By: Modou Touray

The National Chairperson of the Association of the Physically Challenged, Mr Edward Preirra, has said lack of employment and financial support forced most of the physically challenged persons to street begging.

In an exclusive interview with The Fatu Network, Mr Preirra said financial support and embracing physically challenged people are crucial in order for them to live a dignified life, saying disability is ordained by God and that disabled people’s rights must be protected.

“Most of the people who beg around the market area and the town is as a result of the inability to get a source of earning for their livelihood. The physically challenged mostly don’t secure permanent employment. People who are formally registered with my association are not part of the beggars.”

According to Mr Preirra, the Association of the Physically Challenged offers skills training to their registered members and periodically gives loans to support their businesses.

Employment most generally means the state of having a paid job—of being employed. To employ someone is to pay them to work. An employer employs an employee or employees. Employment can also refer to the act of employing people, In the case of physically challenged persons, their employment chances are minimal.

“We believe that each human being deserves a dignified life and can contribute meaningfully to development. Their inability to do regular duties does not mean that they are worthless. It’s important to uplift their socio-economic status in a view to making them independent.”

He called for all physically challenged persons to join their association which to a larger extent will provide a way for them to sustain themselves.

“As an association, we don’t promote street begging, although we cannot totally eradicate it, but we can minimize it. we can train them in soap making, tailoring and or skills to support their families. It will be difficult to stop it. What we can do is to find alternative means of earning for our members.”

The Association of the Physically Challenged is a body under the Association of the Disabled which is an umbrella body of all forms of disabilities.

With the enactment of the disability bill 2021, Mr Preirra is optimistic that issues of persons with disability will be handled.

Physically challenged can be natural or inflicted through circumstances on persons which render their physical strength incapable of performing regular activities or work.

“Some of them are into small business such as shoe selling, and others are even in school to further their education. If they are educated well, they will be able to get better employment.”

The Association of Physically Challenged persons believes that in order for them to fight for their rights, it’s tactical for them to form a unified body to brainstorm on issues affecting them and the way forward.

Physically Challenged means any individual with a physical disability. The plight of the physically challenged persons and all other forms of disabilities still remains a challenge forcing a number of them to street begging.

By: Ousman Saidykhan

Chairperson of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) Emmanuel D. Joof has expressed concern over the increasing murder cases that have now become a point of discussion in almost all parts of the country, saying his institution is concerned about such incidents.

“But of course, as an institution mandated to promote and protect human rights; we are very concerned. Because the rise in crime, as it is reported, is very concerning to everybody. If we do not feel safe, then there is a problem. And our job is to create a better society,” the NHRC Chair told this medium.

Gambians at home and abroad have been voicing their concerns over the recent murder cases which some of them believed to have been an unprecedented situation in the country; calling for the tightening of what they see as a loose security.

The police have confirmed at least six (6) murder cases in September alone including the murder of a 19-year-old boy in Sanchaba-Sulay Jobe – the most recent one among the six. If this number looks small to anyone; the fact is, it is big to the people of the Gambia, a country that has a population of a little over 2 million people.

“We hope that the police will step up because the incidents of crime are increasing. There is increase in theft; there is increase in assault and even murder cases. So, we are worried and then we have taken things up with the authorities,” Mr. Joof added.

NHRC is established to promote and protect human rights in the country. The independent institution also monitors and investigates human rights violation.

By: Dawda Baldeh

Mamour Mbenga alias Kifa Barham, the Chief Executive Officer of Africa Citizen Radio and President of Dolphin Stars Football Club, has finished in second position in a six-month Football Business and HR from the University of Valley View (VVU) Accra, Ghana in partnership with Linked Sport Business College.

Kifa as widely known, left for Ghana in March to attend his program as the only student from the Gambia in the mix of different students from other West African nations.

The course program is an advanced foundation level aimed to equip the graduates with the understanding and knowledge needed for sports marketing, branding, administration, communication among others.

