Gambia News:US Ambassador Visits The Daily News

The United States Ambassador to The Gambia last week Wednesday paid an official visit to The Daily News, a private independent tri-weekly Gambian newspaper situated at Churchill's Town.
Accompanied by embassy staff, the visit was part of Ambassador Pamela White's tour of local media institutions to get first-hand information about the media landscape – including opportunities and challenges – and by extension the country.
White and her team held a private discussion with The Daily News management. She was informed that The Daily News started operation in April 2009, as an independent newspaper. And that as it stands today, it is a major provider of accurate and reliable information in all spheres of national development without being dictated on the choice of issues to address.
"But our greatest concern is a printing press," said The Daily News general manager, Mr Bakary Sanneh. "As we speak here now our paper is yet to be out in the street." 
He also pointed out inadequate press equipment – computer, voice recorder and camera – and inadequate human resource as challenges frustrating the paper's effort to fulfill its mandate.
Mr Sanneh used the opportunity to thank the US Embassy for providing thirty news print rims to the paper, which he said has reasonably reduced the expenditure burden on the paper. 
During discussions with the staff, Saikou Ceesay, a senior reporter and editorial assistant pointed out the existing restrictive media laws as a major constraint.
"What I would consider as the biggest achievement for the Gambian media is the advent of the two year diploma course underway at the Gambia Press Union Secretariat. The diploma course is the first of its kind and would help capacitise 18 journalists to full grown professional reporters and editors", Mr Ceesay added.
Sports anchor and lay-out Editor Abdoulie Nget also decried of lack of training in graphic and design for media practitioners in the country.
Ambassador Pamela White said she felt thrilled by The Daily News editorial stance.
"The newspaper industry in the Gambia is vibrant and I believe is getting stronger all the time. I regularly receive six or seven newspapers a day and I read them all from cover to cover. I am pleased to see the divergent views expressed in the editorial pages of the numerous newspapers." she said.
She said the out-going World Bank President has a very positive view about World Bank projects in The Gambia. "I think it is important to recognize that some MDG development goals are being worked on very hard in the Gambia.  Successes should be recognized, just as the challenges should be.  For example The Gambia can take pride in the high enrollment rates in primary schools across the country.  However, the number of people living in poverty is still way too high", ambassador White remarked.

Gambia News:Lawyer Mboge Sent To Mile 2 Central Prison

Lawyer Lamin K. Mboge, a senior member of The Gambia Bar Association, was yesterday remanded at the state central prison of Mile 2 by the Banjul Magistrates' Court presided over by acting-Principal Magistrate Alagba.

Mboge was arraigned and charged with making false documents without authority, coupled with false swearing and uttering false documents.

He denied the charges and was refused bail and remanded in custody at the Mile 2 State Central Prison.

According to the particulars of the offence, on count one, Lawyer Lamin K. Mboge, between September and October 2010, at Banjul, with intent to deceive, executed an affidavit in the name of Alagie Momodou Barrow without his lawful authority.

Count two stated that Lawyer Lamin K. Mboge, on 26 October 2010, in Banjul, did commit an offence to wit, and made false declaration before Ebrima Sambou, Commissioner for Oaths.

Count three stated that Lawyer Lamin K. Mboge, on 26 October 2010, in Banjul, within the jurisdiction of the court, made false documents to wit; an affidavit purported to have been deposed to by Alagie Momodou Barrow.

Count four stated that Lawyer Lamin K. Mboge between September and October 2010, in Banjul within the jurisdiction of the court, made false document to wit; an affidavit purported to have been deposed by Alagie Momodou Barrow.

The Director of Public Prosecution, M. Abdoullahi, told the court that the state was applying for an adjournment to enable them to call their witnesses to court.

He added that the prosecution was objecting to the bail for the accused person for fear of him tampering with the prosecution witnesses.

DPP Abdoullahi disclosed that the state had facts at their disposal, indicating that if the accused person is granted bail, he would tamper with their witnesses.

"In view of these reasons, it would not be proper for the court to release the accused person on bail, as it would cause obstruction of justice to the case," he said while urging the court to refuse the accused person bail.

Lawyer Mboge was represented by the Gambia Bar Association led by Antouman A.B. Gaye, Sheriff Tambedou, Lawyer L.S. Camara and Lawyer Assan Martin.

In applying for bail, senior counsel A.B. Gaye told the court that the four count-charges the accused person is faced with are all bailable offences.

Legally and constitutionally, there is presumption of bail if the offence charged is not a capital one, he said, pointing out that all his points of defence are very important and they needed to be considered.

