Africa’s leading entrepreneurship-focused philanthropic organisation, the Tony Elumelu Foundation (TEF), has announced October 25, 2018, as the date for its 4thannual TEF Entrepreneurship Forum.

The largest gathering of African entrepreneurs and the broader entrepreneurship ecosystem will unite over 5,000 entrepreneurs, global investors, leaders from the African public and private sectors and developmental organizations at the Federal Palace Hotel, Lagos.

The event is a unique opportunity to generate ideas, forge networks and bring policymakers and the private sector together, in a spirit of robust debate and interaction. The 2018 cohort from the Tony Elumelu Entrepreneurship Programme, as well as mentors and partners, will be present, as the culmination of their intensive twelve-week induction.

Five Gambian entrepreneurs have been listed in the 1000 African entrepreneurs selected for the 2018 Tony Elumelu Foundation programme announced early this year.
The Foundation announced that Almameh Manneh- agribusiness, Bakau Dem- Energy/Power Generation, Bankey Oliver Charles N’jie- ICT, Bubacarr J.B. Touray- agribusiness and Chan Mendy- Fashion will participate in the African founded 21st century philanthropic organisation programme. The Foundation is committed to entrepreneurship development and applications were received from over 150, 000 entrepreneurs.

Over the past three years, some other promising Gambian entrepreneurs including Momarr Mass Taal, Mbadiba Cham, Gabriel Gomez, Kaw Yerro Cham and Kujeh Kah have all benefited from the foundation’s programme.

In keeping with the Foundation’s track record―most recently with President Macron of France―of bringing politicians face to face with the new generation of young business women and men shaping Africa, the Forum will include an interactive session with President Uhuru Kenyatta of Kenya and President Nana Akufo-Addo of Ghana, moderated by TEF Founder, Tony O. Elumelu.

The Forum, according to TEF, will also feature the launch of the TEFConnect, the world’s largest digital platform for African entrepreneurs, dedicated to connecting African entrepreneurs and the entrepreneurship ecosystem.

Founder, Tony O. Elumelu, CON, stated: “In just four years, we have directly impacted 4,460 entrepreneurs, and we are beginning to see the results – job creation, ripple effects, but most importantly a recognition that Africa’s economic well-being is driven by entrepreneurs: female and male, large and small – they are the engine of our continent’s transformation. We will be championing and celebrating them.

This year, we are truly achieving scale and impact; we received over 150,000 applications in 2017 alone, up from 20,000 applications in 2015. We are now calling on the current generation of African success stories and others to partner with us to see how we can all further create impact, genuinely transform millions of lives and increase the number of inspiring stories we will be hearing in Lagos”.

TEF CEO, Parminder Vir OBE stated: “The TEF Entrepreneurship Forum is the only event across the continent that brings together the complete African entrepreneurship ecosystem, demonstrating our commitment to capturing the whole continuum – from the entrepreneurs themselves, governments who must provide enabling environments, to capital, advice and perhaps most importantly access and network”.

Inspired by Tony Elumelu’s economic philosophy of Africapitalism and his vision to institutionalize luck and democratize opportunity for a new generation of African entrepreneurs, the Tony Elumelu Foundation has implemented one of the most ambitious entrepreneurship programmes globally.

Launched in 2015, the Programme is a 10-year, $100 million commitment to identify, train, mentor, and fund 10,000 entrepreneurs. Its goal is to invest in businesses that will generate at least 1,000,000 new jobs and contribute at least $10 billion in new annual revenues across Africa.

In its 4th year, the TEF Entrepreneurship Programme has empowered 4,460 entrepreneurs with a total investment of USD20million; 4,000 funded directly by the Foundation and 460 have been funded by partners.

I have reviewed the Semlex contract signed in July 2018 and I cannot but wonder why and how on earth could a government in an impoverished country like the Gambia enter such a deal. The details of this contract clearly do not benefit the Gambia in anyway. The contract does not build national capacity while it fails to ensure protection of national data.

For example, Article 6 of the contract concerns revenue sharing between the two parties whereas the Government gets 40% and Semlex gets 60% of profits. This means for every ID card produced and costing D450, the Government makes only D180 while Semlex makes D270. The contract has not given any reasons as to why this revenue sharing arrangement. This is even more mindboggling where Semlex is not required to pay any tax for the entire duration of the contract.

Secondly Semlex will not pay customs duties as per Article 7. Thirdly staffs that will work for the company are to be paid by the Gambian Government as per Article 6. Why is this so? Let’s bear in mind that Semlex is giving no charity to the Gambia. It is a private company seeking profit, yet our Government has decided to give them free space so that they do not bear any costs but only to make profit free of charge. Even the bonus the company should pay to the staffs have not been specified as to how much and how often.

Article 7 went further to provide huge tax and customs exemptions by first giving the company Special Investment Certificate (SIC). This so-called investment promotion strategy is intended to give tax rebates to attract foreign investors who invest at least 250 thousand US dollars in the country. But how much is Semlex investing when the contract protects Semlex, under 9 from Government ‘interference’ as it seeks to find finances to fund the project.

I am totally against SIC for foreign investors because by giving such incentives to them we give them undue advantage while at the same time disadvantaging the growth and development of local business. Secondly in most cases these foreign businesses do not create any signification employment opportunities while they also underpay their workers. Yet they enjoy five years of tax-free business which is nothing other than making super profits at the expense of national development. I strongly hold that any foreign business wishing to invest in the Gambia must pay their full share of taxes. But SIC merely means inviting foreigners to come to your country just to make profit without giving back anything to the country.

Article 9 of the contract gives liberty to Semlex to finance this project anyhow without any Government oversight. This makes therefore the project a purely commercial venture for Semlex which is the very reason the cost of the document is expensive. Hence for Semlex this contract is about investment to make profit. D450 is not within the means of majority of Gambians who now face potential food crisis. National documents cannot be a matter of profit.

