By: Ousman Saidykhan

One Karanta Darboe, a man described by the police as a “long-time wanted suspect”, was denied bail as he stood in the dock at the Kanifing Magistrate Court on the 12th of September 2022 for allegedly obtaining D20, 000 from a Bureau De Change worker, by false pretence; a charge he pleaded not guilty to.

The alleged fraudster was said to have obtained the said amount on the 21st of July 2022 from one Mariama Ceesay who works with M & A Bureau at Manjai Kunda, with the pretext of exchanging 500 FEM HUNDRA KRONOR, a currency used in Sweden.

“We are objecting to the bail of the accused person on grounds that the police are mounting an investigation with regards to the case of the accused and amongst other things.

“Also, we are informing the court that the accused is not a first-time offender,” the Prosecution, led by Jammeh said.

According to the Prosecution, the accused has been found guilty of similar offences in multiple courts, namely: Brikama Magistrate Court, Bundung Magistrate Court, Kanifing Magistrate Court etc.

The Prosecution continued that the accused had even been convicted of a similar offence at the Kanifing Magistrate Court last year, where he was fined D105, 000 or serve 10 years 6 months in prison, a fine he has not fully paid.

“We are of the view that if the accused is granted bail, he will commit similar offences as after all convictions, he appeared for similar crimes. Maybe he has not been remorseful. The society needs protection from these kinds of people, and the protection of the society lies on our shoulders. Therefore, we urge the court to grant our application [to deny the accused bail] as we investigate – intensively for that matter,” the Prosecution begged court.

Meanwhile, the accused, who asked the court to ignore the Prosecution’s application argued he should be granted bail, saying he had a critical health condition as a result of a medical surgery he had undergone.

“Please grant me bail. I’m sick. I’m a Gambian – I cannot go to Mile 2 in this condition,” the accused urged.

The Magistrate’s ruling did not favour the accused. He was denied bail and would be in Mile 2 till the next adjourned date, 27th September 2022 when the state is expected to bring their first witness.

The accused may spend up to 3years if found guilty as per the Criminal Code of the country.

By: Ousman Saidykhan

The principal Magistrate of the Kanifing Magistrate Court, Omar Jabang, has transferred a murder case involving 18-year-old and 20-year-old boys who allegedly murdered a 62-year-old woman in Fajara South, Bakau last week.

The Duo is alleged to have strangled the old woman to death on the 4th of September 2022, at her residence in Bakau. The prosecutor, Sub Inspector Kebbeh applied for the case to be transferred to a higher court as the Magistrate Court lacks the jurisdiction to hear such matters.

“Your Worship, with this circumstance, the Prosecution is applying for the transfer of this case to the Special Criminal Division of the High Court and remand the accused persons pending the hearing of this case; pursuant to sections 62 and 208A of the criminal procedure code,” said the prosecutor. Their application was granted.

It could be recalled that this medium broke the news of the death of the woman, who was said to have been found lying in a pool of water in her room with her face, neck, and nose all bruised. Her house was said to have been filled with water — almost knee-deep.

The two alleged murderers were found, arrested, and remanded by the police two days after their alleged crime on the 6th of September 2022.

The punishment for murder is death as per section 188 of the Criminal Code of the Gambia. However, there is a moratorium on the death penalty, which means if found guilty, the duo will be sentenced to life in jail.

By: Haddy Ceesay

Amid the ongoing sit-down strike by commercial drivers in their efforts to corner the government to reduce fuel prices, Residents in Kerr Serign have expressed their frustration to The Fatu Network, saying they find it difficult to travel from Kerr Serign to Serrekunda.

Mariama Jallow, who is a vendor, said she couldn’t go to the market today due to the ongoing drivers’ strike.

“Let the government deploy a bus in Kerr Serign community, we need a bus which will be plying from Serrekunda to Kerr Serign because many of us normally go to Serrekunda market for shopping on a daily basis, she added.

Haddy Njie, a commuter said she couldn’t go to the Serrekunda market for shopping because many drivers in Kerr Serign are not operating.

“I did not go to the market today because many drivers not are not operating and this is affecting us,” she said, adding that if the government provided other communities with buses, they should also help the people in Kerr Serign as they always travel to Serrekunda.

Alieu Jobe said that many of their people could not go to work in and around Serrekunda because there was no bus allocated to them.

“The government should look at the Kerr Serign community, especially in a situation like this.”

