By: Karimatou Jallow

Cement vendors at Jimpex have called on government to build cement factories across the country to create job opportunities for youths, reduce cement price and boost the economy.

“It is not easy for us because we have only three factories in the country and production is very slow. That is why we buy cement from neighbouring Senegal. However, it takes days before it is imported into the country. Such is not favorable for a businessman,” cement vendor Ebrima Jallow said.

“The Cement in Senegal is cheaper than the one in The Gambia. If Gambian goods are more expensive than the one coming from outside the country then I see no reason why a product has to be made in the Gambia,” he lamented.

Jallow said the government should build more factories to end price hike in the market and employ youths.

Ousman Terera is another cement vendor who told this medium that they find it challenging to make profit.

“Everything is expensive in the market and our main problem is at the Port because what we pay at the Port is very expensive and most of the goods that are imported into the country are also very expensive. That is why we find it challenging to make profit.”

Terera said the price hike in the country is due to the lack of price control in the market. He called on the government to monitor prices in the market.

Giving his views on price hike, Demba Bah said cement is very expensive and not everybody can afford the price. He urged the government to find workable lasting solution to reduce the price of cement.

By: Ousman Saidykhan

One Babu Joof, an Islamic Scholar, has filed a lawsuit at the Kanifing Magistrate Court against his landlord, Tijan Savage, claiming the sum of one hundred and seven thousand dalasis (D107,000).

The defendant was accused of reneging on the agreement after receiving the D70, 000 that was given to him for renovation of a self-contained double room and parlour which was allegedly supposed to be completed in two weeks, bearing “hazards, discomfort and disappointment,” in a single room he was given pending the renovation of the house.

After 5 months in that single room, the plaintiff said he got another disappointment after transferring to the double room and parlour because of poor renovation leading to leakages which rendered destruction to his property such as chairs, clothes and mattress worth D14, 000.

He claimed as well that the defendant disconnected his electricity supply for almost one month which led to the damage of his food stuff worth D5,000.

While giving his evidence, the plaintiff, Mr Babu Joof told the court that he knew the defendant through one Ali, a colleague of his, who told him he had seen a new place he wanted to rent. He said he told Ali to ask if there was another house he could also rent.

“He [Ali] told me to go with him to the defendant’s compound. We went there and found Tijan [defendant] and one Omar sitting in his compound. Ali spoked with the defendant and Omar; he introduced me to them that I was looking for a house too,” the plaintiff narrated.

He continued that he also spoke with the defendant, Mr Savage who told him there was a self-contained double room and parlour which if he, the plaintiff gives him [defendant] money, it would be renovated, and the plaintiff would be the first to occupy the house for one year.

The plaintiff who said he was initially reluctant because he had an unpleasant experience before, later agreed when the defendant told him:

“He is a Muslim and that he would not do anything that was not part of the agreement.”

“I gave them D25, 000 the first day and then D45, 000 the next day, making it 70, 000 for the renovation,” the plaintiff told court.

The plaintiff is claiming recovery of D28, 000 for the five months he spent in the single room out of tenancy agreement. He is also asking for D14, 000 for the alleged damage caused by leakages of the roof.

The plaintiff claims another D5, 000 for the deliberate disconnection of electricity and D60, 000 for breach of trust, emotional stress and breach of agreement. In total, the plaintiff is claiming D107, 000 from the defendant.

The matter was adjourned to the 4th of October 2022 at 12 noon, for the continuation of the plaintiff’s testimony.

By: Modou Touray

Ansu Trawally, a rural poultry farmer in Farafenni has expressed his frustration over the death of 100 of his poultry birds because he could not afford what he described as “expensive medication” for the poultry. He told The Fatu Network that his farm is now virtually empty.

“The cost of medication for the poultry birds is very expensive, making bird rearing challenging. I used to get some drugs, however, the financial challenge to continuously buy the required medications, has hampered the productivity of my poultry farm. I have the calendar for administering drugs to the fowls, but if I don’t get drugs on time, it adversely affects the health of the poultry which eventually causes death,” Trawally explained.

In producing poultry birds, constant medication enhances their health and reduces mortality. Survival of the poultry to a large extent depends on proper medication, timely vaccination, and regular caring. It contributes to the growth of the poultry and overall production.

“My long-term goal is to contribute to the eradication of imported chicken. If my farm is not well vaccinated, my aspiration is being hampered because I cannot afford the prescribed medication for my poultry on time. I need support so that I can employ other youths,” he said.

Poultry farming or production involves the raising of birds either for egg or chicken meat.

“In every two to three weeks, the birds need vaccination. If their supply is delayed, it affects their survival. Sometimes, the veterinary officers don’t respond early whenever I request for their presence at the farm.”

At Ansu Trawally’s poultry farm in Farafenni, layers were almost empty, making the survival of the remaining birds critical. Disinfectants and other   essential medications are not enough.

