-old girl living in rural Senegal when her mother died, and she was left to her own devices. Being industrious, she moved to the big city of Dakar and began working as a domestic worker. Being very attractive, she was soon recruited to work in a massage parlour where she caught the eye of one of their more influential clients – the third-place finisher in the last presidential election.

Ousmane Sonko was a young, progressive politician willing to cross the officially former but still very influential colonial masters in Paris. He is an animated speaker and holds the grip of a cult leader on his followers. The work of an opposition leader is stressful and Sonko sought to alleviate his stress in the massage parlours of Dakar. He found a beautiful young woman working in one. He was smitten and sought her services almost every day. He told the young woman that he would make her his second wife and she could live in the palace when he won the presidency.

The normal massage parlour “happy ending” was not enough for Sonko who digitally penetrated his masseuse before sodomizing and eventually, vaginally penetrating her in spite of her protestations. He ejaculated and she sought medical care. The physician recovered semen for DNA testing, but Sonko has refused to cooperate.

Sonko was summoned to court for a 9:00 a.m. appearance and at noon he was still parading through rough neighbourhoods trying to recruit a band of followers to accompany him to the courthouse and create a distraction. He was arrested early in the afternoon and his loyalists followed the pre-set script, rioted, looted businesses, and burned transit buses and gas stations; it was a wonder that only 14 participants of this mayhem met their ends. It is not clear at all that their demise was the direct result of government action. The riots kept up until the government released Sonko in an effort to keep the peace and not appear to be conducting a political vendetta. That was in March of 2021. The regime is not eager to take the case to trial and the alleged victim, Adji Sarr, remains in “protective custody” that may as well be house arrest.

Where is the justice here? What message does it send to other women who are abused by powerful men? What does it say about our allegiance to the rule of law?

While the case of Adji Sarr may be he-said, she-said, the defamation case is all he said. Sonko publicly accused a government official of embezzling approximately $50M, saying that he had compelling evidence. The official sued for defamation and demanded that Sonko present his evidence. Rather than produce evidence, Sonko returned to his tactics of inciting his followers to create chaos and confusion.

Senegal has indeed had a tense political climate for the past two years, but the fault lies at the feet of Ousmane Sonko and his Trumpian playbook. Like Trump, Sonko calls any attempt to hold him accountable a politically motivated witch hunt. Like Trump, Sonko feeds lies to cult-like followers who think he can do no wrong.

The journalist, Pape Ndiaye, was charged with provocation of a gathering, contempt of court, intimidation, and reprisals against a member of the judiciary, discrediting a judicial act, dissemination of false news, and endangering the lives of others. Ndiaye and Sonko both think that they are above the law. Ndiaye because he is a journalist and Sonko because he is an opposition politician.

The laws of a republic must apply to all citizens, or it is not a republic at all.

Francoise Hélène Ditwiler Gaye
Président of Defense of Women’s and Children’s Rights (DWCR) and CODDAS.

MC Cham Jr dismisses new voter registration rumours

Hadram Hydara
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MC Cham Jr dismisses new voter registration rumours

By: Dawda Baldeh

Momodou MC Cham Junior, the former campaign manager of the opposition Gambia Democratic Congress (GDC), has dismissed rumours of new voter registration in Banjul and urged the electorates to go out in large numbers to vote for their candidates in the forthcoming local government elections scheduled for 15th April and 20th May 2023.

“I heard an audio circulating on social media that the IEC is registering new people in Banjul to vote in the coming local government election. I want to tell Gambians that new voter registration cannot take place but voter replacement. People have the voter registration list, and the National Assembly is also having it,” he explained.

“The voters that were used for the presidential election and national assembly elections will continue for the local government election. So, there cannot be any new voter registration,” he added.

According to the young politician, the rumour is circulated to create doubts in people’s minds so that many will feel it’s not worth it for them to vote.