These people concluded by urging the government to allocate them buses. They said schools are almost open and many students are using the Serrekunda route.

By: Lamin Njie

Assistant Information Officer

Ministry of Transport

Mr. Sulayman Gaye, a Senior Planner, under the Directorate of Planning, of the Ministry of Transport, Works and Infrastructure, has been named among the top 10 best winners of an alumni award contest called “Tell us Your Story,” organized by The Singapore Cooperation Programme (SCP), established in 1992 to share Singapore’s development experiences with government officials from 180 countries, territories and inter-governmental organizations.

Mr. Sulayman Gaye, Senior Planner, Ministry of Transport, Works and Infrastructure

The SCP is managed by the Technical Cooperation Directorate of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Singapore. In May 2022, the SCP celebrated 30 years of existence and as part of the celebrations, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Singapore contacted all the alumni of the SCP from the 180 countries and territories they cooperate with, to participate in the contest.

In this contest, alumni members were called to write a thesis about their experiences with the SCP and how those experiences shaped their professional development the in context of the public policy environment they operate under.

Mr. Sulayman Gaye was among those called to participate in the contest as an alumni member having been trained in Singapore in 2014.

As a winner of this contest, Mr. Gaye is currently in Singapore to attend the “Futures for Public Policy” Executive Programme from the 13 to 16 September 2022, to be held at the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy (LKYSPP), of The National University of Singapore

By: Modou Touray

In the wake of the continuous increase in basic commodities and the high cost of living, private vehicle owners are forced to use their vehicles to carry passengers in order for them to take care of their economic needs.

Several privately licensed drivers have disclosed to The Fatu Network that their monthly income cannot sustain them and that the money accumulated from passengers helps to boast their income.

“I am a civil servant working in Banjul. I decided to use my vehicle at night and during weekends for the commercial town-trip service. The amount I gather helps me to cater for my household needs and buy enough fuel for my vehicle,” Lamin Jobe revealed.

High food and energy prices will affect the most vulnerable in society, especially in an extended family setting where most of their income is spent on food and clothing.

“Cost of everything is increasing, if you buy a cup of sugar for D10 today, the next day the price will increase to D12 or more. I was working at a local hotel as a receptionist, but my service is terminated due to a decline in the hotel’s earnings,” Ousman Jassey said.

A private vehicle refers to a motor vehicle transporting persons or property for which no charge is paid directly or indirectly by the passenger or by any other entity. In no instance shall a private vehicle be considered a commercial vehicle.

“I am a security officer with little earnings. I only depend on my monthly salary. I bought this vehicle when I newly return from Dafur, Sudan but I am broke now because all my money was spent on my house construction. I use my private vehicle to get money for minor family expenses,” A soldier, who begged for anonymity, told this medium.

Cost of living is the amount of money needed to cover basic expenses such as housing, food, taxes, and healthcare in a certain place and period. The cost of living is often used to compare how expensive it is to live in one city versus another. The cost of living is tied to wages.

Lamin Sarr is a businessman who also uses his private vehicle to demand fares from travellers.

“I am not making much profit in my business now, therefore I depend entirely on my private vehicle. I don’t give free rides now because maintaining a private vehicle is challenging.”

As the demand for a particular good or service increases, the available supply decreases. When fewer items are available, consumers are willing to pay more to obtain the item—as outlined in the economic principle of supply and demand.

“Fuel prices are costly, commercial drivers keep requesting more money from passengers. I took that chance to carry people when I am going to work in Kanifing. I use the money to add-up fuel and take care of other family needs,” Bakebba Nasso said.

“I took a loan from the bank to buy my vehicle, the bank is deducting some money every month from my salary and the balance is not much. The vehicle is meant to facilitate my daily travels to my workplace, but the high cost of living and economic hardship is forcing me to use it for commercial purposes.

The price of basic commodities is still unstable, and prices keep increasing meaning the average Gambia cannot afford their basic needs with little salaries without another source of income.

By: Muhammed Lamin Drammeh

The National Youth Secretary of the opposition United Democratic Party (UDP), Kemo Bojang, has called on President Adama Barrow to save taxpayers money by not travelling to the United Kingdom with a delegation to pay homage to Queen Elizabeth II, who died yesterday September 8^th, 2022; citing that the Gambia High commissioner in The UK can do that for the government amid the eroding living conditions of Gambians.

