Thursday, June 19, 2025
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The Bob Keita Foundation: Empowering Youth, Inspiring Change

Hadram Hydara
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The Bob Keita Foundation: Empowering Youth, Inspiring Change

The BKF Foundation, in its commitment to giving back to the community and country, visited Gambia High Senior School as part of its initiative.

The initiative was established in response to the increase in drug use in the country. Recognizing the importance of engaging the younger generation in avoiding such substances and focusing on their education, the foundation took action “Take the Pen and Leave the Drug”.

In delivering the pen, I addressed students and emphasized to them that education serves as a tool for building a better society. Added that the foundation is concerned with the rise of drug consumption within the youthful population.

I encouraged them to stay clear of substances like Gina Bass, Kroos, and any other drugs that could hinder their education.

As a source of inspiration, I presented the school with 2,000 pens, carrying a message urging the students to choose the pen symbolizing a brighter future over the destructive path of drugs.

The head girl of the school expressed gratitude on behalf of the students, commending the foundation for its commendable initiative. She highlighted that in their three years at the school, no other organization had offered such initiatives or uplifting gestures.

Additionally, the school management also extended their appreciation to the foundation for its efforts.

Press Release: False Allegations Against Jah Multi-industrial, Salam Cement, and GACEM by Importers Association

Seringe Touray
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Press Release: False Allegations Against Jah Multi-industrial, Salam Cement, and GACEM by Importers Association

By: Association of Gambian Manufacturers

Fellow Gambians, this presser serves as a direct response to false allegations made against our members and to set records right. We as the Association of Gambian Manufactures on behalf of Jah Multi-Industrial, Salam Cement and Gacem wish to shed light on frivolous and baseless accusations label by the so call bagged- Cement importers Association whose members are mostly dominated by foreigners and actively working towards the economic and industrial growth of another country and effectively working harder to marginalise and kill the already establish industries in The Gambia and continue to advocate our dear country’s continuous dependence on foreign imports and economic strangulation. “REMEMBER WHENEVER YOU IMPORT YOU ARE CREATING EMPLOYMENT IN THE COUNTRY YOU ARE IMPORTING FROM”.

As a background, these three companies have a combined installed capacity of producing 185,000 bags of cement per day (Jah 110,000 Salam 50,000 and Gacem 25,000). The daily average consumption of cement in The Gambia at peak period is 100-110,000 bags and lean period is around 45-50,000 per day. Jah Multi-Industrial Mostly import bulk cement from Turkey or Moroc and do the re-bagging at their facilities in Brikama, Salam over the years has evolve from importing bulk cement to ACTUAL MANUFACTURING OF CEMENT- you are free to pass by their factory in Banjul to see all the raw materials (clinkers, limestone & clay) and Gacem also imports bulk cement from their parent companies and do the re-bagging.

Currently all these 3 Factories are operating at less than 10 per-cent installed capacity and have a combined investment of more than 75 million USD and employed over 5,000 (direct and indirect) operating at 10% of utilized capacity, imagine if they are at 100% capacity the employment they will generate, the tax, social security contribution, other expenses (Energy to Nawec) the Government and the people of The Gambia are benefiting from.

Fellow Gambians, as you are all aware, this very Importers of cement are working foreign cement factories for their selfish interest with the aim to kill our own industries, have been the very culprits who has been hiking the price of cement over the years in the country. This is evidenced by a known fact that, whenever Jah multi-industrial is out of the market, the price of cement goes up and when he enters the market the price will always come down.

The importer made false allegation that our locally produced cement are of lower quality, this is a false accusation because both Jah and Gacem cement has been proven to be European quality and scientifically proven fact by engineers in diverse areas; several tests were conducted in The Gambia, Ghana and other places and the results are that Jah and Gacem brand are the more superior quality to that of imported cement.  Further evidence shows that all Government and international projects currently on going in the country, would not recommend the quality of that cement they import from their cronies across the borders for any of the ongoing projects, being it to Major Contractors or any other project government issues to contractors due to quality issues. I wish to challenge any meaningful Gambian to make simple research on the quality of imported cement and compare it to that of our local industries. To help you, the imported bagged cement is 32.5R and locally bagged cement is 42.5R. The 32.5R is recommended only for plastering and not for any heavy construction whereas the 42.5R which is the global standard recommended by engineers for construction.

In view of the foregoing, it is incomprehensible to read from the so call press release of the importers of bagged cement traders and the writer claiming that the imported bagged cement is of a higher quality, that statement is either written out of sheer ignorance or blatant attempt to take Gambians for granted. Fellow Gambians, it is the Duty of every responsible government to create an enabling environment for its local industries for sustainable economic growth and ween the country from dependency to economic independence and that is exactly what the Government did as enshrine in the economic policies of this country. It is high time we replicate what is happening around us as a country. For example, some our Neighbors their support for local industries is Iron Clad, and I envy them for that. This evident as follows;

Sugar cannot be allowed from the Gambia to across the border because they have local sugar industries in their country.

Gambian water is one of the best waters in the world in terms of taste, but our neighbors never accept our waters in their economy because they have water producing factories.

Gambian Cement cannot be allowed to cross in because they have their local Cement factories to protect, and this was why they blocked Salam Cement trucks at their border when it attempted to cross into the name and spirit of free trade across Africa and ECOWAS.

Any other thing produced in The Gambia cannot enter their borders (you can ask Salam why his steel production is moved, Yandi drinks what is their experience). This is just because the welfare and growth of their industries comes first before anything else; which is a very good economic and trade policy to allow industrial growth.

Felow Gambians, now tell me, is The Gambia as a sovereign is not entitled to promote its own Industries and Businesses?  What is sad and disheartening, is to hear our own countrymen, shamelessly writing a press release to advance economic interest of another country at the detriment of their own country; unbelievable! The only sense I deduce from that is either the interest group are not true Gambians as they claimed, or they are outright selfish. To further debunk their false claims, lets now focus on facts and point out the fallacies in their release as follows;

