Gambia Government Exercises Right To Freedom Of Expression

                 Says Senegal Is Everything But Hostile

Read on behalf of The Gambia Government by Dr. Njogou L. Bah, secretary general and head of the Civil Service

Our position since 1994 has been and will always be to work harmoniously with the Government and people of Senegal for the rapid socio-economic development of our two peoples who are one people divided by the unfortunate colonialism; a big disaster that befell the African continent and other parts of the World like Asia. To this end, both Gambians and Senegalese stand as living witnesses to our numerous Multi Million Dollar projects contracted to Senegalese companies up to date.  In addition to the above, the Government went a step further to treat Senegalese Citizens in The Gambia just like Gambians, by waiving certain taxes that foreigners in The Gambia have to pay.

Gambia UPDATE: Jailed opposition campaign manager freed

December 17, 2010

Femi Peters, UDP Campaign Manager

Femi Peters, a Gambian opposition politician jailed for organizing a public rally without permission was on December 10, 2010 freed without condition.

Although there has not been an official reason for his release, Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA) sources reported that it might be due to his ill health.

The sources said Peters, a diabetic patient has been suffering from continuous malaria attack and it has become a subject of international campaign for his release.

Gambian editor tortured under dictatorship of President Jammeh wins case at the ECOWAS Court

Former Editor of The Independent, Musa Saidykhan

The ECOWAS Community Court confirmed on December 16, 2010 that Musa Saidykhan, the former editor-in-chief of the banned Banjul-based, The Independent newspaper was tortured by President Yahya Jammeh’s security agents while in detention in 2006.

The regional court also ruled that his arrest and subsequent detention by the authorities were illegal and violated his right to personal liberty and fair hearing as guaranteed by Articles 6 and 7 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights.

The three-member panel therefore awarded him damages of two hundred thousand US dollars (US$200,000) far below the two million US dollars (US$2,000,000.00) that Saidykhan requested.

As journalist charged to court, Police brutality on media again

em

Sierra Leone Association of Journalists

1^st Floor, 56 Campbell Street, Freetown, Sierra Leone P.M.B. 724,

Website: www.slaj.sl; Email: slaj.salone@gmail.com

President: +232 76/77/33 609285, Ag Secretary-General +232 76 460423/033 533547

_______________________________________________________________________                                 

Date: 24 December 2010

PRESS RELEASE

As journalist charged to court,

Police brutality on media again

Senior Journalist Preaches Journalism to Aspiring Writers Club

Presentation By Mamadou Edrisa Njie Second Vice President Young Journalists Association of The Gambia (YJAG), Senior Staff Writer  of  The Gambia News and Report Magazine Weekly at a day-long Training on Journalism for St Joseph Senior Secondary School in Banjul  18 December 2010.

The importance of information cannot be over emphasized. The capabilities of a well informed people cannot be compared to those who have been kept in ignorance. All of us need information to make important decision whether we are educationists, economists, business persons, or ordinary people. To talk when information is lacking is like talking for the sake of saying nothing. Information is indeed power.

Bloggers provided 100,000 Days of Clean Water to developing countries through P&G initiative

On December 22, 2010, the Procter & Gamble Company (NYSE: PG) announced that more than 350 bloggers participating in its social purpose Internet campaign, the GIVE HEALTH Clean Water Blogivation, have reached the company’s goal of providing 100,000 days of clean drinking water to people in developing countries.

The innovative program invited bloggers from around the world to give space on their blogs for a special widget through which readers clicked to donate water. For every user’s click and subsequent share on Facebook or Twitter, P&G provided a day of clean drinking water (2 liters) to a person in a developing country through the company’s not-for-profit Children’s Safe Drinking Water Program (CSDW), P&G said on Monday.

Flashback of NaYCONF 2008

The national youth conference and festival as it happened two years ago (Part 3)

In part three of our series of a flashback of the national youth conference and festival (NaYCONF 2008), with this year’s event due to kick-off on December 16 in the Kanifing Municipality, The Voice Newspaper’s News Editor Modou S. Joof reports on critical issues, among them the Resolution reached by parties to the NaYCONF 2008 held at the countryside town of Farafenni in the North Bank Region of The Gambia.