Article 12 of the contract concerns technology transfer in which Semlex is required to transfer technology and skills to the Government. The contract did not specify which particular department or agency of Government will be the beneficiary.

One would have imagined that the Government would have identified at the outset a particular Government outfit to be the partner with Semlex so that they are routinely trained and empowered during project implementation.

This agency could be any existing relevant public institution, or a totally new technology public company to be created for that purpose. This way the Government would have built national capacity in that area hence ensure effective technology transfer.

But according to this contract one wonders how this technology transfer would be done and to who when Semlex has already hired private individuals as its agents and operates within Immigration offices. Where is the coordination and plan therefore for technology transfer?

Under Article 13 Semlex is required to protect all data which is said to belong to the Government. But the sad fact is that the Gambia Government has no capacity to monitor and prevent Semlex from sharing data to third parties or giving national documents to non-Gambians. Remember, Semlex have done this in the Comoros and Congo hence why risk giving such a notorious company our data?

Article 16 is the termination clause. The tragedy of this clause is that it has tied the hands of the Government from terminating the contract. The contract only considers termination ‘without cause’ which means there is no space for ‘termination with a cause’. Clearly Semlex will not terminate this contract because they benefit 100%. Hence the only party that may have cause to’ terminate is the Gambia Government. But where the contract provides no space for termination with a cause’ but only says termination ‘without cause’ which is punishable then the Government cannot therefore terminate because any termination will have to have a cause!

Hence Article 16 therefore means the Government is forced to remain in this contract simply because the contract makes no contemplation or provides no space or possibility of termination with a cause. Furthermore, what is ‘without a cause’? who determines that cause’? the Government or Semlex? The contract has not determined that anywhere.

Why should therefore anyone sign a contract that ties your hand? The Government should have objected to this provision (Art. 16.1) to remove ‘without a cause’ so that all parties are at liberty to terminate the contract with or without a cause, which is even subjective, and bear the costs therefrom for that termination.

This contract is wrong, disadvantageous and expensive for the Gambia Government and her citizens on all fronts. Semlex is the one and only party to gain from this contract while imposing unbearable costs on citizens and threatening national security. The National Assembly must therefore summon the Vice President in the name of the President to answer to fundamental questions about this contact with the purpose of terminating it before huge resources are spent.

The first question to ask is why the Government should agree to terminate the previous contract in the first place yet went ahead to sign the same contract again with this company. Comparing the two contracts it is obvious that the only qualitative difference is the revenue sharing deal. In the previous contract the arrangement was 70:30 and in this new one it is 60:30 for Semlex and Government. Both deals are bad for the Gambia.

For the Gambia Our Homeland

Semlex, a Belgian Comapny that provides solutions to secure identification and authentication using biomentric information has started issuing ID Cards to Gambians amid the controversy surrounding their contract with The Government of The Gambia. The process started on Monday, October 1, 2018.

Several calls were made and are still being made by Gambians on social media to boycott the ID Cards from Semlex. The reason many say is because the Company is allegedly embroiled in corruption scandals.

Apart from what many called the high fee set for the ID Cards which is D450 for a 5 year ID, many others expressed fear about their personal information being in the hands of a foreign company.

The Gambia Immigration Spokesperson, Superintendent Mamanding S Dibba has expressed delight on the public turnout.

“I’m very impressed with the turnout this morning,” Superintendent Dibba told The Fatu Network.

He added, “We are operating at Kanifing at the moment but will start in Banjul in two weeks.”

The Immigration Spokesperson further stated that plans are underway to start operations across the country latest by December.

“The ID Card is only for Gambian citizens who must prove their citizenship beyond reasonable doubts,” he said.

Before acquiring the ID Card, he said the person must present the following national documents such as a birth certificate or passport or voters card but in the case of residents and naturalized citizens, they must present naturalisation certificate, registrar certificate, Alkalo and Seyfo’s
Attestation.

The question of foreign nationals who acquired voters card under the former regime was brought to his attention.

“A mere presentation of these documents does not automatically qualify anyone to acquire the ID Card”

Superintendent Dibba adduced that the Screening Officers would be at liberty to screen any applicant to make sure that their citizenship is proven beyond reasonable doubts.

“We don’t want a scenario where our national documents will be in the hands of the wrong people”

Immigration Officials are currently attached at the Semlex Head Office in Kanifing conducting interviews.

Meanwhile, the turnout on the first day was not impressive.

Alagi Yorro Jallow

 Felije didn’t have a shirt on, revealing skin caked with so much dirt you could tell that the last time he probably had a bath was during the last rain season. A bath had not by design, but by being subjected to the elements of nature. He wore a pair of tattered trousers cut just below the knees. He was carrying what appeared to be a heavy bag of everything that everybody else had thrown away. As he passed me by, I caught a whiff of what distinctly smelt like a rotting copse. I turned around to catch another glance of him. The back of his trousers was completely missing. As he walked, you could see the part of a human being’s anatomy where the sun doesn’t shine. In between the legs, something was dangling and flipping from side to side as he walked.

A bus stopped at the bus stop and over a dozen people disembarked. They passed him by as they crossed the road to Serekunda, the city’s biggest and busiest shopping center. They appeared oblivious to his plight, almost as if he was the invincible man. A thought crossed my mind, what happens when he falls ill? Does he just lie down and die?