  1. They claimed that they have been paying 6,00,000 dalasi a day to GRA. This is not just an outright attempt to blindfold the readers with highly exaggerated figures that does not exist but again a self-revealing lie because if they are paying 6 million per day at D30 then they are importing 200,000 bags per day and paying GMD2.1Billion. This is outright fake as all cement coming from Senegal are cleared by the Ministry of Trade through the ETLS and our findings indicates that these figures are ABSOLUTE FALSE.
  2. They also claimed they employ more Gambians that all the three factories combine but fall short of providing estimated figures. This is also false; their major employees are their truck drivers in fact some of them will hire foreign trucks that will bring the cement and sell it directly to consumers thereby bypassing the wholesalers and retailers. For our cement producers, they have a combined direct/indirect employment of over 5000 people operating at 10% imagine if they are at 100%.
  3. our members employments are formal employment thereby paying social security contribution, paying taxes (not only duties paid by importers) and on every vessel that anchors they pay GMD 8 million to GPA and 1 million to GMA, on average our members bring in 3-7 ships per month depending on the peak or lean period. Meaning only on port and maritime charges our members contribute GMD45-50million monthly.
  4. on tax contribution you may refer to GRA the hundreds of millions we bring to the table per month, in fact one of them was awarded by GRA at the Taxpayers night.
  5. The continuous depreciation of the dalasi against the CFA is catalyze by the bagged imported cement traders; simply because, they all are scrambling for the CFA to sustain their cross-border imports and in so doing the dalasi continuously keep losing its value and the CFA keep hiking. Consequently, all they have contributed for The Gambia, is hyperinflation that resulted to high cost of leaving due to the dalasi losing its exchange value to the CFA and other currencies.
  6. The fact of the matter is, The Gambia was massively losing economically with the overland cement imports than gaining anything from it from revenue leakages at the borders, massive retrenchment of workers in these three factories, revenue loses to GRA and financial choking of the GPA, loss of livelihood of all those people who depends on the factories including women who sell food to the large work force etc.
  7. when this measure was about to be introduced, the Ministry of Trade and Industry invited and organised a Meeting with their President with one of the producers for them to be buying from the local producers, but they refused because of the margins they are making from the imported bagged cement.

In conclusion, all patriotic Gambians who truly love this country should be proud of their locally grown industries by standing firm with their Gambian own to stabilize the price of cement.

In the recent passed as witness by all Gambians, when Jah  was out of the market for very good reasons, these so call cement traders where the only ones selling cement in The Gambia; and they were happily selling cheap quality cement to Gambians at almost 500 dalasi per bag, and they were falsely defending the high price with false claims of the CFA was high, markets prices are up, but immediately Jah  came in the market and drop the prices down for  Gambian consumers, which they criticize and chastise Jah Oil Company for doing, they automatically dropped their prices also to the level Jah Oil was selling.

This clearly manifest and reveal their lack of consideration and absolute disregard for Gambians consumers and solely focuses on their selfish over profiteering interest to the detriment of the country and the Gambians.

Gambians and our Government should start focusing more on the industrialization of the country and cut loose from import dependency and create more jobs for our youthful population.

Association of Gambian Manufacturers.

‘Vimto Circle’: ‘Girl Power’ Before it Became a Trend

Hadram Hydara
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‘Vimto Circle’: ‘Girl Power’ Before it Became a Trend

Long before the advent of the term “Girl Power,” a group of young girls practised this in The Gambia and lived by its dictates till death parted them.

My mother and her group of friends who were later known as the “Vimto Circle” nurtured a bond that started in their kindergarten days. They maintained this friendship until the very end. The name came about because they were few Christian-Aku women who didn’t drink alcohol except in exceptional circumstances where, socially, they would sip a glass or two. Their favourite drink was Vimto and thus they were dubbed the “Vimto Circle”.

These women supported themselves morally, emotionally, financially and spiritually throughout their journey on this earth. They were present in each other’s joyful and glorious days and so were they present in times of pain, sadness and grief. From weddings to birthdays, naming ceremonies to graduation parties and from anniversaries to funerals they stood by each other solidly.

Within that circle they mostly became godparents to each other’s children and their children grew up as siblings.

The last of the Circle died when she was over 90 years of age in the person of Late Aunty Erica Richards Owhutu and the first of the Circle to transition was the Late Aunty Sarian Colley the wife of Uncle William Hydara-Colley.

It was well-known knowledge in Banjul of yesteryears that these women never fought each other, slandered or tarnished each other. There were no instances of snatching each other’s boyfriends or husbands. They kept the circle for life and only death severed this bond.

These women did not have it all smoothly, but they supported each other through thick and thin. From about 3 years old they connected, and it was the most beautiful bond to behold. They shared seamlessly each other’s secrets, but not once did it go past that circle. To date, I marvel at how they achieved this feat.

Growing up, they would tell us of how they did “gungay buki” in Bathurst now Banjul until their parents would come out chasing after them to go to bed.

They would tell us how they were the best of dancers in town in those days in BJL and their contemporary men folks would be begging for months to have them accompany them to parties and social functions. Yes, they never stopped talking about how they won all the dance competitions at the Banjul Reform Club.

My mother especially would boast about how good a dancer she was and then the others would join in to give anecdotes of just how colourful their lives were.

About 25-odd years ago my mother and some of her friends notably Aunty Mary B. Jallow and Aunty Mina Sarr taught me and my friends John Dalliah and Fredrick Chikeh Forster the dance steps and moves of “Foxtrot, Pachanga, Rock and Roll and Twist. We were getting prepped for a Rotary Club High School dance competition, and it was not surprising that between myself and my friends, we won all the dance categories. Oh, what a sight it was to behold my mother and her friends teaching us those dance moves in the heart of our living room in New Street, Banjul.

These women knew the strength of togetherness and recognised what the cultural and social movement that emphasized women- empowerment, Independence and strength of women and girls coming together was all about long before “Girl Power” became a trend.

They encouraged each other to be assertive and stood by each other to ensure that each one of them pursued their goals in life to make them the phenomenal and powerhouse they were.

Over 80 years of the unrivalled and unmatched bond of friendship that nothing or anything could sever except death.

They are thus, finally reunited to part no more.

Vimto Circle!

OLGA LERINA MAMJOJO ROBERTS, MARY BEATRICE JALLOW, WILHEMINA CECILIA SARR, OLIVE LEONORA WRIGHT, ERICA RICHARDS OWHUTU, PRISCILLA LITTLE FAYE-ROBERTS AND SARIAN HYDARA-COLLEY. May your beautiful souls rest in perfect and eternal peace.

Your legacy lives on.

M R R.

Former BAC Finance Manager Seeks One-Week Extension to Explain 23 Million-Dalasi Fund Withdrawal

Seringe Touray
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Former BAC Finance Manager Seeks One-Week Extension to Explain 23 Million-Dalasi Fund Withdrawal

Former finance manager of the Brikama Area Council, Lamin Suso, has requested the Local Government Commission of Inquiry to grant him one week to provide an explanation for his withdrawal of over D23 million from the council’s funds.

He made this request during questioning by the commission regarding the D23,381,286.53 withdrawal he made from the accounts of the Brikama Area Council. In response, he asked the Commission for a week’s time to allow him to explain the withdrawals, stating, “These were transactions done by me.”

Suso was also questioned about a D4.6 million withdrawal he made. When asked why he withdrew money from the Council’s accounts, Suso responded that he was instructed by the Director of Finance. He added that this occurred when the accounts clerks were busy.

Initially, Suso argued that his actions were in line with the law because he had the authority to withdraw money from the council’s accounts. However, he could not cite any specific law granting him this power. When his role was read to him, he insisted that other duties were verbally assigned to him from time to time, and he only collected the cheques and carried out the withdrawals.

Lead Counsel Gomez informed Suso that the commission would require him to provide the necessary information regarding where the money was spent. Suso expressed difficulty in doing so, stating, “That will be very difficult for me.” Consequently, Suso was granted a week to gather evidence related to the D23,381,286.53 withdrawal.

