By: Dawda Baldeh

MC Cham Junior, national youths’ president of the opposition Gambia Democratic Congress (GDC), has called on National Assembly Members to unanimously reject the proposed salary increment, saying the country faces an economic crisis and that people are suffering.

“Parliament should reject the proposed salary increment for the Speaker and Members. The speaker is well-paid. The NAMs should instead consider teachers, nurses, police and military officers and others who are struggling. I think parliamentarians should set a good example as the country faces economic hardship,” he explained.

For Mc Cham, the President, cabinet members and lawmakers should instead consider a cut in their salaries and allowances.

“People are suffering. This year’s budget should focus more on minimizing expenditure. Taxpayers are suffering,” he emphasized.

The GDC national youths’ president further stated that hospitals are without medicines and proper laboratories.

“Even the Food Safety Authority does not have equipment for testing. They have to take samples to Senegal for testing. The NAMs should be at the forefront in addressing these issues.

Any proposed budget needs to be discussed at the constituency level. They should hold the government accountable,” he noted.

Mc Cham Jr was reacting to the proposed salary increment which Hon. Touma Njie was unhappy with as she walked out of Parliament during a heated debate.

The 2023 estimated budget indicates a total of D36,715,057. 95 for national assembly services as against D27,788,736.00 approved in 2022. This means the estimate is seeking an addition of D8,926,321 on the 2022 excluding allowances.

By: Ousman Saidykhan 

Hon. Fatoumatta Touma Njie, the national assembly member for Banjul South, on Thursday 24th November 2022 asked her colleague parliamentarians to reject 2023 budget estimate which indicates salaries increase for lawmakers.

The 2023 estimated budget indicates a total of D36,715,057. 95 from D27,788,736.00 approved in 2022 budget for National Assembly Services. This means the estimate is seeking an addition of D8,926,321 on the 2022 approved one and this amount excludes their allowances.

“I feel ashamed to call myself an honourable member. I gave myself for service. I did not give myself for poor people to feed me and my family. When I saw this, I felt embarrassed. I did not want to come to this budget session because I said to myself there is no need – because we are just sharing the cake in our pocket, going home feeding ourselves.”

“Even if I go to the Constitution, it says that; we shouldn’t deliberately enrich ourselves. And increasing our salaries is deliberately enriching ourselves and that is an embarrassment. I think as a National Assembly, we should not accept any salary increment,” Hon. Fatoumatta Touma Njie said at the budget session.

The 2023 estimated budget gives the Speaker D1,560,000 from D658,534.00 in 2022 (D901,466 addition); the Deputy Speaker D716,430 from D551,100 in 2022 (D165,330 addition) and the National Assembly Members D32,448,000 from D24,960,000 in 2022 (D7,448,000 addition), excluding the majority and minority leaders whose annual salaries as indicated by the estimate would be D702, 718 from D540,552 and D510,000 in 2023 respectively.

“Not only that, but to see the responsibility allowance, residential allowance, the robbing allowance and all those for the representatives of the people. It is embarrassing, for me to go back to my poor constituency and tell them that the meagre resources of this country – I’m paid that much at your expense. I took an oath to serve and to give back to my society – not to enrich myself,” Hon. Njie said.

By: Hadram Hydara

Momodou Sabally, former Secretary General and Head of the Civil Service and now a prominent member of the opposition United Democratic Party (UDP), has filed his defence against businessman Abubakary Jawara, following the latter’s D8 million suit against him.
Mr Sabally has, in his Statement of Defence, denied in its entirety the claims of the plaintiff (Abubakary Jawara) and the reparations he seeks.

“The entirety of the Plaintiff’s pleadings, claims and assertions, are simply false innuendo and even where the statements conveyed a certain meaning, such a meaning was incapable of being defamatory as alleged by the Plaintiff.”

“The Plaintiff did not suffer any reputational or financial harm as a result of the Defendant’s statements and/or actions and it is further denied that any loss that the Plaintiff is able to prove was caused by the Defendant as alleged or at all.