Senior counsel Gaye further submitted that the accused person is a good citizen of The Gambia, who had served the nation with hard work and dedication, and that he had a fixed place of abode in the country.

DPP should understand that this is a court of summary jurisdiction and not a court of records, he says, adding that the DPP's objection was totally misconceived and that the court should not rely on his objection.

He therefore urged the court to grant bail to the accused person, but Mboge was refused bail and remanded accordingly.

The case was then adjourned till 30 January 2011.

Source:The point.gm

Gambia News:Over 50 Suspected Drug Peddlers Arrested in Brusubi

Mr.Bendict Jammeh,Director General of National Drug Enforcement Agency

Inspector General Of Police Yankuba Sonko

By Saikou Ceesay
Over 50 foreign nationals have been nabbed Saturday 15 January in Brusubi following a joint operation mounted by various national security apparatus, The Daily News gathered.

Both the police spokesperson Sulayman Secka and the Inspector General of Police Yankuba Sonko could not be reached to confirm the story, despite several attempts.
"These are [suspected] criminals and were caught with cocaine and other illicit drugs, arms and house breaking equipment among others. We will take them to court after the completion of our investigation," a security source said.
The arrestees include Nigerian, Sierra Leonean, Malian and Ghanaian nationals believed to be drug peddlers and armed robbers residing in Brusubi housing estate, in the West Coast Region. They are currently being detained at the Brikama police station.
The joint security forces comprises of National Intelligence Agency, anti-drug agency, the police force and prison officers. According to our findings, all the suspects are residing in newly built well furnished villas in the fast developing residential area of Brusubi.
Source:Daily News

Gambia:Pastor Marrion, A Congolese Fixer, Needs Your Help

By Maria Salazar-Ferro/CPJ Journalist Assistance Coordinator

Marrion P'udongo, known as Pastor, is a widely respected African fixer who has fallen ill and needs a kidney transplant. (Bryan Mealer)

A group of international journalists is seeking donations to pay the costs of a kidney transplant for Marrion P'udongo, a Congolese fixer who has worked tirelessly with reporters from around the world to make sure his country's story is told.

P'udongo, known to his friends as "Pastor," fell ill while on assignment in Kigali, Rwanda. He was diagnosed with a kidney infection, and flown immediately to Uganda, where he is receiving medical care. P'udongo is stable and undergoing dialysis, but he needs a kidney transplant to survive. A suitable donor has already been found.

Colleagues and international press freedom organizations, including Journalisten Helfen Journalisten, the Frontline Club's Fixers Fund, and the Rory Peck Trust, have created the Pastor Marrion Fund, hoping to collect the necessary donations to cover P'udongo's operation. You can visit the Fund's website to find out more and make a donation.

Gambia:Why The Focus On Jammeh And His Government?

 

President Yahya Jammeh has been ruling The Gambia since 1994

 

By Saikou Ceesay

 
President Yahya Jammeh having led the republic of The Gambia for nearly 17 years is again asking Gambian voters for another five-year term. This is another golden chance for Gambians to review the performance of Jammeh and his government from 1994 to date. There is the need for thorough scrutiny of those seeking the mantle of leadership and those wishing for a return to power in the coming 2011 presidential elections.
The focus on Jammeh and his government is greater and should be so, because from 1994 to date, Jammeh leaves behind a record which could be used as a yardstick to measure his effectiveness. Again there is also the need to measure the effectiveness or otherwise of those holding positions in government or lack another five year term in office.
On democracy and governance, the ruling APRC pledges to uphold "…good governance, genuine democracy and freedom for our people".
The former PPP government headed by Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara was accused of turning The Gambia into a one party system. "It was a one party system that ousted sanity, frowned on dissent, disregarded institutional checks and balances," the APRC manifesto accused the deposed PPP government.
The APRC government has failed to institutionalize meaningful political changes. The popular consensus of term-limits for presidency is not be heeded.
Sir Dawda had over stayed in power. Does president Jammeh also want to over stay in power? Avoiding the replica of Jawara's experience who outlived his usefulness to Gambians will boost the morale of Jammeh and his government.
In 1994 when Jammeh seized power, he promised to save Gambians from the "perpetual stay of power of another leader". The popular consensus of "term-limits" were to be put in place but was treated as a trivial issue by the Jammeh government. Extreme political richness and clearly arrogance of power will not inspire optimism in the current governance system, but authoritarianism will held our people at ransom.
Jammeh was quoted as saying that his "New Gambia will be one where people will be free to participate in the process of national development; free to choose who governs them and in what way; free to say what they think and exchange ideas in a spirit of tolerance and mutual respect; free to know what the government does in their name and on their behalf and free to demand accountability, transparency and probity….."
It is bizarre that the APRC government has not created an enabling environment for these freedoms it's claiming to be excised. The routinely closure, attacks, intimidation, torture and cajoling on the independent media is evident. Having said that, Taranga FM, a privately owned community radio station had been barred from broadcasting allegedly by the state actors. The radio station over the past few months has been broadcasting news from newspapers that generated huge public attention.
The APRC government is not accountable. What happened to the "missing millions" alleged to hide away in foreign banks? We also need an explanation on the crude oil deal allegedly entered with the late Nigerian dictator Sani Abacha. The National Assembly set assailants of the 14 students free from prosecution. The killers of these innocent students on April 10/11 2000 are walking scout free in the streets of Banjul like a free man. They are protected from justice.
Many people have died, some perished without trace. The suspected murder of Ousman Koro Ceesay, the former finance minister, still seemingly no investigation has been mounted, the killing of the leading editor, late Deyda Hydara, Journalists Chief Ebrima Manneh, Kanyiba Kanyi, former Christian Children Fund employee and a resident of Bonto village.
We still don't know the whereabouts of Daba Marehna and four others who were under the watchful eyes of prison guards and were said to have escaped.
Justice needs to be done for these people and other victims of rights abuses. Cases of this nature are the bedrock for smearing the name of our country.
As we entered the New Year 2011, we are once again appealing to the government of The Gambia to improve on its human rights records for the betterment of our people. The common interest is the socio-economic development of The Gambia.

