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Almami Taal Urged to Disregard Firing

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Almami Fanding Taal has been urged to disregard his firing from the Organisation of Islamic Conference national secretariat.

Mr Taal was last week axed as legal officer at the OIC secretariat. The decision came from the Office of the President.

Westminster country director Madi Jobarteh speaking to The Fatu Network in an exclusive interview on Wednesday urged Taal to disregard the firing.

“I assume Almami himself would know better as a lawyer. So that if he receives a letter from whichever source sacking him and he knows that to be unlawful, one way is to disregard it. Because certainly that letter would have no effect because the person or the office lacks the authority, the power to sack,” Jobarteh said.

Jobarteh a polemical political commentator said he was shocked about Taal’s firing and that this was why he was speaking up about it.

“Simply because my understanding of OIC is that OIC is an international organisation and so it is an inter-governmental organisation of which Gambia is a member. So OIC agencies or institutions that may exist in different countries are agencies that are supposed to operate as not state institutions but institutions that would have their own governing structure, management structure. So I was pretty much shock to see that in the news that the secretary general sacked a member of the OIC secretariat,” he said.

“Unless the OIC is not well organised in the Gambia but the appointing authority cannot be the state for the OIC secretariat particularly for its staff. So I find that pretty surprising and shocking and I think that it’s worth our attention and speaking up against it. Authority cannot be exercised just because you think you have it. It has to be based on fact, on law and on conscience that serves national interest.”

Better to be an Atheist than a Hypocritical Christian – Pope

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Pope Francis has criticised hypocrites in the Catholic Church, the pontiff said on Wednesday during his general audience in the Vatican.

“How often do we see the scandal of these people who go to church and are there every day, and then they lead a life in which they hate others or talk badly about other people.

“Better not go to church: Live like an atheist,’’ Francis said. During the audience, the Argentinian leader of the world’s 1.3 billion Catholics demonstrated his ability to connect with ordinary people.

He however, received members of the Cuban National Circus, while he laughed with the dancing artists and balanced a football on his fingertip. (Vanguard)

‘WE WANT OUR OWN REGION’: CRR-North Citizens Petition Constitution Commission

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By Lamin Njie

Citizens of Central River Region north have called for the inclusion of the creation of a new region in the new constitution of The Gambia.

President Adama Barrow last year set up a constitution review commission and tasked it to draft a news constitution for the country.

The agitators for the creation of a new region in The Gambia in a petition submitted to the Constitution Review Commission chairman Cherno Jallow on Monday cite the underdevelopment of CRR-north as their reason for demanding a new region. If granted, the North Central Region will bring the number of administrative areas in the country to eight with Kaur and Kuntaur as its most important towns.

“CRR-North has relatively lower scores in various indicators of socio-economic development, including access to information and communication technologies, employment, and education. According to the 2013 Census, only 3.5% of people in CRR-North had access to newspapers/magazines, compared to 15% for the national average.  Similarly, only 73.4% (compared to 87.1% nationally) of CRR-North had access to radio, and 31% of them (compared to 68.2% nationally) had access to television in 2013. Such limited access to sources of information seriously hinders development in all walks of life,” two CRR-North citizens Mr Katim Touray and Mr Alhaji Lamin Nyangado said in their proposal.

“CRR-North also has significantly less economic activity than other parts of the country in terms of various other parameters. For example, only 1.2% of the economically active population of CRR-North in 2013 were professionals, compared to 1.9% for CRR-South. This discrepancy is probably explained by the fact that CRR-South has a larger population than CRR-North. In addition, CRR-South includes Janjanbureh (the Regional Capital for CRR and seat of many government offices in CRR), as well as Bansang (where the Bansang Hospital is located), and hence has many professionals working in various government agencies, NGOs, and public enterprises.”

According to the petitioners, “CRR-North also lower attendance rates, and school life expectancy than other parts of the country.”

“While the 2013 gross attendance rate (GAR) for early childhood education was 71.7% in CRR-North, the GAR was 91.5 nationally, and 99.4% in urban areas. Similarly, the primary school net attendance rate (NAR) in CRR-North was 55.2% in 2013, compared to 69.4% and 76.2% for the national average, and urban areas, respectively. CRR-North also had the least school life expectancy (i.e. the number of years a person can expect in the future; 5.7 years, in contrast to Kanifing (11.5 years), as well as NBR and CRR-South, 9.0 years and 7.5 years, respectively,” the petitioners argued.

“Another important development challenge faced by CRR-North is that it has the least amounts of rainfall in the country, and what little falls usually does so in an erratic manner. According to a preliminary report of a pre-harvest assessment of the 2018/19 cropping season, the lowest amount of rainfall in The Gambia was recorded in Kaur, in CRR-North.  With 75.7% of households in CRR-North depending on farming as their source of income, and with per capita food production able to meet only 39% of their food needs, it is not surprising that CRR-North.”

