By: Muhammed Lamin Drammeh

Muhammed Sandeng, the son of the murdered United Democratic Party member, has commended President Adama Barrow for according to his late father a state burial and funeral service six years after his demise.

Ebrima Solo Sandeng, in April 2016, with other members of the United Democratic Party took to the streets to demand electoral reform and democracy during President Jammeh’s regime, a protest that led to his arrest by the state securities and his eventual death, two days later.

Today, the state is organizing a state burial after years of trials that ended a few months ago sentencing former NIA director, Yankuba Badjie and others to jail.

Speaking to The Fatu Network, Muhammed Sandeng, his eldest son, praised the government for granting his late dad a state burial despite many claiming that President Barrow could have done more.

“Someone else may say otherwise, but I think maybe making a proclamation for an official funeral does it for President Barrow and I commend him for that,” he told TFN.

He added: “It is an honour to have a state burial done for a loved one and a national icon for that matter, so I am pleased with such a gesture. I also believe that Solo Sandeng is one person who everyone agrees deserves honourable recognition for his sacrifice.”

According to Muhammed, his father envisaged a democratic and prosperous Gambia by giving up his life. He said for the Gambia to actualize what Solo envisaged, they must labour today and reap tomorrow.

“My father envisaged a democratic and prosperous Gambia. He gave his life for [it], knowing he’d not benefit from it after his death. That’s to say that achieving such requires us to labour today and reap tomorrow. So, it is a process and we have made strides, albeit with many challenges. It is left to us to continue his legacy as Gambians,” he told TFN.

The state funeral and burial service will begin today at the Never Again Memorial Arch, and the burial is expected to be done at the Dippa Kunda.

By: Ousman Saidykhan

Teachers are resuming work today following the Gambia Teachers Union’s (GTU) declaration yesterday, January 9th, 2023, of the termination of the industrial actions that were announced last week.

The government have agreed to work on all their demands with some compromise from both sides, the president of the union said.

The GTU declared a nationwide sit-down strike asking for up to nine demands from the government through the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education. Among the demands were unpaid allowances and the thirty per cent salary increment that was approved for civil servants in late 2022.

The Union asked its members to stay home and promised not to resume teaching until the government succumbed to their demands.

However, in a dramatic turn at a press conference on Monday 9th January 2023, the Union asked its members to terminate the strike with immediate effect.

This declaration followed their 7th and 9th January 2023 meetings with the government to “holistically relook at the demands” and get to “sustained agreements” and put an end to the standoff.

Forty people have been reported dead in Senegal after a fatal road accident in the early hours of Sunday 8th January 2023. Other passengers are said to be in critical conditions.

President Macky Sall confirms the incident and extends his condolences to the bereaved families.

“I am deeply saddened by the tragic road accident today in Gniby which left 40 dead and many seriously injured. I extend my heartfelt condolences to the victims’ families and wish a speedy recovery to the injured,” President Sall writes on Facebook.

A 3-day national mourning has been declared by the President.

“Following today’s serious accident in Gniby that caused 40 deaths, I have decided to hold a 3-day national mourning starting from January 9.”

President Sall discloses that an inter-ministerial council will be held on Monday 9^th January “to take firm action on road safety and public transport of travellers.”

By: Muhammed Lamin Drammeh

Ibrahim JS Sanneh, an aspiring independent candidate for the Brikama Area Council chairmanship in May said his potential opponents, Yankuba Darboe and Ahmad Gitteh, are disconnected from the realities on the ground, noting that the duo only come to the Gambia during seasons of politics.

The 30-year-old, determined to go solo without any political party’s backing, told The Fatu Network that the duo is not more competent than him. He said that he is living in the country and knows all the problems that the people of the region are facing.

“I know the concerns. I was born and raised in these challenges. These two are all travellers, both residing abroad. They are only here during politics and when that is done, they are gone. You don’t see them again,” he uttered.