“The Defendant invokes the defences of truth or justification, honest opinion or fair comments and that the various statements were made pursuant to public interest,” he stated in his Defence.

Sabally, who is a fierce critic of the current administration, said the letters the Plaintiff relied on are afterthought fabrications, adding that the Plaintiff would not have waited this long if he was indeed defamed.

“Even if the Plaintiff is able to show harm, this cannot be attributed to the Defendant [Sabally] as alleged or at all. This action is premised on defamation, yet the Plaintiff waited 22 months, almost two years before instituting this action.

“If the statements of the Defendant had indeed defamed the Plaintiff and there was a defamatory cause of action against the Defendant, the Plaintiff would not have waited until almost two years to bring this action.

“The substantial delay in bringing this action shows that this suit lacks merit,” Sabally noted in his Statement of Defence.

Mr Jawara filed an 8 million civil suit against Sabally back in October for defamation and slander and asked for an unreserved apology. The defendant appeared before High Court in Banjul in November to respond to the suit filed against him, before the case was adjourned to January next year pending the filing of defence by the defendant.

By: Ousman Saidykhan

The United Nations Assistant Secretary General has told journalists that the Gambia has ideas and solutions and could be unstoppable in terms of development; but only if it includes the youths in decision making processes and takes out shackles of bad governance and low confidence.

“…Because young people understand technology; they understand digital transformation and that is the future of development. We can get there faster with the new technologies and the new digital tools. And this is the realm of youth,” Ms Ahunna Eziakonwa said.

She was speaking at a press conference on Wednesday, 23rd November 2022 at the UN project office shortly after her engagement with youths of the Gambia.

“…And a Gambia that understands the worth of young people because it is a very young country with more than 60% under the age of 30. That is a huge asset that this country could unleash and give it a competitive edge,” Ms Ahunna, who is also the UNDP Regional Director for Africa said.

The UN Assistant SG is on a three-day visit to the small West African Country. She had visited a number of sites that are being supported by the UNDP, including a solar-powered cooling facility at a fish landing site in Kartong, water supply project in Bonsa, among others.

“The older generation will take a much longer time to get it; so, why don’t we understand the centrality of investing in young people to be able to transform our countries and accelerate development?” Ms Eziakonwa noted.

By: Dawda Baldeh

Momodou Bah, a one-time independent presidential aspirant in the 2021 presidential election has told The Fatu Network in an exclusive interview that the Gambia and Senegal need to collaborate to curb cross-border criminalities.

Mr Bah, who is the leader of the African Federalism and Republican Orientation (AFRO), a movement he intended to register last year as a political party, said the Gambia is surrounded by Senegal and that the two countries are the same.

“I don’t believe one country should dominate the other. Gambia and Senegal should collaborate to address cross-border criminalities.

It should be a win-win collaboration where each people will see the others as their helpers,” Bah told TFN.

He further stated that there is a need for digitization at the border to monitor criminal activities.

The AFRO movement leader added that President Barrow and President Sall should work together to address issues affecting the two countries.

Mr Bah added that the Casamance region has two major economic activities: timber and drugs. “So, these have become a huge concern in the region,” he noted.

According to him, Senegal has all the right to protect their forest, adding that the timber coming into the country is from Casamance and the drugs.

However, he recalled that since the conflict occurred in Casamance around January and March, some people who fled for their lives are yet to return.

“There should be a dialogue between the governments, NGOs, and Civil Society Organizations to ensure the return of those families.

“If their way of earning income is not no longer available, there should be other means they should be engaged to earn a living,” he asserted.

Mr Bah further urged the two governments to look into the issue and provide youth jobs so they will not be engaged in such activities.

“The drugs that are coming into our country are not helping our youths at all.

“We have poor-roads borders and there is a need for re-enforcement of the major borders.

