CA leader Dr Ismaila Ceesay is a very successful man academically and he is now eyeing to be the president of The Gambia in December. But who is this man and what is his story?

Dr Ismaila Ceesay was just any less fortunate Gambian who worked his way to success. The 46-year-old appeared on Tonya Kesso on Saturday where he dived into his incredible journey to success.

Dr Ceesay sat in the ghetto in the mid-1990s after he failed to secure a spot in high school due to his underwhelming performance in the Common Entrance examination. Her mother, a teacher, later sent him to Sierra Leone where he managed to get high school education. In Sierra Leone, Dr Ceesay lived in the house of different people where he did all the house chores including cooking and washing clothes.

In the late 1995, Dr Ceesay got a visa to travel to Sweden.

“I looked for papers and got papers. I was working there but later the job wasn’t attractive to me. I said ‘let me go to England to look for a job’. I boarded a ship in Gothenburg and it took me to Harwich.

“When I got to Harwich, I went to stay in Watford. I looked for a job, cleaning job. I was cleaning offices at 4am in the morning. And then I go to my kitchen porter job, meaning washing dishes. I did that but the money was not much. I went to look for a labourer job at British Postal Service. When the trucks came, we were the ones loading and offloading the boxes,” he said.

Dr Ceesay then returned to Sweden after finding that job unattractive. In Sweden, he returned to his previous job in telecommunications regulation, He then started coming to Gambia on holiday.

He said: “I realised that working was benefitting just me in that I was saving my money and at the end of the year come on holiday in Gambia and return back to Sweden. I realised there was no progress in that, I wanted Gambia to be like Sweden. I asked and realised Sweden developed because of education.

“I then applied for Sweden University but they told me my papers are from Sierra Leone and they do not recognise such papers. I asked, they told me I have to return to high school, do three years there and then come back. I said I will not do that. Two weeks later, it was as if someone was telling me I should go and do that. I then went [to high school] and completed [the three years and got papers. I applied and they accepted me in political science at Stockholm University. I did the course in four years and completed.

“While there, I was also organising football tournaments there and I was the president of the Gambia association in Sweden. I then decided the knowledge is not enough. I went to Scotland to do my master’s there in African politics. I went to Scotland, did my master’s and completed it. I decided to return to Gambia to make my knowledge beneficial. I applied for the University of The Gambia and they took me and I started teaching there.

After teaching at UTG for three years, Dr Ceesay returned to Scotland to pursue his PhD. He was still teaching at UTG while pursuing his PhD. Last year, he quit UTG to venture into politics. He is now the leader of Citizens’ Alliance.

UDP leader Ousainou Darboe turned 73 on Sunday and Gambians have started sending compliments to the veteran politician. Mr Darboe was born on 8 August 1948 in Dobo.

GMC leader Mai Fatty posting a photo with Darboe thanked the UDP leader for his sacrifice for the country.

“Special compliments to Hon. A.N.M Ousainu Darboe, the Leader of the UDP. On this your auspicious Day, I pray for Allah’s Blessings, Guidance and Protection for you and your family. Ameen. Thank you for your sacrifice for our country,” Mr Fatty wrote.

Agriculture Minister Amie Fabureh has called on Gambians to vote for no other person than President Adama Barrow.

Speaking at a huge meeting in Jabang on Saturday where she accepted the invitation for the role of political Godmother, Mrs Fabureh said: “He (Barrow) is the leader who is ready to work. He has compassion for Gambians and if you look you will see the work he has done in this last four years.

“If you come our area, he has taken Agriculture forward. This year alone, the amount of fertiliser he brought in this country will not be finished by Gambian farmers. This happened because he wants Gambia to advance. He also brought 50 tractors and these 50 tractors have been distributed. And since last year Summer, we have been distributing power tillers to make our farming easier.

“So he is a leader who is ready to work and he wants to dull the pain of women and the pain of men and the pain of the youths. So I want those who have adopted me Godmother to on December 4 vote for no other person than His Excellency President Adama Barrow.”

