When a part of society is hurting, and another part is not listening, then a few individuals can play leader/hero and build walls. Leadership and heroism are not to be found in those who lead the masses by holding onto their power or position.

Those we regard as leaders exploit knowingly and unknowingly what we feel is our identity. Leadership is to be found in those who encourage participation and heal brokenness. They bandage our wounded egos and separateness of identity with what is common to us all and what is absolute—we are human beings who seek wholeness and life. Democracy fails in this because we listen to “a majority” and then we draw hard lines and quickly classify people as “us and them.” Democracy fails when it is not purposefully led.

President Adama Barrow’s style of leadership is, in my view, out of tune with the 21st century. He is like a man on a white stallion with an upraised sword who says, “I have all the answers, I know everything, and I will solve all your problems. I will cut through the Gordian knot.” A one-man show was feasible in the days gone by, but in the complex 21st century, the ability to build a team is far more important. In a coalition government, we don’t see that. Hardly any coalition minister feels he has any authority over his own portfolio or command over his own ministry. There may be one exception or maybe two, but every decision has to be referred to the Office of the President. Speeches and all major policies are all made at the State House and, in the end, supports the one-man show. That is a big flaw when you look back at the leadership style of President Adama Barrow.

Whatever the field, a good leader has to at least have three qualities: 1) the ability, obviously, to inspire. That means communication has to be effective and motivational, 2) the ability to lead by example. If, in the context of soccer, you are seen as a captain who doesn’t deserve that place, then your authority will definitely suffer, and 3) the ability to let your followers feel that the victory is theirs, not yours.

In every field, a leader should not only be all about himself or herself. Be it winning an election or a game of soccer, or even improving a sales record, the team must feel we did it. If one person takes all the credit and hogs the limelight, then I’m afraid the team will not be motivated for the next game.

26 July, 2018: We are dismayed by the unfortunate comments made by President Adama Barrow at a rally, during his ongoing connect with the people tour. The Gambian leader aimed a dig at Gambians in the Diaspora, saying, ‘‘they are disgruntled elements who came to The Gambia seeking jobs, didn’t get it and have now become hate mongers’’.

Amazing huh! Is this not the same President Barrow who during his 2017 visit to New York City, acknowledged the efforts of the People of the Democratic Republic of Facebook, which he said, was the ouster of Dictator Yaya Jammeh? In fact he promised on that fateful day, that he will not repeat that same mistake and went on to say in his own words that; ‘‘I would like to thank the Gambians in the diaspora and social media for campaigning for me, The Gambia needs you’’.

Surprisingly enough, the said people of the Democratic Republic of Facebook are now seen by President Adama Barrow as bad elements who always contradict his words. Face bookers are all “baakotong feh’nyo lu” the tail of a goat, which has no other use than dispersing flies. He added.

Well the Facebook Republic, is here to stay, Mr. President, it will support a new generation of progressive young leaders to fight for progressive change, elevating political consciousness among others. This will transform Gambia’s politics and economic systems in responsive to the needs of The Gambians. We are dedicated to liberate Gambians from the bondage of being led by pensioners and replace them with energetic and talented Youth.

The people of the Democratic Republic of Facebook demand an apology from President Barrow, to minimize defect for a better Gambia we all want. Gambia belongs to Gambians both at home and abroad and in speaking we can make it great.

Meanwhile, our doors remain open to talk possibilities of a rapprochement.

Saidina Alieu Jarjou

Political Activist

Our president must refrain from divisive statements and seek to accommodate and unify all of our citizens. The Gambia has passed that stage for a politician to once again hoodwink our people or derail this country with impunity. His advisers need to tell him to review his position in order to better serve the nation. We did not kick out Yaya Jammeh only to welcome and pamper a baby president.

What Adama Barrow, Our Chief Servant, needs to understand is that individuals don’t hate him or simply dislike him or are angry simply because they cannot get jobs or just want to merely criticize him for the sake of criticism.

Our citizens who raise issues and concerns do so out of love for country and responsibility as citizens by law to hold the government accountable. These criticisms are rooted in our history and experience, not just in the past 22 years of brutal dictatorship but also in recognition of the failure of our leaders and governments since independence to position this country on the path of good governance and sustainable development.

Therefore what Barrow got to realize is that those he calls haters are actually guardians of our democracy and supreme national interests. Those criticisms indicate that he is taking decisions and making actions that are threats to our democracy and national interests.

Hence our citizens cannot sit quiet to watch again another political leader mislead this country. Thus if indeed Barrow truly wants to be a true leader of our people who transforms our lives for the better by efficiently and effectively managing our resources in transparency and accountability then he needs to welcome those so-called haters and their criticisms as resources that will help him.