“We are surrounded by Senegal and that is good for us because before any terrorist group could enter the country they must be detected by Senegal. We are the same and we need to support each other,” he ended.

By: Ousman Saidykhan

The Gambia is expected to soon give its back to shortage of oxygen as the Ministry of Health and partners work towards increasing oxygen plants that will supply “enough” of what was once a nightmare for the country, director of health services Dr Bitteye said.

“This is going to help us provide the oxygen that we need, and it will be free to the patients. It is a big boost for our health sector,” Dr Bitteye told journalists at Ndmban Clinic Oxygen Plant which was visited by the UN Assistant Secretary General and UNDP Regional Director, Ms Ahunna Eziakonwa.

The containerized plant is said to cost over a million dollars with support from UNDP coordination, WHO and World Bank. It is yet to be fully functional. Once it starts operation, it is expected to fill at least one hundred and thirty-six (136) oxygen cylinders a day. There is another plant at Ndmban that produces about 50 cylinders daily.

“If you look at EFSTH alone, they used to spend almost one million dalasis per month. So that is now savings. So, think of what other hospitals used to pay for Oxygen,” Mustapha Bitteye told journalists.

An estimate of 400 oxygen cylinders is required daily, throughout the country. With the two Plants in Ndmban and the other two in EFSTH, Banjul and Bansang, which are yet to be installed, the authorities project production of more than what the Gambia will need.

“During Covid when we went outside [of the country] to buy, they refused because they needed it the most. So, now when something like that happens; we won’t have to go out – we have enough and we can even supply outside,” the director of Health services said.

By: Ousman Saidykhan

The Gambia will get access to a “loss and damage” fund that will be established for developing countries as one of the decisions made at the end of the UN’s Framework Convention on Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP27) on November 20th, 2022, at Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt.

“Gambia will now be one of those countries that can access our climate financing to deal with these kinds of issues,” the UN Assistant Secretary General and UNDP Regional Director for Africa said shortly after her visit to the State House where she met the President of the Gambia, Adama Barrow on Monday, November 21st, 2022.

Ms MAhunna Eziakonwa, who also serves as the UNDP Assistant Administrator is in the Gambia for a three-day working visit to interact with partners on UNDP Renewed Strategic Vision in Africa including its youth and women, climate change amongst others.

“Gambia is one of those countries that are vulnerable to the effect of climate change.”

“He [Barrow] said, for instance, not just the flood, but also the impact climate change has had on land and the capacity of land for productivity. All of these are damages that have been occasioned by climate change,” Ms Eziakonwa, told journalists at State House.

The UN Assistant Secretary-General also discussed a couple of issues with the President including Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) which she believes is an ambitious plan.

“To show how Gambia as a country will contribute to reducing emissions to 1.5 C, but also adapting to a greener pathway of development,” the UNDP Regional Director said.

By: Hadram Hydara

The 2022 FIFA World Cup, which is the 22nd edition and the first to be held in the Arab World, commences today, November 20 in Qatar.

Africa has 5 representatives in Qatar that will be looking to etch their names into the World Cup’s illustrious folklore — and despite notable absents, the continent is armoured with countries with the very best history in the tournament among African teams: Cameroon, Senegal, and Ghana have all reached a World Cup Quarter Final, which is the apex of Africa’s World Cup story. No African team has gone beyond the QF stage.

The two other African sides, Tunisia and Morocco, do not have as much glittering success as the others but they do look strong this year. Tunisia has never made it out of the group stages while Morocco has gone past the group stages just once in their history, although as group winners, the first African national team to do so.

Many football pundits around the globe are predicting African sides to spring an upset at this year’s tournament, with many believing an African team will make the top 4. Africa has three big chances to rewrite history, and this is by finishing top 4, top 2, or by coming home with the trophy. So, can Africa go a step further in Qatar? Here are Africa’s best success stories at the WC:

Cameroon: The nation made history at the 1990 World Cup by becoming the first African Quarter-Finalist. They played against Argentina, Romania, and Colombia en route to the Quarter Finals. Their game against England was a match to remember, both for English media and fans.