One might be misled to think that this is a unique case of a mentally ill individual roaming the streets and surviving on garbage. Unfortunately, it is the fate of most mentally ill persons in the Gambia. Living out in the open and surviving on whatever garbage society throws away. For someone that watch too much television, it’s not a half-eaten cheese burger and a can of coke tossed out in a litter bin. It basically rotten ‘matter’ that he finds on the bare ground or in the few waste disposal areas at markets. How can fellow Gambians let their own brothers and sister live an inhuman life simply by having a learning disability? Sometimes they even treat their pet dogs far much better than they treat their brothers and sisters. Offering shelter, food and even medical (veterinary) attention for their dogs, things that they deny their fellow human beings! There is a combination of factors that have led to many of mentally ill individuals being abandoned on the streets in the Gambia.

Mamudu: I believe that the Gambia government ratified the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in July 6, 2015, thereby committing to upholding the rights of all people including people with mental health illnesses. The Gambia’s mental health system is still being governed by an archaic piece of legislation, the “Suspected Lunatic Act” of 1942, is outdated and fails to protect the human rights of people with mental disorders. That legislation was drafted to ‘safe guard’ members of the public from perceived ’dangerous’ patients through isolating them from the public and the deprivation of their human rights. In 2004 the Gambia government in collaboration with WHO embarked upon the development of Mental Health policy and strategic plan for the Gambia.

Mamudu: In most countries with sound legislature and economy, people with mental illness are provided for by the state either through supported living accommodation or through mental health institutions. It ensures that individuals with mental illnesses have access to food, health facilities and the support to attend amenities available to other members of society. Unfortunately, in the Gambia, that’s not the case. People with mental illnesses are at the bottom of whatever social services is available. Unlike people with physical disabilities, individuals with mental illnesses also have very little in the way of advocacy. Discussion of mental illness is almost taboo. Most people in society think that people with mental illness are less human than themselves, therefore denying them basic human rights entitled to every human being. This is exacerbated by cultural beliefs and plain ignorance that in most cases attribute mental illness to witchcraft. Mental illnesses such as major depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia is more common than cancer, diabetes, or heart disease. Against popular belief, most mental illnesses can be treated or managed. The greatest challenge if anything for people with mental illness is negative societal attitudes towards them and the lack of support in managing their conditions.
Those fortunate to find themselves in health facilities, find themselves almost warehoused in overcrowded, dilapidated and unhygienic psychiatric wards. It is common for places like Tanka Tanka psychiatric hospital that replaced the old Campama psychiatric mental home has been alleging to unlawfully ‘detain’ patients for prolonged periods and usually on strong psychiatric drugs that are sometimes detrimental to the long-time recovery of the patients. The evidence for serious human rights violations, in the community, in conventional psychiatric facilities, and in respect of the justice system is simply overwhelming.

There is need to carry out education, advocacy and sensitization programmes in communities across the country based on human rights standards to challenge myths about mental illness, led by, among others, people with mental health illnesses themselves. This should include training for community leaders, traditional healers, families and cares. There is also needing to create opportunities for social entrepreneurship, supported employment and other income-generating and community empowerment ventures for people with mental health illnesses in helping break the cycle of poverty and discrimination.

People with mental illnesses need to access readily available mental healthcare services at the primary healthcare level which specifically address their rights and the needs of people with mental health issues. This should be couple with all allegations of abuse and ill-treatment against people with mental health issues being promptly and effectively investigated, whether the abuse is alleged to have taken place in the community, traditional health settings, psychiatric facilities or within the justice system.

The crackdown on illicit drug dealers continues unabated with the latest arrest of four suspects in West Coast Region within the past two weeks.

The suspects were arrested by operatives of the drug squad with suspected cannabis of over 150 kilo grams.

The arrestees are one Senegalese Justine Jatta, and three Gambians- Paul Gomez, Abdou Tamba and Alfu Sarr. The arrests were made in Sibanor, Mandinaba, Brikama and Sanyang.

The agency says there has been positive gains in their quest to curb the menace, which poses serious threat to the societies. Many have been arrainged in court on cases relating to drugs with some acquitted and others serving jail terms. However, the agency says it is faced with major challenges, key among which is lack of mobility.

While attributing the arrest to what he calls a collective efforts with their sister forces, Commissioner Mawlud Faal of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency in West Coast Region calls for all hands to be on deck to end drug trafficking activities. He says the suspects will appear in court as soon as the investigation is finished. He warned landlords and vehicles owners to be careful who they harbor or who uses their vehicles.

Famara Colley is Officer Commanding Immigration. He warned Gambians and non-Gambians to be law-abiding. The arrest, he said, is a result of joint efforts by the security forces.

In a similar development, over 600 grams of cocaine was recovered from other suspects. Commissioner Faal says, the suspects’ identifies could not be revealed as it might tamper with the investigations.

PRESS RELEASE

Standard Newspaper article of September 13, 2018 captioned “ANGRY PILGRIMS DEMAND REFUNDS FROM HAJJ OPERATOR,” alluding to supposed unhappy customers of our agency, Alpha Travel, complaining about not being transported via airplane for the Dakar to Banjul leg of their return from Hajj has been brought to our attention.  The clients were transported by air-conditioned buses, the trip took 5-6 hours from Dakar to Banjul.

Alpha Travel wishes to express profound regret and apology caused by this mishap.  Measures were put in place to avoid such a situation but because of circumstances beyond our control, we ended up being short on delivery.  We take full responsibility for the inconvenience caused – We are sorry.

This agency prides itself on its customer service, affordable prices, and quality of delivery – best routes, etc.  Our Hajj package was the cheapest – charging from D24,000 to D42,000 lower than any other agency.  In Mecca, our hotels were closer to the Haram than any other agency, and in Medina, just a walking distance from the religious sites.

Throughout the course of the Hajj process, Alpha Travel had agents on the ground whose job was to answer questions, guide pilgrims, and address any concerns.  The agency fully engaged the customers on all issues including the lack of air transport for the Dakar to Banjul leg for the preferred dates.  Considering the not-so-good choices the agency was confronted with, the only option available was to transport the pilgrims via buses to their final destination with all their belongings intact.

