Four people have newly died of coronavirus, the ministry of health has said.
The deaths of three men and one woman have taken fatalities from the virus to 54.
Samples from all 4 (3 males and 1 female) were collected posthumously, the health ministry said on Saturday.
It comes as the ministry also said 66 new cases registered, taking the total number of COVID-19 cases ever confirmed in the country to 1,689.
About 30% of these are healthcare workers, it added.
Police have knocked back at reports they’re arresting or harassing women who cover their faces with the Niqab.
Police in a statement said: “The Office of the Inspector General of Police has noticed with keen interest information circulating on social media, that Police are arresting or harassing Muslim women wearing veil (Niqab) for not wearing face mask.
“It is a common understanding that the Niqab veil covers the mouth and nose which is the ultimate purpose of facemask wearing.
“In view of this, it is important to state that the Inspector General’s Office has not issued any specific instructions of arrests targeting women wearing the Niqab.
“Furthermore, enquiries have been made at all Police Regions and Divisions, and it is clear that no such arrest was reported anywhere.
“However, further instructions have been communicated to Regional Commands to adequately brief personnel to exercise reasonable discretion in allowing women whose veil covers the mouth and nose to access public places.”
Fellow Citizens,
Residents of The Gambia,
It is now obvious that no one is immune to the Coronavirus and its impact. The recent increase in the number of cases, including high profile personalities within and outside of my government, as well as other citizens and non-citizens alike, is of concern to me and cause for alarm.
I take this moment, therefore, to extend my condolences to all the families who have lost loved ones, and I pray that the departed souls rest in eternal peace. My best wishes for a speedy recovery also go to all those infected by the virus.
My Dear Citizens and Residents of The Gambia,
In April of this year, our health experts projected that by July-August 2020, cases of Coronavirus related infections and mortality will rise in the country. In the past weeks, we have witnessed this sad development, with a dramatic rise in the number of COVID -19 cases and deaths in our dear country.
The latest situational report on the country indicates that more than one thousand five hundred infected cases and over forty deaths have been recorded in the country.
Health Experts have suggested that these numbers can be minimised if we work together as a people; that is, as government authorities, experts, frontline personnel, household members and individuals.
With serious consequences, COVID-19 has derailed our development agenda, challenged our health system and undermined our economic growth. Our GDP indicators have become unrealistic, trade has slowed down and many young people are now unemployed. In one way or another, we are all affected by the global Coronavirus pandemic.
To mitigate its impact, my government has taken decisive policy decisions to address the health, economic and social concerns associated with the Coronavirus. I have invoked Constitutional powers to impose emergency regulations. We have provided funds to fight the pandemic, and have supported frontline institutions and our heroes, who are tirelessly and whole heartedly fighting to save us all.
I have established a Cabinet Sub-Committee to provide policy guidance. Together, we have demonstrated very strong political will through the implementation of a comprehensive National COVID Response Programme. In the process, all arms of Government, relevant institutions, partners and stakeholders have been engaged to enforce measures to protect our people.
Dear Citizens and Residents of The Gambia,
The reality is that we all have a stake in ensuring the enforcement of the measures put in place. Whether we are in a position of authority, an enforcement agent or a citizen or resident of The Gambia, every one of us has the common responsibility to prevent, contain and stop the spread of COVID-19. No one else will do it for us; we have to stand up in unity, and act together as a nation.
Fellow Citizens and Residents of The Gambia,
The reasons for cutting down business activities, restricting movement, and declaring a state of emergency, are obvious. We live in unusual circumstances which require unusual, urgent and decisive action.
I appreciate that many of you would like me to address the nation often and I want to assure you I will do so whenever the need arises. I must emphasise, however, that the most important thing is taking collective action to enforce the messages in my addresses on the pandemic and the advice by the health experts. Whenever I address the nation, I do so in the national interest and every law-abiding citizens and residents of the country should abide by our pronouncements.
It is not my wish to see any citizen and resident of The Gambia suffer in any form. If we work together, respect our diversity and utilise our expertise, we can do a lot more to change our situation.
Fellow Citizens, each of us can be an advocate for healthy living, if we follow the precautionary measures advised by experts. We can all be law enforcement agents, if we value and respect the rule of law. We can have the type of country we want to live in, if we all act responsibly and hold ourselves duly accountable to the nation.
