President Barrow has appointed Ebrima G. Sankareh Government Spokesperson & Presidential Adviser on Diaspora Affairs.

The appointment is confirmed in a press release dated 4^th July 2022.

Bellow is the full press release:

Acting in accordance with the 1997 Constitution of The Gambia and upon consultation with the Public Service Commission (PSC), His Excellency President Adama Barrow, has appointed Ebrima G. Sankareh Government Spokesperson & Presidential Adviser on Diaspora Affairs effective 20th June, 2022.

Directly answerable to the President of The Republic, the Spokesperson manages the political information of the President and centrally coordinates the strategic internal and external communications of the Government. He speaks on behalf of the President, Cabinet ministers and all other senior officials both nationally and internationally.

Mr. Sankareh, initially appointed by President Barrow in June 2018, will with his expanded portfolio advise the President on best practices for harnessing the potentials of the Diaspora and guiding statutory entities in charge of Diaspora Affairs.  In June 2017, President Barrow declared the Diaspora as the 8th Region of The Gambia and with the appointment of Sankareh as Presidential Adviser on Diaspora Affairs, the Government is showing political will of addressing barriers to effective engagements with the Diaspora.

Sankareh, a seasoned journalist holds double BA degrees in Political Science and History from North Carolina State University in Raleigh, NC, USA and a Master of Arts Degree in English Literature from Graduate Schools of The University of North Carolina at Charlotte and Gardner-Webb University in Boiling Springs, North Carolina, U.S.A. He proceeded to the University of Birmingham at Edgbaston, UK for his PhD studies in African Studies with specialization in Literature.

He had earlier graduated with a Teacher’s Diploma in English and History from The Gambia College and Bristol University, UK.

Prince Bubacarr Aminata Sankanu

Principal Information Officer

By: Haddy Ceesay

A cross-section of vendors at the Serekunda market has expressed frustration over the ban on ‘Wanterr’, a seasonal commercial activity when commodities are sold at giveaway prices.

Speaking to the Fatu Network, the vendors expressed the hard situation they have found themselves in as they would spend all their resources buying commodities only to be told they are not permitted to operate at the market.

Mara Sain, a vendor at the Serrekunda Market said the police asked them not to ‘wanterr’ their goods along the market roadside, where they have always carried out the activity.

“I spent my money to buy products but I don’t have space to sell, which is so disheartening. I have nearly spent over fifty thousand dalasis (50,000) on fabrics but now I cannot sell my products.”

Modou Kara Faal, also a vendor at the Serrekunda market said that he is a family man and he makes a living from the little business he does at the Serrekunda market. He further said that they can engage in criminal activities but they will not do such, rather they prefer to sacrifice and work than engage in any illegal activity, adding that not giving them a permit is unfair.

“The ‘Tobaski’ is approaching and this is the chance we get to sell our products by putting it up for ‘wanterr’ but they did not give us permits, which is unfair.”

Tamsirr Joof, also a vendor, said people have been blaming the young people for not working but we are not given opportunities to work. It is as if we are not citizens.

“I am a Gambian and if I don’t work in my country, where do they expect me to work? Many foreigners are given space in the market but the citizens are left out,” he said.

Joof further said that many young people have died on the irregular migration route to Europe and yet the authorities do not want to help the young people who are willing to work in the country.

Awa Bah, a customer said that she prefers buying commodities at giveaway prices like ‘wanterr’ prices rather than from the shops in the market, saying ‘wanterr’ favours less privileged people like her as its prices are low.

Sulayman Dampha, the PRO of the Serrekunda market confirmed that they had a meeting two weeks ago with the Gambia Chamber of Commerce (GCCI) about banning ‘wanterr’ across the country.

Mr Dampha also said the ban is because of the many challenges posed by ‘wanterr’ vendors to actual shop owners who pay their taxes.

Fa Jabbi Gassama, the Chairman of the Serrekunda Market Committee said the reason for condemning the popular ‘wanterr’ activity was because it was affecting the economic sector in the country.

Mr Gassama said shop owners pay their duties every day and still, they cannot access their customers because of the many scattered ‘wanterr’ vendors in the market. He calls for stakeholders to ban ‘wanterr’ altogether.

