By: Muhammed Lamin Drammeh

The Minister of Youth and Sports, Hon. Bakary Badjie, has disclosed that renovation of the country’s main football field to meet CAF and FIFA standards will commence by end of this month.

The Minister made this revelation to the press shortly after watching the senior national team play its home game away from home in Stade Lat Dior in Thies in Senegal.

“We are working internally to get the fund that is necessary and getting the right contractor to do the job. We don’t want to do the job and in the end, CAF comes and say we have not passed. So we want to take our time and ensure that whenever the job is done, we will pass. We are hoping that by the end of this month, work will start.”

The minister voiced that they are hopeful that by August, the work will be completed at the stadium and hopefully, the country will host Mali in September.

“If it is not completed, at least be good enough to allow the CAF inspection team to give a one-match approval for September then will continue the job before December”, Hon. Badjie explained.

The Gambia’s independence stadium is being deemed unfit to host CAF and FIFA elite competitions.

Weeks ago, it was reported that the government needed 100 million dalasis to renovate the stadium to at least meet certain requirements to host games.

Many Gambian football zealots described the current conditions of the stadium as ‘unacceptable ‘ and ‘shameful’.

The Scorpions will play home to Mali in September and the Minister is positive that the game will be played at the independence stadium.

By Sainabou Sambou

Still circulating on social media is the rumor that fish vendors are using Sniper chemical on their smoked fish to prevent it from spoiling.

The Fatou Network has engaged some smoke fish vendors at Serekunda regarding the rumor.

Kumba Kuyateh, a smoke fish seller told The Fatu Network that she has never used the insecticide on her fish and has never seen any of her fellow fish sellers use the said chemical on their smoked fish.

She disclosed that the rumor has badly affected her business.

“I used to send fish to people abroad at a good cost. I had already prepare to send forty-five baskets of smoked fish to someone in the United States. However, because of the rumour, the person has asked me not to send the baskets of smoked fish anymore,” she said.

Kuyateh added that in Europe, imported fish is normally placed in a machine to know whether it is safe for consumption or not.

She added that she is still left with over thirty-seven baskets, saying that many people are now scared to buy smoked fish due to the Sniper chemical rumour.

Kumba Corrah, another smoke fish vendor denied the allegations. She said she have been in the business for long and have never seen anyone use the chemical.

“If sniper is being used on the smoked fish it will kill lot of people,” she stated.

She said most people have decided not to eat smoked fish anymore.

Ma Nyima Touray, a consumer, said she has never come across any smoke fish seller using Sniper on their fish. She however said that the allegations might be true.

She noted that the government should completely ban Sniper in the Gambia.

A vendor at the Serekunda market, who preferred not to be identified, claimed that smoked fish vendors are indeed using the Sniper chemical on their fish.

“I have seen people using it on their smoked fish,” she alleged.

She cited that when she saw the person using sniper on the smoked fish, she told her not to do it again because it can cause infection.

She called on smoked fish vendors to stop using Sniper because it can affect lot of people and can even cause harmful diseases.

Sniper is a chemical that is mostly used to kill insects. Due to huge public concerns, authorities have announced a ban of the chemical and that anyone found using it will be prosecuted.

 By Ousman G Darboe

Timber is a versatile raw material that offers several advantages, enabling it to be used in a wide range of applications.

Easy to handle, cut, and shape with readily available tools, lending to its ability to have widespread use.

Its scrap or waste products can be repurposed. So, there is little to no unused material from a given cut of timber.

It has aesthetic appeal and can be stained, painted, or coated to produce a wide variety of finishes. In recent years, timber production industries and people dealing in the sector have experienced some challenges due to the shortage of this raw material.

Boat constructors at the Banjul seashore have expressed concerns over the shortage of timber which they said can lead to unemployment in the country.

Secka Dem, a boat constructor, said that timber is costly and thus hard to get. He said through timber they earn their living and create employment opportunities for other young people.

He said that they spend a lot of money to get timber which is sometimes not profitable for them and eventually causes economic hardship.

“We are Gambians like any other person, this is where we earn our living to feed our families.

Unfortunately, many people who engaged in timber work will now live without a job,” Secka Dem said.

Muhammed Jobe also expressed concerns over the lack of space for boat construction and the shortage of timber material.

Jobe lamented the impediments they encounter which are caused by lack of space and shortage of timber in the country.

“The Shortage of timber will cause economic deadlock in the fishing sector because we rely on timber to construct fishing boats.

If it is little or no timber life is going to be a challenge as most Gambians consume fish daily,” Job said.

Both Dem and Jobe called on the Government’s intervention in addressing the shortage of timber and space for boat constructors for them to continue on their income earning adventure.

By Karimatou Jallow

Smoking has long been a way of life for many people, especially among young people.

Despite knowing or being repeatedly warned against the negative impact of smoking, people still smoke believing that it relives stress.