Fellow Citizens,
It is obvious that we will make a positive difference towards the development of our country if we value the time we spend and do good. Importantly too, we can maintain peace and stability in the country, if we are honest, truthful and sincere, and treat everyone as an equal. That is why my government chooses dialogue and observing the rule of law, noting that The Gambia belongs to all of us. Through dialogue and respect for each other, we can achieve our development aspirations.
Fellow Citizens,
Residents of The Gambia,
To stop the spread of the corona virus, we are all duty-bound to wear a face mask, properly covering our mouth and nose, before going to any public place. We do not have to wait until the law is applied before we do the right thing. Let us police ourselves as individuals, groups and communities.
It is important to emphasise further that all transporters, be they official, private or commercial, should be responsible enough to wear a proper face mask and ensure that passengers in their vehicles wear an appropriate mask in a proper manner. Anyone who violates this regulation or breaks the curfew in force will be dealt with according to the Law without any compromise.
Every sector of society has a duty to prevent the spread of COVID-19. I encourage and call upon the religious leaders to support and adhere to the COVID-19 measures in the best interest of the country.
Municipal and Area Councils, Market Managers and all stakeholders are advised to provide sanitary facilities and design proper physical distancing mechanisms in all markets and their environs.
While Civic Education groups and the media sensitise the public, families, neighbours and friends have the civic and moral obligation to enlighten one another on the messages from the experts, the regulations and their implications.
Government can devise or invoke the necessary public health laws and regulations, but it is our responsibility as individuals to maintain regular hand washing, proper wearing of masks in public places and practise physical distancing. In the thick of all these, Law Enforcement Agents will have to enforce the emergency powers.
There is an old adage that “Prevention is better than cure.” Acting on this, let us demonstrate that we care about ourselves and those around us by following the COVID 19 prevention guidelines, regulations and measures.
My dear Citizens and Friends of The Gambia,
Once again, I reassure you that my government will continue to pursue the right policies and programmes for the betterment of our citizens. We will maintain an environment where peace, progress, the rule of law and self-realisation will thrive. Therefore, let us work together to contain and stop the spread of the Coronavirus.
We are One Gambia, One People. Act now and stop the spread of the virus. Indeed, COVID-19 is Real!
Thank you for your kind attention.
President Adama Barrow warned on Friday anyone who violates the curfew or the law on face masks will be dealt with without compromise.
The president made the warning during an address to the nation a short while ago.
The president said: “To stop the spread of the coronavirus, we are all duty-bound to wear a face mask, properly covering our mouth and nose before going to any public place.
“We do not have to wait until the law is applied before we do the right thing. Let us police ourselves as individuals, groups and communities.
“It is important to emphasise further that all transporters be they official, private or commercial should be responsible enough to wear a proper face mask and ensure that passengers in their vehicles wear an appropriate mask in a proper manner.
“Anyone who violates this regulation or breaks the curfew in force will be dealt with according to the law without any compromise.”
President Adama Barrow has emphasised his addresses to the nation are done in the national interest, as he on Friday evening spoke on the coronavirus crisis.
“I appreciate that many of you would like me to address the nation often and I want to assure you I will do so whenever the need arises,” the president said in a 12-minute address.
The president then added: “I must emphasize however that the most important thing is taking collective action to enforce the messages in my addresses on the pandemic and the advice by health experts.
“Whenever I address the nation, I do so in the nation interest and every law abiding citizen and resident of the country should abide by our pronouncements.”
After days of relentless calls by concerned Gambians for the President to address the nation even though I personally don’t see the need for it, he is set to give a prime time speech tonight slated for 8pm local time. This follows a surge of Covid-19 cases in our country both in infection and in mortalities, overwhelming our already strained health care system and threatening to shut down our economy. With the President in isolation and many cabinet Ministers contracting the virus, Gambians were left to fend for themselves for the most part as the authorities rely on muscular enforcement of emergency powers to contain the transmission. Sadly, the only leadership presence Gambians feel is through press releases and patrolling men and women in uniform..
The President’s planned address will be no different from his previous ones in the past. The uninspiring, scripted speech will be weak on facts, shallow in substance, light in specifics and devoid of empathy. This is because President Barrow has been living in a bubble within the confines of the State House luxury and detached from the every day reality of the struggling Gambians. Worse, he has surrounded himself with like minded sycophants and political hacks solely preoccupied his self-succeeding efforts and blaming everyone and everything else than serving the critical needs of the people. Even when faced with the life and death situation of his own people President Barrow has demonstrated jarring unpreparedness, shocking disconnection and ineffective leadership to sail through the storm.
