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.

Roads make a crucial contribution to the economic development and growth of a country and also bring important social benefits in which they are of vital importance to ensure the growth and development of a nation.

The OIC road projects which started in March 2021 have seen many people being asked to move and look for new settlements because of the expansion of these roads.

Some of the people who are affected along the Bertil Harding highway have laminated some of the challenges they are facing in finding new settlements.

“This is very hard on me because if I am to move to another settlement that is going to cost me. If this building has to be demolished, it will disturb me because I have spent a lot in building this shop,” Aret Jassy said.

Jassy told The Fatu Network she is used to the environment and she has many customers, so moving to another place will affect her business.

According to her, finding a new settlement is very difficult and she said the government should compensate her by giving her a new place to start her business because she has no other means to depend on apart from the business she does.

“I have been told to move to another location, however, I am yet to find a suitable place. These people should compensate us before relocating us; moving to a new place will have an impact on our businesses because we are going to lose many customers and finding a place is also a problem,” Jainaba Ceesay explained.

“We also want this country to develop because this country is ours but when trying to develop a country try to investigate what impact it will have on both parties (Government and its people) before taking any step because asking us to move to a new settlement without any compensation is hard,” She added.

Ceesay said the government should find another solution to ensure the roads are well constructed and their businesses are not affected also.

Ebrima Jallow, also affected, said the government should compensate them before moving them to another location. He said they have families to take care of. He said it will be very challenging for them if the government moves them without compensation.

“If they happen to move us, many of us will be affected, many buildings will be destroyed, however, the government should compensate us because we are finding it hard to find a new settlement and our family members are looking depending on us,” Ebrima said.

By: Modou Touray

Neighbourhoods in the vicinity of Brikama remain alert as thieves target overnight rainfalls to break into shops and homes to steal valuables. Several residents in Brikama who spoke to The Fatu Network in this interview have said that stealing is becoming rampant during night rains hence many people are usually indoors and often not alert to outside noise.

“I have a shop at the Brikama market, but I was unable to reach home at Jamisa due to heavy rains. At the time I arrived home I show someone wearing short trousers entering my house. But he ran away as I approached him,” Sheikh Mbye, a tailor said.

Many market vendors and shop owners, especially tailors close late from work and trek a distance to their residents.

“Sometimes if you don’t carry an umbrella, you have to stand somewhere otherwise your phone and other materials could be spoiled,” Sam Fatty told this medium.

Neighbourhoods such as Durumakolong are risky areas during nighttime. Incidents of attacks on people are common there, especially during night rains.

“I used the main Jalangbang highway to get to my house because I don’t trust using the road behind the Jambarr-Sanneh. It was raining heavily, and someone was following me,” Abdoulie Jabbi said.

Some neighbourhoods feel unsafe during the rains especially the Gidda and Sanchaba farokono areas where criminal hideouts are many. Alhagie Secka is a civil servant who revealed that he doesn’t sleep at night due to fear of thieves. “Last month they stole my bicycle which I park under my veranda. This happened during night rains. It’s difficult to notice movements and noise during rainfalls at night.”

Residents of Nyambai – puntalana and Santosu also raised concerns about burglary during the night, saying they are always on standby for the fact that thieves are very tactical in their manoeuvres.

“Our house in Santosu is close to the bush, it will be easier for someone to target us and flee to the bush,” Mustapha Nyassi said.

Lamin Sanyang and Edward Gomez, both residents of Nyambai- puntalana pointed out that residents must take precautions against burglars. He said they already formed a vigilante group to monitor late-night movements in their surroundings.

Apart from settlements, marketplaces and other business areas are also targeted.

“I close at night from my shop but always see young men around pretending they come to buy. They look smart and friendly, but I don’t entertain them,” Lamin Jaiteh revealed.

According to retired security officer Buba Njie, thieves always scout for possible targets before embarking on their operations.

“Most of the time they are people you know and are familiar with. Any noise you hear during rainfall at night you have to always check it. Sound of thunder is different from housebreaking.”

According to the weather forecast information from the Department of Water Resources, rainfall is expected to persist during most parts of the period over most places, particularly the western half of the country. Yet this continuous persistence of rains might generate flash flooding in areas prone to flooding, especially the western part.

By: Ousman Saidykhan

Magistrate Colley of the Kanifing Magistrate Court has, during his sentencing, ordered two brothers who stabbed each other, Ousman Camara and Ismaila Camara, to pay twenty-five thousand dalasis (D25,000) after convicting them of assault causing actual bodily harm; the duo faces a three-year jail term in the instance that they could not pay.