“I am urging all the stakeholders to condemn these people [wanterr vendors] from selling on the roadside of the market.

However, the Serrekunda market vendors, who engage in ‘wanterr’ are urging the authorities to grant them permits to sell their products.

By Jankey Touray

Masturbation is a common desire and practice for many people. People often do it without the knowledge of its adverse consequences on their health and wellbeing.

It is actually the process of self-stimulation of the genitals to achieve sexual arousal and pleasure, usually to the point of orgasm.

It is commonly done by touching, stroking, or massaging the penis or clitoris until an orgasm is achieved. People masturbate for many reasons, these include pleasure, enjoyment, fun, and tension release. Experts and researchers in sexuality agree that masturbation is a completely normal process for human beings.

Masturbation probably has a bad reputation because it is an intensely private sexual behaviour which people hardly discuss even with the closest of friends.

Mustapha Badjie, a psychologist told The Fatu Network that a person who masturbates usually suffers from psychological problems and is vulnerable to mental illnesses.

“Scientists tend to claim that masturbation does not have any impact on human beings. However, if we look at certain psychological issues especially if we are to look at mental abnormalities, you will see that it falls under certain sexual disorders or neurotic behaviour from the neurosis part of the brain. Such could get you to a certain abnormal situation,” Badjie explained.

He said if an individual is used to masturbation, it can cause him or her to weaken their private parts due to the force of relaxation and compression through the push and pull of the penis and the use of specific artificial objects, fingers or hands.

Research has found that among adolescents, aged fourteen to seventeen globally, around seventy-four per cent of males and forty-eight per cent of females masturbate.

Among older adults, sixty-three per cent of men and thirty-three per cent of women between fifty-seven and sixty-four years masturbate.

By: Dawda Baldeh

Ebou Janha, 102, who was the only surviving veteran of 1 Gambia Regiment, which fought for the British against Japanese troops in then-Burma during the Second World War died on Friday 1st July 2022.

Janha was born in Bathurst to a jeweler father and he returned from the war in 1946 as a private soldier and he couldn’t depend on the gratuity he received from the British to sustain his family. He lived in Brikama where he established a jewelry shop in the 1950s.

According to Al Jazeera, Janha was among the 1 Gambia Regiment of 1,350  men who were given training in jungle warfare before the Royal Navy put them on boats to war in Burma, (modern-day Myanmar), which had been part of British India in January 1944.

He returned from Burma in 1946 after fighting against the Japanese for two years. Speaking to journalists at the Fajara War Cemetery in 2020 Janha said; “I was not paid much money from the war. It was a small amount that I received which I distributed to my family,” he said.

After returning from the war, Ebou Janha didn’t join the military like many of his colleagues did but instead established his jewelry shop in the early 1950s where he worked to earn a living.

“Many of the people I went with to the war have died but for me I established a jewelry shop and whatever I sell from it I used it for myself and my family,” his daughter Mam Tutti Janha translated the message.

Mr. Janha was the breadwinner of his family until his death. His jewelry shop was tampered by thieves some months ago. At the age of 102, Janha still went to work to earn a living without asking for help from anyone.

According to an article published by Al Jazeera, Janha fought for two years in the jungles and on the hilltops of Burma.

By: Ousman Saidykhan

Government of The Gambia on Friday 1^st July 2022 announced a permanent ban on the exportation and re-exportation of timber and revoked permanently all timber export permits.

According to a press release from the Ministry of Information, the new regulations which took effect on Friday 1st July 2022, are endorsements of a cabinet meeting presided over by President Adama Barrow on Thursday June 30, 2022.

“All existing permits issued for the export/re-export of timber are permanently revoked. The export/re-export of timber is banned,” the press release stated.

The felling of trees like Pterocarpuserinaceus locally known as KENO and Cordyla Africana, locally known as Wulakonoduto, Dimba, or wild mango are banned as well.

“All timber cleared for import by the Department of Forestry, must have complete and duly certified import documentation including bills of laden showing proof of transport, as well as Customs entries for every border it crossed before entering The Gambia, to avoid its forfeiture to the State upon arrival,” the release reads.

With the new regulations, transporting the timbers for the household would require “authentic permits” from the Department of Forestry.