NYC funding inadequate

Delegates to the conference component of the NaYCONF called on the Government of The Gambia to increase its subvention to the national youth council (NYC) to enable if effectively run the programmes and activities of the country’s youth population.

The delegates also requested that the National Youth Policy be incorporated into other relevant policies, and that donor agencies and development partners to commit more resources to youth development.

Calls were also made for more efforts to be done in the implementation of the millennium development goals (MDGs), and also for the creation of more skills and vocational training centers across the country in order to improve the rate of acquisition of employable skills.

Flashback of NaYCONF 2008

The national youth conference and festival as it happened two years ago (Part 2)

In our second part of a flashback of the national youth conference and festival (NaYCONF 2008), with this year’s event due to kick-off on December 16 in the Kanifing Municipality, The Voice Newspaper’s News Editor Modou S. Joof delve into more critical issues raised by parties to the NaYCONF 2008 held at the countryside town of Farafenni in the North Bank Region of The Gambia.

Delegates disgruntled

On December 28, 2008, The NaYCONF Daily, a daily newsletter published by the NaYCONF Media Sub-committee reported that delegates attending the 2008 NaYCONF expressed dissatisfaction with the progress made on the Resolution of the 2006 NaYCONF held in Brikama, Western Region of The Gambia.

The disgruntlement followed a report presented by Alhagie Kebbeh, Chairperson of The Gambia National Youth Council (NYC) on the ‘State of Progress Made on the Resolution’ that emerged from the event held in Brikama two years earlier. 

Gambia to Build $66m Stadium

http://inwent-iij-lab.org/Weblog/2010/06/17/gambia-to-build-66m-stadium/

June 17th, 2010 · 

Needs D32M for CAF and FIFA Qualifiers

The Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Youths and Sports has revealed Government’s desire to build a new Multi-Million Dollar National Stadium.
Mambanyick Njie was speaking during a cocktail party, organised by Coca-Cola and the Ministry of Youth and Sports, in collaboration with the South African Consul to The Gambia on Thursday in Banjul, The Gambia.

Sohna Explains Espen’s Differences

http://inwent-iij-lab.org/Weblog/2010/06/17/sohna-explains-espens-differences/#more-2705

June 17th, 2010 · 

Gambian international, Ebrima Sohna has refuted claims by team mate Espen Nystuen that his lack of playing time resulted to his frustration.
The former Wallidan midfielder was reported to have loose his temper in a heated argument with teammate Espen Nystuen in a Sandefjord training session, leaving the Coach, Patrick Walker to send him away.
But the player said he is neither frustrated nor angry with the Coaches in Sandefjord but demands that fellow players talk to him in a proper manner. Nonetheless, he admitted making a mistake during training.
“It’s not what Espen Nystuen suggested, that I am frustrated by the lack of playing time. Why should I be? I’ve played almost every minute in the whole year, with the exception of the last two games. In which I came from the bench on both occasions and played 45 minutes in each games,” Sohna was quoted as saying by Gambiasports.

Insurance Industry Plagued by Unethical Practices

http://inwent-iij-lab.org/Weblog/2010/06/09/insurance-industry-plagued-by-unethical-practices/

June 9th, 2010

Delegates of the recently concluded 37th African Insurance Organisation (AIO) annual conference and general assembly have admitted that the insurance industry has been plagued by unethical practices over the years, thereby giving a low image of the industry in Africa.
The conference was held in Banjul, The Gambia from May 24 to 27 where more than 500 delegates drawn from state owned insurance companies, broking firms, insurance supervisory authorities and training centres in Africa, including associate international members attended.
The main objectives of AIO are the promotion of inter-African co-operation and development of a healthy insurance and reinsurance industry in Africa. The theme for this year’s Conference was ‘Survival of the African Insurance Industry in the Face of Global Financial Crisis.”