Fresh Images of Ex-President Jammeh Dancing Emerge

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By Lamin Njie

Pictures of former President Yahya Jammeh having fun at what appears to be a New Year’s Eve party have emerged on social media.

The images come three weeks after the United States slammed fresh sanctions on the former dictator.

The US State Department announced on December 10 that it was publicly designating the former president over his involvement in significant corruption.

It means Jammeh, now living in Equatorial Guinea, will not be able to enter the United States. His wife and children have also been affected by the sanction.

In the video images published via a Facebook page purported to be popular Congolese Soukus singer Kofi Olomide’s, Jammeh could be seen dancing with Equatorial Guinea President Theodore Obiang Nguema. Jammeh looks troubled in the images.

The video was captioned, ‘Presidents on the Track’, and it has garnered over 300,000 views. It has also been widely shared.

Former President Yahya Jammeh left The Gambia for Equatorial Guinea in January 2017 after playing a big part in a political mess that lasted a month. Jammeh who ruled The Gambia for 22 years, was seeking re-election for a fifth time when he lost to President Adama Barrow. He conceded defeat only to change his mind five days later, a move that triggered a near-fatal impasse. Ecowas later had to intervene to force him to leave power. He now lives in Exile in Equatorial Guinea.

Meanwhile The Fatu Network has not been able to independently verify the when and where of images.

NEW YEAR: First Lady Delivers Cash, Care Items to Gambia First Babies

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By Mammy Saidykhan

First Lady Fatoumatta Bah Barrow on Tuesday visited the Edward Francis Small Teaching Hospital in Banjul where she doled out money and mother care items to first babies of the year.

Through her foundation, the gesture forms part of the President’s wife’s vision to give special attention to women and children in the country.

Speaking at the event, the Minister of Health and Social Welfare Dr Isatou Touray who accompanied the First Lady to EFSTH commended the staff of hospital for their hard work and commitment.

“This is a big day for me and her Excellency the First Lady for coming here today to serve humanity, to support the first lady’s initiative and all other donors that has facilitated for her,” she said.

According to her, the First Lady’s gesture is one of the humanitarian gestures that The Gambia needs for greater development.

“I know you are all working very hard and we count on you, you are the front liners and to congratulate all of you for supporting the health care system,” she said.

The chief medical officer of EFSTH Dr. Amet Samateh expressing gratitude over the gesture said the First Lady is a friend of his hospital.

“The government’s level of commitment, that of the first lady and her foundation is exemplary, working hard in the improvement of the health sector,” he said.

“I know the level of their commitment to the nation especially to the health sector, more so to this hospital.”

Fatou Ceesay, the chief executive officer of Fatoumata Bah Barrow Foundation said  that the foundation relies on the support of Gambians and all the institutions that are supporting the First Lady’s cause.

“I want to urge Gambians to help support the first lady’s cause, its doesn’t have to be in cash but in kind, which will be go very far,” she said.

She thanked the donors, Gamtel/Gamtel and Africell whom donated an amount of D400,000 to the FABB and always support the second babies of the year.

A similar ceremony will also take place in major hospital in the country where next first babies of the year will be given money and gift mother care items.

BREAKING: PPP National President, Others Reject ‘Fraudulent’ Papa Njie Victory

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By Lamin Njie

Top members of the People’s Progressive Party have rejected the emergence of Papa Njie as the party’s new leader.

PPP at the weekend conducted a national congress to elect a new leadership where Papa Njie who is described by critics as a opportunist emerged as the party’s secretary general and new leader. It was the first time in 19 years that the party was organising such an event.

But PPP interim national President Yahya Ceesay and two other top members of the party’s executive committee in a statement on Tuesday said “the process of registering constituency delegates and the campaign leading to voting were marred by serious irregularities which are now coming to light.”

“These include bribery of delegates, intimidation of delegates by withholding transport funds and food, and registration of unqualified constituency delegates. These undemocratic practices are contrary to the principles, the values and the practices of the PPP,” the PPP top officials said.

“In the light of the aforementioned inconsistencies and irregularities in the balloting and voting process, which are sufficiently serious to undermine the credibility of the election process, we hereby reject outright the results from the PPP 30th December, 2018 election as we feel it did not reflect the true wishes of the bona-fide members of the Party that met to elect their Party Leader.”

According to the PPP top brass, the preparations to the congress saw the emergence of two factions which came up with different dates, venue and content of the congress.

“On the basis of the discussions facilitated by the Independent Electoral Commission, a compromise was reached on the date and venue. The two factions further agreed to have an elective congress. The two aspiring candidates that emerged for the position of secretary general and leader of the party were Bakary B Dabo, member of the national executive committee, member of the central committee, and national treasurer and Papa Njie, whose candidature as a bona-fide member of the PPP has yet to be approved by the national executive committee,” Yahya Ceesay, Dudu Taal and Kalilou Singhateh said.

