Gambia’s National Assembly has extended by six months the commission of inquiry probing into the financial activities of the former President Yahya Jammeh and his close associates.

Abubacarr Tambaedou, Attorney General and Minister of Justice has moved the motion calling for the increment of remuneration for the members of the commission of inquiry headed by Surahata Janneh with two commissioners Bai Mass Saine and Ms Abiosseh George.

The commission was first mandated to complete its inquiry within a period of 3 months but could also extend when it feels necessary which request was made to extend it by 6 months after the 3 months expired.

“We therefore request this August Assembly to consider and approve the increment of remuneration to an additional amount of D500, 000 for each of the said commissioners,” Justice Minister Tambadou said.

Among the reasons given was the emergence of new evidence which warrants calling of more witnesses to testify before the commission including numerous public enterprises, bodies and offices that are the subject of the inquiry but are yet to be heard.

“The nature and complexity of the investigations covering a period of over 22 years,” he added.

The justice minister further spoke about the nature and complexity of the evidence adduced by witnesses which would necessitate the procurement of the services of forensic accountants as well as auditors.

Several National Assembly Members commended the findings of the commission and supported the motion but still some questioned the source of the funds which the minister directed them to the Ministry of Finance.

Meanwhile, the motion was approved by all the members of the National Assembly.

Last month President Barrow met with International Medical Services (IMS), excerpts of the subsequent press release read:

“President Adama Barrow yesterday received a team from International Medical Services (IMS), an Israeli group specialised in providing health care services in Africa…group was committed to promoting health tourism in The Gambia, and was set to build a 220 million Euro modern 350-bed hospital. He said the hospital would likely result in other African countries reaching out to The Gambia for health care…The financing loan is to have a five-year grace period and would be paid between 15 to17 years after 10 years of operation. The project contract would include provision for upgrading some of the existing state hospitals and health facilities…investment in the health sector is a priority for the Barrow administration. He said the investment plan will include skills and transfer of knowledge to Gambian counterparts…The Gambian government is expected to identify a seven-hectare parcel of land for the project.“

Gambia is open for business, has been the slogan many have been touting to entice investors into the country, however, in crucial sectors like healthcare, education, agriculture and utilities, the Barrow government must align itself with investments that fulfill a development agenda and meets the hopes and aspirations of the population.   One cannot have issue with any investor coming into the country, investing in legal ventures in which The Gambia will realize much-needed tax and foreign exchange revenue.  However, it is imperative that investor proposals be vigorously vetted, and investors assume the cost and risk of projects that do not fulfill the developmental agenda in key sectors.  A government with a virtually non-functioning healthcare system, should not encumber itself with the financial burden of a project whose primary focus is medical tourism.

The best solution for better health care delivery should be targeted to the masses.  To finance a €220 million loan, the hospital will have to generate enough revenue to cover the loan repayment, interest and operational costs.  Assuming that the hospital operates at full capacity 365 day per year, each of 350 hospital beds will have to generate more than D6,000/day to pay back  the LOAN PRINCIPLAL ONLY; factor in the interest and operational costs, to be financially viable, that daily estimate will increase exponentially.  This is cost-prohibitive for most Gambians and does not even begin to scratch of surface to fix Gambia’s health delivery and public health system.

IMS has  similar projects in Equatorial Guinea in Malabo and Mongomo, according to the Human Rights Watch report on E. Guinea in 2017, “misspending on capital projects, such as the sophisticated new La Paz hospitals in Malabo and Bata that appear to be almost exclusively for the benefit of elites—rather than on primary healthcare that benefits most citizens….Doctors, nurses and patients told Human Rights Watch that Malabo General Hospital required out-of-pocket payment up front for any service, and that those who are unable to pay upfront are regularly turned away. “If people [in critical condition] don’t have money, they die,” a doctor who worked in the General Hospital in Bata said.  With the limited funds allocated to the health sector, the government has heavily invested La Paz, the two modern hospitals in Malabo and Bata staffed largely by foreigners. Both hospitals are well-equipped and charge fees that are well beyond what ordinary Equatoguineans can afford to pay.”

According to Dr. Mansogo Alo in a 2011 interview with EGJustice…”for the average citizen, for instance, one night of hospitalization in the La Paz hospital in Bata is equivalent to two and a half months’ salary. Paying for one night in the intensive care unit would require that same person to work for six and a half months without eating.”

