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First Lady Barrow receives distinguished global award for excellence at the UN
State House, Banjul, 22 September 2019 -Her Excellency Fatoumatta Bah-Barrow, the First Lady of the Republic of The Gambia on September 20, 2019, was honoured with the Distinguished Global Award for Excellence on the sidelines of the 74th Session of the United Nations General Assembly by the Global Empowerment Movement (GEM-USA). The award was in recognition of the work that she does to reduce extreme poverty, assisting marginalized rural women, girls and vulnerable children in The Gambia.
The First Lady was celebrated for her dedication and selfless work in various initiatives, including Children on the Move, to positively impact the lives of people ensuring that no woman, youth or child is left behind.
Madam Barrow has been exemplary at using her platform as First Lady to making a difference in terms of development and the protection of the rights of Gambian women and children with the support of various Government departments and development partners.
Present at the event were members of the Gambia mission and community, as well as representatives of the Nigerian First Lady amongst others.
GEM-USA is an international non-governmental organization that gives support to underprivileged women and families who are vulnerable to victimization/crimes of abuse, human trafficking, forced prostitution, and provides education to bring these heinous crimes to the attention of others.
The Gambia Government place a temporary restrictions on properties of former regimes associates
The Government has also accepted the Commission’s recommendation to immediately place temporary restriction on the properties of the following persons and institutions until further notice: Amadou Samba, Tarek Musa, Fadi Mazegi, Illija Reymond, Martin Keller, Nicolae Buziainu, Dragos Buziainu, Ali Youssef Sharara, Woreh Njie Ceesay, Tony Ghattas, Feryale Diab Ghanim, Trust Bank Ltd, Guaranty Trust Bank (Gambia) Ltd and M.A. Kharafi and Sons for their alleged roles in one way or the other.
Meanwhile scores of former senior government officials including former vice president Isatou Njie-Saidy have also received lengthy bans from holding public office and in some cases asset forfeiture.
Among them are former SGs Momodou Sabally and Njogu Bah. Mr Sabally has been banned from holding public office for life after the commission found him to have facilitated withdrawals from the Central Bank among other things.
He told The Standard yesterday that he could not immediately comment on the matter, preferring instead to consult with his lawyer.
However, the government has come under criticism for rejecting the commission’s recommendation for the sacking of a number of senior serving officials.
Among them is current chief of protocol Alhagie Ceesay.
Critics say the decision to just warn Mr Ceesay and others amounts to selective justice.
Meanwhile, three former members of the junta: Ebou Jallow, Edward Singhatey and Yankuba Touray, have also been asked to pay a combined amount of $32,220,000 within thirty days, failure of which their properties shall be forfeited to the state and sold.
Jammeh gets life ban, faces criminal trial
The Gambia government has published its white paper on the Janneh Commission report which looked into the financial activities of former president Jammeh, his family and close associates.
The government accepted to seize assets of former president Jammeh to compensate for about a billion dalasi and hundreds of millions of foreign currency the commission found him to have taken from public funds.
According to the Janneh Commission, the damage former President Jammeh has caused to Government institutions, public resources and state-owned enterprises is of such serious nature that the government ought to introduce a motion before the National Assembly for charges to be brought against him for theft, economic crimes and corruption.
“The government accepts the Commission’s recommendation that criminal proceedings be instituted against former President Jammeh for theft, economic crimes and corruption,” the government said in the white paper that contains its decision on the Commission’s recommendations.
Government also said it has accepted the commission’s recommendations that former president Jammeh is banned from holding public office in The Gambia for the rest of his life .
According to the Accountant General, in July 1994 when Jammeh took over power, his salary was D2, 744.20.
However, during his tenure as head of state, Jammeh acquired 281 landed properties throughout the country and two properties outside the country (one in US and one in Morocco).
According to the Commission fifty-one of the 281 properties owned by Jammeh were purchased for the total of D195, 500, 000 despite the fact that his legitimate earnings were insufficient to acquire properties worth that amount.