During the proceedings, Chairperson Jainaba Bah reminded Suso that the total income received by BAC in 2018 was D70,017,038, and in 2019, it was D78,508,376.98. Suso explained that he was Finance Manager 1, and there was another Finance Manager 2, indicating they shared responsibility for safeguarding the Council’s revenue.

Regarding the handling of cash in 2018, Suso mentioned that only flat rate collectors were permitted to bring cash to the council, attributing this to a management decision and the prevailing arrangement at the time.

Suso was presented with the 2019 audit report detailing a list of deposited funds. The auditors noted that while the monies were recorded in the cash book, there was no evidence of deposits.

In his testimony, Suso mentioned that he used to reconcile with the Principal Cashier (Lamin K. Kanteh) using bank statements, relying on deposit slips, credit advice, and the bank for reconciliation. When Counsel Gomez referenced Mr. Kanteh handing over physical cash after reconciliation, Suso denied receiving physical cash from Mr. Kanteh.

Receipts Contained in the 2019 Audit Report Were “Privately Sourced Receipts,” Says BAC Cashier

Seringe Touray
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Receipts Contained in the 2019 Audit Report Were “Privately Sourced Receipts,” Says BAC Cashier

By: Mama A. Touray

Lamin K Kanteh, the principal cashier of the Brikama Area Council, testified before the ongoing Local Government Commission of Inquiry that the receipts mentioned in the 2019 audit report were privately sourced receipts.

A privately sourced receipt refers to unofficial receipts procured by Council staff without authority and used in Council transactions.

Council receipts are printed by the Gambia Printing and Publishing Company (GPPC) and are officially recognized for use in council transactions. However, the Principal Cashier informed the Commission that those receipts were privately sourced.

Kanteh was informed that despite the receipts being privately sourced, they were in his name, and he admitted to this.

On page 51 of the 2019 audit report, the auditors flagged that the witness was issuing receipts to revenue collectors without evidence of deposit, and the money could not be traced in the bank accounts.

Kanteh, after reviewing the first page of the audit report, remarked that the numbers in the audit report were too long.

“I don’t think these are our GTRs. I think these are not in our BCR Book (record of the receipts); definitely, these were privately sourced GTRs. We do not have receipt numbers like this. These numbers are longer than the ones we used in the Council,” he explained.

Counsel Gomez pointed out to him that these findings were found in his cash book, which was audited. “I agree,” the witness said.

He testified that he was present during the audit but did not raise the issue with the auditors. When asked why he didn’t raise it with the auditors, he replied that he was not informed about the audit findings.

“They are the very people who gave me the receipts. Since 2018 to date, I have never appeared in the bank to do a deposit or withdrawal,” the witness said.

He stated that he only issued receipts when he received a receipt from the finance manager and his support staff, adding that the receipt numbers were not the same as the numbers the Council uses. “They are too long.”

The commission noted that in May 2022, Kanteh gave a receipt of D262,000 to Mustapha Joof without evidence of a deposit. Kanteh claimed that it was a Bank transfer to Trust Bank and that he relied on the lodgment roll record for the receipt.

“This is not a bank transfer. The lodgment roll contains information on what was collected. It is not what was deposited. When you collect using the machine, it shows. You cannot tell me it was evidence of a deposit,” Counsel Gomez told the witness.

However, Kanteh was given the Trust Bank statement of account for the Brikama Area Council to check. Counsel Gomez asked the witness to show the Commission a deposit or transfer made in May 2022 regarding his claim.

He could not find it and instead said that Mustapha Joof should be responsible for the amount.

Counsel Gomez then told him, “You issued the receipt of D262,000 without evidence of a deposit or transfer,” to which he accepted, but when Gomez further accused him of being engaged in a fraudulent transaction, the witness denied it.

Kanteh was given a cash book by Chairperson Jainaba Bah, which had red writings and signatures that the witness confirmed to be his. “These are my own handwriting, and the signatures are mine.”

When asked why he scratched a receipt and changed information contained in a cash book, he replied that he found the practice there and maintained it.

Chairperson Bah told him, “We have ascertained that most of the revenue collectors do not go to the auditors and they stop at your office. You write in their cash book and give them receipts,” which he denied.

Abandoning Traditional Taboos for Modern Security: Another ills of a Modern Civilization

Hadram Hydara
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Abandoning Traditional Taboos for Modern Security: Another ills of a Modern Civilization

OPINION

By Yaya A Bojang (Bojis)

Our earlier societies were said to live in a very serene atmosphere where young people were known to be so obedient and well-mannered because of the etiquettes built by the traditional taboos (forbidden and acceptable actions or deeds) in society. Elders would set parameters and regulations as to how one should live his life in accordance with the best practices or what society dictates. The young ones had their limitations as well as women, and there were no major problems of unending lawlessness. Every situation or problem has its unique measures to be controlled.

Unfortunately, we have now replaced most of those rules and regulations in our domestic and official institutions with our modern laws that are never satisfactory to solve our current challenges. These rules are not only limited to our offices but even within our security forces. In fact, with state parameters; the bulldozers, the task force, the Anti-crime, and the Alpha team, things are getting worse than ever before.

Interestingly, in our traditional societies, the most effective method for any unfortunate case or situation was just a statement of deterrent by elders, which might not be genuinely given an explanation but would be strictly followed by everyone. Yes, in our generation, we term those statements to be enigmatic and superficial thoughts, but reflecting on ancient society, you would understand that the taboos were made to prevent a consequential situation for an individual. They might not exactly explain the reason or results of it, but they did know that most of these taboos were made from precedent and past experiences.

Precisely, reflecting on this taboo “do not buy a needle at night or is not proper to buy a needle at night”, normally they would attach the consequences of either bad luck or something would happen to the person. Technically, a needle is a sharp object that has the tendency to easily injure a person without one’s notice, and in those days, environments were always known to be dark as a result, dealing with a needle is absolutely not safe for anyone, even the keeper of it. But this deterrent statement would definitely prevent many injuries or cases of using a needle at night. And this was strictly followed without questions.

Again, on this one; “It is not good to buy soap at night or even salt.” We are all aware that these items can not cause any harm to an individual, but it’s advised not to use either of them at night. What may be the reason? Laundry and Cooking are akin to women, and those items are mostly used in these processes, and getting them at night means you’re doing those activities at night. If that’s the case, we understand very well that women are so attractive to devils or evil spirits, and obviously, they’re so common at that time of the hour. One may not have a better means to stop women from these activities at night, but when a severe and serious consequence was attached to it, it would definitely be obeyed by women and even men, even in the case of taking a bath at night. This was also strictly followed.

The same is true with staying out late at night; elders would only say the devil does appear at night at this particular time, and that’s enough to shorten the night for the boys. But now, even anti-crime cannot get people off the street at 2 a.m. Historians would definitely tell you how effective the taboos were in our ancient societies.