“I am in a critical stage now as my poultry farm is crippling and the risk of infection is high. I appeal for support to make it viable.”

The Fatu Network later contacted a senior livestock officer working with the Department of Livestock Service who urged poultry farmers to report their constrains and concerns to livestock officials on time.

“We do give them technical support hence the department is the technical arm of government on livestock matters. If they don’t report to us timely, we cannot respond on time. There is medication support for poultry farmers but its purposely for community initiatives. The private individual farmers need to buy the medications themselves because they are doing business.”

According to Pa Alhamdu Ceesay, a veterinary expert and specialist in poultry, a proper and adequate medication is important for poultry birds.

“There are infections which normally transfer from one poultry to another, therefore, disinfectants must be available at every poultry farm and medication must be given accordingly. Also, not every person should be allowed inside a poultry farm. Even before starting a poultry farm, you need to know the required medication.”

According to experts, unvaccinated poultry birds are more likely to get serious sickness than birds that have been vaccinated. Poultry farmers must procure all vaccine doses recommended to them by veterinary doctors. The health of the poultry is crucial, and any act of negligence could have deadly consequences on the poultry birds.

By: Muhammed Lamin Drammeh

Amid the barrage of criticism directed at the government of the Gambia for their lack of meaningful investment in the University of The Gambia which has, to a great extent, contributed to the lack of classrooms and furniture in the Brikama campus, the Minister of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology, Honourable Professor Pierre Gomez has pledged that UTG students and staff’s suffering and cries for classrooms will soon be a thing of the past as the UTG Faraba Campus nears completion.

The UTG students based on the Brikama campus struggle for furniture and classrooms for lectures. In the last academic semester, some students at some point had to attend lectures outside due to the unavailability of classrooms for on-campus lectures.

Minister Gomez, who served as a Dean for the School of Arts and Sciences for ten years, said those days will soon be over as work on the Faraba Campus is 90% done.

“Those days will be over, and they will soon be over. A committee is working on a bidding document for furniture and lab equipment,” he said.

He further elucidated that he must deliver and the completion of the Faraba campus cannot be postponed. He said he knows the suffering of UTG staff and students.

“I have written to the contractors. I have sent them two letters that we cannot postpone this. The delivery cannot be extended. I am coming from the UTG. I know how the students and the staff are suffering. It is my responsibility and that is the first thing the President asked me to do. I must deliver. There is no option. If not, I have failed,” he affirmed.

Gomez, who had lived and witnessed challenges UTG students and staff are faced with, told The Fatu Network that the government is not neglecting UTG and that the president is committed to making sure that the UTG Faraba campus is complete.

According to him, by early 2023, the schools of Business and Public Administration, Arts and Sciences, Education, Information and Communication Technology and a library will be completed on the UTG Faraba campus and students from those schools will be attending their lectures in Faraba uninterrupted.

“By 2023, January – February, God willing, they will move to Faraba Campus and have their lectures. Their classroom problems, furniture equipment, will be over for the schools I mentioned,” he told TFN.

In addition to the Faraba campus phase one that will see some schools move to the Faraba campus, the honourable minister revealed to The Fatu Network that his ministry has an additional 23 to 24 million dollars, all for the University of The Gambia.

UTG Faraba campus, in the Eastern part of Kombo, is expected to house other schools in the next phase.

The campus will have dormitories but the Honorable minister for Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology, said they are yet to sit over the issue of the dormitories.

By: Muhammed Lamin Drammeh

With the advancement of so many young people in the country getting into the creative art industry, self-taught Aji Ndumbeh Jobe, a young painter, has called on the state authorities to establish creative art schools in the country where young Gambians will be taught the basic tenets of the arts at an earlier age.

Aji told The Fatu Network that the country is endowed with young stars in the creative industry doing things on their own, and thus providing them with creative art schools will help young artists coached in their area of interest and make them better artists.

“There should be an investment in the creative arts. There is no school of arts in the country that anybody will tell you he or she learned these things. The government should establish creative art schools so that young people who have the passion can start at an earlier age than waiting until they are 18 or 19 years,” she asserted.

She further elucidated that it makes no sense to be learning other things in school when one actually wants to be in the creative industry.

“Why teach me political history when I would like to become an artist? I will prefer you tell me how a painting is done, how photography is done since I want to be in the creative industry,” she said.

According to her, most artists in the Gambia are self-taught; they learn everything by themselves or through watching certain things on the internet.

She called for support for those in the creative arts. She said that most support for the youths is always on the tech aspect, thereby neglecting the area of creative arts. Last month, Ismaila Saidybah, a young prolific writer and author of two books, equally told TFN that the government of The Gambia through the National Centre for Arts and Culture should invest in the creative industry to help encourage young brains in the country.

