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.”

By: Dawda Baldeh

Yusuf Tunkara, CEO of Kusata farm in The Gambia has signed an official partnership with Big Dutchman company based in Germany on Thursday, June 23rd at the Brufut farm complex.

The event took place on Thursday 23rd June 2022 at Kusata Poultry farm in Brufut.

After the partnership, Kusata will henceforth serve as the sole agent and distributor of poultry equipment as well as provide technical support through the German company in The Gambia.

According to the young entrepreneur, the agreement is in line with Kusata farm’s mission which intends to provide investors with an opportunity to receive value on their investments and create employment in the local communities.

Now, Kusata farm will be the official agent and distributor of poultry equipment in addition to offering technical support through Big Dutchman company to the poultry farmers that give a volte-face in the industry.

Both partners welcome the initiative while expressing optimism that it will yield tangible results. Ousman Senghore, Chief Executive Officer of Gambia Investment and Export Promotion Agency encouraged both partners to work toward ensuring the success of their business while assuring them of GIEPA’s continuous support.

Other dignitaries commended the young entrepreneurs for the timely partnership which they said will make the supply of poultry products available in the local market.

The event was witnessed by the CEO of GIEPA, Ousman Senghore, Honorable Muhammed Magassy former Basse NAM, National Assembly member for Jimara Constituency, Honorable Essa J Conteh and National Assembly member for Tumana Constituency, Honorable Nfally Cora, President UTGSU amongst other dignitaries.

By Jankey Touray

In it continued efforts to combat the use and trafficking of illicit drug in The Gambia, the Drug Law Enforcement Agency of The Gambia (DLEAG) on Sunday 26^th June 2022 observed World Drug Day by engaging in a march pass from Bundung Police Station to Serekunda East pack at the Semega Janneh Hall.

Chairing the occasion, Mr Ousman Saidybah, public relations officer of DLEAG recognized the presence of the chairman and the Director-General of DLEAG, Advisor to the Director General, board members, Solicitor General, and representatives from SIS, Gambia Arm Forces, Gambia Revenue Authority, and youth groups from different quarters for attending the march pass.

He highlighted that the day is observed annually worldwide on 26^th June to fight against drug abuse, illicit drugs, drug trafficking and other drug-related matters. He disclosed that the theme for this year’s event is ‘care in crisis’.

Speaking at the gathering, Mr. Bakery Gassama, the Director-General of DLEAG spoke on the significance of commemorating the challenges faced in solving the world drug problem as well as sensitizing the public on the dangers of drugs.

“This year, the commemoration is happening at a time when the world is challenged in addressing serious humanitarian crises resulting from conflicts in some parts of the world and the Covid 19 pandemic,” Gassama said.

Gassama said they are faced with challenges in addressing the current emerging trends of trafficking and dealings in narcotics and related transnational organized crime, which is further compounded by the lack of adequate treatment facilities and services for Substance Use Disorder (SUD).

He added that from 2020 to date, the Agency registered one thousand six hundred and ninety-eight (1698) cases involving one thousand six hundred and ninety-nine (1699) accused persons; seized more than six tons of Cannabis, close to a quarter of hashish, almost three tons of cocaine, and a significant amount of controlled and prohibited drugs ranging from diazepam to clonazepam, ecstasy, methamphetamine, stunk, push etc since 2020.

Chairman of the DLEAG board, Mr Gaye Sowe, expressed delight in the seizure statistics and activities over the years.

He stressed that illicit drug trafficking and abuse cannot be separated from issues such as crime, violence and other health issues, which include murder, juvenile delinquency, hooliganism, rape, ill-health, street children, loss of personal ambition, irrational and risky behaviour, disappointment to parents, broken homes and also the danger of addiction and other issues that could have serious negative effects on the family and society.

He said the overhaul of the Drug Control Act 2003 is at an advanced stage and will be finalized shortly.

He said they will continue to engage partners for the provision of proper facilities and services for the treatment, rehabilitation and aftercare services as well as the preparation of guidelines for the treatment of Drug and Substance Use Disorders and also help address drug challenges.

According to the world drug report 2021, global drug use is projected to increase by eleven per cent by 2030 and Africa is projected to account for forty per cent of such increase. It was also discovered that while the potency of cannabis quadrupled, there was a forty per cent decrease in public perception, especially among the youth about the harmful effects of cannabis.