Ousman and Ismaila, the first and second accused persons respectively, were arraigned at the Kanifing Magistrate Court having been charged with assault causing actual bodily harm by stabbing each other on the 28th of August 2022 at Dippa Kunda.

The first accused was said to have stabbed the second accused on his right hand and chest while the second accused was said to have stabbed the first accused on his left arm.

Their said offence is contrary to section 228 of the Criminal Code of the Gambia. They both pleaded guilty as were charged.

When presenting the “facts,” the prosecution told the court that the first accused person, Ousman found the second accused lying in his house and stabbed him with a broken bottle.

“The second accused person reported the matter to the police. The police went to arrest the first accused. But before the police could arrest the first accused, the second accused also stabbed him in the presence of the police,” narrated the prosecution.

The punishment for the offence the duo committed is five years imprisonment. However, after listening to the plea in mitigation of the convicts who pleaded for court’s mercy as they are regretful of the act and that they are brothers, the Magistrate handed them the monetary punishment in default of which they will serve a 3-year jail term.

By: Ousman Saidykhan

One Sanna Camara, 29, who was convicted and sentenced to 5 years in prison for shop breaking has appeared before Principal Magistrate, Jabang, as he faces the second count where he is accused of stealing items from a fashion shop of one Mariama Sanyang worth over D65, 000.

Sanna was arraigned earlier this month before Magistrate Jabang at the Kanifing Magistrate Court on two counts of Shop-breaking and stealing contrary to sections 283 and 252 respectively.

He pleaded guilty to count 1 (shop-breaking) but denied stealing some of the items on the charge sheet resulting in a “not guilty plea” being entered for him by the Magistrate. He was accordingly sentenced to 5 years in prison with hard labour.

The trial of the second count begins this morning and if the accused is found guilty, he may get another 5-year jail term, with the testimony of the 1st witness, Mariama Sanyang.

Mariama, who is the victim in this case was not present when the act was being committed as it was allegedly done in the early hours of the morning, testified that she was sleeping when armed PIU officers woke her early morning and broke the piece of news to her.

“I was terrified. My mum was terrified too when they knocked on our door. They told me my shop was broken,” the witness, who is also the victim, explained.

She continued that she left with the officers because her shop is not far from her residence: “When I reached the shop, I saw a crowd. I saw the accused person sitting opposite the shop with others. They asked me whether I know him, I said no,” she told the court.

The witness testified that she was shocked after entering her shop and finding out it was almost empty. “I was like wow,” she said, adding the PIU officers took the accused to Manjai police station where she gave a statement.

Some items amounting to D18, 520 were recovered, according to the prosecutor, Bojang. However, the rest, D46, 880 was still missing. The recovered items were tendered and marked as exhibit E series. They are 15 shirts, 7 pairs of trousers, 3 Haftans, 4 shampoos, two pairs of shoes and 2 intimate wash for women.

These items were shown to the witness for identification purposes. She told the court she recognized them. The prosecution applied for the items to be entrusted to the victim because they were “central” to her business.

Meanwhile, the accused who had no questions for cross-examination alleged that the PIU officers who arrested him must have taken some items recovered from him, confessing that the items presented before the court are less than what was recovered from him.

He said he overheard one officer tell the other that he needed some trousers. “I was cuffed on a pole at their guard post. They entered in a house with the items but came out with half of the bag they entered with, he alleged.

The case was adjourned to the 6th of September.

By: Dawda Baldeh

Sainey Sabally, twin brother of Sana Bairo Sabally, who has been in the centre of criticism over the Kassa Kunda Alkaloship row has broken his silence and denied any wrongdoing as alleged by the village residents that he was involved in the dismissal of then village Alkalo Cherno Siranding Sabally.

New Alkalo Sheriffo Ebrima Sabally’s appointment came barely a week after the Ministry of Local Government and Lands through the governor’s office in the West Coast Region dismissed the former Alkalo Cherno Siranding Sabally.

Speaking to this medium, Sainey admits that the villagers are entitled to their opinions and pointing fingers at him and Sanna. He (Sainey) denied claims that they (Sainey and Sanna) are engaged in land business in the community as alleged by some residents.

