Wednesday, July 31, 2013

GFF Election: Football Clubs Withdraw Kinteh’s Candidacy


The NC banned former FA President Seedy Kinteh (Pic) and Vice President Adama Halla Samba from running for elected office following allegations of “financial misuse” and “maladministration”.  

Candidates choose executives ahead of GFF election


Delegates at a 13 April, 2013 Constitutional Adoptive Congress  blames GFF Normalisation Committee of presiding over massive irregularities (Photo credit: B.B. Baldeh/GFA/Facebook)

Monday, July 29, 2013

The Gambia: Football Federation elections to go as planned


Delegates at a 13 April, 2013 Constitutional Adoptive Congress  blames GFF Normalisation Committee of presiding over massive irregularities (Photo credit: B.B. Baldeh/GFA/Facebook)

FIFA: Respect Normalisation Committee’s Decision




“Good governance has become more and more important and as you know FIFA has undertaken big internal changes to meet the challenges,” said FIFA, which has in the recent past been tainted by allegations of “corruption”.

Saturday, July 27, 2013

Seriously in Need of Help



Modou Lamin Touray, a 6 year-old boy and a resident of Fajikunda, is in urgent need of assistance to go for overseas treatment.

According to a medical report issued by The Edward Francis Small Teaching Hospital, the youngster was presented at the paediatric outpatient department with a one year history of frequent falls, unsteady gait or walking, vomiting, headache, increasing head size, poor vision and inability to control his neck.

The report added: “However there were no reported seizures in the past. And he was born at term and cried well at birth”.

The report, dated 24 June 2013, also indicated the boy’s inability to have neck control and sustained ankle clonuses bilaterally.

The Gambia: MFWA calls for ‘end to repression’


July 22 is marked by human rights organizations and civil society groups globally as “Gambia Day of Action”

The Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA) has called for an end to what it considers “19 years of repression and impunity in The Gambia” and urges internet users to “Take action now”.

It reiterated The Gambia Government’s refusal to comply with two human rights judgements delivered against it by the regional community Court of Justice (the ECOWAS Court) since 2010.

The MFWA statement issued to co-inside with the 19th Coup Anniversary of President Yahya Jammeh on July 22, stated: “In The Gambia today, critical media reportage is literally outlawed, while other rights violations continue to be perpetrated by the government with gross impunity”.

Wednesday, July 24, 2013

GIABA to mobilize youths against organised crime


English: Logo of The Intergovernmental Action Group against Money Laundering in West Africa (GIABA) Русский: Логотип Межправительственной группы по борьбе с отмыванием денег в Западной Африке (ГИАБА) (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The Inter-Governmental Action Group against Money Laundering in West Africa (GIABA) will on Thursday mobilize youths against organised crime by targeting their attitudes, behaviors and beliefs.
The agency’s 7th Edition Open House Forum is slated for July 25, 2013 at the Miatta Conference Centre in Freetown, Republic of Sierra Leone. 
It will provide an opportunity for youths to embark on advocacy by helping to disseminate Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Financing Terrorism (AML/CFT) messages among their peers and political decision-makers, thereby becoming important policy advocates, GIABA said.

YJAG trains Nustrat Press Club on Basic Journalism

The press club members were taken through presentations on ‘What is news, and the criteria of news’ by Lamin Jahateh, secretary general of YJAG (Photo Credit: MSJoof/TNBES/July 2013)
The Young Journalists Association of The Gambia (YJAG) on Wednesday trained the members of Nustrat Senior Secondary School Press Club on the fundamentals of basic journalism.

The training, held at Nustrat Senior Secondary School in Bundung, was aimed at introducing the press club members to the fundamentals of journalism to enable them better understand the profession as well become more vibrant information disseminators. 

It was part of a three-day training programme that started on Tuesday July 16 and ended on Thursday organized by the press club. Read More

Monday, July 22, 2013

Gambia’s foreign policy is premised on maintenance of global peace


President Jammeh (Photo Credit: Wikipedia)

The Gambia’s foreign policy agenda is premised principally on the pursuit of and maintenance of global peace, security and the respect of each country’s sovereignty, Yahya Jammeh said on Sunday.

Speaking on the eve of his July 22 Coup Anniversary, 19 years on, the Gambian President said the maintenance of rapid and sustainable development depends on peace and security both at home and abroad.

“Our domestic policies will continue to be supported by a robust sustainable development agenda that will be backed by zero tolerance for crime, drugs, violence, ungodly and anti human satanic values such as homosexuality,” he said in an address to the nation.