Gambia Action Party has issued a statement dismissing claims by Tamsir Jasseh the party’s executive wanted the secretary general of the party Musa Ousainou Yali Batchilly to resign.

Mr Jasseh had said on For The People By The People Show he left GAP because leader Batchilly refused to resign even after negative things concerning him online.

“I think basically was because on social media, we have observed some very negative things concerning the secretary general and party leader at the time, and who is still the party leader. And we thought that would harm GAP’s opportunity to become a viable party in the political spectrum.

“So we asked him to step aside so would look for a new leader, he was unwilling to do that and we thought there is no way we can do what we want to do and have the credibility that we want with this type of leadership. So I decided to walk away,” Mr Jasseh had said.

But GAP said in a rebuttal: “The Gambia Action Party wish to clarify to the party surrogates and the entire nation that the recent statement uttered by Tamsir M Jasseh, the former National President of GAP, was fallacious and aimed to mislead the general public as well as tarnish the image of the party in his quest for political fame. Few months ago he decided to join Gambia Action Party as the only party that has national interest as he claimed in his maiden media appearance at The Fatu Network, but not knowing that his primary focus was to be the party’s presidential candidate.

“Mr Jasseh along the way defected from the party after knowing that GAP operates on democratic principles and the rule of law that limited his chances to fulfil his selfish desire. The GAP administration approached him few days later, he regretted and rescinded his decision which was published on Standard Newspaper.

“GAP is never disappointed with Mr Jasseh’s remarks, as he comported himself on divide and rule tactics just to lead the party only to accomplish his last ditch financial crisis. Despite all the efforts and obtrude he positioned himself, he frequently used abusive as well as derogatory remarks in almost all the executive meetings he attended and created violence scenes. That alone demonstrated his incompetence and unreadiness to rule this great country.

“The GAP administration believes that with time and effort, Mr Jasseh will change attitudes towards national development initiative undertakings. He applied for the role of flag bearer and the party had in mind that he took part of 2006 Col Ndour Cham’s coup attempt which led to his incarceration, charged and convicted with treason and felony that led to his imprisonment for more than five years in Mile Central Prison at the solitary wing. The GAP administration questioned his qualification after his trial and tribulation, but he boasted to have acquired presidential pardon.

“Democracy at its best, the party accepted his application and began investigative process at the Ministry of Justice to ensure he’s cleared from the mess of attempted overthrowing of democratic elected government. Three weeks into the investigation, Mr Jasseh believed that he misled the party on false pretence that he got full presidential pardon and violated the standing order of GAP by calling series of outside meetings with three co-opted executive members with the intention of self declaration as an independent candidate while investigation were still ongoing. A week later the party through the Ministry of Justice realised that Mr Jasseh’s pardon was just verbal as his name did not appear in proclamation list accorded to convicts from 1990 to 2021 and that led to his disqualification from contesting in the December 04 and subsequent Presidential Elections. Constitutionally, he is again disqualified to have retired from the public office voluntarily.

“We would like to call on the attentions of GAP members and the general public that Mr Jasseh, Pa Lamin Jatta and Adama Jallow left the party and on no occasion can represent the party or act as members of GAP. The party decided not to humiliate Mr Jasseh in the public space, but he went ahead to smear lies against the executive that they wanted the resignation of the Secretary General and Party Leader, Musa Ousainou Yali Batchilly. We challenge Mr Jasseh to substantiate this allegation and inviting him on public showdown.”

By Yero Mballow

The Bansang Public Health Centre has been administering Covid-19 to residents of the town and its surrounding villages.

Amie Lowe who lives in Bansang has taken her Covid shot and is calling on all citizens to get vaccinated.

“Getting vaccinated protects one from the virus,” she said.

Also, Alhaji Yahya Jallow who took the vaccine said that the vaccine is good and would serve as a prevention from getting the virus. He called for more sensitization on the important of taking the vaccine, adding that the world is being challenged by the covid-19 and people must do whatever is possible to fight covid-19 down.