Speaking to this medium, Kifa said he was excited to be the only Gambian student in the middle of other “World Football Icons” as he came second in the course.

The young football administrator said he intends to give back to the country and work effectively with all stakeholders in the sporting industry especially the football industry.

The course also offers the participants the opportunity to work with athletes, clubs and sporting bodies as well as set professional standards for the participants to coordinate the operation and activities of sporting bodies.

“This will create specialised knowledge and the skillset to manage football business activities and understanding of the wider football industry and stakeholders involved. Sports, in general, has a huge economic benefit for contributors and stakeholders,” he explained.

He added, “my goals and passion are to give back to my country. To share the skillset in order to professionalize our football industry and create the parachute avenue for our athletes to benefit and participate in the international football arena.”

Mr. Mbenga also noted that he will continue to support implemented projects, especially at the grassroot level, conduct trainings in the following professional areas and create room for improvement for clubs and athletes’ careers, he reiterated.

The course modules include Sports First Aid, Sports Finance, Children Save Guarding, Laws of the Game, Sports Administration, Contract Negotiation, Branding and Marketing Segmentation among other areas.

Kifa, the CEO of Dolphin Stars, is currently part of a group of young potential sports stakeholders within the continent. A newly established project named Africa Sports Agency (ASA) is established to support and Promote African football to the wider world through organizing trainings, development programs for athletes and marketing platforms through digital media networks.

He described himself as “an agent of change”, adding that he is willing to work with everyone for the development of the country.

“Thanks, I was even the only Gambian in the course program out of 26 students from different countries. I was scared cause I shared a class with sports icons and people with strong sporting backgrounds but as we know Gambians are blessed.”

Valley View University is ranked 7th out of 70 universities and colleges in Ghana.

Mbenga took second position out of 26 participants from eleven countries.

By: Haddy Ceesay

Vendors at Serrekunda Market who sell mint leaves locally known as “nana” have expressed to this medium the challenges they encounter daily in earning a living.

They told The Fatu Network that the lack of enough space at the market is the reason they take the risk to sell their goods by sitting along the busy main road where vehicles ply.

Mariama Njie, a vendor, said selling “nana” is the only business they do for a living.

“It’s what we depend on to feed our families. We don’t have a particular selling location as where we currently sit is part of the road,” she said.

She added that the spot is not safe for them, but they however sell their goods there because they have no options. “We want to have a safe place where we “nana” vendors can sit and sell.”

Isatou Jeiteh, another vendor, disclosed that she wakes up as early as 6am to go to the market to sell, but she hardly gets a place to sit and sell.

“I pay my children’s school fees from this small business. If I don’t sell, who will pay their school fees?” she asked.

She urged the Kanifing Municipal Council (KMC) to provide them a place, saying that the roadside they are using to sell is risky.

Fatou Touray said the lack of space in the market warrants her to sell along the roadside.

“It’s not my choice to sit along the roadside to sell. It is just that I don’t have a space. Sometimes, we even have push and pull with drivers because that is where they (drivers) do ply.

We are calling on authorities to provide us a space to sell our goods,” she concluded

Mint leaf is a popular ingredient in several foods and beverages, ranging from tea and alcoholic drinks to sauces, salad and dessert. In most African countries, people put it in green tea (ataya). It is said to have health benefits.

By: Muhammed Lamin Drammeh

Madi Jobarteh, a human rights activist and the country representative of Westminster Foundation, has said he is startled that political parties and Civil Society Organizations have not reacted to Malagen’s story about Securiport’s contract with the Gambia Government, noting that Gambians like talking but do not want change.

Last week, Malagen broke a story detailing how the Barrow government and the US-based company went into a contract that has, over a few years, cost the government a whopping D274 million in economic losses. This contract was reported to have violated public procurement and finance rules.

Madi, who is known for writing about a variety of pressing issues in the country, said no political party has even issued a statement condemning Securiport or gone to court.

