The Gambia Association of Local Government Authorities, GALGA, has called on the government and all the eight local councils to be more focused on the welfare of their people to contain local transmissions.

The association in a statement signed by President Landing B Sanneh who doubles as chairman of Mansakonko Area Council said: “The Association has learnt with great concern, the recent escalation of the rate of COVID-19 transmission and related death. This calls for more rapid proactive actions, as the figures continue upwards daily. As we live through these trying times, our concerted efforts as a people and country is the only sustainable way forward. It is about the lives of our people. Indeed, it is about the future of our country. Hence, our ability as a sovereign people is under test.

“We are aware that even before the presidential declaration to impose state of public emergency due to the pandemic, Councils have been providing support to their people in the provision of food aid and preventive materials and knapsack sprayers, complimented by mass awareness creation. However, more pragmatic interventions are now required than ever before, as the convenience of time is currently running out slowly.

“As the umbrella body of all the Local Government Authorities in the country, GALGA is enormously concerned with the fast spreading trend of transmission of COVID 19 pandemic in the country. Almost all the new confirmed cases are contracted through local transmissions which make it imperative for local ideas, including local institutions and authorities to be applied to avoid further spreading.

“The lives and livelihood of the people must be the responsibility of the government as the primary duty bearer but it is also a natural duty on every citizen to adhere to the preventive measures given by health experts and relevant authorities for the benefit of all and sundry.

“In line with the Local Government Act 2000 and Local Governance Decentralization frameworks, GALGA is therefore calling on The Government of The Gambia to closely work with the Local Government Authorities across the country, to allocate considerable time and resources for the provision of preventive materials to the people and where necessary, increase the provision of food aid. We also urge that they immediately engage all the decentralized structures to intensify sensitization at the level of the communities in order to strengthen their understanding of the dangers of the pandemic and how to prevent it.

“Councils are also urged to increase the provision of sanitary materials at markets and to continue helping their tax payers in line with the health regulations. People must not be panic but they should be regularly sensitized to understand that coronavirus is preventable if all the health precautionary measures, including regular hand washing, social distancing and wearing of facemask are observed.

“Coronavirus is a serious global health-threatening concern that has now changed the world order, forcing governments to impose lock-downs and close both land and airspace to contain its spread.

“GALGA will however propose a regional lockdown strategy to the Government of The Gambia for a considerable timeframe, considering the unpredictable spread of local transmission. This will allow easy management of cases and tracing of contacts of infected persons as well as control the spread of the pandemic.

“In conclusion, we urge all Gambians to be on alert and remain vigilant to protect themselves, their families and others from contracting the virus. We pray that the Almighty Allah (SWT) continue to protect our beloved nation and the world and wipe this global pandemic from the face of the earth soon.”

The Ghanaian troops serving with the ECOWAS Mission in The Gambia (ECOMIG) and based in Barra in the North Bank Region, have marked their national day of 4th August which is called Founders’ Day, with a donation of educational materials to the Mbullum Ahmadiyya Muslim Upper Basic and Secondary Schools in the Lower Nuimi District. The donation was made on behalf of the troops by a delegation led by Lieutenant Colonel Richard Danso Nimako, the Commander of the Ghana Contingent.

The items donated included 500 Exercise Books, 200 pencils, 200 ball pens, 100 Mathematical Sets, 100 pencil erasers, 50 boxes of chalk, 2 footballs, and 2 wall clocks for the school offices.

At a short ceremony in the school to present the items, Lieutenant Colonel Richard Danso Nimako, revealed that Ghana and The Gambia have been two friendly nations since both countries gained their independence from the British. He recalled that the first President of The Gambia, Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara had his secondary education at the Achimota College in Ghana’s capital city of Accra. Many other Gambians have studied and continue to study in Ghanaian educational institutions and some Ghanaians also come to The Gambia to study, especially in recent times at The Gambia Law School. The two countries therefore have a lot in common when it comes to education.