The UDP’s youth leader said this following President Barrow’s condolence message for the longest-serving British Monarch, Queen Elizabeth II.

“The condolence message that the government sent is okay. If there is a need to go for the funeral, they can just designate the High Commissioner, who is a representative of the government,” he pointed out.

Mr. Bojang underscored that the country is faced with pressing issues, including floods that have affected families. He added that the living conditions of average Gambians are deteriorating.

“Living conditions are deteriorating. There is no need for the president to go there or represent with a contingent; to be paid per Diem and to buy air tickets to represent the people of the Gambia. The High Commissioner Fatou Bom Bensuda will be able to be a great representative for the people of the Gambia,” he argued.

According to him, this will save taxpayers money, and it will be put into something useful that will be beneficial to Gambians.

He called on the President to evaluate his call and not travel with a delegation to the United Kingdom for the funeral.

“I hope he considers this because this will be taxpayers’ saving mechanism where the money of poor taxpayers like Gambians, will be saved and used in meaningful things, and it will also stop people from per diem hunting which will cost the Gambia government more,” he explained.

Queen Elizabeth II, the longest British Monarch, died at age 96.  She was the Gambia’s Queen from February 1965 to April 1970, when the late Sir Dawda Jawara was serving as the Gambia’s Prime Minister.

By: Sarjo Brito

Nine months after Gambia’s Presidential election, which saw the re-election of President Barrow, GDC National Youth President MC Cham Jnr. said he is urging former GDC supporters who were said to have been induced by the NPP during last year’s election to return home.

MC Cham, a staunch supporter of the purple party, also accused President Barrow and his National People’s Party of instilling fear in the minds of the people that voting for a GDC/UDP government will bring about segregation.

”Fear was instilled in most of the people who left the opposition because they were made to believe that voting for GDC will strengthen the UDP and that if UDP wins, Fulas and Wollofs will be asked to leave this country.”

“We have all seen the direction this country is headed. There is no development whatsoever. We are all seeing what is happening in our hospitals. Our children are dying, and our women are succumbing to unnecessary birth complications. Agriculture, which used to be one of the backbones of this country’s economy, is suffering huge challenges. So, if you are a GDC supporter or a son of The Gambia who loves this country, we are opening our arms to welcome you back to the party to continue the job we started so we can alleviate the suffering of the Gambian people.’’

MC said Barrow’s government should be ready to tackle the country’s development challenges head-on. He said seeing beggars in the streets begging for food to eat is a cause for concern as he fears of a looming hunger crisis because of the current state of the economy.

“This is why we told Gambians to be careful during the campaign period. This is what we saw. Gambians must start looking beyond tribal politics and positions in government if we want to move this country forward. This must be removed from our politics if we want to see a difference.’’

The leader of the Gambia Democratic Congress, Honourable Mama Kandeh lost to President Barrow in last year’s Presidential election. The Jimara native rejected the results of the election and refused to congratulate the Gambian leader on his win. Kandeh said the Presidential election was marred with irregularities.

By: Modou Touray

Dembo Keita is a final year student at the School of Education, University of The Gambia. He majors in agriculture. As a way of putting his ‘book knowledge’ into practical, he contemplated on establishing a nursery agrobusiness. Mr Keita took advantage of the fertile land in his locality and embarked on the said agric venture. While focusing on the completion of his university education, Dembo decided to travel to his native village of Wuli Sutukonding in the Upper River Region in pursuit of his dream.

“This idea emerged as a result of my interest in biodiversity conservation. I was born and grew up in a community where most of the population use wood for cooking, construction, and other activities. These acts are increasingly negatively impacting the environment, leading to drought, erosion and loss of our rich biodiversity and ecosystem services.”

He justified the production of seedlings of fruit trees for the fact that vegetables and fruits supply essential minerals and vitamins that are very essential for our health, however, access to fresh vegetable or fruit products is a serious challenge in the Upper River Region.

“Most of the products are imported from neighbouring Senegal. They are mostly available in February, March and April. The supply is very limited in these three months as those living in the North Bank of Upper River region have limited or no access to these valuable products.”

Mr Keita said he came up with this idea to help address the severe environmental challenges that his region is currently facing, and the lack of adequate fresh vegetables and fruits to enhance the dietary need of his people and the country at large.

“If I am able to fence the garden and have a borehole, I can produce more than fifty thousand seedlings or  trees of different species.”