“But the most shocking is the fact that seven days after the Malagen story, no political party and CSO found it necessary to react to it officially. Until today, no party has issued any statement or written to the government to seek answers or gone to court to stop it, nor asked their members to protest at this blatantly illegal act hatched at the highest level of the state. Yet, these political parties indeed claim they are interested in improving the lives of Gambians,” he wrote.

The human rights activist said he has now concluded that Gambians like to talk about change, but they do not want change.

“How can one explain the total silence and calm by the political parties, CSOs, and citizens in general at the utter mismanagement and plunder of this country by the government since 2017 to date?”, he asked.

Madi further took on the political parties for not reacting to President Barrow’s state of the nation address. He equally said that President Barrow’s State of the Nation Address last week was illegal according to the National Assembly standing orders.

“In the first place, the SONA was illegal according to the standing orders of the National Assembly, which required it to be delivered between January and March. September is not the beginning of the legislative year; hence it is not the appropriate time for SONA.

“That aside, the president did not, in fact, address the state of the nation at all,” he alluded.

Madi highlighted that since 2017, the Gambia has been on the wrong path but the political parties, CSOs and the general citizens continue to allow the government to be as it likes, saying Gambians like to be misused and abused.

“One needs to look at the litany of issues to accept the fact that indeed Gambians holler about change with slogans, we indeed do not want change. We love to be continuously misused, abused, and discarded,” he claimed

By: Modou Touray

Residents of Farafenni have expressed dissatisfaction over the presence of a cattle farm occupying a busy residential area. They said the farm is a threat to their children who play around and poses an environmental hygiene challenge and discomfort as scattered cow dung (faeces) attracts flies.

Most of the nearby residents who spoke to this medium admitted that the cattle farm should be relocated to make the environment safe and hygienic for residents, especially little children.

“Flies are too many here because of the presence of the cattle farm. Anytime, you pass by files follow you. It’s really a nuisance to residents. They should understand and move to a faraway place with their cattle. It’s a matter of dialogue because cattle farm is not suitable amid people,” Bakary Ceesay asserted.

Another resident, Ndey Marong, stressed on the challenges posed by the cattle in the community.

“Sweeping in the morning is always difficult because of the scattered cattle faeces and flies. This is very unhygienic to the environment. If you have 2-5 cattle, that is understandable, but we are talking of more than 30 cattle. They have to be relocated to an isolated bush.”

According to Ebrima Gano, a community teacher, “The cattle at one time nearly attacked a child who was playing around their farm. Imagine a 3-year-child who was crawling towards the cattle, not knowing whether the animals are dangerous or not.”

The owner of the cattle farm, Ansu Camara, highlighted that lack of animal track and proper grazing is hindering the expansion of his farm.

“Women are always complaining anytime I move with the cattle for grazing. The cattle tracks are virtually blocked and access route to the bush is occupied by gardens and residential settlements.”

He said he has been occupying the piece of land for more than 20 years at the time the farm was a bit distanced from residents. “Many people move to resettle around my farm and many pieces of land were sold. It’s challenging but I have to endure,” he said.

The ward councillor for the Farafenni Ward, Papa Tunkara, noted that the Council is not responsible for allocating land to cattle farmers for them to relocate.

“If you see people complain, it’s because of development. Those who cannot be patient with him have to complain. There are bushes in the nearby villages and empty crop farmlands. He can move with his cattle there. In fact, many crop farmers need cattle to settle on their lands to enrich soil nutrients.

When contacted for his reaction, the president of the National Livestock Owners Association, Mr. Ebrima Jallow, asserted that there was a cattle track and grazing area around that vicinity which he claimed was sold, making difficulties for the cattle farmers.

Mr Jallow appealed to unhappy residents to be patient and says all blames should not be squarely on the cattle farmer for the fact that local authorities fail to cater for the plights of cattle farmers.