Whilst commending the students and the teaching staff for putting education first above everything else, the Ghanaian Contingent commander suggested that some of the items donated be given to needy but brilliant students and other hardworking students who exhibit good conduct, to serve as a motivation for the students to excel in whatever they do. He also advised the students to work hard to justify the educational investments that their parents and guardians are making in them because pursuing education will make them better humans than without it. He also advised the teachers and the students to follow the COVID-19 protocols to keep themselves safe against the disease. The Ghanaian senior Army officer as well wished the students the best of luck as they are growing to face life.

Receiving the educational materials on behalf of the Principal of the School, the Vice Principal Mr. Mansoor Ahmed thanked the Ghanaian troops for the wonderful donation and assured that they will put the items to good use for the benefit of both the students and the entire school. He acknowledged the contribution the Ghanaian soldiers have made towards peace in Barra in particular and the entire Gambia in general. In showing their appreciation to the Ghanaians for the donation, some of the students recited some verses from the holy Quran and prayed for Allah’s continued blessings for the troops.

The Founders’ Day is marked on the 4th of August every year and it takes its root from the 4th of August 1947 which was the day the first political party called the United Gold Coast Convention (UGCC) was formed by some leading Gold Coasters (Ghana was called Gold Coast before independence). All those who led the struggle for independence could trace their roots to this first political party. Subsequently, Ghana gained its independence from the British colonial rule on the 6th of March 1957, becoming the first country to do so in sub-Sahara Africa. This achievement encouraged other freedom fighters to push for their own independence with the support of Ghana. Subsequently, many African countries gained independence from their respective colonial rulers with Ghana becoming the torchbearer for African freedom at that point in the history of the Continent. The 4th of August is therefore observed as a national holiday in Ghana.

Other Ghanaian military officers present at the ceremony were Lieutenant Commander Andrews La-Anyane (Press Information Officer), Major Bright Kusime (Contingent’s Deputy Commander), Major Oscar Opoku (Logistics Officer), Captain Aikens Mbrah (Medical Officer), Sub-Lieutenant Denis Armaah (Finance Officer), Lieutenant Jibril Osman, Lieutenant Jennifer Adobea Nkrumah (Civil-Military Cooperation Officer), and Senior Warrant Officer Class One Issifu Zakari (Company Sergeant Major).

Mayoress Rohey Malick Lowe on Sunday led the way in getting tested for coronavirus – as her council in partnership with volunteers from Edward Francis Small Teaching Hospital launched an initiative that will help the people of Banjul learn their coronavirus status.

Coronavirus cases in the country is soaring and Banjul has been hard hit amid deaths associated with the disease in the city.

The mayoress has been at the forefront of efforts aimed at stopping a spread of the disease including an impassioned plea last week for a lockdown. Her call has now been heeded after the declaration of a new state of emergency by President Adama Barrow last Wednesday.

“This initiative is part of the response of the City Council to help suppress the spread of the deadly virus within the City and we appeal to everyone to come forward to be tested,” said Mayoress Lowe during the launch of the know-your-status initiative held at Banjul City Council on Sunday.

The mayoress then led the way in getting tested for the disease.

The total number of people that will be tested for a start will be 100 and the process will continue base on the availability of the Medical Team that will be conducting the test.

Health minister Dr Ahmadou Lamin Samateh has tested negative for coronavirus days after he was lodged in a quarantine facility as uncertainty surrounded his status.

A statement by government spokesperson Ebrima Sankareh Saturday said Dr Samateh checked out of his quarantine facility after his second Covid-19 test results turned negative.

“The Hon Minister had earlier on checked in the quarantine facility after three of his close working contacts tested Covid positive while own preliminary results turned inconclusive,” Sankareh said in a statement.

He added: “He retested Wednesday and his results came in last night as Covid-19 NEGATIVE.

“Dr. Samateh now returns to work and wishes to remind Gambians and all residents to accept the seriousness of the COVID-19 virus.”

Straight-talking Nyang Njie said Saturday evening his is ‘alive’ and ‘well’ following reports a mob attacked him in Banjul.

