The ministry of health has issued a very strong warning to the country’s nurses have been at war with the ministry over their allowances.

The nurses have vowed to begin a sit-down strike today but the ministry scrambled last night asking the nurses to report to work.

A statement said: “The Ministry of Health wishes to inform the Nurses and Midwives Association that the payment of the approved allowances by the Ministry of Health has already started and is in progress. The Central Bank has been posting the payments to individual staff bank accounts. Some nurses have already confirmed receiving their payments. The hospitals submitted their list only yesterday (30th August 2021) and are being processed for immediate payment. The Ministry of Health therefore sees no reason for the nurses to go on strike.

“All staff are expected to be at their duty station tomorrow and on time. Failure to report to work will be considered as absenteeism and will be dealt with according to the stipulated laws.

“The Regional Health Directors, Heads of Health Institutions, and all Heads of Units are requested to take a register of those who are deliberately absent from work for action.

“The full wrath of the regulations will be prescribed for those not in their duty post effective 1st September 2021.

“Henceforth, we urge all nurses to be at work tomorrow and on time as dictated by their respective duty rosters.

“The Ministry of Health is soliciting the continuous support and cooperation of the public in its efforts to continue to provide timely health services to all. In the light of the prevailing circumstances, the public is encouraged to exercise restrain while visiting health facilities.”

President Adama Barrow today inaugurated the new University of The Gambia (UTG) Governing Council at a ceremony held at the State House in Banjul.

He tasked the new Council to transform the UTG into a national institution dedicated to the nation’s social, economic and cultural development, State House said.

A statement added: “President Barrow stated that the University of The Gambia has the privilege to spearhead developing the country’s human capital. He encouraged the Council to reevaluate the university’s curriculum to align with the country’s development needs.

“Emphasising the importance of Human Resource Development, President Barrow said that the growth of the country’s capacity lies in the effective use of its human capital. He prioritises human resource development, saying that ‘the quality of a nation’s human resource sets the basis to preserve life, maintain peace and ensure inter-generational links, cohesion and continuity’. He tasked the Council to appoint a Vice-Chancellor by the end of October and sign performance contracts for all the deans to ensure quality performance and delivery.

“As the Chancellor of the University of The Gambia, President Barrow renewed his support to the Governing Council and the UTG as they work towards attaining the National development objectives.”

APRC supporter Alhagie Sanyang has alleged APRC deputy interim leader Ousman Rambo Jatta gave a bribe of D30,000 to him for him to join a campaign of destroying rebelling supporter MA Bah.

In a video on Tuesday that has gone viral, Mr Sanyang alleged: “Rambo Jatta called me by 9pm. He pulled up at Lamin at the Jah Oil. He said he wanted to see me. He said he was at the Jah Oil. But before that someone else called me and said he wanted to see me. Rambo called me again and told me it was him calling, that I should come to Lamin Jah Oil.

“When I got there, Rambo told me I was close to MA Bah and Honourable Jerreh Sanyang and I am influential in politics. He told me politics is all about interest, that Jammeh that we are supporting and shouting for will never step foot in Gambia. He told me Jammeh the reason Jammeh did not talk is that he is sick. He said they will give me one million dalasis.

“He told me for me to be convinced, he would give me D30,000 and this is the D30,000. He said I am the only one who can destroy MA Bah, he also said I am the one who call destroy Hon Jerrehding Sanyang.”

Rambo Jatta did not pick calls for comment, even after an aide was on one occasion asked to pass the message to him. He also did not respond to a text message for comment.

The Gambia Armed Forces has issued a statement saying it is engaged in frantic efforts to pay retirees amid reports of a planned protest by aggrieved ex-personnel.

In a statement on Tuesday, the military said: “The general public could recall an online publication by Freedom Newspaper on 21 August 2021 reporting a planned protest on 23 August 2021 by some retired soldiers of Intake 30 of The Gambia Armed Forces (GAF) regarding pending payments of their retirement benefits including gratuity. Given the sensitivity of the matter, GAF High Command would like to make some clarifications on the situation surrounding the planned demonstrations by the affected soldiers.