To enforce these regulations, the Gambia Police Force has been given the power to search any container suspected of carrying illicit timber and bring to book anyone found wanting.

“With the launching of “Operation No Illegal Logging”, The Gambia Police Force shall confiscate any illicit timber found in The Gambia, which shall be immediately forfeited to the State.”

Meanwhile, the government has also instructed the Gambia Ports Authority GPA) to refuse loading timber logs unto vessels for export/re-export.

“Both The Gambia Revenue Authority (GRA) and GPA shall commence the scanning of containers for export and the owners of any containers found with timber logs shall face the fullest penalties according to law,” the release went on.

The government said it will also introduce strategies to reduce the domestic use of timber for firewood and charcoal.

By: Alimatou S Bajinka

The Gambia has in recent months experienced a daily spike in the prices of basic food commodities, a situation that attracts concern and alarm among many, particularly the marketgoers and consumers.

In an interview with vendors and consumers, in a bid to unearth the reason for and the circumstances surrounding the high-cost prices of these basic commodities, they express frustration over the situation.

Fanta Ceesay, a consumer laments the high cost of living.

“The price inflation in the market is scary and truly disturbing. A kilo of meat is costing D300 and if your money is not up to D300 you can’t eat meat. It will go ages before people like me would consume meat because of the high cost of commodities. Everything in the market is quite expensive,” she lamented.

In the same vein, a vendor also expresses doubt and frustration over the situation.

“We were told the price inflation in the country is worldwide, which I know nothing about. The inflation really disturbed me. When I purchase food commodities and start selling them in my shop before those commodities are finished, the prices would rise again and I would not be able to purchase it again to sell,” he said.

The vendor pleads with the government to put price control in the market and an active task force to monitor the market. In his view, this would curb the inflation problems in the market.

Affordable and accessible food prices are said to be a key determinant of any nation’s development. The World Bank estimates that an additional 44 million people have fallen into poverty in the developing world as a result of higher food prices.

A report from The Gambia Bureau of Statistics(GBoS) shows that the cost of food in the country increased to 11.40 percent in July of 2021 over the same month in the previous years.

To gauge the reaction of the ministry involved, which is The Ministry of Trade, Industry, Regional Integration and Employment (MOTIE), this medium engaged Samsiding Ceesay, a Communication officer at the said ministry.

When asked about the issue of the high cost of living, Mr. Ceesay said consultations among relevant stakeholders are ongoing and that they will review the outcome of these consultations with a view to ensuring the stability of the prices of essential commodities.

He also revealed that Gambia Ports Authority has recently finalized the process of renting a space at the bond road to relocate some of the port’s activities.

In his view, this will eliminate the ports congestion fee charged by the shipping agents and the cost of living would be low.

Mr. Ceesay claims that his ministry is really concerned with the current situation and that they will continue to monitor the market and its engagements with major stakeholders to review the new tariff and fees that are affecting the importation of essential food commodities.

He also promised that the government would create an enabling policy environment to promote growth and poverty reduction.

He further stated that the government would enhance the capacity and output of productive sectors like Agriculture, Fisheries, Industry, Trade, and Tourism, with emphasis on the productive capacities of the poor and vulnerable populations.

By: Sainabou Sambou

Madi Jobateh, a human rights activist, has called on the National Assembly to summon President Adama Barrow to bring forth the TRRC report and the Government White Paper and its implementation plan before the Assembly.

In an interview on West Coast Radio’s Coffee Time program on Friday 1st July 2022, Jobarteh said the National Assembly should dedicate a special session to the discussion of the TRRC report and the Government’s White Paper and the implementation plan which the government is yet to published. He said the TRRC is an act of parliament, and it was created by an act of parliament.

“In my view, the National Assembly should summon not the Minister of Justice, but the President to bring the TRRC report and the Government White Paper and the implementation plan.”

Mr Jobarteh added that the TRRC and its report is a national issue, and for that matter, it needs to go to the National Assembly for them to discuss to come up with a resolution.

He also said the National Assembly should give legal backing to the whole process and the whole document for accountability and national ownership of the TRRC report.