Taboos were so effective in bringing society to order without resorting to force or violence. This has given our olden society a serene and humble environment that accommodates everyone. This is a different narrative altogether in our new generations of democratic laws and punishment, with police, soldiers, the immigration and many other services meant to protect our lives and property.

For UDP, The Road Anew

Hadram Hydara
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For UDP, The Road Anew

OPINION

By Cherno Baba Jallow

At its founding in 1996, the United Democratic Party (UDP) was riding a crest-wave of mass popularity. With the ban on party politics lifted, the party arrived on the scene with much fanfare and commitment. The latter, more poignant, because the UDP emerged to fill a void in the democratic space and to prevent the country from careening into a full-blown one-party dictatorship.

Every democracy, and certainly one that is going through the pangs of (re)birth, as ours was, needs a robust opposition to keep the democratic machine whirring on all cylinders. But the UDP arrived at a highly volatile time. Its opponent was a former military leader with a mean, brutal streak, and a great amount of goodwill, nonetheless. With 446, 541 registered voters and about 88% voter turnout in the 1996 presidential elections, Yahya Jammeh won with 220, 011 or 55.76% of the votes. Ousainou Darboe received 141, 387 or 35.84%.

Darboe, a stranger to politics, heralded his candidacy on the twin themes of accountability and transparency. The UDP’s vocal opposition to Jammeh’s tyranny, while resonant with a good segment of the population, also kept the party in perpetual harm’s way: arrests, detentions, violent crackdowns and even deaths.

If Darboe was a symbol of defiance against a dictatorship, since moribund, and now supplanted by a peaceful, dissenting and democratic environment, what does he symbolize now? What, if any, is his vision, fashioned anew, for the country? What is the basis for his continued interest in the presidency?

In the year 1996, when Darboe first sought the presidency, Dawda Jallow competed in the Summer Olympics for The Gambia, Bill Clinton was US president and Tupac Sakur was shot. It goes that far since Darboe premiered in politics and assumed the leadership of the UDP. In organizations, including political parties, periodic changes in leadership are essential for growth and inventiveness. But for the UDP, uninterrupted continuity and sentimental attachment remain underpinning hallmarks of its existence. The party is still stuck in its age-old lament of victimization. In other words, Darboe “should be rewarded” the presidency because ‘’he suffered for this country.’’ In a country, where the tyranny of one led to the homogenization of misery, and caused the suffering and deaths of many, the political tribulations of self is never a winning strategy, let alone, a raison d’être for the presidency.

The UDP, long sequestered, comfortable even, in its partisan silo and smitten with one man’s cult of personality, has never understood that there are UDP voters and then there is the general electorate. Winning elections hinges on the mainstream, the voters on the other side and those in the middle. Darboe hasn’t been able to woo them into his party, partly, if not hugely, because of the absence of an important trait in any successful politician in the field of democratic representation: agreeability, the ability to change, to make deals and reach common grounds, to agree to things and get them done.

All politics is local. But all politics is personal, too. To the public, Darboe comes across as tetchy, inflexible, and dogged in his own ways. The UDP members are unable to see through all this because of their adoration for their man. But to the general electorate, their leader’s flaws sit bare on a broad canvass.

It is Darboe’s ill-luck to be both insufficient in the arena of political endearment and lacking in the experience of elective office. The latter is even more paramount, and particularly in the context of Gambian electoral politics. Darboe is the first leader of any major political party to aspire for the presidency without having first occupied an elective office. He has had no experience in democratic representation throughout his 28 years-plus political career.

Going into 2026, the UDP would be presented with a wonderful opportunity to neutralize one of its critics’ foremost misgivings about its party. That its leader has zero elective office experience. The party has several young leaders who started at the grassroots of the democratic process and are steadily building up executive experience. Talib Bensouda, Yankuba Darboe, Rohey Malick Lowe and Landing Sanneh – they are wrestling with the everyday challenges of their constituents, finding solutions and making tough decisions. They are fast learning leadership skills and the art of governance. They will get into the presidency with some readiness and with an idea about the challenges inherent in executive leadership.

Still recovering from the bruised feelings and the oh-no-howls of disbelief over its drubbing in 2021, the UDP needs no reminder about the road oft-traveled, and nor does it need any lecturing on the necessity of recalibration. The party has a legion of astute minds to dissect its flaws and reconsider what is not working. But first things first: UDP members must begin questioning the belief that their fortunes hinge on the personality of one man and the politics of supine zealotry. Already, some have started voicing out their concerns about the direction of the party and are advocating for a change. Perhaps, these concerns will someday lead to a robust debate within the party. Perhaps, they are just that: a cautionary tale about the probable return of the all too familiar. But:

It is hard to imagine that Darboe is still thinking of another run for the presidency. Harder still, that his supporters are willing to sleepwalk with him to 2026, only to see him stumble into defeat – again.

GCPC Launches Guidelines on Promoting Competition in Public Procurement

Seringe Touray
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GCPC Launches Guidelines on Promoting Competition in Public Procurement

By: Mama A. Touray

In line with its mandate to ensure a transparent, fair, impartial, and competitive bidding process in public procurement, The Gambia Competition & Consumer Protection Commission (GCCPC), in collaboration with the Gambia Public Procurement Authority (GPPA) and the Complaint Review Board, launched guidelines on promoting competition in public procurement on Thursday.

The guidelines aim to create awareness among procuring organizations and economic operators about public procurement methods, competition issues in public procurement, and complaint handling mechanisms.

The Director of Policy Procurement, Ibrahim Sanyang, stated that the unveiling of this guide on promoting competition in public procurement signifies a crucial step toward fostering transparency, fairness, and efficiency in procurement processes.

He added, “By combining the expertise of both organizations, we are reinforcing our commitment to upholding the principles of competition, consumer protection, and public procurement in The Gambia. This guide serves as a comprehensive resource, providing valuable insights and practical strategies to enhance competition within our procurement framework.”

Sanyang emphasized that in a rapidly evolving economic landscape, continuous adaptation and innovation are imperative to ensure that procurement practices remain equitable and conducive to the nation’s growth.

He urged all stakeholders to embrace this guide as a tool for driving positive change and promoting a culture of healthy competition in public procurement processes, saying, “Let us strive to uphold the highest standards of integrity, accountability, and efficiency as we work towards the collective prosperity of The Gambia.”

Meanwhile, the Executive Secretary of GCCPC, Amadou Ceesay, in his remarks, said that striking a balance between efficiency and competition in procurement is essential for organizations aiming to optimize their operations while maintaining competitiveness.

Ceesay added, “You cannot separate competition from procurement because without competition, there will be no procurement. Our collaboration with GPPA goes a long way because we have an MOU, and we are giving it meaning. This is not the first time; we jointly produced guidelines on how to detect bid rigging in public procurement four to five years ago, and this is our second collaboration.”

