By: Michaella Faith Wright

Annette Camara, President of the Women Journalists Association of The Gambia (WoJAG), has raised concerns about the challenges faced by female journalists in the country. Speaking at a panel discussion, Camara emphasized the need for more women in leadership roles within the media industry and beyond.

Camara highlighted that there are very few female editors in the Gambian media, despite many women having received the same training as their male counterparts. “We only have a few women in leadership positions within the profession,” she said. “Even in government, there are few female representatives, especially when it comes to decision-making in parliament.”

She further stressed that discrimination and harassment are ongoing issues affecting female journalists, often leading to emotional trauma. “These challenges hinder women’s progress and affect their mental well-being,” Camara explained.

Addressing the topic of volunteering in journalism, Camara encouraged aspiring journalists to embrace volunteering as a learning process. “When you volunteer, let it be worth your time,” she said. “It is a process of learning, and if done with passion and consistency, it can help you become someone great in the field.”

She urged female journalists to focus on acquiring skills, stating that dedication and perseverance can pave the way for leadership roles such as producers and chief editors. “We want to change the narrative,” Camara added. “We need more female leaders and journalists taking on leadership roles.”

Camara concluded by encouraging journalists to be consistent and passionate in their work. “Don’t focus on what you will gain immediately,” she advised. “It’s about learning, and in the end, you’ll have something to be proud of.”

By Dawda Baldeh

Former Banjul City Council member Momodou Camara and 27 staff members have been placed on administrative leave by the Local Government Service Commission due to financial concerns raised in a recent audit report.

In a statement obtained by The Fatu Network medium, the Ministry of Lands, and Local Government has written to the Inspector General of Police and copied the Local Government Service Commission seeking immediate investigation into the matter.

The implicated officers have also been ordered to hand over their responsibilities.

“The commission has decided to send Momodou Camara, the Finance Director at your council (currently in Brikama) has been adversely mentioned in the audit report and be placed on administrative leave without fail,” the statement said.

Mr. Camara was implicated in the Audit Findings of the BCC financial year from 31st December 2021 to 31st December 2022 as well as the EU-Banjul Ostende project from 1st January 2020 to 31st April 2024 respectively.

He is also placed on half salary pending investigations.

Meanwhile, the 27 other staff currently at the Banjul City Council have also been suspended from work and ordered to hand over their responsibilities to their deputies.

The implicated staff are Muhammed Cham – Finance/Project Manager, Katim Touray – Director of Planning & Development, Abdoulie J. Corr – Audit Manager, Essaha Sowe – Senior Procurement Officer, Adama Faye – Admin Secretary, Ousman Jobe – City Link Coordinator, Macoumba Sanneh – Council Adviser, Mustapha A. B. E. Sarr – Trade License Collector, Fatou Mbenga – Assistant PRO, Assan Jallow – Auditor, Oumie Darboe – Receiving Cashier, Kaddijatou Penn – Finance Officer, Marget B Samba – Protocol Officer, Alagie Njie – Market Collector, Maimuna Touray – Market Collector, Fatou Joof – Market Collector, Jorjoh Sagnia – Market Collector, Jalika Manneh – Market Collector, Amie Sallah – Market Collector, Ndey Ida Gaye – Market Collector, Oumie Darboe – Main Receiving Cashier, Sarjo Jammeh – IT Officer, Annette Camara  – Visibility/Communications Officer, Mbugouma Ismaila Jeng – Field Supervisor, Ousman Jobe – Coordinator EU Project, Momodou Kalleh – Field Supervisor and Timothy Secka – Electrician.

All these staff members have been placed on half salary pending the outcome of the investigation.

According to the commission, the next step will be determined by the outcome of the investigation.

Reacting to the massive suspension, an insider at BCC told this medium that the decision will significantly impact the world of the council.

“I don’t understand why this is happening because there are so many issues that happened in other councils, but their staff were not sent on administrative leave,” the insider said.

By Alieu Jallow

Residents of Kudang Mayo are currently battling with an unprecedented crisis as rising sea levels and increasingly erratic rainfall patterns converge, inundating homes and threatening families’ livelihoods.