Research shows that smoking causes cancer, heart diseases and diabetes. It also increases risk of tuberculosis, certain eye diseases and endangers the immune system.

In light of this, the country’s Health Ministry has said it is taking measures to control tobacco in the country including sensitizing people on the negative impact of tobacco and smoking in general.

The Minister notes that it is focusing on graphic health waning to ban tobacco products which includes advertisement, promotion and sponsorship of smoking and smoking in public places.

Sainabou Bara Cham, Program Officer of the Non Communicable Disease Unit at the Ministry of Health, said despite their efforts in discouraging smoking, people are still violating drug laws regulating smoking in the country.

“Smoking doesn’t only harm you, it also endangers those around you. Smoking can affect your canvas system which is responsible for the exchange of blood. It can also lead to hypnosis, stroke, cancer of the mouth, cancer of the throat, cancer of lungs, change in the morphology of a man’s sperm and affects a woman’s mensural cycle,” Bars Cham stated.

The 2016 Tobacco Control Act came into force in December 2018. Section 9 of the Act provides for a tobacco smoking free environment.

According to the said provision, a person consuming tobacco product shall ensure that he or she does not expose another person to the effect of his tobacco smoking.

The Act prohibits smoking, including the use of shisha in public places, workplaces and in public transport.

By public place, the Act refers to hotels, restaurants, bars, office buildings, schools, garages, prisons, police sealed off places, video clubs, public service vehicles, among others.

By: Sanna Jallow

Farmers in the Lower River Region (LRR) who mainly engage in subsistence farming have expressed their concern over the high cost of fertilizer, which has recently spiked from seven hundred Dalasis (700) to two thousand five hundred (2500) this year.

These farmers eat what they grow and then sell it for less than that of the harvest they get at the end of the season to be able to sustain their families’ needs.

Surang Jallow, a farmer in Jarra West has said since the price of fertilizer has been increased to 2,500, it is going to be very difficult for him and other farmers to have enough fertilizer for their farms as they would not be able to afford it. He went on further to say looking at the last year a kilo of groundnut was sold at 23 Dalasis and the full bag is less than 1,500 Dalasi.

Mr Surang stresses that how can the government expect poor farmers who don’t determine the price of their harvest to be able to buy a bag of fertilizer for 2,500 and that their lands have depreciated.

“I am already discouraged in farming because my standard of living which is already low will continue to decrease what is the essence of farming if I cannot get anything at the end of my harvest,’’ he said.

Mr Jallow said that farmers in the rural Gambia are neglected because they are not given the support they deserve. He said if agriculture is truly the backbone of the country’s economy then farmers need to be empowered.

“I know the government is importing the fertilizer but notwithstanding they have to subsidies the fertilizer and make it affordable for us because if we cannot afford fertilizer the threat of food insecurity will get worse,” he said.

Mamadou Dem, a farmer in Jarra East, also said the price increment of fertilizer will basically force farmers out of production this season because the average rural farmers depend on fertilizer to improve productivity because of the low soil fertility.

“I am struggling to buy a bag of rice at a minimum of D1500 dalasi, where would I get the financial strength to buy a bag of fertilizer D2500 the government should bear in mind that we are also humans too our source of income is not monthly pay or per diems but we earn our living from farm produce”, he explained.

He urges the government to give fertilizer to farmers at a subsidized price or they will risk going into crop season where the result could be devastating.

Lamin Kura, a resident of Sandkandi said he cannot cultivate without fertilizer but he cannot affort D2500 per bag, he stressed that the crops will not grow as he expected because he needs 10 bags which will cost him twenty-five thousand Dalasis, which he cannot afford.

Speaking on the same issue, Ousman Drammeh, said if he should buy a bag of fertilizer D2500 at the end of the harvest he will not make any profit adding that the hike in the prices of fertilizer is the main problem they are facing as farmers.

By: Muhammed Lamin Drammeh

The scorpions of the Gambia will begin their 2023 Ivory Coast AFCON journey this afternoon in Thies when they face the Bright Stars of South Sudan. The red white blue green boys will be playing home but not in their home land as the country’s stadium continue to be unfit to host CAF and FIFA elite competitions.

Back from recording their first ever point against a non-African side last weekend in an international friendly with the  United Arab Emirates, Tom Sainfeit’s boys are the favourite on the paper after their recent exploits in Cameroon.

In January this year, the scorpions of the Gambia graced the pinnacle of African football showpiece in Cameroon and stunned football fanatics with stunning performances up to the last eight in the competition where they succumbed to a two-nil lost to the host country.

The competition was the debut appearance of the scorpions of the Gambia  in the competition after over five decades of unsuccessful attempts. A glittering performance in Cameroon earned the team a rousing and heroic welcome.

After experimenting the nation’s cup amazingly well, the Gambia is no more a minor in group G. The Scorpions are grouped alongside South Sudan, Mali and Congo. South Sudan, the Scorpion’s opponent, is the only country in the group that is yet to play in AFCON.