Mr Njie recently stunned the people of Banjul when he went after the city’s elders saying they are largely to blame for the country’s problems.

Reports then emerged on Saturday youth of Banjul attacked him, reports that saw many Gambians rushing to condemn any act of savagery against the man.

The man himself spoke Saturday evening, saying: “Contrary to reports circulating on Gambian social media describing an incident that took place in Banjul. I can authoritatively state that NYANG NJIE is alive and well and he was not confronted by a mob but by two individuals whose motives were personal and with the intent to assault and cause grievous bodily harm.

“Fortunately, the crowd that was present exercised calm and caution. I salute all that had the courage of conviction to desist from violence and by engaging constructively to challenge the prevailing proposition advanced by NYANG NJIE on his Vlogs.

“Gambia is a country of law and I expect the Office of the IGP to diligently handle the issue judiciously. Without fear, favour and or ill will. No one will silence NYANG NJIE or other VOICES OF DISSENT in the Gambia.

“The Government has so far given us the space and latitude to excercise our right of expression and we may be at loggerheads with critics who disapprove of our utterances. People are entitled to divergent views and they must be resolved in the MARKET PLACE OF IDEAS.”

Vice President Dr Isatou Touray tested negative for coronavirus at the second time of asking, as State House said she is responding well to treatment.

A statement by the presidency said: “The Office of the President is pleased to inform the public that Her Excellency, the Vice President, Dr. Isatou Touray has been responding to treatment and her second sample test result which was conducted 5th August 2020 came out negative for COVID 19, today, 8th August 2020.

“His Excellency has been informed and he wishes the Vice President and all those infected speedy and full recovery.

“The public is reminded that the Coronavirus is real and exists in The Gambia. All and sundry is advised to properly use face masks, maintain regular hand washing and social distancing in the fight against the virus.”

UDP leader Ousainou Darboe turned 72 on Saturday as messages of love poured in for one of the country’s most respected political leaders.

“I send you a very happy birthday to you in advance my Allah bless you and your family and u bee our president elect in the Gambia for 2021,” Facebooker Basiru Abdoulie Jallow wrote.

Mr Darboe was born in Dobo, Central River Region on 8 August 1948. This year mark his 72nd year on earth.

Another admirer Buba S Darboe wrote: “Happy birthday Baba, live long and many more blessings.Road to state house 2021. #victory is coming tomorrow.”

Another Facebooker said: “I just wanted to express gratitude to an extraordinary human being, not only a onetime go-to defense for many a victim of conscience, but one of the few figures who lifted our spirits when nothing seemed desirable, be it regarding our basic freedoms or our political aspirations, and when it was neither easy nor a popular thing to do, if not literally self-sacrificing.”

The Fatu Network understands Mr Darboe is planning a reaction later on Saturday over the show of love.

A consortium civil society organisations and frontline workers have asked President Adama Barrow to address the nation within 72 hours, as they lay down a 10-point demand for the president over the coronavirus crisis.

Democratic Union of Gambian Activists (DUGA), Gambia Participates, Gambia Conference of Reforms and Democracy (GAMCORD), the Gambia Bar Restaurant and Night Club Association (G-BRANA), Right to Know (R2K) Gambia, the Association of Non-Governmental Organizations in the Gambia (TANGO), and Team Gom Sa Borpa and frontline workers in a letter to President Barrow on Saturday expressed their disappointment over the manner the president is handling the coronavirus crisis.

They then demanded: “We urge you to face the nation, and speak to us, within the next 72 hours, as to the next steps to be taken by your government in dealing with this stage of the pandemic, as well as steps being taken to address our urgent requests below. It is inappropriate, and unacceptable to leave such a responsibility of steering such a response to your spokespersons.

“We request a report from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to why he handed over the PPEs to the office of the first lady and what she did with the PPEs, and evidence of who she gave these PPEs to, as well as who involved.

“We request a full medical package to be accorded to front line workers, and any healthcare worker that contracts COVID-19 the in the line of duty.