Thus, while I am relieved that our President is in good health, I am not not naive to believe that his address to the country will make any difference in the fight against Covid-19 pandemic plaguing our country. Not only is it too little too late, Gambians are simply used to his No Call/No Shows and our trust and confidence in his ability to turn things around are evaporating at astronomical rate!
The writer, Zakaria Kemo Konteh, is based in the United States.
The army on Friday told citizens not to panic as it announces an exercise by troops that will begin on Saturday.
The ‘battle lessons’ and ‘battle exercises’ by the Gambia Armed Forces would involve movement of troops and firing of blank ammunition.
The activity will cover the general areas of Fajara Barracks, Yundum, Banjulinding, Sunchu, Jabang, Jambur and Brikama. It will begin on Saturday August 15 through Wednesday August 26.
The general public especially residents living around the ‘aboved mentioned’ areas and other satellite villages are urged not to panic and are urged to go about their normal businesses, the army said.
President Adama Barrow will address the nation later on Friday, according to State House.
The president has in past days been heavily criticised for not speaking to Gambians over the coronavirus pandemic.
Four of his ministers as well as the vice president all tested positive for coronavirus. The president himself was said to be on self-isolation.
Islamic studies teachers have detailed how their attempts to have government bail them out fell on deaf ears, as they lifted the lid on their struggle in making ends amid the coronavirus pandemic.
The coronavirus crisis has pushed almost all of the nation’s Islamic studies teachers into redundancy as all schools have been shut since March. It means most of them have been going with the little salary they get from their schools.
The teachers in a statement shared with The Fatu Network have voiced their ‘deep’ concern and disquiet over the ‘blatant’ disregard of their plight by the relevant authorities.
“Since the declaration of the State of Public Emergency in March, which included an order for the closure of schools, following the advent of Covid-19, the bulk majority of Madrassas and Daras have been unable to pay the salaries of their teachers, due to the failure of students to pay their tuition fees. Arabic and Islamic learning institutions are largely private, hence they heavily rely on tuition fees to pay salaries and run the schools. As a result, many teachers have been struggling to make ends meet, due to unpaid salaries,” the teachers in a statement signed by Mohammed Drammeh and Sheriff Barrow said.
The statement continued: “Officials of Islamic schools have raised the issue with the General Secretariat for Arabic and Islamic Education in the Gambia (Amanah), which commendably relayed the message to the Ministry of Basic Education to bail out the Madrassas and Daras operating in the country. The Ministry, consequently, dispatched a team to a number of Arabic and Islamic schools to gather information about their needs and to assess the level of deficit they are facing. Unfortunately, the Ministry took no action up until today and chose to turn a blind eye to the plight of Arabic and Islamic schools.
“We have exhausted all the formal and informal avenues to have our concerns addressed. convey the concerns but our calls and pleas fell on deaf ears. Nobody seems to interested in tackling the agony we are going through in these difficult moments. It has always been our desire to have the issue resolved away from the media glare. We are however being pushed against the corner.
“It’s important to remind the authorities that Arabic and Islamic learning institutions equally make an immense contribution to the country’s socio-economic development by creating job opportunities for hundreds of citizens. After all, Islamic schools play a pivotal role in instilling mannerisms in students to ensure that they are righteous, honest and upright. In addition, Arabic and Islamic teachers are equal citizens and should be treated as such. They are taxpayers, like any citizen, hence they are entitled to government’s assistance, particularly under the prevailing extraordinary circumstances. The Government is duty-bound to alleviate our suffering, as some of us haven’t been paid for the past five months, and couldn’t even feed our starving families.
“The Government has recently tabled the Supplementary Appropriation Bill before the National Assembly with the aim of bailing out a number of sectors that have been adversely impacted by Covid-19, to our dismay and utter surprise, the Madrassas and Daras were conspicuously absent from the list of beneficiaries. This, in our opinion, is unfair and unjust, as it underlies a deliberate attempt to trample on our basic rights as citizens and taxpayers.
“It’s high time that the Government treated Arabic and Islamic teachers with due respect and catered to their needs. As Gambians, the Arabic and Islamic institutions have produced cadres in all the fields. Some of them have become teachers, academics, scientists and medical doctors. Others are serving the Government in different capacities. Their service and dedication can hardly be quantified.
