By Lamin Njie

The vice chairperson of the Awards Committee of The Fatu Network Heroes Awards said on Saturday her committee was looking for people who best fit the criteria for the various categories that are up for grabs.

“I don’t believe we have any politician but we weren’t looking for politicians. We were looking for people that best fit the criteria,” Neneh Cham told reporters at a press conference held at The Fatu Network offices on Kairaba Avenue.

The TFN Heroes Awards is established by The Fatu Network, the leading online news provider in The Gambia with the aim of recognizing and celebrating Gambians who have offered invaluable service to the country and to their communities.

The committee shortlisted 43 candidates of individuals and organisations for the 2019 Awards out of 1527 entries, the chairperson of the committee Fatou Amirah Mambouray had earlier said.

She explained: “We had a total of 1527 nominations. The diaspora was responsible for 51.8 percent of those nominations and The Gambia 48.2 percent of those nominations. And going into the categories, from the greatest to the least, we had Exemplary Youth 26.2 percent (400 nominations); We have the Philanthropist of the Year which was 14.4 percent of the nominations (219);

“Man of the Year (195 nominations); the Green Award (181 nominations); Woman of the Year (154 nominations); Agricultural Leader (108 nominations); Education Prize for Excellence (85); Health Servant of the Year (70); Diaspora Engagement (62); Iconic Gambian which our Posthumous Award (45) and our TrailBlazer Award (7).”

Pastor Forbes a member of the committee on how the candidates were nominated said there was a list of criteria put out which was specific for each category.

“Fortunately a lot of people answered according to the category requirements,” he said.

The general public would now have the opportunity to vote the nominees of their choice from Monday, 24 February to Sunday, 8 March, 2020 via Africell text message and the Awards online platform (tfnheroes.com).

Former Presidential Affairs Minister and International Speaker, Momodou Sabally, has called on young people to develop the right positive mindsets so that they can use technology productively to the benefit of their communities and the nation at large.

Sabally made these remarks, February 20, at the American International University West Africa, where he was guest speaker alongside National Assembly Members Honourable Madi Ceesay and Honourable Halifa Sallah. The occasion marked the official handing over of the leadership of the university’s student union from the outgoing executive to the newly elected team.

Sabally commended the students for showing the nation a bright example in the matter of responsible governance and hitch-free transfer of power.

Speaking on the topic “Prospects and challenges of young people in the changing face of technology” Sabally asserted “Like fire, technology is a good servant but bad master. What will it constitute for you? ‘Dess na si yow!’ Are you gonna use technology to fan the flames of hatred and tribalism or love and unity?

“Are you gonna use technology to spy on people and share nude pictures and hate speech or are you gonna use that mobile phone to help monitor the wheather for farmers or help check the blood pressure of your patients?

“The power of technology can help us leapfrog the development process but that can only happen if you, the young people, decide to build informed and positive mindsets as opposed to trivial and superficial mindsets, competing in the number of Facebook likes and which version of camera 360 you should use to enhance your profile pictures.

“We are in the era of #coding and that is a huge opportunity for you, the young ones, to use your creative energy to come up with tech solutions that will be of benefit to your communities and nations. But your coding skills, like tech itself, could be a good servant or a bad master…

“And that is why when I spoke at the Confederation of West African Youths’ youth forum in Freetown on this subject, I asserted that before we teach our youths the science of coding, we must make sure we give the the right code of conduct.

“The technology that gave us the computer, is the same knowledge that gave us the atomic bomb. Let us build the right mindsets for our skillsets to be of benefit and not harm to our societies.”

Sabally also advised the students to spend more of their time in study and introspection, “What You the youths need to do is to be a bit more quiet; read extensively and intensively; search for meaning and learn to be authentic in what you think, do and say; this is what will move your lives forward and the country upwards.”

By Omar Wally

The first deputy leader of former ruling APRC Ousman Rambo Jatta has dismissed claims that his arrest in 2006 was ordered by former President Yahya Jammeh.

In 2006, while a member of UDP; Jatta was arrested and detained for a year for protesting against suspected misconduct in the presidential election of 2006.

Jatta later left UDP and joined APRC and served in various capacities; including permanent secretary and managing director of defunct Daily Observer newspaper.