“If this happens, the National People’s Party (NPP) will have the chance to win all the seats. National Assembly elections and local government elections are different from the presidential election. Those who go in numbers to vote for their candidates will win the election,” he emphasized.

Mc Cham Jr further urged the electorates not to allow anyone to make them believe there is new voter registration. This, he said, is just propaganda to mislead the public from going to vote because they will believe that voting is not necessary as the candidates for the incumbent are going to win.

He emphasized that what is possible is a replacement of voter cards for those who lost their voter ID cards due to several incidents not a registration of new voter cards.

Did You Know That Bleaching Your Skin Is A Crime?

Hadram Hydara
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Did You Know That Bleaching Your Skin Is A Crime?

By: Juliana Twumwaa Obeng

The Writer

DID YOU KNOW THAT BLEACHING YOUR SKIN IS A CRIME?

Did you know that it is a criminal offence to bleach your skin?

Yes, in The Gambia, and most parts of the world, it is an offence that is punishable by law.

Skin bleaching, also known as skin lightening or whitening, toning in a more millennian term, is a practice that involves using products or treatments to lighten or even out skin tone. It is a controversial issue that has been the subject of many debates and discussions in recent years.

Some people choose to bleach their skin for cosmetic reasons, in order to achieve a lighter or more uniform skin tone. Others do it because they believe that lighter skin is more socially acceptable or that it will improve their chances of success in life.

Moreover, skin bleaching has been associated with self-esteem issues and a lack of self-acceptance. It reinforces the belief that lighter skin is more desirable or superior, which can lead to discrimination and prejudice against those with darker skin.

It is important to note that skin bleaching is not just a personal choice but is also influenced by societal norms and expectations. This can lead to a cycle of discrimination and social exclusion for those who do not conform to these beauty standards.

In many countries, skin-bleaching products are widely available and heavily marketed, perpetuating the idea that lighter skin is more desirable.

The legal perspective

To start with, several countries have enacted laws to regulate the sale and use of skin-bleaching products. One such country is The Gambia, which passed the Skin Bleaching Act in 1995. An Act prohibiting and restricting the use, sale, importation and possession of certain listed creams or substances for skin bleaching.

This law prohibits the importation, distribution, and sale of any cosmetic product or agent designed to lighten the skin tone. It also prohibits the advertisement and promotion of skin-bleaching products.

Under this law, anyone found guilty of breaking these regulations faces a fine of up to 50,000 Dalasis or imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years, or both. This means that, in the Gambia, it is a criminal offence to use, buy, sell or import bleaching creams into the Gambia without a permit from the appropriate authorities. And you can be fined or sentenced to a prison term if found guilty by the courts.

The law also allows for the confiscation and destruction of any skin-bleaching product found in violation of the regulations. The law provides that when skin-bleaching products are found on you, apart from taking you to court, the products are seized and destroyed.

The Act also requires a prescription for the purchase of bleaching creams. This means that in the Gambia, you would need a prescription form signed by a medical practitioner before purchasing any bleaching product.

The Skin Bleaching Act of The Gambia is just one example of how governments are taking action to regulate skin bleaching. Other countries, including South Africa and Ghana, have also taken steps to regulate the sale and use of skin bleaching products.

While skin-bleaching may be a personal choice, it has been linked to various health risks, and several countries have taken steps to regulate the sale and use of skin-bleaching products. The Skin Bleaching Act 1995 of The Gambia is one such law that prohibits the importation, distribution, and sale of any cosmetic product or agent designed to lighten the skin tone. Anyone found guilty of breaking these regulations faces a fine or imprisonment, or both.