Barrow must realize that there is a category of Gambians who will never ever sit quiet and lame ever again to watch politicians and public officers destroy our country. Never! If we are accused of being silent or found nowhere when Yaya Jammeh was bastardizing our rights and lives, we have now learnt that lesson well enough that we will not be silent and indifferent ever again!

No politician or public officer can ever again fool or threaten our people or arrogate to yourself the monopoly of truth, power and righteousness. No way.

So long as Pres. Barrow treads on wrong decisions and actions he must be prepared to receive a barrage of criticisms for as long as he is president. So far he has indeed made several wrong decisions and actions that deserve serious bashing.

Adama Barrow, Our Chief Servant must realize that the Gambian People pay him a salary of D200,000 a month with no tax attached plus huge benefits and incentives with a lofty retirement package. We pay him such huge resources for only one thing: To do the right job in the right way only.

We do not pay him so that he can engage in bad decisions and bad actions or perpetrate patronage, corruption, exclusion and divisions in our society. So long as he does any of those then he must be ready to receive the wrath of the people. We do not pay him for failure or mistakes or poor performance.

Once again we elected him and pay him for only one purpose, that is, to protect our rights and satisfy our needs. No more. No less.

I, Madi Jobarteh do not need any favour from any politician or public officer. God the Almighty has endowed me with all the necessary capacity to acquire knowledge and skills that should enable me obtain decent jobs from both The Gambia and around the world to earn a decent life. Hence I do not necessarily need a Gambia Government job even though I reserve my right to seek and obtain any job from The Gambia Government – from being a president to a cleaner in Boraba Lower Basic School.

Hence Pres. Barrow must stop being divisive and follow the law in fulfillment of his functions as president. He must appreciate all Gambians regardless of their position towards him bearing in mind that it was a great honour and privilege for Gambians to choose him to be our president. Many more Gambians of higher qualification and competence than him could acquire that seat.

The fact that he is the current president means he must humble himself to welcome any criticism, sincere or insincere, in the same way he receives praises. He must be honest to himself that we elected him as president not for his own sake but to serve our people. In that service he must be honest to himself again to realize that we won’t all agree with him, rightly or wrongly.

Therefore honesty demands that he welcomes all praises and criticisms equally and refrain from characterizing some citizens as haters and desperadoes! Rather he needs to listen to those criticisms and use them as a mirror to see himself better, with honesty.

Throwing aspersions and divisive and threatening statements will only erode his credibility, constrain his leadership and make his government ineffective. Is that the legacy he wants to create? That’s up to him. But the bottom line is that so long as wrong decisions are taken and wrong actions are made then harsh criticisms will follow, without remorse, hesitation or mercy! The ball is in his court!

For The Gambia ?? Our Homeland

The Social Security and Housing Finance Corporation (SSHFC) on Wednesday, July 25, 2018 appeared before the National Assembly Select Committee on Public Enterprises presided over by Honourable Halifa Sallah at the National Assembly in Banjul.

The SSHFC Officials presented their Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31st December 2015.

The report, amongst others things indicates the Corporation role as the sole pension provider to employees of both public and private sectors in country. It also operates housing schemes on mortgage or commercial basis to the general public.

Augustus Prom, a private audit firm reported that the Corporation”s internal audit reports does not indicate its implementation status of audit issues raised in the previous reports. It fails to provide the Annual Work Plan of the Internal Audit Unit for review.

The private audit firm observed that the Corporation lacks adequate collateral in place to ensure the recovery of staff loans. The Corporation fails to establish a linkage of the income to the awarded contracts to ensure that the contracts in place are valid.

“There is no mention of ‘spot check cash-counts’ (without notification) cash counts for cash collection areas within the Corporation,” Augustus Prom told National Assembly Members.

The Auditors added the lack of mechanism to ensure loan agreements are in place for loans to be disbursed. It is recommended that the Internal Audit Unit developed a work plan with approval from the Board’s subcommittee.

Muhammed Manjang, the Director General of SSHFC said the Corporation has recorded a consolidated net surplus of D5.47 Millions where the Federated Pension Scheme (FPS) accounted D21.10 Millions, National Provident Fund (NPF) accounted a deficit of D15.06 Millions while the Housing and Finance Fund (HFF) accounted a deficit of D4.37 Millions whereas the Industrial Compensation Fund (ICF) accounted D3.80 Millions.

DG Manjang revealed that the total Net Assets grew by 4% from D5.49 Billion in 2014 to D5.68 Billion in December 2015 of which D1.46 Billion was accounted for by the FPS, whilst NPF, HFF and Industrial Injuries Compensation Fund (IICF) contributed D3.32 Billion, D535.53 Millions and D366.60 Millions respectively.

“Members’ Fund grew by 5% to D5 billion during the year under review,” DG Manjang said.