Medical tourism has become a burgeoning industry in countries like Turkey and India who have become notables in the delivery of good healthcare at affordable costs. However, in these nations medical tourism was not a health policy.  Rather, these countries had robust health policy geared towards their populations, and laid the foundation for improving their health delivery systems. Medical tourism was an incidental result of those policies, as people from developing nations, and even the West, found the quality and costs attractive enough to travel abroad for medical treatment. .  Medical tourism is NOT HEALTHCARE POLICY. A sustainable healthcare policy should be a bottom up approach, and primary consideration should be given to the impact it will have on the masses.  No responsible government, especially in the developing world, should embark on a healthcare policy in which its citizens are only peripheral beneficiaries of large scale projects.   Government should not be involved in commercialized healthcare, when the basic healthcare needs of its citizen are not met.

It is a matter of urgency that the government shifts its investments priorities and put the masses in the forefront of any policy agenda.  Once the basic medical needs of Gambians are met, medical tourism will be a natural by-product of those efficient and functioning health programs.

With the daunting task of building Gambia’s healthcare institutions, there are foundational approaches that should be considered:

1. Outline a robust policy with benchmarks and timeframe for attaining goals
2. Increase budgetary allocations for healthcare
3. Invest in smaller regional hospitals, and overhaul the existing hospitals and assure that thy have adequate material resources, in addition to well-trained human resources
4. Direct resources towards disease prevention and management, sanitation, monitoring trends and public health education
5. Set up mechanism for monitoring personnel performance and continuing education training.
6. Allow Gambians investors with similar ventures to realize success, prior to bringing in foreign competitors

The most important aspect of healthcare delivery is ACCESSIBILITY.  The Barrow government must do some serious soul-searching and decide what kind of legacy they want to leave; whether one of shiny buildings and vanity projects which most of Gambian citizens can only admire from afar and never benefit from; or an efficient health delivery system which all Gambians will benefit from. A healthy population is a productive population.

Signed,

Sohna A. Sallah

By Yusef Taylor

Gambians in the Diaspora have issued a petition urging The Gambia’s Independent Electoral Commission to commence the process of enfranchising Gambians living abroad. The petition is available in the link below and consists of five points around the registration and voting process for Gambians abroad.

https://www.change.org/p/voting-rights-of-gambians-living-abroad-petition-making-it-a-reality/nftexp/ex5/control/224634011?recruiter=224634011&utm_source=share_petition&utm_medium=facebook&utm_campaign=autopublish&utm_term=share_page&utm_content=ex5%3Acontrol

Voting Rights of Gambians Living Abroad Petition: Making it a Reality

After enduring twenty-two (22) years of dictatorship under the regime of former President Yahya Jammeh, the people of the Republic of The Gambia voted for a new president, President Adama Barrow, to lead the nation-rebuilding process of the New Gambia. Gambians living abroad played a key role in the struggle for justice and good governance that culminated in the formation of a coalition of seven political parties, which contested and won the presidential election that brought an end to Jammeh’s rule on 1st December 2016.

Although the right of every Gambian, resident at home or abroad, to vote in general elections is guaranteed in the Constitution of The Republic of The Gambia, the government under former President Jammeh failed to demonstrate the commitment and support that the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) required to discharge its mandate to register Gambians living abroad to vote, as prescribed under Section 11 of the Elections Act of The Republic of The Gambia. As a result, a large number of Gambians living abroad have been disenfranchised and denied the right to fully participate in the affairs of their country.

The Gambia has now entered a new challenging phase, which all well-meaning Gambians, friends of The Gambia and the country’s development partners hope will set the foundation for a truly democratic country that fully subscribes to the universally accepted principles of good governance and transparency, to deliver peace and prosperity to the people of The Gambia. In this regard, the enfranchisement of Gambians living abroad is not only a right but a necessity for the consolidation of the democratic gains of the New Gambia. Like our Senegalese counterparts, Gambians living abroad should be allowed, without undue burden, to take part in elections at home.