The head coach of the Gambia, To Sainfeit, despite losing three players due to passport issue and injuries, told the Fatu Network that they must win the game.

Ebrima Sohna,  an erstwhile  Gambian international footballer also spoke highly of these crop of players, noting that the bar is already high. He told TFN that the country has all that it takes to do better.  He predicted a 3-0 for the scorpions.

Scores of Gambian fans have crossed the Gambia-Senegal border to Stade lati dore in Thies to cheer up the scorpions.

By: Christian Conteh

The newly elected president for the Network of Women Elected officials of subnational and local governments of Africa, REFELA, Mayor Rohey Malick Lowe has commended the Adama Barrow led government for its role in her REFELA presidential election victory. She did this during a state house visit on 2nd June 2022.

She went further to dedicate her victory to President Adama Barrow, the women of The Gambia and the young people.

“Your Excellency, I dedicate this victory to you, the women and the youth of our beloved country, the Gambia. I wish to recall that I received maximum support from you and the government of the Gambia. I truly appreciate your support and that of the government. You did not relent in your efforts to pull diplomatic strings to make this happen,” she said.

Mayor Lowe explained that she won the elections after the organisation’s Vice President for Central Africa withdrew her candidacy and supported her (Mayor Lowe). This paved the way for her to be unanimously voted into office as President of REFELA Africa for a four-year term.

On his part, President Adama Barrow congratulated the mayor and expressed his pride in her achievement.

“I will seize this opportunity to congratulate Rohey Malick Lowe and her team and the entire Gambian people. On my behalf and on behalf of the government, I congratulate Rohey Malick Lowe for this rare victory. I think this is the first time even Gambians are knowing about REFELA. Myself, I will confess it’s when she came to me to explain about REFELA that’s the time I came to understand that this is a big thing the government should support. That’s why personally, I give my support…to make sure she succeeds because, if she succeeds, the Gambia succeeds,” President Barrow said.

He ended his statement by encouraging Gambians to be tolerant despite their political belonging and conviction.

By: Christian Conteh

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has intensified its call for the repeal of the death penalty. In its recent report, the institution called on the Adama Barrow led Government to repeal the obnoxious law from the country’s Criminal Code and Criminal Procedure Code.

This is in line with Section 18 of The Gambia’s 1997 Constitution which guarantees the right to life and the prohibition of arbitrary deprivation of life except in the lawful execution of a death sentence imposed by a court of law.

The Gambia ratified the Second Optional Protocol to the International Covenant in Civil and Political Rights aimed at the abolition of the death penalty in 2018 but the law remains in the law books despite its enforcement being suspended since 2017.

“The death penalty remains in the statute books of The Gambia and continues to be passed in judgments where persons are convicted of offences punishable by the death penalty. For instance, on 14 July 2021, Yankuba Touray, a former Minister of Local Government in the early days of Yahya Jammeh’s rule was sentenced to death by the High Court in Banjul for the murder of Ousman Koro Ceesay, who was one-time Finance Minister,” the National Human Rights Commission says in its report.

It also referenced a certain Saidou Cham who was also convicted of murder and sentenced to death by the High Court in Basse. This act of sentencing people and putting them on death row the human rights commission says is degrading, inhumane and contrary to the human right to dignity.

The commission, therefore, calls on the state to commute all death sentences imposed on all inmates to life imprisonment and to expedite the enactment of the Criminal Code and the Criminal Procedure Bills that are currently before the National Assembly.

Gambia For All (GFA) has welcomed the release of the Government white paper on the Truth, Reconciliation, and Reparations Commission (TRRC) report and urged the citizenry to be vigilant to ensure the implementation of the white paper.

GFA says the establishment of the TRRC to investigate the horrendous atrocities allegedly committed by the Jammeh dictatorship, is considered to be a key part of our country’s transition to democratic rule.  The conclusions of the commission’s hearings and the submission of their report to the government were in itself a milestone worthy of celebration.

It further noted that like all Gambians, GFA eagerly awaited the government’s response, in the form of a White Paper. Delivered with much fanfare and ceremony on the 25th of May 2022, the government indicated that it has accepted more than 95% of the recommendations in the report.

“GFA broadly welcomes the government’s TRRC white paper as a step in the right direction. The Barrow government’s regrettable alliance with alleged rights violators and active enablers notwithstanding, we want to believe that the administration will muster the courage and determination to ensure that the equally difficult implementation stage of the report will be timely, fair, and effective.”

GFA added that necessary institutional reforms, which form part of the TRRC report, should attract a new sense of urgency to the government’s legislative agenda.

This it notes will be important if the TRRC mantra of “NEVER AGAIN” is to be realized.

By: Hadram Hydara

In a press release, the National Environment Agency and Gambia Maritime Administration and other key stakeholder institutions have said the management of Gam Petroleum was summoned to an emergency meeting held on Sunday the 29th of May to explain the circumstances that led to the oil spill.