“Firstly, it is instructive to note that GAF like most armed forces the world over is not a conscript armed forces and hence its membership is voluntary. In other words, the enlistment of eligible personnel for military services is done voluntarily for a fixed term of service at the end of which they may opt to re-engage or voluntarily discharge. This is in line with established administrative procedure and regulations as succinctly contained in the Gambia Armed Forces Terms and Conditions of Service (TACOS) 1993. Furthermore, it is essential to inform the public that out of a total number of 1500 soldiers that constitute Intake 30, 135 of them representing approximately 9 (nine) percent of the total strength of the Intake, applied for voluntary discharge upon expiration of their term of engagement (12 years). Consequently, all of them were granted approval in accordance with the relevant provisions of the TACOS.

“As a regulation and a normal military practice, GAF was required to give in writing a 3 month notification in advance to each and every member of the armed forces once their term of service comes close to the end. This is done in order to allow adequate time for them to make informed decisions on whether or not to re-engage in military service. As a result, and upon completion of their term of service, some of the soldiers voluntarily discharged whilst others opted to re-engage in line with the set service terms and conditions of the Gambia Armed Forces. However, barely two months later some soldiers who after re-engagement, decided to change their decisions and opted to be discharged instead citing compassionate grounds as the main reason for such late decision.

“This decision by these soldiers meant that the Defence Headquarters needed to start working on administrative/financial procedures to ensure that all their dues are paid to them and on time. Consequently, all the personal files of these discharged soldiers were compiled for processing of such benefits and refunds.

“The processes amongst others involved completion of discharge forms including Widows Orphans Pension Scheme which were sent to the Personnel Management Office for similar processes.

“Perhaps it is instructive to state that the processing of retirement benefits and refunds for public servants including members of the Armed Forces requires diligent bureaucratic process which cannot be circumvented. Besides, the process also involves the participation of various government institutions and functionaries at different levels and times. Equally, the output of one institution becomes the input for the other which makes the possibility of processing all these benefits simultaneously very remote. In this particular situation, the main stakeholders include Retirees, Defence Headquarters Finance Directorate, Personnel Management Office, Internal Audit Directorate, Accountant General’s Office, National Audit Office, Central Bank of The Gambia, and personal bank of the beneficiary. It can be deduced that the entire process is characterised by thoroughness and transparency.

“It is worthy to further clarify that the seeming delay in the payment of benefits and other entitlements to some soldiers is as a result of their voluntary discharge few months after having re-engaged for a new term. Hence, naturally and in line with due process and procedure, they could not be paid at the same time as their colleagues who discharged earlier than them. The GAF wishes to inform the general public and the affected soldiers that as of today, 80 percent of the retired soldiers have been paid their full benefits whilst the payments for the remaining 20 percent are being processed to be paid as soon as possible.

“Currently, frantic efforts are being made by GAF and the relevant stakeholders to ensure that the affected retirees are paid their entitlements without further delay. Meanwhile, GAF wishes to reassure the public that it is concerned and committed to satisfying the welfare of its members including retirees as a priority and assures all Gambians of this commitment at all times when and where necessary. Furthermore, the public is also assured of GAF’s determination to maintaining the existing peace and security in the country. Meanwhile, GAF wishes to reiterate its open door policy in engaging all and sundry on matters of security that is of concern to all. We seek the cooperation of all in this regard.”

By AP

At least 29 Africans, including seven girls, died last week while trying to reach Spain’s Canary Islands on a smuggling boat, according to information released Monday from a U.N. migration agency, a Spanish refugee charity and victims’ relatives.

Spanish maritime services on Friday rescued 27 migrants and recovered four bodies in the boat that was spotted by a fishing vessel 500 kilometers south of El Hierro, an island in the Canary archipelago off northwest Africa.

But at least 24 more people were on the boat when it left August 15 from Dakhla, a port city in the disputed Western Sahara, said Helena Maleno, founder of the Walking Borders refugee group.

Maleno’s organization came up with the figure after conducting extensive interviews with relatives looking for their loved ones. She said only one of the eight children traveling on the boat survived but the girl lost her mother during the trip.

“We are seeing more and more women on these routes, heading to sea with migrants themselves who have little or no experience with navigation and are given the task to be in charge of the boats by the trafficking networks,” Maleno told The Associated Press.

She said many of the women are fleeing conflict, trafficking, rape, genital mutilation and other abuses but often face even more violence during their efforts to reach Europe.

“Many become pregnant and they are trying to cross with their very young children,” said Maleno.