Our Demands
We the undersigned respectfully demand of the IEC of The Republic of The Gambia to discharge, with absolute urgency, its constitutional duty to register Gambians living abroad to take part in the upcoming constitutional referendum and subsequent elections, in accordance with the Constitution and Section 11 of the Elections Act of The Gambia. Specifically:

1. We ask the IEC to announce a timeline for the registration of Gambians living abroad;
2. We ask the IEC to clearly spell out the registration process for Gambians living abroad;
3. We ask the IEC to announce the registration centres abroad, where Gambians living abroad shall be registered;
4. We ask the IEC to clearly spell out what documents Gambians living abroad would need in order to be registered to vote; and
5. We ask the IEC to clearly spell out how Gambians living abroad shall vote in elections and how votes cast outside the country shall be counted.

Ousainou Darboe, Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Gambians Abroad has denied the alleged US State Department travel ban on Gambian Officials.

“I’m not aware of any travel restrictions between the Gambia and The United States,” Foreign Minister Darboe said.

“As far as I know there is no travel ban or restriction on Gambian officials,” he added.

Darboe only made mention of some Gambians in the United States who are awaiting deportation base on immigration issues and other crime related matters which he said has nothing to do with travel ban on government officials. He added that government officials have recently returned from the UN General Assembly meeting in New York where he stayed for extra days before returning home Wednesday.

He spoke about the ongoing efforts to return the country to the Commonwealth. The matter he said is subjected to assessment and will be tabled before the Commonwealth Heads of States for approval.

The Foreign Affairs Minister was questioned about the plight of Gambians abroad particularly the ones living in Europe and Libya. He was further questioned about the number of those repatriated. He was also asked whether there is any incentive to for the returnees.

Minister Darboe said they are doing everything possible without the used of force to convince the Gambian youths in those countries to come back and not to risk their lives.

“There is scheme fund for Gambians who come back voluntarily,” he said.

Darboe said one of the biggest challenges of his ministry is to convince the young Gambians to return to the Gambia.

Meanwhile, he commended the National Assembly Foreign Affairs Committee headed by Honourable Sidia Jatta of Wuli West.

by Alieu Ceesay

The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) of The Gambia is working on doing away with the long time marbles by introducing ballot papers, The Fatu Network can report. Gambia has a unique way of voting during Presidential elections and other public positions instead of ballot papers, voters use marbles.

In an interview with The Fatu Network, IEC Chairman Alieu Momar Njie confirmed that there is a proposal to introduce the ballot papers system of voting, but it is not yet finalized.

According to him, the IEC would want to see it happen in the upcoming 2018 Local Government Election. “For this to be done the exact Laws and Constitution have to be amended and we understand from the Minister of Information that, they are planning to have a complete new constitution for the country in which all these will be addressed,” Njie who presided over the elections that ousted former President Jammeh said.

With the expected increase number of aspirants for the Local Government Election in 120 Wards, Njie said, the ballot papers will be more ideal as transporting ballot boxes and marbles will incur more cost to the electoral body.

When finalized it will be the first time that Gambians will be voting using ballot papers, meanwhile, the IEC boss is of the believe that there is no voter who would not understand the voting system.

By Omar Wally

The founder of Fandema Theater and Film Production has called on Gambians to partner, support and recognize The Gambian Movie Industry. Sheikh Omar Sawaneh, an actor, director, script writer and film producer made these remarks on Tuesday, during an exclusive interview with The Fatu Network.

Sawaneh who said he has always been passionate about acting since school days started his acting career in 2007, and has been in most of the movies produced by Ghanians and Nigerians in the Gambia. “When I say support, it is not just financial support but moral support and recognition of our efforts” he said.

Sawaneh’s Fandem Theater and Film Production last month got twelve nominations and received eleven awards from the Special Movie Awards during their event last weekend. The awards include, best Director, best Costume Design and best Indigenous Movies.

He expressed delight and described the awards as long overdue. “Gambians have been in the film industry for a long time and there has never been a platform like the Special Movie Award to celebrate the creative art.”

The awards he said means a lot adding that it’s portraying The Gambian movie industry to the world. It is through this that people get to know that Gambia has film makers and actors that can march international standard said Sawaneh. “The award is promoting us, because whatever you do, if people don’t know about you, they won’t know what you can do.”

Sawaneh who received best leading actor award last year said when he did his movie “In Ya Face,” two months ago, location was a problem.

“Even for Gambians to allow us use their premises and cars most people didn’t allow it.”

He said when you watch movies on the channels, the houses and beautiful cars used are not owned by film makers, they are either rented or someone offered them to the actors for use.