“During the briefing, stakeholders were informed that the preliminary figures indicated that 1,501.334 metric tons HFO was discharged from the ship but the fuel depot just recorded 1,430.469 metric tons as received. Based on the fact that the difference between the quantities pumped by the ship and the amount received by the depot was roughly 70.865 metric tons which approximately translates to 70, 865 litres, it is assumed that the difference is the quantities of HFO discharged into the sea is caused by a ruptured submerged pipe through which the HFO discharged to the shore tank GP,” the press release reads.

It further went on to assure citizens that relevant stakeholders are aware and plans are being put in motion to address the situation while also seeking the cooperation of the public during these times.

“The public is hereby informed that GMA, NEA, PURA, GPA and other relevant stakeholders are aware of the incident and necessary actions are being taken to address the situation. We indulge the support and cooperation of the general public while this unprecedented situation is being addressed appropriately,” it concludes.

By Ousman G. Darboe

The Food Safety and Quality Authority of the Gambia on Wednesday 1st June 2022 ordered the closure of the Brikama Fish Market due to its unhygienic condition.

The closure of the fish market is as a result of the stagnant stinking water which causes unpleasant odor in the market and its surroundings.

The authority has it that, the market is not healthy for selling of food products and thereby ordering the closure of the market.

Last week, the Minister of Works during his six-day nationwide familiarization tour visited the said market.

He was welcomed by stinking waste and other unfavorable conditions in the market.

In this regard, the Minister promised to work with the market and local authorities to give the Brikama Fish Market a facelift for vendors and buyers.

Foday Manjang, the President of the fish market however said the closure of the market has a serious setback, noting that they would experience severe financial losses as their survival depends on the sales they make in the market.

Manjang described the closure of the market as too prompt, adding that there was no communication prior to the said action.

“The Food and Safety authoritie came to us unexpectedly and ordered the closure of the market. Fish is different from other food products as it is easily perishable. We would loss over One Million Dalasi worth of fish,” Manjang expressed.

He said since the incident occurred, the Ministry of Fisheries has never visited them to know their problems as they pay regular dues to the Ministry.

Abdoulie Touray, the Financial Accountant of the fish market said the poor sanitary condition is caused by the lack of sewage system in the market.

“The government should help us with proper sewage system or a safety tank to properly dispose waste. The Ministry should come to our aid in oder to make the market conducive,” Touray said.

Area council and market authorities are expected to do a massive cleansing exercise in the market to enhance proper hygiene and safety.

The Brikama Fish Market lacks proper sewage system which causes waste to stuck in and thereby causing offensive odor at the displeasure of vendors, buyers and passers-by.

By: Hadram Hydara

An oil spill into the tributary and riverbank of the Gambia from the country’s main oil reserve in Mandinaring, Kombo East, has reached the Pirang riverbank, on the coast of Kombo East. The threat has been fast approaching the River Gambia.

Reliable sources within Gambia Environmental Alliance (GEA), an umbrella body for civil society and community-based organisations on environmental safety, told The Fatu Network that the spillage has been going on since Saturday and has since been covering a lot of sea area.

“The spillage started when a ship was delivering oil to the Gam Petroleum depot in Mandinaring. So far, the spill has expanded and covered an area of 40 to 50 km of the river coast, which shows you how severe this case is. It is one of the worst cases ever in the Gambia marine environment.”

The sources further went on to emphasise that the oil pollution could be hazardous, especially to the biodiversity along the riverbank, if imminent action is not taken.

“The oil pollution can be very detrimental because it could lead to significant loss of biodiversity along the riverbank. It could also contaminate the freshwater and brackishwater stream flow into the River Gambia, thereby affecting the distribution by causing a massive dieback of mangrove species.”

Asked if he has any knowledge of the Gambia government putting measures into place to curb the situation or as an Environmental body, if his organisation is doing their bit to help, the GEA sources said the government does not seem to be serious about the disaster and that they are just trying to cover it up.

“The government is fully aware and they are the ones trying to cover it up because it involved a foreign vessel. Even the Petroleum Minister visited the site but nothing has been said about mitigation plans to prevent such disasters from happening in the future. The government does not seem to be serious about the disaster as they failed to implement the training they did on oil spillage disaster around 2010 to 2012 when Jammeh was still around.”

Speaking on the impacts of oil spillage on the environment and marine life, Omar Malmo Jr, an Environmental activist and an accredited Multidisciplinary Researcher said oil spillages on cause devastating impacts on the society.

“Spillages are basically pollutions, therefore environmental pollution in one way or the other affects or compromises the environmental quality of every society. So when toxic oil spilled in water like it did in Mandinaring, it would have a significant impact on the marine biodiversity because most of the fish species come into the mangrove crakes to lay their eggs and to spoon so if there is significant oil quantity in this ecologies it would eventually come in contact with the fish species and thereby leading to the death of some these fish, which would reduce their abundance in that ecology. Besides, even if it did not kill the fish but then the fish consumes part of this toxic oil and it finds its way into the food chain and if humans also consume the fish, there are possibilities of causing serious health conditions to humans or even death to people depending on the toxicity level. If people swim in these areas, all of that has to stop simply because it could cause skin problems or even find its way to our respiratory system.”