Abdoulie Cham, Finance Director explained that the surplus for the year 2015 was D21,100,000 Millions which in his words was less than the year 2014.

According to Augustus Prom Audit Firm the NPF of which its total equity investments amounted to D1,152,000,000 has an amount of D709 million that is non-performing equity comprising of 61.55% of the total equity of the NPF.

A total loan of D1,157,000,000 Billion was disbursed to member institutions that have been non-moving since 2013. There was no repayments for a period of three years that the Auditors opined could have negative impact on the Corporation if the trend continues.

On the National Provident Fund, the Finance Director disclosed that the Corporation for the year 2015 registered a deficit of D15,062,000 Millions whereas it accounted for D25,534,000 as a deficit in 2014.

Meanwhile, the Housing Finance Fund (HFF) has registered a deficit of D4,367,000 at the end of the year 2015 whilst the previous year 2014 was D3,311,000 Millions. The sittings continues tomorrow.

Euan McDOUGALL, Project Manager of the International Organization for Migration (IOM) has said that 3,484 Gambian returnees are assisted by his organization since January 2017.

Mr Euan made these revelations at the EU–IOM Joint Initiative for Migrant Protection and Reintegration forum held at the Kairaba Beach Hotel in Kololi.

“The IOM has assisted 3,484 Gambian returnees since January 2017,” Euan IOM Project Manager said.

The 3 year project which is part of a regional initiative to address 14 Sahel countries including The Gambia, Lake Chad region as well as Libya. It proposes to strengthen migration governance for sustainable reintegration of returning migrants in The Gambia.

“The project is funded by the EU Emergency Trust Fund for Africa (EUTF) for a total of €3.9 Million,” he added.

The IOM Project Manager has added that most of the Gambian returnees are male with 98 percent compared to their female counterparts.

The Project Manager of The Gambia Youth Empowerment Project (YEP), Raimund Moser also spoke about the initiatives made since last year.

The YEP Project is reportedly focused on Agribusiness, Tourism and ICT amongst others. It is a 4 year project with budget of €11 Million Euros.

“We are targeting 2000 new jobs and also 2000 improved jobs,” Raimund said.

According to the project manager 1, 531 youths were trained while 425 of them were given support in small and medium enterprises. He added that 57, 841 youths were reached with an estimate of 25 implementing partners.

Questions were asked as to whether the youth were consulted before making interventions. It was disclosed that some of the youth never showed interest in certain intervention areas.

Meanwhile, the project manager said there is communication before reintegration and monitoring as well.

Acting in accordance with Section 22 of the TRRC Act, 2017 and in consultation with the Executive Secretary of the TRRC, the Attorney General and Minister of Justice Mr. Abubacarr Tambadou has appointed Musu Bakoto Sawo as Deputy Executive Secretary of the Truth, Reconciliation and Reparations Commission.

Musu Bakoto Sawo is a law lecturer at the Faculty of Law, University of The Gambia. She holds a Master of Laws (LLM) in Human rights and Democratization in Africa from the University of Pretoria and a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) from the University of The Gambia. Musu is the National Coordinator of Think Young Women and Programme Officer for The Girl Generation in The Gambia.

Among other notable achievements, Musu was co-Recipient of the 2017 Vera Chirwa award by the Centre for Human Rights, University of Pretoria in recognition of her advocacy for the rights of women and girls in The Gambia, and for being a leading African voice in the fight against harmful practices especially Female Genital Mutilation. In 2018, Queen Elizabeth of England awarded her the 52nd Commonwealth Point of Light in honour of her exceptional voluntary service in promoting women’s empowerment and campaign to end FGM.

Reacting to her appointment, Musu said, “I am honoured by this opportunity and pray that I remain grounded and true to the objectives of the TRRC while in office. My aim is to have an inclusive TRRC that takes into account all the different dynamics that may exclude certain voices, i.e. women and girls. I am excited to begin this journey and I am hopeful that the TRRC will take the most appropriate measures to ensure that the victims of human rights violations under the past regime get the justice they desire.”

“I think we are very fortunate to have Musu Bakoto Sawo on our leadership team,” Said Dr. Baba Galleh Jallow, Executive Secretary of the TRRC. “Musu brings a wealth of knowledge and experience in human rights law, democratization, and gender and child rights advocacy which will be invaluable to our work at the TRRC. Her appointment also demonstrates our commitment to promoting the voices of women, young people and children, especially girl-children in our TRRC process.”

Alagi Yorro Jallow

Everyone is gifted in speaking from both sides of the mouth. To succeed, it is a talent you must learn if it did not come as a gift from nature. The more notorious or demagoguery one appears, the more volume to wiggle your tongue either way on issues. We flip flop on issues depending on the size of the pay check or self-interest.

