By: Ousman Saidykhan

Last week dozens of Gambian faith leaders were trained by Faith For Our Planet to use faith-based approaches for climate advocacy. The workshop, the first of its kind in the Gambia was held at the Coco Ocean Hotel in Kololi on Thursday, 8th of December 2022.

Faith For Our Planet (FFOP) is an NGO convened by Dr. Mohamed bin Abdulkarim Al Issa, Secretary General of the Muslim World League for both interfaith and civil society leaders.

The specialised day-long training was organised by FFOP in partnership with the Commonwealth Africa Initiative and Mugassy Foundation. The event brought together activists, faith leaders and politicians from eight different African countries.

One panel discussion featured prominent faith leaders like Yshaua’u El-Sunais Sani, Founder of ‘Islam for Green Climate’ in Nigeria, Reverend Agostao Zitha, National Program Director of the Christian Council of Mozambique, as well as Gambian lawmaker, Abdoulie Njai who is a member of the National Assembly.

“This is the way we must address the threats of climate change by building a broad-based coalition and this again is one of the important reasons to address faith leaders such as yourselves given the role the faith community plays in setting environmentalist norms and values; anchored in the traditions of our country’s various faiths,” said Permanent Secretary Alieu Njie, in a speech delivered on behalf of the Minister of Environment, Climate Change and Natural Resources.

The Global Program Coordinator of Faith For Our Planet, Farwah Gulamali Khataw, pointed out the fact that the majority of the world’s population adheres to some faith, adding that this gives the faith leaders power and influence to play a crucial part in championing such environment preservation and climate advocacy.

The Gambia Government has on several occasions talked about its commitment to Paris Agreement; an agreement that was adopted by Parties at COP21 in Paris, on 12 December 2015. It seeks to reduce global greenhouse gas emissions to limit global warming to below 2 or preferably to 1.5 degrees Celsius.

However, the faith leaders, who are seen by Faith for Our Planet as so instrumental in fighting against environmental predicaments have not been fully engaged.

The founder of the Islamic Cultural Centre for Women and Children (ICCWC), Aja Maimuna Savage, underscored the importance of such training workshops and promised they will share the knowledge gained from there.

“We thank God that we have learnt a lot from the presenters here today. It is now our role to preach to others about what we learnt from this workshop. So really, we are going to do our best,” said the renowned female scholar, who is also the Muslim Religious Programme presenter on GRTS, the state broadcaster.

Another participant, Pastor Abdou Salam Dem Sisse said: “I believe that, yes, God has done his own part. But most of these environmental changes are being caused by man. So, I have to tell my people what to do next so that we get (away) from that calamity.”

The prominent pastor believes things will change if workshops like this are often organised to inform faith leaders.

Honourable Abdoulie Njai has also hailed the training workshop that brought together participants from different faiths as “quite timely”. The National Assembly Member of Banjul Central also served in the panel with two renowned religious personalities that discussed issues including gaps in the current climate action approaches.

“Not including these people in the climatic discourse, I think really limits the advocacy to a certain level – because these are people who use their platforms to commit with the masses, especially at the grassroots level. So, I think this convergence – liberating them in terms of the climatic discourse is quite important,” Honorable Njai said.

The training workshop in the Gambia was hailed as a success in equipping faith leaders with the knowledge and skills to inspire climate action in their congregations and communities. As well as facilitating their partnership with governmental, political, and civil society actors.

By: Dawda Baldeh

Several councillors of the Banjul City Council (BCC) have unanimously denied claims of Mayor Rohey Malick Lowe that the BCC councillors are paid 3000 dalasis per budget sitting. The councillors denied these claims at a press conference held at McCarthy Square on Thursday 15th December 2022.

The event was witnessed by Basiru Ndow, the chairman of the BCC finance committee, Mahmoud Ceesay, chairman of the Religious Committee, Abdoulie Boss Gaye, Member and Co-chair of the finance committee, Abdul Aziz Gaye, Waste and Means Committee chairman, Tunko Jammeh, Culture chairman committee, and Momodou Bah, Youths and Sports committee chairman.