Mr Jobateh further stated they may run the risk of subjecting the TRRC report to the same fate as the Janneh Commission, noting that would be tragic for the country.

Madi said it’s more than thirty days since the TRRC report was delivered to the government and it has been silent and there are many recommendations in the White Paper that could have been implemented by now.

“The CSOs have not been quite vocal since the release of the government’s White Paper even though there are a lot of CSOs, particularly the victims association, an association working on sexual and gender-based violence and women issues” he noted.

By: Alimatou S Bajinka

Wikipedia defines passive smoking as the inhalation of tobacco smoke called second-hand smoke (SHS), or environmental tobacco smoke (ETS), by persons other than the intended “active” smoker.

It occurs when tobacco smoke enters an environment, causing its inhalation by people within that environment.

In other to unearth the health implication of passive smoking, the Fatu Network spoke to certified nurse-midwife, Limam Hydara, who outlined some of the dangers attached to passive smoking.

“Passive smoking is a risk factor for cancer, especially lung cancer, and cardiovascular diseases like stroke. It also triggers asthma attacks in asthmatic patients.”

He also stressed the long-term effects of passive smoking, noting that it can cause diseases like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), low birth weight, congenital birth defects, premature birth, sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), and behavioural deficiencies.

The seasoned nurse revealed that passive smoking may have been a huge contributing factor in learning deficiencies.

“So many people we consider stupid at school may have been exposed to tobacco smoke while in utero by either their fathers, grandfathers or neighbours.”

After engaging some passive smokers in a brief interview from various communities, many urged the officials to enforce the Smoking Act due to the negative impact it has on their health.

Momodou Wurry Jallow, a passive smoker and native of Banjul recounts the ordeals he finds himself in as a passive smoker.

“The mild implementation of the ban on the Public Smoking Act within the country is very bad from the government, considering the health implications it has on ordinary Gambians.

People are smoking everywhere regardless of the ban and nothing is being done to avert it. I cannot sit at my gate anymore because of cigarette smoke from the ghetto near my compound gate.

I always catch a cold the moment I perceive the smoke of a cigarette from another person. It makes me cough and sneezes throughout. The scent of cigarettes is both hazardous and harmful, and quick action needs to be taken.”

In the same vein, Sulayman Njie, who is asthmatic also explains the effects of passive smoking on his health. “Smoking in public affects non-smokers like me a lot. Whenever I inhale the smoke from cigarettes, I experience eye, nasal and throat irritation.

I also experience coughing, wheezing, and shortness of breath. As an asthmatic patient, the smoke also triggers a mild asthmatic reaction and the bad smell of cigarettes makes me dizzy as a passive smoker.”

Seyfo Singhateh, Senior Program Officer at the None Communicable Diseases UNIT (NCD), Directorate of Health Promotion and Education at the Ministry of Health said the Public Smoking Act is still being implemented and that necessary measures are being taken as well.

“The act is being implemented and there were places we visited from several locations that are public places where smoking takes place and we have taken necessary measures. As we speak, we have seized materials indicative of smoking from places we have visited like shisha jars, tobacco pacts and many more. We have confiscated them and the culprits are currently in custody waiting to appear before the court.”

He went on further to assure that implementation is still in the process even though people are still publicly smoking.

“Even today in the morning I have surrendered shisha jars to the Senegambia Police Station to be processed so the Act is being implemented. Maybe people are not following the provision at home, in small gatherings in the streets, but also people are not complying.”

The NCD Program Officer partially blames the public for not taking action against people smoking around them, saying the public is not taking ownership of the law to make sure no one smokes around them. Adding that implementation of laws in the country is very difficult because “the public is not supportive when it comes to implementing laws” and that “they live everything in the hands of enforcement officers.”

Mr Singhateh however said smoking is an attitudinal problem and changing that would take time. He further said they are doing their best to get to where they want as far as the Implementation of the Act is concerned.

The Tobacco Control Act, 2016 was adopted in December 2016 and entered into force on December 17, 2018. Provisions on smoking in public places and tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship came into effect immediately.

By Haddy Ceesay

Phebian Ina Grant-Sagnia, principal investigator at the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education, has said they have realized through their findings that many adolescents do not understand their menstrual circles.