 The writer is a BL candidate at the Gambia Law School. She is driven by her affinity to the legal profession and relies on Precedents and Acts of the National Assembly to educate the public on bits and pieces of the application of the Laws of the Gambia and Ethics of the legal profession. These write-ups are for educational purposes only and not to serve as a substitute for Legal Advice. Email: [email protected]

References:

  1. Adebajo, S. (2018). Skin bleaching: A public health concern. The Lancet Global Health, 6(7), e715-e716. Dlova, N. C., Hamed, S. H., Tsoka-Gwegweni, J., & Grobler, A. (2015).
  2. Skin bleaching advertisements and the misrepresentation of black women’s identity: A call for a policy change in South Africa. South African Medical Journal, 105(12), 1000-1001.
  3. World Health Organization. (2011). Skin bleaching and its health implications. https://www.who.int/ipcs/assessment/public_health/mercury_flyer.pdf
  4. Skin Bleaching Act 1995 of The Gambia: http://extwprlegs1.fao.org/docs/pdf/gam10011.pdf
  5. Regulation of skin bleaching products in South Africa: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/15569527.2019.1603293

Spotlight: Omar Camara, Executive Director of Fact-Check Centre – The Gambia

Hadram Hydara
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Spotlight: Omar Camara, Executive Director of Fact-Check Centre – The Gambia

By: Muhammed Lamin Drammeh

Omar Camara, 28, who, on the 20th of August 2021, was inspired by his exposure to misinformation or information disorder, co-founded the Gambia’s first-ever fact-checking organization that works on countering information disorder and named it Fact Check Centre — The Gambia

Born in the Central River Region of the Gambia in Bansang, Omar ‘Saibou’ Camara is a passionate youth leader and an activist who has worked both in the government institution and civil society areas.

After some productive years as a youth activist and student leader, Omar Saibou was motivated to come up with a unique project when he was working at the Centre for Research and Policy Development. His desire, as a young person, was to come up with something unique that will play a hugely significant role in the affairs of the people.

“What gave birth to Fact-Check Centre – The Gambia was my exposure to the issue around fake news through a project when I was with the Centre for Research and Policy Development. There was a day when my boss shared with me an article. When I read through that, I discovered terminologies like fake news, so I conducted further research on fake news and fact-checking. That was the time I developed a concept through support from an organization in Nigeria that wanted to extend a project in the Gambia,” he explained.

Subsequently, Saibou began undergoing several pieces of training and engagement and then worked with them for six months, which furthered his exposure and broadened his horizon in fact-checking.

The lack of fact-checking organizations in the country had further fuelled the young Omar’s interest in coming up with the Fact Check Centre to counter misinformation that could shape public opinions.

“So, I decided to come up with this concept from a civil society perspective that will focus on countering disinformation. I invited a few friends on board to join me as a co-founder so that we could work around the organization. This was when the December 2021 presidential election was looming, so there was a need for an organization to counter misinformation.”

The Fact Check Centre – The Gambia then became a youth-led organization established with the primary aim of tackling information disorder in the Gambia and hate speeches.

Since its establishment in 2021, Saibou and his team have been conducting Fact Checking on public claims and by media houses. However, according to him, they only fact-check claims based on relevance and not every piece of information.

Despite the importance of his organization in the Gambia, Omar told The Fatu Network that they still face immeasurable challenges in accessing information from their sources. This, he uttered, is heavily hampering their efforts in checking facts on the information.

Misinformation and fake news have been an earnest problem that challenges the peaceful coexistence of people in a country. With everyone having access to social media to post whatever favours them, the dangers of giving out false information about public officials have caused hatred and hate speech in the Gambia. It has as well caused a loss of public trust in certain public officials and figures.

Just like corruption, false information or fake news is an insurmountable battle to fight against in the country with the presence of social media. Despite the seemingly impossible quest, Omar Saibou and his Fact Checkers are hell-bent on making sure that the Gambia is fake news free.

“As a young organization, what we want to accomplish is to see the Gambia free from information disorder by ensuring that we establish a strategic fact-checking initiative but also create awareness and launch advocacies to engage young people in how to protect themselves from being victims of misinformation.”

Saibou’s aspiration as the Executive Director of the Fact Check Centre – The Gambia is to expand his office to other neighbouring countries such as Senegal, Bissau and surrounding countries in a few years.