These various chairpersons of the different committees who are councillors of the different wards said the finance committee’s mandate is to regulate, formulate, approve and execute a budget that is passed by the committee.

“All councillors are not paid salaries, but they are paid an allowance. The claims are not true. No one is receiving 3000 dalasis per budget sitting. We are only paid 1,500 per sitting which is in the local government act.

“For the mayor to make such claims are incorrect. And if anyone denied this, I would ask the internal auditor of the council to clear the air. Papers will never lie,” Basiru Ndow BCC finance committee chairman threatened.

The councillors also accused Mayor Rohey Malick Lowe of misusing the council’s funds by embarking on travels that are funded by the council without due process.

“Recently, she travelled to the US, her trip was funded by the council to the tune of D200,000 without any invitation. She should be the one to refund the council’s money.”

Basiru Ndow, Chairman of the BCC finance committee said they have a mandate. “It is our responsibility to look after the budget that we approved,” he claimed. According to the councillors, they are supposed to get the budget early so that they can do the needful.

“We have to look at the revenue and how the expenditure is going on. We are trying to finalize the budget but there is a delay in making a budget. What delay the budget is not about allowance as claimed by the mayor,” Basiru Ndow added.

They told journalists that they are working tirelessly to ensure that the 2023 budget is not jeopardized.

“We are working on a 168 million dalasis budget for the entire Banjul, and we need to take time. That’s why we couldn’t approve the 2023 budget draft or make recommendations,” he explained.

The councillors also made several allegations about the BCC mayor and how her office is operating. Abdoulie Boss Gaye, the co-chair of the BCC finance committee, said people need to be very careful in making allegations.

“We cannot continue campaigning even after elections are over. The budget should have been given to us mid-year for scrutinising it. We were trying to speed up things contrary to what the mayor said we were seating on the budget,” he said.

Mr Gaye told journalists that the mayor has no sole authority to singularly make decisions as per the local government act. According to him, the committee was looking into the staff payroll, especially the frontline workers.

“We felt that they deserve more of what council has to give because they are the ones in the sun doing the hard work and we realize they were paid a very small amount.”

Mr Gaye stated that a general council resolution was taken to send the budget to the finance committee to do the “clean up” before bringing it back to the general council for consideration and approval on the 1st of December.

By: Ousman Saidykhan

At least 300 Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) graduates have been awarded start-up toolkits worth five million dalasis (D5, 000,000) at a ceremony at Sterling Technical Training Centre in Busumbala.

The initiative is supported by the European Union through the Youth Empowerment Project (YEP) and Jobs Skills and Finance Programme (JSF) and Implemented by the International Trade Centre (ITC) in coordination with the Ministry of Youth and Sports, Ministry of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology, Ministry of Finance and Economic Affairs and the Ministry of Trade, Industry, Regional Integration and Employment.

The three hundred beneficiaries from across the country have completed the training in TVET and have demonstrated excellence in the course work and are ready to start their businesses.

“Today, we hand over a total of D5 million worth of equipment and tools to 300 graduates from various skills programs. But what is much more important than the value of the toolkits is the value this investment can create for your lives, your families, your communities and ultimately, the Gambia,” said Aisha Sillah, a representative from EU.

Minister of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology, Professor Gomez applauded the initiative and encouraged the beneficiaries to further their careers and grow their businesses.

“It is not through our voices, but it is through our actions that we value the support. I also encourage you to keep investing in your knowledge and skills to adjust to the environment and take advantage of new initiatives,” Pierre Gomez said.

One beneficiary on behalf of the graduates, Burang Sanneh praised ITC and assured that the toolkits will be put to good use.

Another beneficiary, Samba Sowe said: “I must say, this is certainly a youth empowerment program… We assure you that we will work tirelessly together to make you and the Gambia proud of us.”

International Trade Centre (ITC) launched what they call Skills for Youth Empowerment (SKYE), and this model provides scholarships or training to Youths who are not in education and employment to start their businesses.

The Gambia is one of four selected African countries to have secured partnership with the United States government Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) after rigorous selection assessment by the MCC Board of Directors to determine the African countries qualified for the said partnership.