According to the testimony of survivors, the remains of those who died during the journey were thrown overboard by fellow travelers, the U.N.’s International Organization for Migration, or IOM, said.

The agency said it had been informed by Canary Islands authorities of 29 total casualties, including a woman from Cote d’Ivoire who was rescued but died upon arrival at the port of Arguineguin.

The voyage, often on small, frail boats, from Africa to the Canary Islands is one of the deadliest migration routes for those attempting to reach Europe. The IOM has recorded 529 deaths this year on that route but said the number is “an undercount of the true number of deaths and disappearances on this route.”

GDC’s Lawyer Assan Martin has said UDP and NPP are one and the same s both were given the chance to manage the affairs of state only for them to fail to deliver.

Martin earlier this month announced that him and his team will be backing Mamma Kandeh in the December presidential election.

The former aspirant mayoral candidate for KM told The Fatu Network exclusively: “GDC is the best alternative to the two parties… I used to say the Yumpung and Yampang. They are yumpung and yampang. They are 6 and 9, none of them is delivering. One you turn it this way, the other one you turn it this way, it’s the same.

“So in essence, we have not seen anything that has changed for this country. Go back to all the reforms, all the mandates that were put on both of them, nothing has been delivered. So Gambians now it’s up to them… What I’m going to appeal to you is: use your common sense.”

Government spokesperson Ebrima Sankareh has issued a statement saying erroneous news was being circulated about the nation’s nurses.

Nurses have been striking over government’s inability to pay their allowances and the lack of improved working conditions.

But Sankareh in a statement on Monday evening said: “Contrary to erroneous news being widely circulated, the Ministry of Health wishes to inform citizens that it has been working tirelessly to provide allowances for its hardworking nurses nationwide. The allowance payment to the nurses is part of the initiatives of the Ministry of Health. These allowances are currently being processed to be sent to their individual accounts.

“Therefore, the Ministry urges the general body of nurses to go ahead with their normal duties of providing healthcare services to the people of this country. The allowance issue has been resolved.

“We wish to inform the public to be calm and that The Health Minister will convene a press conference tomorrow, Tuesday the 31st August, 2021 at 14:30 GMT to furnish the public with details.”

Mai Fatty has challenged his compatriots leaders to a debate on record of personal service and sacrifice to The Gambia.

Mr Fatty made the challenge on Monday afternoon.

He said: “I am proud to state that I have long committed my life to the service of my people since my teen days, when most of my contemporaries were still trying to find their bearing. My baptism started from high school classroom straight to jail, for defending the rights of the poor. As a Lawyer, I devoted most of my practice to liberating political detainees & falsely accused persons from prison for zero Dalasi, and for defending the human rights of Gambians in the law courts. I took a Lead role in the liberation of my people from tyranny, and remained on the vanguard until the final victory. Together, we made history. No one will ever ask where was I, when The Gambia gravely needed her brave sons and daughters to liberate the Nation.

“I am not a politician of opportunism or convenience. My record has been consistent and a glorious one. My commitment to The Gambia is a matter of international public acknowledgment. The scars I carry are the proudest Badge of Honour of my selfless & unconditional sacrifice for my people. I am battle tested over the years, and integrity proven. That is my greatest satisfaction. That is the success worthy to be proud of. That is the Gambian success we must now consolidate, in the collective interests of all our peoples; a society where inclusion, justice and equity are the hallmarks of social progression.

“Lastly, I am ready to publicly debate those who present themselves as the new solutions to our country on one SPECIFIC issue: record of personal service and sacrifice to our country, during the period when The Gambia in her most dire needs, was crying out loud with tears and blood for salvation. Who among them has the audacity to accept this public challenge???”

Dr Ismaila Ceesay has expressed gratitude to the people of Sukuta for the huge show of support shown to him on Sunday.

Dr Ceesay and his Citizens’ Alliance chieftains were in Sukuta on Sunday as part of their tour of the country.

And reacting to the show of support, Dr Ceesay said: “The reception was amazing; the love was unmatched; the support overwhelming. The people of Sukuta Sabiji just made a strong political statement. We thank the people of Sukuta for the warm welcome.

“We equally thank the Citizens’ Alliance Sukuta Committee for the effective mobilization. As the 2021 election gets closer, we are more than hopeful that Gambians will vote For the party that will bring a transformative and inclusive development.”

Music superstar Jaliba Kuyateh has laughed at reports he has joined President Adama Barrow’s National People’s Party.