Sunday, July 21, 2013

Groups call for improved human rights in Gambia


As “Freedom Day” in the Gambia is marked on July 22 by human rights groups across the world, Amnesty International, the Campaign for Human Rights in the Gambia (CHRG) and Coalition for Change – The Gambia (CCG) have expressed serious concerns about the “dire human rights situation in the country”.

The organizations called on the Gambian authorities to end their repression of journalists and human rights defenders and urged the international community to strengthen their efforts to improve the human rights situation in the Gambia.

Jammeh gives priority to ‘pay and pension reform’


President Jammeh (Photo Credit: SEYLLOU/AFP)

In the months ahead, due priority will be given to the proposed “pay and pension reform”, President Yahya Jammeh announced on Sunday.
Speaking on the eve of his July22 Coup Anniversary, 19 years on, he added: “… and the implementation of civil service revolving loan scheme.”
The scheme is aimed at boosting staff morale and improving on retention strategies, according to Jammeh, who seized power in a bloodless military coup on July 22, 1994.

STATEMENT:

Speech by President Yahya Jammeh on the 19th Anniversary of the 22nd July 'Revolution'



President Yahya Jammeh (Photo Credit: SEYLLOU/AFP)
Fellow Gambians

Distinguished Friends, Africans and the rest of Humanity

I salute you all in Islam, Assallamu Alaikum Wa Rah Ma Tu Lahi Wa Barakatuhu

As we celebrate this day marking the 19th anniversary of the great 22nd July Revolution, I am overwhelmed with great joy and deep gratitude to the Almighty Allah for his infinite blessings upon this great country throughout the past nineteen years. Thanks to Allah’s guidance, blessings and protection, today we have a lot to rejoice for and celebrate the fruits of our 19 years journey through turbulent waters and stormy weather. Thanks to the Almighty Allah, the Gambian women and youth and our gallant Armed and Security forces together with Government, have succeeded in building a modern, peaceful and stable country in the most volatile and crisis ridden region of Africa.

Saturday, July 20, 2013

GFF withdraw ban on regional representatives

In April, GFA (Now GFF) Normalisation Committee chairperson Alhagie Omar Sey (L) said those who voted against the new Constitution will be disenfranchised in the upcoming presidential election (Photo credit: B.B. Baldeh/GFA/Facebook)

GFF name two candidates for presidency

Delegates at a 13 April, 2013 Constitutional Adoptive Congress  blames GFF Normalisation Committee of presiding over massive irregularities (Photo credit: B.B. Baldeh/GFA/Facebook)

73 Million People Need Humanitarian Aid in 2013: UN


Halfway through the year donors have generously provided US$5.1 billion for humanitarian organizations to deliver critical aid to people in 24 countries, according to Valerie Amos (Photo Credit: UNAIDS)

Wednesday, July 17, 2013

EU calls for swift enquiry into Chief Manneh’s disappearance

“His disappearance has now transcended press freedom matters, it is both a national and a universal human right concern,” according to the EU.

EU salutes The Gambia's agreement to resume political talks

The Article 8 Intensified Political Dialogue under ACP Cotonou Agreement have been delayed since January 2013 after The Gambia pulled out of talks amid EU’s growing concerns over the human rights situation in the tiny West African Country (Photo Credit: EU Delegation to The Gambia/July 11)

GFF bans President Kinteh from running for elected office

GFF Normalisation Committee Spokesperson, Omar Sey (L) and his cohorts have come under massive criticism for certain irregularities since March 2012 (Photo credit: B.B. Baldeh/GFA/Facebook)

Tuesday, July 16, 2013

CNN MultiChoice African Journalist 2013 Finalists Announced

MultiChoice
MultiChoice (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
CNN International Asia Pacific
CNN International (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Finalists in the prestigious CNN MultiChoice African Journalist 2013 Competition were announced on Monday by Ferial Haffajee, Chair of the independent judging panel.

This year, the competition which is now in its 18th year, received entries from 42 countries across the continent, including French and Portuguese speaking Africa.

There are 27 finalists from 11 countries:

CPA takes child rights to senior police officers

So far in two weeks, 55 police officers in The Gambia have been trained on human rights, a subject that remains a huge challenge in the tiny West African country (Photo Credit: Rickmann/Kerewan/2005)

Gambia Football Federation: Final Report of The Disciplinary Committee Alleges Gross Irregularities

Shirt badge/Association crest
Shirt badge/Association crest (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
MEMBERS OF THE DISCIPLINARY COMMITTEE: Lawyer Gaye Sowe – Chairperson, Magistrate Ebrima Kijera – Member, and lawyer Tom Katusabe – Member – issued the following report on Monday July 16, 2013.