The disclosure was made by the United States President Joe R. Biden at the US-Africa Leadership Summit in Washington DC.

President Biden revealed that The Gambia, Togo, Senegal, and Mauritania were selected to develop new MCC grant programs.

“Today, the Millennium Challenge Corporation signed its first ever Regional Transport Compact with the Governments of Benin and Niger. Since the start of my administration, the MCC has announced new investments of nearly 1.2 billion dollars in Africa. In fact, the MCC just announced partnerships with four African countries — first compacts for The Gambia and Togo to boost economic development, a compact with Senegal to bolster regional connections, and a threshold program with Mauritania to help strengthen democratic governance and pursue policy reform to unlock economic growth. These MCC investments are part of the work were doing worldwide through the Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment,” said President Joe Biden.

The MCC Board – chaired by the U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken – selected The Gambia and Togo as eligible to develop compacts, MCC’s five-year grant program that focuses on large-scale infrastructure investments and address policy and institutional reforms.

The Board also chose Senegal as eligible to develop a concurrent regional compact as well as Mauritania for a threshold program. Threshold programs are MCC’s smaller grant program that is designed to support policy and institutional reforms that address the factors constraining a country’s economic growth in countries that may not yet be meeting MCC’s strict compact eligibility criteria.

“Today’s announcement is symbolic of both the United States’ enduring commitment to Africa and MCC’s dedication to creating a stronger, more resilient global community,” said MCC’s Chief Executive Officer Alice Albright.

“Our Board’s selection of these countries affirms each country’s aspiration or commitment to democratic principles as well as their intentions to make the investments and institutional changes necessary to build a more prosperous future for their communities. The MCC Board’s decision comes at a critical time, and we look forward to working together with each country to develop a program that will address the most pressing challenges facing their economies,” she explained.

MCC has been a steadfast partner with governments across the African continent since our agency was founded in 2004, investing $9.5 billion in 24 African countries. With these new selections, MCC has expanded its active programs to 14 countries in Africa with compact and threshold programs worth $3 billion as well as another $2.5 billion in the pipeline.

Along with selecting countries for new grant programs, MCC’s Board also reselected Côte d’Ivoire as eligible for a concurrent regional compact program; Mozambique, Sierra Leone, and Zambia for compact development; and Kiribati for threshold program development.

The Board also reaffirmed its support for continuing compact development in Belize. MCC regularly reviews its partner countries’ policy performance throughout the development and implementation of a compact or threshold program.

The Millennium Challenge Corporation is an independent U.S. government agency working to reduce global poverty through economic growth.

Created in 2004, MCC provides time-limited grants and assistance to countries that meet rigorous standards for good governance, fighting corruption and respecting democratic rights.

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has in a press statement expressed concerns over the reported shooting of four young persons by Senegalese forces at the Gambia-Casamance border.

“The National Human Rights Commission is disturbed and deeply concerned by the alleged unlawful shooting of four youths along the Gambia-Casamance border by Senegalese soldiers or their drones which has led to the death of three young people and the serious wounding of one who is battling for his life at Ndemban Clinic,” the press release noted.

The fatal incident is said to have taken place on Friday 9^th December 2022.

The NHRC pointed out other reported allegations of human right abuses allegedly being committed by the Senegalese forces at the border areas.

“There are also allegations, albeit sometimes conflicting, that Senegalese forces along the Gambia-Casamance border continue to conduct abusive and systemic operations against innocent, unarmed and defenseless Gambians living in Foni, in particular Gambians living in the border villages. Incidents of abductions were also reported in similar circumstances in the area recently.”

The Commission called on the government to investigate the alleged shootings and take actions to ensure the protection of lives and property in border villages within the Gambia.

The NHRC further encouraged the Government to explore diplomatic measures through established rules of engagement under agreed protocols and international law to seek justice for the deceased.

“The Ministries of Defence and Interior are urged to issue public statements to assure citizens and the people living in The Gambia, particularly those in Foni and the border villages, of their safety and wellbeing at all times. It is the obligation of the State to protect and guarantee the lives of its citizens and other people within its jurisdiction, the sanctity of which is enshrined in the 1997 Constitution and other regional and international human rights instruments the Gambia is party to such as the 1951 Refugee Convention, as amended by the 1967 Protocol, 1969 OAU Refugee Convention and the 1998 UN Guiding Principles on the  specific needs of internally displaced persons worldwide,” the press statement emphasized.