 President Adama Barrow like addressing issues peripheral to our daily existence. And we cheer him with glee. Today, Gambian youth are crying against unemployment and subjugation by politicians in our own country for survival. Gambians should be equally asking why we must be paying million in dollars every month for external debt servicing in next decades, on top of the expensive loans for constructions and rolling stock of Bretton woods and Chinese loans.

How is it that the construction of sixty mosques in the country seems not to have tickled president Barrow’s conscience within the last few weeks or so. Where is our national pride? Where is this animal called “Patriotism”?

 The Gambia is in urgent need of inspiration. If our rallying call is the “hustler” mentality, we are going to mislead a whole generation. The Gambia is in urgent need of genuine, honest and accountable leadership. This country needs hope and healing. Unfortunately, I do not see that in this man. I see a man in a hurry to make his point. I see an agitated man more visible than a president of the republic of the Gambia. I see a self-preservationist. I see political machinations. I see no servant leadership in this President.

The Edward Francis Small Teaching Hospital (EFSTH) has run outin the areas of essential drugs and medicines, health technologies, and human resources for health, also ran out of Herceptin, an essential drug provided to cancer patients in government hospitals for free. Why are we not engaged on the issues that are of concern to Gambians? What is this trans-formative nonsense about “change” and “development” if the sick cannot access healthcare and live in dignity? Who are we building these “mosques” for?

Why are we busy pontificating about imaginary political debts (rather than discussing our ballooning foreign debt) and justifying our empty rhetoric using the Holy Quran? This toxic mix of faux religion and politics will drive the country to the trenches. And the religious clerics seems to be the most recent endorser of this tightly knit club called “donations” from unexplained sources. Our mosques are a story for another day. If we do these mosque projects for another few years, we might be stating at an IMF bailout. If you think I am hallucinating, read Greece.

Religion have largely failed being positive examples in the country over the last decades. For many, especially in the third world, religion is nothing more but a coping mechanism to deal with the challenges of day to day life.

In public we present images of piety. Away from the confines of religion, we are very different people. And because of this duplicity, both Christianity and Islam are fast becoming nothing but a “fashionable” lifestyle. From the manner and content of “gospel” music and Islamic hymns, deceptive, manipulative preachers making a living from fake miracles in worship places and the clerics consorting with corrupt politicians.

The moral authority of Churches and Mosques is quickly eroding. Not only in the Gambia. Even in places like the US many people are questioning conservative politics that is corrupting Evangelicalism in support of Donald Trump. This brand of politicized Christianity, just like politicized Islam, does not have the intend spiritual impact towards human behavior. Instead, it creates religious bigots and politicians. ISIS is politicized Islam. Pastor John Hagee, the man who advocates for the killing of Palestinian women and children by Israel is nothing more than a bible quoting politician. And when we are unable to impact behavior through the wholesomeness of spiritual teachings and our own lives as examples, we resort to building appearances belong to the realm of politics. We have failed to plant conviction in the hearts of men and women, so we use religious coercion.

This trait is alive and well in our politicians as well as many “know nothings” roaming the streets. Supporters of the Barrow Youth Foundation for Development has always been duplicitous. They will openly condemn corruption in government, yet at the same time support its looting leadership. The same duplicity can be found in their social media postings constantly tweeting “Progressiveness”, yet they are part of the “system” that the fiery tweets from “idle, unemployed, disturbed youths” seek to tame.

There are still some supercharged fellows typing Barrow Youth Movement for Development. But again, our ballot induced psychosis and tribal mass hysteria could make him second term President. Voting without conscious thought, then complain later. What will be different then? I am still waiting for that son or daughter of the Gambia, irrespective of where they come from, who will convince me that they deserve my vote. I say this with the full knowledge that I only have one vote. Rest assured that I will not waste it on charlatans. The guy who collectively bewitched us died with together with the antidote.

Effective communication is said to be one of the most important components of governance. In fact, a good commination strategy can make a government appear to be doing far more than it is actually doing. It can present a government as having great achievements when in fact it’s not doing much. Any government that wants to succeed therefore must have a very good and effective communication strategy.

The current government; however, is having serious problems of communication. We observe repeatedly how this government does blunders in the area of communicating with the people. When something happens, we often hear the Press Secretary, Office of the President Amie Bojang-Sissokho make muddy the waters more in interviews.

For instance, when government appointed a spokesperson, it was announced on Gambia Radio and Television Services and carried by some of the newspapers in the country. Almost a week later, Mrs Bojang-Sisokho denied knowledge of the appointment in her weekly press briefings. People wondered how the president can appoint someone and his press secretary is not aware. This was later clarified by the minister of Information of national television.

Having appointed a Government Spokesperson in the person of Ebrima G. Sankareh, one would have thought that it will transform the way that government communicates with the people. However, since his appointment, Mr Sankareh has issued two press releases which raised more questions than they answered.

