By Omar Waly
Hundreds of workers from all works of life today May 1st, gathered at Independence to observe Labour Day
May 1st is set aside to celebrate the social and economic achievements of the international labour movement across the globe. The turnout at the stadium was very low.
Trade Minister Dr Isatou Touray addressed workers in this video
The internet almost came down, with the release of an audio by Imam Fatty, speaking openly on matters of the bedroom. The Imam was explicit in his commentary and left nothing to the imagination. Speaking in Mandinka, he advised a girl who came to her for advice, on how to keep her man.
Fatty exhorted her to go to the ‘Laobes’ and “help herself with what they sell, waist beads, frankincense” and went on to name the different kinds of scents available, “Nemali, nieffala tedda.” He advised her, in the audio, to be active, before and during, and to be like “a film in the house.”
This did not go down well with some people, thus the furor online. They believe it’s not an Imam’s domain to speak on matters of the bedroom and to be explicit about it. This is however, not the correct stance according to scholars.
Islam is a complete way of life. As such, it has guidelines for all things man may involve in, and this does not exclude conjugal relations between couples, drawing the line that this is permissible only in a marriage relation. The Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, weighed in on this topic himself.
Whereas the Imam’s was a directive to women, the Prophet, peace be upon him kept the company of men and it was to them, mainly, that he spoke to on such matters. He asked them to not be finished until their women are! If only men would heed that advice. He also asked them to not approach their wives as cocks and hens do, but should engage in foreplay and say sweet words prior to the act.
A host of Islamic scholars over the years have advised followers on this important component of marriage. Imam Fatty was only following in a long line of scholars. Wa Salaam.
Information reaching The Fatu Network has it that the Deputy Director General of The Immigration Department, Seedy Touray along with several officials were questioned by the Fraud Squad of the Police Headquarters in Banjul.
According to sources within the police headquarters the said officials were called for question in relations to fraud involving large sums of money. The questioning is said to be in line with investigations opened by Police.
The Police Spokesperson denied reports of their arrest, he did not also confirm whether they were called in for questioning.
Meanwhile, it is reported that the order of th question the officials came from the Office of the Interior Minister, Ebrima Mballow.
By Omar Waly
Candidates vying for the KMC Mayoral seat, Monday outlined their plans for disabled at a debate organized by The Independent Electoral Commission in collaboration with the state broadcaster, GRTS.
Nine of the ten candidates were in attendance except Ousman Rambo Jatta, the candidate for the Alliance for Patriotic Reorientation and Construction. He was represented by one Modou Lamin Badjie.
Below we produce their interviews
State House, 30 April 2018
The Office of the President informs the public that His Excellency, Mr Adama Barrow, President of the Republic of The Gambia will on Wednesday, 2 May 2018 proceed on his annual leave for a period of fifteen working days. President Barrow will resume duties on Monday, 28 May 2018. The President will spend his annual leave at his home village of Mangkamang Kunda in Jimara district in the Upper River Region of The Gambia. This will be the first time the President will be visiting his home since he came to office last year.
Meanwhile, President Barrow declares Tuesday, 1 May 2018 as public holiday in observance of Workers’ Day. In The Gambia, unionists in partnership with the Labour Department under the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Employment deliver statements on the plight of workers and government policies to improve work conditions.
President Barrow wishes all workers a happy celebration.
Any nation that aspires to develop must have a very strong policy against corruption. Corruption is like a cancer that eats up everything good in a country. Once corruption spreads it tentacles in a country, it destroys everything in its path. It is like a raging inferno which will leave nothing standing in its path. It is an open secret that corruption is rampant in the Gambia, especially in government. We must do something to minimize corruption in all its forms.
The ugly happenings being exposed at the Department of Immigrations is just a tip of the iceberg, as it were. The Deputy Director General, Mr Seedy Touray should indeed be commended if the reports emanating from Immigration are true. It is high time we started rewarding and commending whistleblowers if we indeed want to control and minimize corruption and other forms of evil in our country.
As I said earlier, this problem is not only at the Immigration Department but in almost all other departments in the country. Last week, I saw an old woman who complained that if one is poor in this country now, one will not receive medical care. She said for some reason, she was told by a doctor that she couldn’t be treated on that day. On her way out, someone told her that she had to give something to the doctor, so she could be treated. She did; and lo and behold! She received the check up she was looking for.