The State human rights body also urged the government to investigate the death of one Yankuba Badjie of Gifanga village, whose death was linked to similar circumstances by Senegalese soldiers on 20 November 2022.

The NHRC disclosed that it is making efforts to investigate the recent alleged incident and those that have taken place in the recent past, while calling on the Gambia government to safeguard the territorial integrity of the country, protect the citizens and residents of the Gambia and review the rules of engagement of foreign military forces/operations in the Gambia and around the Western Region borders.

Over the years, there have been several reports of human rights violations at the border areas as Senegalese forces continue to battle with rebel forces known as the Movement for Democratic Forces of Casamance (MFDC) which seek independence for the southern Senegalese region. Border villages in neighboring Gambia have been adversely affected by the protracted conflict between both forces.

The Gambia Government has in a press release announced the approval of “an emergency World Bank budget support of US$20 million for The Gambia.”

According to the release dated 14^th December 2022 and signed by government spokesperson Ebrima G. Sankareh, the budgetary support is meant to improve debt and public investment management, strengthen financial viability and service delivery in the energy and telecommunication sectors and also enhance the transparency and governance framework of State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs).

“The relief will enhance the delivery of the Government’s socio-economic development plans while mitigating the ravaging effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and war in Ukraine,” the release sated.

The government statement recognized the role of development partners in sustaining the country’s socio-economic growth as the nation battles with economic challenges.

By: Sarjo Brito

The Finance and Public Accounts Committee (FPAC) of the National Assembly is set to order the National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA) to pay back over 137 million dalasis of unaccounted-for covid funds following the government’s covid-19 relief programme.

An explosive report by the Auditor General exposed how covid funds were misappropriated through inappropriate procurement and contracting processes among others.

According to the National Audit report, 859 million dalasis was set aside for food relief. Out of the 859 million, 832 million was spent by the Ministry of Trade to procure food items and the remaining 27 million was spent by the National Disaster Management Agency to transport and distribute food.

The National Assembly Member for Upper Saloum and Vice Chairperson of the Finance and Public Accounts Committee Honourable Alagie Mbowe said the move by the committee is to send a clear message to officials entrusted with public funds to use them for what they are intended and by the laws of the country. Mbowe added that this will reduce misuse and curb corruption.

“The message FPAC is sending out to everybody is that if you have been given a position of power where you are entrusted with public funds, we are saying in very clear terms go with what the rule of play dictates. We have the Public Finance Act. We also have the financial regulations of 2016. We have the GPPA act even though it has been changed to the new one of 2022 but there are certain laws that guide the usage of public funds.

“And again, I think it is everybody’s responsibility to ensure that our public finances are put to the best use to avoid wastage and corrupt practices. This is the message that FPAC is sending to everybody. If you are entrusted with public funds, make sure you do the right thing. Otherwise, we will make sure you pay, and I don’t think we would spare anybody,’ Alagie Mbowe told WCR in an exclusive interview.

By: Dawda Baldeh

Gambian comedian, Tijan Sowe whose style of operation on TikTok is conducting loyalty tests, has explained to The Fatu Network why he chooses to test the loyalty of people in their intimate relationships – an act which he said has resulted in several breakups.

The content of the TikTok comedian is dubbed “loyalty test” that focuses on exposing hidden tricks and cheaters in relationships.

The comedian goes around asking people whether they are in a relationship, helping them test the loyalty of their partners. He offers gifts in cash to anyone who passes his loyalty test.

If a person confirms that he/she is in a relationship, the comedian usually requests for the contact of the person’s partner and calls him/her posing to be calling from a company and will say, “Your partner has won some cash prize in our company telling us that the two of you are dating, so we want you to confirm the name of your partner that will enable your partner have the huge cash price.”

The comedian has other ways of doing his relationship loyalty test.