The first one was in response to leaked audios of former president Yahya Jammeh and his lieutenants here in the country. This was a completely unnecessary response as it just went into a diatribe against the APRC party which can even widen the gap between that party and the rest of the country. It would have sufficed to notify the International Community of this and ignore the rest.

The second one – released yesterday – was full of misinformation and deceit. Mr Sankareh failed to get the facts right and tried instead to window dress the issue of President Barrow announcing that he will construct sixty mosques every year. He tried to pin that down on the Barrow Youth Movement which was not actually what happened.

I had an argument with an American lady last year when she said that it is the press that is tarnishing the reputation of Donald Trump. I said that instead, it was Donald Trump who was tarnishing the image of Donald Trump in his tweets and other engagements with the media. Similarly, if Mr Sankareh really wishes to portray the President Barrow and his government in a good light, he should advise President Adama Barrow to be more measured when he speaks.

You see, now we live in the age of technology. Everything s recorded and stored away in the clouds, as it were. People can always bring out a statement said, or an image taken, any time. So, it is necessary that whatever one is saying, one needs to think twice before uttering any statement.

President Adama Barrow needs to measure his statements more carefully and weigh the pronouncements to avoid confusion. Otherwise, people will keep misunderstanding, misquoting or misrepresenting him due to the obfuscation in his pronouncements.

All in all, the government must rethink its communications strategy to ensure that effective communication with the public is forthcoming.

Tha Scribbler Bah

State House, Banjul, 25 July, 2018

H.E. Ambassador Alexander Laskaris, deputy to the Commander for Civil-Military Engagement, United States Africa Command (AfriComm) has announced that the US is committed to supporting the Gambia’s Security Sector Reform program.

During a closed door meeting with His Excellency President Adama Barrow at the State House in Banjul on Wednesday morning, the one time US Ambassador to Guinea Conakry and deputy Consul to Liberia, Ambassador Laskaris, said they have formally re-established relations withTheGambia Armed Forces andgovernment withthehopeof progressing the security reformsagenda.

“It is our belief that the military should be a highly professional force that does not have to engage in politics or any civilian matters. We will be working in rebuilding the security forces of The Gambia and resuming our traditional relations with them in support of the democratically elected government of The Gambia,” Ambassador Laskaris said.

His Excellency President Adama Barrow welcomed the commitment of the US Military to supportthesecurity sector reformof his government.

Ambassador Laskaris and delegation were accompanied to thepresidency by the US Ambassador to The Gambia, H.E. Patricia Alsup, and members of the Embassy staff.

Meanwhile, Ambassador Alsup described security as important to Gambia’s development and expressed delight that the President agreed to a meeting despite busy schedules.

Alagi Yorro Jallow

People are catching feelings and spitting rage following President Adama Barrow’s Banjul -Barra bridge mega project announcement without National Assembly approval has exposed Adama Barrow’s shady and dodgy political propaganda. For one, what do you all expect from a sociopath who is brazen enough to tell you that the Gambia ’s biggest threat is corruption and incompetent leadership and thinks it doesn’t apply to him. As for the $1.5 billion cost of that Banjul- Barra mega bridge project, that’s the least of Gambia’s problems. One of the Gambia’s top sociologist and eminent political scientist Halifa Sallah has been telling you for years that you’ll pay for external debt with your first-born children. The only surprise here is that you’re surprised.

The Gambia government has a mounting debt of $ 1. 2 billion which is equivalent to 58 billion (Dalasi); 52 % of which is coming from external sources and 42 % from domestic lending. These debts according to Mr. Bai Madi Ceesay, the Director of Budget says it represents 122% of Gambia’s GDP owed to creditors and international lending institutions and countries.

But consider this. When Adama took power in 2017, the Gambia’s government incurred a debt of $1 billion, which would amount to 120% of the country’s GDP during the last decade of ex-president Yahya Jammeh’s rule, according to the IMF and World Bank. The IMF currently list the Gambia’s government debt as 99% of GDP, $881 million. The most recently available figures say that of Gambia’s government debt, around 54% is owed outside the country, and 46% within Gambia. This would mean that of $1 billion of debt, $540 million is owed externally and $460 million domestically. The most recent figures from the World Bank and IMF are that Gambia’s government external debt is $467 million. Of this: $349 million is owed to multilateral institutions such as the World Bank, IMF, and African Development Bank, $112 million is owed to other governments, $6 million is owed to private creditors.

Total debt of the nation stands at about $1.9 billion, about the same net worth for the former President Jammeh. In 5 years, the debt is in trillion and counting. This year, the government will borrow supplementary of $2 billion just to keep the lights on. The question you should all be asking is what you have got for 1.2 trillion in 5 years. Fuel prices are rising, millions live hand to mouth with most not even having 100 dalasis in their name that they can rub together, the health and education systems are not fit for purpose, state coffers are being looted left right and center. If you think the Gambia will ever be capable of paying that debt while your great grand-children are still alive, then clearly, you’ve stepped out of your damn mind and lost your senses.