Gambia, Qatar sign 4 new bilateral agreements
SOURCE: POINT NEWSPAPER
His Excellency, President Adama Barrow and the Emir of the State of Qatar, His Highness Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al-Thani presided over the signing of four new Memoranda of Understanding and bilateral agreements between the governments of The Gambia and Qatar. The agreements entail mutual cooperation in the sectors of communications, judiciary, customs, and youth and sports. On behalf of The Gambia, the various ministers of Information and Communication, Justice, and Foreign Affairs signed the agreements with their respective Qatari counterparts in the following areas:
Communication: The two governments agreed to operate in each other’s territories in the service areas of satellite communication. Honourable Ebrima Sillah signed the agreement with the Qatari Minister of Transport and Communications, Jasim Saif Al-Sulaiti.
Mutual Administrative Assistance: Both parties have agreed to exchange information between the customs authorities of the two countries. The Qatari Minister of Finance, Ali Sharif Al-Emadi, signed with Minister of Foreign Affairs of The Gambia, Dr. Mamadou Tangara.
Legal Affairs: It involves capacity enhancement of the judicial systems of both countries, through experience sharing. The two countries also agree to cooperate and assist each other in the area of customs law enforcement focusing on two specific areas: “Administrative Assistance for Optional Application of Customs Law” and “the Repression, Investigation and Combating of Customs Violations”. The Minister of Justice, Aboubacarr Tambadou signed for The Gambia while Hon. Essa Saad Jaffal Al- Naimi signed for Qatar.
Youth and Sports: The Gambia and Qatar have agreed to promote friendly exchange of youth camps and football tournaments between the two countries. Minister Tangara and the Sport and Culture Minster of Qatar, Mr. Salah Ghanim Al-Ali signed on behalf of their respective governments.
Other engagements
Amongst the president’s other engagements on day two of the State visit in Qatar include a meeting with the Chief Executive Officer of the Qatar Charity, where they discussed possible a partnership to have the organisation begin operations in The Gambia. The non-governmental organisation covers areas of health, water supply, and education.
President Barrow also visited the Qatar National Museum. He was encouraged by the display of the rich history and visionary leadership that laid the foundation for a modern Qatari state in the 21st Century.
Later in the evening, the president wrapped up the day with separate meetings with the chairman of the Arabiya Trading, Abdulrahman Al Mahmoud, and Muhamad Sultan Al Jabeer of Jabeer Construction.
Gambian president visits Qatar
On the sidelines of the three-day official visit in Qatar, President Adama Barrow was taken on a conducted tour of facilities being built ahead of the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Doha.
President Barrow, who was visibly impressed with the tour, said his experience was inspiring and shall be a learning curve for him and the government in the effort to successfully organize the Organization of Islamic Conference Summit in The Gambia the same year.
“The coincidence that Qatar and The Gambia are both small countries but would be hosting two global events in 2022 is a blessing’’, President Barrow said. ‘’Key in the hosting of such events is the development of the road infrastructure to ease travel as well as the venues with modern facilities to host world-class events”
Accompanied by His Excellency, Abdulla bin Abdulaziz bin Turki Al Subaie, Minister of Municipality and Environment, who is in charge of these infrastructural developments, President Barrow went to see an ultramodern train station, an arts exhibition center, and the headquarters of the Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy, the body responsible for organizing the hosting of the World Cup, among others.
The Gambia Police Intervention Unit Accused of Manhandling
Police Intervention Unit (PIU) are accused of manhandling accused some accused persons as the case involving Killa Ace Gambian artist and 36 others.
The accused persons face eight counts including unlawful assembly, prohibition of conduct conducive to breaches of the peace, arson and rioters demolishing building.
Dozens of PIU officers were present at Tuesday’s court hearing at the Kanifing Magistrates’ Court, with some PIU officers spotted throwing some accused persons to a waiting police van within the court’s premises.
However, police say the accused resisted to board the waiting van.
Some angry youth were shouting and saying: “You guys should learn a lesson from the past regime. We are all seeing what’s currently going on at the TRRC. Before arresting people why not you tell us the people that killed Ousman Darboe,” they queried.
The late Ousman Darboe wife’s was also seen within the premises of the court.