“We hope the Government of the Gambia will consider this appeal and respond to the urgent call. We wish you all the very best in these exceptional circumstances and be blessed.”
The health ministry announced today seven people have newly died of coronavirus, as fatalities rose to 50.
“Samples from all seven were collected posthumously. The median age of the new fatalities is 60 years (range: 43 to 73 years),” the ministry said.
It comes as the ministry also announced 67 new covid-19 cases have been discovered. The nation’s total figure is now 1,,623.
The so-called Presidential Advisor Duo Sanno has attacked Gambian civil society and activists and blaming them for the denial of the existence of Corona virus in the country. In a Standard newspaper story today, he said if CSOs had educated the people about the virus then today we would not have the denial syndrome. He went further to lambast CSOs and activists for their criticism of the Government and threatened that they must stop abusing the democratic space. Pathetic, to say the least!
It is necessary to put it to Dou Sanno that he needs to know who and what he is in the first place so that he knows in what to engage and what to say or not. The position of Presidential Advisor is a public service office. For that matter presidential advisors are public servants. As public servants they are guided by the Constitution in terms of their conduct under Section 222. Similarly, public servants are guided by the Public Service Act and the General Orders. I have no doubts that Dou had not read and understood these documents quite well otherwise he would not have said all that BS he vomited on the Standard newspaper.
First of all, let me put it to Dou that in the wake of the Corona various, CSOs and activists were the first to launch public sensitization as well as provision of hand sanitizers and hand washing materials to members of the general public. Well before President Barrow issued his first state of public emergency on 18 March 2020, it was CSOs and activists who rushed to social media asking the Government to close the borders. Today every and any good action that this Government does right one will find that CSOs and activists have already advised them to do so but they refused until it is too late.
Civil society organizations and activists are not enemies of the Gambia Government or Pres. Adama Barrow. If anything, CSOs and activists only want to see the success of the Gambia Government. The role of CSOs in that regard is to provide support directly to individuals and communities across the country as well as to the Government itself. It is open secret that CSOs are engaging actively to support farmers, women, youth, persons with disabilities and other members our communities on a daily basis.
CSOs have built schools, clinics, provided farming tools and seeds to farmers and provided knowledge and skills to an array of citizens to empower them to gain self-employment or obtain skills to enhance their livelihoods. CSOs support small and medium scale businesses with capital, skills, and tools. At the same time CSOs have embarked on massive sensitization of communities about climate change, HIV/AIDS, malaria, harmful traditional practices, human rights, and Corona virus, among others. Above all CSOs have provided training, equipment and resources to uncountable public institutions and security agencies at central and local levels all the time to enhance their capacity.
These activities constitute the service provision role of CSOs. Through these activities CSOs provided goods and services that go to improve and change the lives and livelihoods of individuals and communities. Since Independence CSOs in the Gambia have been in the forefront of changing and building lives hence promote the development of this country.
They partner with various government institutions at central and local levels to empower them to better serve the population. It will be good for Duo Sanno to go to any ministry or local council or to the police or the military to find out how many projects and facilities and activities they are conducting in partnership with CSOs.
Above all CSOs are providing immense employment to thousands of Gambians. Similarly, CSOs bring in lot of business for the Gambia private sector and public enterprises. From them CSOs buy materials such as stationery, hiring of hotel rooms or halls, buying of cash power, fuel, telephone and internet, insurance, utilities, food items, media products, etc. CSOs create jobs by hiring various categories of people from the society as professionals, unskilled labourers or consultants on short, medium- or long-term basis. Hence the contribution that CSOs bring to this country is immense.
Apart from the service provision role of CSOs, what civil society and activists also do is advocacy and activism. Advocacy ad activism are integral part of the work of civil society. In fact, advocacy and activism are the core function of civil society. This is because CSOs are not elected by the public and nobody pays taxes to them. Rather CSOs are a collection of individuals with a shared vision, values, concerns, and objectives and dedicate themselves to pursue those objectives.
Hence the core function of civil society is to check the Government to ensure that it is acting according to the rule of law and in the best interest of the society. CSOs recognise that it is the Government that is elected by the people to whom the people pay taxes. On behalf of the people and in the name of the people the Government receives loans and grants from various sources for the purpose of investing it back to the people. It is the Government that develops polices and laws and creates institutions to serve the people. The Constitution of the Gambia places a primary duty on the Government to respect, protect and fulfil the rights and needs of citizens.