“We just ask for information about how adolescents get to know their reproductive health issues, and in our research, we have found out that there is gap in communication. Adolescents do not communicate with their parents as well as parents do not communicate with their children,” she said.

Speaking on the many concerns of the lifestyles of adolescents, especially on the reproductive health of girls, Madam Phebian said what they have found out was if they ask them about their mensural circles, they do not know anything about it, adding that all they know is that every month they see blood.

Phabian further revealed how dangerous it is for one to use a single pad on for three hours.

She added that the adolescents have mentioned they use one pad from morning to evening which she said is unhygienic and unhealthy.

“We knew that the disposable sanitary pads should not be used more than 3 hours, but most of the time the young girls use it from morning to evening, and that causes health hazards and infection as well because blood is coming out and once the blood comes out it turns into brown and if it overstays, it turns to green which causes infection. The infection can cause infertility and the young adult will not know,” she lamented.

She said during that stage the girl is young but she grows and turns into adult to get married and then goes on to have a child, then some complications show up.

Phabian urged parents to communicate with their children and children to communicate with their parents about their reproductive health to avoid certain harm.

The menstrual cycle is a term used to describe the sequence of events that occur within a woman’s body as she prepares for the possibility of pregnancy each month.

According to research, a menstrual cycle is considered to begin on the first day of a period. The average cycle is 28 days long, however, a cycle can range in length from 21 days to about 35 days.

By: Dawda Baldeh

The new Ambassador of United States to the Gambia, Sharon L Cromer, has told stakeholders at the official closing out of the Gambia Governance Reform Policy Activity (GGRPA) that the United States government and partners are committed to supporting Gambia’s transitional process. She made these remarks at a closing event at the International Conference Center on Wednesday 29 June 2022.

The Gambia Governance Reform Policy Activity (GGRPA), which has ended its three-year program, was designed to support the country’s transitional process after the change of government in 2016.

The program was supported by the US government through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) as the nation strived to strengthen its growing democracy after the 2016 political impasse.

Ambassador Cromer said notwithstanding the end of the program, they will continue to support the country’s transitional process to help strengthen its democracy.

“The United States is proud to partner with the people of The Gambia as the nation strives to strengthen its democracy. The GGRA was specifically designed to help the nation transition from authoritarian rule to a truly free society,” she said.

She said the USAID empowered Gambian civil society organizations to fully participate in the constitutional reform process despite the rejection of the proposed new constitution.

“A wide cross section of Gambian including women, persons with disability and the elderly took part in the process. The US and partners provided technical assistance including legal advice to the National Assembly and civil society on major pieces of legislation that have shown Gambia’s commitment to transparency, accountability, participation and inclusion.”

According to her, they have supported the implementation of several bills which include 2021 Access to Information Bill, the 2021 Election Amendment Bill, 2020 Persons with Disability Bill and the Anti-Corruption Bill, among others.

She added that the Anti-Corruption Bill is critical to the Gambia’s democratic process, noting that the United States will continue to partner with Gambia to pursue a stronger democratic framework.

“The United States government has also partnered with the Independent Electoral Commission in planning and preparing the 2021-2022 electoral cycle. USAID also supported strong citizen participation on both elections. USAID/GGRA voter education campaign was conducted in the seven administrative areas of The Gambia,” she added.

According to her, over four hundred and sixty (460) short-term observers and fifty (50) long-term observers, all citizen of The Gambia, were deployed to ensure credible election to take place.

Alieu Momarr Njie, chairman of the country’s Independent Electoral commission, said he wished the program continues.

“I wish the GGRPA does not close now. The United States and partners have played a significant role in the country’s electoral cycle. The need for capacity building for electoral staff and voter education cannot be over emphasized.”

He further stated that they remain committed to conducting continuous voter education campaign, adding that it plays a crucial role in the success of any election.

Chairman Njie expressed his institution’s profound gratitude to the US government and partners for their support.

Hon. Abdoulie Ceesay, NAM for Old Yundum Constituency, says the National Assembly has benefited immensely from the program.

Hon. Ceesay said the support from USAID has created huge impact in the governance infrastructure. “The US and partners have supported the National Assembly in various capacity building training programs. They have organized trainings for all the fifty-three national assembly members, including the fulfillment of their legislative responsibilities and understanding of media, anti-corruption, budgeting, disability rights, bill drafting, and audit review,” he highlighted.