This is a teachable moment for Alpha, and all processes are being fully re-evaluated to avoid a repeat of such case.  Negotiations are already being undertaken with airlines to concretize travel arrangements, staff training is being planned to build on improved services, we will soon engage the Hajj Committee in The Gambia with a view to stay ahead of the curve, and a process is in place to update our technology for quality control.  In Sha Allah, all can be rest assured next year’s Hajj will be different in this regard.  Again – our sincere apologies to all.

Over the past few weeks and months Pres. Barrow made several statements that directly point to dictatorial tendencies and inclination towards corruption that are utterly unbecoming of a president who is immediately following one of the most corrupt and autocratic misleaders ever seen in Africa. Therefore, these statements by Barrow raise concern as to his quality of leadership and the future of the Gambia. Hence it is necessary that Gambians are alerted to these unfortunate statements so that we do not become complacent again while a budding dictatorship is brewing under our feet.

Few months ago, in Turkey, Barrow condemned citizens who criticised his government as insincere and attention seekers. Few weeks later he directly attacked the person of Dr. Ismaila Ceesay by falsely asking where the man was during the days of APRC Dictatorship. Not long ago he also threatened that he is ready for anyone who would cross his line. Last week he told GRTS that his Government’s spending of over 300 million dalasi on travels was insignificant because other countries spend more. This week he went further to say that striking teachers are testing the waters and going too far in abusing democracy and that his government will not tolerate such strikes.

These statements are indeed tyrannical, condescending and purposely geared towards perpetuating corruption and bad governance in our country that no citizen must allow. Barrow must accept, as a president who had sworn to defend the Constitution of the Gambia, that all citizens have fundamental rights and freedoms as stipulated in Chapter 4 for which his Government, under Section 17 is bound to respect, protect and fulfil those rights. Hence it is utterly unacceptable that Pres. Barrow would condemn any citizen for merely exercising those rights as stated in our Constitution.

Barrow can only disagree with the lawful opinion or actions of citizens, but he cannot deny citizens from expressing their lawful opinions and performing their lawful actions. Every Gambian has a right to strike in line with the Constitution and Barrow cannot take that right away. Whether a citizen was vocal against Jammeh or not cannot be used as the yardstick today to determine who should criticise Barrow or not. Hence Barrow’s attacks on citizens must be exposed and condemned for what it is, Dictatorial.

Barrow and his Government have consistently lamented that they inherited a tattered economy and an empty coffer. For that matter he has been going around the world to seek help. Therefore, it is utterly wrong and immoral for that same government to be seen spending millions of dollars on travels alone. If China or UK or Ghana can afford millions of dollars for travels that does not mean the Gambia can and should also spend even thousands of dollars. The Gambia is Gambia. Ghana is Ghana just like every other country is unique. Therefore, we cannot equate ourselves with any other country especially when it comes to bad practices such as wasteful spending.

If indeed it is true that the Jammeh regime was corrupt, wasteful and autocratic as claimed by Barrow and his Government, then what we do not expect Barrow to do is to be also corrupt, wasteful and autocratic. Our expectation is that this Government should be open, honest and democratic as well as become efficient, responsive and accountable to Gambian citizens. This is the only path we expect this Government to follow. But it appears Barrow is deliberately closing his eyes to blatant inefficiency, corruption and abuse in his own Government only to now face citizens with venomous attacks.

Let Pres. Barrow realise that this Gambia never belonged to Dawda Jawara and Yaya Jammeh alone and surely this Gambia does not belong to Adama Barrow alone. Let Barrow realise that he was elected on the basis of our Constitution which states in Section 1 that the Sovereignty of the Gambia resides in the people of the Gambia. This section went further to state that the Government derives its authority and legitimacy from the people of the Gambia and that the Government performs it functions only on behalf of and for the welfare of Gambians. Hence Pres. Barrow must be told that he must humble himself and submit himself to the sovereign will of Gambians.

Gambians have a right to criticise him in the most severe and unpleasant way they think fit and he is bound to accept those criticisms by responding to the issues and not threatening and attacking citizens. We want only true democracy in the Gambia. We do not want a kind of democracy such as in many other African countries where citizens enjoy all civil liberties yet live in poverty and deprivation thanks to corrupt, inefficient and dishonest governments and leaders. Gambians must not only enjoy civil and political rights but that those rights and freedoms must also translate into social and economic benefits to enable citizens enjoy the highest standard of living. This is the only mission before Barrow that he must fulfil or betray.

The Government of Pres. Adama Barrow is annoyingly corrupt, inefficient and unresponsive. The facts on the ground attest to this sad and unfortunate reality. His Government is not being transparent to citizens on a number of fundamental issues and continues to ignore the genuine concerns of citizens. It is only when citizens cry out that his Government will come up with a crisis management response after the damage has already been done. The recent memo from the Minister of Finance on foreign travels is one example. The release of a paedophile was another.

Meantime, contrary to public outcry, the Government has gone ahead to sign a contract with a dubious foreign company that is under criminal investigation in their own country to produce our national ID cards. Both the President and his Minister of Justice continue to give the misleading narrative that just because Semlex had a contract with the former corrupt regime of Yaya Jammeh therefor this Government is bound to comply with that contract less they be accused of breach. Yet the Minster of Justice, as a lawyer knows that every contract has termination clauses that either party can invoke. Why didn’t they do that given the potential national security implications of giving national documents to a foreign company?

Gambians must stand up to demand transparency, accountability and responsive government now. After 50 years of nationhood the standard of living in this country is unbearable and unacceptable thanks to bad leadership since 1965. Therefore, we must not allow another government and president to emerge that seeks to throw the usual dust into our eyes while they bastardise our resources and undermine our lives and damage our future with prolonged poverty, deprivation and high cost of living.