Treason Trial: Major BO Badjie Gives His Accounts to the Court

http://inwent-iij-lab.org/Weblog/2010/06/08/treason-trial-major-bo-badjie-gives-his-accounts-to-the-court/#more-2544

June 8th, 2010 

After Omar Bun Mbye’s testimony, Major Lamin Bo Badjie (3rd accused) also opened his testimony and he was subsequently cross-examined on Friday 4th June 2010 at the High Court in Banjul before Justice Emanuel A. Amadi.
He said he was enlisted into the Gambia Armed Forces on 7th January 1987 and was dismiss on 9th October 2009 with the rank of major. He said that apart from the military he also served as Director General of National Intelligent Agency (NIA) for almost one year and was later redeployed back to the military.
Like Bun Mbye, Bo Badjie also stated that on 21st November 2009 at 0100GMT while a sleep, he heard a knock on his door and asked who the person was, the person responded that if you want to know open the door.

Treason Trial: Bun Mbye Opens and Ends Testimony, Cross-examination

http://inwent-iij-lab.org/Weblog/2010/06/08/general-treason-trial-bun-mbye-opens-and-ends-testimony-cross-examination/#more-2542

June 8th, 2010 

The Treason Trail involving Lt. General Langtombong Tamba and Co. is gradually moving closer to the end as second and third accused persons has ended their testimony and cross-examination on Friday 4th June 2010 at the High Court in Banjul before Justice Emmanuel Amadi.
In his testimony, Omar Bun Mbye (2nd accused) and also 2nd defence witness told the Court that he lives in Brusubi and his last employment was Military Officer and rank of Brigadier General. He told the court that his tenure as military officer ended on 9th October, 2009, recalling that he was enlisted into the military on 31st January, 1985.

ECOWAS Bank Board of Directors Meets in Banjul

http://inwent-iij-lab.org/Weblog/2010/06/08/ecowas-bank-board-of-directors-meets-in-banjul/#more-2541

June 8th, 2010 

The board of directors of the ECOWAS bank for investment and development (EBID) has opened its 8th annual meeting in Banjul on Monday 7th June 2010.
The day-long meeting is meant to take stock of the Bank’s financial activities and to discuss ways of making it a more effective vehicle for financing the investment requirements of countries in the sub-region.
The EBID meeting came hot on the heels of the recently concluded annual general meeting of the African Development Bank (ADB) in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, where the ADB says the continent’s economy is set to rebound from the global financial crisis, with 80 percent of African economies expected to grow this year.
The ADB officials say real gross domestic product on the continent is expected to reach 4.5 percent this year, well above the global average. “Growth could top five percent by 2011, putting African economies back on a 10 year track that was disrupted by last year’s global economic crisis. But the recovery will be uneven,” economists said.

Gambian Dalasi Depreciated by 2.21 Percent…

http://inwent-iij-lab.org/Weblog/2010/06/06/gambian-dalasi-depreciated-by-2-21-percent%E2%80%A6/#more-2512

June 6th, 2010 

From end-December 2009 to end May 2010, the Dalasi depreciated by 2.21 percent against the US dollar partly reflecting developments in the international foreign exchange market where the US Dollar was the comeback currency; appreciating against the major currencies, the Governor of the Central Bank disclosed.
Governor Momodou Bamba Saho was speaking at this year’s Monitory Committee Policy Meeting of the Central Bank of The Gambia on Friday 4th June 2010, in Banjul. Read on….

Three Managing Editors in Court for Criminal Defamation

http://inwent-iij-lab.org/Weblog/2010/06/06/three-managing-editors-in-court-for-criminal-defamation/#more-2510

June 6th, 2010 

Reports gathered from the region’s journalist organisation established to defend and promote the rights and freedom of the media and all forms of expression has it that three managing editors are facing charges of criminal defamation in Lome, capital of Togo.
Three managing editors of privately-owned newspapers include Zeus K. Aziadouvo of Liberté, Jean-Baptiste K. D. Dzilan of Forum de la Semaine and Glakpé K. Olivier of the Journal Le Correcteur have since made two appearances in court after they were arraigned on May 19.