On the possible damages this could cause the environment, the young environmental activist went on to explain the serious consequences of the spillage happening on land.

“If the spillage happened on land it would actually seep down and it could kill all the micro-organisms in the ground and therefore this land cannot be used for any productive agricultural activity. Also if it seeps down it could get into the ground water thereby polluting the ground water and this is where Gambians get drinking water, which means that if this spillage gets into the ground water it will affect the consumption of water in the Gambia and also agricultural productivity will be highly compromised due to high presence of oil spillages on land. This can have a devastating impact on life and livelihood,” he said.

Speaking on how the government can curb the spillages, Omar urges the government to asked the public to stay away from this site as there is a risk of getting heath issues.

“First, in terms of response, because like I said this is a public health emergency and what needs to be done now is to communicate the public to stay away from this site because if there are other socio-economic activities happening around these areas, it could definitely affect the health of the people that are involved, therefore, people need to avoid the site immediately and the government needs to put up a remedial plan immediately to see how best the spillage could stop. Having all those water depots around our water bodies and all of these things should not, in the first place, been the case. There should be regular monitoring of some these depots or some the activities that are being done along our water ecologies, otherwise, such things would continue to reoccur, but what government needs to do first is to need communicate the masses and of course give information to the people and of course put up signs within these affected areas for people to avoid while the try how best to remedy the situation depending on what is available on the ground.”

Speaking on environmental governance and laws, Omar said the country’s environmental laws in the Gambia are not serving the people and the environmental institutions are not doing as expected.

“When environmental governance is dependent on the bargaining powers of politicians and business people, poor people are left with options to either fight injustice, corruption, violations of rights, and environmental pollution and things like this or live to bear the consequences as per what may. I think the Gambia requires more concentration on environmental governance than any other sector. Our environment is highly volatile to a lot of things and our government is not really concentrating on anything around that, instead the government is really compromising our environmental laws and regulations. But what I could say is, I think the National Assembly needs to look into and ensuring that there is an independent environmental agency that is independent of even the state government to ensure that even government is kept on check and balances. So the National Environmental Agency (NEA) should be given full autonomy to corporate on their own to ensure that there is that environmental consciousness, including government to be punish if they do thing wrongly, otherwise, if you want to leave everything to government they just keep doing what they want to do. All these we are seeing in the Gambia are mastermind not by ordinary citizens but by the government of the Gambia so therefore the government is the biggest violator of our existing environmental laws in the Gambia,” he concluded.

The government is understood to have set up a task force with stakeholders, including NDMA, Environment, PURA, Maritime Agency, Ministry of Petroleum, and GamPetroleum. They will have a meeting today at PURA and then do a joint press release this afternoon.

By Amara Thoronka 

Popular young Gambian pan Africanist, Ousman Touray, has in an interview with The Fatu Network said that tribalism in The Gambia is promoted by politicians with zero ideas. He said such politicians do not have properly designed messages to present to the electorates, so they use tribal sentiments to mobilize support.

“Tribalism is an entity promoted by politicians with zero ideas. It is like their last card. All they do is to gather people based on tribal lines and relations. And because they don’t have a proper message to package, all they can do is to seek solidarity from tribal lines,” he said.

Touray noted that such a trend has negatively affected the Gambia and other African countries where such is equally practiced, noting that the interest of the country should be at the center stage in national discussions and events.

“This has really affected not just The Gambia but many African societies. We might have not yet been to the extreme, but we don’t want to get there. We want to eliminate it from the very beginning. We want to see a society where Gambia is what matters.”

The young pan Africanist advised young people in the country not to align themselves with politicians and political parties they promote tribalism. He cautioned young Gambians not to support politicians because they belong to the same tribe or ethnicity.

“My advice to young Gambians is that do not belong to a political party that has a surname. It’s wrong. Don’t belong to a party that is promoted based on tribal lines. Don’t subscribe to individuals who pull you to their own agendas just because you belong to their tribe.”

“Don’t be that person who look at another tribe as a threat. Embrace diversity! Embrace the uniqueness of The Gambian culture. The idea of ‘we and them’ is killing us,” he advised.

Ousman Touray mentioned that The Gambia is one country which has a joking relationship across tribes and surnames, citing that such a relationship is meant to promote uniqueness and togetherness regardless of diversity in tribes and affiliations.

The Gambia Press Union (GPU) has in a press statement disclosed that the union’s President, Muhammed S. Bah, is to serve a three-year term in the Gender Council of the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ).

Bah’s nomination by the GPU was accepted by the IFJ ahead of the 31^st IFJ World Congress taking place in Muscat, the capital of Oman, from the 31 May – 3 June, 2022 – where members of the new IFJ Gender Council were unveiled on Tuesday.

