By: Alieu Jallow

Auditor General Modou Ceesay of the National Audit Office (NAO) of The Gambia has emphasized the importance of stakeholder engagement for achieving greater audit impact and delivering value and benefits to citizens during a two-day capacity-building event for journalists.

“We are delighted to have you all here today as we embark on a crucial initiative to strengthen the media’s understanding of the work of the National Audit Office, which is also an integral component of our 2020-2024 strategic plan. It is our considered view that enhanced stakeholder engagement can lead to greater audit impact and enable the Supreme Audit Institution in delivering envisaged value and benefits to citizens,’’ Ceesay said.

Mr. Ceesay emphasized the crucial role of media in disseminating information about their work, particularly in interpreting the audit reports to the public. Therefore, he noted, the two-day engagement is designed to enhance their knowledge and skills in explaining and detailing the processes, procedures, standards, methodologies, and terminologies used in auditing, enabling them to better understand and interpret the reports accurately.

“The media is an important external oversight player due to their capacity to raise the profile of an issue and reach a broad audience. For many people, the media are their main source of information and news about the functioning of the government’’.

The Auditor General believes that the training can significantly increase the outreach of Supreme Audit Institutions’ strategies for enhancing the visibility of audit reports, drawing attention to key findings, and highlighting the need to monitor compliance with audit recommendations.

He mentioned that the training would bring accountability, integrity, and transparency to the government, making significant contributions to society.

Mr. Ceesay outlined the complexities and technicalities of their work, which he believes is challenging for the media to accurately report on, especially their findings and recommendations.

“I am confident that this engagement is a significant step towards bridging this gap. By coming together, we aim to foster a collaborative relationship between the National Audit Office (NAO) and the media, enabling us to work hand in hand to promote public awareness and understanding of our audit reports and their implications”.

The head of NAO strongly believes that a well-informed and engaged media is crucial to promote transparency, accountability, and good governance. Through collaborative efforts and empowering the media, public institutions can be held accountable, and positive change can be driven in our society. In conclusion, the NAO boss emphasizes the importance of the media in shaping a better future for all.

By: Dawda Baldeh

Maa Foundation for Women (MFW) over the weekend inaugurated the first-ever ‘GambiFood’ Processing and Women Resource Center in Kerr Jarga, North Bank Region.

Maa Foundation, which is a non-profit organisation established to empower women through sustainable economic empowerment, established this multipurpose centre to empower women and foster their involvement in political processes as well as transform the local community by tackling food spoilage and wastage, driving economic empowerment, and their participation in politics.

Refurbished by the Maa Foundation for Women with funding from UNFPA through the UN Peace Building Fund, this centre is considered as a state-of-the-earth facility.

Presiding over the inauguration, Fatoumata Bah-Barrow, Gambia’s First Lady, commended the Maa Foundation for Women and partners for the initiative.

She told the gathering that the centre will undoubtedly promote women’s economic and social development.

Praised by many for her active support and advocacy for women empowerment, the First Lady said; “Women can play an effective role once they are economically empowered.”

She described women as vulnerable people who if supported can play a crucial role in nation building.

Acknowledging the importance of this centre Madam Bah-Barrow said the centre will benefit the NBR women irrespective of their political differences.

For her, most women entrepreneurs lack mentorship support in the country which affects them.

However, she mentioned that the establishment of such a facility is a way forward in addressing challenges faced by women.

The UNFPA country representative, Ndeye Rose Sarr, described the facility as a multipurpose centre.

She called it a powerhouse of innovation, a dynamic hub where progress collides with empowerment.

“We are not just breaking ground but also breaking barriers for women and our vision is bold, rooted in the unshakable belief that women are the driving force behind peacebuilding,” she explained.

The UNFPA country rep noted that the project will not just be about fixing problems, but also tackling the big hurdles that keep women from the limelight in the electoral process and political office in the Gambia, adding that they are putting the spotlight on the sky-high costs of running for public office, and they are ready to shake things up.

“This state-of-the-art food processing factory is strategically positioned to minimize food losses within the community.

“It will help in addressing post-harvest losses, reduce waste, optimize resource utilization, and create a food ecosystem sustainable for our community.

“We want such centres to be stretched across the country.

“This will empower the women economically and politically which is a special interest for UNFPA,” she emphasized.

She went on to say this ensured that the voices of women resonate in the political landscape, driving change and shaping policies that reflect the needs of our community.

She announced that a total of 76 women who have been trained at the centre will be graduating she described them as becoming of change.

For her part, Fatoumatta Jawara-Dukureh, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Maa Foundation for Women, underscored the importance of the project.