“We shall pursue this matter further to ensure that truth prevails and The Gambian people shall be kept informed.”

ALMAMI TAAL FIRING: Jobarteh Demands Explanation from Presidency

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By Lamin Njie

The country director of Westminster Foundation Madi Jobarteh has called for an explanation into the sacking of Almami Taal as the legal officer at the Organisation of Islamic Conference national secretariat.

Taal was last week sacked as legal adviser to the secretariat in a letter that came from the Office of the President. The UDP spokesperson has vowed to challenge his termination.

Commenting on the top legal mind’s sack on his Facebook page, Jobarteh said “whoever sacked Almami Taal from the OIC Secretariat owe Gambians a truthful, direct and urgent explanation.”

“The authority to hire and fire is not a personal tool but a legal responsibility that must be backed by fact, law and conscience. Legal authority must not be abused. This is why we voted for change!” Jobarteh said.

Ex-VP Tambajang Says She was Fired Over a ‘Letter’

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By Lamin Njie

Former vice president Fatoumatta Jallow Tambajang has said she was fired from her cabinet post over a letter that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs claim was written by her.

Fatoumatta Jallow Tambajang was sacked as the vice president of The Gambia in 2018 by President Adama Barrow during a major cabinet reshuffle which also saw the axing of three ministers.

And speaking for the first time on why she was fired, the country’s former Number 2 said some people at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs schemed against her. Vice President Ousainou Darboe was the Minister of Foreign Affairs at the time of her firing.

“I am happy that His Excellency President Barrow has known the truth. He stood by the truth, and he has invited me on the 16th of August. We spoke about the letter and it was never a letter I wrote,” Jallow-Tambajang exclusively told Gambia Times at the weekend.

Jallow Tambajang was accused of writing a letter to the United Nation to pressure President Barrow to hand power over to her after three years but the former vice president says it was a fabrication.

According to Jallow Tambajang, she never wrote a letter to the UN but rather to the United Nations Environment Programme – for a Gambian seeking for a job at that agency.

“I want to clarify this to the nation that this letter of recommendation I sent to UNEP through the Foreign Affairs was tampered with, recommendations removed and replaced with a note that I knew nothing about. I investigated what went wrong and discovered the truth and those involved in it, but HE President Barrow knew this,” she said.

The former vice president says she has forgiven all those who have wronged her.

“People have fabricated lies against me, but I forgive them. I know those who fabricated those lies, but I have forgiven them as Muslims,” she said.

Top US Businesswoman to Arrive in Gambia on Friday

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By Lamin Njie

A top US businesswoman Anita E Hawkins will arrive in The Gambia on Friday January 4 on a ten-day visit during which she will meet with women and children in the country.

Mrs Anita, an American lifestyle expert extraordinaire and entrepreneur, has announced plans to support children and victims of domestic violence in The Gambia.

She will visit The Gambia between January 4 and January 13, 2019, in which she will first attend the GLAMU master class event which is geared towards training women how to take care of their skin, apply their own makeup, and most importantly help them boost their confidence.

Mrs Anita will then use the rest of her Gambia visit to meet with various institutions, women and children groups. She also plans to visit the SOS Children’s Village in Bakoteh where she will interact with children of the orphanage.

Who is Anita E Hawkins?

Anita grew up in Gary, Indiana, where her entrepreneurial spirit took flight when she was still in her teens. Upon inheriting her grandmother’s hair salon, Anita did what very few young women at her age would have had the insight and resolve to do…she worked it! After getting her cosmetology license, Anita grew her clientele by operating both in the salon and going house to house servicing clients who were unable to travel to her location. This was to be the first of many successful business ventures for the tiny young woman with big dreams—dreams she would manage to accomplish in spite of having her childhood and youthful innocence shattered at an early age. Anita was molested for a period of years beginning in the 2nd grade. This unimaginable violation sent her down a devastating path of promiscuity and self-doubt that resulted in teen pregnancy and her becoming a ward of the state after being disowned by her father. Ultimately, Anita was tasked with the incredible challenge of building a life for herself and her infant son all by the age of fifteen. It was the love and generosity of a family friend who took Anita in and cared for her son free of charge. This enabled her to continue her high school education and begin to build a life for herself and her son.

By 2000, Anita was married. She and her husband, former MLB pitcher LaTroy Hawkins moved to Frisco, TX where they had a daughter. There she launched Trokar Industries, LLC. Since its inception, Trokar has acquired a number of land developments around the state of Texas. It has also celebrated a tremendous victory as a result of D.R. Horton purchasing a parcel of land from Trokar for 1.53 million dollars.