Afrobarometer Reports: 52% of Gambians displeased with public sector reform pace

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Afrobarometer Reports: 52% of Gambians displeased with public sector reform pace

By: Ousman Saidykhan

Majority of Gambians (52%) are not satisfied with the pace of public sector reforms initiated by the government in 2017 to reorganise the public service as part of its transitional justice and democracy programme, the latest Afrobarometer survey indicates.

The survey indicates that respondents’ dissatisfaction which includes paying bribes is even rift among the best-educated citizens (60%), the wealthiest (57%) and men (55%) than amongst their respective counterparts.

Almost a quarter (24%) of citizens who sought police assistance during the previous year say they had to pay a bribe. Fewer report having to pay a bribe to obtain identity documents (13%), medical care (9%), and public school services (5%).

The report also indicates that some large majorities say the government is doing a poor job of delivering public services such as improving basic health care (79%), water and sanitation (69%), electricity (69%), road and bridge maintenance (68%), and education (67%).

Afrobarometer is a research network that provides data on African experiences and evaluations of democracy, governance, and quality of life.

The network’s team in Gambia, led by the Center for Policy, Research and Strategic Studies (CepRass), interviewed 1,200 adult citizens of Gambia between 30 August and 19 September 2022, it says in a press release.

Respondents were asked about how satisfied they were with the pace of the government’s public sector reforms, entirely.

Pro. Raphael Nyarkotey Obu: Red palm oil lowers cholesterol, slows heart diseases

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Pro. Raphael Nyarkotey Obu: Red palm oil lowers cholesterol, slows heart diseases

 By Prof. Raphael Nyarkotey Obu

Study: Red Palm Oil Lowers Cholesterol, slows Heart diseases

When it comes to cooking oils, Palm oil appears to be controversial. Additionally, Palm oil should not be confused with palm kernel oil. Though both have their root from the same plant, palm kernel oil is extracted from the seed of the fruit. It provides different health benefits. Palm oil has a variety of medicinal uses in Africa as well. It was used as an antidote for poison, a cure for gonorrhoea, a natural laxative, a diuretic, and a treatment for headaches and skin infections. This article brings an objective analysis of Palm oil to settle the long-standing controversy.

Unrefined vs. refined palm oil

Unrefined palm oil is raw oil that is pressed directly from the palm plant. It’s reddish, with a distinct odour and flavour. This type is more often used in our traditional cooking.  Refined palm oil goes through several processing steps to give it a neutral colour and flavour. It is used more widely in food manufacturing or for frying mass-produced foods.

 

 Palm oil nutritional Profile

According to the US. Department of Agriculture, one tablespoon (14 grams) of palm oil contains approximately:

  • calories: 120
  • fat: 14 grams
  • saturated fat: 7 grams
  • monounsaturated fat: 5 grams
  • polyunsaturated fat: 1 gram
  • vitamin E: 14% of the Daily Value (DV)

The organization further explained that palm oil calories originate from fat. The fatty acid breakdown is approximately 50% saturated fatty acids, 40% monounsaturated fatty acids, and 10% polyunsaturated fatty acids.

On the other hand, a study by Tan et al. (2021) explained that red palm oil’s reddish-orange pigment emanates from antioxidants known as carotenoids, including beta carotene, which the body can convert into vitamin A.

Palm Oil, Scientific Benefits

Support Brain health

Palm oil is loaded with tocotrienols, a form of vitamin E which contains antioxidants that may support brain health.

One Animal and human study (Gopalan et al. 2014; Ibrahim et al. 2017) found that the tocotrienols in palm oil can help protect the delicate polyunsaturated fats in the brain, slow dementia progression, reduce the risk of stroke, and prevent the growth of brain lesions.

In the human study, Gopalan et al. (2014) conducted for 2 years involving 121 people with brain lesions, the group who took palm oil-derived tocotrienols twice a day remained stable, but for those who received a placebo, their lesions grow.