He explains why he uses TikTok. “I was not on TikTok; sometimes I think of funny things and put them on my WhatsApp status and many people began to view my status. I later realize that I have talent and that I needed to expose it. I then started using TikTok,” he explained.

Similar loyalty test is being done by content creators in other countries, so comedian Sowe said he was inspired by his followers to start the test in the Gambia because no one was doing it at the time.

“Many girls have approached me to test their boyfriends,” he noted.

Tijan said it was very difficult when he started because he was the only Gambian doing it.

“I want to know those who are serious in their relationships and those that are not. But since I started, one test stands to be my favourite. I did a test for a guy, and he was the first person to find out that his girlfriend was not cheating. A week after the test, they got married. This melted my heart and I felt that I contributed a lot to the married,” he added.

The comedian stated that many boys and girls break up after the test.

By: Ousman Saidykhan

Sainabou Mbye on Tuesday testified in their ongoing manslaughter trial before Justice Jaiteh. She said never had she done anything to inflict harm on baby Muhammed, the 2-year-old boy whose death she is being tried for alongside her brother and cousin.

“I have never locked Muhammed in a vehicle. I have never done anything that will harm him because I loved him, and I used to help him a lot. I have never harmed him not to mention killing him,” Sainabou Mbye testified.

The trio, Sainabou Mbye, Cherno Mbye and Kibily Dambelly; 1st, 2nd and 3rd defendants respectively, are accused of locking Muhammed Mbye in a vehicle resulting in his death. The child is a nephew to the accused persons.

The first defendant, Sainabou Mbye told the court that she was on her phone throughout the 4th of July this year when they were transferring to their new house in Brusubi and that the child was not under her custody, debunking what the particulars of offence which allege that they locked the child in a vehicle for four hours resulting in his death.

“It is not true. Like I have said, all I used to do was to help him and his mother. What I can remember from the day is alighting from the vehicle and entering the compound; not locked or exposing him,” the first defense witness who is also the first defendant testified.

She narrated that Muhammed had a flu and chest pain before her mother put him in the vehicle and he had consumed some paracetamol and syrup they had bought for him.

The witness has also testified that during the taking of her statements, the police only told her to talk because there was too much talking and that they wanted to help her.

“They did not give me any opportunity to write for myself. They only asked me of my preferred language,” Sainabou told the court.

The witness said the independent witness, Bubacarr Colley, was not present at night and the following morning when her statements were being obtained but was only called later to sign as a witness.

She narrated that she was not satisfied with the way the doctors were handling baby Muhammed and that was why she arranged for him to be taken to Dakar for treatment.

“There was a test they supposed to conduct at night, and they did not. The following morning, the doctor asked about it; they said they forgot or something. We later realized they did not have equipment,” the witness said.

Sainabou is the first witness to testify for the defense as they opened their defense. Initially, the defense counsels were not ready to open their defense. They opted for the a “no case to answer” application which was dismissed for lack of merit.

The case was adjournment to 16th December for continuation of the defense witness, Sainabou Mbye’s testimony.

The government of The Gambia has reacted to what they believe were mere allegations by Foni National Assembly Members (NAMs), barely a week after the 5 National Assembly Members convened what they called a “high-level press conference”.

The 4th of December presser focused on “current burning issues and the injustices against Foni citizens in the Region.” However, it appears that some of the content of the press conference did not go down well with the government.

Among the issues discussed during the press conference, the 5 NAMs alleged the unfair termination and dismissal of Foni citizens from key civil and public service positions as well as the targeting of people from Foni by the various Commissions of Inquiry.

“The Gambia government registers its total disappointment with the false allegations of unfair targeting of people from the Foni Region by the various Commissions of Inquiry as well as the unfair termination or dismissal of public officials and civil servants.

“That notwithstanding, Government cautions that it will not hesitate to take all available lawful action against any individual or group of individuals with sympathies towards the principal perpetrators of gross human rights violations and atrocities committed in The Gambia,” government responds in a press release dated 11th December 2022.

The five parliamentarians have also raised concerns over the presence of the ECOMIG forces in the Foni Region. They believe the presence of these forces is a threat to the natives.