By: Dawda Baldeh

The Gambia Federation of the Disabled (GFD) has expressed shock over the removal of the Kassa Kunda Alkalo by the Ministry of Local Government and Lands through the Governor’s office in the West Coast Region and demands an explanation from the said ministry.

The federation advocates the protection and promotion of the inherent dignity and fundamental rights of Persons With Disabilities as vehemently enshrined in both national and international legal instruments. The federation acts as the focal point on disability matters in The Gambia.

Magistrate M Kurubally, the chairman of the federation through a letter addressed to the ministry of local government and lands seen by this medium, said they are shocked by the removal of the Kassa Kunda Alkalo.

“From the information we heard and that is circulating on social media, the Alkalo was removed from his portfolio referencing his blindness.

This news is one of the greatest shocks received by Gambia Federation Of The Disabled,” the federation chairman expressed.

M Kurubally added that the federation is concerned over the decision leading to the removal of the said Alkalo.

“We hereby write to your office (ministry of local government) to offer us reason or reasons for his removal from his portfolio as soon as possible before taking the next necessary, appropriate and legal step.”

Gambia Federation Of The Disabled herein referred to as GFD is the umbrella body representing an estimated number of Three Hundred Thousand Persons With Disabilities ranging from Visually Impairment/Blindness, Hard Of Hearing, Physically Challenge, Albinism, Mental Illness, and Autism amongst other forms of disabilities in The Gambia.

It can be recalled that the Alkalo of Kassa Kunda village Cherno Siranding Sabally was dismissed from his position by the ministry of local government through the Governor’s office in Brikama citing his blindness. The Alkalo’s dismissal was frowned at by many residents in the village who protested against the decision last month.

By:Ousman Saidykhan

One Algasimou Bangura and Idrissa Kamara, both from Sierra Loenian, have been arraigned before the Kanifing Magistrate Court today, 5th September 2022, for allegedly stealing a tricycle valued at D175, 000 in Kanifing South.

The tricycle with Registration Number MC KM 8171 C, which was allegedly stolen on the 10th of August 2022, is said to be the property of Rapid Trading Service.

Bangura and Kamara, first and second persons respectively, denied stealing any tricycle.

The prosecuting officer, Corporal Jallow applied for an adjournment “to secure the presence of our witness.”

“We are not objecting the bail of the accused persons should they be granted bail. However, we want to bring the attention of court to the nationality of the accused persons. Both are Sierra Leonean,” said the prosecuting officers.

The Prosecution’s application for adjournment was granted and the case was adjourned to the 27th of September 2022. The bail of the accused persons was set at one hundred thousand dalasis (D100,000) for each or two Gambian sureties who should tender their valid ID cards to the registrar.

Algasimou Bangura and Idrissa Kamara are charged with two counts: conspiracy and stealing, contrary to both 368 and 252 of the Criminal Code of the Gambia. If the court finds them guilty of the offences, the accused persons may spend up to 5 years in prison.

By: Dawda Baldeh

The Gambia Armed Forces (GAF) in collaboration with the British Peace Support Team Africa (BPTS) on Friday 2nd August 2022 concluded a two-week intensive training for 38 security personnel on gender in peace support operations at the Joint Officers Mess in Kotu.

The training brought together 36 participants from the Gambia Armed Forces (GAF), Gambia Police Force (GPF) and Gambia Immigration Department (GID).

Lieutenant Colonel Lamin K Sanyang, Director of Press and Public Relation Officer of GAF, underscored the significance of the training, saying it is timely and that the knowledge gained will help the beneficiaries in their operations.

“The training focused on key sensitive areas on gender in peace support operations. The participants also trained on modules that dealt with conflict analysis, protection of civilians and conducted scenario-based exercise,” Lt. Colonel Sanyang said.

The objective was to widen the participants’ understanding on key concepts and issues such as gender in peace support operations.

Dr. Sellah Kimgoro, Senior Gender Advisor Peace Support Team Africa, expressed her profound gratitude to the Gambia Armed Forces and described their commitment during the training as an indication that the sky is not the limit for gender mainstreaming in the military in Gambia.

“The purpose of the course was to identify how gender can be mainstreamed within the various functions of the military, police, or within civilians. It was beneficial to have security men in the training to discuss key gender issues” she added.

Lieutenant Colonel Musa Trawally, who represented the Chief of Defense Staff, underscored the significance of the training saying the primary mission of the military is to preserve and defense of territorial integrity of their countries.

“The missions are not changing but the environment in which we operate as security forces is changing gradually. This training will increase the understanding of the participants in their operations in peacekeeping and also strengthen their relationship with the local population who they are serving.

It will further enhance their ability to respond to certain protection needs of the people and in upholding international standard on fundamental human rights thereby improving their understanding of such situations,” said colonel Trawally.