By: Ousman Saidykan

The Chairman of Brikama Area Council, Sherriffo Sonko, has called on people of West Coast Region to be serious in paying their taxes to enable the council fulfil its duties to the people.

“Thank God we have this digitalized system. We have boosted a bit, but people are not willing to pay their taxes and we cannot be able to plough back the 60% without experiencing what we are supposed to get from the community,” Sherriffo Sonko said on Tuesday 29th June 2022 at the signing of a construction project by the Brikama Area Council.

According to Mr Sonko, a lot of communities within the locality benefit from the Council’s projects which are bigger than the communities’ contributions to the Council as a result of their unwillingness to pay taxes. He found this to be unfair.

“I think the community participation is very important in the day-to-day running of the Council and for the benefit of our development.”

The chairman went on to emphasize the need for West Coast dwellers to pay taxes at the signing of the construction project which seeks to build toilet facilities at the Farato Health Centre and Brusubi market as well as an open shade at the Yundum market.

“We are asking the people of the West Coast Region to please comply to pay their dues. I think this is very, very important.”

By: Ousman G Darboe

Lamin Fatty is a hardworking young man who believes in making a difference in his homeland without embarking on the perilous and undocumented journey to Europe through the deserts and high seas in search of greener pastures.

Fatty is into gardening and farming all year round. He grows all kinds of plants, some for consumption and others for decoration purpose.

He also grows some climate change resilient trees to combat climate change.

Born in Niani Bani in the Central River Region of The Gambia where water and market facilities are major challenges,  Fatty struggled to build himself a well through the Covid-19 fund, but that could not ease the water shortage burden for him to continue his commercial agricultural production.

In 2019, Fatty started his gardening, growing cassava and corn but he could not find any market for the produce due to the Covid-19 pandemic, so he decided to think of growing vegetables.

From there, he started to engage himself in mixed farming, growing variety of crops.

In a WhatsApp interview, Fatty stated “My challenges are many but the most urgent ones are the unavailability of market and shortage of water, causing setback to my production.”

“Whatever money I generate from this farm will remain in The Gambia. The crops and vegetables that I grow here are going to be consumed by Gambians, so I think I deserve assistance from the government or anyone who is in the position to help in order to make a bumper harvest and also to find market for my harvest”

He said borehole is his priority as well as a market for his produce, saying that he could not depend on rain or the lone well at his garden for a large-scale farming.

He said his work has made food easier to get in his community.

It is said that since the young Fatty started his gardening, most people in his community no longer go far distance to buy vegetables, thus they now eat healthy vegetables that are grown in their locality.

By: Alimatou S Bajinka

The Gambia Press Union’s President, Mohamed S Bah, has told the Fatu Network that the GPU is set to implement its sexual harassment policy to address the issue of discrimination and harassment of female journalists in the Gambian media.

Speaking on a wide range of issues, Mr Bah detailed some of the measures currently being discussed at the grass-root level regarding the sexual harassment policy.

“The GPU has come up with a progressive policy which is geared towards mitigating discrimination and harassment in the media. The policy, if implemented successfully, will promote gender equity in the media.”

The President reiterated the importance of the Women Journalists Association of Gambia (WoJAG) in strengthening the issues of women’s advancement in the media.

“We have seen the importance of our affiliates, particularly the Women Journalists Association of the Gambia (WOJAG), which directly deals with issues facing women Journalists.”

He also said the GPU has always supported WoJAG in order to advocate the advancement of female journalists in the media, adding that the recent intervention by WoJAG was training female journalists on the GPU’s sexual harassment policy.

The GPU’s President also confirmed to have engaged relevant stakeholders on the understanding of the policy.

“The GPU has also engaged media stakeholders on this policy in other to help them familiarise themselves with this policy. We also give preference to gender equity in terms of our capacity-building programs and any other function of the Union.”

He further urged all media practitioners to embrace the sexual harass policy.

The First Lady of the Republic of Sierra Leone, Madam Fatima Maada Bio, has blasted Air France over what she calls “poor and discriminatory treatment of Africans traveling with the airline.”