Therefore, what CSOs do is to make the Gambia Government to uphold the Constitution and perform its obligations as set out in that Constitution and other laws of the Gambia. To do this, CSOs and activists use various methods, tools, and resources. For example, CSOs can petition the Government or they can take the Government to court. They can also raise an online campaign on social media. They can also issue statements, open letters, or send information to the partners of the Government to inform them of their concerns so that those partners can also put pressure on the Government.
CSOs can also stage protests in the form of occupying public places or sit-in. They can choose to march on the streets and display placards and play music or they can boycott certain events, services, products or engagements with the Government. CSOs can also name and shame the President or any member of the Government by exposing their wrongdoings, inefficiency, corruption, abuse, or any misconduct.
Therefore, what Duo Sanno is seeing is what civil society does anywhere and everywhere in the world. Thus, for him to be shocked to the point of expressing such disgust for civil society is indeed indicative of his ignorance and dishonesty as a so-called advisor to the President. What Duo Sanno should rather be saying and doing is to advise the President to have an engagement with civil society and activists as soon as possible.
Since Pres. Barrow took office, he has never met with a body of CSOs and activists to discuss pertinent national issues. Knowing the role and contribution of CSOs in the development of this country, it should be considered necessary and urgent for the President to meet with the Gambian civil society. If Dou cannot make that happen but then goes about publicly to demean the civil society and activists then he should be considered as an incompetent, and misguided public officer who does not deserve to occupy such high public office.
To conclude, let Duo realise that many Gambian citizens have been able to get education or access healthcare or able to have a decent source of living thanks to the CSOs in this country. Thanks to CSOs so many Gambian communities are able to obtain drinking water or a garden or farms or a community centre. Therefore, if Duo Sanno cannot show gratitude and appreciation to CSOs and advise his President accordingly about how to better engage with CSOs then Duo Sanno should just shut up.
It is necessary to remind Duo Sanno that his role is not to promote and defend the policies and political objectives of the President. The President has himself and his Executive members to promote and defend his policies. As Advisor he is not a member of the Executive team. An advisor only stands in the background to produce and provide technical information and analysis on the policies of the President hence a Presidential Advisor should not be heard or seen publicly. An advisor waits to be called upon by the President.
Therefore, it is gross professional misconduct for a Presidential Advisor to go to the media to engage in partisan political talk about the President. I Hope the Secretary General Nuha Touray will summon Dou Sanno to tell him where he belongs and his limitations. For that matter, the Secretary General must ensure that there are terms of reference for Presidential Advisors and monitor them.
It is obvious that Dou Sanno only wants to keep a position. But let me put it to him that much as he wants to keep a position, we will not let him, and Pres. Adama Barrow destroy this country. The Gambian civil society and activists will continue to hold them accountable to make sure that they act according to the Constitution and in the best interest of the people of the Gambia.
For The Gambia, Our Homeland
……………………………………………..
Madi Jobarteh
Skype: madi.jobarteh
Twitter: @jobartehmadi
LinkedIn: Madi Jobarteh
Phone: +220 9995093
Police in Basse on Thursday arraigned 10 persons before the Basse Magistrates Court for violating the Public Health (Dangerous and Infectious Disease) Protection Regulations 2020.
Nine of them were convicted for violating the regulation on Prohibition of Movement and sentenced to D5000 each in default to serve 1 year imprisonment, police said.
One other person was convicted for violating the Compulsory Facemask Wearing Regulation and was sentenced to a fine of D1000 in default to serve 9 months imprisonment, police added.
Rohey Lowe on Thursday launched an initiative aimed at realising 100,000 face masks to be distributed to Gambians for free amid the coronavirus pandemic.
‘Operation 100,000 Masks’ was launched at an event held Banjul City Council grounds attended by stakeholders from various institutions, BCC staff, civil society actors and a cross section of Gambians.
The mayor of Banjul said: “The Banjul City Council with its meagre resources has done its quota and will continue to do so. Since March, we have contributed immensely in the fight against this deadly pandemic.
“Those of you who may or are asking what has the government done for the council in its fight against the pandemic, I wish to make it quite clear that government has not in any way to our efforts at council level. Meaning we have not received any funds from government to keep the citizens of Banjul safe.”
The mayor insisted she cannot sit down and watch saying, “people are dying on a daily basis not only from Covid-19 but from cancer, diabetes, hypertension and other related diseases”.
“Our hospitals are overwhelmed with patients and the situation continues to be very bleak,” she added.