“We want Gambians to support and give us facilities to showcase our talent. Gambians can do a lot, if our films are played in flights and tv channels, that means we are on track, so all we need is support.”

If we produce movies he added people should buy them and not pirate them, because buying means supporting us.

Sawaneh who wrote and staged the dramas during EU’s Access to Justice Legal Campaign, emphasized the need and importance of using performing art as it is the fastest way in creating awareness.

He added that even though EU’s Access to Justice project has ended, many people are still watching the dramas produced on dispute resolution and justice mechanisms portraying institutions such as Alternative Dispute Resolution Secretariat, National Agency For Legal Aid (NALA) and Female Lawyers Association of The Gambia (FLAG).

He commended the National Council for Civic Education (NCCE) as the main implementing partners of the project and the entire EU Access To Justice team for the trust and confidence bestowed on him.

By Fatou Sowe

The director of finance of the Social Security and Housing Finance Corporation [SSHFC] Abdoulie Cham, has unveiled to the Janneh Commission the debts owed by parastatals and some companies to the SSHFC which amounts to billions.

Cham revealed that such parastatals and companies are The Gambia Radio And Television Services[GRTS], Gambia Groundnut Corporation [GGC], Kanilai Group International [KGI] among other institutions.

According to Cham, KGI owes the corporation D1.7 Billion, GRTS owes over D37million while the GGC owes over D222 Million as loans given out under instructions from the office of the former president.

Cham also told the commission that the corporation has spent $4,500,000 for the purchase of state aircraft as well as the numerous debts owed to them by the office of the former president.

Cham indicated that it was promised that the monies will be repaid after series of engagement and correspondence but the reply they received from the parastatals was that they are not responsible for the debts rather the loan was given to them through a directive from the office of the former president.

He said that these monies were withdrawn from three various accounts ranging from the national providence fund among other accounts.

Cham is asked to reappear on a later date to furnish the commission with more documents such as audit reports among others.

By Fatou Sowe

“We are at a cross road and a society in dilemma, it is time for some critical decisions. We want accountability and at the same time we do not want it to divide us further and jeopardize our peace and stability.”

These were the words of the attorney general and minister of justice at the opening ceremony of a two-day training on transitional justice targeting national stakeholders in the country’s transitional justice process.

AG Abubacarr Tambadou said, restructuring of the judiciary in terms of personnel, training and infrastructure becomes necessary, likewise the security forces which were mostly perceived to be at the center of most violations of human rights in the past 22years.

He disclosed that as an outcome of the national consultative meetings on TRRC there was an overwhelming support and consensus on the need to speedily establish the TRRC as most Gambians believed it is a tool to serve in reconciling the nation.

“Most Gambians also outlined that the Commissioners through the truth commission should be Gambian Nationals of Proven integrity.” He continued.

Tambadou urged the media to expand the frontiers of its outreach, as Transitional Justice has multifaceted dimensions and one important component is outreach. “We need to engage the general populace to achieved the transformation we desire.” He added.

He further stated that he expects that the knowledge and skills that will be acquired during the training will broaden the understanding of the participants on the concept of transitional justice.

He finally revealed that they want to put victims at the center of the transitional justice process to restore their dignity and provide reparations against the background of the realities of our fragile economy.

Briard Luc the deputy head of mission of the French Embassy and others experts in transitional justice also spoke at the ceremony.

The mayor of the city of Banjul has declared his intention to contest for mayoral elections, slated for April 2018.

In an interview with The Point at his office yesterday, Mayor Abdoulie Bah said, he seeks to be re-elected into office to serve a second-term to enable him complete his works in the city of Banjul.

Mayor Bah, who won elections five years ago on an independent ticket, outlined a series of projects he has undertaken to change the state of the country’s capital city- Banjul. “In the future most of the feeder-roads in Banjul will be interlocked as a lot of the city’s streets in the city were once interlocked. When I took office, I developed most of the streets,” Mayor Bah said.

Some of the roads being constructed under his leadership would even have to be controlled, Mayor Bah said, arguing that upon completion, such roads will require some form of control to avoid heavy vehicles plying the roads. This is necessary for their durability, he said, adding that it will continue to provide good road network facility for the residents of Banjul.