After being diagnosed with a rare blood disorder, Anita decided it was time to make some lifestyle changes of her own. Her love of healthy eating and exercise led to her acquisition of the Fresh Healthy Café franchise master designation for the Dallas/Ft. Worth area. She operated the franchise under Lady Eloise, LLC. Restaurant ownership had always been a desire for the mother of two; thus, after doing a great deal of research, she decided upon the Fresh Healthy Café brand because of the company’s commitment to its values. These values mirrored her own philosophies and with that purchased the Master Franchise for the DFW Metroplex. Her tenacity and business savviness has not gone without notice. Anita has been recognized by the National Association of Professional Women for Outstanding Excellence and Dedication to Her Profession and the Advancement of Women, and she was recognized as one of the National Association of Distinguished Professionals’ prestigious Women of Distinction. She was also identified by 10 Shades of Success as one of Dallas’ Most Successful Women. 10 Shades of Success further asked her to serve as Key Note Speaker for its awards banquet.

Anita is as abundant in beauty as she is in business know-how. As a model, model coach and spokesperson, Anita has walked the runway in a number of high fashion events including MegaFest, Designer’s Rack at Neiman Marcus, LA Fashion Week, NY Fashion Week, & Philly Fashion Week. She graced the cover of Curvy Connect Magazine (CCM) and was featured in a dazzling seven-page editorial spread. CCM rightfully dubbed Anita “The One to Watch!” Anita has also been featured on Dallas’ CW 33, FOX 4, Good Morning Texas, Dallas High Life TV on the UA Network, Saigon Network’s The Chau Show, the nationally syndicated morning television show Eye Opener, KRNB 105.7, K104 FM, Heaven 97, KRLD Talk Radio’s CEO Spotlight, Street Speaker Radio and The Andy Brown Online Happy Hour. Additionally, she has engaged in editorial features provided the The Dallas Morning News, The Dallas Weekly, Southern Dallas County Magazine, Pose Magazine, Garbed in Modesty Magazine and Texas Metro News.  Anita has further participated in the panel discussion “Turning Passion into Profit” during the Full Figured Fashion Week in New York. In 2016, she was named Duchess of the Krewe de Etoiles Gala Masquerade Ball Royal Court, and she and her husband were selected King and Queen for the Dallas Chapter of Continental Societies Annual Naw’lins Mardi Gras Jam. Anita has also served as a judge for DFW Teen Fashion Week and a panelist for the JBolin Fashion Bootcamp: The Power of Perseverance and Pumps, Passion and Purpose.

With her tremendous success, Anita has not forgotten the age-old proverb, “to whom much is given, much is required.”  Generous does not begin to describe the dedication and hands-on involvement with which Anita supports her many charitable affiliations. She walks for St. Jude Children’s Hospital and is one of the organization’s top individual and team fundraisers. She further serves as a member on the Frisco planning committee for the charity. Anita gathers and donates items throughout the year to Where are You? which benefits homeless children and their families in the Dallas area. She is also an ardent supporter of Minnie’s Food Pantry and has donated over $160,000 to the organization and its mission to feed the homeless. For her tireless efforts, Minnie’s presented Anita with the Community Service Award for her leadership and commitment to the organization. Annually, she and her husband sponsor the college education of a deserving student to the school of their choice through the Jackie Robinson Foundation. Anita launched the Find One Reason to Smile campaign benefiting survivors of domestic abuse. The first recipient, Dallas’ Women Called Moses Outreach Center, where Anita sits on the Board of Directors, received over $16,000 from Find One Reason to Smile to aid their mission of assisting women and their children to escape the vicious cycle of domestic abuse. Anita also regularly volunteers for and contributes to The Source of Hope. One of their many community events includes providing free meals, haircuts and shaves to the homeless on the fourth Saturday of every month. Anita loves putting her salon and barber skills to work for those in need! Anita also received the President’s Philanthropy Award from Women of Wealth, and she was recognized by Rae’s Hope for her Outstanding Support. She has also served as a panelist for the Inaugural Mother Daughter Tea benefitting Parenting with a Purpose, and she was the Honorary Chair of Stepping Out of Homelessness.

Destined for greatness and not slowing down any time soon, Anita has added yet another title to her already impressive repertoire…Author. Anita chronicles her rise from the depths of abuse, anger and despair to triumph, self-love and success in her debut novel The Storm After The Storm. Today, Anita E. Hawkins is both self-assured and selfless. She has overcome the harshest of circumstances to become a successful Businesswoman, Lifestyle Expert and Fashionista while giving back to those in need. Most importantly, she is a dedicated wife and mother for her family. CCM said it best, Anita has definitely been the “One to Watch” and will be for many years to come!

Mai Fatty Speaks after Special Adviser Naming

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By Lamin Njie

Mai Ahmad Fatty has said the Gambia Moral Congress will not cultivate conflict with any political leader, organisation or support any group against the other.