Free Expression “Under Threat” In Ghana

http://inwent-iij-lab.org/Weblog/2010/06/06/free-expression-%E2%80%9Cunder-threat%E2%80%9D-in-ghana/#more-2507

June 6th, 2010 

Free expression has come under threat in the West African nation of Ghana as government working towards installing an Intelligence Signal Management System (ISMS), a monitoring device allegedly meant to undermine the right to free expression.
The Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA) said in 2009, the Government of Ghana entered into an agreement with a telecommunication company, Global Voice Group, to install the device on the international gateways of companies engaged in mobile telephony in the country.
This has compelled the pro-opposition pressure Alliance for Accountable Governance (AFAG) to file a suit against the government at the Human Rights Court in Accra, capital of Ghana. The hearing of which will be on June 16, 2010. The pressure group is asking the Court to restrain the Ghanaian authorities from installing the ISMS.

African Economies to Rebound from Global Crisis

The African Development Bank (ADB) says the continent’s economy is set to rebound from the global financial crisis, with 80 percent of African economies expected to grow this year.
The ADB recently held its annual general meeting in the Ivory Coast capital, Abidjan where there had been political tensions surrounding the much delayed presidential elections. The ADB officials say real gross domestic product on the continent is expected to reach 4.5 percent this year, well above the global average.

Cote d’ Ivoire ALERT: Media regulator bans foreign media from covering political crises

Source: MFWA - The National Council for Broadcast and Communication (CNCA), a media regulatory body in Cote d’ Ivoire on  December 2, 2010  issued a directive banning all foreign  radio and TV channels in the country from covering the ongoing political crises in the country.

Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA)’s correspondent reported that the CNCA announced the ban in a communiqué read by its secretary general, Félix Nanihio, during a news broadcast on state-owned TV at 20 hours GMT.

Paradise FM Sport Head expresses disappointment

The head of sports at Paradise FM, Alasan Mballow has expressed disappointment over West Coast Radio’s alleged fielding in of players who are not employed at the radio station.

West Coast defeated Paradise FM by 2-0 in the opening of the ‘Fatou Mbye Memorial Football Tourney’ on Saturday, but Paradise has since raised concerns over the fielding of ineligible players by their opponents.

“Thank you very much for your effort in strengthening greater relationship in media houses. First of all, I would like to express my disappointment, am very much disappointed because the purpose of the tournament is simply ignored and not adhered to. The tournament is simply to remember a fallen colleague in a very special way and in some style. This is not done by registering players who don't simply know the reason,” Mballow said in reaction to a press release issued by the secretary of the organising committee, Lamin Drammeh.

Flashback of NaYCONF 2008

The national youth conference and festival as it happened two years ago (Part 1)

The National Youth Conference and Festival (NaYCONF) 2010 will be hosted by the Kanifing Municipality (KM) in the course of the last two weeks of December, from the 15^th. The event, held every two years, is aimed at discussing pertinent issues affecting the lives of youths in The Gambia.

In our bid to keep you in tune with the history of the recent past, The Voice newspaper’s News Editor Reports on the progresses made, the deficiencies encountered, promises made and youth demands as it unfolded two years ago in the country side town of  

Farafenni, The North Bank Region.

Bushdwellers turning villages into ‘living canvases’

The Managing Director of Makasutu Culture Forest, Lawrence Williams has told The Voice newspaper that the Ballabu Conservative Project is turning villages into living canvases.

The Ballabu Project is a collective art between Mr. Williams and Njogu Touray, started two years ago, and it is meant to paint 14 villages (from Abuko to Pirang). This, Mr. Williams said is a mixture of fine art and street art.

We started painting in Kembuje, Kubuneh and Brikama but during the rainy season we had to stop and resort to painting canvases, these are the materials we have here on display today, he said during an Art Exhibition, organised by the (an artists collective), the Bushdwellers at the Alliance Franco-Gambienne on 26^th November, 2010.

Kumla Gruppën Relishing Success

 

Gun Karlsson, Founder and Head of the Kumla Gruppen, Sweden

The head of the Kumla Gruppën, Gun Karlsson has expressed her delight of the success registered by many of the students who have benefited or are still benefiting from a scholarship programme that was initiated more than 45 years ago.

The Kumla Gruppën, a Sweden-base humanitarian organisation under The Gambia Swedish Society provides scholarships to students mainly at Saint Michael’s Basic Cycle School from primary to tertiary education. Most of the beneficiaries are less privilege students whose parents could not afford to provide for their educational expenses.