We need a president who values and upholds the principles and standards of democracy and accountability and respects each and every Gambian. So far Barrow has drifted away from these principles and citizens must not condone that in anyway. The Gambia has no reason to be poor and underdeveloped. We are a highly endowed country with natural resources. We have a highly capable citizenry. Unfortunately, we have never had an effective government and an efficient leader who is democratic and accountable which is the very and only reason for our poverty and underdevelopment. We expected that Barrow would be that kind of a president but unfortunately this has not been the case so far.

Stand up for democracy and accountability!

For the Gambia Our Homeland.

Part 2: Separating the Office of the Attorney General & Minister of Justice, Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions independent Office:

Alagi Yorro Jallow

In our constitutional democracy and by the doctrine of the separation of powers, the independence of the judicial branch is sacrosanct and indispensable to the rule of law, democracy, and good governance. Since gaining independence in 1965, the Gambians have witnessed indisputable evidence of attempts to undermine and violate the principles of the separation of powers and the independence of the judicial branch.

The Gambia inherited its legal system from Westminster, which introduced a mechanism to avoid any conflict of interest because the attorney general is a political appointee, usually a member of the Cabinet/ Parliament, appointed by the Prime Minister to be part of the government. He/she acts as the chief legal adviser to the government. But a separate body that is operationally independent from the attorney general makes prosecution decisions. The attorney general does not influence these prosecution decisions other than in a very small number of offenses.

Separating the office of the Attorney General and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions needs an urgent review regarding the prosecution practices in the Offices of the Attorney General to ensure that a conflict of interest can be avoided. This conflict is caused by the fusion of two roles into one office. More specifically, the Attorney General provides legal advice to the government and, at the same time, decides whether to prosecute a case or not.

I suggest and propose the CRC, the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions be independent of the minister of justice. This office, which is supposed to be independent of the executive branch, investigates and prosecutes certain categories of cases and allegations of corruption and other criminal wrongdoing, including those involving alleged violations of the Public Procurement Act and cases implicating political officeholders and politicians.

The view that I will seek to advance is that of “formal independence” or the complete autonomy or separation from the Attorney General that appears to exist under the provisions of the new Constitution as the Attorney General retains responsibility over all prosecutions. However, “substantial independence” by way of impartiality and neutrality may yet be achieved through a firm political will, definite intentions, and resolved commitment by the government to allow the officeholder sufficient freedom to carry out his or her mandate with little to no outside interference.

I have reiterated my previous call for the government to decouple the Ministry of Justice and the Attorney General’s office from the office of the Director of Public Prosecutions by saying that doing so is the first step to winning the fight against corruption.

Gambians deserve to have an office for an Independent Prosecutor. That is what we are talking about here: separating the two offices by law and adding this separation to the reforms in the new Constitution so that it happens.
Several Commonwealth countries separate these two roles. As in the United Kingdom, for example, the Australian Attorney General is a politician whose role is to advise the government. But prosecution is decided by the Director of Public Prosecutions who operates independently from the Attorney General and the political process.

For countries that seriously want to ensure that justice is done and is seen as having been done, the roles of the Attorney General and Public Prosecutor are separated. This is the direction that we should go to give credibility to prosecution decisions. If the Attorney General holds the power to decide on prosecutions, the problems faced by any Attorney General today will continue to be faced by all future attorney generals, regardless of how honest they are.
This situation is bad for both the Attorney General and the person in question. The Attorney General will face criticisms, even if he or she is acting professionally and honestly. In contrast, the person in question will continue to be doubted, even if there is truly no case against him or her.

A conflict could occur if the person being investigated is in the government. If the Attorney General is advising that person in government, many people will doubt his or her independence when deciding whether to prosecute that person.
To conclude, my respectful position is that complete independence is what Gambians require for the proposal of new provisions to the Constitution demonstrating strong political will that allows an office holder (DPP) sufficient liberty to work with little to no political or other interference.
The offices should function with sufficient latitude to prosecute members of the government—if they fall foul of the law. The success or failure of this proposal would go a long way towards resolving several issues: 1) whether to separate the office of the Attorney General from that of the Minister of Justice, 2) create an independent office for a Prosecutor General, or 3) grant the Attorney General independence from the executive branch and the President in exercising all prosecutorial powers.

It is my personal and firm belief that the new Gambia should introduce this proposal into the new Constitution and take away the criminal prosecution function of the attorney general’s office and vest it in the separate and independent office of a director of public prosecutions. Until we achieve this constitutional change, I certainly welcome the separation of the office of the director of public prosecutions with a specific mandate to work with the police and other statutory investigatory agencies and prosecute public sector corruption and crimes committed under our procurement laws.

All prosecutions would, of course, be in the name of the Republic of Gambia and handled by the director of public prosecutions, in accordance with the Constitution.

The Vice President of The Gambia and Party Leader of UDP, Ousainou Darboe has reportedly cried at the Party’s Central Committee meeting held on Saturday, at Banjul.

“Today, Ousainou Darboe cried at our central committee meeting,” Karamo Jadama, UDP Regional Chairman said.

Jadama told hundreds of party supporters that the insults and abuses within the party membership on the social media is giving their leader sleepless nights.

“Ousainou never cried for his own children or family members but it is always about UDP,” he added.

The revelations were made during the UDP rally marking the Denton Bridge ambush in remembrance of their fallen compatriots.

Speaking at the rally on Saturday evening, Ousainou Darboe, the country’s VP and UDP Party leader recalled the ambush at the Denton Bridge on the 22nd September in 1996. He mentioned the names of Kebuteh Jaffuneh, Pa Bajo, Yankuba Dibba and Amadou Sanneh amongst others who were seriously tortured by the APRC thugs.

“The APRC criminals ambushed our convoy with even ministers wearing military uniforms. That day it was only God who saved us,” Ousainou Darboe said.