Furthermore, Ishmail et al (2020) conducted a review of 18 animal and test-tube studies and found that palm oil and palm oil tocotrienols support neuroprotective effects against cognitive decline.

Cholesterol-lowering, Heart health

Though some study results have been mixed, this oil largely appears to have beneficial effects on heart disease risk factors, including lowering LDL (bad) cholesterol and increasing HDL (good) cholesterol (Fattore et al.2011; Ismail et al.2018; Lucci et al.2016; Voon et al. 2015)

In the case of Fattore et al. (2011), the study involved a large analysis of 51 studies and found that total and LDL (bad) cholesterol levels were lower in people who consumed palm oil-rich diets than those who consumed diets high in trans fats or myristic and lauric acids.

Additionally, the case of Lucci et al. (2016) involved a 3-month randomized study from Columbia that examined the cholesterol-lowering ability of palm oil made from a hybrid of Elaeis guineensis and Elaeis oleifera trees.

In this study, people consumed either 25 mL (2 tablespoons) of olive oil or a hybrid palm oil daily. Based on a 15% drop in LDL (bad) cholesterol in both groups, researchers suggested this palm oil could be called “the tropical equivalent of olive oil”.

In a previous clinical trial, Zhang et al. (1997) also examined the effects of palm oil, soybean oil, peanut oil, and lard on cholesterol levels.  The authors found that palm oil caused a 13.1 per cent decrease in bad LDL cholesterol and a 6.7 per cent drop in triglyceride levels in those with normal cholesterol.

Apart from Palm oil lowering your cholesterol levels, it also slows the progression of heart diseases.  One clinical trial by Tomeo et al. (1995).

Examined the impacts of palm oil on heart disease for 18 months. They found that 28 per cent of people with heart disease who were treated with palm oil demonstrated improvement and 64 per cent remained stable. Equally, those in the placebo group also demonstrated improvement, however, 40 per cent of cases got worse.

This means that Palm oil is a heart-healthy fat and should be part of a diet plan to reduce the risk of coronary heart disease.

Enhanced vitamin A

One old study by McLaren (1999) and a recent review study by Tan et al. (2021) found that red palm oil enhances vitamin A status in people who are deficient or at risk of deficiency because it’s rich in carotenoids that the body can convert into vitamin A.

Another small study in 16 participants by Sommerburg et al. (2015) found that people with cystic fibrosis, a condition that makes it difficult to absorb fat-soluble vitamins, experienced an increase in vitamin A blood levels after taking two to three tablespoons of red palm oil daily for 8 weeks.

A previous clinical trial by Radhika et al. (2013) also found that Palm oil is mostly used as a supplement to help improve vitamin A status in those who are at risk for deficiency. This study emanated from the National Institute of Nutrition, Indian Council of Medical Research in India, for example, showed that treating pregnant women with red palm oil increased vitamin A levels for both women and their babies.

Another meta-analysis of nine high-quality studies by Dong 2017) found red palm oil supplementation to increase vitamin A levels in both children and adults.

Fights Oxidative stress

Pham-Huy et al. (2008) study found that Free radicals are highly reactive compounds that form in your body as a result of factors like stress, a poor diet, or exposure to pollutants and pesticides. These free radicals can be mitigated by Antioxidants and protect the cells.  This can be done by using red palm oil which is high in beneficial antioxidants and has also been shown to reduce the inflammation and oxidative stress caused by free radicals.

For instance, one animal study by Varatharajan et al.(2013) in Malaysia examined the antioxidant activity of palm leaf extract (OPLE) in mice with diabetes. After just four weeks, OPLE was found to cause improvements in kidney dysfunction and fibrosis, two conditions commonly associated with diabetic neuropathy. Not only that but it was also found to decrease markers of oxidative stress and inflammation as well.

In case you want to use Palm oil for oxidative stress, Rachel, L(2018) article suggests you add plenty of other high-antioxidant foods, such as turmeric, ginger, dark chocolate, and pecans.