By: Alimatou S Bajinka

Leader of the Gambia Moral Congress (GDC) party, Mama Kandeh, has said the Ministry of Health should do more clarifications on the making of the new e-birth certificate as he believes the process to be “fishy”.

“It is good to introduce a digitalisation system but how the ministry is carrying out the process is fishy, that is why I am calling on them for more clarification on the processes of the new birth certificate.”

He claimed that an Alkalo’s attestation and a paper from a Chief can grant one a birth certificate, while your parents’ documents are requested in getting a passport and an ID, saying that this is a form of denying citizens their right.

Kandeh also warned the Gambian citizens to be conscious of their information.

“I want the Gambians to be mindful. This is a sensitive area; your identity card, your passport and your national identity card were all printed by your authorities with their machines, you went through processes before you can be granted an ID, passport and birth certificate.

There will come a day in this country when they put a document before you and ask you to vote on the referendum, majority of The Gambians will vote no but you will be overcome by non-Gambian voters. Let’s be mindful.”

He said they have no problem with introducing a digitalised system, but it should start with people that are holding national documents, both identity cards and passports.

He calls on the Ministry of Health for proper clarification before he could go for the new birth certificate.

“Am calling on the Ministry of Health to come out and clarify, until then I reserved myself and anybody that pays heed to my words. In fact, if they cannot clarify the process they should stop for now or look for people with valid documents and make a birth certificate for them and health insurance. I want the Ministry of Health to clearly state their aims regarding the new birth certificate,” he stressed.

He alleged that the health ministry created a market for a few individuals and started attaching fees to the new birth certificate asking people to pay D300 to D500.

“What are we trying to introduce, he asked.

By: Dawda Baldeh

Badou SM Conteh, lawyer of Cruise Ship Crew Gambia, has expressed his disappointment over the conduct of some Gambians whom he said have absconded while on deployment abroad.

Cruise Ship Crew Gambia is a company that recruits young Gambians to work as crew members abroad American Cruise Ship Companies as well as offer skills training to young people, who if successful in the process, will be employed to work for the cruise ship companies globally.

The company employs waiters, restaurant stewards, cooks, laundry attendants, gallery utility, storekeepers, cleaners, as well as other positions such as security, photographers among others.

Recently, the company is said to have employed approximately three hundred (300) Gambians who are now work as crew members abroad.

The operation of Cruise Ship is seen to many young people in the country as an opportunity for them to travel abroad and work in luxurious places without embarking on irregular migration.

However, many people who have been recruited and are waiting deployment are now living in fear of being rejected by the US Embassy as some have already been rejected. This comes after some crew members absconded.

Lawyer Badou SM Conteh described the absconding of people as ‘bad behaviour’ that can tarnish the image of The Gambia.

“We are not happy at all, and this is a very bad behavior. It will not only spoil the chance for others, but it will also tarnish the reputation of the country.

If you don’t want to work in the crew that’s fine, but don’t use the crew as opportunity for traveling to America or other countries,” he emphasized.

He said the rate of unemployment in the country is very high, adding that the government cannot employ everyone.

“We all know how costly it is to get US Visa, but with the crew ship, the Embassy is charging only fifteen thousand dalasi (D15, 000),” Badou disclosed.

The Cruise Ship lawyer urged Gambian youths to stay away from absconding while on mission abroad, adding that lot of efforts were made to bring the Cruise Ship in the country.

Mr. Conteh disclosed that they have not rejected anyone except those who were once rejected by the Embassy due to fraud in visa application.

“The President has also help seventy-two people (72) to be trained on sea tracking which is a fundamental requirement for every employee. Currently, he sent us a list of two hundred people who will be trained and employed in the cruise ship. He (President Barrow) told me that he is supporting the process to minimize the rate of unemployment,” said Badou Conteh.

Badou said as part of his efforts to help young Gambians, he has paid for medical test for many people who are currently working aboard in different ships.