Gambia News:Gambia Bans Only Independent Radio Station Airing News

New York, January 14, 2011--Gambian authorities on Thursday shut the only independent radio station in the nation that has continued to broadcast news, according to local journalists.

Taranga FM was one of the last independent voices in the Gambia (Taranga FM)

National Intelligence Agency officials summoned Ismaila Ceesay, managing director of Taranga FM, a community radio station based in Sinchu Alhagie village, southwest of Banjul, for interrogation and ordered the station off the air until further notice, local journalists said.

Journalists told CPJ the ban was in reprisal for the station's "news review" program in which local newspaper stories were read on the air in English and local languages. It was unclear what story or stories prompted the ban.

With a small independent press corps weakened by years of government intimidation and repression, the Gambia counts only a handful of private radio stations, which mostly cover sports and entertainment, and a few independent newspapers operating under intense self-censorship. The government operates a television and radio network known as GRTS, which broadcasts only officially approved news. Arrests, torture, physical and verbal intimidation, arbitrary closures of news outlets, repressive legislation, and unsolved murder and disappearance of journalists have forced dozens of independent journalists to flee into exile.

"With the closure of Taranga FM, the Gambia confirms its status as one of Africa's most censored countries," said CPJ Africa Advocacy Coordinator Mohamed Keita. "Radio is a vital source of news in Africa, but listeners in the Gambia can now hear only a government mouthpiece. The authorities should restore Taranga FM and all independent broadcasts to return to air."

Several independent news outlets have been shuttered by the government in recent years, including Citizen FM, Radio 1 FM, a local bureau of Senegalese station Sud FM, and The Independent newspaper, according to CPJ research.

The ban on Taranga FM came a week after Gambian Justice Minister Edward Gomez dismissed suggestions of human rights abuses in the country as "mere speculation," according to an interview published in the private Daily News. In the same interview, Gomez threatened to prosecute any exiled Gambian who dared criticize the government's actions.

Gambia News:Justice Minister Warns Gambians Abroad of Backlash For ‘Denigration'

Is Hon Edward Gomez a protagonist human rights defender as he claimed?