An imam in Sinchu Alagie, Alhagie Salieu Ceesay, has assured President Adama Barrow that all Gambians are behind him.

The Imam stated this moments ago as imams across the country meet President Barrow at State House.

The Imam who said he is also an alkalo said in a meeting being broadcast live by EyeAfrica TV: “Your Excellency, all Gambians are behind you. This is because there is something you showed to Gambians that made them to be behind you. So we will be behind you. All we have for you is to support and pray for you. Because if we pray for you and you have peace, we will also have peace.

“Our wish is for you not to get sick and get worried. Those who are talking can talk since that is what they have. And for you what you have is getting up [to work] and you’re doing that. So thank you sir.”

KM Mayor Talib Bensouda announced on Friday the KMC has recovered an additional 2.4 million dalasis from the 12 million allegedly swindled by chief executive officer Sainabou Martin Sonko.

Mr Bensouda told reporters: “The Council has worked tirelessly with the bank to recover additional funds from the unapproved land loan. Since the last press conference, an additional GMD2,400,000 was successfully recovered from the fraudulent transaction of 12 million loan.

“The additional amount of GMD2,400,000 has been returned to the account of KMC’s Staff Welfare Association. This brings the balance of the missing funds to GMD900,000.”

A huge corruption scandal hit KMC last month when Mayor Bensouda astonishingly told reporters the CEO of the council illegally obtained a loan of 12 million dalasis and bought a land.

By Reuters

Johnson & Johnson’s (JNJ.N) COVID-19 vaccine is working well in South Africa, offering protection against severe disease and death, the co-head of a trial in the country said on Friday.

The J&J vaccine was administered to healthcare workers from mid-February in a research study, which was completed in May, with 477,234 health workers vaccinated, joint lead investigator Glenda Gray told a media briefing.

South Africa’s health regulator approved the J&J shot in April, and it is being used in the national vaccine programme alongside Pfizer’s (PFE.N).

Gray said the single-shot J&J vaccine offered 91% to 96.2% protection against death, while offering 67% protection against hospitalisation when the Beta coronavirus variant dominates and about 71% protection against hospitalisation when the Delta variant dominates.

“Consistently after receiving the vaccine, there was very little death occurring in the vaccinated group as compared to the control group and showing a remarkable up-to 96.2% protection against death,” Gray said.

“This was our primary endpoint and we are able to say this vaccine protected health workers against death,” she added.

South Africa’s vaccination campaign got off to a shaky start in February after the government paused AstraZeneca (AZN.L) vaccinations because of a small trial showing the shot offered minimal protection against mild to moderate illness caused by the Beta variant, which was dominant in the country at the time.

Vaccinations have since ramped up, with over 8.3 million people vaccinated as of Thursday.

Newly appointed health minister Joe Phaahla told the same briefing that the government was planning to start using other vaccines approved by the regulator, including the Sinovac shot.

“It was approved … also that the AstraZeneca vaccine, which has now been shown to be effective against the Delta variant, that we should also look at bringing it back into use,” Phaahla said.

KM Mayor Talib Bensouda told reporters on Friday his council expects Sainabou Martin Sonko to respect their decision of suspending her.

Mrs Martin Sonko is sweating over her reputation after claims she swindled 12 million dalasis.

The KMC under Mayor Bensouda is now in a standoff with the local government ministry who said the embattled CEO should be allowed to return to work. The local government ministry on Thursday vowed to apply full force of the law if necessary.

But Mayor Bensouda however said on Friday: “We are aware that on the 3rd August the CEO attempted to enter the Council in the company of a TV crew. This is unfortunate.

“It is the duty of all staff in public sector employment to have due regard to the code of conduct of public officials and comport themselves with dignity and integrity accorded to their office. We expect that she will continue to respect Council resolutions and respect the terms of her leave until called upon.”

Dr Ismaila Ceesay on Thursday reacted to his debate with PDOIS leader Halifa Sallah saying it was a great honour for him.

Dr Ceesay and Mr Sallah did battle on Wednesday ahead of the presidential election in December.