Madam Bio wrote on her official Facebook page that the airline has bad attitude and no respect for Africans, no sympathy for African passengers traveling with children, no empathy for Africans with disability and provide bad and cheap food for Africans.

The First Lady narrated her experience with Air France.

“We checked in to fly out from Paris to Guinea via Sierra Leone after sitting in the flight for 2 hours we were asked to move from that plane because it was faulty thank God, we didn’t fly up air then had a situation. Fast forward we moved into another plane sat for another 2 hours and the pilot announced that we could not travel any longer because the crew has gone over their time.”

“They asked everyone to leave the plane with no other explanation. Women with children where left roaming the airport not knowing what to do. People in wheelchairs crisscrossing to find a place to rest and there was no one from Air France to help them. To make matter worst no one was allowed to take back their suitcases so if you had your medication in them as far as Air France was concern you can die for all the care.”

She disclosed that African pay the more but are not treated well.

“A crew of 12 people who did not travel or do anything ground more than 150 passengers because they are Africans. When will Air France understand that we are there biggest customers in terms of pricing. Africans pay the highest to travel to Africa in an inferior planes all the time.”

“We are treated like criminals at all European airports especially France. We are given the worst terminal to travel from like dogs. Even in the VIP lounges the food they present to us is only fit for prisoners.”

Madam Bio urged African leaders to engage the airline to ensure proper treatment of Africans.

“My advice to African Heads Of State is that engage the management of Air France and demand better treatment for our people. We are not slaves any longer so Air France should remove that mentality of superiority from their selfish self and know that no African country will go under France as slave.”

She called on Air France to change their “bad ways”.

By: Hadram Hydara

The Government of the Gambia has accused former President Yahya Jammeh of “wrongfully” issuing a state land to an entity that “does not exist”.

The government was referring to the land that High Court has ruled to be legally owned by Global Home of Medical Mission, the organisation the government deemed not to exist.

“It is important to reiterate that the purported lease was wrongfully issued under executive directive by former President Jammeh to an entity that we now know does not exist.”

The Government also disavowed the validity of the lease of Global Home of Medical Mission and confirmed cancelling their lease.

“It is crucial to reiterate that Home of Medical Mission does not exist and as such any lease issued to it is null and void. As a result, the public is hereby informed that the purported lease in the name of Home of Medical Mission has been cancelled.”

The Global Home of Medical Mission was first registered in the Gambia in 2007 during former President Yahya Jammeh’s tenure, however, the company was abruptly shut down by Jammeh in 2010 on the basis that the company reneged on their promise of providing free medical care to Gambians.

The company would return in 2016 when President Barrow was voted into office to resume operations, however, it has since been involved in legal battles with the state regarding ownership of the property they built their structures on.

The Ministry of Health has in a press release said health workers who are deliberately absent from work today will face administrative actions.

“The office is rising to the fact that despite all efforts made by the leadership of the Ministry of Health as explained by the latest engagement between the Honorable Minister and the executive of the Association of Public and Environmental Officers highlighting the concerns and plights of the citizenry, the said executive went back making disrespectful statements against the authorities.”

The Ministry accused the executive of the Association of Public and Environmental Officers of misleading their membership on government’s position in the payment of their extra allowances.

“The Ministry had extensive discussions with the executive members of the association explaining to them all the positive steps that government is taking to ensure that the extra allowances are paid to the public health and other health workers. These steps are very near completion as we speak. To our disappointment, it looks like the executive members are not relaying the correct information to the general membership, thereby misleading the general membership continuing the strike action which is detrimental to the citizenry.”

“We have also noticed that some members of the executive committee are not happy anytime we are close to a solution in our discussions with them. This goes further to imply that such members do not have the interest of the association and the country at heart.”

According to the Health Ministry, the names of all those health workers who are deliberately absent from work today will be taken for administrative actions.

“We therefore urge all striking members of the public and environmental health officers, under the Ministry of Health, to report back to work with immediate effect. To this end, all unit heads are hereby urged to write down the list of staff who fail to show up for work starting tomorrow Wednesday 29^th June 2022 at 8am. Thereafter, administrative actions will be taken against those who are deliberately absent from work, including stoppage of their salaries and other steps.”