“GMC and my leadership will NOT, and will NEVER be party to any situation that would either slow our Party’s upward growth, or the potential to subordinate national interests in favour of personal interests,” the GMC leader said in the statement posted on his official Facebook page on Tuesday.

Mr Fatty who was speaking for the first time since his appointment by President Adama Barrow as his special adviser said “we believe it is possible to advance a political aspiration without destroying personal relations, and we will not use a political advantage to undermine national interests.”

“GMC STANDS for The Gambia; we will remain loyal to The Gambia and her citizens, and be faithful to the destiny of Africa. We know that our future is more superior to anything made available at the present, but we must begin to work harder today, to make The Gambia potentially the best country on earth, and supporting each other in the process,” Fatty said.

“Also, we will not permit partisan flavour to cloud our vision for a better Gambia or put us on a confrontational path with anyone in government or outside, to satisfy those who have a different agenda.”

Fatty, a lawyer by profession, was appointed special adviser on Monday. It comes almost a year since he was removed as Minister of the Interior of The Gambia.

Mr Fatty in his statement to Gambians on Tuesday also said his party “will support our government in the realisation of the national development goals as enshrined in the NDP – a blue print that contains our thinking from concept stage during my tenure as Minister of Interior.”

“Therefore, srengthning all mechanisms that would achieve the success of a Document we helped create over a year ago, would be our priority, and I urge all GMC supporters and Gambians in general, to take ownership of the NDP, and participate in its implementation,” he said.

“Consequently, we will stand fully with President Barrow and his government in efforts to fulfil the goals of the NDP, with maximum commitment and seriousness.”

Full Text of President Barrow’s New Year Message

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Fellow Gambians,

Friends of The Gambia,

Distinguished Listener and Viewers,

The wheel of another year has come full cycle, as today marks the end of 2018. In view of all the successes registered in the year, it is with pride, satisfaction and appreciation that I dedicate this message to all of you.

Reflecting on the past, 2017 was a historic year in the annals of this country. It marked the crucial turning point in the history of The Gambia and a welcome change of government. It was the year that, together, we won the battle against dictatorship, tyranny and fear. Furthermore, it was the year we laid the foundation for a truly democratic government.

Unfortunately, 2017 had bleak undertones. We came face-to-face with the realities of the economy; uncovered how the national wealth was plundered; and, sadly, discovered the nature and extent of the horrible crimes that were committed against the citizens of this country. The revelations and facts were terrible.

With much relief, 2018 will be remembered in the years ahead as the year we broke down barriers and unlocked the doors to success, progress and development. It has been a year of success, inspiration, renewed optimism and hope. The result is that we have been inspired to believe in ourselves and build confidence to run the affairs of this nation. We are convinced that, acting together, we can achieve whatever tasks and targets we set ourselves.

The whole world has opened up to The Gambia, and we have been re-admitted as respectable and dignified members of the comity of nations. The diplomatic relations and renewed friendships established, or mutually deepened with other countries and organisations, such as the European Union and the Commonwealth, are clear examples.

With consolation, the economy that made us nervous, has now been revived – thanks, most especially, to the European Union for spearheading the Brussels meeting in May of this year. Of course, we will ever remain grateful to all other international organisations and friends who have stood by us.

Distinguished Listeners and viewers,

It is obvious that realistic plans with clear goals, targets, indicators and strategies are essential for national development. In this light, the launch of the 2018 – 2021 National Development Plan was another key achievement of the year. To cite a few more examples, other achievements registered during the year include the Legislative and Local Government Elections; the setting up of three important commissions; namely: the Constitution Review Commission, the Truth Reconciliation and Reparation Commission and the Commission on the activities of the former President.

I am proud to mention, briefly, the successful reforms also initiated by my government. These embrace the security sector, the civil service and the law reforms. The list goes on and on. Based on tangible evidence that cannot be contested, it is conclusive that 2018 has been a year of tremendous success for the Government and People of The Gambia. I congratulate all citizens and our friends on these accomplishments.

Fellow Gambians,

Distinguished listeners and Viewers,

Life cannot be rosy all the time. Quite naturally, therefore, 2018 had its dark side. The Faraba Bantang and Busumbala incidents, as well as the standoff at the Social Security, Housing and Finance Corporation, are regrettable examples. In spite of the complexity of the challenges that emerged during the year, the right approach was adopted and appropriate action taken in each case.

I hope that the lessons learnt in the process will prevent the occurrence of such events.

The change of government last year sparked off a lot of political agitation and activity, which continue to gain momentum in the country. This is part of democracy. Nevertheless, the debates and discourses that underlie political activities should be decent, constructive, positively productive and unifying. This cannot be attained in the absence of discipline, proper education and orientation, maintaining the rule of law and respect for one another.

