By Modou Touray

Women involved in smoked fish venture at Kartong fish landing site have frowned at the unavailability of proper storage facility for their fish, putting them in frequent loss.

“Wherever we smoke fish, the remaining which is not immediately sold spoil because we don’t have proper storage facility to keep them. Also, the building we are using is old and doesn’t have a door to avoid tampering with our fish,” says Marie Gibba, a fish monger.

According to the women, they normally transported their fish to Basse, Tanje and other parts of the country by wholesale customers.

Another fish vendor, Isatou Touray, said they have been complaining to authorities, but however said that they have not seen expected responses.

“As you can see, our ovens are getting old, and out of 24, only 6 are functioning. Officials always visit this place, they will hear our concerns but no results. We equally need new ovens as well.”

The entire structure need refurbishment; hence the women have been using it for more than 35 years now.

“It’s the same building we have been using for over 35 years now. Monthly, we contribute little amount to support our business. there is no money allocated to us to run the place. We are struggling on our own,” Bintou Senghor explained.

Aisatou Badjie Badjan, representative of fisheries department at the Kartong fish landing site, pointed out that the facility was erected by the department through the European development fund.

“Our department trained the women on fish smoking.”

She emphasized the importance of the facility, noting that it enhances the socio-economic status of the beneficiaries.

“What we are advocating now is use of modern technology instead of firewood which generates lots of smoke.”

The fish smoking facility is located at the border crossing point.

By: Haddy Ceesay   

Omar Ceesay, the President of The Gambia Transport Union has urged government to take steps in removing obstruction materials being placed by people at the highway, especially the trans-Gambia road. He said those obstruction materials are creating harm than good.

In an interview with The Fatu Network, Ceesay said the action has become a norm, especially for those living in the rural areas.

“As far the law is concerned, nobody is mandated to put anything at the highway.”

He noted that such road blockage can cause accidents, especially during the rains.

The Transport Union boss said, in collaboration with Gambia Police Force, they were about to engage people in West Coast Region and the Fonis to find out the reasons behind the obstruction materials along the highway.

Mr Ceesay disclosed that, from the comments they got from the community people, it was said that they want to protect their people from the frequent accidents occurring on the highway.

He said if community people want to prevent accidents they should however do it accordingly, adding that putting materials for blockage on the highway cannot prevent accidents.

“You should know the cause of accidents first before bringing up any solution,” he noted.

He said as far the union is concerned, preventing accidents goes beyond blocking the highway.

Ceesay confirmed that they were receiving some complaints from some subregional countries about the situation.

He said accidents can be caused by anything.

“Using obstruction materials will cause more accidents,” he emphasized.

Omar Ceesay concluded by urging the government to collaborate with the union to take the right solution on how to protect accidents because they all know the root causes of accidents in the country.

Alimatou S Bajinka

Britannica defines pornography as a representation of sexual behaviour in books, pictures, statues, films, and other media that is intended to cause sexual excitement. But what are the effects of pornography on relationships and its negative impacts on ‘porn addicts’?

To delve proper into the social phenomenon, The Fatu Network engaged a marriage counsellor and some ‘porn addicts’ on the effects of porn.

Mariama Jawara, a marriage counselor told The Fatu Network that marriage is not all about sex so living in a porn illusion literally makes marriage funny and meaningless.

“Porn is a multi-billion dollar per year industry. It is visually exciting and instantly grabs attention. It’s entertainment performed by actors. Just as your marriage and family life are much different than a 30-minute sitcom, the same applies to your sex life. When we fill our minds with false images of porn, we naturally take those expectations with us. Marriage is not all about sex so living in a porn illusion literally makes marriage funny and meaningless.”

Usher (not his real name) has been married for 2 years with a child and faces difficulty becoming sexually aroused without pornography. Usher detailed the negative impact porn has had on his marriage.

“As a clear victim, I would say porn is destructive to a happy marriage. I was happily married but that just lasted for a few months as I engage myself in watching porn. Now I do not have the sexual urge or feelings without watching porn. My wife complains about me not being intimate with her and now distances herself from me and sometimes she does not even talk to me because I am unable to satisfy her sexually since I started watching porn.”