The APRC deputy party leader said part of the reasons why he joined APRC was that he is a ‘development oriented’ person.

“Jammeh send Solo Bojang who approach me and told me Jammeh wanted me to join him and work,” Jatta said.

“After joining Jammeh, I later found out that my arrest was not ordered by Jammeh, from the horse mouth. In the presence of five ministers, four permanent secretaries and the speaker of the house in Farafenni, Jammeh said he never ordered for my arrest.”

According to Jatta, his arrest was ordered by his opponents in Bakau. When asked if Jammeh should take some degree of responsibility due to the fact that it was under his reign that he (Rambo) was arrested.

In response, Jatta said so many thing happened which Jammeh was not aware of and “mine is an example”.

He continued: “Jammeh told me he knew my arrest on the newspapers.”

Dawda Docka Fadera on 3 February received in his office the secretary general of the US Council of Muslim Organisation, the foreign ministry has said.

Mr Fadera who is The Gambia’s ambassador to the US Ousman Jammal and his delegation as part of a courtesy call following the ruling of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on The Gambia versus Myanmar case.

The foreign ministry said in a statement Friday: “Ambassador Fadera welcomed the delegation and thanked them for expressing their organisation’s solidarity with the Government and people of The Gambia. Ambassador Fadera noted that in this day and age, the international community should adopt a zero tolerance for genocide against any group of people. He highlighted the fact that the international community has enough diplomatic and legal instruments to act before any deliberate killing of a large group of people.

“Ambassador Fadera assured Mr. Jammal and his delegation that The Gambia will not relent in its efforts and will continue to take the lead on this important matter until every Rohingya refugee is resettled in his /her community and living a decent and dignified life.

“For his part, Mr. Ousman Jammal and his delegation expressed gratitude and appreciation to the Government and people of The Gambia for taking the laudable initiative to address the plight of the Rohingya people by filing a genocide case against the Government of Myanmar at the ICJ over its treatment of the Rohingya people. Each member of his delegation also took time to express heartfelt sentiments on the role The Gambia is playing in this landmark and historic endeavour.

“Mr. Jammal described The Gambia as a small country in size but a champion in advocating for religious freedom and tolerance around the world. He further expressed his strong desire for his organisation to partner with the Government of The Gambia on areas of mutual interest for the benefit of the Islamic Ummah.”

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Gambians Abroad of the Republic of The Gambia has said the government has extended financial support to Gambian students living in the coronavirus affected provinces of Wuhan, Hubei, Wenzhou in the People’s Republic of China.

The ministry in a statement Friday said: “Following the outbreak of coronavirus in China, the President His Excellency Adama Barrow instructed the Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Gambians Abroad, Dr. Mamadou Tangara, to mobilise resources with a view to supporting Gambian students in China especially in provinces at the epicentre of the coronavirus.

“To this effect, the sum of $10,520 equivalent to GMD 536,520 has been transferred to the account of The Gambia Embassy in Beijing for onward distribution among the 24 Gambian students living in the affected provinces.

“The students have since received the financial support and expressed appreciation to The Gambia Government through The Gambia Students Association in China.”

By Lamin Njie

Food Safety and Quality Authority said on Thursday it has agreed with Saho-Plast, owners of Top Saho fruit drink for a voluntary recall of TopSaho Fruit Canned Drinks from the market.

In a statement, the authority said the move comes amid concern on a particular consignment which has been observed to depict ‘abnormal’ characteristics of the Top Saho product.

FSQA said: “Saho-Plast is helping with the investigations and will stop all sales of these products pending the outcome of the investigation. The general public will be provided with necessary guidance and information after the conclusion of the investigation.

“In the meantime, the general public is assured of the resolve of the Authority to ensure that the voluntary recall by Saho-Plast is properly implemented as stipulated in the Internal Incident Response Protocol (FSQA/IRP1 2017) and the Traceability and Recall Guidelines (FSQA/GL 3 2016, FSQA/GL 4 2016) of the Authority.

“The General Public, especially customers of the TopSaho fruit drink, are urged to assist the management of Saho-Plast for a smooth and quick recall of the fruit drink from the market.

“The Authority once again reassure consumers that it will continue to protect and safeguard the health of the populace.”