“There should be basic medication available at treatment facilities for front line workers and a doctor should be attached to these facilities to attend to the health needs of healthcare workers while under treatment. A doctor should review each healthcare worker under treatment at least every two or three days and be provided with the required medication where necessary.

“Provision of daily allowance for front line health workers as well as equal payment for frontline workers be effected immediately.

“The ministry should have a distinct criteria of levels of risk, and categories of front line workers in its workforce.

“The ministry should communicate such criteria and categories to the frontline workers by making such criteria public.

“The ministry needs to rethink its modus operandi, and adopt best practices, to ensure optimal, effective and efficient deployment of the talent, abilities and experiences of health workers.

“We request the daily allowance of a minimum of D750 be paid to us.

“The MoH needs to provide adequate accommodation to frontline responders, especially those the are exposed to infected patients.”

Civil society and business lobby groups have forthrightly told President Adama Barrow in a letter his government’s poor response to coronavirus led to sectors being ravaged.

The seven groups in their letter to the president dated 8 August told the Gambian leader they’d in their previous letter to him appealed to “your government to prioritize resource allocation to the poor, vulnerable and struggling SMEs and strategic businesses”.

They then reminded the president before moving on to blast his government’s response to coronavirus: “We also proposed the introduction of systems and mechanisms to obtain data on the informal sector, like taxi drivers via the Transport Union to assist them with fuel subsidy using fuel coupon schemes, to incentivize those who adhere to the 50% passenger regulation.

“We went further to proposes support to SME’s/businesses affected by the economic slowdown in the form of tax and import duty rebates, access to foreign currency, concessional loans and other economic stimulants. Added to this, the tourism sector, which has taken the greatest economic hit, needs urgent support. The Gambia Bar Restaurant and Night Club Association (G-BRANA), has made some valid and reasonable suggestions as to how the COIVD-19 funds could be utilized to support this sector.

“Their suggestions fell directly in line with the original proposal sent to your government, which urged you to set aside financial package of thirty million dollars for stimulating and supporting venerable sectors of the economy. We had at the time, not mentioned the priority that needed to be given to the health workers, because that was taken as a given. An obvious focus that did not need to be stated.

“Nevertheless, it is now evident that we under estimated the need to state the obvious. As a result, we are once again enjoining you to refocus on your COVID response strategy, and consider the plight of the frontline workers, SMEs, and the hotel industry, which has been decimated due to your government’s poor response to the COVID-19.”

The groups are, Democratic Union of Gambian Activists (DUGA); Gambia Participates; Gambia Conference of Reforms and Democracy (GAMCORD); The Gambia Bar Restaurant and Night Club Association (G-BRANA); Right to Know (R2K) Gambia; The Association of Non-Governmental Organizations in the Gambia (TANGO); and Team Gom Sa Borpa.

A security guard died on the job on Saturday, The Fatu Network has gathered.

The man whose identity could not be immediately established reportedly died while on night guard at Africell’s Bakau branch.

The man’s corpse was evacuated Saturday morning by Covid-19-ready health officials as suspicion mounted he died of coronavirus.

The Fatu Network understands the man works for a security firm that posted him to Africell.

Over 60 percent of the new cases are symptomatic with many presenting with loss of taste or smell and intermittent coughing – a sharp departure from previous sets of reported cases.

The ministry in situation report No. 113 said unlike the previous sets of reported cases which were predominantly asymptomatic, over 60 percent of the new cases are symptomatic with many presenting with loss of taste or smell and intermittent coughing.

In the report released on Friday, the ministry said 155 new cases were registered as the nation’s total figure jumped to 1,090.

Fifteen volunteers of the Gambia Red Cross coronavirus burial team benefitted from mental health and psychosocial support first aid, the ministry of health has confirmed.

Gambia Red Cross Society officials are responsible for burying people who die from coronavirus in the country. The exercise can be mentally traumatising.

The ministry in its latest Covid-19 situation report released on Friday confirmed fifteen of the red cross volunteers received psychosocial first aid support.

It comes as the ministry said three people died of coronavirus as the nation’s fatalities rose to 19.