He added: ” They wanted to kill all of us.”

Darboe said over 80 party supporters suffered from the incident some of whom were admitted at hospitals while others received treatments at his house. He calls for unity within the party.

“Today, there are people who want to destroy the UDP,” he said.

The message is a clear signal of internal power struggle within the party.

He called on the people of West Coast to stop betraying the party otherwise they would be ashamed when they meet Imam Alhagie Karamo Touray, Sarjo Kunjang Sanneh and Shingle Nyassi amongst others on the Day of Judgment.

“Some of the youths are going around the countryside telling people that they want to allocate salaries to the party regional chairmen but I was the one who refused,” Darboe told supporters.

“How can I say such a thing. That is not true” he refuted.

“Let them stop saying that I’m the one denying people from getting appointments”

The UDP Party leader said he knows about people going round giving D3000 Dalasi to Yai Compins to form a new party. He alleged that some of these people were former Ministers of the APRC Government.

Darboe took a swipe on those who called the Barrow Administration as a UDP Government.

“They said that the Vice President, Cabinet Ministers and Ambassadors are UDP which is why they called the Barrow Administration a UDP government,” he told supporters.

He advised his supporters to protect the integrity of the party and support the government’s agendas. He urged them to put on their party colours whenever they went to meet President Barrow.

President Barrow says his government will negotiate with The Gambia Teachers Union to reach a conclusion on the ongoing strike by a ‘section’ of Gambian teachers, dubbed, “Teachers For Change”

“Well, I think we cannot call it Gambian teachers but a section of Gambian teachers. We want to negotiate this [strike] through The Gambia Teachers’ Union, which is the body responsible for teachers,”

Barrow told journalists in an interview at the Banjul International Airport after arriving from the UN General Assembly in New York.

He added: “I want to send a message across; this new found democracy we have to be very careful because every group will just get up and say ‘we will strike’ and this improper and incorrect. It is putting pressure on The Gambia and we don’t want that to happen- we have to follow the due process.”
“Enough is enough”

“We have to negotiate with the GTU to reach a conclusion but nobody should just get up and strike.”

“We are going to take our stance. I think they are testing the waters and enough is enough.”

On the UN Summit, President decried the 73rd UNGA as a good one where the issue of Africa’s representation in UN Security Council was emphasized.

The teachers are demanding for a better pay and improved working conditions.

The Vice President Ousainou Darboe, in a meeting with the striking teachers was reported to have threatened that teachers who failed to return to schools by 28th September, would have their contracts terminated and be replaced by retired teachers. This is not the first time that teachers are embarking on such strikes.

Alagi Yorro Jallow

It’s with utter consternation that the Gambia government spent several million of local and foreign currencies on the President Adama Barrow’s trip to New York for the 73rd United Nations Annual General Assembly in September 2018. This one-off expenditure is an affront to Gambians and to taxpayers. It is unacceptable that President Barrow could go to New York and spend such huge amounts of money, dinning, shopping and having fun when most of our people live in extreme poverty. It is unacceptable that President Barrow spent such amounts of money on dining and shopping when our hospitals have no drugs and when our youths have no tuition fees to pay in schools and university. President Barrow had abused Gambians by being inconsiderate to the many challenges they were facing.

Gambians are shocked that these entourages that the President moves with are not only bloated but surprisingly, his supporters, family member are also being included on these not so worthwhile trips being done in the name of diplomacy. To, therefore, say that President Barrow is a spendthrift is not an understatement or an abuse. It is a fact and there are no apologies to say that Adama Barrow seems to have no agenda for the Gambian people.

The monies that Adama Barrow is wasting on these unproductive trips could be put to good use. We wonder why Adama Barrow cannot take a leaf from the Presidents of Senegal, Sierra- Leone, Liberia and Tanzania, who rarely fly out of their countries, and often, they usually travel with commercial flights not a chartered flight that cost millions of tax payers. If Adama Barrow really cares for his people, which we doubt he does, he should be reasonable in the decisions he makes. We pray to God, that the Almighty gives him wisdom not to be irrational. The persons handling the Presidency are questionable characters. These are characters who don’t understand statecraft. What can the likes of Musa Drammeh and Dou Sanno advise the President? In criticizing his UN 73RD General Assembly meetings Adama Barrow, it is naive that while Gambians are wallowing in poverty.

Gambians are therefore challenging President Barrow to inform the nation how much he has spent on his recent UN 73rd General Assembly and we urge the President to change for the better and put the Gambia as his number one agenda.
According to a whistleblower detailing part of the cash transactions made on President Barrow’s trip to the United Nations meetings, the whistle blower alleged that the treasury deposited several millions of local and foreign monies for various logistics, adding that some of it was spent on unexplained costs at New York hotel accommodations in Manhattan, limousine hires and dinners.

The whistleblower further opined that lot of expenditures were spent on shipping cargo for government officials and members of the president’s entourage by a shipping company of New York, a transport firm that is specialized in providing a range of moving services to the diplomatic Community, corporate entities, individuals and government employees. He further alleges that some amounts were spent on shopping in various department stores, including the International Jack’s place, phone accessory shop in New York and Innovation luggage store on Broadway, New York.

Arguably, it is inconceivable that President Adama Barrow travel with a private chartered jet with an estimated cost of $ 17,000 per hour, an entourage of unconfirmed fifty-three delegates to attend the 73rd United Nations General Assembly in New York, makes President Adama Barrow as one of the most flamboyant Presidents in Africa. The justification by State House that the presidential visits are meant at codifying the Gambia’s bilateral, multilateral and economic ties with various states, multinational corporations and transnational corporations. This is laughable. Most Gambians are shocked at the high cost of President Adama Barrow and his government’s foreign trips.