Yankuba Darboe has been picked by the main opposition party, United Democratic Party, as the party’s candidate for the position of chairman in the local government elections for Brikama. Ahmed Gitteh on the hand said he will also contest. It is not yet clear if he will be picked by the ruling National People’s Party (NPP) or will go as an independent.

To Mr. Sanneh, living with the people of the West Coast Region for most of his life makes him a more suited candidate to solve the region’s problems than Yankuba Darboe and Ahmad Gitteh.

“If you ask them (Yankuba and Ahmad) how much the prices of some vegetables in the market are, they cannot tell you because they are not living here. Even the price of sorrel or bitter tomatoes in the market, they can’t tell. For me, I know everything about our markets,” he told this medium.

He added that people on the West Coast streets will not even recognize Yankuba Darboe and Ahmad Gitteh, saying they can only be recognized on social media.

Why Contest as an Independent Candidate?

According to Ibrahim, he is contesting as an independent candidate for the forthcoming Brikama Area Council local government election for chairmanship because the region has been politically divided. He said the region cannot afford anything meaningful when they remain divided based on political ideologies.

“I want to contest under the independent ticket to bring unity and equity for the development. Looking at the political situation in the West Coast Region, our people are divided through party lines. We all know that we can’t continue like that. It will only take us backwards, and we cannot archive any meaningful development.”

He added that being an independent candidate, considering the disconnection of the duo from the people on the ground as well as being divided politically, he will have support from both UDP and NPP.

By: Dawda Baldeh

Born and raised by a woman known for poultry farming, Amie Mbowe continues to chase her childhood dream of rearing chicken and become a successful poultry farmer. She advised women to do poultry farming to reduce dependence on men.

She is currently rearing about two hundred and fifty chickens at the backyard of her house in Brikama-Ba, a densely populated village in the Central River Region, which is about 350km from Gambia’s capital, Banjul.

Amie Mbowe spends countless hours each day looking after her chickens as she enjoys spending time with them.

She started the poultry with one hundred (100) chicks and the poultry has grown to two hundred and fifty (250) within few months. It is evident that raising ruminants like chickens takes time, patience, and dedication and Amie is ready for the task.

She wants to change the narratives that every chicken consumed in the country must be imported, noting that she will provide enough chickens and chicken products for the local market at a cheaper price if given the necessary support.

“I love chickens because I grew up knowing only chickens. My mother had a poultry, and I spent my childhood looking after chickens. So, I know a lot about them,” she narrated.

Asked about what inspired her to venture into poultry, she said the purpose is to help provide chickens for the local market and make income to take care of her family.

However, Amie is facing challenges with her poultry which warranted her to seek support, particularly feeding.

“You have to feed the chickens for six months before they start laying eggs. When they lay eggs, I will put them into an incubator so that the eggs can hatch to produce more chicks. The business is good, but I need support to stand firm,” she pleaded.

Getting the proper food for the chickens is a major challenge for her because the feeds that fast-tracks the growth of the chickens are imported and expensive for starters like her.

“I want people to support me so that I can contribute in job creation. Currently, I employ four boys whom I pay monthly. My aim is to create more employment for the youths, but at the moment, I lack the capacity. No amount is small for me,” she pleaded.

Amie said she strongly believes Gambians like her, if given the necessary support, dependency on imported chickens will reduce.

With the experience she had, Amie can detect when the chickens are not happy. She also provides them with medications. “I always buy anti-stress for them because sometimes they will stress if the environment is too noisy,” Amie explained.

The young poultry farmer advised women to start creating means of getting income that will help them solve some of their minor problems without depending too much on other people.

Evidence has shown that there are a lot of benefits that come with raising chickens which include providing eggs, meat, manure, weed and pest control, income generation and reduction of food waste.

Experts believe that keeping chickens is one of the best investments that will bring people more returns in a short time.

Army personnel Warrant Officer Class Two (WO2) Lamin Jadama has been declared by the government “a treasonous fugitive from Justice.”

This is according to a government press release dated 7^th January 2023, signed by government spokesperson Ebrima G. Sankareh.