Senegal: A World Cup to remember for the Teranga Lions. Senegal stunned holders France and the tournament’s favourite in the 2002 match-up by beating them. Senegal dispatched some big nations on their way to the Quarter Finals. They were sadly knocked out by Turkey.

Ghana: 2010 was a sensational World Cup for the Black Stars. Ghana defeated the United States in the round of 16 before losing to Uruguay in a penalty shootout in the Quater Final. Suarez’s handball gave Ghana the chance to reach the Semi-Final but star forward Asamoah Gyan fluffed it, and they agonisingly came short in the penalty shootout.

By: Dawda Baldeh

Hagi Suwaneh, 2nd vice president of the National Youth Wing of the United Democratic Party (UDP), has said President Barrow’s upcoming Meet the Famers’ Tour is a waste of public resources.

“The tour is a waste of public resources used as a free funding opportunity for the ruling party. The rainy season just ended, and the farmers need support. They went through a lot of challenges. The fertilizer sale was manipulated, and farmers were forced to buy it at a high cost,” he emphasized.

In Hagi’s view, the tour is not worth it as the government will spend millions that should be used to support the farmers.

“If the president is concerned about agriculture, he should use that money to support the farmers. Gambians will not eat mere words. Government must revamp the agricultural sector and the economic capacity of farmers must be supported to deliver quality products and government should empower local businesses,” he said

Mr Suwaneh further said the country must commit to the Maputo 2002 agreement.

“The country must heavily invest across the chain of agricultural production to improve productivity. The government must commit to the Maputo 2002 agreement by allocating 10% of the annual national budget to agriculture and ensuring access to finance and the market is easier and affordable for farmers,” he said.

He claimed that the president has nothing to show farmers apart from UNDP tractors and the World Bank-donated ambulances. Adding that farmers will not hear anything new but pure politics.

The UDP’s outspoken youth wing’s 2nd vice president said the government must do everything to transform farming into a modern mechanization to improve the plight of farmers.

“Barrow continues to take advantage of their political ignorance to deceive farmers with false promises,” he noted.

Hagi described farming as an important and lucrative business that can change and take the country out of hardship.

“If the government is committed to supporting agriculture, the country will achieve food security and employability,” Hagi said.

He added that “meet the farmer’s tour is just business as usual with empty promises dominating the whole process.”

“I haven’t awaited any possible chance for the president in addressing the plight of farmers.

Looking at the current agricultural budget the sector is marginalized. Less than three hundred million dalasis is budgeted for the agricultural sector compared to other sectors.

I will be a fool to think that the president will not politicize this tour,” he started.

Hagie told TFN that Gambia has fertilized land and if funding agriculture is prioritized the country would no doubt feed itself in the short term and can even export to other markets around the globe but only with “serious leaders.”

By: Modou Touray

The president of the Republic of The Gambia, His Excellency Adama Barrow has highlighted that since its inception in 2019, the “Tekki- Fii” programme promotes attractive employment and income opportunities for young people, created and sustained more than nine thousand (9000) jobs to narrow the unemployment gap.

President Barrow made these remarks while presiding over the official closure of the “Tekki-Fii” Programme and the launching of the National Employment Policy and Action Plan (NEAP 2022 -2026) at the Kairaba Beach Hotel on Friday.

“The Tekki-Fii Programme created and sustained more than nine thousand (9000) jobs, enabled more than seven thousand (7000) young Gambians to undergo skills training and worked with close to five thousand (5000) small businesses. The two events have a bearing on each other, with the policy providing long-term solutions to the challenges that the Tekki Fii intervention sought to address in the short term. Given the positive results of the Tekki Fii Programme, it is with a deep sense of accomplishment and much optimism for the future that I join you here in person,” President Barrow stated.