And writing on Thursday, Dr Ceesay said: “It was a great honour sharing the platform with Hon. Halifa Sallah to debate national issues.

“I commend him for accepting the challenge and Haruna Drammeh for providing the platform moderating.

“This gives us the opportunity to vote on policy and encourage other aspiring candidates to follow suit.”

The Ministry of Local Government has said the Mayor of KM Talib Bensouda veered away from what was agreed during a showdown meeting with Minister Musa Drammeh.

A huge standoff is looming at KMC amid the council’s decision to suspend embattled CEO Sainabou Martin Sonko and director of finance Dr Alieu Keita.

KMC security blocked Mrs Martin Sonko from entering KMC even after the local government ministry asked that she be allowed back to work.

The local government ministry said in a statement signed by Permanent Secretary Buba Sanyang on Thursday: “In the wake of the simmering tension that has engulfed the Kanifing Municipal Council (KMC) for weeks now, the Lord Mayor of KMC visited the Honourable Minister of Lands, Regional Government and Religious Affairs, Alhagie Musa Drammeh on Friday 23rd July 2021 and briefed him on allegations of fraud discovered at his Council. Following their conversation, the Hon. Minister advised him to formally write a report with recommendations to the Local Government Service Commission.

“Before the receipt of that written report and to our utter surprise, on Monday, the 26th July, 2021, The Lord Mayor held a press briefing and announced the resolution of the General Council meeting of the KMC sending various officials accused of fraud on indefinite leave and withdrawing their statutory allowances. The Hon. Minister became aware of the press briefing and immediately called the attention of Mayor Bensouda to the fact that he has overstepped his powers and summoned him to a meeting the following day (27th July, 2021).

“In that meeting, Minister Drammeh reiterated his position on the normal procedure as par the Local Government Act, 2002 particularly, the appointment and disciplinary matters that are solely vested in the Local Government Service Commission. He urged the Council through the Lord Mayor to rescind its earlier decision that is unlawful and improper.

“Curiously, moments after leaving the Minister’s office, the Mayor signed a hand-delivered letter to the Hon. Minister dated 22nd July 2021 conveying the unlawful decision of the General Council reached on the 26th July, 2021 without adhering to the guidance of the Minister. What was shocking to the Ministry was the inconsistency in the correspondence. Even though Council passed its resolution on the 26th July,2021, the letter conveying the decision was dated 22nd July,2021, four days prior to Council’s decision.

“During a phone conversation on Friday, 30th July, 2021 with the KMC Mayor, the Hon. Minister maintained his position that the action of the Council was unlawful and urged it to revisit its decision and submit recommendations through the Office of the Permanent Secretary to the Local Government Service Commission. This is the competent authority on the appointment and disciplinary affairs of Public Servants of Councils nationwide.

“On the 2nd of August, 2021 the Hon. Minister responded to Mayor Bensouda’s letter stating Council’s unlawful decision and his resolve to dispatch an Inspection Team based on Section 150 of the Local Government Act, 2002. MinisterDrammeh also admonished the KMC to allow officials unlawfully sent on indefinite leave to participate in the recommended inspections.

“To the Minister’s amazement, while the Inspectors were allowed entry into the KMC premises, the suspended officials were denied access even before the arrival of the inspectors.

“Therefore, the Ministry intends to execute its full responsibility, strictly adhering to the Local Government Act,2002, failing which, the full force of the law shall be applied.

“Curiously however, the Hon. Minister received a reply to his 2nd August, 2021 letter with the Resolution passed by the General Council of KMC on the 3rd of August 2021 regarding their decision that the suspended officials remain on Indefinite Leave as per their earlier Resolution. KMC however, acquiesced on the payment of salaries and entitlements pending the outcome of investigations.

“Therefore, The Ministry of Lands and Regional Government insists that its inspectors be allowed unhindered access to continue their work as of Thursday 5th August, 2021 and are expected to engage all parties by Monday including those sent on Indefinite Leave without due process.