The Gender Council plays an important role as the IFJ’s main voice on gender.

Its responsibilities include developing instruments to guide projects and policies concerning gender and good practice, raise awareness of gender issues, and mainstream gender issues throughout the IFJ, its projects and its member unions.

The Council’s recommendations, its activities and projects on gender are to be included in all IFJ Expert Groups, Executive Committee, the Congress, IFJ projects, and the IFJ Constitution.

Reacting to his nomination to serve in this important body of the global body of journalists, Muhammed S. Bah said he is looking forward to making significant contributions to the work of the Gender Council.

“The GPU has dedicated a lot of efforts to gender and welfare issues confronting journalists by conducting studies on working conditions of journalists and sexual harassment in the media,” Bah said.

“These interventions resulted in the development of a Collective Bargaining Agreement and a Sexual Harassment Policy which are now being used to address gender and welfare issues. I hope to bring these experiences to the IFJ as a Member of the Gender Council.”

The work of the Council is aimed at achieving three broad objectives:

• To engage women and men equally in all IFJ affairs, at all levels of the organisation and its member unions,
• To advise the Executive Committee and member unions on proposals for policy, projects and actions needed to bring gender issues into the mainstream of IFJ work,
• To actively promote solidarity and support among IFJ unions, through projects, activities and policies, in the defence of gender rights, and all actions needed to combat all forms of gender discrimination.

The Gender Council is led by a Chairperson and a Vice-chairperson who are elected from among nominated members, and the Council’s mandate is for a term of three years.

It is made up of 37 members from six IFJ regions including Africa, the Arab World and the Middle East, Asia and the Pacific, Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean, and North America.

The Council’s activities are overseen by the Gender Council Steering Committee which is composed of two members from each IFJ designated geographic region including the chair and vice chair.

The Steering Committee meets at least every six months and when possible, at the same venue and in the same period as the IFJ Executive Committee.

In recent years, the Gender Council  carried out a number of activities, including a campaigns against online trolling, ILO  Convention 190 on harassment and violence at work, byte back, and women in front.

By: Sanna Jallow  

Residents within the West Coast Region have raised concern about the frequent surge in rent prices. Most of the tenants believe that the involvement of house agents has been the cause for the dire situation they have been facing for a while, considering the fact that they set a certain price with the compound owner just to get some amount of profit from the advanced six (6) months payment, which is usually required before you get the key to the premise.

Most people who rent houses within the West Coast Region are low-income earners, many living by hand-to-mouth on their small skills business.

Momodou Jallow, a tenant said the frequent increment in rent by landlords is really hard on him as the breadwinner of the family.

“Last month I was paying one thousand five hundred dalasis for a single room and now it has been increased to two thousand five hundred per month. I spend all the money I gain at the end of the month on rent even to eat proper food is a problem because everything is expensive and as a low-income earner it’s hard on me”, he lamented.

He said if he does not pay his rent the landlord will kick him out of his property. “I have no choice but to pay or else I will live on the streets.”

Amie Jallow, a mother, explained that she just left the place she was renting a week ago because the landlord had increased the rent without giving them prior notice.

“I cannot afford the amount for the rent because my earnings are very small. Since I cannot afford to pay the rent I left the place because I have no choice,” she Explained.

Ebrima Dem, a property owner said, “I did not increase the rent because I want to do so, but I am a businessman and I also generate income from the rent. I use it to take care of my family and other things.

According to Dem, property owners are responsible for paying rent tax and maintenance, saying that the certain price increment of some building materials is the reason why they increase the rent.

“We buy cement D360 per bag and other building materials are also costly so these are the reason why we increase the rent to be able to make a profit to be able to maintain our businesses,” he said.

Tenants urge the government to take action to address the rental issues in the country.

By: Sainabou Sambou

Bakery owners and bread retailers in The Gambia have called on the Adama Barrow led government to ensure there is a reduction in the taxes levied on importers bringing in flour to the country. This they say should also extend to the general control of prices in the local market. According to them these steps will help alleviate the suffering of the poor Gambian people.

“We have a flour factory in the Gambia but most of the products come from Russia. According to the statistics in the market, the price of flour has increased to about five hundred and twenty US dollars, when you convert that into Gambian dalasis it will be about thirty thousand dalasis,” Hanna BD Sillah a Bakery owner at Kairaba Avenue said.

She further noted that the tax the importers pay at the port is very high and is a major reason for the hike in prices of flour and other bread making condiments.

“I urge the government to work on the price control and also do something about the hike in the price of flour in the Gambia,” she said.

Tamsir Mballow, Manager of Chakraa bakery in Serekunda said they have come to an agreement that they should increase the price of bread due to the hike in flour price in the country.

He said from January to May 2022, there has been a 25% increase in the price of flour. He said they have increased the price of bread to ten dalasis since January and they have now increased it to twelve dalasis. He said the ingredients that they put into the flour are very costly and that also has an impact on the increment.