He also pointed out that the stories and results associated with it are indeed inspiring. among other things, they give the government renewed hope and strengthen their faith in the youth. The President also recalls his youthful struggles in the United Kingdom to inspire the youths.

“I worked as a security officer in the UK, and it took me 3 hours to get to my workplace. I came back in 2006 to start my business with a capital of D100,000. This is what lead me to where I am today as president of the Republic of The Gambia,” president Barrow explained.

He advised young people to be honest in their business dealings, committed and self-confident.

Programme officials believe that the Tekki-Fii is more than a programme; It is a belief, an idea and a concept that youths can be successful in the Gambia without travelling outside; the seeds of which are germinating and bearing fruits across the country.

Launched in 2019 with the support of the European Union in The Gambia and jointly implemented by International Trade Centre, IMVF, Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH & Enabel, the programme is aimed at promoting attractive employment and income opportunities for young people.

According to the programme officials, the Programme has registered important gains and showed that the combination of skills training, entrepreneurship drive and investments in small business is an effective strategy to create economic opportunities.

The closing ceremony accorded us the opportunity to highlight the successes of the programme and also joined the Government of The Gambia in launching a policy that will build on and sustain the gains made. The launch of the national employment policy and action plan (2020-2026) is the replacement for the ” Tekki-Fii” programme.

The British High Commission Banjul is delighted to announce that at a ceremony on Thursday 17 November 2022, His Excellency David Belgrove OBE, British High Commissioner presented an honorary award on behalf of Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II to Mr Pierre Gomez in recognition of his outstanding service to the MRC.

Pierre Gomez MBE (Honorary Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire) has been recognised for services to medical research in sub-Saharan Africa.

Pierre Gomez has given nearly 40 years of service to the MRC unit in The Gambia. He played a key role in establishing and sustaining surveillance systems which underpin important research discoveries such as the value of insecticide treated bed nets and seasonal malaria chemoprevention. This research has saved many lives across sub-Saharan Africa and helped establish the reputation of The Gambia as a centre of international research. Mr Gomez is known for his personal support and generosity to members of staff and the community in which he lives and works.

On receipt of the award Pierre Gomez said:

“I am very happy and grateful to be one of the recipients of the MBE Award today. This is a special honour for me and family, and most importantly my mother who has been of tremendous support to my career. This is a dream come true.
I would like to express my sincere gratitude to Professor Brian Greenwood and Professor Umberto D’Alessandro for their unflinching support, inspiration and recognition over the years. I am deeply honoured”

“This award reminds me of MRCG’s efficiency and response during the Meningitis, Malaria and Measles outbreak 1980 and 1990 respectively. This outbreak affected children and women in rural Gambia. MRCG’s response to these incidents inspired me to take a personal decision in 1986 to commit my life to supervising and maintaining MRCG Unit’s Household Demographic Surveillance System HDSS platform in a bid to Safe Lives and improve health care across sub–Saharan Africa.

Physically I am here with you all, but in spirit I am in Buckingham Palace receiving this award. I would sincerely like to thank all the Executives and individuals who made this event a success.”

Background to the UK Honours System

As ‘fountain of honour’ in the UK, the British Monarch has the sole right of conferring titles of honour on deserving people from all walks of life, in public recognition of their merit, service or bravery. This includes honorary awards to non-British nationals who through their ties to the UK have made an outstanding contribution.
Throughout history, monarchs have rewarded those who have shown service, loyalty or gallantry with gifts or titles. Until the beginning of the nineteenth century, only members of the aristocracy and high-ranking military figures could be appointed to an Order of chivalry, but from then onwards appointments were drawn from a wider variety of backgrounds.
Nowadays the Honours system rewards service in a wide range of areas, recognising outstanding individuals in their respective fields.