“Following the recently foiled coup plot, The Gambia Government hereby declares Warrant Officer Class Two, Lamin Jadama a treasonous fugitive from Justice. Jadama, among a dozen soldiers and some civilians who conspired to overthrow the democratically elected Government of President Adama Barrow, has since eluded the authorities and presumably fled the jurisdiction,” the press release stated.

The government notified citizens, residents and members of the Diplomatic and Consular Corps that Warrant Officer Class Two, Lamin Jadama, is wanted in connection with a failed coup plot to overthrow a constitutionally elected government and as such, should be reported to the nearest police or security post.

The government also shared pictures of WO2 Lamin Jadama for what it called “proper identification.”

On Friday 6th January 2023, The Gambia Government charged Jadama and seven of his colleagues (eight soldiers) of The Gambia Armed Forces with two counts of “Treason and Conspiracy to Commit Felony.”

The soldiers were charged with conspiracy to commit felony contrary to Section 368 of the Criminal Code CAP 10: 01 Volume III Revised Laws of The Gambia 2009 and treason contrary to Section 35 (1) (A) of the Criminal Code CAP 10: 01 Volume III Revised Laws of The Gambia 2009.

The released confirmed that the seven apprehended military personnel linked to the coup attempt are remanded at the Mile Two State Central Prisons awaiting trial alongside two civilians, Mustapha Jabbi and Saikuba Jabbi and Police sub-Inspector, Fakebba Jawara.

The government press release noted that investigations are ongoing, assuring that the public would be notified accordingly as things unfold.

By: Ousman Saidykhan

The case involving the State and Momodou Sabally has been struck out following Sabally’s unconditional release from detention.

Sabally’s arrest and detention was in connection to a statement he made in a video at a meeting with some youths who were said to be UDP TikTokers. The video was allegedly deemed to have connection with the foiled coup announced by the government on 21st December 2022.

The State later applied at the High Court for an extension of Sabally’s detention for further investigation. The said application was granted by Justice Zainab Ngui Mboob.

Sabally’s lawyer also filed summon of notice challenging his client’s detention and that was going to be heard on January 3rd, 2023. However, Sabally’s unconditional release meant the State has nothing concrete against him and the case has therefore been struck out.

Shortly after the matter was struck out, Sabally took to his Facebook page to say: “Case closed. Alhamdulillaah. Special gratitude and appreciation to my lawyers Abdoulie Fatty and Borry Touray.”

He said he is “not ready to back down.”

Below is the poetic statement Mr. Sabally posted on Facebook:

I’m not ready to make nice

I’m not ready to back down

I’m still mad as hell, and I don’t have time

To go ’round and ’round and ’round

It’s too late to make it right

I probably wouldn’t if I could

‘Cause I’m mad as hell

Can’t bring myself to do what it is

You think I should…

By: Dawda Baldeh

Following a viral CCTV video footage showing a doctor fighting a patient at Ndemban Hospital in Bakau, the management of the Edward Frances Small Teaching Hospital (EFSTH) has set up a Technical Committee to investigate the matter.

In a press release dated 3rd January 2023 and signed by Dr. Abubacarr Jagne, EFSTH management described the incident as “inappropriate, unethical and unprofessional,” saying they are investigating the matter.

“The hospital is investigating the matter and will appropriately inform the public of the findings that may arise. A Technical Committee has been set up to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident,” the hospital’s statement disclosed.

According to the hospital, the result of the investigation will be used to take necessary actions to deter reoccurrence of such incident.

Meanwhile, the authorities also urged the public to bear with them while investigations continue.

“We are begging the public to bear with us while we do the needful,” the statement added.

However, they also called on the media to reach out and get information from them rather than relying on ‘secondary sources.’

By: Dawda Baldeh

Gambian Nollywood actor, film producer, and scriptwriter Musa Darboe Junior has warned Gambians to stop promising to help people if they know they cannot fulfil their promises.

This he says could destroy people’s lives and careers. Speaking exclusively to The Fatu Network, the Nollywood actor said he nearly put himself in serious trouble that could have ended his career as a movie actor in Nigeria after he was given lavish promises by some Gambians.