“The presence of the ECOMIG forces across the country, the Foni Region inclusive, is necessitated by genuine security concerns exacerbated by a porous southern border. The ECOMIG has been instrumental in maintaining peace and security as The Gambia navigates its very sensitive transition,” disagrees government in a statement signed by its Spokesperson, Ebrima G. Sankareh.

Meanwhile, the government has confirmed in the same release the deaths of Demba Colley, 23, Alagie Kolley, 23 and Ebrima Colley, 20 last night. All the three were non-Gambians but had registered with the UNHCR, Banjul Office as refugees in The Gambia it says.

“A fourth victim, Sulayman Kolley was injured and is currently being hospitalized at a health facility. The Gambia Government wishes to clarify that all three men died in the Senegalese Region of Cassamance and not within Gambian territory as is being erroneously alleged.”

The Government has also confirmed that Yankuba Badjie died across the border in the Casamance Region of Senegal.

“The late Mr Badjie was non-Gambian, a registered refugee with UNHCR and had resided at Gifanga village. Meanwhile, the Gambian authorities are closely working with their Senegalese counterparts regarding this case,” Government said in a press release.

By: Modou Touray

The President of the Republic of The Gambia, His Excellency Adama Barrow has given two weeks ultimatum to local authorities in Brikama to tackle the issue of negotiating for a piece of land for the construction of the proposed modern hospital for the community of Brikama, saying all lands belong to the state.

President Barrow gave the order while addressing a meeting in Brikama on Thursday as part of the second leg of his Meet the People’s Tour.

“I hereby order the Alkalo, Chief, Governor in consultation with the Minister of Lands to tackle the issue of land for a modern market. I understand the identified piece of land belongs to Touray Kunda in Brikama. We have been negotiating to get it to construct a hospital, but the final approval is yet to be given by the custodians of the land.

“All lands belong to the state and accordingly the government has the prerogative to demand any piece of land for infrastructural development,” President Barrow said.

The modern hospital, if successfully constructed, will provide treatments for complicated sicknesses and other health conditions which are not currently available in the country.

The President also stated that Brikama is rapidly growing in population which makes it justifiable to build a hospital to cater for the demand for health services.

“My government has been anticipating developing Brikama and other settlements but the availability of space for infrastructural [development] is a major obstacle. If the required land is not available, it will be difficult to carry out development projects for citizens,” he stressed.

He called on the local authorities to factor in future infrastructural developments in their communities by reserving pieces of land.

President Barrow also hinted at his government developing projects for Brikama and other satellite villages in the coming years such as the provision of roads and electricity.

“Our target is for every settlement in the Gambia to have access to electricity by 2025.”

The government’s road project according to the president will benefit many settlements within Kombo Central, Kombo South and other places in the West Coast Region.

The second leg of the president’s Meet the People’s Tour continues in other parts of the Kombos after conducting similar meetings in the rural Gambia

By: Dawda Baldeh

Women vendors at Bakoteh fish market have urged the government to reduce the prices of basic commodities so that they can make sales to reduce financial losses.

The market accommodates hundreds of vendors who are selling different food products and it is also used by many for their daily shopping.

However, the vendors are also facing numerous challenges due to the continuous escalation of prices of commodities.

Penda Camara, a vegetable vendor who has been in the business for two decades, said the recent prices of basic commodities are beyond imagination and against their will.

“The business is very slow, and we are losing customers while our vegetables are getting spoiled.

It is very difficult, but we can’t sit at home. We use the income generated to feed our families and pay school fees for our children. The government should find ways to cut the price of the commodities,” she explained.

She called on the government to support women in their businesses, saying they are suffering.

“We are not comfortable with the price of the commodities. But if you buy something at D50 you cannot sell it for less than that. We are feeling the pain of our customers,” she added.

Bakoteh fish market is predominantly occupied by women, most of whom are the breadwinners of their families.

They travelled from different places every morning to sell their products before midday.

“Business is no longer as usual. We are losing a lot because commodities are very expensive, we are paying tax daily and we are not making a profit,” Mariama Camara said.