Whether that is an isolated case or symbolic of trends at the hospitals, it is scary and a cause for concern. If, even in our hospitals, that kind of thing can happen, then it is indeed a very serious matter which needs our urgent attention. Another department that is said to be rife with corruption is the Gambia Revenue Authority. Many in the population believe that corruption is the order of the day at the GRA. Similarly, there is talk that there is corruption at the National Environmental Agency as that is the only way the renewing of the license of the Chinese company, Golden Lead Factory can be explained considering the environmental hazards it had been shown to cause.
A few weeks ago, we saw the Gambia Police Force/Service come up with a billboard which seeks to reduce corruption. This in a way is an admission that there is some form of corruption going on in that department as well. And naturally, it will not be farfetched to say that corruption is in every other department or ministry or even the presidency given its prevalence in all the above sectors.
The fight against corruption is a difficult one and will take the efforts of the entire nation to have an impact. Firstly though, we need leadership in that area. The Office of the President must come out strongly and speak against corrupt practices in the country. It should be condemned in the strongest possible terms and a message sent that it will not be tolerated from anyone, no matter who.
The general public must also assist in this area. Do not bribe anyone or seek to solicit undue favors from public officials. Do the right thing and whatever service you are demanding, pay the right amount if it is a service that needs to be paid for. And once you pay the right amount, insist on being given an official receipt so that the money will go to the right place.
The media has an important role to play in this. As it is, the conducive environment for the media to play its role is there and as such the journalists must up their game and conduct research; they must engage in investigative journalism. They should follow the money and track down every butut and inform the public. This can have a good impact on the fight against corruption.
Finally, Mr President, you should constitute an Anti-Corruption Commission that will become the face of this fight. This will galvanize the efforts of all by bringing the fight under one umbrella. This will give whistleblowers the courage to channel their information, so action can be taken. The last stage in this link of the fight is the judiciary. People found wanting must be prosecuted and face the full force of the law. That will be the only deterrent.
Have a Good Day Mr President…
Tha Scribbler Bah
A Concerned Citizen
Within one year this country is witnessing massive environmental violations that are deliberately and consciously perpetrated by The Gambia Government. Not only has the new Government failed to correct the bad decisions and actions of the former regime in regards to the environment but Barrow Government has gone even further to create its own bad decisions and actions on top of the terrible environmental challenges they have inherited. These decisions and actions are a direct threat to the fundamental rights of Gambians!
Here are a few of the environmental threats that pose a clear and present and future dangers to the lives and livelihoods of Gambians including our flora and fauna.
1. Dumping of liquid waste into the Atlantic Ocean in Gunjur by Golden Lead company
2. Loads of dead fish littering the beach and environs around Gunjur due to indiscriminate, uncontrolled and massive fishing
3. Indiscriminate dumping of all sorts of waste in Kitty and Tanbana and environs without treatment or control
4. Untreated dumping in Kotu with bad odour polluting the environment for months now
5. Sludge dumping in Mandinari and Brikama that is releasing terrible bad odour in those communities and beyond
6. Bakoteh dumpsite continues to release dangerous fumes into communities, clinics and schools unabated
7. Monkey Park is being destroyed to the detriment of present and future generations and endangering rich flora and fauna for the selfish benefit of foreign investors!
These and many more are the violations against the rights of Gambians to clean environment, sustainable development and safe and secure lives today and tomorrow.
These violations by The Gambia Government are in contravention of local environmental laws and regulations and international environmental conventions, agreements and declarations including the Sustainable Development Goals that The Gambia Government has ratified.
Barrow Government must be stopped from not only taking bad decisions but also to be forced to reverse its position about our environment lest they damage the future of this country!
For The Gambia 
?? Our Homeland
There has been a lot of debate surrounding some environmental issues involving Golden Lead, the Chinese fish processing plant in Gunjur. Of course the government welcomes public debate on issues of national concern and the environment is one such issue.
Therefore, it is incumbent on the government to clarify the situation so that the public would get the correct picture rather than depending on rumours and innuendos. The government is of course as concerned as everyone else about any threat to the environment in Gunjur and everywhere else in the country.
Therefore when people started raising concern about possible pollution of the environment by the discharge of the waste from the plant, the National Environment Agency (NEA) not only made sure that the plant properly treated the waste before it was discharged into the sea but the Agency also took samples of the treated waste to one of the most reputable labs in Africa, the Pasteur Institute in Dakar for testing, and the results showed that the treated waste was not toxic and therefore posed no environmental hazard either to the community or to the flora and fauna.
However, the NEA did not only stop there but insisted that the waste pipe is extended to a minimum of 350 metres into the sea in order to minimize any possibility of the waste getting back on the beach, and we are made to understand that the pipe has gone well beyond that distance.