By Fatou Camara II

A Gambian nurse has moved out of her family house in Sinchu Baliya after she came under sustained discrimination involving family members.

Awa (not her real name) tells The Fatu Network although she has tested negative for coronavirus her family complains ‘constantly’.

“My family complain constantly for the fact that I am exposed and this is very traumatizing,” she says.

“However, I don’t blame them. I quite understand because they feel that I am exposed and might get contracted with the virus and contract them. But I honestly can’t stand the stigma that’s why i need to stay alone.”

According to the nurse, societal discrimination against nurses also exists and that it is traumatizing and might get the country to lose nurses.

“Most people run from us , they don’t want to have anything to do with us,” she said.

By Fatou Camara II

The Gambia government has not made any request for assistance from Senegal, ministry of foreign affairs spokesman has said.

Senegalese media reported on Friday the government has asked Senegal for support in dealing with the coronavirus pandemic in the country. The Gambia reportedly asked for Senegal’s help alongside Mauritania.

“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs did not make any request for assistance nor has it forwarded any request for assistance from any Ministry or institution in The Gambia to Senegal,” Foreign Ministry’s Spokesman Saikou Ceesay said.

Three people have died of coronavirus taking fatalities from the disease to 19, according to a new report by ministry of health.

Situation Report No. 113 says three new Covid-19 related deaths have been recorded while 155 new cases are registered.

The report’s release comes a day after President Adama Barrow declared a new state of emergency. The new measure is accompanied by a 10pm-to-dawn curfew which began on Thursday.

The nation’s cases of the disease now stands at 1,090.

There was palpable protest on Friday following the announcement by police Kanifing Magistrates Court has fined Abdoulie Gaye D8,000 for recklessly driving a car that left three people dead.

Police had charged the 21-year-old for dangerous driving, careless driving and reckless driving after taking part in an Eid day auto-race on 31 July. The race ended in him losing control of his car and ramming into people killing three people.

On Friday, police said the Kanifing Magistrates Court convicted Gaye of all three counts and fined him D2,000, D1,000 and D8,000.

Gambians online quickly reacted to it with anger as many said it was a travesty.

“#GambiaJungleJustice. Would u accept D50k if a drunken driver kills 3 members of your family, or u will fight 4 justice in their names?” one asked.

Another commented: “Oh my god what kind of judgement is this killing three people nothing come out of it ? May departed soul rest in peace God is their judge.”

While most appeared to savage the magistrate, one said: “Everyone is blaming the magistrate but the blame should be switched to the police prosecutors that charged Abdoulie. The magistrate only tried Abdoulie based on what he was charged.

“It seems he was only charged for reckless driving and dangerous driving. For the death of the three boys, Abdoulie should’ve been charged with vehicular manslaughter which is a car accident resulting in someone else’s death.”

By CGTN

Africa’s confirmed coronavirus cases have surpassed the one million mark, with more than 690,000 recoveries and more than 22,000 deaths cumulatively, the World Health Organization (WHO) said.

World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Director for Africa Dr Matshidiso Moeti also made the announcement on her official Twitter page, saying that WHO is supporting countries to decentralize testing, tracing, isolation and treatment.

The Africa CDC, a specialized healthcare agency of the 55-member African Union Commission, said in its latest situation update that the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases across the continent rose to 1,007,366 as of Friday afternoon.

South Africa, the worst-hit country on the continent, has registered 538,184 confirmed COVID-19 cases so far, followed by Egypt, Nigeria, Algeria and Morocco, Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) said.

In addition to the rapid spread of the virus in the African continent, the Africa CDC said eight African countries have reported higher COVID-19 fatality rates compared to the global average, namely Chad, Sudan, Niger, Liberia, Egypt, Mali, Burkina Faso and Angola.

Amid the rapid spread of the virus across countries on the continent, South Africa, Djibouti, Sao Tome and Principe, Cape Verde and Gabon are reporting the most cumulative COVID-19 cases per 100,000 in Africa, it added.