“This has never happened and I have never sold land in my life especially,” he dismisses the villagers’ claim, adding that his first encounter in the village after his return from the UK was against the then Alkalo Modou Siranding whom he (Sainey) alleged to have sold one of his gardens when Sana Sabally was in prison.

Mr Sabally accused the former leadership in the village of engaging in “dubious activities” during Jammeh’s regime.

“Whatever you see in this life will come to end and one day the truth must prevail, so, today Allah has come to our aid and the Alkalo is dismissed.

They (former leadership) were selling lands that belong to families at the time when we cannot do anything because I was in London and Sanna was in prison. There were many projects that came to the village but they never benefited the people,” he alleged.

Sainey further stated that the former village head and some of his enablers don’t want their “dubious activities” to stop but stressed that it must stop. We cut their irregularities and that’s why they are accusing and pointing fingers.

He alleged that the then leadership has sold many lands in the village and their family as the founders were never aware of it.

Mr Sabally recalled that he went with Sanna to the Alkalo for dialogue about the irregularities in the village but the Alkalo’s (Cherno Siranding Sabally) response was negative.

Sainey claimed that the Alkalo once confirmed to them that he was taken to court on different occasions for stamp issues.

He went on to say, Sanna asked why he said “I cannot see then Sanna told him (Alkalo) now that you cannot see why not you stop giving people the stamp and bring your brothers and work with them? His (Cherno Siranding) response was I will not do that today and tomorrow.

We realized that the Alkaloship was compromised by some groups in the village who were among the protesters for the dismissal of the former Alkalo because their dubious activities have come to an end,” he narrated.

The Gambia Sickle Cell Association will on the 3^rd of September 2022 commemorate what they call Sickle Cell Awareness Month in the country.

Speaking to this medium in an exclusive, Mr Alieu Sambou, the president of the Association said the first event is kicking off on the 3rd of September in a form of a symposium at the American Corner at Kairaba Avenue.

Mr Sambou said they didn’t celebrate June 19th this year as it is a day dedicated to sickle cell disease. This, he said, is due to so many deaths within the executive membership.

“Therefore as September is Sickle cell awareness month, we are taking the opportunity to raise awareness, this will be the first time since our inception to hold an awareness program at the sickle cell village in Tankularr, Keneba Kiang West.”

He continued to say that the association is formulated in August 2007 and has since signed a lot of MOUs with partners such as MOBse, GT bank, MOH, Ministry of Environment, Red Cross, and Africa Sickle cell foundation amongst others.

“Since inception SCAG reached out to people with sickle cell, creating awareness, providing moral and financial support was possible particularly when members are in the hospital.”

He said they have some working partnerships with MOBse using schools as SCD reading materials to schools. He said they initiated a working relationship with the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change to promote green communities.

“Extensive awareness creation in schools in region 1 and 2, mass media campaigns in radios, including community radios in region 1 and 2 using English and local languages.”

Mr Sambou said they have partnerships with a lot of NGOs and agencies in previous years and will like to show appreciation to all, especially Novartis who made Hydrox more accessible.

He said the main sponsor of world sickle cell day on June 19th from 2019 to date is GT bank. He concluded by saying that he is honoured to also partner with almost all the media houses within the Kombos.

People with sickle cell disease produce unusually shaped red blood cells that can cause problems because they do not live as long as healthy blood cells and can block vessels.

The disease is a serious and lifelong health condition, although treatments can help manage many of the symptoms.

By: Modou Touray

Women rice farmers in Jahally, Pacharr and Sapu in the Central River Region of The Gambia have said there is huge fertile land for rice cultivation in their communities but lack the required modern agricultural tools or machinery for large scale cultivation of rice.

The women told The Fatu Network that manual labour is hectic and difficult, making rice yield low.

“Right now, most of the strong young men and women have moved to Greater Banjul Area while others have embarked on irregular migration in search of greener pastures. We the elderly struggle on the fields. Even our children at home are concentrating on their education; only few of them help us on the rice fields,” Sunkary Kandeh explained.

Technical innovations that helped improved rice productivity include irrigation, pest and disease management, fertilization, modern varieties, farm mechanization, improved rice milling, and crop rotation are challenging. These innovations increase productivity.

Jahally, Pacharr and Sapu were popular for their large-scale production in rice, but recently, their production level dropped drastically due to lack of proper equipment.

President of the joint rice fields, Awa Sama, highlighted to this medium the numerous challenges farmers continuously face.

“Irrigation machines are needed to pump fresh water from the river to the rice fields. This place used to harvest lots of rice but most of the equipment are damaged beyond repair,” Awa Sama disclosed.