The mayor, who disclosed that the city council is also working on the lighting system of the capital city, said they have already planned to change it into led-lighting system, particularly the street lights.

The street lights take a whooping D500, 000 monthly payments for electricity bills, which he described as unsustainable. “From Mile 4 to the State House is over 300 street lights, with each consuming some 350 Watts. This excludes the inner side of Banjul.

“I believe that the solution for Banjul is led-lighting, through which a pole will consume about 120 to 130 Watts. This means if we pay D600, 000 per month, we will end up paying less than D150, 000 or D200, 000,” the mayor said. The balance can be used offset the council’s debts and salvage Banjul from its financial heavy loans, he said.

“The amount compound owners are paying to BCC cannot salvage Banjul and we should know that nobody will come from outside to develop our nation for us, but rather it is us who should do it,” he remarked.

Bah further disclosed that D35 Million post rainy season roads construction project has been budgeted, earmarked for the continuation of road construction works within Banjul.

On the city’s sewage, Mr. Bah said, they have halted the maintenance of the system and made recommendations for the construction of another. However, he said, they have experienced a setback from the engineers, whom he said, had “failed us.”

Bah is convinced that his work over the past four years is “a clear manifestation” that victory is his, boasting that what he accomplished in four years, no other mayor had done it in the history of the council since in the 60s.

Source: Point Newspaper

By Fatou Sowe

Captain Sulayman Jammeh of the third infantry battalion of the Gambia Armed Forces and formerly office assistant to General Saul Badjie, Monday gave evidence at the Janneh Commission with regard to a transaction he was involved in.

Jammeh told the commission that he served the GAF for 18 years and that from 2003 to December 2016 was stationed at the state house.

According to him, in April 2016 while Jammeh was on “meet the people’s tour”, he received instructions from General Badjie to go to the Central Bank governor and collect a payment of $500, 000 on behalf of the former president.

He said it was on a Friday which was not an official working day for the government which he said could be the reason he did not receive the whole amount.” I was given $200, 000 because the CBG was out of dollars”. He added

Jammeh narrated that he was also instructed to deliver the cash to the resident of former President which he did and the cash was handed over to one Sergeant Bojang alias Obama.

He outlined that in the payment request it was stated that the directive was from former president but he was directed by Gen. Badjie and not former President Jammeh.

By Omar Wally

Abdoulie Sanneh, an 18 year old, lost his life after a fight with his 14 year old brother in Pirang Village, Kombo East.

Assistant Superintendent, Foday Conta, Police public relations officer, said the incident happened Thursday, September, 21 2017, when the siblings were returning from the farm with their cattle.

“Upon arrival at home the elder brother asked his younger brother to fetch water for the cattle to drink but the younger brother was reluctant, saying he was going to Islamic School.”

Police spokesman said they ended up fighting and the junior brother was beaten. In retaliation Police PRO added, the junior brother took a heavy stick and hit his brother on his neck.

“ The elder brother collapsed and was rushed to the hospital but was later discharged. He later passed away at their home on September, 22.”

Assistant Superintendent Conta, disclosed that the accused is currently held at the Police headquarters in Banjul under the child welfare unit. “ The matter is under investigation by the serious crime unit” he added.

By Omar Wally

One Abdoulie Njie, a herdsman at Sabi village, Upper River Region, has been arrested and placed under custody for allegedly chopping off the head of a woman.

Explaining the incident to The Fatu Network, Assistant Superintendent Foday Conta, Police spokesman, said on September 29, the accused was coming from the farm and met a boy who is said to be the son of one Jonfolo Camara.

“The accused claimed that the boy insulted him, then he took a cutlass and threatened to chop off his head.” PRO: The boy ran into his home and the accused followed him .

“ When the boy’s mother Jonfolo intervened, the accused told her, I wish your husband was here, I will cut off his head, but since he is not here, I will cut off your son’s head and hand it to you.”

PRO noted that the lady pleaded with the accused to forgive his son. When she attempted to throw her wrapper on the floor seeking forgiveness, the accused hit her head with a cutlass.

“ She was rushed to Sabi health center and later referred to Basse Major Health Center, where she is currently receiving treatment.”

PRO Conta said the office of Inspector General of Police, hereby calls on the general public to avoid taking the law into their own hands.

“Whatever the situation is, inform the police first rather than taking the law into your own hands.”