Usher, however, said his wife does not know of his addiction to pornography, saying “she does not really know that I watch porn. I cannot let her know. I still watch porn in my office and at places, I feel I am not being watched.”

He expressed uncertainty when asked if he has any plan of quitting the habit of watching porn.

“Well, I tried quitting several times, but I always find myself back to the habit. I just wish I could stop and go back to my normal life, which is being happy again with my wife.”

In the same vein, Mrs Jaka (not her real name), who has been married for 3 years with no child, has been watching porn well before getting married and has increasing doubts about the value of staying married.

“I have been watching porn before getting married. I was forced into marriage because marriage is not something that I find attractive. Watching porn has made me view the idea of marriage as senseless. To me it is all about sex and certifying one another, so if I can be certified by just watching porn what is the essence of marriage?”

When asked about the sexual relationship between her and her husband, Mrs Jaka said she has already asked for a divorce and that she does not feel any emotional attachment to her husband.

“We live as a couple physically, but there is no emotional attachment and I have asked for a divorce on several occasions but he is not giving in to it, so we are just living like that.”

Research has shown that pornography affects people’s emotional lives. Married men and women who are involved in pornography are said to feel less satisfied with their marital sexual relations and less emotionally attached to their husbands and wives.

By: Dawda Baldeh

The Freedom Properties Housing Estate has been accused by clients of misleading and tricking them into paying the company money for houses without fulfilling their agreement.

Omar Jallow, a resident of Brusubi and Amadou Jallow, a resident of Manjai who entered into land business with the said company have expressed disappointment in dealing with the company.

Omar Jallow said they began the process of buying the plot of land at Freedom Properties after they were introduced to the company by one Mariama Cham, who was a staff at the company at the time.

“We were asked to pay D190, 000.00, which we did and after completing the payment, the CEO of Freedom Properties, Alieu Njie then asked us to pay another D20, 000.00 for leasing the land which was not initially part of the agreement between us and the company and we did. It has now been three years since we completed the payment and still, we did not get our land. Njie wants to baffle us but we will show him that we are all Gambians.”

Omar Jallow went on further to accuse the Chief Executive Officer of Freedom Properties, Alieu Njie, of playing 419 games on customers. According to Omar Jallow, they went into business with Freedom Properties on the 31st of December 2018.

According to Omar Jallow and his brother Amadou Jallow, the process was witnessed by Mariama Cham, staff at Freedom Properties who introduced them to the estate developer, Alieu Njie.

“Before I started the payment, I asked Alieu Njie if we will be able to get all the documents without delay or problems when the payment is done and he responded with sweet words,” Omar Jallow said.

Amadou Jallow, brother of Omar Jallow, who is currently in German told The Fatu Network that Freedom Properties is not a reliable company.

“Alieu Njie is just a liar but anytime I come home and he does not want to give us the land or our money, he will not like what I will do. Imagine how cold German is and all the sacrifices I took to be here and Njie just wants to eat our money like that? I went to the office after finishing the payment and told Alieu Njie that we have paid the money so I then ask him what next. We need our documents because we want to develop our land, but he started giving excuses saying that lands in Jamburr are not secured and that they want to lease the land. When I asked him about the duration of the leasing, he said six months. Now, is about two to three years since we bought the land and we still have not gotten our land. Njie is just twisting and turning us and how can I believe the stories he is narrating?”

Reacting to the allegations, Alieu Njie, CEO of Freedom Properties Housing Estate, confirmed that the allegations made against him are true but noted that they are working on the leasing process of the lands.

“I don’t why these people are so complicated. I told them to tell us what they want so that we can now work on that. But I don’t know what Amadou and his brother want. We need to know what they want and act on it and this has been happening in our company since 2018, we never had issues with anybody,” Njie said.

Mr Njie further said that his company, Freedom Properties Housing Estate, is currently under a leasing process, which is not under their control.

“The leasing is done by the Department of Physical Planning and sometimes it takes six months or one year. We will never go to social media and reveal what is in our company, it will never happen. The man has to understand that this is a company procedure,” he said

Mr Njie vowed to drag Amadou and his brother to court if they continue spreading “rumours on social media to tarnish the reputation of their company”.