Irrigation is the artificial application of water to the soil through various systems of tubes, pumps, and sprays. Irrigation is usually used in areas where rainfall is irregular or during drought. There are many types of irrigation systems in which water is supplied to a farm.

Speaking on behalf of their colleague farmers, President of the women rice farmers, Awa Sama and Vice President Suntu Sanneh highlighted lack of farming equipment, fertilizer, proper canals to access water from the river and the non-fencing of field perimeters as major challenges.

According to Kawsu Drammeh, a regular rice farmer, mechanization in rice cultivation is decreasing due to lack of implements such as tractors, power tillers, paddy transplanters, weeders, power sprayers, combine harvesters and threshers.

“Machines make work on the farm easier and more efficient. If rice farmers want to do their planting on time, they must use modern tools. Using manual labour is time consuming and less productive.”

Jahally Pacharr and Sapu once constituted major rice growing fields in The Gambia with their potential to feed the entire country at a time when they were being managed by the Chinese in the 90s and early 2000s.

Women farmers said the potential fields were ignored by the government, leaving them to individually cultivate with limited support.

By: Alimatou S Bajinka

In the eyes of many teens, shisha smoking is portrayed as cool, sexy, independent, fun, attractive and living on the edge. As a result, they try smoking and do not understand the effects or dangers attached to it.

A hookah, shisha, or waterpipe is a single or multi-stemmed instrument for heating or vaporizing and then smoking either tobacco, flavoured tobacco, or sometimes cannabis, hashish, and opium. The smoke is passed through a water basin — often glass-based — before inhalation.

Research shows that Smoking shisha is associated with three main detrimental health effects: cardiovascular damage, infection and cancer formation.

Buba Fatty, a shisha user believes that shisha is used as fun and has few health implications compared to cigarettes.

“Shisha is fun and cool, it’s even civilised, it has little health complications compared to cigarettes, it doesn’t make my lips black or make me look rough, it’s just so cool.”

Contrary to Buba’s claims, research has proved that shisha is more detrimental to health than cigarettes. Stating that, in a single water pipe session (Shisha session), users are exposed to up to 9 times the carbon monoxide and 1.7 times the nicotine of a single cigarette.

The amount of smoke inhaled during a typical shisha session is about 90,000 millilitres (ml), compared with 500–600 ml inhaled when smoking a cigarette.

Most youths see smoking as a way of rebelling and showing independence. They think that everyone else is smoking and that they should, too.

In the same vein, Ansu Jabbi said, he does not smoke shisha and starts to misbehave.

“Shisha is not bad, I smoke shisha to calm myself and to escape reality, no one should have a problem with that because it’s my life and I should be in charge, I do not misbehave when I smoke.”

It is said that adolescence is a critical developmental stage when youth are under pressure to fit in socially.

Asha Ngome said she smokes shisha because her friends smoke.

“I do not want to be the odd one or be left out, all my friends smoke so I did as well to fit in.”

According to research, much of the morbidity and mortality associated with shisha smoking can be attributed to impairment of the cardiovascular system.

Globally tobacco use kills more than seven million people annually, a figure expected to rise to 8 million deaths every year by 2030.

By: Karimatou Jallow  

Residents of Ebo town have called on government to develop their community, saying that they have been lamenting for years but nobody has ever come to their aid.

“Ebou town is not hygienic, stangnant water is every. Nobody knows where this water is coming from and the sad thing is that children play in this stagnant water without knowing the negative impact of it. They are uncomfortable because they are children who don’t know the implications of such water on their health,” Shona Touray said.

“We have rights like any other person in the country because we pay tax and also participate in every election, but we are ignored. Promises made to us are hardly fulfilled. We are Gambians and we need to be considered all time,” Touray added.

Shona said the government should help them because they are living in very unhygienic environment which she said is not good for their health.

“During elections, most of these politicians came here and promised to help us but we have not received any help from them. Moreover, this is not what we are expecting from them. Let them fulfil their promises because we are the reason why they are in those positions. Not considering us is not a good idea because we voted them to bring development to our communities,” Sarjo Gaye explained.

“We are living in a very bad condition because the stagnant water can cause serious sickness. If politicians really care about our health, let them fine a solution and end this because we are also citizen of this country who pay tax like any other citizen in the country,” Gaye added.