“We have informed all our customers that we have increased the price of bread but they do not agree with us. Most of them said they will not patronise us until they hear an official statement on the increase.”

By Sainabou Sambou

Bakers in the Kanifing Municipality have blamed the increase in the price of bread on the hiking price of flour, causing a price change for a loaf of bread from Ten Dalasis to Twelve Dalasis.

Hanna B.D Sillah, a bakery owner, told The Fatu Network said the increase in the price of bread is due to the high cost of flour.

She also said that the ingredients they use in baking bread have become expensive, saying that they are all factors causing consistent price increase in bread.

“Flour now costs Two Thousand One Hundred Dalasis. We also buy fuel. Per minimum, we use between 6 to 7 liters to bake a bag of flour. In the absence of electricity, I use my generator to bake, and it is very costly.”

Sillah added that the country has a flour factory but however noted that most of the baking products come from Russia.

She noted that the tax importers pay at the port is very high and that such is reflected in the market price of flour and other products.

“I urge the government to enhance price control and also do something about the hike in the price of flour in the Gambia,” she said.

Ousman Bah, a consumer, said the government should act urgently saying that most Gambians consume bread daily.

He noted that he buys porridge when there is no bread, but however noted that there are people who find it difficult to afford other food when there is no bread. He mentioned that there is no price control in the country and that everyone sells to his or her satisfaction which affects less privileged citizens.

Tamsir Mballow, Manager at Chakraa Bakery in Serekunda said they as bakers have come to an agreement that they should increase the price of bread due to the hiking price of flour in the country.

He said from January to May this year there has been 25% increase in the price of flour. He said they increased the price of bread to Ten Dalasis since January and that they have now increased it to Twelve Dalasis.

He disclosed that they are having challenges with their customers, saying that people are not happy with the new price.

There have been loud calls for government and stakeholders in the baking industry to find a lasting solution to the situation because the survival of many people in the country depends on bread.

By Sainabou Sambou

Information Minister, Lamin Queen Jammeh, has said government is not in support of the recent increase in bread price by the Bakers Association.

Mr. Jammeh, in an interview with King FM on 31^st May 2022, said that he had spoken with the Minister of Trade Seedy Kieta on the said increase in the price of bread. The Information Minister disclosed that the Trade Minister told him that he previously had a discussion with the Bakers Association.

According to Mr. Jammeh, the Trade Minister reiterated that he spoke with the President of the Bakers Association prevailing on them to reduce the current cost of Twelve Dalasis to its previous price of Ten Dalasis.

“The bakers increasing the price of bread is not in the agreement we had with them,” he said.

He noted that the Trade Minister told him his Ministry is not in support of the increment.

Mr. Jammeh added that the bakers have broken their agreement with the government.

He maintained that it doesn’t mean government is lazy to take action, adding that The Gambia is a democratic State and hence government’s intervention should be fair and democratic.

He further stated that the government will continue its discussion with the Bakers Association.

“Last Tuesday, when I was at West Coast Radio for an interview on the “Coffee Time” program with Peter Gomez, I told the people that the Trade Minister is not in the country. Peter Gomez however called him on the program via phone. Minister Keita said on air that the government didn’t agree with the Bakers Association to increase the price of bread,” Information Minister explained.

Bread is a main component of diet in The Gambia. A good number of the country’s population is sustained by it. Few months ago, the price of bread increased from Seven Dalasis to Ten Dalasis.

By: Musa Saidykhan

May 25th 2022 opened a memorable chapter in my life – a day I received one of the biggest shocks of my life. I am still struggling to cope with the passing of Alhagie Ebrima Bah (Mamakoto) in Bakau. I have already started missing the Gambia’s Sea of Knowledge. He may be gone but his legacy cannot be erased.

I had religiously followed Mamakoto’s Menyanta flagship program on Radio Gambia for so many years before Burama Sanneh (Fabou) made the connection between me and the Legend in 2014. Both myself and Fabou wanted to tap into Mamakoto’s God-gifted Hikma (Wisdom) and allegory laden guidance to better prepare Gambians for the challenges of a post-Jammeh era. His unquestionable knowledge, wealth of experience, eloquence, unique conversation style and delivery skills were needed.

My respect for Mamakoto doubled when he referred me to his sons first before we launched Menyanta on Kairo Radio. His words still sounded in my brain: “I’m an old man who doesn’t want to do anything that may inconvenience my children. I cannot run away from national calling either but I will be more than happy if you can talk to my sons: Omar, Muntaha and Kaw. I am at their disposal.”

My discussions with Mamakoto’s well cultured sons opened the doors of not only Menyanta but my acceptance into the Bah family. I must thank Fabou Sanneh for being a vital link in Vancouver city in Washington State.