We will supply fresh fruit and vegetables to all the markets in my region and even to the Kombos”

There are many different species of fruit seedlings such as mango, orange, cashew and other species for wood suck as mahogany which Dembo grows. He also outlined his long-term agricultural production plans which includes establishing more farming initiatives.

“After one year of full operation, I will use the profit gained from the seedling business to establish both poultry and small ruminate production. Then in the third year, I will establish fish farming and in the fifth year, the farm will be used for both production and training of farmers and students.”

“My main challenge is fencing my farm to minimize damage caused by animals. I have been in this farming for almost 2 years now and it’s progressing slowly. For now, I am specializing in tree nursery and backyard gardening.

Mr Keita’s seedling production is believed to help community and government projects concerned with climate change and restoration of the natural vegetation.

He asserted that if seedlings are available in large quantities in the rural areas, there would be no need to transport seedlings from the Kombos for tree planting activities.

By: Sarjo Brito

Economist and political pundit, Momodou Sabally, has described the recent press release from the Ministry of Health addressing the acute kidney outbreak in the country as reckless.

This came following Wednesday’s press statement in which the Ministry of Health said investigations into the acute kidney outbreak are still on. The Ministry, however, disclosed that it has concluded that the possible causes of the outbreaks are E. coli and the possible toxicity of paracetamol syrup.

Sabally has since described the Health Ministry’s conclusion as mere speculations, especially after clearly stating in their press statement that investigations are still ongoing.

‘’To say that I am shocked would be an understatement. So, they know that the purported studies on this matter are still ongoing and yet “conclude” that syrup paracetamol and E. coli are the causes of this disease. This is completely reckless and inexcusable. Why on earth would a professional medical practitioner make such blatant speculation on inconclusive research that can create panic in the country?’’

The Health Ministry said it has now moved to suspend paracetamol syrup until further notice but Mr. Sabally argued it will be incorrect for the Ministry of Health to generally infer that paracetamol syrup is the cause of the disease, without making it clear which brand is responsible, arguing that there are many brands and importers.

‘’Certainly, there is more than one brand and one importer of paracetamol. Which of the many is the suspected one making our children sick? One can infer that they have found paracetamol, a very common drug prescribed by almost all doctors, in samples; but does correlation necessarily mean causality in their world?’’

The disease control unit at the Ministry of Health announced that 28 children died of Acute Kidney Injury last month.

Gambians have since raised concerns following the announcement as many wonder what the possible causes could be.

By: Muhammed Lamin Drammeh

The head coach of the Gambia National Under 20 team, Abdoulie Bojang, has admitted that the semi-final game against Mali late this afternoon will not be an easy battle but noted that his side will capitalize on the Malian’s weakness to damage them in the game.

Bojang was speaking to the press ahead of the semi-final game against Mali in the ongoing West African Football Union (WAFU) Zone A championship in Mauritania late this afternoon.

“It won’t be an easy game because it is a semi-final that will qualify us for the AFCON. So, we don’t expect an easy game, but we are also very well-prepared for the game,” Bojang explained.

The young scorpions head coach affirmed that they have watched the Malian team and figured out their strengths and weaknesses.  He said his team will capitalize on the weaknesses of their opponent and cause them the game, citing that they are prepared for the match.

“The Malian team — physically — are more physical than us. But when it comes to football, sometimes, it doesn’t matter that much. What is important is that, if someone is more physical than you, you try to play a little bit quicker than him. So, we have our plans against the Malian team.  They are a very good team, and we respect them,” he pointed out.

The young scorpions are in pursuit of retaining the crown that they won in the last competition.

They will try to win the Malian U20 at Stade Sheikha Boidiya at 17:30 GMT to get one step closer to defending the title.

The Gambia finished second in their group with a one-nil loss against Senegal.  A win this afternoon will qualify the country for the African National Under 20 championship in Egypt.

By: Dawda Baldeh

Kebba Gaye, a 28-year-old Gambian tailor, has explained to this medium why he quit teaching for tailoring after three years in the field.

He enrolled at the Gambia College in 2015 and obtained his HTC in 2018. Kebba began his teaching profession at Kairaba Upper and Senior Secondary School and later went to St. Therese’s Upper and Senior School, where he taught English Language and Social and Environmental Studies (SES) before quitting in 2019.

Kebba said he quit teaching to focus on his tailoring business.