She equally lamented the numerous challenges they are facing which include a lack of storage facilities for their vegetables, and transportation costs among others.

The women mostly sell perishable food that cannot last long without proper cold storage facilities.

Several other women highlighted similar challenges that are affecting their businesses in the market.

President Adama Barrow has urged newly sworn judges to timely dispense justice and earn the trust and confidence of the public.

The President was making a statement at the swearing-in ceremony of two appeals court judges and one high court judge on Thursday 8^th December 2022 at State House.

“As custodians of the Law, or Justices of the Superior Courts, earning public trust and timely dispensation of justice are of paramount importance and should always be uppermost on your minds as you perform your functions,” President Barrow urged the judges.

Justice Veronic Wright and Justice Sainabou Wadda Ceesay were sworn in as justices of the Court of Appeal while Justice Isatou Jallow Sey as Justice of the High Court, all-female judges of the superior courts.

The President noted that he was reassured by Chief Justice Hassan B. Jallow that, as customary, the three judges went through a ‘rigorous selection process’ before their recommendation by the Judicial Service Commission for appointment, attributing the said appointments to their hard work, qualifications, competence, and experience.

He praised the leadership of Chief Justice Hassan B. Jallow, pointing out that the Judiciary has recorded ‘significant achievements’ in administrating justice and enhancing access to justice for all Gambian citizens and residents of the country.

The President pledged his government’s continued support to the judiciary in realizing the objectives contained in the Judiciary Strategic Plan 2021-2025.

“My government is currently working on a Bill to improve the conditions of service for the Judiciary and make the Sector a model within the region.”

He underscored the importance of the judiciary in enhancing human rights, punishing lawbreakers and addressing conflicting issues.

“The Judiciary undoubtedly plays a very important role as a strong pillar of the State in promoting and protecting fundamental human rights, enforcing the penal code, and resolving disputes. Linked to our situation, a well-functioning independent and transparent Judiciary is indispensable for our growing democracy,” he explained.

President Barrow expressed delight to learn that the three judges are all women.

“That all three of them are Gambian ladies, compels me to express satisfaction and pride for the huge strides taken to make the Judiciary truly Gambian without compromising on efficiency and ethical considerations.”

He continued that under his leadership and that of Chief Justice Jallow at the judiciary, the High Court, Court of Appeal and Supreme Court have been ‘successfully staffed’ with competent and qualified Gambians. This, the President said has been his vision and strong conviction since he assumed leadership “to wean the Judiciary from its heavy dependence on foreign judges to discharge its mandate.”

“It is always a source of joy and pride, therefore, for me to preside over the swearing of Gambian judges, because I consider it a progressive realization of my government’s vision,” he reiterated.

The President congratulated the judges on their new appointments and urged them to perform in accordance with their oaths and the laws of the land.

The World Bank has approved twenty million dollars ($20M) as grant for The Gambia to foster development and openness in government operations.

“World Bank’s Board of Executive Directors today approved Supplemental Financing for The Gambia Second Fiscal Management, Energy and Telecom Reform Development Policy Financing (DPF). The $20 million grant will support the government’s efforts to improve debt and public investment management; strengthen financial viability and service delivery in the energy and telecommunications sectors; and enhance the transparency and governance framework of state-owned enterprises (SOEs),” a World Bank press release disclosed.

The release added that the Supplemental Financing responds to the spillover effects of the war in Ukraine on The Gambia’s economy compounding an already challenging situation due the COVID-19 pandemic. It noted that the war in Ukraine disrupted agricultural supply chains and food trade, impacting food, feed, fertilizer, and fuel prices and driving inflation up to double digits for the first time in three decades.

“The war in Ukraine has led to a slowdown in economic activities in The Gambia and as a result impacted the country’s economic growth. This has reduced domestic revenues; at the same time, the country has to meet pressing basic social and productive sector needs exacerbated by rising inflation,” said Wilfried Kouame, World Bank Country Economist and Task Team Leader of the project.

According to World Bank, the grant will support efforts to improve the country’s economic resilience and recovery by mitigating revenue losses, boosting forex reserves, cushioning the impact of rising prices of essential products on the most vulnerable, and ensuring that the government’s reform program remains on track.