Alagi Yorro Jallow

Mamudu: President Barrow should be reminded, and his administration of the many frailties Gambians fought for in the past in a bid to ensure that the Gambia progress past the ugly chapters of yesteryears that brought us too much heartache, chaos and despair. Gambians cannot in good faith encourage the office of the First lady and her foundation, Fatoumatta Bah Barrow FaBB Foundation to go around the world pleading for aid for her foundation, especially when her husband, President Adama Barrow and his senior government officials have been reluctant to exhibit transparency and accountability regarding government expenditures and paying a deaf ear to numerous calls to declare their assets.

Mamudu: Wives of presidents should just stay home, bake cookies, have English tea in small cups and saucers with their friends, and get babies, or whatever it is that wives of rich men do. But coming to tell electorates about healthcare, women’s empowerment, youth development and environmental programs when their husbands are stealing from hardworking women and youth who pay taxes, is just unacceptable and annoying. Middle class elites and low class of men and women taxes pay for those exuberant and flamboyant ceremonies with the flowers, and fancy tents, and the security that follows First Ladies around making sure they are not poisoned and that they have a clean loo. So, let president’s ‘ wives go visit Sheryl Sandberg and lean into something.

Report suggest that the Fatoumatta Bah Barrow FaBB Foundation didn’t know how the ($ 750,000) 33 million Dalasis from a Chinese investor was deposited into the account of the FaBB Foundation. Reports advanced that the First Lady is one of two people who ostensibly signed for the money to be removed from her FaBB foundation account to charter a flight, which never happened.

Chairperson of the Foundation one Fatou Ceesay immediately claimed ignorance of who deposited the money and for what purpose the 33 million Dalasis ($750,000) was meant for. Further inquiries by the online press further revealed that when the monies were deposited at the Guaranty Bank, the amount was transferred to an account operated by White Airways, a Portuguese charter airline company but was returned soon thereafter to the Foundations account with the Guaranty Trust Bank in Banjul.

In the current budget, there is an uncommon appropriation of over 370,000 Dalasis for the First Lady’s office which has been approved by the ‘tyranny of numbers’ of the Tactical Alliance dominated National Assembly members. The voters feel that should be enough to undertake projects the First Lady holds to her heart in one budget year, especially for a government preaching a pro-poor agenda. While Gambians appreciate the First Lady’s desire to help those in need, the Gambia’s history and current predicament and reluctance toward transparency and accountability forces Gambians to demand thorough scrutiny.

Mamudu: The amount of ($750,000)33 million Dalasis is still unaccounted for, the electorates are asking, where’s the money? Who transferred and for what purpose? The case of a mysterious bank transaction amounting to ($ 750,000) 33 million Dalasis that originated from Hong Kong through the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China Chinese to Guaranty Trust Bank, London Branch to Novo Banko in Lisbon before being deposited into the account of the First Lady’s Fatoumata Bah Barrow’s Foundation (FaBB) at the Guaranty Trust Bank in Banjul. This transaction has since raised more questions than the officials of the Foundations can provide answers to an increasingly frustrated public that should be a cause for concern, not only to Gambia’s First Lady and officials of the FaBB but to the Barrow government.

Mamudu: This is where our problem lies in the Gambia’s current First Lady’s Foundation, the first in a long time, trying to start a foundation after the election of her husband as President. It becomes very rare for leaders and their families to start up foundations while in office for the obvious reasons that it draws unnecessary attention and scrutiny. Closer to home, our neighbors Senegal is a clear example of how ruling families can easily run into trouble – even if on the surface they aim to do well under the guise of private foundations. This has been a trend for decades. Leaders and rulers have found themselves running into trouble either while in office or after they leave. Businesses looking to gain access to the Presidency use family’s crony business activities and family foundations to cut bureaucratic red tapes.

Evidence has shown that many of those who played by those rules of bribery, corruption and racketeering returned the favor with kickbacks and tribute payments, under the guise of charitable donations to foundations overseen by family. The foundations were in effect, a personal piggy bank for presidents and donating millions to them, making the scheme a major part of the cost of doing business in the country. It is no secret that the Gambian people have been bombarded with allegations and reports that Yahya Jammeh led government was siphoning funds through the Jammeh Foundation.

Reference is invited from the article published on the Freedom Newspaper dated September 27, 2018, as per the above subject matter. The aforesaid immortality article of accusation is a hateful fabrication of huge lies and dislike at the highest level on top of Mountain Everest, mathematically calculated wrongly with the intention of ruining and undermining the status of David Kujabi, are we in the area of character assassination?

The aforesaid evil, wicked article, was a malicious mixture of offensive mammoth lies, hatred, deep-rooted academic and intellectual jealousy, designed and projected to portray David in a bad light, and to nastily wipe out the dignity and impeccable honour he is known for as a Police officer. In fact, the author has the audacity to add hatred on our noble, splendid Police Institution.

Dalasi Keme should note that David is exercising his constitutional rights  “right of freedom of speech and expression” and  “right of academic freedom”, which are expressly guaranteed by Section 25 (1)(A) and Section 25(1)(B) respectively, of The Gambia’s 1997 Constitution.

The author name Dalasi Keme, hypocritically hiding behind the keyboard has the guts to spew garbage on an honourable and finest Police officer of our time. I will advise the author of such an evil article to utilize the opportunity well as such will not take him/her any were.

‘’I am watching and monitoring and I intend to continue to contribute henceforth, because some of us cannot remain silent watchers. Apologies, but I can’t be bothered to use my real name, a protection social media also provides’’ Said, Dalasi Keme.

Surprisingly, enough Dalasi Keme has the backbone, and the moral fibre to accuse David as a disgruntled officer. This saw how academically raw, crude and evil he/she is since he/she is hiding behind a fake name.