Alieu Bah and some activists also took the main highway marching towards Banjul and demanding the unconditional release of all the 37 arrested youths.
“We will not allow anybody to take us to those days of Yahya Jammeh even if it means giving our lives,” Dabakh Malick, an activist said during an interview.
He said: “So many people have lost their lives and others went into exiles during the former regime and others lost their lives just to bring in Barrow’s government,” he added, saying that “if they think they are in power and that they have The ECOMIG and soldiers, we have our rights and we’re going to stand here in the Gambia and fight for those rights. Nobody is taking us back to the days of dictatorship.”
“I am not standing here to defend anybody who did arson, but even whereas the person is going through court process; even if he is guilty; he is a human being, he needs to be treated with utmost respect. However, you can’t be slapping and kicking people just because they’re inmates.”
According to him majority of the young people that were present on the ground were agitated because they don’t have jobs. “They’re agitated because they’re frustrated and they lost hopes in this country. Don’t allow the authority to use you and you are brutalising people.”
“Today in our presence, we saw you beating our own people. They’re accused persons and it’s wrong for you to beat them,” Kexx Sanneh said,
“We are ready to fight against dictatorship in the country and we’re not going to entertain it anymore. We are tired. We stood here when you people are supporting Yahya Jammeh and fought against dictatorship. In fact, most of you were enablers during the former regime.”
“We must all resist. Gambians youth must go out and take this country from our failed politicians,” Alieu Bah stated.
Rain destroy the Lamsar road living it’s people stranded
Lamsar is a small community in Tanjai Kombo South. The people off this community earn their living through farming and fish business. Tanji is a town in Gambia, along the Atlantic coast. It is primarily a fishing town with a population of 14,531 according to the 2013 population census. The population of the town has been growing dramatically due to both urban and rural migration. This is because of its attractive fishing industry and suitable location.
people travel from Madiana, Lamsar, Tujereng, Sanyang, Gunjur, Serekunda to Tanjai for different business. some are fisher men, some push wheelbarrow to carry people’s load from the seaside to the garage or garage to seaside, some have small shops selling food stuffs, farmers bring their harvest to also sell at the seaside. fish which is the main product of the town has given employment to 1000s of youth who are mainly from Senegal, Guinea, and few from rural Gambia.
the Lamsar road has been a bad road for years. According to residence the community leaders have been on the money given by government to build the road for easy transportation of people. during every rainy season people of the community suffer from lack of good road.
many young men who are public transport drivers are left jobless for the next 5 months of the season as they are afraid to journey the bad road which may cause serious damage to their vehicles. residence who have their own private vehicles find it hard to travel as the roads are inconvenient for their cars.
About 80% of the residence travel by public transport. because These transport drivers are not journeying into the community the people are left stranded. They walk from their various home to the seaside in the morning and walk back home in the evening. This has been inconvenient to many people.
“we get very tired from walking. when we go to the sea we move up and down for our daily sales, trying to get fishing from the boats, freezing the fish and then selling. After all these ups and downs you have to walk for 30 minutes or more to reach your house” Said Mariama, a fishmonger at the fishing centre.
“Sometimes we wonder if the government has forgotten this town, development is very slow here and the roads have been the biggest problem for years. Some say that our leaders are sitting on the money given to them by government to construct the road”. Said Neneh who is also a fishmonger.
However; there are still some public transports who journey into the small community from Tippa Garage which they call “Satehkonoh motto” which means the town car. These are bigger vehicles call “Gele Gele”. this helps the people who live the community to go to serekunda to sell. but again those doing their business at Tanjai itself are less privilege because only few of these “Gele Gele” come there and they increase the transport fee from D8 to D10. These cars are normally overloaded to the extend that people are made to sit on the top of the car and still pay D10. Is this safe?
“we have no choice but to park our cars during the raining season. Our taxis are so small to enter the big stagnant waters on the way. these water are very unsafe as it may cause serious damage to the engine of the car, this will cost lots of money to fix”. said Madi a Taxi driver at Tanji.
The lamsar community calls out to the government for help construct the roads.