“Under the circumstances, the Ministry expects full compliancewith the Inspection Team failing which appropriate measures will be taken.”

State House said on Thursday President Adama Barrow sent letters of condolence to the families of three prominent officials who recently died.

The commander of Yundum Barracks Lt Col Pierre Mendy died this past Monday at at the age of 57.

In a statement, State House said: “In the wake of the recent passing of prominent public servants, His Excellency President Adama Barrow dispatched letters of condolences to the families of the Late Lieutenant Colonel Pierre J Mendy, Commander of The Yundum Barracks 1st Infantry Battalion, the late Fatou Njie-Jallow former Director of the Office of the Ombudsman, and Dr Adama Agnes Kallay Campbell, former Commissioner of the National Human Rights Commission.

“The President recognised the inspiring legacies these patriotic individuals are leaving behind describing them as exceptional public servants that the country owes a debt of Gratitude to.

“He added that their deaths are a great loss to the Nation and the World at Large, as they have delivered exemplary services to their families and the Nation at large.

“He prayed for the departed Souls to Rest in Peace.”

National Guard soldiers and a police taskforce of which a drug squad officer is a member of dramatically clashed in Ebo Town over custody of a soldier allegedly in possession of cannabis.

A police taskforce on patrol arrived in Ebo Town early Thursday morning but got into a dramatic insult match with the military amid the latter putting the suspect in their vehicle and refusing to hand him to the police taskforce. The suspect who is a soldier was allegedly in possession of a large quantity of cannabis.

The national guard soldiers equipped with their assault rifles and the police taskforce hauled insults at each other during the pandemonium which attracted a large crowd.

A police officer told The Fatu Network: “This is the second time they are obstructing us. This is a case of someone suspected of having drugs. The taskforce is composed of the police, drug squad, immigration etc.

“So by law it’s us who should take the suspect but they refused and insisted they will take him. The last time too, they obstructed us by saying they must search our convoy leading to two suspects escaping.”

The deputy spokesman of the army Captain Malick Sanyang told The Fatu Network two of their soldiers were reported to have been involved.

“The details surrounding the incident is somewhat sketchy for now. However the two soldiers are under the custody of the military and helping them in their investigation,” Captain Sanyang said.

The Supreme Islamic Council has issued a statement which it dubbed as a ‘stern warning’ against tribalism.

The SIC in the statement signed by President Sheikah Essa Foday Darbo said Islam is against tribalism.

The Imams said: “The Gambia Supreme Islamic Council is calling upon all Gambians in or out of the country to desist from and resist any attempt of fomenting divisions, hatred and the uncivil attitudes of belligerency and misplaced desires for vendetta between Gambians.

“The council condemns all forms of racism, tribalism and tribal bigotry based on caloric culture and language and calls strongly for unity, tolerance for the maintenance of securty, peace and stability in The Gambia which are fundamental prerequisites for any positive national progress and constructive developments.”

The Local Government Ministry has set out to ‘inspect’ the Kanifing Municipal Council amid claims of fraud and corruption at the council.

KMC has in the past days been gripped by reputational crisis after the Mayor of KM Talib Bensouda alleged the chief executive officer of the council illegally took 12 million dalasis and bought a land with the money. He said the Sainabou Martin Sonko’s action was criminal.

Mrs Sainabou Martin Sonko was barred from entering the KMC compound on Wednesday even after the local government ministry asked her to return to work. The decision to suspend the official came by way of a resolution by the council.

The Minister of Local Government Musa Drammeh and KM Mayor Talib Bensouda have been writing each other letters on the issue.

In a letter dated August 2, Mr Drammeh told Mayor Bensouda the local government ministry was concerned that the decision KMC took in interdicting Mrs Martin Sonko was illegal.
Mr Drammeh said his ministry has received a petition from Mrs Martin Sonko and other officials of the council alleging fraud against the former deputy Mayor and a cover-up of the fraud. He had earlier informed the Mayor his ministry has called for an inspection of KMC which would ‘commence immediately’.