Notes to Editors:

Pierre Gomez MBE would be available for interview about receiving the awards and the work for which they have been recognised.
If you would like to set up interviews or require further information, please contact Fatou Jassey, Press & Public Affairs Officer at the British High Commission: [email protected]
or on + 220 776 2138

END———————————————————

Regards,
Fatou Jassey | Press and Public Affairs Officer | Banjul
British High Commission | 48 Atlantic Road | Fajara | PO Box 507 | The Gambia
+220 449 5134 | mobile + 220 776 2138 | ECHO: 8265 2248 l

PRESS RELEASE

18 November 2022

By: Ousman Saidykhan

A High Court Judge has made a threat to the prosecution that they will see their case struck out if they appear late in her court again, in a murder trial involving one Kumba Sinyan, a Bakau native.

“This will be the last time you come late to my Court or else, I will strike out your case,” Justice Sidi K Jobarteh warns the prosecution.

The prosecution arrived in Justice Jobarteh’s court on Friday 18th of November 2022 for the continuation of cross-examination of the first witness, Deputy Superintendent Foday Conta, at about 11 minutes late in a hearing that was supposed to start at 10:00am sharp.

The prosecution apologized but said they were late because they thought the case was starting at 11am.

The defense counsel, S Twum had already finished her submission as at the arrival of the prosecution and their witness. She was given her submission on why the accused should be discharged over what she believed was the State’s unreadiness to prosecute her client.

“My lady, this is disrespectful to the court,” defense counsel said, asking the court to discharge the accused or admit her on bail.

Meanwhile, after the Judge’s warning, the cross-examination continued where the witness was asked how he came to know of the alleged murder incident. He replied that he was called by one of his juniors, sub-inspector Banja.
He was also asked whether the body he said he found in Room 111, in a pool of blood was lifeless at the time he saw it or not. He replied that he could not tell at the time.

The defense counsel also asked the witness whether the receptionist, who volunteered to say he knew who killed Lama, was the one who led them to the accused’s house. He answered “yes.”
The defense counsel put it to the witness that he acted illegally for not telling the accused what the arrest was about; and that it was unlawful for the police to take the accused’s phone to go through it.

The police witness replied that one of the reasons he told the accused she would be told what happened at the police station was because the accused was nervous. On the issue of the phone, he replied that the accused voluntarily gave him the phone.

The witness was asked why they didn’t go straight to the police station after the arrest of the accuse, but instead went first to the hotel. “We went to the hotel to confront the suspect with the body,” the Deputy Superintendent replied.

“It was unlawful to take her to the hotel and confront her with the body, traumatize her,” the defense counsel said.

The matter was adjourned to Monday, 5th of December 2022.

By: Ousman Saidykhan

The ruling on the “no case to answer” submission filed by the defense in the manslaughter trial involving Sainabou Mbaye and two others has been scheduled for the 6th December 2022 following the adoption of briefs on the 17th November where the defense counsel, Drammeh, argued that the prosecution has failed to prove charges against her clients.

“We submit that the charges are not proved because no prima facie (evidence sufficient to establish a fact or raise a presumption unless disproved or rebutted-Cornell Law School) has been made…the particulars of offence have not been made at all,” defense counsel, Drammeh submitted at the adoption of their briefs.

The defense filed the “no case to answer” submission on the 31st October and the prosecution also filed their reply on the 14th November.

The prosecution has called seven (7) witnesses in the trial, four (4) of whom were police officers, a doctor at Africmed, a neighbor of the accused persons and the mother of the deceased, Baby Muhammed. Despite the evidence of the seven witnesses, the defense team believes the particulars of offence have not been proven.

“Clearly, you need to prove that there was an unlawful act and that unlawful act led to the death of Muhammed (the deceased). I submit that none of the defendants unlawfully locked him (the deceased) in the vehicle,” Drammeh submitted.

The defense also submitted that most criminal offences have mens rea (consciousness of the perpetrator while committing an act), noting that there was no evidence of such in the case.

“When the first accused (Sainabou) was on her phone, you cannot say the child was under her care. The witness said she put the child under no one’s care. The brief of the state makes no reference to the mens rea,” she argued.

The defense counsel urged the court to uphold their “no case to answer” submission.