“I nearly put myself into serious trouble and that would have been the end of my career.

“I was producing a movie titled ‘Living With Our Wicked Father’ so I needed financial support. One day, I was live streaming on TikTok and a lot of people were watching.

“One Gambian brother promised to support, and he failed the promise at the last minute. I was left shocked and hopeless,” recounted the young movie actor.

According to Darboe, a lot of Gambians promised to help him, but they all failed at the last moment.

However, Musa said while he was hopeless and heartbroken, a lady stood by him and give him the necessary support so that he will continue with his movie.

“It is not by force to help but it is not good to promise if you can’t fulfil it. You don’t know the condition of the person seeking help so don’t fail them.

“Some Gambians are attention seekers, and they can make any promise online because they know people are watching. But once you text them privately, it’s a different story,” he emphasized.

Musa claimed he knew a good lot of Gambians that are contributing money for rich Nigerian actors to celebrate their birthdays.

“I will not mention names, but I can tell you a lot of Gambians will contribute money for Nigerian actors to celebrate their birthdays.

Those actors will not even talk about them and all they will say is thank you. It doesn’t make any sense to contribute money for someone who is ten times richer than you,” he said.

However, the actor said he is not saying Gambians shouldn’t help other people but noted that help should be for the sake of Allah, and it should be given to those who need it.

“If you help your fellow Gambians who are struggling that will make more sense than helping someone who is already rich.

“Don’t help because you want people to know because you won’t get any reward from it,” he ended.

2023 NEW YEAR MESSAGE BY

H.E. ADAMA BARROW, GMRG,

PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE GAMBIA AND COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF

NATIONAL BROADCAST DATE:

 31ST DECEMBER 2022

“Fellow Gambians and Friends of The Gambia,

Witnessing a New Year is a blessing, for which we should be grateful. I thank God, therefore, for the blessings of the year, which include the huge decline in COVID-19 cases globally.

Focussing more on economic recovery than the pandemic, my government began 2022 with renewed vigour and commitment to advancing our dear nation’s development agenda.

Twelve months on, we are comfortably set to implement a sound five-year Recovery Focussed National Development Plan (2023-2027) and a longer-term Vision 2050 through a robust governance structure.

To recollect, after my inauguration in January for another five-year term, 2022-2027, and the National Assembly Elections that followed in April, I formed a Cabinet with new profiles to lead the march towards building on the gains of our transition period and to break new grounds. The creation of two additional Ministerial portfolios demonstrates our resolve and manifests our determination to move swiftly but professionally.

Supported by the Access to Information Act, my government’s commitment to democracy and our respect for freedom of expression led to the retention of a separate Ministry for Information.

It is obvious that we cannot develop in the absence of a capable human resource stock. As such, the Government highly prioritises education, skills development and job creation to boost our human resource capabilities.

Incidentally, the Faraba Banta University Campus is ready for operation in 2023. Graduates from our various institutions will feed into the National Employment Policy goal of creating one hundred and fifty thousand (150,000) jobs within the next five years.

My government takes education, health and agriculture with utmost seriousness. That thirty percent (30%) of the 2023 national budget is allocated to these sectors serves as evidence. Additionally, there is a sharp Government focus on economic recovery, agricultural production, construction, and tourism to reduce global pressures on our economy.

As a tax-based economy, we must create jobs and pay taxes willingly. Aided by new technology, we have improved tax collection and are determined to build on this success.

Fellow Gambians and Friends of The Gambia,

Lessons learned from the COVID-19 and AKI outbreaks have put us in a stronger position to strengthen our health system further. Meanwhile, the Task Force I set up is investigating the cause of the AKI outbreak and will submit its report in the New Year. We will review the report together with the recommendations from the National Assembly to inform Government’s decision on the matter.

The outbreak was indeed tragic. We sympathise with all the families and persons affected and mourn the loss of those precious Gambian children. I assure the nation that the Government will do all it takes to discover what led to the tragedy and how to prevent its recurrence.