Therefore, the people of the community of Gunjur and its surroundings are being reassured by the government that there is no threat to the environment from the activities of Golden Lead plant and that the NEA and all those concerned will continue to monitor the situation to ensure that any possible breach of the status quo will be promptly addressed.
Two Military Generals of The Gambia Armed Forces, Umpa Mendy and Ansumana Tamba appeared before the general court martial for the first time in military uniforms.
The two generals are facing charges of desertion the penalties of which could lead to life imprisonment. They allegedly left the country with the former president to exile without authority and overstayed there. The trial is taking place at the Yundum Barracks.
The presiding Judge Advocate, Justice Aminata Saho-Ceesay urged the State to provide legal representation to the accused generals. She emphasized that the two should be in military uniforms as they were not discharged from the Army.
Subsequently, the matter was adjourned till 2nd May, 2018.
It could be recalled that the two close aides of the former president were arrested after returning from Equatorial Guinea. They were since taken to a general court martial and slammed with two counts but questioned the jurisdiction of the military court as they are no longer active in the Army. They claimed their uniforms were taken by the Army.
Meanwhile, the judge has ordered the military high command to return their uniforms so they can wear them to court.
The Fatu Network can confirm that Fatima Sarr, the only female candidate in the KMC Mayoral elections has resigned. According to the IEC, she has resigned on health grounds.
Fatima Sarr, started out as a member of the GDC party, prior to the nominations, and eventual selection of candidates by parties, she has been out and about, and made donations to schools.
She entered the race however, as an independent, until her resignation yesterday.
Fatu Network can verify, that Pa Amadu Suso, the APRC candidate for Basse chairmanship has been disqualified! Following on the back of the rejection of the petition by the GDC, the case of Mr Suso, is interesting and unprecedented.
According to the IEC, Suso’s disqualification came as a result of a voter putting in a petition against his candidature at 11:00, one hour before the expiry of the window. Mr suso, has been working for the MRC where he was convicted for stealing in 2013.
The difference between the failed petition of the GDC and that of the ordinary voter against the APRC candidate, is in the timing. “If the GDC’s petition had come in time, the IEC would have looked into its merit.”
We’ll get you the reaction of the APRC, and Mr Suso,as and when we can.
The Fatu Network can reliably inform that that the petitions by the GDC to bar the APRC Candidate, Rambo Jatta from contesting, has been rejected on a technicality.
According to the petition of the GDC, Rambo has served time in jail, and as such, he’s barred from standing on grounds of being a convict. However, the merit of the case could not be looked into, because the petition came in after the expiry time, which was 12:00 on nomination day.
We will get you the reaction of the GDC camp soon.
He parties with the likes of Mayweather, he’s celebrated all over Europe and America, and his face is on billboards around the world, yet most Gambians don’t know him! Badou Jack did not only represent The Gambia in the 2008 Olympics, he was the flag bearer. Born to a Gambian father and Swedish mother, Jack started his amateur boxing in Sweden, where he showed great promise, winning the national championship five years in a row.
He started his professional career in 2009, winning all his fights before he was spotted and moved to the US. In the US, he won his first few fights before he lost to Edwards. He got back to winning and had world class clashes with top guys like Bute, Dirrel and Degale at super middle weight. He beat Bute and Dirrel convincingly, but had a controversial draw with Degale.
Jack moved to light heavyweight to challenge the British boxer Nathan Cleverly. It cemented Jack’s reputation as one of the best in the division when the referee had to step in to call off the fight in round five. Jack then called out for the much feared, heavy handed Canadian, Adonis Stevenson. The fight is slated for the 19th May and the boxing world cannot wait for the bell. The fight will take place in Stevenson’s backyard of Montreal, Canada.
Jack held The Ring Magazine Comeback of The Year and PBC fight of the year for his fight against James Degale. Jack was WBC super middleweight champion and WBA light heavyweight Champion. He has lost only once in twenty six fights. Jack, commonly called The Ripper, is married and has two children.
Health, it is said, is wealth. There is a cliche that says ‘A healthy nation is a wealthy nation’. Thus, if any country wishes to develop, it has to make healthcare delivery a priority. It is unfortunate that there is not enough medicine in our public hospitals, not even the Edward Francis Small Teaching Hospital has adequate drugs for their patients. Many a time, patients who go to the EFSTH end up being given a prescription to go to private pharmacies to buy the medicines.