In a young democracy, such as ours, politics should be handled with tack and caution. In these circumstances, there is need for national unity to ensure that there are no cracks that enemies of the state can exploit.

Distinguished Listeners and Viewers,

The end of any year serves as a reminder of the importance of time in relation to how it drifts away unnoticed; how we grow older; yet, how more mature and wise we become. It reminds us of the urgency to attend to unfinished business and to rededicate ourselves to our duties and responsibilities.

Time and tide wait for no one. As a result, we must not fail to shoulder our responsibilities promptly. It is particularly unrealistic if we fail due to negligence, laziness, indifference, passivity or any other vice that deters progress. Let us be forward-looking, innovative, genuine and steadfast in order to realise greater achievements.

This is the right moment to make resolutions for the coming year so that we can be more productive as a nation. Accordingly, I propose that we resolve that each passing minute, hour, day, week and month of the year will be spent most usefully, most wisely and most productively so that we can accomplish as much as feasible.

I advise all institutions to update their Action Plans, and devise ways of addressing the bottlenecks encountered during the year. Success begins with proper planning.

Fellow Gambians,

There has been a lot of talk about citizenship, rights and entitlements. This is lawful; but, citizenship is not only about fighting for rights and a share of the national cake.

More importantly, citizenship is about belonging to a nation and contributing to the creation, development and expansion of the national cake. In real terms, the national cake is the national wealth, with everything that goes with it.

Like democracy, the national wealth is the creation of all citizens, out of the contributions of all citizens and for all citizens to enjoy. As it is a responsibility to defend one’s rights, so is it a responsibility to build and protect the national wealth. Successful nations have demonstrated this quite amply. Their human resource base has been at the core of their development. Where natural resources did not exist, they used their brains to fetch them from wherever they could. As the human resource of this country, our collective challenge is to develop the country through our natural and acquired endowments. Ultimately, instead of struggling to search for greener pastures elsewhere, other nationals should struggle to come and live in The Gambia.

The youth, in particular, have a future here, and we invite and urge them to stay put and work with us.   

On the issue of crime and security, let us support the Security Services, and provide community support systems for them. This can be done if all citizens stand firm against crime, especially against illegal drugs, robbery, murder and corruption. Our development and happiness depend on the degree of our freedom, peace, stability and ability to attain our noble goals. The more we are committed to these noble values, the more we succeed. Let the security, peace and unity of the people come first before any other considerations. This is what good citizenship and selflessness entail.  

Our successes in 2017 and 2018 provide sufficient evidence and assurances of better days to come. At the current rate of development, every Gambian should be encouraged to stand by my government, be sincere to the nation and do the utmost to repel all agents of disunity, evil and backwardness.

Fellow Gambians,

Friends of The Gambia,

Distinguished listeners and viewers,

It is evident that we must have lost dear ones during the year – be they family, friends, neighbours, colleagues or other close associates. Some of us may have had bitter experiences or encountered difficulties. Therefore, I extend my condolences and prayers to all bereaved families. For all those in difficulty, I pray that ease comes your way. May 2019 be much better, much more peaceful and much more fulfilling than 2018 for every one of us.

Wishing all of us, together, brighter days and a more productive and prosperous year ahead, I pray that the Almighty God continues to bless the nation, bless our efforts and grant us perpetual success through His divine help.

I wish you all a very happy, peaceful and prosperous 2019.

2018 Had its Ups, Downs – Barrow

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By Lamin Njie

President Adama Barrow has said that the gains made by his government in the past two years provide enough evidence and assurances of better days to come.

In a New Year message to Gambians on Monday, President Barrow offering a blunt review of the achievements and challenges the country experienced in 2018 said every Gambian should be encouraged to stand by his government for greater development.

“Our successes in 2017 and 2018 provide sufficient evidence and assurances of better days to come. At the current rate of development, every Gambian should be encouraged to stand by my government, be sincere to the nation and do the utmost to repel all agents of disunity, evil and backwardness,” Barrow said.

“With much relief, 2018 will be remembered in the years ahead as the year we broke down barriers and unlocked the doors to success, progress and development. It has been a year of success, inspiration, renewed optimism and hope. The result is that we have been inspired to believe in ourselves and build confidence to run the affairs of this nation. We are convinced that, acting together, we can achieve whatever tasks and targets we set ourselves.”

On the achievements, the President said the economy has been revived thanks to friends and international organisations.

“With consolation, the economy that made us nervous, has now been revived – thanks, most especially, to the European Union for spearheading the Brussels meeting in May of this year. Of course, we will ever remain grateful to all other international organisations and friends who have stood by us,” Barrow said.

“It is obvious that realistic plans with clear goals, targets, indicators and strategies are essential for national development. In this light, the launch of the 2018 – 2021 National Development Plan was another key achievement of the year. To cite a few more examples, other achievements registered during the year include the Legislative and Local Government Elections; the setting up of three important commissions; namely: the Constitution Review Commission, the Truth Reconciliation and Reparation Commission and the Commission on the activities of the former President.”