“For more than fifteen years now we have been living in this nasty environment and nobody has ever come to our aid. However, that has never stopped us from voting during elections,” Gaye said.

Ebrima Jallow, a resident, said he has been living in Ebo town for years but said he has seen any development. He urged the government to help them develop the community.

By: Muhammed Lamin Drammeh

The president of the Gambia Football Federation, Lamin Kaba Bajo, has admitted to gathering football delegates at a hotel a night before the election but denied inducing voters.

President Bajo was accused by his opponent Sadibou Kamaso, who alleged that Mister Bajo and his team induced and coerced delegates into voting for him in his re-election to continue serving as the head of the country’s football governing body for another four years. Kaba Bajo boldly told the press that it was not an allegation but a reality that he gathered delegates at a hotel. However, he dismissed the inducement claimed submitted by Sadibou Kamaso.

“It is not an allegation. It is a reality. We have two teams and every team, you go with your people and talk to them. The people who have identified themselves with me came together so that we can further organize ourselves and prepare for the election,” he voiced.

He went on further: “I will not tell you that we induce them. These people are highly respected. Some of them were there, but they came here and voted against us.”

Mister Sadibou Kamaso, who lost the election to his former boss said that President Bajo and his team connived with most of the delegates to sit together on the same side in the hall so that they can monitor what they will be doing, a sitting arrangement he questioned; blaming the electoral committee of working for Team Kaba.

In the run-up to the election, Mister Lamin Kaba Bajo told The Fatu Network that Sadibou is his special younger brother. However, yesterday, he expressed his disappointment with Sadibou, whom he was expecting a congratulatory remark from but never received.  He said that he is disappointed in Kamaso’s failure to congratulate him.

“I am disappointed because I knew how highly contested the election would be. I expect a form of congratulations from my opponent. It is a big disappointment,” he expressed.

However, Sadibou Kamaso, who questioned the whole process leading to the election, uttered that he cannot congratulate President Bajo because he flawed the Constitution.

“I don’t have to congratulate someone who flawed all the rules of the Constitution in terms of the electoral process,” Kamaso said.

He explained that Bajo amended the Constitution in his favour by bringing in the position of 4th Vice President. Kamaso argued that that could have been done earlier and not in the morning of the elections.

When Sadibou lost to Lamin Kaba Bajo by 25 votes to 51, his team members withdrew their candidatures in all other elected positions.

Lamin Kaba Bajo’s new executive team after the election includes Bakary Jammeh as vice President, Ebou Faye as second Vice President, Numukunda Kanyi as third Vice President, Imaila S. Ceesay, John Frank Mendy, Maimuna Kanteh and Arret Njie Jah as Executive Committee Members.

By: Dawda Baldeh

Musa Darboe alias Chief, Gambia’s only Nollywood actor who joined the Nigerian movie industry two years ago, is set to make history by releasing his movie titled “Life of Pain” on Friday 2^nd September 2022.

The Brufut born actor is the first Gambian to register his name in the Nollywood and has participated in several movies with top actors and actresses in Nigeria.

Speaking to The Fatu Network, the 25-year-old Gambian Nollywood actor described the movie as a “special one” in his career.

Asked about what makes the movie special, Darboe said; “This is the first time I am playing the role of a protagonist (leading character) which means I am the main man.

This will expose me to a wider audience which is the wish of every actor and actress,” the young actor explained.

“When I was working on this movie, people were calling me Obinna as indicated in the movie. The movie means a lot to my career and it’s my movie. It is not easy to be a protagonist in a movie. The people that are featured in the movie are very popular and well experienced and having them in the movie is huge for me.”

He said the movie will go a long way in remembering the struggle he faced before reaching this stage.

“I can say this is a Gambian movie and it will raise the Gambian flag higher.”

He disclosed that the story of the movie is heart touching because it is the painful reality that many people are going through.

“The movie is a story of father who maltreats his wife and children. He tortures them and finally chases them out of his house, but their condition becomes worse when they move into their aunt’s house. Their father’s hatred for them is revealed after their aunt confessed that she is behind it,” the actor gave synopsis of the movie.

Musa Darboe (Obinna) is the leading character; legendary Emma Umeh plays  father, legendary Ngozi Evuka plays aunt, superstar Juliet Patrick plays cousin and Chioma plays sister.

The actor urged Gambians and other nationals to support him by subscribing to and liking his YouTube channel (Musa Chief Official) and follow his Facebook page (Musa Darboe Actor) as he is planning to monetize them.