By Adama Makasuba

A four-man delegation including three government ministers have on Wednesday left Banjul for Dakar to meet Senegal’s president Macky Sall and Senegal’s Transport Union to settle a looming border crisis between the two countries.

The Gambia Transport Union Monday vowed to take a retaliatory action by closing the border after Gambian buses were stopped in Karang and then barred from proceeding into Senegal.

But early Wednesday, Gambia government intervened by sending a four-man delegation to Senegal.

And among the delegation includes minister of foreign affairs, minister of interior, and the minister of works who are expected to meet with Senegalese president Macky Sall and Senegal’s transport union to seek practical solution to the border crisis.

But president of Gambia Transport Union Omar Ceesay told journalists: “We are just waiting for the outcome of the dialogue between the two governments.

“[But] we will stop all Senegalese commercial vehicles from entering The Gambia if any time they attempt to deny our vehicle from entering their country.”

The union had threatened to bar Senegalese vehicles from entering The Gambia.

By Lamin Njie

TRRC lead counsel Essa Faal, Justice Minister Abubacarr Tambadou, top activist Madi Jobarteh and Mayor of Kanifing Municipality Talib Ahmed Bensouda will battle it out for The Fatu Network’s Man of the Year 2019.

The Awards Committee of The Fatu Network Heroes Awards said on Wednesday that 43 candidates of individuals and organisations have been shortlisted for the 2019 Awards.

In a statement made available to The Fatu Network, the awards committee said a total of 1503 entries were reviewed on Tuesday, 18 February during a day-long exercise.

“The Committee based its decisions strictly on the awards criteria for each category and the justifications written in support of a person’s nomination. Particular attention was paid to a nominee’s leadership, initiative, direct involvement and concrete results that are strengthening communities and impacting lives,” the committee said.

In the Man of the Year category, Essa Faal, Abubacarr Tambadou, Madi Jobarteh and Talib Ahmed Bensouda are the four men who make the cut.

Essa Faal is the lead counsel at the TRRC and his efforts in ensuring the investigation achieves its massive objective of piecing together an impartial record of the human rights violations and abuses of the 22 years rule of former president Yahya Jammeh is what endeared him to almost every Gambian. He has done a remarkable job in giving Gambians a better understanding of some of the sick things that took place while Jammeh was president.

Abubacarr Tambadou has been the country’s justice minister since 2017. Mr Tambadou is the man behind the country’s transitional justice program – which includes the TRRC. But Mr Tambadou’s one remarkable achievement in 2019 is his ICJ Rohingya case. He canvassed support from the Muslim world and filed a case at the International Court of Justice alleging that Myanmar was committing “an ongoing genocide” against its minority Muslim Rohingya population. And last month, the world’s top court ordered Myanmar to stop genocidal acts against the Rohingya. It was a huge victory for not just the Rohingya but entire Muslim world – as it also proved to be a huge first step in the fight for justice for the Rohingya.

Madi Jobarteh is a human rights activist and a socio-political commentator. Mr Jobarteh stands out when it comes to speaking truth to power. In 2019, no Gambian spoke truth to power more than Madi Jobarteh. While there are some people who do not agree with his views, Mr Jobarteh advocates for a Gambia that is free from corruption and all other ills that could threaten the future of the New Gambia. He is a passionate and fearless defender of the fundamental freedoms and rights of Gambians.

Talib Ahmed Bensouda is the mayor of Kanifing Municipality. The charismatic young mayor is one of the smartest Gambians of his time. He has managed to reposition Kanifing Municipal Council as an institution, and his achievements in the short time he has been mayor is known by many. The Gambia will surely depend on the likes of Mr Bensouda for its future.

By Adama Makasuba

Former president Yahya Jammeh’s sister and her children are teetering on the brink of homelessness after an eviction notice handed to them by the ministry of justice.

Last Saturday, a group of people believed to be officials of ministry of justice handed an eviction letter to Yama Bojang in her house in Paradise Estate, Coastal Road to vacate a house as they claim belong to a man named Sankung Fatty. The letter made available to The Fatu Network demands the family to leave latest Sunday.

But a son of Yama Jammeh, Salim Bajong, 26, told The Fatu Network it is not ‘normal’ the way they have been treated.