A few days ago, I met an old woman at the gate of the nation’s main referral hospital (EFSTH) and she complained that only the rich can get healthcare in this country now. I asked what she meant as she was just coming out of a hospital and she said, ‘I was just given a prescription to go to the private pharmacies to buy the medicines but I am poor; I’ve no money to buy anything.’
I felt sorry for this woman but then thought of the thousands of Gambians who have no way of paying for such treatment when they or their children are sick. The old woman only had a few paracetamol tablets on her because that was all what was available at the hospital. I tried to imagine if our main hospital has only paracetamol; how on Earth are they going to provide us with the right healthcare we need – and deserve as a people?
The alternative to the public hospitals is going to one of the numerous private clinics in the country which, as it so happens, charge exorbitant fees in order to treat patients. Perhaps only a tiny percentage of our population have the ability to get any treatment from private hospitals. I ask isn’t there a way to control the amount of money charged in these hospitals (I mean the private hospitals)?
I am no lawyer or health expert but I do know that something has to be done to enable our people get treatment when they need it. When the population cannot have access to medical care if they are sick, this will naturally start affecting their work which will inevitably have an adverse effect on our economy.
In short, there can be no form of development if the people of the nation are sick and cannot find treatment. True, the economic condition is not good but still, provision must be made for the purchase of medicines so that whenever our people fall sick, they can get the treatment they need.
Have a Good Day Mr President…
Tha Scribbler Bah
A Concerned Citizen
New York, 26April 2018
President Adama Barrow joined world leaders in calling for collective commitment to peace building and sustainable peace. In a statement delivered at the UN High Level meeting in New York, President Barrow informed the UN General Assembly that progress has been registered with reforms in the security sector, and there was economic stability. He also highlighted that there was progress on youth empowerment and the processes towards establishing the Truth, Reconciliation and Reparation Commission – TRRC as important steps in sustaining peace. President Barrow stated that his government was working to consolidate the rule of law, democracy and respect for human rights which are strong pillars of good governance. He also noted that Constitutional review would also be part of the process to strengthen democracy. The Gambian leader added that his government would ensure due processes are followed and independence of the judiciary guaranteed.
The President acknowledged the support partners were providing to The Gambia in the peacebuilding process and urged them to continue the partnership to sustain the peace in the country. President Barrow also said the Gambia’s Development Plan outlined priorities which support sustainable peace and development and informed them that the environment for civil society engagementin constructive criticism to sustain peace now exists in The Gambia. The President recognised the role of civil society in building and sustaining peace thus, pledged his government’s commitment to providing a peaceful environment for the citizenry to develop their full potential.
While recognising the challenges, President Barrow stated that the commitment to sustain peace should go along with material and financial support for capacity building processes and effective coordination. These, he added, are crucial for timely and critical interventions. President Barrow urged all to work together to achieve the goal of sustainable peace.
In a separate engagement, President Barrow introduced The Gambia’s National Development Plan 2018 -2021 to the United Nations Peacebuilding Commission at a meeting held in preparation for an International Donor’s Conference scheduled for May 2018 in Brussels. President Barrow said the priorities in the development plan are geared towards economic growth and transformation and reiterated that it was a collective responsibility to ensure that the vision expressed in the National Development Plan was realised.
While in New York, President Barrow attended a series of bilateral as well as advocacy meetings in preparation for the Donor’s Conference in Brussels to support the implementation of The Gambia’s National Development Plan. These included a meeting with the President of the European Commission of International Cooperation and Development, Mr Neven Mimica, and Deputy Secretary General of the UN, Amina J Mohammed. He also had an earlier meeting with the President of the UN General Assembly, Mr Miroslav Lajcak in preparation for the High Level meeting on peace building and sustainable peace.
At the bilateral level, the Gambian leader met several representatives to discuss issues of mutual interest including security and other areas of development that are linked to sustaining peace. President Barrow met the King of Belgium, His Majesty King Philip, the Secretary General of the UN, Antonio Guterres, Prime Minister of Estonia, H.E Mr Juri Ratas and Foreign Ministers of France, Jean-Baptiste Lemoyne and Norway, Ms Eriksen Soreide respectively.
On his last day, he had discussions with the Prime Minister of Ireland, H.E Mr Michael Higgins and later met with the Vice Chair of the Peace Building Commission, Ambassador Cho of the Republic of Korea on bilateral issues to strengthen diplomatic relations.
During his visit in New York, President and First lady Fatou Bah- Barrow attended a reception hosted by their Majesties, the King and Queen of Belgium held in New York.