The mayor is banking on support from compatriots in the diaspora to ensuring the 100,000 face masks initiative is achieved.
She said: “As I launch the ‘Operation 100,000 Masks’ I call on you my brothers and sisters in the diaspora to join me and take up this challenge.”
“Therefore, I called on the Diaspora, GDHI and all associations in the Gambia and abroad to join in this crusade and I wish to thank each and every one of you for your thoughts on our beloved city,” she said elsewhere.
The mayor had earlier on called on Gambians to set their differences to one side and team up against coronavirus.
“I want to take this opportunity and call on all to put aside our differences whether political or otherwise and save our nation as I intend with your support to provide 100,000 face masks for needy Gambians,” she said.
The Royal Commonwealth Ex-Services League has announced a ceremony will take place at the Commonwealth War Graves Commission cemetery at Fajara in commemoration of this year’s anniversary of V-J Day.
V-J Day, marked August 15 each year, is the day on which Japan surrendered in World War II marking an end to the war.
A lot of Gambian soldiers fought for the British crown by serving in the 81st West African Division of the Fourteenth Army in Burma during WWII.
RCEL in a press release said “whilst COVID-19 prevents a large public commemoration, a ceremony will take place at the Commonwealth War Graves Commission cemetery at Fajara”.
“The CWGC cemetery provides a permanent commemoration, funded by the UK and Commonwealth countries, to all those who sacrificed so much in the name of peace,” the press release said.
It added: “For decades, the RCEL has been providing charitable support to thousands of WWII & pre-independence veterans and their widows in 48 Countries across the World, including in The Gambia. These funds, provided by the generosity of the British public, are for the relief of poverty and hardship and granted to eligible beneficiaries. Those who qualify for the grant are either veterans who served the British Crown prior to their country gaining independence or one surviving, eligible widow after the veteran has deceased and who are living in poverty. RCEL do not support dependents or other family members with grants. Since 2019, with additional funding from the UK Government, RCEL has been able to increase the size of the grants disbursed to eligible beneficiaries. These grants are for the relief of poverty and are not an acknowledgement of pension entitlement or any other allowance.
“This increased support from 2019 was designed to provide veterans in the twilight of their years with a level of dignity that they might not otherwise have experienced. Delivery of this support in The Gambia has been coordinated through the Gambia Legion. The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic has presented particular challenges with the delivery of the cash payments and the RCEL are working hard to find ways to reach those veterans affected whilst ensuring that every care is taken to protect their health and safety and that of our caseworkers distributing the funds in-country.”
In a statement by Christopher Warren, Secretary General of the RCEL, according to the press release, “we are proud of the support we have been able to provide to the veterans and eligible widows in The Gambia over many years …… We understand that a newly-constituted WWII Veterans Family Association has registered concerns over payments to certain individuals and the RCEL have reached out to them to find out the details so that we can take any necessary steps to reach eligible individuals.”
Twenty-one people have been arrested after the people of two Niamina villagers squared off in a showdown that left 22 people injured.
“We can confirm the communal dispute between Nyamina Sambang Fula Kunda and Mandinka Kunda on 11th August 2020,” police spokesman Lamin Njie told The Fatu Network.
He added: “A fight erupted between the two communities resulting to 22 injuries from both including a woman and three compounds in Fula Kunda were burnt.
“A team of Police Officers were dispatched to the ground to maintain the peace.
“Equally, an investigation is opened into the matter.
“So far 21 people have been arrested while investigations continue.”
The Standard reported on Thursday fighting broke out after a donkey from one of the villages entered a farmland of the other village.
By Lamin Njie
Students accused by the ministry of health of jumping quarantine have dismissed the claims as false, as they explained their side of the story.
“We were 52 that came together and they published the names of just 18,” one of them now quarantining at Mansea Hotel told The Fatu Network while reacting to claims by the ministry they fled.
He then quickly explained their trip: “Officials had agreed to be at the border to receive us and take us to a quarantine centre. Only for us to get to the border and found no one there, only the immigration officers.
“They clearly had all our information since there was someone back home who was acting on our behalf and was all along in communication with them. They clearly know how to get us to quarantine if they cared. And so what they did by publishing our information is wrong.”
The students arrived in the country from Saudi Araba via Dakar on July 31 on the understanding they would be quarantined. The procedure however never happened.
The ministry claims the students fled quarantine but another student whose name was published by the ministry also blasted the claims as false.