Essa Mbye Faal, independent candidate in 2021 presidential election, has reacted to a video showing treatment of African migrants attempting to climb the metal fence at Melila to enter Spain from Morocco.

Mr Faal took to his official Facebook page to condemn the incident.

“I am shocked and angry at the brutality, inhumane and degrading treatment the Moroccan security personnel meted out on our African brothers. Recent reports indicate that scores or even up to 100 migrants were savagely beaten to death and hundreds more were injured. This by itself constitutes a massive crime and an egregious human rights violation. To add insult to injury, the migrants many of whom were badly injured were dumped onto each other like sardines. No human being deserves such cruel maltreatment.”

He said migrants or refugees have human rights that should be protected.

“Migrants/refugees are entitled to protection, humane and dignified treatment no matter who they are or where they come from. The action of the Moroccan authorities is a breach of its international obligations and deserve international condemnation as it is contrary to international law, human rights law and all norms of decency and civilized behaviour.”

He described the incident as a tragedy and betrayal of African youths.

“I did not make a statement when I saw the shocking video for I thought that this is so significant that our government would do something about it whether or not there was a Gambian victim. Unfortunately, African governments remained mute and carried on with business as usual as if nothing untoward had happened. What a tragedy and betrayal of the African youths by African governments especially those from sub-Saharan Africa. Now the AU is calling for an investigation.”

“Just a few days ago I was in Italy where I met many migrants from The Gambia. I visited the camps where they are hosted and discussed with them and camp managers about the welfare of the migrants. I was also invited to join the celebrations of World Refugee Day in Messina on 20th June where I was also honoured to address refugees and local authorities. I have heard horror stories about the perilous journeys of the migrants in their efforts to reach greener pastures all in the effort to better their lives or seek safety from persecution in the case of refugees. I stand shoulder to shoulder with them for their courage, perseverance and resilience. But we must ask the question why should we allow our countries to be so dreadful that our young and able-bodied people would rather die in these perilous journeys to escape to “greener pastures” or safety rather than remain at home. The simple answer is lack of opportunities or protection. We must change!”

Mr. Faal called on Gambian authorities to provide skills and jobs for youths to give them confidence to stay in the country.

“I have always said that The Gambia’s biggest resources are the Gambians in the diaspora and its youthful population. These two must be harnessed for the advancement and development of the country and its people. This requires providing skills training and creating greater opportunities for the youths so that they would be confident of staying and making it at home and also creating an environment for diaspora Gambians to shift from subsistence remittances to investment remittances in The Gambia. Our development aspirations will remain unattainable if we continue to downplay or overlook these issues.”

By Sainabou Sambou

Madi Ceesay, United Democratic Party NAM for Serekunda West Constituency and chairman of the parliamentary committee on human rights and constitutional matters has said that the issues of resource constraints shouldn’t be an excuse by government to implement the TRRC recommendations.

In an interview with West Coast Radio’s Coffee Time program on Tuesday 28 June 2022, Madi said they have invited the Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Dawda A Jallow, to brief the committee on the TRRC recommendations and other constitutional and human rights issues.

He stated that they asked the Justice Minister about the situation of the TRRC recommendations, in which the Justice minister said they don’t have much resources to implement all the recommendations.

“He said they will handle some of the recommendations for now and will tackle the other ones as the time goes on. Our position as human right committee is that since the TRRC was set up by the government and it has done its investigation and came up with recommendations, the government should make sure all the recommendations are implemented,” he explained.

Hon. Ceesay added that the Minister further told them that the position of his ministry is to see whether they can get resources for the implementation of some recommendations while the others can wait as they solicit budgetary support for the implementation of the other recommendations.

The member of parliament noted that the recommendations should be fully implemented because there are victims of atrocities.

“The recommendations should be implemented no matter the amount. If it cost us any amount as members of the human rights committee and the rest of the parliamentarian, we will not hesitate to approve a budget so that the TRRC recommendations will be implemented,” he emphasized.

“There are victims that should at least be compensated. Government should do all that it takes to compensate those victims. The Ministry of Justice and the parliamentary human right committee will work together to make sure that the recommendations are carried out.”