By Ousman G Darboe

The BriKama Fish Market has returned to normal business four weeks after it was sealed off by the Food Safety Authority of The Gambia due to poor hygiene conditions.

The reopening of the market according Foday Manjang, President of the Fish Market, would  ease the financial burden on the vendors in the market whom he said have been finding things challenging since the closure.

He stated that the fish market vendors have now tasked themselves to do a weekly cleansing exercise in order to avoid reoccurrence of the condition for which the market was closed.

Manjang however said the removal of the stagnant water is not their responsibility.

He said the Ministry of Fisheries is the duty bearer who is responsible for the removal of the stagnant water in the fish market.

“Our responsibilities stop at cleansing the market and paying the duties which we always do. It is the ministry’s responsibility to remove the stagnant water in the market.” Manjang said.

“We have been constantly informing the Ministry about the need for a safety tank in the market so that the water can be removed. Last time we approached the Minister about the issue, his response was that there is no money for a safety tank at the moment,” Manjang explained.

By: Dawda Baldeh

In commemorating World Vitiligo Day, the Vitiligo Association in The Gambia has observed the day by raising awareness on vitiligo. They said they are being traumatized and judged negatively by society.

Vitiligo is a long-term condition where pale white patches develop on the skin. It’s caused by the lack of melanin, which is the pigment in skin. Vitiligo can affect any area of skin, but it commonly happens on the face, neck and hands, and in skin creases.

The day is celebrated on 25th June each year; however, this is the first time Gambia joined the world to celebrate the day.

The day was established to raise global awareness for vitiligo, a disfiguring autoimmune disease that causes white spots on the skin. Michael Jackson one of the famous American singers, who died in 2009, was also remembered as a person who suffered from vitiligo.

Buba Jammeh, a Vitiligo person who is also the association’s head, explained the importance of the day. “The day is a global awareness campaign to tell people about vitiligo and also to remember people who died from vitiligo,” he said.

Jammeh said he was not born with vitiligo.

“I had vitiligo in 2009. At the time, I was very scared and confused because I didn’t know what it was. I underwent several medical tests and treatments but later I was told it was vitiligo.

“I come back in The Gambia to celebrate the day with the people who are undergoing the same challenges. Vitiligo is not a disease as people think. It is just a skin disorder caused by lack of melamine. Vitiligo is not painful, and it cannot be transferred from one person to another. However, we are being judged negatively by society, so we are traumatized. It is not our fault to have vitiligo. I was not born as a vitiligo, but I later developed it when I was already a grown man,” he narrated.

He highlighted challenges he faced when trying to cured the skin disorder.

“I underwent several traditional and medical treatments, but I later realized that vitiligo cannot be cured. A local marabout gave me some herbs that nearly killed me when he knew he could not cure me but because of the money he still promised to cure the skin disorder. This is one of our major problems. You cannot cure us and please don’t kill us,” he emphasized.

“For my case, I thank my family and friends for the support and encouragement they gave me. I went to UK because it was not easy for me to stay here.”

He said the association’s objective is to ensure vitiligo persons are freed from stigmatization and so that they can live like any other person.

Mr Jammeh, reiterated that vitiligo is a disorder that cannot be cured traditionally, warning traditional medicine dealers to avoid giving them treatments that can lead to other health implications.

Mr. Lamin Sambou, representative from the Ministry of Health, urged people to avoid traumatizing and stigmatizing people with vitiligo, noting that they need support and encouragement.

“We have to support vitiligo persons. We should not judge them. It can happen to anyone irrespective of age,” he added.

Vitiligo Gambia is leading efforts in addressing challenges of persons living with vitiligo in the country.

By Jankey Touray

President Adama Barrow, together with government officials and citizens, on Saturday 26^th June 2022 embarked on a cleansing exercise in Banjul. The exercise is commonly known as ‘set-settal’.

Making a statement, President Barrow highlighted the reason for coming up with the idea.

“It was two weeks back that I went round with my security forces to know what was happening with projects in Banjul like roads, seaway, the draining etc. I was very happy with the progress of the projects, but one thing that I was not happy with is the uncleanliness of the city.”

He said in other to complement the ongoing projects in the city, that is why they embarked on the exercise.

He recognized the presence of the Vice President, Minister of Health, Minister of Agriculture, security forces, citizens and other sectors for their efforts in the cleansing exercise.