I refer Dalasi Keme to the 1997 constitution to familiarize himself/ herself on Section 24(3) A of the 1997 constitution (Presumption of innocence). Furthermore, David is serving this country of ours with sincerity, honesty, integrity, passion and courage.

I think it is high time we help the government with how government’s function. Our collective responsibilities should be how to bring back the lost glory of the country for the past wasted 53 years of so-called independence. Fact, no one but us can make our country a better place for us and generation unborn. Let’s try to put The Gambia first before anything else. (Badjie, 2017)

Saidina Alieu Jarjou

Political Activist

I have never been a teacher so I sit on a neutral position and critically looking at the situation and assessing the claims of both government and the protesting party. I have contentiously concluded that their claims are legitimate and worthy of protest.

The improvement of their service conditions and better remuneration is a legitimate claim. I have heard many criticise these fellows for neglecting their duties and causing and crisis in the education sector, but I bet those people complaining would defer in opinion if they feel what these folks go through in doing this noble work.

Imagine working in a very remote village, in very harsh weather, probably a village without electricity or running water and no shop to buy even the most basic supplies. Imagine being in this condition for four or five months without being paid a salary.  If those people that have to go through all these vices and willing go and teach our brothers and sisters in those classrooms have to be appreciated and rewarded.

In conclusion, the importance of the trained and motivated teacher cannot be overestimated in the socio economic development of this country, it is crystal clear that the role of teachers is very vital in improving human capital and consequently has a positive impact on national development and prosperity. The success of a nation depends on the success of the education system while the success of education system depends on the quality of teachers .So I call on the authorities concerned to re consider its stance on the demands of these teachers and refrain from the threats and intimidation and seriously engage them to come to a compromise in the shortest possible time.

Tijan Bah

Political science student

University of The Gambia

I write in solidarity with the teachers for change as per their request for a better education sector. Our teachers were the educators who give us knowledge of the world around us and changes it into something for a better society we all want to live in. Still advances us a viewpoint of looking at life and helps us build opinions and have points of view on things in life and the surrounding.

The last time I checked education is widely regarded as essential to economic growth, national development and overall prosperity. In The Gambia, education is valued very highly and theoretically given a high priority. Strangely enough, however, the teachers responsible for educating Gambia’s children are not valued that highly as expected compared to other jobs. Considering the rapid increase in goods and services, you would think that teachers would be among the highest paid professionals. Yet teachers are compensated unreasonably to their advanced education levels and are disrespected by many people.

If the salary for teachers were higher, then more people would want to join the profession. With more competition for teaching, the best people would be the ones who are ultimately to be hired. With better teachers at schools, more students would hopefully connect with what they are learning and want to go on to a higher education. With more education, graduates from the University of The Gambia would be better prepared to go out as far beyond Bollibanna.

I remember when my teacher once asked me what I want to be in the future. I replied Teacher, he shouted at me “not to pray for that”. And informed me that teachers are the least paid in which they struggle with their salaries to make a leaving as they normally rely on bank overdraft. After a lot of thought, it’s obvious to me that my education would be much better if my teachers felt valued. It seems as though many teachers are asked to do more every year for the same salary or sometimes with a pay cut.

Many teachers have not been noiseless about their reasons for abandoning the profession, low morale and low pay. Yet the state’s response has not been enough to end the ongoing crisis of teachers in schools. The job of recruiting and retaining qualified teachers especially in the rural areas becomes more difficult without wiggle room for bonuses and high pay.

Motivated teachers can lead to increased productivity and allow a school to achieve higher levels of output. It is high time for the Barrow led administration to consider the demands of the teachers. Since the majority of teachers quit the teaching field unwilling because of the harsh and stressful conditions.

Saidina Alieu Jarjou

Political Activist

BANJUL—-The Immigration Department has denied raising the new national identity ID Card fees to D450 Dalasi.

The Gambia Government has recently contracted Semlex, a Belgian Company to issue the national identity ID Cards amid controversy surrounding the company’s integrity and high prices set for the national document. The Company has been involved in several corruption allegations that injects fear in many Gambians as to whether the country’s national data is safe with them.

ASP Mamanding S Dibba, Immigration Spokesperson told The Fatu Network that the country’s Immigration Department has not fixed the fees for the new ID Cards.

“Iam not in a position to tell who fixed the fees to D450 Dalasi,” he added.

Spokesperson Dibba further said that the department was only responsible for implementing the programmes assigned to them.

The Interior Minister and Immigration Director General were on Tuesday, summoned by the National Assembly Select Committee on Security Matters to look into the integrity of the contract, the alleged corruption associated with it and the security of the national document in their hands. It was a close door meeting that lasted for several hours.

Assan Tangara, Permanent Secretary at Interior Ministry told The Fatu Network that he cannot say who fixed the new ID Card fees.

“I don’t have answers to your questions at the moment,” PS Tangara told The Fatu Network.

The Interior PS referred this reporter to the Immigration Spokesperson, saying the questions raised are technical matters.

Many concerned Gambians home and abroad are calling on citizens to boycott the ID Cards from Semlex Company.

“Given that the government of The Gambia recently declared that there will be food shortage this year due to poor rains…it is absolutely insensitive to tell citizens to spend D450 Dalasi to acquire an ID Card,” Tha Scribbler, a concern Gambian wrote.

Madi Jobarteh, a renowned human rights activist wrote on his Facebook page:

“Bear in mind that ID cards are renewed every 5 years. This means for the duration of our entire lives we will all comeback again every 5 years to pay D450 Dalasi for this document.”

Jobarteh predicted the possibility of doubling the ID Card prices in 10 years to D900 Dalasi.

The ID Card fees initially was D250 Dalasi until it was recently increased to D450 Dalasi. Apart from the 200℅ increment, it is also believed that there are companies in the country that can do the job at low cost.

Meanwhile, the issuing of ID Cards is slated for the 1st October, 2018.