According to residents, the last torrential rains coupled with high tides transformed the village into a waterlogged landscape, leaving many residents grappling with the aftermaths.

Abdourahman Sarr, the village Alkalo, said for seven consecutive days, a place to sleep has proven unavailable following the invasion of their mud houses by the waters from the sea and rains.

Sarr noted that this was the first time in the history of the village for such an incident to strike the village, thus seeking support from individuals as they lost all their livelihood.

“We are seeking support from all and sundry because this incident left us with nothing to feed on as all our foodstuffs are being submerged in the water and access to mainland Kundang is inaccessible,” he pleads.

Abou Gai, another resident, said the flooding in Kudang Mayo has not only destroyed property but also disrupted the livelihoods of its residents.

“Even a place to cook is difficult, and as it is, we don’t know when this will stop because the water is increasing by day even after days counting,” he said.

Sallah Camara, a nursing mother, outlines that they are very much concerned with their children’s, whim if they contract skin diseases due to the waterlog as their playing grounds.

“Someone of people and children have started developing skin diseases on their legs and some of the houses are on the verge of collapsing so we need your support,” she stated.

The Kundang Mayo village, with over a thousand people, is demonstrating resilience in the face of adversity despite immense challenges. However, their daily struggles continue as access to inland Kundang and school for their children proves futile; however, the village is calling on the government, individuals and philanthropists to look into their plight.

By Mama A. Touray

In an exclusive interview with The Fatu Network, Fatounatta Jammeh, the trailblazing CEO of Chefab Car Wash, shared her inspiring journey as a car wash operator on the Bijilo highway. Amidst the challenges of navigating a male-dominated industry, she passionately expressed her vision for expanding her business, aiming to establish more branches throughout the country. With a focus on creating employment opportunities for young people, Jammeh is committed to empowering the next generation and making a meaningful impact in her country.

“I want Chefab Car Wash to have as many branches as possible across the country and employ young people, especially women,” she told TFN.

Speaking to TFN about the Jammeh challenges she encountered while starting the business, Jammeh said: “We all know that the starting of a business is always difficult, especially when it comes to having employees in jobs like car wash. When I started, people would come and go because customers are not many at the start and money is not coming in as well and maintaining them is usually hard without pay”.

Jammeh, while pleased with the construction of the new OIC road, laments its impact on her business. Previously, customers could easily turn into her shop, but now they must drive to the Bijilo junction to access it.

“When customers wish to visit, they call me expressing their desire to come to my shop but mention that the road is now too far. Regular customers, who would typically reach Kasumai junction and then proceed to my shop, are finding that the construction of the new road has significantly impacted my business,” she explained.

Meanwhile, Jammeh sheds light on the origin of her idea to become a car wash operator.

“My inspiration came about after watching a video of a Nigerian woman on YouTube who was doing a car wash, and then I said to myself if this Nigerian woman can do a car wash job why not I also try to be the first lady in the Gambia to do a car wash. That was how I started, but did [I] not attend any professional classes. I just watched videos on YouTube about the job then I ventured into it”.

Jammeh described her approach to dealing with the stereotypes associated with women entering male-dominated fields: “The mentality that a Gambian has is that car wash is meant for men only, so I was well prepared mentally, emotionally and physically to see to it that I do this work despite all what they have to say”.

Chefab Car Wash, established on October 9, 2023, provides a range of services including carpet cleaning, home service, and office cleaning.

By Dawda Baldeh

The Gambia Ports Authority (GPA) management recently conducted a day-long media sensitisation regarding the government’s agreement with the Albayrak Group to expand the Banjul port and construct a new deep-sea port in Sanyang.

This engagement followed widespread concerns about transparency and proper vetting of the contract, prompting the GPA to involve the media and provide detailed information from the consultation phase to the final contract awarding.

During the meeting, attended by media leaders and senior journalists at a local hotel in Kololi, GPA management presented several initiatives related to the concession and delivered a thorough presentation of the project.

This media engagement marked the third in a series following meetings with staff and National Assembly Members. The day-long session served as a platform to offer a detailed understanding of the concession agreement, its objectives, benefits, and expected outcomes, among other aspects.