The initiative we took to improve the health infrastructure is advancing smoothly. Besides the widespread construction works in progress, we plan to transform the Basse and Brikama health facilities into regional hospitals. Construction will begin in 2023.

Inaugurated earlier this year, the ultra-modern Medical Disposal and Treatment Centre at Farato is another gigantic development of the year. Alongside these initiatives, we will steadfastly build the capacity of the health personnel and improve their work conditions.

Fellow Gambians and Friends of The Gambia,

High inflation continues to threaten our survival and growth. It negatively impacts living costs globally and influences prices locally.

Furthermore, the current high dependence on imported rice is neither productive nor sustainable. As a result, supporting farmers is another key Government priority.

Despite the difficulty of providing essential farming inputs, such as fertilizer, during the year, we made a subsidy of millions of Dalasis to avail farmers of affordable quality fertilizer.

To begin the trade season on a high note, my administration increased the price of groundnuts by 14% to D32,000 per tonne from D28,000.

Our farmers also received improved seed varieties for higher yields. We listened to them during the recent Meet The People Tour and will continue to address their plight.

The global price increase of rice is an alert for Gambians to take up rice cultivation more seriously. Importing over 70% of the rice we eat is unsustainable.

Formally, Gambian farmers cultivated most of the rice consumed in the country. With modern technology, we can do far better. We have the land and the human resource; thus, with private sector investments, we can transform farming into profitable business ventures.

Against the threats of climate change, we have taken adaptive measures for resilience purposes. The floods in the Greater Banjul Area remind us to urgently manage our environment, settlements and waterways. I urge everyone to respect the building and land laws to reduce the risks posed by climate change.

The programme budget allocation to the Ministry of Transport, Works and Infrastructure indicate my government’s preparedness to provide the needed infrastructure to ease movement and boost the economy.

Fellow Gambians,

In this short speech, I cannot mention all areas requiring attention but be assured that we are taking a holistic development approach, with better coordination arrangements, to realise our national targets.

In this light, we recently initiated an appraisal system for State-Owned Enterprises, which will eventually include all MDAs. I call on all those in public service to do their best for the nation.

Fellow Gambians,

Affordable electricity supply for all is top on my government’s agenda. The plan to decentralise and expand access in all areas, rural and urban, and in new settlements is on course.

Our Security Sector Reform programme has progressed in building the capacity of our security forces. The Armed Forces are being re-oriented and motivated to enhance their role and responsibilities to assure maximum security in the country.

For their part, all citizens should take responsibility to control crime. While crimes reported to the police dropped in 2022, with public cooperation, burglary, domestic violence and other crimes could be reduced further.

Along similar lines, those in border communities that experience sporadic armed conflicts should collaborate with the Security Services to secure the country. Our territorial integrity must never be compromised.

It is regrettable that a handful of soldiers recently planned to overthrow the democratically elected government of the day. The devastating consequences of illegally overthrowing a constitutionally elected government can never justify the means employed, nor the ill-advised purposes for such deadly crimes. Gambians have lived through a military regime, and they know how military takeovers have destabilised, disunited and isolated countries within the sub-region that struggle to live with them.

The Gambia is a multiparty democracy, and citizens can legally contest for public office if they wish. To do otherwise amounts to treason and carries severe penalties.

I thank and commend the Intelligence Service and the GAF High Command for boldly and promptly taking action to foil the plot. They have demonstrated that, if we are united and vigilant as patriotic citizens, we will safely defend our country and continue our development programmes. These are times for national reconciliation and consolidation of our democratic institutions and not time to revert to lawlessness, subversion, and unconstitutional tendencies.

Because there are effective measures to ensure that justice prevails, all unlawful acts, mob justice inclusive, will not be tolerated. Wherever we may be, we must take charge to make our environment safe and maintain peace, law and order.

Fellow Gambians,

At the international level, The Gambia is in the limelight again. Our partners appreciate the Government’s efforts to promote and protect our democracy.

To cite examples, we now head the ECOWAS Commission, and both the World Bank and the IMF approve of our fiscal discipline.