“This is something that we don’t accept. How it happened was inhumane because even a tenant would need 3 months’ notice before you send him out,” he said.

He added: “The ministry of justice doesn’t have any power to issue eviction. [It] is only the court that has that right to issue a legal notice. To me, it is a witch hunt and Adama Barrow should know that whatever he does will hunt him if he leaves power.”

The ministry of justice could not be immediately reached for comment.

The Awards Committee of The Fatu Network Heroes Awards said on Wednesday that 43 candidates of individuals and organisations have been shortlisted for the 2019 Awards.

In a statement made available to The Fatu Network, the awards committee said a total of 1503 entries were reviewed on Tuesday, 18 February during a day-long exercise.

“The Committee based its decisions strictly on the awards criteria for each category and the justifications written in support of a person’s nomination. Particular attention was paid to a nominee’s leadership, initiative, direct involvement and concrete results that are strengthening communities and impacting lives,” the committee said.

The following candidates make the cut;

Trailblazer Award (Persons with Disability)

The Gambia Association of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (GADHOH)
Madam Isatou Sanyang
Alieu Jaiteh
Dr. Abubacarr Jagne

Iconic Gambian Award (Posthumous)
Sise Jaha Sawaneh
Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara
Solo Sandeng

Diaspora Engagement Award
Gambia Diaspora Health Initiative (GHDI)
Malick Khan
Dr. Amadou Scattred Janneh
Alieu Badara Nyassi

Health Servant of The Year Award
Dr. Abubacarr Jagne
Dr. Abdul Hamid Kanteh
Dr. Kebba Marenah
Fatoumatta L. Kassama

Education Prize for Excellence
Dr. Mam Yassin Sarr
Mrs. Oumie Camara
ISRA Organization
Omar J. Ndure

Leadership in Agriculture Award

Muhammed Sanyang G-Farms
AJ Growher Jallow
Marou Farms
Tresor Women Warriors

The Green Award
Omar Malmo Sambou
Community Action Platform for Environment and Development
Dr. Malanding Jaiteh
Gambia Ocean Heroes

Philanthropist of The Year Award
Yunus Hydara
Ebrima Jatta
MRC Holland Foundation
Alhagie Ousman Kinteh

Woman of The Year
Nyimasata Camara
Aji Kumba Daffeh
Mayor Rohey Malick Lowe
Gina Bass

Man of The Year
Essa M. Faal
Abubacarr Ba Tambadou
Madi Jobarteh
Talib Ahmed Bensouda

Exemplary Youth
Gina Bass
Ndey Awa Ceesay
Alieu Jallow
Adama Jarjue

The awards committee has indicated to The Fatu Network it deemed it fit to not shortlist nominated candidates such as TAF Africa Global because of their role in the event. TAF Africal Global is one’s of the awards’ sponsors.

The leading property developer’s chief executive officer Mustapha Njie was nominted in two categories (Man of the Year and Philantropist of the Year).

The Fatu Network is giving out three special awards, one of which will go to the First Lady of Sierra Leone Fatima Bio. TAF Africa Global will benefit under this category.

Meanwhile, the general public would now have the opportunity to vote the nominees of their choice from Monday, 24 February to Sunday, 8 March, 2020 via Africell text message and the Awards online platforms. The nominees’ full biographical information would be published on the same date. Once voting ends, the Committee will review the submissions from 9th-12 March and unveil the finalists, The Heroes, on Saturday, 14 March at an award banquet to be held at the Coco Ocean Resort and Spa in Bijilo.

The Awards Committee expresses its appreciation to everyone and counts on your continued support throughout this process.

The TFN Heroes Awards is established by The Fatu Network, the leading online news provider in The Gambia with the aim of recognizing and celebrating Gambians who have offered invaluable service to the country and to their communities.

By Adama Makasuba

Minister of Tourism and Culture has said that the Barrow administration is negotiating with the European Union to safeguard the interest of Gambians in Europe.

Thousands of undocumented Gambians in Europe risk deportation to The Gambia after they’d reportedly exhausted all legal possibilities to stay in Europe.