Sergeant Maimuna John, giving the vote of thanks on behalf of the participants, expressed appreciation to GAF leadership and their partners for giving them the opportunity.

“The course has exposed us to crucial issues and has better prepared us in our military career. During the past two weeks, we have been taught key sensitive areas that are very important in our operation,” she emphasized.

By: Modou Touray

Cross-border traders around Farafenni and the border villages have started using donkey and horse carts as an alternative means of transportation as the recent fuel crisis across the country triggered an unstable increase in transport fares.

Traders have said donkey and horse carts are cheaper compared to commercial vehicle fares. The increase in fares reduces their profit as their expenses are often more than their earnings, thereby affecting profit.

“People carrying their goods to Farafenni use our horse and donkey carts to cross over from the Northern part of Senegal to the Gambian territory. The vehicles have no fixed fares. Taxi and other commercial vans charge differently. The donkey and horse cart owners charge cheaper,” Ebrima Jammeh, a native of Farafenni said.

Throughout the world, donkeys and horses are used as pack animals carrying loads on their backs. This is a cheap and easy way of transporting goods, especially over rough and hilly terrain.

“We have to rely on donkey and horse carts because the fuel situation in the country is not stable. Drivers keep demanding for the increase of transport fares and now fuel dealers are also agitating for an increase in fuel price,” Lamin cham revealed.

Border trade, in general, refers to the flow of goods and services across the border between different jurisdictions. In this sense, border trade is part of the normal trade that flows through the ordinary export/import legal and logistical frameworks of nations and smaller jurisdictions. However, border trade specifically refers to the increase in trade in areas where crossing borders is relatively easy and where products are significantly less expensive on one side of the border than the other – often because of significant variations in taxation levels on goods.

“It’s advantageous to us because no fuel is required for carts. They are also capable of carrying heavy loads. I sell second-hand clothes at the border settlements in Senegal. The day fuel stations were not selling, I use a donkey cart to get to my selling points,” Modou Bobb said.

In a globalised world where goods often cross borders many times as both intermediate and final products, trade facilitation helps lower overall trade costs and increase economic welfare, in particular for developing and emerging economies.

“I don’t wait for commercial vehicles to transport my goods. Sometimes I do make agreements with drivers to carry my vegetables, but they fail me with reasons I cannot understand,” Bajen Samba narrated.

Compared to horses, donkeys show a limited fear response to novel situations, and this can be mistaken for stubbornness rather than fear.

“I owned a donkey cart which I use to transport goods for traders across the border to the Gambia. It’s a bit challenging on the road but I manage to deliver service satisfactorily,” Bai Joof said.

Donkeys can pull carts faster than oxen provided the roads are well maintained. Some farmers living on good roads are using donkey-drawn carts for transporting construction materials such as sand, gravel and stone and for transporting their produce from the field to their homes and the market.

By: Dawda Baldeh

Cruise Ship Crew Gambia is on a manhunt for two absconded Gambians, Fatoumata Drammeh and Paul Pierre Mendy, who travelled to the United States of America (USA) to work as crew members under the support of Cruise Ship Crew Gambia.

David White, Co-Managing Partner of Cruise Chip Crew, has frowned upon the actions of the young people, saying it is devastating to their mission of employing a larger number of Gambians for American cruise ship companies.

He described the two as “selfish young people”, saying their recent behaviour can ruin the opportunity for many Gambians.

“The two crew members were aboard the Celebrity Infinity and jumped ship in Miami, Florida. Their US visas have been revoked and the United States (US) Customs and Border Protection Agency is looking for them,” he explained.

The Cruise Ship Crew Gambia is a company that recruits young Gambians to work as crew members aboard American Cruise Ships Companies, as well as offers skills training to young people who are then employed by CSCGambia for the cruise ship companies. CSCGambia employs waiters, restaurant stewards, cooks, laundry attendants, galley utility, storekeepers, and cleaners, as well as other positions, such as security, butlers and photographers.

According to him, Cruise Ship Crew Gambia (CSCG) currently has placed over 300 onboard ships while 1000 others have been hired and awaiting deployment.

“It’s imperative that we find them and have them deported,” he emphasized.

By: Modou Touray

Aramata Cham, an old woman poultry farmer in Farafenni, North Bank Region, has decried the expensive cost of animal feed, which she highlighted to have contributed to his low profit. She further said that she intends to expand the poultry farm, but financial deficiency is her predicament.

Poultry health can easily be compromised by the wrong food or not enough of the right nutrients. An inappropriate diet can affect a bird’s immune system, leaving it unable to cope with the stress of infection or parasites. If the feed is short of key nutrients, a bird may develop physical or neurological issues.

“I have been in this business since 1991. I am still struggling with my farm. Poultry feed is costly, and I cannot afford it. Currently, a bag of feed is more than D2000 dalasi. I have 200 chickens and a bag of poultry feed takes 4 days to finish. Therefore, the amount of money I spend on feeding is very expensive.”