“we were very happy when we saw sands poured on the road side few months before the rainy season. we thought this time we wouldn’t suffer from the damage of the rain this time around. but since those sands were poured there nothing was done again. they just pour a little bit and go their way. these were mud and have no use on the road because it is still as bad as ever.” lamin told the Afrinity TV yesterday and a discus.
First President of the Gambia is buried
The Gambia’s first President Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara, who passed away on Tuesday was buried on Thursday 29th August 2019 at the capital Banjul. .
The burial was attended by The current president, His Excellency Adama Barrow, many political party leaders, former ministers and cabinet members of his regime were also in attendance.
Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara, ruled The Gambia for more than 30 years as Prime Minister and then as its first President after independence from Great Britain, until he was removed from power in a bloodless coup by Ex President Yahya Jammeh.
He sought refuge in the U.K. where he lived with his family up to 2002, when he returned home after President Yahya Jammeh granted him amnesty and returned his assets, which were seized by a Commission of Inquiry established by the military junta to investigate cabinet members and officials of the previous regime.
Mariam Jack Denton,Speaker of The Gambia National Assembly said he was known for his integrity, kindness and sense of humor.
“Our hearts are heavy with this lost. He was an ardent promoter of human rights. He was a patriot and a true son of this country.”
Sedia Jatta, one of the opposition leaders who contested 1987 elections against Dawda Jawara, described his former opponent as a democrat and a tolerant person.
“We are not only here to pay homage to who brought independence to this country, but to learn from the challenges he faced as a leader. We have to learn tolerance from him.”
Gambia President Adama Barrow said: “It is with deep regret that I deliver this statement on this solemn occasion. The entire Gambian nation is in a state of mourning. We are mourning because our nation has lost its first premier, prime minister and president for over 30 years.”
The Gambia is in a 7 days state morning which was declared by the president his excellency Adama Barrow. he has also ordered that the flag should be lowered to half-mast at all state institutions in respect of the former president.
President Barrow calls on all Gambians to use these trying moments to reflect and emulate the virtues Sir Dawda left as his legacy: peace-loving, tolerant, and democratic.
The president kindly urges all and sundry to pray to God to grant the departed soul eternal peace.
First president of the republic of The Gambia Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara has passed away.
Born in 1924 in a village called Barajally, Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara aged 95, on Tuesday Afternoon answered to the call of the almighty. Sir Dawda led The Gambia to Independence in 1965 and to becoming a Republic in 1970, serving as president from 1970 to 1994.
He led The Gambia through a smooth transition from colonial to self-rule. Throughout his life, he directed his efforts towards promoting peace and togetherness.
As the Nation mourns the death of former head of state Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara who is widely regarded as the father of the nation, The President of The Republic his excellency Adama Barrow, religious leaders, senior government officials, heads of political parties, members of the diplomatic corps, family members, loved ones and members of the public earlier today converge at his residence in Fajara to sympathize with the his Family.
The current president His excellency Adama Barrow visits the late presidents residence
President Adama Barrow led a cabinet delegation to the residence of the former president in Fajara, Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara, to personally pay condolences to the Jawara family. The flags at the presidency are also lowered to half-mast, in respect to the elderly statesman.
“The public is herby informed that the state funeral for the former President, Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara is scheduled for Thursday, 29th August, 4: 00 pm, at the National Assembly,” an announcement from the presidency added. The president described the demise as a loss to the country and humanity in general.
The Gambia observe the Eid on Sunday 11th August 2019
Few days before the Eid and few days after the Eid always difficult for for Gambians. especially those without a car. Many Taxi and Van drivers travel to the rural area or out of the country to celebrate with relatives and family members. therefore causing scarcity of vehicles.
The public who stay around the serekunda are left stranded until the return of the drivers. The drivers who are around take this opportunity to earn more than usual. the transport is increased from D8 to D10 or D15. For people traveling to Tanjai, Brikama Banjul etc pay D25, D25, D50 respectively.
“Town trip” becomes even more expensive. in the day one can spend D200 for public transport to and fro. Garages are normally close to empty and the town very quiet.
D5 Creation