The Disciplinary Committee which was set up by the Normalisation Committee of The Gambia Football Federation to inquire into the conduct of the immediate past Executive Committee of the former Gambia Football Association in its management of the Association, based its inquiry on the audited financial reports and any relevant official documentation and administrative practice and recommended disciplinary action to the Normalisation Committee.

As per the GFA Constitution, the role of the GFA Executive was to guide the GFA in matters of management, policy and governance.

The powers of the Executive were set out under section 3 of the then constitution of the GFA.

Friday, July 12, 2013

TANGO trains Gambia police on human rights

TANGO considers the Gambia Police Force as a primary duty bearer in the defense of human rights and the rule of law in The Gambia, a tiny West African country where human rights remains a challenge. (Photo Credit: Gambia Beat)

Elaborate and confusing comments over whereabouts of missing journalist raises fears he is dead

Just as the search continues – one can only hope that if it comes to an end – Chief will tell the world his tale of woe (the story about all the horrible things that have happened to him) since his disappearance into thin air on July 7, 2006.

Thursday, July 11, 2013

Wednesday, July 10, 2013

GFF Elections: Former FIFA SG says it’s wrong to block candidates

 “When I read that some people are said to try to block some candidates to run, I think it’s not correct and frankly I think that we should have an open election,” Jerome Champagne said of the upcoming GFF elections. (Photo Credit: AFP)

Monday, July 8, 2013

The Gambia’s Internet Law: RSF very disturbed, Amnesty International shocked



Both RSF and AI have criticized the passing of the new law by The Gambia, a tiny West African country where media laws have since been described as “draconian”. Information Minister, Nana Grey Johnson presided over the passing of the Information and Communication (adjusted) Act 2013.
(Photo Credit: MSJoof/TNBES/Globe/FPI)

US Ambassador Alford hails ‘vibrant’ America-Gambia relations

Speaking a day after The Gambia passes a “strict internet law”, Alford said freedom of speech and of the press played an important role in stimulating American civil rights movements.(Photo Credit: Sainey MK Marenah)

Saturday, July 6, 2013

Friday, July 5, 2013

YJAG urges Gambia to investigate dissapearance of former President

A MESSAGE ON WPD WAS: Protect Journalists, Promote Professionalism, Support Media Development (Photo Credit: MSJoof/Globe/FPI)

Dr. Lenrie Peters Speaks Out - reproduced



In 2008, the late Peters who witnessed colonialism, told me "it was a setback".
His hopes and expectations after Independence were "democracy and an open government striving for the good of the people" - never come to reality during the 1st and 2nd Republic. (Photo Credit: Gamwriters)

‘Gambian citizens’ wage concerted efforts to pit security against Government’


Information Minister, Nana Grey Johnson, justified harsh law with claims that Gambians have waged concerted efforts "to pit people and security officials against their Government" (Photo Credit: MSJoof/TNBES/Globe/FPI)

Thursday, July 4, 2013

The Gambia: 15 years jail time or $100K for publishing ‘false news’




The National Assembly in Banjul on Wednesday approved the “Information Communication (amendment) Act 2013” which allows 15 years jail time for spreading “false news” against the government or public officials online.

Section 173A of the Internet related offences also allows for a fine of D3 million (about USD$100,000) if a person uses the internet to “spread false news against the Government or public officials”.

Wednesday, July 3, 2013

Daily Observer Editor, Assan Sallah, is missing


Assan Sallah, Daily Observer news editor and former YJAG President reportedly fled to Senegal last Wednesday (Photo credit: TNBES)

British Teacher, Sairah Amini, says Gambia experience 'memorable'



"This is the greatness of these people, they put others before themselves and not many people possess this gift," Sairah Amini said of the caring and sharing attitude she saw in Gambian children.

Monday, July 1, 2013

UNAIDS is ending operations in The Gambia


Local agencies, especially AIDS support societies in The Gambia (where an estimated 500 people still die of HIV/AIDS or related diseases every year) have been taken aback by this decision.

Goal for The Gambia gives to West Coast Region kids


Last week a group of 26 students from Camel College UK donated to kids at Kuloro and Kitty through the charity, Goal for The Gambia
(photo credit: MENjie/Mansa Banko)