A photo emerged online on Sunday showing Jaliba and a group of citizens meeting President Barrow. Some people have called him a hypocrite.

But Jaliba told The Fatu Network: “They have a group called Barrow sisters and they invited me to come with them. Their address is me as they live on Jaliba street. This is how I came to be part of them.

“Some people were talking to me here about it but I told them they should form UDP sisters and see if I will not go with them to Darboe if they live on Jaliba street.”

The ministry of health has said no individual will be allowed to physically go to the National Public Health Laboratory for Covi certificate collection following the launch of an online portal that enables travellers leaving The Gambia access their certified test results.

“…the Ministry of Health hereby inform the public that, effective 1st September 2021, no certificate will be printed or issued at the National Public Health Laboratory. Travellers CAN ONLY access their certificates via the online portal available at https://results.moh.gm. No individual will be allowed to physically come to the complex for certificate collection,” the ministry in a statement Monday said.

It added: “Intending travellers are reminded that they are required to pay the test fee of two thousand five hundred dalasi (D2,500.00) at the Eco Bank The Gambia Ltd, before sample is collected at any of the two designated sites (Independence Stadium and around Brusubi turn table).

“Every traveller MUST present proof of payment (receipt) at sample collection site, before his or her required bio/personal data for the electronic transmission is recorded. The traveller will be required to enter both COVID-19 ID and phone number used during registration and sample collection in order to download their test certificate. In this regard all travellers are requested to provide a valid phone number during the registration process as it will be required to retrieve a valid test certificate.

“The results will be available from 24 to 48 hours after sample collection and only available to travellers who had returned a Negative test result. All printed/downloaded certificates will be subjected to verification at the Airport by airline officials and health authorities.”

Essa Faal has said he will make it a crusade to ensure justice for victims of former President Yahya Jammeh’s rule.

Mr Faal stated this last Friday while announcing that he will run for president in the December presidential election.

He said: “There is one very important issue that is very dear to my heart. For 22 years, from 1994 to 2017, Gambians suffered. There are too many victims.

“I would make it a crusade to ensure justice for the victims. I know it would come with a price but justice would be done.”

By CGTN Africa

Sierra Leone kicked off its national polio immunization campaign in a bid to protect an estimated 520,000 children under five years of age using the novel Oral Polio vaccine.

According to a statement from the World Health Organization (WHO), the campaign will run for four days and will be implemented by national and district teams and frontline health workers that will go house to house in three districts.

Between December 2020 and June 2021, the country experienced an outbreak of the circulating Vaccine Derived Poliovirus type two or cVDPV2 with a total of 34 confirmed cases in children recorded in the country.

The outbreak has been attributed to decline in routine vaccination services largely due to the COVID-19 pandemic which also resulted in the decline in population immunity.

A coordinated response to the outbreak has led the government and its health sector partners to plan and implement nationwide response interventions including two nation-wide supplementary immunization campaigns in May and July respectively. The campaigns aimed to immunize all eligible children to interrupt transmission of the virus.

“Such exposure to the risk of infection is avoidable if herd immunity is achieved by ensuring improved vaccination coverage of the target population”, says Dr. Steven V. Shongwe, WHO Representative in Sierra Leone.

Polio is a debilitating and potentially fatal disease. The virus is highly infectious and has no cure once it affects an individual and can lead to paralysis or even death. Young children are the most vulnerable. However, the disease is totally preventable with safe and effective vaccines, which if given multiple times can protect a child for life.

“Vaccination is one of the primary strategies that has contributed to the gains the world has made in the fight against polio. Collective effort by everyone can keep all children safe from the effects of the disease and can make eradication possible in our life time” Dr. Shongwe stated.

In August 2020, Africa was certified wild polio free after more than three years of no confirmed case on the continent. However, outbreaks of cVDPV continue to spread in many countries on the continent and other parts of the world.

Police have announced their Special Investigations Unit currently have in their custody Mam Tut Wadda of Banjulinding.

Police alleged in their statement Monday: “The alleged suspect has been mentioned in series of cases on pretext that she was going to procure, facilitate or secure an American Visa for prospective Gambian Artist who wish to display their talent outside the Gambia to travel to America.

“The suspect operates in a unique and stylist way of deceit. She normally lures her victims into believing that she was in America with her parents, but decided to returned home to give back to her country by helping young people to travel to America; especially the Music Industry.