“We will never play 419 games on customers. They want to destroy the character of a company that is very innocent and we will not allow that to happen,” he emphasized.

However, this medium has made efforts to reach out to one Mariama Cham, the former staff at the company who is said to have introduced Omar and Amadou to Freedom Properties as she is believed to be the witness according to the complainants, but we could not reach her. Research shows that the land business has become a course for concern as over a hundred estate dealers are operating in the country leading to daily court cases about land disputes. Many people have become bankrupt after falling victims to estate owners in the country. Families dragged to courts, friendships broken up, and companies accused of illegal purchase of lands among others have become the order of the day.

By: Dawda Baldeh

Presiding over the Select Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development, Hon. Yahya Sanyang, national assembly member for Latrikunda Sabiji said farmers should not continue to suffer due to procurement malpractice and negligence.

He made the statement while engaging officials of Gambia Groundnut Cooperation (GGC) and the Ministry of Agriculture on the procurement of fertilizer.

The lawmaker told GGC officials that they cannot convince the committee that they were working under pressure and thereby delaying the procurement of fertilizer.

Hon. Sanyang said business cannot be as usual, adding that the committee will consider establishing commission of inquiry to investigate and bring to book those officials responsible for the procurement of fertilizer if delay reoccurs.

“Our farmers cannot continue to suffer year in year out due to procurement malpractice and negligence,” he emphasized.

Hon. Sanyang said the records reviewed show that Zain-Enterprise was awarded contract by GGC to supply 10,000 tons of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium at the tune of nine million six hundred and fifty-five thousand dalasi (D9,655,000.00) after the company was reported to have met the requirements.

According to him, after reviewing the letter, they realized that there were inconsistencies and the amount sent to Gambia Public Procurement Authority (GPPA) for approval for Zain-enterprise was 10,000 tons, but the contract document signed indicated that the company supplied only 7,000 metric tons.

“You cannot convince this committee that you were working under pressure because you are experts in your area,” Hon Sanyang stated.

He said it is time to differentiate between buying and procurement, adding that GGC needs to be specific at all times as procurement is a process. He urged the officials to reach out to the committee whenever they encounter delay in accessing finance so that the committee can engage the Ministry of Finance. He further said they will engage the GPPA on why they approved restricted tenders.

Reacting to concerns raised by parliamentarians, Abdoulie Touray of GGC said they are facing lot of challenges beyond their control.

In his reactions, Muhammed Njie, Director of Gambia Groundnut Cooperation  said their mandate is to purchase fertilizer on behalf of the country, adding when funds are secured from the bank to buy fertilizer, they always need the approval of government due to the magnitude of the funds.

“Fertilizer was arriving late in the past if you look at history. In 2021, the international market price was high due to the pandemic,” he said.

Various committee members raised concerns on the skyrocketing prices of fertilizer which they believe is due to malpractice.

“If you look at the cost of fertilizer today, it shows that something is wrong somewhere. We have fertilizer that can serve the country for two years, but what happen to that agreement: I don’t think the world market should affects the purchase of fertilizer in this year,” said Hon. Omar Jammeh of Janjangbureh.

By: Ousman Saidykan

The Kunta Kinteh Foundation yesterday 5th July 2022 marked the second edition of the Kunta Kinteh Day with a march past from Traffic Lights to Westfield Youth Monument.

July 5th 1767 was the day Kunta Kinteh, a Mandinka warrior, like many other Africans, was captured as slaves by the whites and taken across the Atlantic Ocean to America to labour in plantations.

The day was marked by the Foundation to “reflect on the pain” of slavery and also memorialize the young boy who was just 17 when he was captured in the surrounding of his home village, Juffureh. The son of Omoro and Binta soon made a name for himself for generations down the line through his bravery and dissent to the slave masters.

Lamin Jatta, the founder and president of the foundation emphasized the importance of the day while touting it as a symbol and connection to their lineage. He admitted that even though slavery is abolished, mental slavery is still very much at large.