The Gambia in 2018 registered some negative strides, a fact that was highlighted in President Barrow’s speech.

The President said: “Life cannot be rosy all the time. Quite naturally, therefore, 2018 had its dark side. The Faraba Bantang and Busumbala incidents, as well as the standoff at the Social Security, Housing and Finance Corporation, are regrettable examples.

“In spite of the complexity of the challenges that emerged during the year, the right approach was adopted and appropriate action taken in each case. I hope that the lessons learnt in the process will prevent the occurrence of such events.”

NEW YEAR: Barrow Declares Tuesday Public Holiday

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President Adama Barrow has declared Tuesday January 1, 2019 as a public holiday throughout the country in observance of the advent of the New Year.

“The Public is hereby informed that the President of the Republic and Commander-In-Chief of The Gambia Armed Forces, His Excellency Adama Barrow, acting under section 76 of the 1997 Constitution of Republic of The Gambia, is pleased to declare Tuesday 1st January 2018, as a Public Holiday throughout The Gambia, in observance of the advent of the New Year,” a terse statement signed by the President’s press secretary Amie Bojang Sissoho on Monday said.    

“On behalf of the First Family, the government and the people of The Gambia, the President wishes everyone a happy and prosperous 2019!” 

BREAKING: Musa Suso Bounces Back

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By Lamin Njie

President Adama Barrow has appointed Musa Suso as the new deputy governor of West Coast Region.

Suso was appointed to the post on Monday after the tapping of Siaka Jatta as President Barrow’s new political adviser.

The appointment of the Sukuta native comes 11 months after President Barrow reversed his appointment as special adviser on youth matters.

Suso, a former National Assembly Member, was named by President Barrow in February as his adviser on youth affairs – a move that faced severe criticism from Gambians. The president later wilted and revoked his appointment.

BREAKING: Barrow Names Mai Fatty as New Special Adviser

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By Lamin Njie

President Adama Barrow has appointed Mai Ahmad Fatty as his new special adviser.

The leader of the Gambia Moral Congress was named special adviser on Monday, as President Barrow effects a major rejig of his inner circle.

Fatty’s appointment comes 12 months after he was removed as Minister of Interior of The Gambia.

He is now returning to the government to serve as special adviser to the President.

A special adviser works directly for the president and helps advise the President on various state matters.

BREAKING: Barrow Appoints Siaka Jatta as New Political Adviser

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By Lamin Njie

President Adama Barrow has named Siaka Jatta as his new political adviser.

Jatta replaces Yusupha Cham who was fired from the post last Friday.

Cham, a senior member of the United Democratic Party, was sacked days after another top member of the United Democratic Party Almami Taal lost his job at the Organisation of Islamic Conference national secretariat. Taal’s termination was contained in a letter that emanated from the presidency.

The new political adviser to the President Siaka Jatta was until the time of his appointment the deputy governor of West Coast Region.

On the Festive Season and Related Matters: Epistle to my Bishop

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I salute you, Most Reverend, Catholic Bishop of Banjul: Grace and Peace to you!

Indeed I remain excited and jubilant about your ordination as the first Gambian Catholic Bishop. I just cannot stop celebrating this great feat especially for the fact that you are indeed my brother from Lamin and my senior at our alma mater St. Peter’s Technical High School. 

My prayer for you remains long life, Divine guidance and protection. For what else could I pray for you? My good old mother always taught me in Mandinka proverb that you don’t pray for an elephant to be big because it is the nature of elephants to be huge, you only pray for the elephant to live long. So may you live long our Holy Bishop for success shall be yours.

The purpose of this epistle is to send my season’s greetings to you and your flock. Given the subtle attacks of the secular fundamentalists on our common Abrahamic religious practices I shall not just call this “season’s greetings”. Like I proclaimed in a recent Facebook post “forget about happy #holidays; it’s #Christmas that we are celebrating!” Indeed Sheikh Hamza Yusuf is right: “the world’s 1.8 billion Muslims are members of the Abrahamic family and the Quran commands us to respect the other family members, to protect them when threatened, and to honour them when safe. We have a shared faith in all of the biblical prophets, the Messianic reality of Jesus, and his virgin birth, not to mention a belief in the afterlife of final judgement with its rewards and retributions.”

So ours is a great family numbering in the billions and spread all over the world. And I do hope and pray that those who do not want to recognise or appreciate religion or religious symbolism, would at least be honest and fair enough to live their professed democratic ethos to “live and let live”.