Amadou continued that it’s beneficial to establish strong relationships with suppliers by regularly evaluating their performance, negotiating favorable terms, seeking volume discounts, and further analyzing spending patterns to identify inefficiencies and address overspending areas.

The Director of Policy Operations at GPPA, Ibrahim Sanyang, made a presentation on the mandate and functions of GPPA, setting up a competitive procurement process, and complaint handling, while the Executive Secretary of GCCPC, Amadou Ceesay, made a presentation on the relationship between public procurement and competition.

Urgent Appeal: Families in Sare Soffie Seek Support After Devastating Fire

Seringe Touray
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Urgent Appeal: Families in Sare Soffie Seek Support After Devastating Fire

By: Alieu Jallow

Two families in Sare Soffie, located in the Central River Region of The Gambia, urgently require assistance following a devastating fire that destroyed their homes, reducing them to ashes.

On March 20th, 2024, Jallow Kande’s house caught fire between 1 pm and 3 pm, completely destroying the building and all valuable possessions, including farm produce, rice, onions, sugar, oil, and the entire family’s clothing. Despite surviving Ramadan with minimal support from neighbors, Kande Jallow’s recent condition has become deplorable, as he now struggles to provide three meals a day for his family of over 15 members.

“Since Ramadan ended, I have found it extremely difficult to provide three meals a day for my family, as we continue to cope with a roofless house and lack of bedding or clothing. I appeal for any support, whether in cash or kind,” Kande lamented.

Similarly, Isatou Jallow, a resident of the same village (Sare Soffie) and an elderly woman, recently fell victim to another fire that consumed her home, leaving nothing untouched. The fire destroyed her food supplies, furniture, and family clothing.

“I am grateful that no lives were lost, but everything I had accumulated over the years is now lost. I appeal to Muslims and kind-hearted individuals to assist me,” she humbly requested.

While there were no reported casualties, the circumstances of these families are dire, as they struggle daily to feed and clothe themselves.

Those wishing to support these families can contact The Fatu Network at 3802391 / +220 274 3275 / +220 512 2727.

Any form of assistance will greatly improve the lives of these families.

Banjul High Court: Justice Jaiteh Rules DPP’s Objection to PW6’s Call Log Lacks Merit

Seringe Touray
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0
Banjul High Court: Justice Jaiteh Rules DPP’s Objection to PW6’s Call Log Lacks Merit

By Mama A. Touray

Justice Ebrima Jaiteh of the Banjul High Court ruled on Tuesday in the alleged Sukuta Jabang traffic light police shooting incident that Director of Public Prosecutions AM Yusuf’s objection to the admissibility of PW6’s call log lacked merit.

The ruling came shortly after Counsel J Darboe, the lawyer for the first accused (Ousainou Bojang), informed the court that the witness’s call log had been provided by Africel after they were served with a notice to provide Ebou Sowe’s call log.

He then applied to tender the call log of state witness six (Ebou Sowe’s) from Africel Gambia Limited, which was objected to by the DPP.

Before the DPP’s objection, the call log had been given to the witness, who confirmed that the number on the first line was his number.

Counsel J Darboe further informed the court that the call log was accompanied by a certificate from Africel and applied to tender Sowe’s call log, which was objected to by the Director of Public Prosecution.

Director of Public Prosecution AM Yusuf argued that Section 22(2) of the Evidence Act clearly stated the conditions before a computer document is admitted in court and urged the court to reject the application.

In response to this objection, Counsel J Darboe argued that the case before the court dealt with allegations of serious crime and that the person who submitted the call log had appeared before the court several times.

Darboe added that the summons were directed to the CEO of Africel Gambia Ltd, who sent a competent officer from the institution to present the call log in court.

Justice Jaiteh ruled in favor of Counsel J Darboe, stating that he considered two things after listening to both counsels: whether the call log is computer-generated and whether it has fulfilled the legal requirements.

He ruled that the call log is important and fundamental in this case and has met the legal requirements.

“Therefore, DPP AM Yusuf’s objection lacks merit.”

The witness testified that he was part of the team that took the first accused to his residence in Brufut and apart from that visit, he couldn’t remember going to another place with the accused on that day.

When asked about the visit to the empty land where the alleged gun was found, he told the court that the first accused showed them his escape route and that the empty land was in that area.

He also testified that he does not recall being part of any team that went to the empty land on September 14, 2023.

According to the charge sheet, Ousainou Bojang was charged with murder, acts of terrorism, attempted murder, and grievous bodily harm, while his sister Amie Bojang was charged with being an accessory after the fact of murder.

The particulars of the offense state that Ousainou Bojang is alleged to have caused the death of Police Constable Sang J Gomez and Pateh Jallow by shooting them with a gun.

He is also alleged to have attacked Police Constable Sang J Gomez and Pateh Jallow by shooting them with a gun, resulting in their deaths.

Ousainou is also accused of attempting to unlawfully cause the death of Police Constable Ansey Jawo with a gun and unlawfully shooting her with a firearm, causing her grievous bodily harm.

His sister Amie Bojang is accused of assisting him in fleeing the country to escape punishment after knowing that he allegedly committed murder.

The matter is adjourned to April 22, 2024, at 2 pm for the continuation of the cross-examination of PW6 by Counsel J Darboe.

BCC Mayor Receives Ghanaian NSS ED Osei Assibey, Discusses Partnership Areas

Seringe Touray
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BCC Mayor Receives Ghanaian NSS ED Osei Assibey, Discusses Partnership Areas

By: Dawda Baldeh

Mayor Rohey Malick Lowe of the Banjul City Council (BCC) welcomed Osei Assibey Antwi, the Executive Director of the Ghana National Service Scheme (NSS), to explore partnership areas for a Youth Volunteerism Project.

Osei Assibey Antwi praised Mayor Lowe for her dedication and support in developing women and young people in the country.

Their bond was established in 2018 after Antwi was inspired by Mayor Lowe’s compelling speech at a conference in Abuja.

He described her as a champion of youth empowerment and called on Gambians to support her visionary leadership.

Antwi is currently in the country at the invitation of Mayor Lowe, who is spearheading the country’s first Youth Volunteerism Scheme.

The scheme aims to provide skills training for over 500 Gambian young people in Banjul.

The discussion between the Ghanaian NSS boss and Mayor Lowe focused on areas of cooperation such as agriculture and skills development.

Under the initiative, selected youths will have the opportunity to learn various skills, including tailoring, hairdressing, and agriculture, both within the country and abroad.

Antwi stressed the importance of offering skills training to the youth and supporting Gambian women in their entrepreneurial endeavors, noting that it benefits not only their personal growth but also the collective progress of communities and the nation.

Mayor Lowe highlighted the importance of skills development among young people and expressed her appreciation to Antwi for accepting her invitation.

She believed that their cooperation would significantly contribute to youth development in the city of Banjul.