He added that people should embark on cleansing, encouraging everyone nationwide to continue the process.

“I think we have to think beyond just to clean Banjul, we should think of countrywide. We can come out with a nomenclature to clean the Gambia once a month,” said President Barrow.

He asserted that they would come up with a brand to unify the people in joining the cleansing exercise, which will be a volunteer and not compulsory.

Hon. Seedy Njie, Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly expressed delights to engage in an exercise to clean the capital.

“Cleaning exercise or keeping our communities or places of work tidy should be the business of all Gambians and residents. It should however be daily and not periodic as it has serious health implications.”

He said if the environment is dirty, it can breed insects, reptiles, bacteria and also cause diseases or health complications.

Mr Njie debunked the rumour that the exercise is a political tool, saying that it is mainly to clean the city and protect people’s health and wellbeing.

Dr Ahmadou Lamin Samateh, Minister of Health, also encouraged people to engage in frequent cleansing exercises to prevent diseases like Malaria, diarrhea and many more, especially in the rainy season.

By Sainabou Sambou

Serekunda market vendors have reacted to the used of waste car tires to roast cowhides.

This comes after the recent arrest of eight people allegedly caught roasting cowhides using waste car tires.

Cow Kanda, as it is commonly called in the Gambia is used in the cooking of some Gambian delicacies. The processed cowhide is sold in local markets for onward distribution.

Speaking to The Fatu Network, Musu Meita Manneh, a vendor at Serekunda Market expressed dissatisfactions over the act, saying that such an act can cause damage to people’s health and wellbeing.

“Burning car tires can cause serious health problems to people who inhale its smoke. We are worried. We have also heard that some people use disposed gallons and other waste rubber materials to roast cowhides. If people are now using car tires it simply means they want to kill people,” she lamented.

She called on government to inspect food stuffs entering the country and food items processed or produced in-country to better protect the health of people.

Fatoumatta Camara, a fish vendor, raised concerns over the used of waste car tires in the roasting of cowhides, saying that cow hides should be banned in the country.

“Before now, we don’t know “cow Kanda” in The Gambia. It was not part of our cooking condiments. Now that such practice has been reported in its preparation, it should not be sold in our markets,” she voiced.

Mama Taal, a vendor who sells vegetable, said waste tires should not be used to roast cowhides because it is something consumed by people.

“If car tires are burnt, it can cause harm to people’s health. There are lot of diseases affecting people because of the types of food they eat,” she said.

She said government should take strict measures to ensure that people are protected, adding that the Food Safety and Quality Authority should constantly monitor people selling food stuffs.

According to health experts, burning of tires and other plastic items cause cancer, breathing disorder and other health problems.

By: Haddy Ceesay

On 15th December 2020, The Gambia Police Force in Collaboration with Cattle Farmers Association declared an operation to ensure that no stray farm animals are found roaming in the streets within the Greater Banjul Area.

Recently, people have been complaining about the challenges posed by uncontrolled livestock animals, especially cows, pigs, goats and sheep roaming the streets.

Speaking to The Fatu Network, Sheikh Njang, said he has been a victim of the damage caused by uncontrolled livestock and therefore called on livestock owners to restrain their animals from causing damage to plantations and other properties.

“These uncontrolled livestock always come from the International Trypanotolerance Centre (ITC) and cross the main road. This is not safe at all. Most times they cause accidents. These animals always cause damage to our prosperities and if you happened to touch any of them, you might put yourself in trouble.”

He said that livestock and people should not live in the same environment.

Saul Jah gave an account of an accident he witnessed which he said was caused by roaming livestock.

He said that a car was waiting for the animals to cross the road, but a particular van driver thought a waiting motorbike was giving him a signal to cross. “The van driver crossed between the animals and the motorbike, causing the bike rider to sustain injuries,” he narrated.

Jah cited that such accidents, caused by roaming livestock, are frequent especially around Kerr Serign and Bijilo highway.

Samba Bah, a driver, urged colleague drivers to always be carefully on the road because the roaming animals mostly cross unnoticed.

“I am urging my colleague drivers to be careful when they are driving on the road. This is because these animals mostly cross the road unnoticed. We are not happy with how these animals roam in the streets; however, we don’t have any option. I am just urging all drivers to be careful,” he said.