EU ambassador to The Gambia Attila Lajos last year said at a news conference: “It is part of the discussions because I made it clear last year or the year before, if you trace your archives, that those who exhausted their legal possibilities for seeking asylum or legalising their status in member states and if they exhausted all these possibilities those migrants are going to be returned. This is a matter of principle; this is part of the respect for the rule of law. No country wishes to have illegal migrants on its territory.”

And speaking in a joint news conference on Monday in Banjul, Hamat Bah said: “We are aware of our youth who have gone in thousands by the ‘back way’ in Europe, who are to be deported.

“We are negotiating with the EU to safeguard the interest of our citizens wherever they are, to protect them, defend their interest, support them with the little resource that we have.”

By Adama Makasuba

Top official of World Health Organisation has said road crash has become the leading killer of youth in the world while calling on youths to be part of the implementation of safety measures to end the menace.

At least 200 young leaders from 75 countries under World Youth Assembly will meet to hold a one-day summit on road safety in Stockholm.

The summit is also expected to explore road safety and crosscutting solutions to challenge the number one cause of death for youth (aged 15-29).

The young leaders also called out to decision-makers to involve them in road safety decision making through meaningful youth participation and stop the ‘business as usual’ approach that is seeing so many youths die every day on the world’s roads.

And in a press released shared with The Fatu Network, Etienne Krug director of the Department of Social Determinants of Health under the World Health Organization said:

“Road traffic crashes have become the leading killer of our youth. Young people should therefore be part of addressing this scourge.

“We know the solutions and they should be implemented now. The 2nd World Youth Assembly will catalyse the youth movement for road safety, demanding and generating the action needed.”

By Lamin Njie

President Adama Barrow said on Tuesday politics is not about the language ‘we speak’ as he led celebrations marking the country’s 55th independence anniversary.

On 18 February 1965, The Gambia shrugged off colonial rule and joined other newly independent West African nations. The country had lived under British rule for over half a century.

On Tuesday, thousands of Gambians gathered at McCarthy Square in Banjul for the country’s 55th independence anniversary.

In his speech at the event, President Barrow called for unity among Gambians, going as far as addressing the issue of ethnicity.

The president said: “Politics is not about the language we speak or the ethnic group we identify with, it is about the nation and development and future.

“While ethnicity contributes significantly to our richly splendid culture and stands out as a diverse source of strength, if weaponised for selfish reasons, ethnicity has devastating consequences. It has plunged many nations into protracted conflict, destruction and great instability.”

By Adama Makasuba

The Barrow administration has vowed it will get to the bottom of a Sun newspaper story that claims Gambian children are being sold to British paedophiles.

UK newspaper The Sun last month reported that tragic Gambian children are being sold to British paedophiles for as little as £2-a-time (about 150 dalasis) by their desperate parents. The story was titled, ‘Inside ‘paedo paradise’ The Gambia where sex beasts are buying African children and toddlers to rape’ – where a Child Protection Alliance official was interviewed.

On Monday, the government convened a joint news conference where officials revealed the article would be the last publication intended to tarnish the country’s image.

Reading from a two-page document on behalf of government, Fatou Kinteh Sanyang, minister of women, children and social welfarem said: “The general public is hereby informed that the article is malicious and based on misinformation and [mis]characterisation of the fact[s].

“The government of The Gambia as a State party to various international treaties, most notably the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, the Convention for the elimination of all forms of discrimination against women, the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the child, has invested heavily in the promotion and protection of the rights of children in The Gambia.”

Tourism minister Hamat Bah, who also spoke, said: “Since the article was published in the Sun newspaper, every effort was made to prove that the article was malicious (and) was done in bad faith in an intend to destroy the country.”

According to him, investigations are ongoing to get to the bottom of the issue, saying “we will follow the due process of (the) law to do what is right in protecting this country.”

By Lamin Njie

Imam Fatty has said Ba Kawsu is a kid that he helped a lot but the younger cleric ended up causing him great trouble.

Imam Fatty on Monday appeared before the TRRC after a number of religious leaders said he was among a group of scholars who okayed former president Yahya Jammeh’s tyranny. Some even claimed he engineered the human rights violations and abuses meted out to them.

One cleric that Imam Fatty did not see eye-to-eye with was Ba Kawsu who blamed him for his ordeal under Jammeh.