“The project is meant to empower Gambian women and their participation in politics.

“This is for Gambian women irrespective of political affiliation and our goal is to empower every woman.

“I appreciate the support from the MFW team, community of Kerr Jarga, 58 great women and of course GRA for their support during this journey of empowering women,” she said.

Rohey Malick Lowe, the mayor of Banjul City Council, commended the foundation and partners for the laudable initiative, saying women and youth empowerment is her top priority.

She urged women to rise above their political differences and support each other for their betterment.

Mayor Lowe also tasked the women to make the best use of the centre and take ownership.

Other speakers included the village head, councillor Awa Gaye, NBR governor representative, and among others who commented on the foundation and partners for empowering women.

By: Muhammed Lamin Drammeh

The National Assembly Member (NAM) for Serre Kunda West, Madi Ceesay, has introduced a Rent Amendment Bill for 2023, which aims to regulate prices and make monthly rent payments more affordable in The Gambia.

The bill seeks to improve and amend the existing Rent Act of 2014.

Honourable Ceesay believes the bill will make rent affordable for low-income residents and control price hikes.

Explaining the objectives and reasons for introducing the bill, Ceesay noted that the bill seeks to reduce the burden of paying six or more months of rent fees for low-cost rents for tenants.

“This bill seeks to improve on the Rent Act of 2014, by raising the value specified low cost of rental premises such that it is in line with contemporary times and as well as enables ordinary persons to afford to pay [their] rent monthly rather than face the burden of paying for six or more at any given time,” he said.

He believes that the increase in rent fees should be carefully considered so that neither tenants nor landlords are negatively impacted. A reasonable yearly percentage increase should be allowed.

In the 2014 Rent Act, the rent cost is divided into low cost and high. A rent fee of one thousand to three thousand dalasi is payable monthly, but any amount above three thousand is considered a high cost, which is paid for six or more months.

However, according to Ceesay, the 2023 Rent Amendment Bill seeks to change the low cost from D1,000 to D3,000 to D7,000 as low cost. Meaning, any rent fee from D1,000 to D7,000 can be paid monthly to give low-income earners an easy way of paying rather than paying six months at once.

In terms of giving notice to tenants to leave the property, the Bill addresses the issue as it entails a written notice to be given to the tenants 90 days prior, instead of giving notice of eviction in a short period.

The bill proposes a yearly 5% rent hike to regulate rent fees.

However, Suwaibou Touray, the National Assembly Member for Wuli East, questioned the feasibility of this annual increment. He argued that it may not be feasible for salary earners whose salaries may not increase by 5% annually.

He, however, gave his blessings to the bill, as well as other NAMs considering the impact of high rent costs on ordinary residents in their different constituencies.

By: Alieu Jallow and Hadram Hydara

Ebou Sowe, a police investigator attached to the Police Anti-Crime Unit, has testified in the High Court in Banjul that the first accused person, Ousainou Bojang, who is accused of fatally shooting two police officers and injuring the third one, had admitted to the police of committing the crime.

On September 12, on-duty police officers were shot at the Sukuta-Jabang Traffic Lights, leaving two dead and one seriously injured. Ousainou Bojang, the principal suspect, stands trial for murder and terrorism.

According to Sowe, upon returning from Giboro, where the primary suspect (Ousainou Bojang) was apprehended, the investigative team, of which he is a member, questioned Bojang about the shooting incident, and Bojang admitted to being responsible for the crime during the interrogation.

Regarding the shoes Bojang allegedly wore on the night of the incident, Sowe said: “He confirmed to [us that he had] worn combat boots”.

Mr Sowe went on to say that the first accused person voluntarily led the Police investigating team to his family house in Brufut, where the alleged combat boots he wore were recovered.

“As a result, the forensic team picked the boots as their material evidence. As the investigation progresses another cautionary statement was obtained from Ousainou on 14th September,” Sowe added.

He further told the court that he went back the next day and patrolled the route the unidentified person used, which led to an incomplete building, and he found a shoe print believed to be that of the suspect.

“In the building, another empty case and a live round was recovered by the forensic officers”.

According to Officer Sowe, the police asked the accused about the weapon and his attire during the incident, including the colour of the grey kaftan and white canvas shoes, and the first accused person told them that both the weapon and the attire were in his house.

“Therefore, we led a team to investigate[sic] his house at Brufut. When we arrived at Brufut, his room was searched and his haftan was found hanging on a TV stand. He confirmed that the said kaftan was the one he was wearing on the day of the incident,” he told the court.