“I have seen many people insulting me on social media. This is not necessary. From now on, we are going to bond everyone who will be employed in the ships. Before, the bonding was free but now they have to pay,” he added.

According to an anonymous source, the cruise ship jobs are paying well and changing the lives of those they employ.

“My friend is already working on the ship in America, and he is getting very good salary. Last week, I was rejected visa due to the actions of those who keep absconding.”

He urged people to stop absconding to preserve the opportunity for other Gambians.

By: Alimatou S Bajinka

Mama Kandeh, Gambia Democratic Congress (GDC) standard flagbearer has said President Adama Barrow has the powers to immediately end the recent surge in crimes that have gripped the country and put citizens into terror while also saying that 90% of the information the President receives is very much likely to be fake.

The GDC party leader made these claims during a press conference on Wednesday 21st September 2022 at Boabab Hotel, while condemning the recent crime rates, among them, the gruesome murder cases in the country.

He said the President has the power to change the country’s current situation.

“He has the powers to stop this immediately (rising murder cases). The peace and stability we were having in this country are fought for and brought in this country by the Gambians, and that same Gambians are still here. Where is the problem? We changed presidency, we have security personnel to protect the life and properties of the people, they are here, we wanted a new President, we have it, then what is the problem?” he questioned.

“Somebody somewhere is not fulfilling his obligations,” he added

Mr Kandeh, speaking about the president’s way of communication with the citizens, said HE President Adama Barrow should not talk information at a face value.

“He should not sit in his office and be fed with information then he just believed and consumed it. I can say that 90% of the information he receives might be fake because I do not believe that he would want to see people being killed left, right, and centre of the country and do nothing about it.”

The opposition leader urges the government to equip and monitor power holders for the safety of the country.

“The President should call on those he entrusted with the country’s security, there are people causing more harm than good. Come out, do the needful, and care less about criticism because the lives and properties of the Gambians matter.

If need be, use the Gambia Armed Forces with the Police for security because security should not be compromised. Equip the security force for the safety of our nation,” he concluded.

The Ministry of Transport, Works and Infrastructure on Tuesday 20^th September 2022 signed a 50million dalasis Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), with The Gambia Armed Forces for the relocation of services such as water pipes, electrical poles and cables for the 50 kilometers roads of the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC), project.

The signing ceremony which was held at the Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara International Conference Center in Bijilo, was witnessed by Honourable Ebrima Sillah, Minister for Transport, Works and Infrastructure, Honourable Abba Sanyang, Minister for Lands, Abdou Jobe, Minister for Petroleum, Momodou Senghore, Managing Director of The National Roads Authority, Major General, Mam Matarr Secka, Deputy Chief of Defence Staff and other senior government officials.

In an exclusive interview with Matarr Ceesay, Director of Technical Services, Ministry of Transport, Works and Infrastructure, said the signing of the memorandum of understanding between the Ministry of Transport, Works and Infrastructure and the Gambia Armed Forces, would go a long way in complementing government efforts in making sure that the OIC project is completed within the stipulated time frame.

“This initiative was actually spearheaded by the Honourable Minister Ebrima Sillah himself as a way of helping and manage the cost of relocation of services which has been one of the main challenges of the 50 kilometers OIC roads project. It will also help to capitalize the skills of the Gambia Armed Forces as they are having an engineering unit,” he said.

According to him, this is an opportunity to engage the military as they have been lacking such to be fully engage in such a national development project.

“We have 20 roads under this project. We will start with the priority areas which is Brufut, Kanifing and other areas like Kotu, Sukuta and Old Jeshwang. They will help with the relocation of water and electricity poles, foundations and other related issues. They will be under the supervision of Nawec,” he said. The contract is expected to end in 12 months.