“Accordingly, the suspect normally collects her victims’ passport, two (2) passport size photos, and demand for a payment of certain amount ranging from D20, 000.00 to D200, 000.00 in order to start the Visa application process with the U.S Embassy in Banjul.

“At some instances, she would schedule purported interviews with the victims, and also issued fictitious congratulatory letters on their successful Visa application on the notion that same was issued by the U.S Embassy.

“The general public is hereby informed that victims of Mam Tut Wadda can visit the Special Investigations Unit at the Police Headquarters in Banjul to lodge their complaints.”

UDP leader Ousainou Darboe has expressed disappointment over the cancellation of the Scorpions’ training camp in Comoros.

The Scorpions were scheduled to take part in the international break but lack of money has disallowed it.

Darboe said in a tweet on Monday: “I’ve learnt with disappointment the government’s decision to cancel the Scorpions training camp in Comoros. It shows their lack of interest in sports development.

“A UDP government will ensure the team’;s smooth campaign in AFCON and invest in sports to bridge the unemployment gap.”

The secretary general of the National People’s Party youth wing Kebba Lang Fofana has stated that the majority of the youth of The Gambia are ready to re-elect President Adama Barrow.

“I am delighted to announce with clarity that majority of the youth of this country are 100% ready to re-elect His Excellency President Barrow , party leader and Secretary General of NPP as President of The Gambia come December 04th presidential election. With no doubt His Excellency Adama Barrow have proven to be a unifying leader, peaceful, respectful and above all upholds the cardinal principles of democracy and freedom of speech and expression,” Mr Fofana said on Friday as thousands of youth gathered at the Arch in Banjul to show their support to President Barrow.

Mr Fofana said elsewhere in his speech: “Without further ado, the youth slogan today reads as follows “I AM A YOUTH, I HAVE DECIDED TO VOTE FOR PRESIDENT BARROW FOR CONTINUED DEVELOPMENT”

“And InShAllah we will win with an unprecedented landslide victory as manifested in the Niamina West and Kerr Jarga by Elections.”

A Gambian has died in Guinea Bissau, the Gambian embassy in Bissau said on Sunday.

In a statement, the embassy said: “Death had strike again in Bissau. A young Gambian Alagie Secka living in Kachunku had a fatal accident today with his motorbike and later died on the way before reaching Bissau while he was been transported with an ambulance.

“Alagie Secka is resident in Sambuya but originally hailed from Badidu around Njaba kunda. The Embassy is in contact with his people in The Gambia for any possible arrangements.

“The villagers described Alagie as very hardworking and religious. May his soul rest in perfect peace and Janatul Firdaws be his final abode.”

Essa Faal has said Gambians will find that he is the best candidate to lead The Gambia given his CV.

The famous lawyer made the bold claim while parleying with the members of the media on Friday where he announced his intention to run for president.

The deep-pocketed lawyer said: “I am certain that the Gambian people will now reject the politics of Badinya fasa and the politics of mbokanise. I do want to believe that Gambians would now make a choice and would choose knowledge over ignorance, integrity over dishonesty, pragmatism over dogmatism and idealism, experience over neophyte and excellence over mediocrity. Fellow Gambians, I am convinced that with these basic tests, you will find that I am the best candidate to lead this country. It’s no bragging. My CV speaks for itself.

“I do not intend to diminish the qualities or capabilities of any of my fellow contenders, I hold all of them to the highest regard, I give them all maximum respect. But that said, I believe that I am second to none. I have a track record of success in everything that I do. I have worked as the principal or the chief law writer in this country at some stage. I have worked in diplomacy at the highest levels. I can say that I am one of the few Gambians who worked at the United Nations Security Council and the only [one] who can boast of having written several United Nations Security Council resolutions, some of which were adopted unanimously.

“I have worked for the United Nations in East Timor as a judicial affairs officer doing policy work for the setting up of the judiciary and I have worked there as a prosecutor at the same time for both ordinary crime and serious crimes. In fact I was the only person there who worked in three offices all at the same time. And at age 33, I became deputy general prosecutor for the United Nations serious crimes unit in East Timor. For many it may not amount to much but I tell you it was so impressive the Washington Post had to do an interview of me and put a photograph of me, one of the few Gambians who have ever had that honor and privilege.”