Project benefits include infrastructure development, economic growth, and job creation.
GPA Managing Director, Ousman Jobarteh, emphasized the media’s role in sharing accurate information about the concession agreement.

Jobarteh noted that port privatization has demonstrated greater efficiency and mentioned that the need for infrastructural development at the port has been a long-standing issue identified over two decades ago.

“Your participation in this project is vital for informing the public,” he told journalists, adding that the project holds significant economic advantages for the country.

He further revealed that the bidding process involved over ten international bidders, including local participants, with seven shortlisted and only three advancing to the final stage, where Albayrak emerged as the most suitable bidder with complete funding and a comprehensive proposal.

“This project will greatly benefit the country, enhancing both economic growth and infrastructure. The Albayrak Group will cover the entire funding, while the government will retain a 20% share,” he stated.

Mr Jobarteh pointed out that the Banjul port has experienced severe congestion over the years, which has notably impacted vessel flow as they spend extended periods in Banjul.

He mentioned that this situation has led many vessels to divert to other countries. He added: “With Albayrak’s involvement, this issue will be resolved, allowing the Banjul port to remain competitive.”

Additionally, Jobarteh addressed staff welfare concerns, stating that the contract was negotiated to ensure a win-win situation and that all staff would be retained.

“The port of Banjul has been overwhelmed by traffic growth to the point that the facility cannot handle the increased volume, resulting in congestion,” he explained.

Jobarteh elaborated on the rationale behind this public-private partnership, emphasizing that it serves the country’s interests. Journalists were also given the chance to pose questions and seek further clarifications regarding the concession agreement, which GPA management addressed.

Lamin Cham, the Editor-in-Chief of the Standard Newspaper, inquired about how port congestion impacts market price increases and commended the GPA for the initiative.
In response, Mr Jobarteh stated: “If vessels are stranded at sea, they incur additional fees charged to importers, which ultimately leads to these costs being reflected in the prices of goods and services, thus affecting the market.”

Jobarteh noted that a rigorous process was followed, and a comprehensive assessment was conducted prior to the contract award. “Performance is crucial here, and it is explicitly outlined in the contract. The government will oversee Albayrak’s performance,” he explained.

By Dawda Baldeh

In a move designed to help transform inmates into productive citizens, Kabboumb Academy and Gambia Prison Services (GPS) Wednesday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) focused on changing the lives of inmates through education and training.

The ceremony was characterized by a sense of hope and teamwork, with Abdoulie Bojang, the Academic Director and Founder of Kabboumb Academy, leading his committed team alongside Ansumana Manneh, the Director General of Gambia Prison Services.

This forward-thinking partnership is set to initiate a comprehensive educational and training program for prisons that will benefit both inmates and prison staff over the next five years.

The MOU details a commitment to offering a diverse array of educational programs, including web design and development, dental technology, legal and psychology courses, aluminium design and fabrication, graphic design, public policy, social work, community development, business development, innovation, and entrepreneurship, among others.

With programs available from certificate to postgraduate levels, this initiative aims to empower over 5,000 inmates, transforming them into self-sufficient and productive members of society.

The event was attended by distinguished officials from both Kabboumb Academy and Gambia Prison Services, who shared their excitement for this transformative project.

The prison authorities have already designated a specific structure and space to support these educational programs, ensuring that inmates have the necessary resources to succeed.

“This partnership is not solely focused on education; it’s about providing individuals with a second chance,” said Abdoulie Bojang the Academic Director of Kabboumb Academy.

“We believe that every individual has the potential to make a positive contribution to society, and through this initiative, we seek to equip them with the skills and knowledge required to flourish,” he added.

Director of Prison Ansumana Manneh reiterated these thoughts, highlighting the significance of rehabilitation and reintegration into society.

“By investing in education and training for our inmates, we are investing in a brighter future for our communities,” he remarked.

As the signing ceremony came to a close, the atmosphere was filled with hope and enthusiasm for what lies ahead.

This partnership between Kabboumb Academy and Gambia Prison Services represents a crucial advancement toward nurturing a culture of learning and development within the prison system, paving the way for a more inclusive and supportive society.

Officials said by signing the MoU they are sparking a movement that will inspire change, empower lives, and establish a legacy of hope for future generations.