The recent announcement at the US-Africa Summit by President Joseph Biden according to The Gambia the Compact Millennium Development Challenge grant is quite significant.

Our ranking in the World Press Freedom Index for respecting freedom of expression and enacting the Access to Information Act continues to challenge us to strive harder.

In like manner, we will continue to strengthen our foreign relations through diplomacy and people-to-people relations, thus encouraging investments.

Fellow Gambians,

Our achievements in 2022 resulted partly from teamwork and collaboration from the Legislature, the Judiciary, the public institutions, the media, Civil Society Organisations and the public. To a large extent as well, our partners played their roles very well. I thank all of them and urge that we cooperate and work harder to bring about the change we desire without violence or conflict.

In the same way, I appeal to all Gambians in the Diaspora to continue contributing to the advancement of their motherland. I encourage them to invest in growing the economy and safeguarding our democracy peacefully. Remittances contribute to economic growth, so let no one relent.

I thank our religious and community leaders for standing by the teachings of our religions to guide the people. The African Ulama and Ministers of Religious Affairs conference we hosted signifies international recognition of our beloved nation. Please keep up the good work.

I cannot fail to reiterate to all political leaders and supporters that our love for the country should never be questioned, regardless of our diverse opinions. We have a nation to build, and doing so requires unity, commitment, determination, and professionalism.

We have to strive in unity to maintain The Gambia as the Smiling Coast of Africa. As we enter 2023, we are better prepared to move The Gambia to higher heights. Let us do so together.

I wish you all a very Happy and Prosperous 2023.

Long live The Republic of The Gambia!”

By: Ousman Saidykhan

The leader and secretary general of National Reconciliation Party (NRP) has encouraged his party militants to cement their relationship with President Barrow’s NPP or risk seeing a United Democratic Party (UDP) government in the Gambia.

“UDP has a solid support. Fortunately, for us, they don’t grow, but their number remains solid. If there is any division on the other side, they stand chance to be a minority government in this country,” Hon. Hamat Bah said.

He told the militants they should never let that happen and the only way they could avoid that is by rallying behind President at all times.

“If we are divided, it will become a disaster and that disaster we don’t want to see happen,” the tourism minister said.

UDP is the biggest opposition party in the Gambia and it appears to be the only party Barrow’s political ally, Hamat Bah fears.

Hamat Bah has been accused of selling his NRP to Barrow, an accusation he has always denied. But what is clear now, is that, the NRP will never contest against Barrow for the country’s highest leadership position, according to its leader.

By: Ousman Saidykhan

The National Reconciliation Party (NRP) will never contest for the Presidency as long as the president of the Gambia and party leader of the National People’s Party (NPP), Adama Barrow throws his hat into the ring, said Hon. Hamat Bah, the party leader and Secretary-General of NRP.

Bah, who also serves as the Minister of Tourism was speaking at the Party’s Biennial Congress in Sare Bojo, Jimara Constituency, URR on Thursday 29th December 2022.

“We will support Adama Barrow even if he wants a third term. And I pledged never to contest against Adama Barrow. But other than Adama Barrow, let nobody have any illusion that we will mortgage this party, or our desire to be president to anyone,” Hamat Bah told delegates and militants.

He told the gathering that the party is stronger now than before and is committed to leading the Gambia subject to Barrow’s intention to contest.

Barrow came to power through a coalition in 2016 to end the 22-year rule of the former President, Yahya Jammeh.

He later formed his party, the National People’s Party and won the 2021 presidential election, securing his second term in office through the help of NRP and other parties that joined him.

The NRP, arguably instrumental in Barrow securing a second term, holds that Barrow is the best to serve as president for this country.

“And I’m urging all NRP militants to make sure that this coming local government election, we do not contest against NPP in any form at any part of the country,” said the party leader, warning that anyone who goes against this would be making what he called a “fundamental mistake.”

By: Dawda Baldeh

Musa Ousainou Yali Bachilly, leader of Gambia Action Party (GAP) told members and supporters of his party that a GAP led government will not tolerate homosexuality and what he called ‘unnecessary divorce’.