Source:The Daily News

The Gambia's Justice Minister Edward Gomez has warned that Gambians abroad engage in 'painting a grim picture about The Gambia's human rights record' will face a backlash when they come to The Gambia.
Minister Gomez was reacting to The Daily News story about the twenty four British MPs who signed an Early Day Motion last month calling for international pressure on The Gambia government for human rights violations. This move was orchestrated by the Scottish Society of Human Rights in The Gambia through its Desk Officer Mr Alieu B Ceesay, a Gambian journalist in Scotland.
"We will wait here for them to come," he said in an interview Friday, adding that they could be safe as long as they continue to be harbored abroad, but reminded them that they will be prosecuted anytime they come to The Gambia.
"These are unfortunately evil members of The Gambian society who took refuge abroad putting every nonsensical story on papers and on radios to tarnish the good image of The Gambia government," Gomez said.
He described the Early Day Motion passed by the 24 British MP's as shameful and unfortunate, while slamming the Scottish Society of Human Rights in The Gambia as enemies of progress and development.
"I as the Attorney General and Minister of Justice will defend the image and integrity of the government to the heel and I want to make it clear that my government will not and does not subscribe to these malicious and evil fabrications against us", he said.
On reports of torture, detention without trial among other rights violations that occurred under the current regime, Minister Gomez dismissed such as mere speculations and unfounded truths beyond imagination. He said the whole idea of the motion is a total misconception that is based on sentiments rather than facts.
Gomez noted that none of the 24 British MP's in question ever visited the country nor did they rely on any substantive information to substantiate the nut from the chaff, noting that these MP's only bank on assertions from dissident Gambians  abroad who are anything less than enemies of the state and the administration of president Jammeh.
For him, there is no right that supersedes the rights to accommodation, food and shelter which every Gambian is enjoying under the leadership of president Jammeh.
"Countless number of people are residing in the UK who virtually lack all these rights which the British MPs never attempted to address but can seat over the fence to talk about the fundamental rights of Gambians. How many people are living in UK today who are feeding from the dustbins and sleeping in train stations which the British MP's never talk about," he added.

Gambia News:National Transport Network Systems in Progress

By Madi Njie
A new initiative to establish a national public transport services to facilitate the provision of standard transport system, complementing drives towards national and local development is now operational and functional at Gambia Transport, Agricultural, Food, Industrial Workers Union (GTAFIWU), located at the Gambia Red Cross Building, West Field, Kanifing Municipality.

 "Fangsoto" (meaning 'self-reliant in Mandinka) transport services, is set up by young Gambians with a view to furtheer improving the public transport system, ensure proper management of transport services in the country, and limit conflicts between vehicle owners and drivers, among others.
 
"Once you signing an agreement with us, we take proper care of you vehicle, appoint driver and will be responsible for maintenance services, and as the owner, you can collect your money on weekly, monthly or any form of agreement you may agree with our determined and committed administration, said Ms Fatou Sidibeh, administrative secretary of the Gambian own initiative.

She said Fangsoto is an initiative by Gambians, to improve transport services through networking, increase means of employment, socio-economic growth,  and development of the country, to a wider extend. She added that "the public transport service sector is meant to encourage vehicle owners involved in the transportation of people and goods, pointing out that: "Most vehicle owners have lost trust and confident in those drivers. Most vehicles on the road do not have the needed repairs and maintenance, to which effect drivers and vehicle owners push blame on each other, and consequently mark the end of the vehicle.

"Drivers do not have the trust and confident in vehicle owners, which result to care free driving and carelessness in the manner to control such vehicle. For that and many more reasons experienced by both vehicle owners and drivers, the Fansotoo Transport Services is open to encourage a public transport service sector, to serve as a mediator between vehicle owners and drivers, within its jurisdiction, and the nation at large."

Commenting on the aims of Fangsotoo, Ms Sidibeh said the self-independence driven transportation services   creates a better working condition for its drivers by taking the burden of breach between drivers, vehicle owners and the public at large.

She said this initiative also introduces private and commercial transportation system with a base; usage of CABIN system which will involve the use of car radios communication system, where customers only need to dial the office, and a transport will made available wherever you are.

Sidibeh said a driving training school branch will be established to ensure professionalism in our serviced delivery, adding: "The driving school will be explicit in its theory and practical and produces competent drivers at the end of their trainings. Drivers will go through a recruitment training prior to employment. Their conditions of service are our pride. Attractive salaries will be attached and maximum security in field of work ensured. Professional drivers guided by
knowledge and skills on traffic code of conduct thoughts will be ensured.

"We will do this through establishment of a central operational base where the main radio service is installed, to communicate with the registered vehicles, to unsure that the Cabbing serves the communities. A mechanical work shop unit for its vehicles and private works for unregistered services will et up. The mechanical garage, with spare parts workshop will be set up, for repair and maintenance of registered vehicles and other privately owned vehicles.
"We create cordial relationship between vehicles owners interested in commercializing their vehicles.

"Our transport services creates job for many other professionals who are yet to be exposed. Vehicle owners shall also benefit, as they will have some body to look after their vehicle throughout the contract agreement period, to ensure that their vehicle serve longer and expectations.
"The service complements efforts of the Ministry of Communication and the Municipality in ensuring free flow of traffic network to meet the transport demands of local communities.

"We are open for anyone that may have a car, but could entrust it to individual drivers to come forward to our office, and we will do the rest, and you enjoy the benefits of our car, base on how you want it to be, she concludes. 