Land Conflict: Misera Residents Accuse Senegalese of Encroaching on Their Land, Governor Bah Denies Allegations

Seringe Touray
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Land Conflict: Misera Residents Accuse Senegalese of Encroaching on Their Land, Governor Bah Denies Allegations

By: Dawda Baldeh

Residents of Misera Kabada in Jarra West District have accused Senegalese authorities of encroaching on their land and have called on the Gambian authorities to intervene.

The Governor of the Lower River Region, Seedy Lamin Bah, has also denied the allegations, citing a lack of evidence.

Speaking to The Fatu Network, one of the village youth leaders who seeks anonymity also accused the Lower River Region governor and chief of neglecting the conflict.

According to him, the Senegalese have built a police station on their land and have expanded it to one hundred meters within Gambian territory at the border.

“After building a police station on our land, they are now constructing a road and police staff quarters in Misera, which we don’t want to see.

“We have informed the governor and the Chief, but they ignored us, and instead, they are threatening the youths from speaking out,” he alleged.

The youth leader further stated that they have been facing threats from the governor for speaking out on the issue.

“We suspect that the Chief (Yahya Jarjusey) and the governor (Seedy Lamin Bah) have a hand in the Senegalese encroachment on their lands.

He alleged that the Senegalese police are very hostile towards the residents.

“We have also written to President Adama Barrow to inform him about what’s happening in Misera, but to no avail, and we the young people will not sit and watch the situation like that,” he added.

He emphasized that if the government doesn’t take any action in a few years, their entire village (Misera) would be in Senegal.

“We don’t want this to happen, and we want our land back,” he stressed.

Our source further explained that a woman in the village who had a shop near the border had been asked to vacate the property for demolition.

“This woman owns a shop that is in the Gambia, but the Governor has threatened her with a notice to leave the property…,” the source alleged.

Based on these substantive allegations, we decided to contact the Governor of the Lower River Region, Seedy Lamin Bah, about his office’s response to the allegations.

We asked him the following questions:

Governor Bah, are you aware of the land conflict at the border in Misera?

Bah admitted that his office is aware of the land conflict at the border but denied the allegations that he has threatened the residents.

“The people of Misera have never come to my office to lodge complaints, but they are going to the media to report about it.

We are aware of the issue, but not at an official level, and the Senegalo-Gambian authorities are working tirelessly to resolve the issue because it’s a perennial problem.

There is no proof to support their claim, and as authorities, we cannot back claims without evidence,” he responded.

There are allegations that you have threatened a woman residing around the border to vacate her premises for demolition?

Bah responded, “This woman is one Sohna Jallow who lives around the border.

She has a house there and wanted to build another house, but she was asked not to do so because where she wanted to expand her house is under surveillance.

She refused to adhere and went on to start construction when I traveled to the US, and when I came back, the building was progressing.

I asked her to stop because that place is conflicted, but she never adhered.

She claimed that the Alkalo and the Chief authorized her to develop the place, but when I reached out to them, they all denied her claims.

The problem is some in that village are very stubborn because they are supporting NPP; they think they can do anything without following due procedures.”

Did you visit the place to see it yourself and does that mean the Senegalese did not encroach on the Misera area?

Bah added, “I have visited the place, but I cannot say the Senegalese have encroached on the Misera area because there is no evidence to support the claim.

These are problems that the two governments are working to resolve. Border conflicts are very sensitive and need a proper approach.

People need to be patient and wait for the authorities to settle the matter.

These people politicize everything, and as a governor, I cannot let anyone influence my work.”

Despite admitting that he had visited the area on several occasions, Bah claimed that border marking requires expertise to determine whether the Senegalese have encroached on the Misera territory or not.

ITC, UNCDF award over D20M in business grants to 18 women

Hadram Hydara
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ITC, UNCDF award over D20M in business grants to 18 women

By Hadram Hydara

The International Trade Centre (ITC) and the UN Capital Development Fund (UNCDF) have awarded 18 women small business grants totalling $300,000 (D20,100,000), and within three months, these entrepreneurs have invested in new equipment, expanded their operations, and generated employment opportunities, ITC says.

The programme, which is run by ITC and the UN Capital Development Fund (UNCDF), allows entrepreneurs to receive business coaching as well as digital and financial literacy courses.

They were also equipped to utilize e-payment systems and the Afrijula e-commerce platform, enabling them to manage their finances while expanding their outreach and customer base.

CEO of Gambricks, Isatou Njie, speaking about the MSME grant financing, said: “The MSME grant financing not only provided us with financial assistance but also opened doors to networking opportunities, digitization, and strengthening of capacities.

“It has been a holistic support system that has empowered us to thrive in the competitive business.”

“The MSME grant financing and its operational mechanism was a game-changer for our women entrepreneurs.

“It enabled them to upgrade productive machines, expand business operations, and launch new product lines. We are grateful to the JSF program and EU for the support, which has inspired us to provide similar structured support to other MSMEs,” Kemo, the representative of the Ministry of Trade, Industry, Regional Integration and Employment, said.

Exposing Financial Mismanagement: D60 Million Unaccounted at Brikama Area Council

Seringe Touray
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Exposing Financial Mismanagement: D60 Million Unaccounted at Brikama Area Council

By Mama A. Touray

The principal cashier of Brikama Area Council, Lamin K Kanteh, has requested time from the ongoing Local Government Commission of Inquiry to file supporting documents for the receipts he issued amounting to over Sixty Million Dalasi in 2019, without the money being traced in the Council’s accounts.

“When receipts are issued, it means the money has been deposited in the account or the Council has received the cash; in this situation, the Principal Cashier issued the receipts, but the auditors could not trace the money in the Council’s bank accounts, and there were no bank slips to provide proof of deposit.”

Kanteh told the commission that the procedure at Brikama Area Council was that the revenue collector would do the collection, deposit the money in the bank, and then come to the Council for auditing and reconciliation before receiving a receipt from him.

Lead Counsel Patrick Gomez told Lamin, “Most of the time, you would issue receipts without deposit slips,” to which he admitted, “That is not the correct procedure.”

Lamin K Kanteh testified that some revenue collectors would collect money and not record it in their cash books. He blamed his junior, Modou Jadama, for not following his directive to record dates, names, amounts, receipt numbers, and the destinations of people who made payments.

Lead Counsel Patrick Gomez told the witness, “You were issuing receipts without evidence of deposits made, no recordings, and most of the time, there were no deposits,” to which he admitted, “That is correct.”

When asked why he would issue receipts to revenue collectors without deposit slips or recording in their cash books, he responded, “That was a gap (weakness).”

“Don’t tell us it was a gap. We know what you were doing. Were you engaged in any form of fraud? How can you issue multiple receipts without evidence of deposits?” Gomez asked.

Lamin relied on the lodgment record. When asked if he had the records he relied on, he said he did not have them. Gomez told him, “The truth is you issued receipts without any evidence,” which he accepted, saying, “Yes, I agree.”

When asked what a receipt signifies, he said when he issues the receipts, it means the collector has deposited the money in the bank. He admitted that it was wrong for him to issue receipts without bank deposit slips but was quick to say that the revenue collectors should be held responsible.