Mr. Bachilly was speaking at the party congress held at Tamala Hotel on Thursday 29th December 2022.

“A government led by GAP will have zero tolerance for people who practice homosexuality as they will not have rights or privileges in the country.

Calamity will not fall on us because of a few individuals who have sold their inner peace for money due to white supremacy,” he added.

Speaking on a range of issues, Mr. Bachilly told party comrades that “unnecessary divorce” will also be a thing of the past in a government headed by his party.

“We will make divorce very difficult. You cannot marry and divorce anyhow. It must be on concrete reasons that are in line with our religion.

Some people are taking advantage of others; they will marry and divorce anytime they wish. You cannot marry someone for a specific interest, and after getting that, you divorce the person. It will not happen if I become President,” he vowed.

Mr. Bachilly promised to make marriage easy in the country as a way of discouraging adultery and fornication.

The GAP leader further stated that the country will be in a massive transformation process if he is elected president.

He made several other promises during the party congress, outlining reforms he to foster unity and development in the country.

By: Dawda Baldeh 

Youth and sport minister Bakary Y Badjie has described 2022 as the ‘most successful year’ in Gambian sporting history’. He made the statement during a site visit at the Independent Stadium where renovation exercise is ongoing.

“We consider 2022 as the most successful year in our sporting history. It is the year we qualified for AFCON for the first time and the team went up to the quarter-final of the African Cup of Nations. There is nothing bigger than that in our sports,” Minister Badjie told journalists on Wednesday.

He added that Gambians athletes have also been doing well in 2022.

“The athletes won a gold medal in Mauritius; they went to Birmingham in the Commonwealth Games and won a silver medal for the first time, and also to the Islamic Games where they won gold medal for the relay and 200m…,” he narrated.

He further highlighted the performance of Gambia U20 team in the WAFU Championship where the team secured qualification to participate in the Africa U20 Cup of Nations in Egypt 2023.

He reiterated that the country under his Ministry, with support from the government, made massive improvements in all sporting disciplines in 2022.

Minister Badjie underscored progress made during the recently concluded NAYCONF that brought together young people from different regions and backgrounds across the seven regions of the country to explore their talents.

“We have seen the display of talents in all sporting activities by the youths who are potential national assets. The NAYCONF is a way to bring out talents from rural areas. We saw the records some of them made, like Lamin Basse who made a very good record in athletics. Like many others, he could be an asset for the country,” he concluded.

By: Ousman Saidykhan

Landing Badjie, Bob Malick Badjie, and Malick Bob Badjie; 1st, 2nd and 3rd accused persons respectively, were arraigned at the Brusubi Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday 27th December 2022 for, amongst other counts, allegedly disobeying a high court order, an offence that attracts a two-year jail term.

Justice BA Bakre of the Banjul High Court issued an order on the 2nd of November 2022, restraining Landing Badjie and all his associates from entering Conson Africa (Gambia) Ltd., a company he (Landing Badjie) is being jointly sued by Ryan Colson, John McClinton and Colson Transport Limited.

In that case, the plaintiffs are claiming, among other things, a declaration that certain vehicles allegedly registered in the name of Landing Badjie, the first defendant are Bonafide properties of the plaintiffs and are meant for the business of the second defendant, Colson Africa (Gambia) Ltd.

The Trio has not only been accused to have defied the restraining order from High Court; the 3rd, 2nd and 1st accused persons have each been respectively charged with: Common Assault; Assault Causing Actual Bodily Harm and Incitement of Violence.

Bob Malick Bob Badjie and Bob Malick Badjie are accused to have assaulted one Ebrima Camara whilst Landing Badjie allegedly incited violence at Colson Africa (Gambia) Ltd, a place they were restrained from entering.

They all pleaded not guilty to the charges.

The punishment for counts with which the three are individually charged; Common Assault; Assault Causing Actual Bodily Harm and Incitement of Violence are: 1-year, 5-year and 3-year jail terms.