Fangsoto can be reached through the following contact numbers: 00220 9837903/ 6900897/ 6837903/ 7785128

Gambia News:Medical University Due Here Could Be A Scam

President of suspected fake medical university

By Saikou Ceesay

Source The Daily News

The American International University (AIU) West Africa reportedly set to start operation in The Gambia this month is widely believed to be rather a defunct diploma mill, Daily news reveals.
Pro-government Daily Observer newspaper on September 1, 2010 claims that the authorities of medical university decided to re-locate from troubled-Guinea to peaceful Gambia'.
The university reached an agreement with the government of The Gambia in October, 2010 following series of meetings and is due to start operation in January 2011 as it secured a complex along Kairaba Avenue – near the United States embassy, Daily Observer reported.
"American International University (AIU) West Africa is a private university, with campuses for School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmacy, located in the beautiful West African countries of Republic of The Gambia and Republic of Guinea," Daily news quotes from University's own website where it boasts of being the first university in Africa to provide, cost effective and world class medical program up doctorate level based on a curriculum modeled after major US medical schools.  
However, our contact in Guinea confirmed that the school in Guinea Conakry is a diploma mill which had never actually taught any courses.
"The logical explanation of the entire thing was a scheme to swindle money out of prospective students whose families will pay the tuition for what is rather obviously not an accredited medical degree," our contact said. 
According to Sandra Sweeney, a Canadian-born ecologist and a lecturer in English Language, information contained in Daily observer seems more or less directly copied from the school's own advertisement website.
Sandra Sweeney told Daily news that she gave-up an offer to become a senior lecturer in the so-called medical university after suspecting it to be a scheme to swindle money out of prospective students.  
"Interestingly, all application fees are directed to the USA address yet the disclaimer at the end of the application form rightly points out that this school is not accredited by the state of Texas board," Sandra said. "Information at the AIUWA website says that the WHO has been advised of the school's opening. It has been established that the World Health Organisation has no right to grant accreditation to any medical school as the school portrayed on its website.
AIUWA is a clever ruse to hoodwink unsuspecting young people into either applying $75 non-refundable or to being accepted $18,000 for an education they cannot hope to receive."
She said, "I discovered the university while searching for employment on (eslemployment.com) and answered to an advert for an English teacher for a pre-medical programme in The Gambia. I forwarded my CV and was quickly offered a position," Sandra explained. "Having accepted the offer of employment I was forwarded a contract to sign.  But the letterhead looks like a bad cut and paste job and the terminology in the contract brought to mind someone is trying to make a document sound more legal than it is."
She went on, "The school opened a Facebook site where one of their claims: American International University West Africa has finalised the Faculty for the new campus at The Gambia. Professors with 20+ years teaching experience, along with hundreds of international publications will challenge the minds and broaden the vision of the new intakes for January 2011 Trimester which has not been established.
"While actually viewing the page, I was again contacted by Dinesh Shukla, the president, who wished to know if I could also teach the environmental sciences course offered in the first trimester. When I questioned him about what the curriculum of such a course would entail - especially considering that the course is for students of medicine - I was fed a lot of generalities about the concept of an international university.
"I was told that students need to understand environmental issues and that part of the role of the school was the evaluation of the country's environment. Considering the implausibility of this task - in light of the five or six inappropriately qualified staff - is again laughable. 
"I asked for more detail regarding the environmental sciences part of the course and when I failed to be distracted from my initial line of questioning Mr Shukla then quickly told me that I "shouldn't be afraid". What an incongruous reply. Should I be afraid? I wondered to myself. He told me that I was not to worry because the faculties were all intelligent people and that everything had been taken care of -- whatever that might mean. Every communication was kind of strange. It's hard to explain but nothing seemed to sit right. And, I couldn't figure out what my role was meant to be."
Having read this last post from December 7, Sandra said she understands her role: "I am the "highly qualified staff. I believe that AIUWA is a scheme of some sort into which I unwittingly allowed myself to be drawn. I was momentarily angry at the deception. I had even turned down another position in order to accept this one.
"And, immediately, naturally enough, relieved to have figured-out what is surely a con before paying for the necessary jabs and airline ticket. Never mind that there is no staff for the actual medical programme. Presumably they were left behind in Conakry. Who is paying for this and what resources are being diverted from legitimate educational programmes so that what looks very much like a diploma mill can be opened for business?
Meanwhile, the school board member here in The Gambia, Amie Bensouda has expressed doubt over the credibility of the so-called medical university.
"I will revoke my nomination as a board member and publish it in all the newspapers," the former president of The Gambia Bar association said.