By: Lamin Njie

Ministry of Transport

Ebrima Sawaneh, Group Chief Operating Officer of Arise Ports & Logistics, has received The National Order of the Côte d’Ivoire from the Ivorian Prime Minister. The honorary award of Ivorian knighthood (Chevalier de l’Ordre National) was presented to Mr Sawaneh on behalf of the President during the inauguration of a new seaport terminal in San Pedro city.

The inauguration took place Wednesday, September 14, 2022, in the presence of His Excellency Mr. Patrick Achi, Prime Minister and Head of Government. Also present were Mr. Amadou Koné, Minister of Transport, Mr. Amédée Koffi, Minister of Equipment and Road Maintenance, Mr. Hilaire Lamizana, Director General of the Autonomous Port of San Pedro, Mr. Gagan Gupta, Founder and CEO of Arise and Ms. Roselyne Chambrier-Chalobah, CEO of Arise Ivoire.

Arise developed and financed a new multipurpose industrial terminal in San Pedro, which represents an unprecedented growth opportunity for the country and the region, especially for the mining economic operators. A total investment of EUR173 million was made into this terminal, of which Ebrima led the team that raised EUR90 million from international banks.

Arise Ports & Logistics is a developer of port and logistics ecosystems that designs, creates, finances, and develops interconnected infrastructures with their integrated logistics services. The group consists of 3 port assets spread over 2 countries: Gabon and Côte d’Ivoire. In each country where Arise P&L is present, its mission is to support the growth of local economies, create jobs and transfer its skills to the national workforce.

Ebrima Sawaneh, said:

“I am truly humbled by this recognition. Growing up in Saruja Village, the Gambia, I had many dreams and inspirations, but I never thought I would receive a knighthood from the government of Côte d’Ivoire. It is a great privilege to receive this award and an honour to work with many outstanding talents in & outside Arise Group. This recognition is also for my colleagues, board of directors, investors and business partners, and I would like to thank each of them for their commitment to the Arise mission. I am also grateful to my family for their support in enabling me to pursue a career.”

Since joining Arise two years ago, Ebrima has led the finance division of the port & logistics group and was given additional responsibility as the chief operating officer in April 2022. Prior to Arise, he was a vice president of finance in Africa Finance Corporation.

Alongside leading Arise, Ebrima is also driving skill development in the Gambia through Finance Leadership Forum, where he serves as the President. He is also an author and blogger and often writes about personal development, personal finance and small business management with the primary goal of supporting young Gambians.

Addressing a forum on Tuesday, 20th September on mobilising climate financing on the sidelines of the ongoing UN General Assembly in New York, President Barrow said countries should raise investments and focus on saving and protecting lives, and the ecosystems.

The President cited the recent floods as ‘one of the worst’ in The Gambia’s history, which affected more than 50,000 people due to the country’s one-meter rise in sea level. He added that the rise could submerge 50% of the city, including the country’s only deep-water seaport.

‘’As the impact of climate change could cost developing countries between 1% and 5% of their GDP annually, it is imperative to raise investments and focus on saving and protecting lives and ecosystems.”  President Barrow detailed.

He added that climate financing is a challenge for many developing countries and investing in it could create difficult options for many Africans.  “Countries like The Gambia would have to forgo investments in poverty reduction and other development priorities to shift attention to climate action.’’ President Barrow stated.

Highlighting how The Gambia has shown leadership and taken a progressive position on climate action, the President said the country has increased budgetary allocation to address, particularly climate adaptation, resilience and mitigation. He added that the focus is now on mobilising private sector investment to cater for the urgent mitigation needs, especially in renewable energy.

While stating that The Gambia will be the host country of mitigation projects aimed at protecting the planet, President Barrow solicited international support to realistically implement the Climate Change Long Term Strategy 2050.

The President raised several concerns including the provision of long-term predictable funding that allows for capacity development, and risk integration, and promotes climate finance for gender-responsive climate actions, as well as effective and equitable finance delivery.

He also observed that international climate finance entities, especially multilateral funds, should revisit their procedures and policies, and prioritise the needs of developing countries.