“I established NS Fashion (New Solution Fashion Design Gambia) which is a brand with the vision to reach the world market,” he said.

In an exclusive interview, he told The Fatu Network that his mother inspired her at an early age to become a tailor.

“My mother motivated me to focus on tailoring. She always encouraged me to look up to one little boy who was a tailor at the time who normally used to come to our house to collect lunch. Look at this boy he Is the one sewing all the clothes he is wearing. Why not you also do the same,” Kebba recalled his mother’s words.

He added that upon starting tailoring, he always believed that he could do more than what other tailors does.

“I always love to do things in a different way, and I have always believed that I can do it in a unique way.”

The young tailor added that the teaching salary is not attractive, saying the government should work to improve the welfare of teachers otherwise many will quit if they have other opportunities.

“I was teaching and running my tailoring business but when it was no longer favourable, I quit because a lot of times customers will call and ask for their clothes.

I know if I quit teaching someone can take over my position but if I leave my business no one will take care of me.”

At the age of 28, Kebba owns a Fashion tailoring shop where he employs others at the same time recruiting other young people to become tailors.

Mr. Gaye, as he was addressed in schools, urged the government to focus more on skills for the young to learn and become self-independent.

“I don’t want to show up [sic] but I believe my work can speak for me. You don’t need to tell people who you are, just do the work and allow people to judge.”

The former teacher said his main priority is to let his brand reach the entire country in a few years.

He revealed plans for the opening of new branches across the country to reach their growing customers.

The young fashion designer urges the government, philanthropists, and NGOs to support the young people who are interested in skills to reduce the rate of unemployment and dependency.

By: Ousman Saidykhan

Principal Magistrate Jabang has handed a six-year jail term with hard labour to one Muhammed Jarju who was convicted of stealing a Techno Caman 17, which is said to be valued at D9, 000 and owned by one Algasim Jallow.

Jabang described the convict as an “indiscipline thief” whose behaviours “need to be curbed.”

“The punishment for the offence of stealing from a person is seven years imprisonment. However, pursuant to section 29(2) of the Criminal Code, the convict is sentenced to serve six years imprisonment with hard labour,” Magistrate Jabang said after listening to the convict’s plea in mitigation, who said, “I have been in Mile II, and I have seen a lot of things there. I will not allow myself to go back there.”

The Magistrate cited that the convict’s demeanour throughout the trial revealed a remorseless attitude over the act.

“He is hardcore from the look of things. He can go to any length to steal. If he had his way, he could have injured, maimed or even killed the victim over his phone. If someone can go to any stage to steal a phone, the law shouldn’t be lazed to accommodate him for any reason,” Principal Magistrate said, citing the case of a young man from the National Audit Office whom he said was killed over a “mere phone” at Palma Rima Junction.

During the trial of the case, it was narrated by the prosecution witnesses that not only had the victim gone through some “push and pull” with the convict even after calling his phone and it rang in the convict’s bag, but he also had his mother insulted by the convict.

“Society needs complete deliverance and sanctuary from the likes of these convicts. Their presence in the society can only cause havoc and terror. I can imagine the trauma the victim must have gone through on the day of the incident. Having to have your mother insulted over your hard-earned property is the height of disrespect any man can show to the other. These are behaviours that need to be curbed.”

The convict was first arraigned before the court on the 20th of October 2022. He pleaded not guilty, giving the prosecution a task to prove its case.

By: Modou Touray

The majority of citizens residing in the settlements of Brikama North and South have raised concerns about the limited period allocated for the ongoing electronic birth registration per village.

Unregistered citizens who spoke to The Fatu Network revealed that the process of e-birth registration is slow and the allocated time frame for the campaign would not be enough to register the entire residents, especially children who need it most for school enrolments.

The e-birth registration process in the Brikama North and South settlements happened between August 29th – 3rd of September 2022. The registration team already moved to Kombo East and Foni. The activity is being carried out according to a timetable from the Ministry of Health.

“I came to the registration centre in Brikama Newtown, I joined the queue but due to poor internet, all the people on the queue could not be registered. I tried the second day, but I was unsuccessful again,” Ebrima Barry Said.

In the Brikama North and South, many settlements had long queues of people mostly women and children. Manduar, Kembujeh, Jalanbang, Kitty, and other localities could not register the majority of their people.