Poultry farming is a form of animal husbandry which raises domesticated birds such as chickens, ducks, turkeys and geese to produce meat or eggs for food. Poultry – mostly chickens – are farmed in great numbers. More than 60 billion chickens are killed for consumption annually. Chicken raised for eggs is known as layers, while chickens raised for meat are called broilers.

“It requires enough time and energy to embark on poultry farming. Chicken must be well fed and if farmers lack feeding, it will affect the health of the poultry.”

Wheat usually is one of the best grains for poultry feeding, although a proportion of course grains in some form should always be included in the ration, along with wheat. In seasons of rust or frost, when wheat is shrunken, more should be ground and fed in mashes and less in the scratch feed.

“Government and other development partners should assist in helping us so that our poultry farming can be sustainable. Our profit is very little and that is discouraging. It doesn’t make sense if we are spending more money and not making a profit.”

An important part of raising chickens is feeding – feeding makes up the major cost of production and good nutrition is reflected in the bird’s performance and its products.

“Many people especially event organizers always demand more chicken, but my production capacity is very low. Disease outbreak is another challenge I encounter as a poultry farmer. I spend some money too to ensure their health.”

According to experts, there are six key components of any poultry production system: genetics, husbandry, nutrition, health, environment and human resources. Nutrition and health put together lead to good Health. Regular cleaning is essential to keep your chickens healthy. Remove wet or soiled bedding daily, and weekly, and remove and replace all bedding, at least twice a year.

“I buy animal feeding from Abuko and sometimes travel to the border villages in Senegal to buy. The feeding is cheaper in Senegal. Most farmers who are close to the border get their poultry from Senegal.”

After More than 30 years of poultry farming, Aramata is still struggling with key challenges to enhance her productivity.

By: Dawda Baldeh

Honourable Omar Cham, Speaker of the National Youth Parliament (NYP), has stated that the election of members of the Youth Parliament was done at the regional level where 5 representatives from each region attended the congress as Speaker, Deputy Speaker, Clerk, Deputy Clerk and Finance Officer were elected.

He made these remarks while reacting to comments doubting the formation, selection, and purpose of the Youth Parliament, which was established in 2002 to steer the affairs of young people in the country.

“We are not paid a butut for holding these positions. It is entirely voluntary. Some of us develop the spirit of taking part in national development since childhood. We are sacrificing our time, energy and resources to move this country forward,” he said.

Hon. Cham stressed that the election was membership-based where each region had 30 members and the election was conducted by the Independent Electoral Commission in a congress in 2020.

He confirmed that they took over the duty of youth representation on 4th January 2021, adding that they reformed the NYP ushering in a new constitution, standing orders, management manual and finance.

The young parliamentarian added that after consultation with regional speakers, and regional youth chairpersons on the criteria for selection such as experience in youth work, civil society engagement, availability, commitment and non-partisanship, one member from each constituency represented said constituency, 7 women reps and 2 reps of the persons with disabilities were nominated.

“NYP is now fully composed in such a way that instead of membership being fully based on registration as it used to be, membership will now be fully based on elections.”

He noted that every young person who is actively involved in youth work will be able to get voted into the NYP as Speaker, Deputy Speaker or Constituency representative.

According to him, women representatives were nominated by their regions while persons with disabilities were nominated by The Gambia Federation of the disabled.

“Young people that are volunteering with youth organizations registered with the National Youth Parliament, ex-members of the Children National Assembly are all qualified to contest. People who are interested must be active in youth work and must not be associated with any political party and must be between 15 and 35 years.

We are representing the youth; therefore, we are subjected to public scrutiny and make ourselves readily available to provide every information regarding the youth parliament,” he concluded.

Members who are elected are expected to serve for three years after which an election shall be conducted but no member shall serve more than two terms said the NYP speaker.

By: Muhammed Lamin Drammeh

The former Fortune FC midfield maestro and vice-captain of The Gambia National Under 20 team, Tijan M. Marr, is now eying a call-up to the senior national team after signing a new contract with Spanish outfit, Depotivo Alaves B team.

Marr, who was influential for the Gambia U20 in the country’s last WAFU triumph and Fortune FC’s indivisible league season last year, told The Fatu Network that he is ready to play for the senior national team anytime he is invited.

“I am ready to play whenever I am called. If I am given the chance, I am ready to do it for the senior team as I did for the U20,” Marr declared.

The box-to-box midfielder said it will be hard for him as a young player to get into the senior team but emphasized that he is committed and ready to fight for a place in the team.

The 21-year-old signed for Depotivo Alaves’ B team last week Thursday from Rayo’s B team.  He described his move to the one-time Spanish top-level football team as progress in his career.