Lamin initially denied liability, but when questioned further with more facts, he admitted that he is also liable.

Gomez said, “You are the chief player, the primary player in all the frauds in the Brikama Area Council,” and he admitted, “It is true.”

At this juncture, Chairperson Jainaba Bah instructed Lamin to find his cash book and bring it to the Commission. He responded that he is looking for it in the “big store; the cash book is my biggest concern. I will do my best.”

Lead Counsel Gomez referred Lamin to the Financial Manual, which states that only after the revenue collector provides evidence of bank deposit should a Cashier issue a receipt.

The Manual further states that all revenue collectors should make a daily deposit of their collections in the bank or pay to the Cashier of the Council, and the collector must provide evidence of deposit before the Cashier issues receipts.

Lead Counsel Gomez said the practice of issuing receipts without evidence of deposits was rampant at the Brikama Area Council.

Meanwhile, Counsel Gomez informed Lamin that “The audit report of 2019 has shown over Forty-Four Million Dalasi receipts that you issued without evidence of banking. You need to account for this. You issued the receipts, but the money was not traced in the accounts.”

The witness responded that he did not see the 2019 audit report and was not aware of the findings against him. Commissioner Joiner told him that the amount involved was D60,613,728.50.

“I saw this information from the investigators [of the Commission]. What actually happened after the audit findings, the Director of Finance responded to the audit finding, and he is responsible. He has the facts,” the witness said.

Lamin informed the commission that an amount of D44,000,000 was audited and that the Director of Finance has the evidence in his laptop.

When told that the audit finding was against him and not any other person, he said, “I reconciled with the Finance Manager. All the deposits were done by the finance clerks.”

MAJaC and Freedom House Launch “Empowering Ethical Journalism Excellence” Project

Seringe Touray
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MAJaC and Freedom House Launch “Empowering Ethical Journalism Excellence” Project

By: Zackline Colley

The Media Academy for Journalism and Communication (MAJaC), in collaboration with Freedom House, officially launched its pioneering project, “Empowering Ethical Journalism Excellence,” on Tuesday. The project aims to bolster ethical reporting practices and enhance media integrity.

The six-week training program, operating under the theme “Nurturing Responsible Journalism,” targets both practicing journalists and journalism students. It aims to equip them with essential skills and knowledge to navigate ethical dilemmas effectively. In an era marked by rampant misinformation, the initiative underscores the critical importance of upholding principles such as accuracy, transparency, and integrity in journalism.

The Ethical Reporting Training project is committed to fostering trustworthy and responsible journalism while professionalizing media practices. By addressing ethical dilemmas and reporting challenges directly, the initiative seeks to elevate journalism standards and promote a culture of accountability within the media industry.

The launch event marks the beginning of an ambitious endeavor to empower journalists with the tools necessary to uphold ethical standards in their reporting. Through workshops, training sessions, and collaborative efforts, MAJaC and Freedom House aim to cultivate a community of media professionals dedicated to promoting truth and accuracy in news dissemination.

Representatives from MAJaC, GPU, and Freedom House expressed their enthusiasm for the project, highlighting its potential to positively impact the media landscape. They emphasized the need for concerted efforts to combat misinformation and uphold the fundamental principles of journalism in today’s fast-paced digital age.

The partnership between MAJaC and Freedom House signifies a joint commitment to advancing ethical journalism practices worldwide. As the project unfolds, it is expected to serve as a beacon of integrity and excellence in the realm of media and communications.

Addressing the Persistent Ferry Crisis at the Banjul-Barra Crossing Points: A Call to Action

Hadram Hydara
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Addressing the Persistent Ferry Crisis at the Banjul-Barra Crossing Points: A Call to Action

OPINION

By Bakary J. Janneh

The Banjul-Barra crossing, a vital link connecting the two sides of the Gambia River, has long been plagued by a chronic crisis in ferry services. For far too long, commuters and businesses have endured the consequences of unreliable and inadequate ferry operations, exacerbating the challenges of transportation and hindering economic activities.

The situation has reached a breaking point, with frequent breakdowns, overcrowding, and lengthy delays becoming the norm rather than the exception. This state of affairs is not only inconvenient but also poses significant risks to the safety and well-being of passengers, as overcrowded ferries and mechanical failures raise serious concerns.

It is incumbent upon the management of the ferry service to be held accountable for the persistent shortcomings in operations. The recurring crises underscore systemic failures that demand urgent attention and decisive action. The suffering of commuters cannot be allowed to continue unabated, and the time for meaningful intervention is long overdue.

In light of these pressing issues, I call upon the Adama Barrow administration to prioritize the resolution of the ferry crisis as a matter of utmost importance. Immediate steps must be taken to address the root causes of the problems plaguing the Banjul-Barra crossing points.

The Adama Barrow administration must demonstrate its commitment to the welfare of its citizens by taking decisive action to address the ferry crisis. Failure to do so not only perpetuates the suffering of commuters but also undermines the government’s credibility and ability to effectively govern.

In conclusion, the time for rhetoric and promises has passed. Concrete actions are needed to rectify the longstanding issues plaguing the Banjul-Barra crossing points and restore reliable and efficient ferry services. The people of The Gambia deserve nothing less than a transportation system that meets their needs and upholds their safety and dignity.

Kandeh Calls for Removal of Tribes from Census Form

Seringe Touray
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Kandeh Calls for Removal of Tribes from Census Form

By: Dawda Baldeh

Mamma Kandeh, the Leader of the opposition Gambia Democratic Congress (GDC), has called for the removal of tribes from the census form.

Kandeh believes that distinguishing tribes in the country can only encourage tribalism.

He acknowledges that census-based tribal distinctions have a long history in the country but notes that it should now become history.

“A Gambian should be counted as a Gambian, not based on their ethnicity.

It doesn’t matter which tribe one belongs to.

They should count the Gambian, not their tribes,” he emphasized.

He added, “Counting tribes only encourages tribalism because the majority will claim superiority and might belittle other tribes.”

The opposition leader urged Gambians not to encourage this, saying the time for change is now.

The GDC boss expressed optimism that removing tribal counting from the census will address issues of tribalism, as seen in other countries before.

“Every Gambian has equal rights in the country, and we shouldn’t be separated by our tribes,” he added.

He called on the government and all relevant stakeholders to promote unity for the betterment of every Gambian.

Furthermore, Kandeh commended the Gambia Bureau of Statistics (GboS) for acknowledging that the separation of the Fulani tribe into three was an error on their part.

Lower Fulladu NAM Hailed for Hosting First-Ever Dialogue With Religious Leaders

Seringe Touray
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Lower Fulladu NAM Hailed for Hosting First-Ever Dialogue With Religious Leaders

By: Dawda Baldeh

The National Assembly Member for Lower Fulladu West Constituency, Honorable Gibbie Mballow, has been praised for being the first elected representative to host a dialogue with religious leaders in his constituency.