“The Government of The Gambia adopted several measures to mitigate the spillover effects of the war in Ukraine on the population, including foregoing part of the revenues from petroleum products, partially offsetting the rising costs of fertilizers and food products through subsidies, and a continuation of the removal of taxes on bread and rice,” said Feyi Boroffice, World Bank Resident Representative.

The World Bank noted that these measures, while reducing the impact of the crisis on the people, have generated significant fiscal costs and the additional support is part of a coordinated effort to fill the resulting financing gap.

By: Modou Touray

Hon. Seedy S.K Njie, Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly who doubles as chairperson of the standing committee on defense and security has said effective parliamentary oversight averts political threats and other challenges in the security sector.

He was delivering a statement at a forum in Senegalese capital Dakar held on 6^th-7^th December 2022 on the theme: “Prevention and security: the challenges of neighborhood and community security in Africa.”

“Parliamentarians can play an important role in averting political threats by promoting good governance through effective oversight and ensuring effective functioning of democratic institutions.

Achieving good governance requires the existence of a strong, effective and efficient parliament. This is so because parliament plays a crucial role in gauging, collating and presenting the views and needs of the people, articulating their expectations and aspirations in determining the national development agenda. As an oversight body, parliament helps to identify problems and policy challenges that require attention,” he stated.

Hon. Seedy S.K Njie emphasized that Parliamentarians are key actors in promoting good neighbourhood security hence they are involved in creating and overseeing the legal framework within which the security sector operates. Good security, he added requires that the security sector is subordinate to democratic civilian control, and that a sound legal framework for security provision, management and oversight is an important basis for allocating roles and responsibilities in a democracy while placing limits on the use of force and political power by the government.

“Strong legislative bodies are a bedrock of representational democracies. As elected representatives, parliamentarians play an indispensable role in shaping both public policy and the way states exercise power and authority.

Parliamentarians while approving the national budgets should cater for the needs and welfare of the poor and marginalized in society. As we all know, poverty is a challenge and indeed a security threat. Parliamentarians should allocate adequate resources to ensure food self-sufficiency and access to clean and portable water,” he stressed.

He also stated that Parliamentarians should ensure that the rights of the minorities are protected and enact laws to fight drug-trafficking, illegal trade and other activities that pose threat to peace and security while underlining that parliament and government have different roles in security matters.

“They share the responsibility for keeping a well-functioning security sector. This idea of shared responsibilities also applies to the relation between political and military leaders. These two parties should not be regarded as adversaries with opposing goals. On the contrary, they need each other in order to achieve an effective, comprehensive and people-centered security policy,” he said.

By: Sarjo Brito

Former National Assembly Member for Niamina East Honourable Omar Ceesay has registered his disappointment with the current NAM representing his constituency for what he describes as his lack of participation and representation in parliament, especially in the just concluded budget process.

The former parliamentarian said it is disappointing to see a NAM elected to represent his people not utter a single word about issues of national development.

“Honourable Jeng is someone who has never uttered a word since he was sworn in. I would encourage the electorate of the said constituency to recall him for his style of representation in the House. For one to perform an oversight, one must speak.

“For one to make a comprehensive report regarding your scrutiny of the executive, one must speak and contribute and participate in that National Assembly. Most importantly, for one to spell out the grievances of your people, you must request the floor of the National Assembly to speak. This is why MPs are allocated fifteen minutes at the end of every session to raise the concerns of their electorates before the executive,’’ Ceesay said.

The former parliamentarian said National Assembly Members must be assertive in their roles, especially at a time when the country is at a crossroads. Honourable Ceesay added that the National Assembly must refuse to be a rubberstamp assembly amid the controversial 2023 budget which aims to increase the pay and allowances of National Assembly Members.

“The budget is the second most important document apart from the constitution. It is the very document that will address the need of the Gambian people. With all the hardships people are going through, especially the people of Niamina East in terms of agriculture, unemployment, health, and education, you want to tell me that this person who is the mouthpiece of Niamina East has nothing to say? It is unbelievable. I will encourage him to stand and speak up for the people of Niamina.’’