Foreign Affairs Minister, Ousainou Darbo, Justice Minister, Abubacarr Tambadou, Finance Minister, Amadou Sanneh, Secretary General, Habib Drammeh, Security Adviser, Momodou Badjie, Deputy Chief of Defence Staff, Yankuba Drammeh, Gambia’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Momodou Tangara and other senior government officials attended the UN meeting in New York.
At least nine mayoral candidates have secured nominations in Banjul after having fulfilled their nomination requirements ahead of the Mayoral election of May 12, 2018.
The nine nominated candidates were: Alhagie Jah an Independent Candidate; Abdoulie Saine APRC Candidate; Pa Musa Ndiaye, GDC Candidate; Paul Pap Bass Junior an Independent Candidate; Lizzie Eunson, an Independent Candidate; Ebou Faye, an Independent Candidate; Rohey Lowe, UDP Candidate and Adama Kelepha Samba an Independent Candidate, and incumbent Abdoulie Bah who is also vying for the post as an Independent Candidate.
Speaking in an interview with reporters after his nomination Abdoulie Saine, mayoral candidate for APRC stated that APRC is not going down as they have gained momentum in the Local Government elections compared with the Parliamentary Elections
“When it comes to the livelihood of the people, everybody could attest to the fact that the APRC is a party with a difference,” he said. He added that their party is doing well and that they want to show everybody that the people have seen what they have done for the country during Jammeh’s period compared to what is happening now.
Observing the congestion on our roads daily, one cannot but wonder how and when we will have adequate roads. A comprehensive road network is vital for the economic transformation of the nation. A lot of time is wasted by workers on the roads every day because many commuters find it extremely difficult to find transport when going to work so they end up being late.
Looking at the huge number of vehicles we have in the country, it becomes clear that transportation should not be a problem. If one is in Banjul on week days and the clock happens to chime four and one is still there, the rest of that evening is wasted on looking for vehicle; and after getting aboard one, the traffic congestion prevents one from reaching home for hours.
For sustainable growth in economic development, there needs to be a very good road network so that peoples and goods can easily be transported from one place to the other. The bottom line is that we, as a country, need to build more roads in strategic places. For instance, if there were a road from Westfield through Tallinding and leading to Tabokoto, this would ease the traffic congestion on the highway from Westfield to Brikama. A lot of time would be saved.
Similarly, there could be one right from Latrikunda to be linked with the Coastal Road. This again would be of extreme benefit as it would ease the tension from Tabokoto to Coastal Road and other areas which are very much congested. I am sure the experts at the National Road Authority can come up with more strategic places for the construction of roads.
In the provinces, there are places that are totally inaccessible, and a lot of difficulties are faced by people especially women. Some women who are either pregnant and/or breastfeeding find it almost impossible to access hospitals and health centres due to lack of roads.
As a nation, we need to conduct a comprehensive study on roads and find a way of solving the problem(s). In fact, it will have a positive impact on the number of road accidents. As we all know, a lot of road accidents occur in the country and many people lose their lives in these. We sometimes think that it is only an issue of drivers without license or drunk driving and whatnot; but the narrow roads and the congestion that we observe contribute largely to these accidents. Let us conduct a research and study this problem in detail so that we can find a solution.
Have a Good Day Mr President…
Tha Scribbler Bah
A Concerned Citizen
New Presidential Guard Personnel To Receive Training In Senegal
The first batch of the New Presidential Guards of 150 personnel which includes 21 female soldiers on Tuesday, May 1,2018 left Banjul for the Senegalese capital, Dakar for advanced training.
Addressing the troops before departure at the Gambia Armed Forces Training School in Fajara , The Chief of Defence Staff Lt General Massaneh N KINTEH congratulated the troops and extended regards from HE the President who is currently on leave at his home village of Mankamang Kunda,URR.
The CDS expressed satisfaction about the reconstruction of the New Presidential Guards as part of the agenda for the new government. The need for the dissolution of the former state guards came at a time when the security architecture was in absolute need the CDS highlighted.
It is in this quest that the President and Commander In Chief Mr ADAMA Barrow consulted his Senegalese Counterpart for the New batch of the Presidential Guards to undergo further training in Dakar. However, due to the protocols involved, the training could not commence as scheduled.
The CDS also informed the troops that the New Presidential guards will be a mixture of various security services of the country. He advised the troops to forget about their individual differences and train as a team to achieve the desired outcome, through which they can adequately take care of the security of the seat of Government.
They are led by Captain Lamin Fatty and Major Kuluteh.