The presence of Mamakoto on our team was like Manna From Heaven, so to speak. We would later delve into everything Gambian, including discussing uncharted social issues. Our goal was to help shape a Gambia where diverse people live in peace and tranquility. Kairo Radio will keep Mamakoto’s legacy alive by sharing all Menyanta programs on YouTube.

Mamakoto still remained glued to me, Imam Ceesay, Yaya Dampha and Kemo Barrow even after the Menyanta program ceased to run on Kairo Radio. He joked with us nicknaming Dampha Sulu (wolf). He had widened my connections and wanted us to talk at least three times a week. “I know you are a very busy man but you need to spare time for your father,” he repeatedly told me. Our bond became so strong that brother Kaw would sometimes open communication lines between us saying, “Baba miss your communication Mr. Saidykhan. I will be grateful if you can talk to him. For some reason, he feels happy to talk to you.” The death of his wife of 57 years on August 24th 2019 wasn’t easy for Mamakoto. I would frequently call to initiate discussion on topics of his interest. He never ceased to inspire me with his unshakable faith, daily reading of Quran and contentment. “Never forget to give praise and thanks to Allah,” was his advice. I had never regretted a minute’s chat with Mamakoto.

I had been regularly talking to Mamakoto until early March 2022 when his health started failing. He had repeatedly said, “aging is a reality and that I have no complaint against Allah.” At some point I was convinced the old man had given me a clue that his days were numbered.

Our thrice weekly calls were trimmed to one. Kaw’s March 29th missed call at 3 am was more than alarming. He quickly left a message assuring that “you don’t have to panic. Baba is fine, although he is not doing well. As a matter of fact, we are traveling to the Gambia so Baba can rest.”

I spoke to an upbeat Mamakoto twice before he left Vancouver. Our short conversation was riddled with an assuring statement. “Don’t panic because I’m in the hands of Allah, the best of Creators. Whatever Allah decrees is the best,” he said. My worries soon faded.

Through Kaw’s help I spoke to Mamakoto in the Gambia twice before he passed on. Never a single time had he manifested signs of despair in our last conversations. He was highly spirited throughout. I kept praying for my mentor, counselor and go-to person. I am naturally a very emotional person whose body communicates sadness ahead of time. My whole body became stiff hours before Mamakoto’s death was announced. I woke up from sleep and found Kaw’s missed call. I became alarmed and sensed that Baba was gone. A tribute audio message from Imam Ceesay and a call from Kaw both confirmed Baba’s death. Kaw said that “Baba passed on and because of your close relationship with him, I have called to inform you before the news goes public.” I am and will remain grateful to Mamakoto and his family.

Mamakoto was a symbol of an exceptional Gambian who had his people’s interest at heart. “I believe I love the Gambia more than any other person,” Mamakoto proudly repeated.

Mamakoto had throughout been at the forefront of everything worthwhile: religion, culture and humanitarian affairs. The icon had selflessly served his nation without expecting anything in return. All he wanted was to see a Better Gambia where people bridge their differences through meaningful dialogue rather than throwing fists. Mamakoto’s weekly Menyanta program, which premiered on Radio Gambia decades ago, taught and advocated positive cultural practices, values and mastery of Mandinka language. Menyanta, a must-listened to program which attracted listeners from across the Gambia and beyond, became so popular that it had won the next day rebroadcast rights.

Born a Fula in Georgia Town (now Jan Jan Bureh) in the Central River Region, Mamakoto had a smattering of English but spoke Wolof, Fula and Mandinka fluently. He was admired by Gambians of all tribes.

A founder member of both Gambia Islamic Union and Gambia Supreme Islam Council would not complete a conversation without preaching the benefits of being a pious Muslim. He advised people to embrace their identities: nationality, culture, religion and language. Mamakoto had championed a campaign for Gambians in the diaspora to speak to their kids in their mother tongue.

With enthusiasm and uncontested energy, he conducts weekly and fortnightly Menyanta programs on both Gambian Talents Promotion and Kairo Radio, respectively. His goal was to “help the country heal its 22 years of dictatorship wounds. It’s incumbent on those who live longer to help guide Gambians to get back to normal life,” he would say. He cautioned against fermenting seeds of discord, hatred and tribal animosity.

Mamakoto was revered by many for being Truthful and Encyclopedia for a society that has, for far too long, been searching for Wisdom, Knowledge and meanings behind unexplained stories. The Maverick with an appetite to learn was good at dissecting complex social issues, and in the process, healed unhealed wounds. “My secret,” he often said, “lies with being the backbencher; I don’t compete for anything. Wisdom lies in waiting for your turn.”

Mamakoto’s selfless services were recognized by the Gambian Talents Promotion. He was conferred Gambia Pride Award 2017 on Alhagie Ebrima Bah. Mamakoto spent over 92 years on earth serving humanity with humility, compassion and sincerity.

I extend Kairo Radio’s heart-felt condolences to the Bah family and pray for the Noble Soul of Mamakoto to rest in Janatul Firdaus.

Musa Saidykhan

Grand Rapids, Michigan

United States