By: Ousman Saidykhan

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

By: Modou Touray

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

By: Alimatou S. Bajinka

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

By: Ousman Saidykhan

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

By: Muhammed Lamin Drammeh

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

By: Alimatou S Bajinka

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Fallou Kebbeh lamented the attitude of his family towards him.

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

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

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

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.