“This move means a lot to me in my career as a footballer. This will now give me a closer opportunity to get to the biggest stages in football where the whole world will be watching,” Marr, evidently cheerful, expressed.

Deportivo Alaves played in the Spanish Laliga last season, but they have been relegated to the Spanish 2nd division.

Marr, who grew up playing in the dusty street of Brufut as a young kid, believes that hard work can help him realise his dreams as a footballer. He told The Fatu Network that his target now is to play in the Spanish Laliga and represent the Gambia senior national team.

By: Muhammed Lamin Drammeh

The Minister of Higher Education, Research, Science, and Technology (MoHERST) of the Republic of The Gambia, Professor Pierre Gomez, has said the government is taking a paradigm shift in the country’s higher education system by investing a lot in technical and vocational education centres in every region in a bid to curb youth unemployment in the country.

Minister Gomez, whose experience in tertiary education spans over 25 years, told The Fatu Network that establishing multipurpose TVET centres in the country is a ‘game changer’ in the education system. He highlighted that the government of the Gambia, through his ministry, is committed to furnishing youth with TVET centres as developed countries do.

“This is a game changer in our higher education system. All developed countries use TVET. The president feels that we must create TVET centres in all the regions to curb unemployment, rural-urban migration and illegal migration to be addressed. We are going to the people, find the youth in their backyard and give them quality education; an education that will help them to employ themselves,” he said.

The former University of The Gambia Acting Vice-Chancellor, whose appointment as the country’s higher education minister was lauded, affirmed that the project of building these centres is on.

He revealed to The Fatu Network that the government is now in charge of the Ndenban and Kanilai TVET centres and that the construction of the building is almost done. He declared that both centres are multipurpose, and the centres will as well address the accommodation of both staff and students in the dormitories.

Additionally, he said that the centre in Mansakonko in the Lower River Region is having additional structures and all these three centres will be inaugurated on the same day.

On the heels of the underwhelming performance of Gambian students in the 2022 grade 12 WASSCE exam, many Gambians call for technical and vocational education training centres since less than 5 per cent of the students who sat the exam met the university entrance requirement.

Last month, Prof. Gomez and some members of his staff and development partners went to the Central River Region to inspect possible sites where TVET centres can be built. Two areas were identified: Sapo and Kuntar.

According to Mr Gomez, the Kuntar centre will be multi-purposed unlike the one to be erected in Sapo. He explained that the centre in Sapo will be wholly and surely focused on Agribusiness.

“In Sapo, as opposed to all other centres, this one will not be multipurpose. This one will focus on agribusiness and agricultural-related activities. It will not be like classroom agriculture, like learning agriculture and never being on the farm; that will not happen.  It will be like from classroom to the farm,” he emphasized.

Gomez elucidated that Sapo is a good area for agricultural activities, where one can engage in agricultural activities all year round. He explained that the place has fresh water, adding that making agricultural equipment will also be taught in the centre.

Prof., in emphasizing the commitment of the government to providing vocational and technical education for Gambian youths, said his ministry will continuously strive for functional education that will enable students from these centres to be self-employed.

He said the ministry will go to other regions with their development partners to search for suitable places where these centres will be built.

By: Dawda Baldeh

Police have in a statement confirmed the arrest of a most wanted suspect identified as Karanta Darboe, a resident of Sukuta village. He is alleged to have been involved in numerous theft and related cases.

“In a daylight operation, a team of police detectives from the West Coast and Kanifing Regions respectively, arrested the long-time wanted suspect, Karanta Darboe of Sukuta, who has been alleged for involvement in numerous theft cases within the two Regions,” a police statement confirmed.

Karanta, as he is widely known, is reported to have been engaging in deceptive means of obtaining money from people, thereby victimizing many, sources say.

His name has been recorded in police books over the years for a range of ‘criminal acts.’ The police described him as a “long-time most wanted suspect.”

According to reports, one of Karanta’s tactics in obtaining monies from people was presenting them with foreign currencies in exchange of goods.

“The detectives elicited and gathered revealing information from credible sources regarding Karanta’s whereabouts, which led to his arrest. He is currently detained at the Brusubi Police Station,” the statement disclosed.

The Gambia Police called on the general public to be vigilant and assist the efforts of the police in its daily strive for maintaining peace and order in the country.

By: Dawda Baldeh

Hon. Fabakary Tombong Jatta, the Speaker of the Gambia National Assembly has told Pan-African Parliament (PAP) members that “Africa is not on track” in attainting the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 2 which targets to end hunger and ensure access to safe nutritious, and sufficient food all year round thereby ending all forms of malnutrition.

Honorable Jatta made these remarks at the ongoing 11th conference of Speakers of African National and Regional Parliaments in Midrand, South Africa.

The conference is held on the margins of the ongoing August Sittings of the Permanent Committees of the sixth Parliament guided by the African Union (AU) theme for 2022: “Building resilience in nutrition on the African continent: Accelerate the human capital, social and economic development.”