“The first day in Brikama- Misira, there was no electricity, and it was rainy which affected the process of e -birth registration. They had to put on a generator, and few were registered,” Lamin Badjie asserted.

The Ministry of Health earlier in a press release said obtaining an e- birth certificate is free during the mass registration period but clarified that an affordable token will be charged after the completion of the campaign.

“If they are saying that some amount of money will be paid if they moved to the health facilities for e- birth registration, it will be difficult for some people. That is why we were rushing to get registered but unfortunately for us, the period allocated for our area has elapsed and we have to wait until they start issuing at the health facility,” Kitty native, Famara asserted.

The amount to be charged at the health facilities is yet to be known and some citizens fear that if it’s high, they might not afford it.

“My family is large. I have 8 children and therefore if the amount is huge, it will be difficult for me. More time is needed for the e- birth certificate registration. It’s a new initiative and they should extend it to 6 months,” Lamin Demba proposed.

In Kembujeh village, Brikama North, many residents said they are yet to be registered and some even could not produce the required documents to be submitted to the registration centre to get an e- birth certificate.

“My father is away, and my mother is not alive, I need time to put together documents to get registered. The one-week period doesn’t favour me,” Sulayman Saidy pointed out.

Jalanbang and Manduar residents were also contacted for comments, and they made similar sentiments calling for an adjustment to the campaign period deadline to enable other citizens to be registered.

“The process requires time; putting papers together, join the long queue which is compounded by poor internet and routine verifications,” Sanjally Baldeh stressed.

The e- birth registration has now moved from the Greater Banjul areas to provincial areas and the challenges remain the same.

By: Alimatou S. Bajinka

The Banjul flash flood victims who were shortly sheltered at the Saint Joseph Senior Secondary School and now housed temporarily at Friendship Hostel in Bakau, have claimed they have gone for four days without food.

The flood victims were first transferred by the government to Tobacco Road in Banjul due to recent devastating floods caused by heavy downpour. The floods destroyed houses and other valuables, rendering many people homeless and vulnerable.

Sarjo Conteh, one of the flood victims who claimed to have been given a notice to evacuate the hostel, said they have gone days without food.

“We are tired; food has now become a problem as we have now gone for four days without food. We are issued with a letter today saying we should leave the hostel on 24th of this month.”

Fatoumata Manneh is currently at the hostel with 7 children. She is seeking help from anyone who can assist as her children’s education is at stake.

“We are seeking help from anyone who can help. My children’s uniforms, school bags and shoes are all spoiled, and school would soon resume. I have 7 children and I am living with all of them in one room. I am helpless, so I am seeking help from all.”

Mr Essa Adakuwa, another flood victim, said he cannot go back to the house he was taken from as the water had destroyed the house, forcing everyone to leave. He said his old age and condition cannot allow him to stay alone without help.

“The government recently served us with notice stating that we should all go back to our various homes, so I asked them where would I go because everyone has left. The rain water has destroyed the house and I have nowhere to go. If they take me back to that house, I will die because all the people who were helping me have all left due to the water.”

Mr Essa Adakuwa is a Ghanaian, who has been living in The Gambia since 1982 and currently using a wheelchair due to his condition, seek help from all to sustain himself.

“I need a lot of help, giving my old age and current condition, I appeal to all to help me.”

Almost every part of the country has been affected, but the country’s capital city, Banjul was one of the worst hit settlements. As a result, some of them needed temporary accommodation before the stagnant water is drained from their houses.

The rain in question that led to such destruction was said to have been the heaviest rain in over 30 years in the country. It will take some time for the Gambia to recover from its effects. The Government is being criticized for doing little about it.

By: Ousman Saidykhan

The Police officer who was accused of raping a 22-year-old girl has been granted bail in the sum of D50, 000 following his first appearance before the Brusubi Magistrate Court for the mentioning of the alleged rape case.

“The court orders that the accused provide a responsible Gambian surety who must be in the course of business or employment, and the said surety is ordered to provide a report of his or her correct and valid contact number and address. The surety must provide the office of the registrar his or her valid origin ID card or passport…,” Magistrate Krubally orders.

The accused was charged with a single count of rape contrary to Section 3(1)(a) of the Sexual Offences Act 2013 which is bailable. He pleaded not guilty after the charge sheet was read to him in Mandinka.

The prosecution team led by one Sergeant Secka applied under Section 62 of the Criminal Procedure Code for the case to be transferred to High Court for want of jurisdiction.