Residents called on authorities and livestock owners to restrain the animals to prevent further harm on plantations and other properties and also the obstruction of traffic sometimes.

By: Dawda Baldeh

In a quest to bring tailors under one umbrella, Gambian tailors has formed their first ever union, Gambian Tailors Union, a body that will be responsible for the affairs of tailors across the country. The union’s main objective is to unite tailors and advocate for their rights and welfare.

Sulayman Cham, President of the union said the initiative is timely, adding that it will help to make things easy for tailors. As a union, he said they will start knocking on doors for support. “This is the first tailors union in the country and we should work hard to make sure it succeeds. This union is purely for tailors and it is mainly to improve our welfare in the country,” he said.

Mr. Cham noted that without unity, the union will not succeed. He described the role of tailors as significant. “Anywhere you go you will find a tailor. Tailors are the ones who sew all the clothes people wear,” he added.

Mr. Cham noted that government can only help tailors through the union, noting that tailors play a significant role in creating jobs which minimizes unemployment.

Zainab Manjang, the secretary general of the union highlighted the importance of forming the union. “We want to be united. We are now in a fashion world where everyone wants to look good,” she said.

She called on tailors to register with the union so that they can benefit.

She also called on women to learn skills to reduce dependency, adding that skills will help them to be self-independent. “We face lot of challenges in the tailoring business, especially when festivals approach.”

Ebrima Gaye, CEO of AKA Creation also welcomed the initiative adding that it will help them in many ways. Like many others Gaye is also optimistic that the Union will represent Tailors to ensure their rights are well advocate for.

The tailors described the formation of the union as a step in the right direction. They tasked the union’s executive to work with other stakeholders and oganizations to enhance supports for tailors in the country.

However, the President of the Union is expected to serve for a period of one year before an election is held.

By Ms. Ndéye Rose Sarr

Pregnancy and childbirth are meant to be beautiful experiences filled with incomparable excitement and immense joy, for women who choose motherhood. Unfortunately, this journey is a source of horror, pain, and abandonment for some 500,000 women globally who live with Obstetric Fistula.  Obstetric Fistula is one of the most severe childbirth injuries often resulting from prolonged and obstructed labour, and lack of access to timely and quality emergency obstetric care services before and during delivery.

Despite the absence of nationally representative data on the prevalence of Fistula in The Gambia, a 2020 Situational Analysis showed an estimated prevalence rate of between 0.46 to 2.05 per 1000 women. Based on these figures, the current national burden is estimated to be between 335 to 1052. However, being a condition, which relegates women to social isolation, abandonment by their spouses and families, mental health and psychosocial conditions and poverty, we are positive that the available data does not portray the complete picture of Obstetric Fistula existence in our communities. To give us all some food for thought, I would like to borrow the words of the renowned Gambian Urological Surgeon Dr. Abubacarr Jah, “a woman living with Obstetric Fistula today, represents someone who narrowly escaped maternal death.”

So really, what can we do collectively to make the eradication of Obstetric Fistula a reality in The Gambia by 2030 and ensure that every woman who chooses pregnancy and motherhood, is assured a healthy and safe birth?

We must challenge men in our communities to be fully engaged in the health and wellbeing of their families. They must be involved in ensuring the sexual and reproductive health of their spouses and we must collectively champion efforts to end the social stigma and discrimination perpetrated against women living with Obstetric Fistula.

We need to coordinate national interventions and guide efforts leading to the complete eradication of Obstetric Fistula in accordance with the 2018 resolution adopted by the Ministers of Health from the ECOWAS region. There is a need to develop and commit to the implementation of a National Strategy to Eliminate Obstetric Fistula in The Gambia. This strategy will be the blueprint for sustainable interventions to accelerate the realization of zero fistula cases in the Gambia by 2030.

We must also strengthen The Gambia’s health system to first give access to quality antenatal care, family planning and deliver when necessary unlimited and uninterrupted Comprehensive Emergency Obstetric and Neonatal Care (CEmONC). This should be coupled with the availability of adequate maternal lifesaving drugs and equipment in health facilities across the country. There is also a need to build the human capacity of health care workers particularly by investing in the training of adequate midwives and improving on the quality of care everywhere.