Mballow is believed to be the first National Assembly Member to gather approximately ninety-seven (97) religious leaders from seventy-five villages (75) within his constituency.

Speaking to The Fatu Network shortly after meeting with religious leaders, Mballow said the purpose was to unite them and foster a peaceful and democratic society where everyone will feel respected and play their part in national unity.

“I aim for unity among the religious leaders in my constituency because without unity, meaningful development cannot occur,” he responded.

According to Mballow, the discussion at the meeting centered on key areas such as unity, the role of Religious Leaders in promoting peace, their challenges, and addressing pressing issues such as Female Genital Mutilation (FGM).

He disclosed that he provided the religious leaders with forty thousand dalasis (D40) to establish an association that would look into their welfare and bring them under one umbrella.

“I want this association to bridge the gap in religious teachings and foster tolerance.

I extensively discussed matters of unity and maintaining peace with them,” he added.

Mballow noted that he also engaged the religious leaders on the issue of FGM and explained why he chose to support the ban.

“Some religious leaders opposed my decision to support the ban on female genitalia mutilation, stating that my stance does not represent their views, while others supported it.

That’s the beauty of unity and dialogue,” he added.

However, after a lengthy discussion, the Lower Fulladu lawmaker revealed that his stance on FGM was understood based on his experience as a seasoned health professional.

“Some (Imams) told me that they will respect the law but will continue to practice FGM in secret, while others said they will not engage in it.”

Mballow also discussed other pressing issues affecting his constituency and urged his people to unite and strive for a better Lower Fulladu.

“Gambia is not an Islamic state, and some Imams have agreed that not everything they do aligns with Islamic rulings (Sharia), which is why we have different views on matters,” he added.

They mentioned that this was the first-ever dialogue in the history of Lower Fulladu where their representative held a dialogue with religious leaders.

He added, “Initially, the young Imams were somewhat challenging to convince, but we reached an agreement, and it was very successful.”

Among the association’s focuses will be advocating for the welfare of Imams, teaching the elderly the Quran, raising awareness of Islamic principles, among other initiatives.

The religious leaders also had the opportunity to directly interact with their representatives and raised key concerns regarding their representation in the National Assembly, urging their lawmaker to continue advocating to address their concerns.

Controversy Over Fulani Tribe Classification in 2024 Census Questionnaire

Seringe Touray
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Controversy Over Fulani Tribe Classification in 2024 Census Questionnaire

By: Dawda Baldeh

As Gambians anticipated the commencement of the 2024 Population census, the Gambia Bureau of Statistics (GBoS) questionnaire has faced criticism amidst the division of the Fulani tribe into three.

These questionnaires categorize the Fulani tribe into three: Fula, Tukulur, and Lorobo.

Among those who immediately condemned the segregation was Mama Kandeh, a prominent opposition leader speaking as an ordinary citizen, as he framed it.

He challenged the census questionnaires for separating the Fula ethnic group into three sects, while all other language groups are treated as one group instead of being separated according to dialect.

Kandeh clarified that he is not speaking on behalf of his party or as a politician, but he is speaking as a concerned citizen whose tribe is being segregated.

“Why should those responsible for the census separate the Fula tribe into three? I challenge those responsible for the census to explain to us what the difference is between a Fula, Tukulur, and Lorobo.

All Fulas are the same, and all other tribes have different dialects but they are not separated, so why the Fulas?” Kandeh asked.

He described this act of segregation as unacceptable, noting that it cannot be tolerated.

“We can’t allow them to divide us as Fulas. Let them explain to us who is a Tukulur or Lorobo if they are not Fulas.

Do they (the census officials) understand our tribe more than us, the Fulas?

Let us unite as Fulas and condemn this in the strongest terms,” he emphasized.

Kandeh, who called on all Fulas to condemn the segregation, vowed to stand by his tribe to ensure the Fula ethnic group remains united.

“My concerns are purely apolitical,” he added.

The census questionnaire, which showed that the Fula tribe was divided into three, has been widely criticized and condemned.

This prompted a reaction from GBoS, who admitted that it was an error from their IT Unit and promised to rectify it.

Here is the response we obtained from GBoS in a statement from their meeting with Fulbeh Africa:

Nyakassi MB Sanyang and the Director of Coordination and Statistical Methods, Sanna Manjang, acknowledged that the issue was an unintentional error on their part.

They revealed that they had no intention of classifying the Fulbe ethnicity into different subgroups on the form, as they emphasized.

Mr. Sanyang said the current variables on the said form have been there for the past few decades and that the previous censuses were conducted using the same variables.

However, the listing of the subgroups below the Fula was a technical error from their IT unit.

According to him, the idea is to categorize Fula/Tukulor/Lorobo as one domain (Fula) to ease the work of the data collectors during data collection, and eventually, all that will be a single data entry unit for which the output will be presented as FULA only, not showing any of the subgroups.

After Violent Clashes, an Advocacy Carnival Fosters Peace Between the Sohm and Faraba Sutu Communities

Seringe Touray
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After Violent Clashes, an Advocacy Carnival Fosters Peace Between the Sohm and Faraba Sutu Communities

By: Alieu Jallow

Two years ago, a conflict erupted between the communities of Sohm and Faraba Sutu following a post-match dispute that arose among fans. The clash resulted in the hospitalization of over 20 people and damage to properties. This unprecedented friction severed ties between the two neighboring villages and further threatened the social fabric.

In an effort to reconcile their differences, the Alkalos of the two communities organized a football match last August as part of a reconciliation process aimed at healing wounds and restoring harmony.

In a similar move, on Friday, April 12, 2024, the youth of the villages organized a peaceful advocacy carnival to foster a deeper understanding of peaceful coexistence between the two communities, especially among the youthful population.

Yankuba Jarju, the newly elected youth chairperson of the Sohm Youth Association, highlighted the longstanding rivalry between the two communities, heightened by a football match a few years ago.

Jarju emphasized that the peace advocacy carnival not only brought the two villages together but also served as a catalyst to inspire communities to join in the celebration of peace and unity. It also served as a platform to foster understanding, empathy, and solidarity among participants.

“The reconciliation journey between the villages of Sohm and Faraba Sutu demonstrates the transformative power of community-driven initiatives in resolving conflicts and promoting peace. By harnessing the spirit of sports and youth engagement, the peace advocacy carnival became a beacon of hope and a testament to the resilience of human connections in overcoming adversity,” Jarju outlined.

Ebrima Sanneh from Faraba Sutu stated that the carnival allowed members of Faraba-Sutu and Sohm to engage in open and honest dialogue, thus helping to create understanding and enhance empathy between the two communities.

“It raises awareness about the importance of peace. The carnival serves as a platform to educate the communities about the detrimental effects of conflict and the importance of working together to maintain peace and harmony,” Sanneh noted.

During this inaugural peace advocacy carnival, young people from the two villages had a roadshow and wore T-shirts labeled “Bena Sohm and Faraba Sutu Carnival 1st Edition” to promote resolution and tolerance.

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