However, his application was disregarded after the counsel for the defence, J. Jobarteh argued that the court could hear all criminal cases except those that attract live imprisonment or a death sentence.

“There is nothing in the charge sheet to show that this court does not have the jurisdiction to try this case. Therefore, this court has the jurisdiction to hear this case,” counsel Jobarteh submitted.

The accused was said to have been arrested by PIU officers after he allegedly left his guard post and went on a self-assigned duty at the seafront near Monkey Mark in Bijilo, on the 28th of August 2022 where he allegedly raped the victim.

On the 29th of August, a statement emerged from the IGP condemning the alleged crime and also announcing the interdiction of the accused.

The matter was adjourned to Wednesday 28th of September at 1:45 pm and Monday 24th of October at 10:3 am.

By: Muhammed Lamin Drammeh

The Ministry of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology, has announced that the head of Kutehjumbulu/2BaB Foundation, Mr. Gerd Hoffman, visited their office and unveiled their plans of constructing a Technical, Vocational and Education Training (TVET) centre in Jinack Village, Nuimi.

“The proposed TVET centre will provide the youth of Jinack Kajateh, Jinack Niggi and the environment with relevant skills and opportunities for self-actualization for national development,” MoHERST revealed on their page.

The ministry’s release added that the foundation and its partners will be responsible for the construction and equipment of the centre. However, MoHERST will provide them with teachers.

The Kutehjumbulu/2BaB foundation has already established an upper and senior secondary school as well as a health care centre in Jinack. According to MoHERST, after graduating the first batch of senior school students, the foundation now wants this centre to provide livelihood skills for the graduated students from the school.

Earlier this week, the Minister of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology, Honourable Professor Pierre Gomez, told the Fatu Network that his ministry is making a paradigm shift in the country’s Higher Education system by investing in TVET. He pledged that the government would establish TVET centres in every region across the country.

On this salient initiative, he assured the foundation of his ministry’s support, noting that Jinack will not be forsaken in national development.

According to the ministry, the honourable minister was pleased with the initiative.

The Permanent Secretary of MoHERST, Dr. Yusupha Touray, instructed the foundation to get an interim authorization from the National Accreditation and Quality Assurance Authority.

By: Alimatou S Bajinka

In the minds of many, the ghetto is seen as a crime-prone, drug-infested, and violent area of a city, village or street.

This image of the ghetto serves as a powerful source of stereotype, prejudice, and discrimination.

In this regard, this medium spoke to some ghetto youth to unveil their reasons of sitting in ghettos.

Alieu Bah is a driver and a shopkeeper, opposite to whose shop is a ghetto and has been for many years. He described the ghetto as a form of escapism for most youths.

“Most of these young people that sit at this ghetto are running away from family pressures at home. It is either they are being forced to get a wife, being bullied for not having a job, or eating without being able to contribute to the livelihood, among others. These reasons force most of these youth out of their homes” he asserted.

Modou sits at the ghetto. He said his home is full of judgmental people instead of helping him make amends in his life they are doing him more harm.

“I have a day job; I smoke but I do not steal. My home is a no-go area for me because there it is full of judgmental individuals. Because I smoke, they label me a thief and bad guy. Instead of advising me to stop smoking, they call me all type of bad names. I sit in ghettos, because there, you are not judged or treated like an outsider.”

Ebrima Bobou stressed that sitting in ghettos does not mean one is a drug dealer or poor. “I am comfortable. I have a day job and I sit in the ghetto just to clear my head after work. People constantly stereotype people based on what they think.”

Fallou Kebbeh lamented the attitude of his family towards him.

“They push me out, they are the course of my current state. I have a wife and kids, but I do not earn much compared to my siblings, therefore, I am accorded little or no respect. I am trying but you know the Gambian salary as I cannot feed my wife and three kids with it let alone my siblings, mum and dad. So, I try but the little I contribute is not appreciated. So, when I close from work, I sit at the ghetto till daybreak then I sneak into the compound to avoid stress.”

According to research, Getto is a part of a city, village or street, especially a slum area, occupied by a minority group or groups, restrict to an isolated or segregated area or group.

Research shows that without family and social support systems, people experiencing lack of belong live in the shadowy edges of society. This puts them in a higher risk of victimization, poor health, loneliness, and depression, which can lead to dependency, crime, and a host of other issues.