“The 5th July is important because we want to never forget about what happened to them (Kunta and other slaves). But we want to move on from the stigma of slavery. We are fighting for our freedom because we are still not free from mental slavery. Kunta Kinteh Day would be a day of freedom that would symbolize and give us connection and attachment to our forefathers; men and women who left the Gambian shore. We can join with them, reconnect with them, and we can heal with them through their spirits,” Mr Jatta said.

The commemoration, which commenced with a march past from Traffic Lights to the Westfield Youth Monument was accompanied by cultural displays and a jamboree.

It is only two years since the commencement of the commemoration of this day, but the Foundation is already keen to see July 5th become a public holiday.

“We want it [Kunta Kinteh Day] to become a public holiday. If it becomes a public holiday, that will be one of our achievements and we cannot achieve that alone. We want the support of the whole country, the government and the Nationals Assembly Members,” PRO, Lamin Ceesay told this medium.

“Kunta Kinteh is an international brand name for the Gambia and it is sold throughout the world as a representation of the Gambia. If a day is to be ascribed as the Kunta Kinteh Day, then obviously I think it should be a national day,” said Sheikh Omar Jallow, Director at the National Centre for Arts and Culture.

A warrior who is said to have been one of the bravest slaves taken to the West, Kunta Kinteh according to history, even after being shipped as a slave to America, did not entertain the idea of assimilation. A prominent narration given was written in Alex Haley’s book entitled “Roots” where his master tried to change his name but he refused.

By: Dawda Baldeh

Kanazawa Karate Club of London Corner has tested and promoted over 18 karate students to various levels over the weekend.

The club trainers and practitioners are pleading for supports from the government, NGOs, philanthropists to help them with proper training kits and facilities.

Karate has been widely practiced as a sport for centuries. It comprises six level belt colors namely white, orange, blue, yellow, green, brown and black.

Speaking to The Fatu Network, Sensei Nfamara Ceesay, founder and master of Kanazawa Karate Club said the club’s objective is to guide and give quality training to the practitioners, thereby assisting them in making their dreams a reality.

He said the Karate is facing numerous challenges ranging from lack of training facilities, materials, media coverage, and support from government among others.

“We want the government and NGOs to support us because karate is very important. It is not what many people think it is. Karate is beyond mere fighting. It is a decent sport like football and others. If we are giving the necessary support, we can represent this country at international karate championship,” he explained.

He said karate is an oriental system of unarmed combat using the hands and feet to block blows and kicks. He disclosed that karate helps to promotes physical and mental discipline, develop composure, boost self-confidence, strengthen the body, improve coordination, quicken reflexes, and build stamina.

Malick Jallow, a karate practitioner at the club, said he wants to represent the country at international level but noted that lack of necessary support is making it difficult for them. “We really need support so that we can make our dreams a reality,” he said.

Malick is among the students who were tested and promoted to various levels.

Hawa Joof, also emphasized on the need for support. She said karate is a significant sport that is given less attention.

“I want to win a gold medal for The Gambia at international karate championships, but we need support and encouragement. Many people believe that if a woman practices karate, she cannot give birth and this just a misconception,” she said.

The club is located at London Corner and is mainly dominated by young people.

By Ousman G Darboe

Gambia cricket players have expressed their disappointment to the league organizers of The Gambia Cricket Domestic League T-20 tournament on Saturday after a game between ComAfrique cricket and Gambia Ports Authority (GPA) cricket club at the MRC cricket Oval was postponed due to the unavailability of cricket balls.

CompAfrique were the first team to bat in the first innings and they were to bowl in the second innings with a new ball as the rules of cricket stated.

Cricket just like any other international game, has its own rules. Rule 4.3 of the cricket game stated that, unless an agreement to the contrary has been made before the match, either captain may demand a new ball at the start of each innings.

In the case of Saturday’s game, no prior communication was sent to neither the two captains nor the Umpires to make them aware of the unfortunate circumstances.

It was until the first innings ended, just at the beginning of the second innings, that the captain of ComAfrique cricket club requested a new ball but the only answer he could hear was that “there is no ball, this is the only ball available’”

Many players see it as a violation of the cricket rules and a total setback for the game.