He told The Fatu Network: “All what they said is not true. We did not run away from quarantine. Our information is in all the ministries and they had agreed to come to the border to take us to the quarantine centre. We did not find anyone of them at the border and since it was Eid we went to our houses.
“We had all along been waiting for them to come and get us since they had to identify a facility and then take us there. They didn’t do any of this.
“We only met immigration at the border who told us about the quarantine and said since there was no one at the border to escort us, we should go. When we informed out our mediator about this, she told us this wasn’t our fault, rather that of the health officials.
“The immigration officials at the border in Farafenni had said we would find an escort in Brikama, and when we got there in the morning, we parked a little after the police station.
“We then started bringing out our things but we didn’t see anyone and since we do not know which facility we should go to, we then decided to go home but only after agreeing that everyone should be on the look out in case they contact us.”
Coronavirus cases are highest among Gambians that are the ages of 31 and 40, according to the ministry of health’s latest report.
According to situation report No. 117’s age-sex distribution of confirmed coronavirus cases in the country, 445 people between 31 and 40 of which 262 are male and 183 are female have tested positive for coronavirus – the highest in the age-sex distribution.
Those that are aged 21 and 30 are the second highest with 398 people testing positive, 216 male and 182 female.
Those aged 70 and above come last as only 54 people tested positive out of which 33 are male and 21 are female.
The country’s coronavirus cases have now gone up to 1,556 following the discovery of 79 news cases.
The ministry in its report today said it did newly performed 184 new coronavirus tests out of which 79 returned positive.
A significant number of the new cases are residents of Western Health Region 1 (over 70%), the ministry added.
The nation’s coronavirus fatalities have risen to 43 following the recording of 10 new deaths on Thursday.
Ten new COVID-19 related deaths recorded have been recorded bringing the total registered by the country to 43 – a crude case-fatality ratio of 2.8%, the health ministry said in its report today.
“Whiles 7 of these new deaths are males, 9 are aged 45 years and above,” the ministry added.
Ousainu Colley, alias Ousainu-Gambia, has been named winner of The Stone Circle’s Youth Excellence Award (YEA) 2020.
The award is given in commemoration of the International Youth Day – the UN’s annual celebration of the role of young people in creating positive change across the world, a news release by The Stone Circle Wednesday said.
The Stone Circle Awards is The Gambia’s premiere youth-led and youth-focused media that puts the spotlight on young people and their invaluable contributions to self and national development.
The Youth Excellence Awards is The Stone Circle Awards’ flagship initiative that annually acknowledges and celebrates the outstanding achievements of young people who are making significant contributions to national development.
The winner, Ousainu Colley, is a patriot and prolific environmentalist whose selfless service to sustainable development has significantly impacted not just on his intervention areas but has gone far enough to inspire a generation to volunteerism and service to community, according to the outlet in a news media release.
“Ousainu is the Programme Officer of Green-Up Gambia and the Founder of Flag-Up Gambia. Through his sacrifice and dedication to duty, he has unreservedly contributed in helping both organizations realize their objectives,” it added.
Reacting to the award, Ousainu-Gambia expressed delight to have been awarded the 2020 prestigious youth award, according to the release.
“I feel so honoured and excited to win this year’s Youth Excellence Award. I am the lucky winner but there are many others like me,” Ousainu said, according to the news release.
Award-winner Ousainu-Gambia dedicates his award to Gambian women and all the frontline workers in the fight against Covid-19, it said.
The Managing Director of The Stone Circle Awards Ebrima Darboe said the story of Ousainu is that of hard work, dedication and sacrifice, according to the release. He said Ousainu showed his generation of youths that development and impact go beyond the fantasy of social media. Darboe said Ousainu’s calling is getting to the ground the doing the real work, the release added.
He described Ousainu as a champion of environmental cleanliness and protection and tree planting, saying as a result of his unflinching love for the environment, his colleagues and volunteers at Green-Up Gambia named him the ‘Eco-Soldier’, the release said.
Darboe congratulates Ousainu and said this recognition is to celebrate his community service and dedication for what he represents, it said further.
The awards manager said The Youth Excellence Award serves to celebrate change-makers and inspire other young people to take action in their communities, it said.
The 2018 and 2019 winners of the Youth Excellence Award are Momodou Edrissa Njie, the executive director of the Global Youth Innovative Network – Gambia Chapter and Omar Jammeh, the chairman of the NYC’s CRR Youth Committee.