No, the Chinese and the government are not your problem. The country is a basket case. Nothing is going to change until people have absolutely nothing else to lose. When they’ve stolen everything from you, they’re going to come for the clothes on your back and grab the food from your child’s mouth. Nothing will change until you realize that even if you line up along the mega project bridge desperate to eat this bridge they keep harping on about, the lions and hyenas will be right next to you also looking for something to eat.

There’s all this talk about manufacturing; affordable housing; food security and affordable health care. More like the big mega projects to eat from before the lights go out. If you think it’s a joke, ask yourself why Fatoumatta have now diversified from providing mobile health clinics to providing affordable housing. In 5 years, our politicians will orchestrate a theft bigger than any government has in the last 50 years, including that of the original thief in Equatorial Guninea. No, the Chinese are not our problem.

The Embassy of the United States of America in The Gambia is pleased to announce the selection of three extraordinary young Gambian secondary school students and their teacher chaperone for participation in the 2018 Pan-African Youth Leadership Program (PAYLP).  This fully-funded three-week program will take place from August 4 – August 25, 2018 at various colleges, universities, and institutions throughout the United States.

The young scholars are Nyajay Satta Braima, Fatima Samateh, and Ebrima Juwara, representing respectively: Tahir, Nasir and Nusrat Senior Secondary Schools.  The adult participant, Mr. Draman Janneh, represents Armitage Senior Secondary School.  They were selected from among almost 100 students from U.S. Embassy Banjul’s educational networks across the country.

The PAYLP program will host approximately 150 youth and adult participants selected from across Africa through a competitive and rigorous application process.

The Gambian scholars recently participated in an orientation session at the U.S. Embassy. Senior staff at the Embassy briefed the participants, congratulated them and wished them well in what should be a life-changing experience.  Participants are urged to apply their experiences in service to their communities when they return.

Pan-Africa Youth Leadership Program (PAYLP) supports U.S. foreign policy priorities by offering secondary school youth (ages 15-18) and adult educators the opportunity to explore priority policy themes such as conflict resolution, economic development, entrepreneurship, civic education, youth leadership, women’s rights, and respect for diversity.

Participants will engage in workshops on leadership and service, community site visits related to the program themes and subthemes, interactive training on conflict resolution, presentations, visits to high schools, local cultural activities, and homestays with local American families. Participants are encouraged to develop follow-on community-based projects in their home communities to effect positive change on their return.

The scholars will leave Banjul for the United States in August.

Bwiam, Foni Kansala, 24^thJuly 2018

President Adama Barrow has reaffirmed the commitment of his government to the promotion and advancement of religious tolerance and equality in the country. At a meeting in Bwiam, Foni Kansala, as part of the ongoing nationwide tour, the President said, from the onset, the government has always adhered to the practice of religious freedom and equality for all people of faith, including non-believers, as guaranteed by the constitution of the Gambia.

”We have different kinds of faith groups in this country, including atheist and followers of the African Traditional religion. We do not discriminate against any one religion because they are all part of my family, the Gambian family. All religions are equal in this country and I treat everyone equally. Even in my Cabinet, I have Christians that I have so much respect for”.

While saying that all religions and faith groups are safe to practice and have been catered for in the development strides of the government, President Barrow reemphasized that ”we are one people, and that tribes and ethnicities are not important”.

He added that he would remain committed to strengthening the secular republican status of the country, pointing out that was why within one week of assuming power, he reversed the declaration of Islamic statehood that was proclaimed over the republic by the former regime.

President Adama Barrow made these statements in response to what he called ”detractors and hate mongers” that are bent on planting the seeds of religious discord and conflict in the minds of unsuspecting Gambians by twisting his comments about the Barrow Youths for National Development.

Clarifying that funds from the Brussels conference will not be used by any non-government organization to promoting any one religion, he said the speculators and hate peddlers deliberately picked on the mosques construction issue to bring misunderstanding in the public. The President said he was shocked to learn in the media that he was engaged in promoting one religion against others or threatening Christian minorities.

Addressing the issue of the Barrow Youth Movement for National Development, he described them as a youth group that meaningfully wants to support his government’s development agenda. He was quite unequivocal in stating that he would embrace any other organization or individual that is serious about supporting progress and development of the country.

“I am open to anyone who wants to join me in national development. It’s in that spirit that we provided vehicles for all National Assembly Members, including the opposition, to honor and dignify the national office that they occupy. The vehicles would facilitate their movement and they don’t have to join passenger vehicles to get to work’’.