The Mayor in his own letter dated August 3, fired back by telling the minister ‘we do not agree with your position that the council is usurping the power of the Local Government Service Commission or it has made a decision without authority’.

There is disquiet at the ferries amid suspicion the ministry of transport is planning to issue license to a private ferry service company.

Sources have told The Fatu Network how the ministry of transport is engaged in underhand plans to let a private company provide ferry service between Banjul and Barra.

One person familiar with the issue told The Fatu Network the transport ministry had first wanted for the Gambia Ports Authority Ferries Service to enter into a joint venture with a Turkish company. That plan has now been aborted – and the person said dozens of people who are aged 40 and above risked losing their jobs if such a venture is adopted.

Transport Ministry Permanent Secretary Mod K Ceesay told The Fatu Network on Thursday there is no joint venture on the table.

Mr Ceesay explained: “There is no joint venture on the table. The joint venture was on the recommendation ferries management and ports following a report that was submitted to us. This recognises, among others, that the ferries services in their situation at the moment and therefore quick intervention was required either from ferries, ports or from government. So we asked for help. Submissions were made in terms of joint venture partnership or partnership of any form. But after review, the management of ferries and ports felt this is bad and they pulled out and we respected that. So that is history.

“So if other companies are coming and saying ‘we still think the river is good and there is enough space for all of us to operate on our own, would you mind licensing us?’ That is a request they’re (company) is making which means we have moved from joint venture or partnership now to request for a license. What does a license to operate has to do with taking of the ferries, ferries [staff] losing their job?”

There are fears allowing a private company provide ferry service between Banjul and Barra will put the GPA Ferries Service out of service but PS Ceesay said those fears are misplaced.

He said: “That was the same the statement made when the Senegambia Bridge was being constructed. That if we construct the bridge, ferries will be killed. Providing ferry service and with the river Gambia and the number opportunities that exist in terms of river transportation. Why would opening up to private sector ferry operations necessarily spell the doom of a ferry? I don’t really get it.

“There are so many things [that the ferries can do]. Ferries can reform itself. But we have not even arrived at any position from ferries to tell us that a new entrance will kill them. Let’s have that on the records. But all I have to say is the government through the Ministry of Transport have the authority to entertain license and to issue license.”

On the issue of the ministry and the minister ordering Gambia Maritime Administration to issue a license to the Turkish company, Mr Ceesay said: “How can we force the hand of GMA by just asking them to receive applications, review and advise the ministry? Where is the forcing coming from? How is that a force? We are just doing what we are supposed to do. The rest are just speculation. That there are [personal] interests in it. That loss of jobs will happen… I don’t know what they are scared of but if they have concern let them bring it on the table we can sit over it. The minister of the ministry forcing anybody is far-fetched, that’s simply not true.”

PDOIS leader Halifa Sallah has said he is ready to face any opponent in a debate following his face-off with CA leader Dr Ismaila Ceesay.

Mr Sallah and Dr Ceesay clashed Wednesday amid the latter’s claim all coalition leaders are to blame for the nation’s current predicament.

Mr Sallah told The Fatu Network after the debate: “Anybody who invites me, dealing with any aspect of the coalition… with anybody. As I have said with NADD, as I have said with the United Front, as I have said with the coalition because I have participated in all these and I have a duty to explain to the Gambian people what I know about those developments.”

Sheikh Musa Saidy has confirmed that police called him in for questioning on Monday – and dismissed claims he was arrested and jailed.

“The claim I was arrested and jailed [are not true]. Someone who is jailed will not be speaking,” Imam Saidy while speaking on Tuesday said.

Mr Saidy had been at dagger’s drawn with Imam Bakawsu Fofana with the latter threatening to kill him for insulting the country’s marabouts.

On claims he has been arrested, Imam Saidy said he was instead respectfully invited by police.

He said on Tuesday: “There is nothing wrong with me. They only called me respectfully to come and answer and I went and then went home.

“They said I should come back in the morning which I did and they asked me to go to Banjul and we just came back.”