Finally, given that Obstetric Fistula has been linked to harmful cultural practices such as Female Genital Mutilation and Child Marriage, it is time to ask ourselves, why do we hold on to cultural practices which have proven to negatively impact the health and wellbeing of women and girls and set us back in our development endeavours? We must create an environment where the health, dignity and bodily autonomy of women and girls are guaranteed and where we nurture positive cultural practices and abandon what is deemed harmful.

One woman living with Obstetric Fistula is one woman too many. We can make The Gambia one of the first countries within the West and Central African Region to eradicate Obstetric Fistula, if we center the experiences and needs of women and girls in our interventions. It is possible!

UNFPA stands ready to support The Gambia in this endeavour. We are aiming for a Gambia, where every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth safe and every young person’s potential is fulfilled.

About the author:

Ms. Ndéye Rose Sarr is UNFPA Country Representative in The Gambia

By: Jankey Touray

Nanneh Frade Gomez, country representative for Global Homes for Medical Mission (GHOMM), has threatened to sue the Gambian government for stepping into a land which the court had ruled to be hers.

“I don’t know what authority the president has to come and perform such an action, but let’s see if he himself will be in contempt because if the president without our invitation, he will be trespassing. We will make sure we take him to court and file contempt proceeding against him because nobody is above the law.”

Gomez in a press briefing held at the former Anti-Crime unite in Bijilo said that the government plans to lay a foundation for a said multimillion-dollar OIC Hotel in July 2022, which she claimed would be contempt of court.

She claimed that President Adama Barrow’s meeting with Dr Gabou Mendy at State House disclosed that $87,000,000.00 was received by the President from a foreign investor to build a 5 Star Hotel for the OIC three-day Conference after which the property would diminish to the said investor.

“Whoever they give it to let the person go and find out what to do. As I am talking to you, the land belongs to the organization (Global HOMM) and nobody has any right or anything to do on this land. Anything that is done here should be under our approval otherwise it is illegal, and you would be charged with contempt of court order.”

She outlined that the OIC Secretary in a press conference on Monday 20^th June 2022, the same day the high court dismissed the State application, responded to journalists that the land is fully owned by the state and has been given to a private investor whom they approved a purposed settlement agreement on Monday, April 12th 2021.

She added that the court has ruled in favour of Home of Medical Mission that they are the sole owners of the land and that they have won two court cases on the said ownership in which the state filed a case to terminate the judgement, that the court ruled out and reinforced the previous ruling that it belongs to them.

By: Muhammed Lamin Drammeh 

Alhagie Mamadi Kurang, the founder and CEO of Jolof Tutors and former parliamentary candidate in Niamina East has said that the price of fertilizer in The Gambia will increase poverty levels in the country, decrease income, lower standards of living and hike food prices.

He said that fertilizer remains one of the key components in successful farming, noting that the price by the government to sell it is expensive and will yield bad results.

“For Farmers, 187% increase in fertilizer price will mean lower inputs, decreased in income, a lower standard of living and an increase in poverty levels. It will certainly lead to increasing in food prices in the coming year due to lower outputs.”

Last week, The Gambia government announced that it has reduced the price of fertilizer from D2500 to D2000. This came after farmers raised concerns over the cost of the price of fertilizer.

However, Kurang, who wanted to contest against President Adama Barrow in the run-up to 2021 presidential election before later backing PDOIS, told The Fatu Network that the government never reduced the price but said it was increased from D700 to D2000 from last year.

He narrated that the fertilizer price will remain inflated by 187% from last year.

According to him, The Gambia government should have done everything possible to offer fertilizer to farmers at affordable prices.

He said he visited Niamina Kudang almost every week after he lost in the April parliamentary elections, reiterating that farmers are faced with unprecedented challenges.  He outlined that aside from the price of fertilizer, farmers are having additional challenges.

“They are concerned about the cost of seedlings (peanut) which has also increased by 100% from last year. Another major challenge they are facing is a lack of mechanized equipment for ploughing such as tractors.”

According to him, the cost of ploughing has gone up so far by at least 50%, and even that, accessing tractors is still difficult.

Alhagie Mamadi Kurang further told TFN that farmers in Niamina East are worried about the future in terms of being able to achieve expected outcomes and being able to feed their families.

By Jankey Touray

The ongoing OIC Gambia road is alleged to have caused floods among natives of Bertil Harding highway in the coastal road locality.

The project which is expected to be completed in fourteen (14) months as the work is in progress has made life difficult for people around that area.