The State on the other hand urged the court to disregard the said submission.

It will be known on the 6th of December at 10am, whether the “no case to answer” submission will be upheld or otherwise.

By: Dawda Baldeh

Sulayman Sissoko, a farmer in Sinchu Njanko village in Niamina East is faced with the pain of losing huge income. Sulayman claims that one Pateh Bah believed to be a resident of Dippa Kunda and identified as a watermelon wholesaler took from him on credit the sum of D45,500 worth of watermelon and has since been unreachable for almost two months.

Mr. Sissaho who has a bumper harvest this season told The Fatu Network that the trust he has in his farmer friend pushed him to risk giving his watermelon to an unknown person.

“I don’t know the man, but my friend came with him to buy my watermelon at a wholesale price. He paid D78,000 and my friend (Bocarr) convinced me to allow the man to go with another D45,500 worth of watermelon and complete the payment later. Again, I was skeptical… I asked my friend how sure he was that the man will pay the balance without issues.

After giving him the watermelon, he promised to pay the money in three to four weeks. I believed that no matter what may have happened, in one month he would have sold the watermelon and paid the money,” the farmer explained.

He accused the watermelon wholesaler of manipulating them. “Now he stopped picking up my calls and this is very painful to me as a farmer,” he added.

Bocarr Baldeh, a friend of the Sissoho who was hosting Pateh (watermelon wholesaler) and linked him to his friend, expressed shock about the whole process.

“Pateh came here last year and bought our watermelons. So, I was convinced that he wouldn’t do such a thing to us. I took him to my friend who has a bumper harvest. But this is the greatest betrayal I have had, and now, I feel uncomfortable facing my friend,” he said.

Bocarr vowed to do everything possible to trace Pateh so that his friend can get his money. He (Bocarr) claimed that Pateh told them he is working with the Kanifing Municipal Council and that he is a strong businessman.

“I am leaving everything in the village to hunt Pateh in town. I wouldn’t mind doing anything because of the sacrifices we went through during the rains. Farming is very painful, and we will not sit and watch him enjoy our sweat,” Bocarr emphasized.

Watermelon is one of the most popular seasonal fruits grown and harvested in The Gambia. It is known for its sweetness and richness in an amino acid called citrulline that helps in blood circulation and lower blood pressure, according to health experts.

The season attracts a lot of buyers as farmers harvest the fruit across the country. Many people will go to farmers and purchase watermelon at a wholesale price and sell it in the urban centres.

By: Modou Touray
A group of farmers, who are staunch loyalists of former President Yahya Jammeh, have realised a bumper harvest in rice cultivation. The jubilant farmers have vowed to maintain the ex-president’s farming legacy.

The loyalists, who formed an agricultural-based association dubbed Champion Farmers, said their abundant rice yield will enable them to reduce the amount of money they spend on imported rice for feeding.

“Farming is an important legacy of ex-president Yahya Jammeh. During his regime, he made a national call for citizens especially the idle and employed youths to venture into farming hence affordability of imported rice is challenging to low-income earners.

“We were motivated by his exemplary move to lead farming himself. We decided to come together to engage in large-scale rice production. This is a legacy we vow to maintain forever,” said Alhagie Karamo Jammeh, leader of Champion Farmers.

The earliest harvested rice was cultivated in settlements within Niamina in the Central River Region (CRR). According to these motivated farmers, they are still determined to continue the cultivation of rice to feed themselves despite zero support from the current government, projects and non-governmental organizations.

“We depend on manual labour to cultivate rice and other processes needed before the harvesting period. The youth farmers have the zeal to change the mindset of people who see rice cultivation as a female activity,” Alhagie Karamo Jammeh explained.

He further called for help since most of the agricultural tools donated to them by ex-president Jammeh to enhance their rice production are damaged and beyond repair and urgently need replacements.