Delivering his speech, Hon. Jatta described the theme as a journey towards the achieving the Aspiration 1 of the AU Agenda 2063 which envisions a prosperous Africa based on inclusive growth and sustainable development, a key goal of which is to ensure a continent of healthy and well-nourished citizens.

“It is essential that we are gathered here to brainstorm on prioritization of climate-smart options and portfolios for investment with a view to providing innovative solutions towards the complex and integrated goals of increasing yields, improving resilience, and promoting human capital, social and economic development,” said Hon. Jatta.

The head of Gambia’s lawmaking body said food prices have been on the rise noting that it poses threat to the purchasing power of the poor that might incite social unrest.

“It is self-evident that Africa is not on track to meeting the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 2 targets to end hunger and ensure access by all people to safe, nutritious, and sufficient food all year round and to end all forms of malnutrition.”

Buttressing on the importance of budget allocation, Jatta urged member states to ensure that they allocate at least 10% of their national budget to the agricultural sector. “This must be the starting point,” he noted.

He disclosed that Gambia is among the countries that is within the target of the 10% budgetary allocation to agriculture, citing that it current budget allocates 9.93% to the sector.

“A review of the agricultural policies of majority of our member states have shown that majority of member countries have not fulfilled their commitments of allocating at least 10% of national budgets towards the agriculture sector,” he highlights.

African Leaders made commitment of allocating at least 10% of public expenditure budgets to agriculture. The objective is aimed at eradicating hunger and reduce poverty by half in 2025 through inclusive agricultural growth and transformation.

“We are aware that farmers in Africa have consistently been exposed to high variability in their production environment and therefore requires the use a broad spectrum of coping strategies including the selection of drought tolerant varieties of crops, traditional water harvesting techniques, and the diversification of income sources by combining cropping with livestock rearing and off-farm activities.”

By: Sarjo Brito, Foreign Press Centers U.S Midterm Elections 2022 Reporting Participant

United States-based Gambian politician Dr. Omar Bah who is contesting the forthcoming midterm election in Rhode Island has accused WPRI-TV station and its parent company Nexstar of shutting him out of a Congressional district debate between Democratic contestants. In a statement issued on his official Facebook page, Dr. Omar Bah says the decision of the media company to exclude him from the debate highlights the struggle of thousands of his fellow Rhode Islanders who have historically been shut out of the political process by the system.

“This grievance is not just about me, because it highlights the struggles faced by the thousands of everyday Rhode Islanders who are being — and have historically been — shut out of the political process by the system.’’

Dr. Bah says his exclusion from the debate was based on the media company’s strict adherence to rules about polling data which, according to him, was not applied consistently to all candidates.

“Nexstar’s polling data was not applied consistently for all candidates, nor does it take into account the large margin of error, which renders the survey data meaningless, as a tool for evaluating the performance of most candidates with respect to each other.”

Dr. Omar Bah further stated that the establishment of nuance rules and barriers have in effect shut out marginalized groups, making it difficult for them to succeed when contesting for public office. Dr. Bah says barriers such as gerrymandering to exclude influential people of color are deeply embedded in the system, adding that it only reinforces the fact that “people without access to family money, and insider politics connections have little access of ever accumulating wealth, power or influence.”

While we cannot reach WPRI for comments, the network has published an article on their website following the August 30 debate in which Bah was disqualified from taking part. The article, which dives deep into the debate confirmed that Dr. Omar Bah and fellow Democrat Spencer Dickenson are all on the September ballot but did not qualify to take part in the debate.

“The winner of the Democratic primary will face Republican Allan Fung and independent Bill Gilbert in November. (Two other Democrats, Omar Bah, and Spencer Dickinson are also on the September ballot but did not qualify to participate in the debate.)’’ WPRI-TV website wrote.

Dr. Omar Bah will be facing off with five other Democratic candidates in the upcoming Rhode Island primaries slated to take place on the 13th of September. While he and his fellow Democratic candidates generally share the same position on key issues, Dr. Bah says this competition has gone beyond who has the best policy positions, rather it is about presenting Rhode Islanders with two choices of either electing a congressperson who essentially has things handed to them on a silver platter or elect someone who understands the everyday struggles of Rhode Islanders.

By: Modou Touray

Butchers and meat sellers have told The Fatu Network that since incidents of arrest were reported in connection to the smuggling of dog meat into the market, consumers have been feeling reluctant to buy meat. According to most of the meat dealers in Abuko and Tabokoto, there has been a decline in their income and profit as only a handful of customers buy meat now.

The butchery business is a profitable and highly rewarding and lucrative business, providing income for thousands of businesspersons.