Most Reverend, my dear senior brother, in view of the foregoing premises, shall we not, as Muslims and Christians, come together on a common platform to create a rampart against the current onslaught of the secular fundamentalists against religion and religious practice. They may be coming with a thousand and one subterfuges and other beguiling decoys but the true aim of the secularists is to gradually but effectively remove religion from our lives. Therefore, it is our collective duty to protect the heritage of the arch-prophet Abraham. The battle may be tough but victory shall be for us because verily the Light of God will always prevail over the forces of darkness.

And as they read this epistle that is addressed to you, and not them, their counter arguments would be the occasional abuses of religion and inter-faith imbroglios; forgetting that the greatest atrocities in human history were committed not in the name of religion but irreligious people with secular motivations occasionally dressed in religious robes. And should they bring the argument of inter-faith conflagrations, then shall we not show them the inspiring example of The Gambia. Forget about the little blemish caused by our former President’s unilateral declaration of The Gambia as an Islamic Republic; this was his personal ambition and as for his motivations, even his closest ministers and personal friends I spoke to on this matter had no clue as to what was going on in the man’s head at the time. But if you look back at the aftermath of that declaration and what preceded it, any honest human being would admit that there was no real change in the status quo. Gambians seem to be hardwired for religious tolerance and peaceful coexistence based on mutual respect.

So The Gambia was, and remains, an oasis of religious tolerance and harmony in the desert of bigotry and intolerance that is our modern world.

My prayer is that we as a nation do not take our inter-faith harmony for granted but to work on it and cultivate it so that it doesn’t atrophy but grows and blooms for harvest and export world-wide.

In parting, Most Reverend, I wish to let you know that I have been revising my Bible Knowledge notes from High school of late. (And God bless Father David Jimoh Jarju who taught me Bible studies at O Levels in the 90s). I am deeply fascinated with the story of the Lord’s Anointed in the first book of Samuel. The same story deeply engages my mind when I read the Quranic version of it towards the end of the second chapter, Surah Baqarah, verses 246-252. 

Indeed Allah is right as He asserts at the end of His narration of our common heritage, the story of Prophet Joseph, in the 12th Chapter of the Quran: “There was certainly in their stories a lesson for those of understanding. Never was the Qur’an a narration invented, but a confirmation of what was before it and a detailed explanation of all things and guidance and mercy for a people who believe.”

In the story of King Saul, I see a great similitude with the current happenings in our own promised land, the Smiling Coast. Am I wrong, Monsignor?

While looking forward to a response from you, once again, I wish you a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year .

Momodou Sabally

The Gambia’s Pen

BREAKING: Barrow Fires Political Adviser Cham

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By Lamin Njie

President Adama Barrow has removed Yusupha Cham as his political adviser, sources close to the presidency have told The Fatu Network.

Mr Cham, a top member of the United Democratic Party, was fired from the post last Friday. The presidency is set to make an announcement of his replacement.

Cham’s removal comes after another top member of the United Democratic Party Almami Taal lost his job at the Organisation of Islamic Conference national secretariat. Taal’s termination was contained in a letter that emanated from the presidency.

Ex-UDP Member Papa Njie Picked as New PPP Leader

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By Lamin Njie

The People’s Progressive Party has elected a former member of the United Democratic Papa Njie as its new leader.

Njie was picked as the party’s leader on Sunday as the curtains fell on PPP’s two-day national congress.

The former governing party’s elective congress, which began on Saturday, was attended by over 500 party delegates.

Njie emerged as the new leader of the party after defeating former vice president Bakary Bunja Darboe in a vote held on Sunday. Njie polled 272 votes while Darboe polled 227 votes.

The 49-year-old’s emergence comes as he continues to face criticism over his inconsistent behavior as a politician. He was once a member of the United Democratic Party but left the party after he lost his bid to be the party’s mayoral candidate in the 2018 local government elections. Critics have since described him as an opportunist.

But in his acceptance speech on Sunday, Njie said his victory is historic for the party.

“I want to inform you that the work has just started. I want to inform you also that PPP doesn’t know tribe. What PPP knows is a work-oriented person,” Njie told cheering crowds at YMCA grounds in Kanifing.

“For me I’m a Gambian before anything else and whoever supports PPP should see Gambia before PPP and work…”

UDP’s Taal Vows to Challenge OIC Firing

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By Omar Wally

The legal officer of the Organisation of Islamic Conference national secretariat Almami Fanding Taal has said he will contest his firing from the secretariat.

Taal stated this while confirming his termination by the government to The Fatu Network on Sunday.

Almami Fandi Taal who is the spokesperson of United Democratic Party was last week sacked as legal adviser at OIC secretariat. The development was contained in a termination letter signed by one Mr Kanyi for secretary general and head of the civil service.

It is not known why he has been axed but sources close to The Fatu Network say the development may be due to his recent harsh reviews of the government.  

According to Taal, he has two years contract with OIC arguing that it was only the OIC that could terminate him.

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