Supports Skin and Hair Health

Rachel, L (2018) explained that many people swear by using red palm oil for skin and claim that it can do everything from improving the appearance of scars to fighting off acne. This is because it’s rich in vitamin E, a nutrient that plays a central role in skin health.

This notwithstanding, one randomized controlled trial by Jaffary et al (2015) reported that taking vitamin E by mouth for four months significantly improved symptoms of atopic dermatitis (a condition that makes your skin red and itchy) compared to a placebo.

Another study by Keen and Hassan (2016) found that vitamin E may be useful in the treatment of wounds, pressure ulcers, and psoriasis.

Beoy et al.(2010) in 37 participants with hair loss found that taking tocotrienol for eight months increased the number of hairs by 34.5 per cent. Meanwhile, the placebo group saw a 0.1 per cent decrease in the number of hairs by the end of the study.

 Palm Oil, Side effects, and Concerns

There have been so many controversies regarding the consumption of Palm oil on health status. Let me address this here:

One, as humans, we behave differently. Hence, from studies, consuming red palm oil is likely to have a different impact on the individual.  The fact is that many studies found that palm oil can reduce cholesterol levels, while others have produced mixed results reporting that it can increase cholesterol concentrations for some individuals. I provide the studies on negative studies here:

  • Utarwuthipong et al. (2009)-controlled Clinical Trial published in the Journal of International Medical Research. Subjects were hypercholesterolaemia women (those with high levels of cholesterol in the blood). The study found a significant increase in these women consuming palm oil as compared to soybean oil (SBO), and rice bran oil (RBO)
  • Bautista et al. (2001)- Randomized Crossover Trial on Colombian diets published in European Journal of Clinical Nutrition. The subject was Twenty-eight healthy male students aged 20-34 years.
  • Tholstrup et al. (2011)- controlled double-blinded, randomized crossover Trial on 32 healthy men published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. This study found that as compared with the intake of olive oil, palm olein and lard increased total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol.
  • Xian et al. (2012) also found that reheated palm oil could increase arterial plaque, which may result in an increased risk of heart disease. Due to this, I advise, avoiding repeated reheating as it may decrease the oil’s antioxidant activity and lead to negative effects on health.

Though did not chance on any such studies on Africans, I advise you to use palm oil in moderation and use it in combination with other healthy fats in your diet.

Another concern is that most of the palm oil on the market today is heavily processed and oxidized for cooking purposes. Rachel, L (2018) explained that this method depletes palm oil of its health-promoting properties and can have negative impacts on health. Hence, I advise you to use unrefined and cold-pressed palm oil to avoid any adverse health effects.

Palm Oil vs. Coconut Oil

Let me use this medium to also settle this controversy between the two: The biggest differences lie in the composition of these two types of oils. The fact is that Coconut oil is higher in saturated fats and medium-chain triglycerides. On the other hand, palm oil is divided into nearly 50/50 between saturated and unsaturated fats, coconut oil is almost entirely made up of saturated fats. Coconut oil also contains beneficial compounds like lauric acid, which has been linked to a lower risk of heart disease and contains antimicrobial and antiviral properties.

When comparing red palm oil vs. coconut oil, however, both bring a different set of benefits and health-promoting properties to the table. Include both, along with other healthy sources of fat, in a well-balanced, nutrient-rich diet to promote better health.

Take Home

To studies there are numerous health benefits of palm oil including decreasing cholesterol levels, reducing oxidative stress, boosting brain health, slowing the progression of heart disease, increasing vitamin A status, and improving skin and hair health. Take notice of the negative aspect of reheating and reusing which possess a danger to our health.  You can also derive the numerous benefits from Palm soup due to the tocotrienols, a form of vitamin E that has strong antioxidant properties that may improve brain health.

The writer is a Professor of Naturopathic Healthcare, President, Nyarkotey College of Holistic Medicine & Technology (NUCHMT)/African Naturopathic Foundation. E-mail: [email protected]. 

References

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