Media Release

Office of the President

State House, Banjul

21st September 2022

By: Dawda Baldeh

The father of a 17-year-old minor, who is alleged to have killed his 19-year-old friend yesterday at Sanchaba-Sulay Jobe, has stated that he has not been able to observe prayers since the incident occurred, saying he doesn’t know how to face the community.

Speaking to The Fatu Network, the father of the minor suspected to have committed the crime described it as shocking.

“Since yesterday I don’t know what to do. I haven’t gone for prayer at the mosque since the incident occurred. Everyone knows how frequent I go to the mosque. But now I don’t know how to face the community,” he narrated with tears.

Lamin Touray (not his real name) said he has been in the community for over two decades but has never had any issues with anyone.

“I see them all as my children (his son the alleged perpetrator and the victim). I don’t know how to face the family because we are very close. This has put me into a very difficult situation, and I don’t think it will end well with me,” he lamented.

He further urged the family of the victim to forgive him. “I am praying for Allah to forgive the dead and grant him Jannatul Firdaws.

“To the family, I am urging them to forgive me. I have never had any issue with anyone in the community but being a father is not easy”.

“This is never my wish and it’s shocking. I take it as a test from Allah and I hope the family will forgive me.”

The incident which occurred at midnight on Monday involving a minor has been described as shocking by an eyewitness.

The suspected perpetrator, alleged to have stabbed his 19-year-old friend to death, is currently under police custody.

By: Alimatou S Bajinka    

A garden that is said to employ over 304 women gardeners in Tujereng is said to be in a bad shape since the devasting July flashflood caused by heavy downpour. The flood caused erosion leading to the destruction of crops and vegetables. Stagnant water still spreads everywhere.

A garden of 219 by 145 meters employed over 304 women gardeners. It is the sole source of livelihood for the women.

Currently, there are no ongoing gardening activities due to the stagnant water in the fields.

Madam Manjie Sonko, the Garden Committee chairperson said the situation of the garden has affected them in every way.

“The vegetable gardeners are suffering economically. Schools have reopened and we have to pay fees and buy new shoes, bags and uniforms for our children. We now find it challenging to do such because our only source of income is destroyed.”

She said the garden also serves as a place where women meet, share ideas and chat about pertinent issues concerning the community, noting that they now have nowhere to go or a place to sit and discuss.

Madam Sonko added that walking from the community to the garden is the only exercise some of them do on a daily basis, a movement he said is crucial to their health and wellbeing.

The women gardeners seek support from all to save there means of livelihood.

“We solicit support from all government agencies, NGOs and philanthropists to help build a drainage system so that the excess water can be drained from the field to facilitate gardening activities,” Sonko pleaded.

The Gambia Investment and Export Promotion Agency (GIEPA) continues to experience remarkable strides in attracting investment to Gambia. The promotional agency over the past five years has experienced a net investment portfolio of one hundred and fifty-four million dollars (US$154m) and created over two thousand two hundred and seventy-four jobs (2,274).

The investments were injected by thirty (39) companies in manufacturing, agriculture, tourism, fisheries amongst other areas of productive returns to the Gambian economy.

As per its strategic vision, the agency will be aided with an entrepreneurship development fund this year to help cottage industries and businesses thrive with a soft revolving loan scheme. This additional but new initiative is hatched by the Trade Ministry, and in the coming years will see GIEPA serve as secretariat to a trust committee already formed to manage the scheme.

The development is amongst the many other initiatives GIEPA is working on to promote and create more investment opportunities for the country’s teeming entrepreneur ecosystem.

President Barrow in his 2022 State opening of parliament reaffirmed his government’s commitment to help GIEPA create more investment opportunities for more job creation to Gambians.