“In a tour of rice harvesting this year, we started in Niamima where we have over 200 youths participating in rice cultivation. Although some of them gave up and worked elsewhere because of frustration over hard labour due to lack of support.

“We have difficulties because we have no support with farming tools from the government. They perceive us as the enemies of the current government because we are still loyal to the ex-president who encouraged and support our farming ventures,” Alhagie Karamo Jammeh said.

He acknowledged that it is always their will to promote Jammeh’s back-to-the-land agenda, which encourages the cultivation of food crops with the motivational theme: Grow what you eat, eat what you grow.

“The government is not open to us. because they would not let us have an audience with them and show them the way forward and the importance of cherishing this initiative. Anytime we are embarking on a tour of our farms countrywide, we rent a vehicle and if that car is broken, we have to pay it back,” Mr Jammeh’s narrative

Mr Jammeh also highlighted the burden of transportation from farms to the Kombos to sell their produce of vegetables and food crops and called on the government for assistance.

By: Hadram Hydara

As the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 rolls around — and as the ambience and anticipation to see football’s megastars lock horns in the most prestigious association football tournament build up — The Gambia, like its neighbours Senegal, will be ‘participating’ in the World Cup, although in a different manner.

The Scorpions, Gambia’s men’s senior national team, did not qualify for the November World Cup despite their almost flawless run in the Africa Cup of Nations tournament which preceded this year’s much anticipated World Cup.

However, The Gambia will take part, represented by revered African and FIFA international referee Papa Gassama, veteran broadcast journalist and top-notch commentator Malick Jones, and what is heritage if it’s not celebrated? Alexander Bah, who is born to a Gambian father and a Danish mother will be ‘representing’ The Gambia as well, albeit donning the red-white strips of Denmark.

Papa Gassama, who has been a FIFA referee since 2007, and awarded best African referee three times, has already officiated in two World Cup tournaments (2014, 2018) and is on course to set the record as being the first African referee to officiate in three World Cup tournaments in a row. The 43-year-old officiated the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations final and, in 2017 he was selected as CAF’s sole referee for the 2017 FIFA Confederation Cup in Russia.

Malick Jones, broadcaster and football commentator, known for his unique voice, will be at the World Cup in Qatar as a commentator for the English section of the directorate of Qatar Radio. Jones had commentated on matches at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. His Qatar assignment covers the duration of the tournament.

Alexander Bah, who currently plays for Primeira Liga side Benfica and chose Denmark over The Gambia, is mainly known for his speed, technique, and creativity. Bah, who is Gambian-Danish, is a versatile player capable of playing as a full-back or a right-wing flank. Bah will certainly line up for a European country in Qatar but as ‘Gambian’.

By: Ousman Saidykhan

The Gambia continues to wallow in food insecurity as figures rise from 13.4 in 2021 to 26.5 in 2022, according to the October 2022 National Food Security Survey (NFSS), which represents a little over 100% increment. The WFP deputy country rep said the situation has worsened, looking at the trend from 2011.

Over the past 10 years, the country has seen an upsurge in food insecurity. It only had a slight decline in 2016 from 11.1% to 8% in 2011. Since then, the Gambia has always seen sharp increase and now reaching double of the 2011 figures.

“We have one household out of 4 that are moderately food insecure; means that they have consumption gap or, need to use some irreversible coping strategies,” the WFP deputy country rep Malick Ndiaye said in a joint presentation with FAO at the IMF’s Regional Economic Outlook recently.

In terms of geographic distribution of food insecurity, CRR has emerged the highest where over one out of two households are affected by food insecurity, according to WFP. Malick Ndiaye said this is as a result of poor agricultural production; limited access to inputs; saltwater intrusion and others.

“That really, is kind of harming the capacity of households to produce what they need,” Ndiaye said.

The joint presentation by WFP and FAO recommended short and medium-term solutions like expansion of safety net to more vulnerable households; funding of livestock in the lean season amongst others as well as long-term solutions like prioritization of agricultural budget support; promoting food system and production etc.