“I have many customers, especially during weekends. People used to buy meat in abundance to grill but now before they buy, they observe very well to be sure that dog meat is not mixed in,” Njaga Barry said.

Abuko is a famous meat market for cattle beef which is often displayed at canteens on the highway.

Lamin Sowe buys meat and grills it for sale which passengers on stopover buy as a takeaway.

“I cannot rush at passengers in vehicles and convince them to buy. Some try to smell because they are afraid of dog meat. Some will just buy with faith.”

Distinguishable from the odour of sheep, the odour of dog meat is unpleasant, and the skin is darker than livestock meat. Dog fat is also oilier. The odour of dog meat is also repulsive.

“Dog meat has too much fat and it’s easier to detect it. I only deal in cattle meat.” Samba Boye, a butcher in Abuko stressed.

The butchers and meat vendors described the arrest of people attempting to sell dog meat as isolated incidents.

“One rotten potato spoiled the whole bag. I have been dealing in clean meat sales for 10 years now and never received any complaints from my customers,” Lamin Fatty said.

Meat is a great source of protein. It also provides lots of other nutrients your body needs, like iodine, iron, zinc, vitamins (especially B12) and essential fatty acids. So, it’s a good idea to eat meat every week as part of your balanced diet.

“There is no open dog meat market in the Gambia. I have customers all over the country. Recently, I opened a new outlet in Farafenni. Generally, the meat we are selling is fit for human consumption,” Bai Joof said.

Babucarr Manneh attributed their low sales to fake news circulating that dog meat is rampant in the market.

“I don’t deny the fact that someone is arrested with dog meat, but this act is not the general behaviour of the entire meat dealers.”

Fake news has negatively impacted the meat business as it spread widely and fast. Poor sales performance costs money, time, resources and missed opportunity, and the very worst part is that you’re most likely contributing to your competitor’s growth.

According to health experts, the risks associated with eating dog meat are real. Dog meat might contain parasitic worms, like the infamous Toxocara canis, which can result in blindness, myocarditis and respiratory failure. Rabies is another legitimate concern. People should be aware that dogs of any age, including puppies, can sometimes carry harmful germs that can make people sick. Germs from dogs can cause a variety of illnesses, from minor skin infections to serious illnesses.

By: Ousman Saidykhan

Magistrate Jabang of the Kanifing Magistrate Court has acquitted and discharged one Modou Sarr who was under a drug-trafficking charge after leaving the court in doubt as to whether the drug found with the accused meets the 2kg threshold to be classified as drug trafficking.

However, the accused was sentenced to a fine of D150, 000 in default to serve 2 years in prison for keeping in possession the said prohibited drug, Cannabis Sativa.

“If the accused is unable to pay the D150, 000 at once, he shall be given a grace period of three months to pay the same pursuant to section 259 of the CPC. Under that circumstance, the convict shall be put on bail in the sum of D200,000 or two Gambian sureties in the like sum. The sureties are to swear to an affidavit of means and also deposit their ID card with the court,” Jabang said.

He has also ordered that 75% of the fine be paid to the Drug Law Enforcement Agency Gambia (DLEAG) and 25% to the state.

Modou Sarr was first arraigned at the Kanifing Magistrate Court on the 29th of August 2022 having been charged with “possession of the prohibited drug for the purpose of drug trafficking,” to which he pleaded guilty. The 12 bundles of the illicit drug found with the Tallinding native were said to have been kept in three containers (black suitcase, chair box and carton).

Section 43(4)(e) of the Drug Control Act 2003 provides that, “A person who is found in possession of more than two kilograms of cannabis commits the offence of possession for the purpose of drug trafficking unless the contrary is proved, the burden of which shall be on him or her.”

It was now required for the prosecution to prove beyond all reasonable doubts despite the accused pleading guilty. That also means proving to the court whether the drug’s weight is up to 2 kilograms to be considered “purpose of drug trafficking” However, the magistrate held that the court was left in doubt with regards to one of the prosecution’s documents, the Weighing Certificate, marked as Exhibit C which details the weight of the drug found in possession of the accused.

According to the weighing certificate, the 12 bundles of cannabis were weighted with the containers which gave them gross weight instead of the net weight.

“There is no evidence before me to suggest that a suitcase, a chair box and a carton are prohibited substances requiring weighment (sic) for the purposes of punishment. There is nowhere in the aforesaid section in the whole Drug Control Act and its Amendment where it is stated that cannabis should be weighed with its content.

“…I, therefore, hold as a fact that the ingredient of the quantity of cannabis alleged to be found with the accused herein is not proved,” Jabang ruled.

Meanwhile, section 151 of the Criminal Procedure Code provides for the conviction of an individual if the “evidence shows that some integral parts of the offence charged only are proved, and such parts which are so proved or some of them taken together constitute another offence…”

It was pursuant to this section that the accused was sentenced because he accepted to have possessed the illegal drug.