Mbaye Dumbuya, the former Vice President of The Gambia Cricket Association as well as the former captain of the National Cricket team was the main umpire between ComAfrique and GPA cricket club. He stated that he asked the match commissioner why they brought only one ball for the match, and the response was that the balls were not many that was why they brought one ball in order to economize the balls. For Dumbuya, this is not fair play because it will be advantageous to one team while disadvantageous to the other.

“ It was not communicated to me that the balls were not available, when this was communicated to me I would have called both captains to inform them when we were taking the toast so that they will decide if we going to proceed with the game with the only ball available for the two innings.”

When asked if the move was a violation of the laws, Dumbuya responded “ It is a violation of the rules, it does not matter whether it is international or domestic, cricket rules are the same.

In every innings, new balls should be provided for a team that is going to field, so in this case, it is contrary to the rules.”

For Andreh Jarju, the Captain of ComAfrique, “Bad leadership is the cause of the unfortunate situation “.

He expressed that the match commissioner came to the ovals (cricket ground) without informing the two captains about the condition of the day’s match.

He blamed the leadership of The Gambia cricket association for the poor organization of the league.

Jarju said that he has not seen any positive future for Gambian cricket if things do not change because of abnormalities in the country’s cricket association.

When asked if the National Sports Council is aware of the condition of The Gambia cricket association, Jarju stated “Well the National sports council are much aware of what has been happening within the cricket fraternity.

I would say that what they are relying on is not something that can help cricket grow in this country.

You do not only sit back and wait for associations to write reports and then rely on those reports.”

“I think should be doing site survey to know what is really happening within the association, they should do fact-finding for them to establish the truth instead of relying on what they are being given by the association,” Jarju stated.

After approaching Jamiu Falana who was identified as the match commissioner for the day to give his side of the story, Jamiu stated “Interview? I don’t have that time, I am not going to talk.

In March this year, the main sponsor of the country’s cricket association Andrew H. shanks accused the leadership of misuse of funds and corruption. Shanks told journalists that he has been sending cricket equipment worth millions of Dalasi since 2008 while no positive development was made.

He said every now and then players will complain that they do not have cricket kits and equipment which is a big disappointment for him.

Mr A. H Shanks later told the players that he would no longer help the association as far as the same set of people are at the helm of leadership.

By Modou Touray

Omar Jarju and Zakaria Colley are voluntary guards at the “Bumorut” community forest in Sutus injang village. They guard the 64-hectare forest.

“I need professional security shoes and outfits. I need to run sometimes and therefore I need to get materials to avoid unnecessary injury,” said Omar Jarju and re-echoed by Zakaria.

The community forest is located close to the border with the southern region of Senegal (Casamance). It is reportedly exposed to external threat due to the periodic clashes between Senegalese forces and MFDC rebels.

According to the chairman of the Community Forest Committee, Landing Colley, the management of the park is challenging as most of the pioneers and hardworking members have died while others are aging.

“Illegal bushfire during the dry season also endangers the effective growth of the forest.”

Colley heads a 15-member committee charged with the management of the forest.

Concept of the community forest was introduced to the village by Marcel Badjie and Eddi Jarju who were working with the St. Joseph family farms project in Bwiam. The villagers embraced the idea due to its significance to the environment.

Ousman Sonko, a forestry officer who spoke to this medium, applauded the initiative of the people of Sutusinjang for their collective spirit in nurturing the community forest.

“For the forest park to be satisfied and fully handed over to the community, there are procedures to be followed. All requirements most be fulfilled and the  memorandum of understanding on its management be signed by Forestry and the community,” Ousman Sonko explained.

Mr Alkali Jarjusey, forestry and natural resources expert working with the National Resources Consulting (NACO), spoke at length on the importance of community forest on the environment and the involvement of the community in preserving it.

These statements were made as part of a monitoring visit by the Agriculture, Natural Resources/Soil Lowlands Management Committee (ANR/SLM Committee). This is a sub-committee of the technical advisory committee (TAC) of the West Coast Region.

The Technical Advisory Committee consists heads of government institutions/departments and NGOs in an administrative region which provide technical support to regional governors.

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.