They have been granted bail in the sum of D200, 000 each and a Gambian surety.

The case was adjourned to the 25th of January 2023.

By: Dawda Baldeh

Residents of Kerewan Dumbokono in the Central River Region (CRR) are seeking help to finish the construction of their first-ever self-funded health centre which is now at the finishing stage, but work is delayed due to a lack of finance. The health centre, when completed, will put an end to women giving birth on the way before reaching the hospital in Bansang.

Kerewan Dumbokono is 14 kilometres away from Bansang where the main hospital within the region is located. It further lies an estimated 350 kilometres from the capital Banjul, where the country’s main referral hospital is located.

Muhammed Korgura, the Public Relations Officer of the Village Development Committee (VDC), told journalists that the hospital construction began in 2016 to ease the challenges in accessing healthcare for villagers.

“The village is 14 kilometres from Bansang where the main hospital within the region is located. Our people suffer a lot before they access healthcare on time. We decided to start constructing a health centre in the village to help our people,” he said.

Mr Korgura added that sometimes pregnant women will give birth on their way to the hospitals due to the distance and poor roads.

“Some women will lose a lot of blood after giving birth on the way before reaching the hospital. We engaged the hospital authorities in Bansang when we wanted to construct a health centre in the village. They gave us the go-ahead after they saw our plan and they gave us the necessary advice,” he added.

Several speakers buttressed the challenges pregnant women and other patients face in the village and its surrounding in accessing healthcare services.

The villagers said the health centre if completed will be used by the entire community as they are surrounded by nearly fifty villages that are also facing similar problems.

“The work has stopped because of financial constraints. Our main support is from Mawdo Marena, a native of the village who is residing in Germany. He helps us with anything that has to do with finance while we also do the manpower work,” Mr Korgura pleaded.

For his part, Julaba Fatty, the Alkalo of the village said any support from anyone for the construction of the health centre will go a long way in addressing their access to healthcare challenges in the village and its surrounding.

“My people are suffering to access healthcare. Bansang is very far from the village, and this is affecting our people. The hospital will ease the burden on us. The hospital is well-planned, and it is designed in a way that will accommodate many patients. If you have a sick person during the rains if you are not lucky the person will die,” Alkalo Fatty said.

According to the Alkalo, drivers will not transport patients to the village during the rainy season due to the poor roads and patients suffer a lot.

“We have written letters to the government to help us with the necessary equipment if the construction is completed. The construction is almost finished but now we don’t have money.”

The residents are calling on the government, NGOs, and philanthropists to support the finishing of their hospital.

By: Muhammed Lamin Drammeh

The president of the Republic of The Gambia, Adama Barrow, has promised to never shy away from upholding the Constitution of the Gambia in defence of the country.

President Barrow assured to uphold the Constitution while addressing his National People’s Party militants in their ongoing maiden party congress at the Sir Dawda Kairaba Conference Centre in Bijilo.

“I promise never to turn away from the constitution with which you entrusted the task of defending the nation. And I reassure you that, the progress and development of the Gambia are my priorities,” he said.

Barrow’s government has, on several occasions, been tagged for going against the constitution. The last of which is the continued detention of the United Democratic Party General Campaign Manager, Momodou Sabally, who has been under police custody since last week.

Over 50% of Gambians re-entrusted President Adama Barrow to continue steering the affairs of the state when he contested as the presidential candidate for his National People’s Party in the December election.

According to Barrow, the National People’s Party was never struggling for relevance or visibility in the run-up to the December presidential elections. He explained that the people accepted and voted for the National People’s Party because of their reliable and progressive force.

“The people recognize that the NPP is not struggling for relevance or visibility, instead, they accept us as a reliable and progressive force with a concrete development target as confirmed by the 2018-2021 National Development Plan and 2023 to 2027 recovery focus NDP in progress.”

The president, while addressing his party militants, pointed out that the December presidential election victory came with great expectation for the continuous development that he’s been doing in the Gambia.

The National People’s Party are currently holding their first-ever congress since its establishment in January 2021.