By: Muhammed Lamin Drammeh

The National Assembly Member for Janjangbureh, Honorable Omar Jammeh, was today 20th September, denied by the speaker of the house, Hon. Fabakary Tombong Jatta from addressing the per diem case which involved the wife of the sports minister, Bakary Y. Badjie, while he was debating the President’s state of the nation address.

Jammeh, who was an active youth leader, said he won’t end his debate on the President’s speech about youth and sports without expressing his disappointment over the per diem allocated to sports minister Bakary Badjie’s wife, which he said, is a public fund.

“I cannot conclude youth and sports without registering my disappointment with the Honorable Minister. I was on social media to show my disappointment about him about the allowances that were allocated to his wife, even though he was out there on the media to say that it was an oversight; it was a mistake, he sought advice from….”

At this point, he was interrupted by Bilal G. Tunkara, the majority leader who raised the issue that what Jammeh is saying was out of order.

“The minister’s travel to Commonwealth Games or the UK has never reflected in the president’s speech. He added that such an issue can be debated later.

It was at this point that Fabakary Tombong Jatta spoke as the speaker to make a ruling on the point raised by Hon. Tunkara. He ruled that Hon. Omar Jammeh’s point is out of order.

“I think this is out of order, to be honest. You have a right to speak about issues as it pertains to whatever you called them. But in this specific issue, I think this is out of order”, the speaker ruled. The persistent Janjanbureh NAM, who was not happy with the ruling, told the house he cannot continue his debate without reflecting on the statement of President Barrow on the success registered at the Commonwealth Games in London.

“It is clearly stated by the president the successes registered in the Commonwealth games, so why are you denying me from speaking?” Hon. Jammeh asked the speaker.

He then insisted: “Mr Speaker, I will still continue to speak about the allowances allocated to the minister’s wife, which was a public fund.”

At this point, FTJ, gave out a final warning to Honorable Jammeh not to talk about the sports minister’s wife allowance saga.

The disappointed NAM then unwillingly unwind his case but questioned the importance of the parliament.

“Honorable Speaker, I will rest my case specifically on the minister seated here (Bakary Y. Badjie), but I will continue to say that corruption is at its peak in the Gambia. Here is the platform that we have to share our views. Not only our views but the views of the electorates. So, if I should be condemned to speak about those trending issues that are affecting our daily lives, I will still want to question the use of this august parliament,” he remarked as he shifted the debate to tourism.

The National Assembly is currently debating President Barrow’s State of the Nation’s Address.

The 77th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).

The president of The Republic of The Gambia, His Excellency President Adama Barrow joined other world leaders in New York to grace the event.

By: Jankey Touray

Crime in the Gambia has been on the rise recently and this has been a major concern among citizens and tourists; robbery, rape and brutal killings have become the other of the day and making news headlines daily.

Many believe that the use of drugs, lack of security, and parental home training for the youth are among the major causes of high crime rates.

Cadet Assistant Superintendent Binta Njie in an interview with TFN said another issue for the increase in crime is lack of community cooperation as sometimes people will commit offences and run to hide in houses where they would be harboured instead of turning them in to the authorities. In fact, sometimes they would fight the officers at the scene.

“I think the first thing I would talk about when it comes to societal contributions to crimes would be playing our roles as parents and guardians to ensure that our children are law-abiding, most of these crimes occurring are related to people being armed in public. These people coming from homes, I am sure someone somewhere would know that they are either armed or have the intention to do certain things, even in cases where they don’t know when this crime is committed, they are harboured in homes,” Cadet ASP Njie said.

Mrs. Njie explained that people overstepping or trespassing at crime scenes is also a major issue affecting the work of the authorities. She also said most of these offences are domestic, and when the crime happens, crime scene photos are leaked before the police arrived at the scene because people are already on the ground which makes their investigation complicated and sometimes incriminates innocent people.

Cadet Njie said it is because of the new police policy of being transparent and forthcoming with information when asked what changed as crimes seem to be on the rise, saying crimes have been committed under our noses but because they were not reported, people thought they were not happening.