Following widespread allegations and mischaracterization of President Adama Barrow’s remarks in the North Bank Region about the planned construction of 60 mosques, The Gambia Government makes it categorically clear, that the reports were twisted and grossly exaggerated to instill fear and deep divisions in Gambian society and to potentially, malign the good reputation of the President and his democratic Government.

Therefore, The Gambia Government hereby reminds citizens, visitors, resident aliens, representatives of foreign governments and their diplomatic missions as well as members of all religious denominations, that The Republic of The Gambia remains a secular, constitutional democracy where all are free to believe and practice their faith and it is not Government’s business to interfere in people’s religious beliefs.

Equally, Government wants to make it abundantly clear, that the construction of religious houses was not its policy agenda nor development programme. Instead, President Barrow’s vision for The Gambia is to radically transform a country that endured two decades of dictatorship and maladministration to a nation of hope and progress that respects and protects constitutional due process, the rule of law and promotes a culture of religious tolerance and guarantees citizens of their unfettered freedoms.

The Government acknowledges that some volunteer youth groups among them, the Barrow Youth Movement and NGOs, have availed themselves to the President with promises of boreholes, farming implements, seeds and fertilizer to support his development initiatives as well as the voluntary construction of village mosques following requests by local worshippers.

However, these pledges and pronouncements by volunteers must not be confused nor misconstrued as a deliberate policy by the Barrow government to build mosques. President Adama Barrow remains focus on his National Development Plans.

The Government once again reiterates its commitment to the secularity of the state where all are equal before the law.

Signed:

Ebrima G. Sankareh

Spokesperson of Government of The Republic of The Gambia.

The Ministry of Justice wishes to clarify inaccurate reports in the media that the GDC member for Jimara Constituency Honourable Alhaji Sowe was acquitted and discharged by the Basse magistrates court, thereby giving the impression that Honourable Sowe was being prosecuted by the State. This is inaccurate.

Following police investigations into the violence that erupted in Jimara constituency during the local government elections, the Ministry advised that there was insufficient evidence to prosecute Honourable Sowe. Consequently, the charges against him were withdrawn by the Police and Honourable Sowe was accordingly discharged by the Court.

The Ministry assures the general public that the days of politically motivated prosecutions in The Gambia are now over and that the Government of His Excellency President Adama Barrow is committed to upholding the rule of law and the democratic and fundamental human rights of every Gambian irrespective of their political or other orientation.

Furthermore, the Ministry wishes to encourage media practitioners and commentators on judicial matters to take advantage of the Ministry’s open door policy to seek confirmation of their facts before publications or commentary.

Ministry of Justice

This man Magistrate Omar Jabang. God bless his cotton socks. Omar Jabang must be protected at all costs. Magistrate Jabang once fled the country in fear for his life after a controversial decision against the previous government. Omar Jabang’s court yesterday, acquitted and discharged opposition Gambia Democratic Congress party National Assembly member and other party members.

We are a country living in such a deep state of collective trauma and the pain of this trauma is beginning to surface through tribalism, misogyny, internalized self-hate, corruption, acceptance for mediocrity etc. We must name things as they are- and name the impact those things have had on us. We must refuse to glorify violence in whatever form it manifests itself. We must remember that those in political power rely on you being broken, fragmented, being traumatized and being completely disconnected from your humanity to help propagate their violent neoliberal agenda

 A man prepared to tell the political operatives who believe they own our predatory state “Put up or shut up”. Talk about telling the politicians “this is new Gambia”. If they don’t like the doctrine of an independent judiciary, tell the real owners of the country to abolish it. Stop intimidating the judiciary. “Recount the votes”! Do they realize that the law – their shield and defendant have the last laugh? A pertinent quote from Caroline Kennedy? “The bedrock of our democracy is the rule of law and that means we have to have an independent judiciary, judges who can make decisions independent of the political winds that are blowing. That is; unless you wish to emulate Teodoro Obiang Nuema Mbasogo the rogue of the Equatorial Guinea?

 Magistrate Jabang has acquitted and discharged the opposition GDC National Assembly member Alhagie Sowe with other members of the GDC party, who were charged for election related violence. Since the young magistrate was transferred to Basse Magistrate Court – people started stirring up hate against him questioned his impeccable honesty and integrity. He was accused of being a Mandinka and that’s why he is assigned to deal with the case. Magistrate Jabang proved all prophets of doom and shown judicial integrity not harming his judicial reputation.

During the previous government, Omar Jabang acquitted and discharged the former ombudsman, Alhagie Sowe who was falsely charged with theft, disobedience of statutory duty and neglecting official duty. And in 2016, Magistrate Jabang shocked everyone when he discharged another Gambian business man, one Yusupha Saidy, who was under the radar of former president Jammeh. He did not compromise his judicial independence under dictatorship.