Mahmoud Kanteh, a tailor and an occupant, said they find it difficult as the water does not flow freely. Water from the market and other residents are settles at their gate, adding that this was the first rain and the whole area is covered with stagnant water.

“I also work at night and with the poor condition of the road, drivers increase fare from the coastal road to the turntable,” said Kandeh.

He claimed that drivers increase fare at night to Fifty Dalasis, an amount which he described as costly for some of them.

Ablie Sanneh, a car mechanic, said they are experiencing lots of drawbacks on the side road provided for drivers to pass through.

“If there is heavy rain, the whole place is filled with water. The cars find it difficult to pass,’ said Sanneh.

Sanneh said the cars they repair are mostly packed outside, and with the side road, all the cars get dirty after being washed and that some cars could spoil again.

Ousman Jarju, a passenger whose vehicle got stock, said the poor condition of the road makes traveling tough for them.

‘Our car got stuck in the mud because there were holes and thick water on the road and the driver tried to make a turn to the main highway,’ Jarju explained.

He pleaded with the government to fasten the work and urged citizens to exercise patience.

By: Sainabou Sambou 

Mamadou Bah, Director General (DG) of the Food Safety and Quality Authority (FSQA) has in an interview with West Coast Radio’s Coffee Time program on Wednesday 22 June 2022 said they received an information that some people were roasting cowhides, commonly known as “cow Canda” using waste or used car tires.

He added that they immediately went on a joint operation with the police and were able to apprehend the alleged perpetrators on the act, confirming that eight people were arrested, including six females and two males while one escaped.

The operation and arrest were carried out in Abuko, behind the abattoir in Kombo North.

He said they are still on a joint operation with the police, noting that the eight persons will be investigated and prosecuted.

“The suspects are under police custody and the police will charge them on Section 28 and Section 37 of our act [Food Safety and Quality Authority Act]. I hope that they will be charged and prosecuted,” he said.

Mr. Bah disclosed that car tires are very dangerous and that the smoke from burning tires is harmful to people’s health.

He further disclosed that they will take some samples and process them to know the level of toxic implications they have on smoked cowhides.

“Maybe it is not only happening in Abuko. It might be happening else where, so we will continue to be on the lookout as part of our surveillance system and we will find more information about the issue,” he said.

He reiterated that the eight people are under police custody, saying that they will help the police with more information to know the other people engaging in such act.

By Sanna Jallow

The Gambia Lawn Tennis Association has commenced a five-day training for tennis players and coaches. The training focuses on improving their participation at both national and international levels.

The five-day training is designed to give tennis players and coaches the opportunity to interact with Louis De Sousa who is a tennis consultant from the International Tennis Federation.

Saul Frazer, the President of the Gambia Lawn Tennis Association said when they took up the new board, they felt it was necessary to start from the ground as it came to their notice that the Gambia is banned from the international arena for almost 9 years, including the Confederation of African Tennis and the International Tennis Federation (ITF).

“We cannot renew our International Tennis Federation membership if we Can’t renew the confederation for African tennis and we have a way forward to renew our membership,” he explained.

Mr Frazer stated that the main objective of bringing Mr De Sousa for the training is to help them assess the facilities on the ground and for him to give advice and guidance on the way forward.

“We want to build tennis in the Gambia from the grassroots level and get people to play tennis, especially the young ones because it will be an alternative for them, the Gambia is a nation of sport but not everybody can play football”, he said.

He assured the tennis players that this will not be the only training they will have but they will keep on bringing trainers that have more experience in tennis to help them develop their games.

Luis De Sousa, a Tennis Consultant at the International Tennis Federation said he was invited by the President of the Gambia Tennis Association for a five-day training to see how they can develop tennis in the Gambia.

“I am going to train the tennis players and coaches too to see how we can corporate. The players are improving,” he said.

Julius Freeman, Vice President of the Gambia Lawn Tennis Association said the training is to help them identify the best tennis players in the country and also guide the coaches to improve their performance.

“We will also train the tennis coaches to see how we can improve their knowledge of tennis and the skills they did not have before”, he mentioned.

Yankuba Dramneh, a tennis coach with over two decades of experience in playing tennis, said the training is significant as it will enhance their better performance in tennis.

“It has been a very long time since we have a session like this with a tennis consultant”, he said.