Imam Fatty however in his closing statements before the TRRC said it was in fact Ba Kawsu who caused him great trouble.

The Bakoteh imam said: “I did not commit any sin, even if there is a lot of talk. There are people here who can bear me witness. I would tell them, ‘if people insult me, don’t insult them’. Greet their [actions] with wisdom.

“Ba Kawsu caused me so much trouble, he insulted me a lot. Excuse me. He was a kid that I was kind to. I helped him a lot. He sought for a position and lost and then had no foe except me.”

By Lamin Njie

Imam Abdoulie Fatty was today involved in an early back-and-forth as he commenced his testimony at the TRRC.

The former State House imam appeared before the commission days after a number of witnesses mostly religious leaders called him out over his role in either their persecution or ordeal during Jammeh’s rule.

Imam Fatty began giving his own side of the story today but only after a dramatic back-and-forth. It began after he was asked to swear holding the Quran.

“Ya Imam, welcome to the TRRC. Could you please give him the Quran and let him take the oath,” Essa Faal began.

Imam Fatty however replied: “Can I swear without holding the Quran?”

Essa Faal then said: “Well in Gambia, if you take an oath, as a Muslim, you have to do it on the Quran. If you do it as a Christian, you do it on the Bible. If you do not subscribe to either faith, you may make an affirmation. As an Imam, I take it you should not have any difficulty to swear on the Quran to speak the truth.”

Replying, Imam Fatty said: “For us, we swear by Allah, not the Quran. So when we say Muslims, you should also listen to us.”

An insisting Essa Faal responded: “But you can still swear to God holding the Quran which is a central pillar in Islam.”

“It’s a pillar but we’ll set that aside and talk based on law,” Imam Fatty said.

“No, we are not going to set it aside. If you wish to swear as a Muslim, you hold the Quran and you swear. If you want to swear as a Christian, you hold the Bible and swear,” Essa Faal who was getting frustrated replied.

Imam Fatty who wouldn’t budge then said: “I am arguing with you but it’s just a tradition.”

Essa Faal then argued: If you do not subscribe to either faith or you believe that you do not want to take an oath, you can make an affirmation.”

“I am not refusing to swear…,” Imam Fatty said.

TRRC chairperson Dr Lamin Sise then intervened saying: “Hold on a second, you are the 204 witness here. We are not going to change our procedures for one person come in here and… Can you please proceed and take the oath on the Quran please?”

A clearly irked Imam Fatty reposted: “Is it their responsibility before Allah?”

In the end, the Imam held the Quran and swore to speak the truth.

By Lamin Njie

The foreign ministry has written to a number of diplomats informing them that their time pushing the country’s interest abroad was coming to an end.

Reports emerged Saturday that Amadou Taal (Nigeria), Jainaba Bah (Russia), Ebou Manneh (Sierra Leone), and Alex Dacosta (Deputy Ambassador/Geneva) have all been written to. Other reports put Ramzia Diab (Malaysia) in that list.

The spokesman of the foreign affairs ministry told The Fatu Network Saturday reminding staff on contract that their contract is about to elapse is ‘normal’.

“It is a normal process to review diplomatic postings and operations,” Mr Ceesay added.

The foreign affairs ministry spokesman declined to comment on suggestions the affected diplomats were a victim of a witch-hunt campaign.

The officials whose contracts are coming to an end after three years were all appointed when Ousainou Darboe was foreign minister.

By Lamin Njie

Top Senegalese musician Youssour Ndour has confirmed he will attend The Fatu Network Heroes Awards 2019.

On 14 March 2020, 1000 people drawn from corporate Gambia, Senegal, Sierra Leone and elsewhere will gather at Coco Ocean for the initial The Fatu Network Heroes Awards.

The chief executive officer of The Fatu Network Fatu Camara met top Senegalese musician Youssour Ndour who confirmed he will be attending the event.

Mr Ndour told Ms Camara he would accord the event his full backing – pledging that his media group, GFM, will partner with The Fatu Network by providing live coverage.

The Fatu Network Heroes Awards is an annual awards event that honors inspiring personalities. The event recognizes individuals who work tirelessly and selflessly for their country and communities through their respective industries and initiatives.

Individuals from different walks of life across all key sectors and from different segments of the wider society will be honoured.