What has happened yesterday following the ruling of the of the Basse magistrate court is bigger than any one man. What has happened yesterday was the biggest single decision of patriotism and justice that we have witnessed in 22 years of our existence during the second republic. It is a decision about respect for the rule of law, a decision about the intolerance of impunity, a decision about accountability of our institutions and the respect of our democracy.

Magistrate Omar Jabang must take his rightful place in the history of this country. Omar Jabang have to be recognized for his immeasurable contribution to saving this country from cannibalizing itself. His decisions and judgement has to be taught to every single Gambian child so that they learn the importance of the strict adherence to the rule of law and democratic accountability.

The decision yesterday is the beginning of the end for impunity and the “Sembocracy” culture. Now is not the time to celebrate and make merry. Now is the time to dig in and make sure that the politicians who believe they own the predatory state do not have a chance to fight back. We have to step on their necks with extreme prejudice while they’re down. We have to make sure that we kill and bury the demons of the hegemony, impunity and corruption that have plagued this country since independence.

Those demons have stolen the hopes and dreams, the aspirations and expectations of thousands of Gambians. Those demons have exploited the fears and insecurities of Gambians as a collective. We will never get another opportunity to crush these demons and start the process of building and shaping the Gambia to what we want it to be.

Magistrate Omar Jabang have done his job. It’s now up to us to do ours. It’s often said that politics has to be the second job of every single citizen. Yesterday’s decision will have sent shock waves within the political class. We need to use this as an opportunity to make sure these politicians know that this country has changed. That we will no longer be oppressed and abused by them. That we will no longer tolerate their impunity, theft of public resources, corruption, incompetence and malfeasance.

All of us, individually and collectively must take a concerted effort to ensure that the decisions politicians make, the decisions state and public officers make, the money that we entrust to them is used properly for the public good. They must be able to understand that they work for us and are not demi-gods. They must be able to understand that they’re public servants. We all must do our part to make them accountable.

We live in a country that has completely normalized dangerous levels of violence. From the way we do politics, to religion, to education, to healthcare, to public transport and even to our daily interaction online and offline- everything is wrapped in violence. Our tolerance for violence is so high that I doubt that there is a way out for our generation.

Yesterday was a good day for justice. God bless the Gambia, God bless the magistrate Omar Jabang of Basse Magistrate Court.

Less than two years ago, we had a common cause, almost all Gambians wanted one thin, and one thing only, to change our government and begin the arduous journey of (re)building and reforming our institutions and civil services. We came together, fought a bitter battle – in which some lost life and limb. Some lost everything they held dear just to ensure that we defenestrate that man who had hijacked our country for far too long.

While this struggle was going on, there was a section of the Gambian Society that was bent on frustrating our efforts. They wrote, spoke and met all in an effort to ensure that the status quo remained. They paraded themselves on television and radio to misinform the masses; to paint a picture that the Gambian electorate had been taken for a ride – that the result was actually cooked.

Some of these people went to the extent of declaring a state of emergency and extending their term of office, all this to find ways to subvert the will of the Gambian people. This was so intense and the fight so real that the fear of what could be, led more than a hundred thousand Gambians to be displaced and become refugees in the neighboring countries. All this has been documented in the past.

It is therefore strange to observe that some of those very people who went to these lengths to subvert our will are now hobnobbing with you. They kowtow to you and your government and want us to pretend that these things never happened. One wonders where is honour when you need it. Granted, we must reconcile as Gambians because we have one destiny; but, to see the architects of the impasse enjoying the warmth of our leaders – the stalwarts of the struggle – beats imagination.

Watching proceedings of the tour and some other forums and seeing former arch enemies of the Coalition heaping praises on Adama Barrow is indeed a wonderful Reality TV that makes most soap operas seem like jokes. How incredulous!

If we really want to reform our institutions and the civil service, we cannot – must not – cozy up to these people. Many of them have either been invited by the Janneh Commission or are accused of something or the other. If therefor they are within the system – with some level of power – isn’t it possible that they can work from within to thwart our efforts. Isn’t it possible that some of them are just presenting a red herring so they gain proximity to you and sabotage your efforts?

There is a proverb in the Fula Language ‘Mbo sobhaaki sobhtotaako’. (He who is not suspicious will not escape). You must therefor be very mindful of those people who would have loved to see you fail a year or two ago, and now proclaim to want you to succeed. I for one, I am wary of these ‘twofacers’.They present an enigma which should be studied cautiously before being dismissed as harmless.

These and some actions reminiscent of the dictatorship – the billboards, the religious rhetoric, the youth movements – send shiver my spine that perhaps we have lost track and are groping in limbo. Are we?

Have a Good Day Mr President…

Tha Scribbler Bah

A Concerned Citizen