‘Cinekambiya’: It’s Gambia’s Film Industry

The West African country’s fledgling film industry had no previously recognised name, according to TNBES research.

IMF says Gambia’s policy implementation gone off-track

Projections of The Gambia’s economic growth are usually not representative of citizens’ socioeconomic status.

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has on April 7 stated The Gambia’s implementation of [financial] policies during the first quarter of 2014 has “gone off-track”.

“[This is] mainly because spending significantly exceeded agreed targets following completion of the first review in May 2013,” it says after assessing the authorities’ progress in implementing [monetary] policies to bring their reform programme back on track.

Gambia’s reform programme is supported by an IMF Extended Credit Facility arrangement.

A nurse and journalist who was truly fearless in confronting authority in both Church and State

Mrs Bijou Edith Ernestine Bidwell Nee Peters 1927 – 2014

Bijou Peters (Photo credit: Gamcotrap)

Bijou Edith Ernestine Bidwell Nee Peters was the eldest daughter of the late Mr Lenrie Peters and Mrs Kezia (Broderick) Peters of Bathurst (now Banjul), The Gambia. 

She was born on the 29^th of March 1927 in Freetown, Sierra Leone and educated in her school days at St. Mary’s Anglican Primary School and Methodist Girls High School, under the educationist Mrs Norah Senior, MBE and missionary from Somerset, UK. She was Head Girl and passed the senior Cambridge School Certificate Exam.

She died on February 12, 2014 at 86 years of age. Prayers where held at St. Paul’s Parish Church, Fajara and buried at the Banjul Cemetery on Monday, March 3, 2014.

Gambia lifts ban on two media houses, one remain closed

President Yahya Jammeh said "the two institutions are urged to operate within the framework of the laws governing the media in this country." (Photo Credit: Wikipedia)

THE GAMBIA: An Economy dominated by poor currency performance and strict tax rules in 2013

Think tanks say the economy is ‘still recovering’ from the severe drought that hit the country in 2011

 

In 2013, Gambia's currency, the Dalasi (D), recorded massive depreciation against major foreign currencies.

3 IFAD-funded projects in Gambia in final phase-out stages

IFAD and local project officials visit a rice field in Central River Region of the Gambia under the Ifad-funded PIWAMP project (Photo credit: M.E.Njie)

Gambia: IFAD link farmers with microfinance institutions

Farmers listening keenly to statements that suggest saving with microfinance institutions will help them access loans easily (Photo Credit: Mamadou Edrisa NJie)

Gambia had share of ‘rare hybrid solar eclipse’

Photo Credit: Wikipedia

The Gambia experienced a solar eclipse on Sunday which geographers say is a “rare hybrid eclipse”. It lasted for about half an hour (from around 11:45am) in which a ring of sunlight was still visible, giving a partial eclipse.

A hybrid solar eclipse is an unusual eclipse that morphs between a total eclipse – in which the moon completely blots out the sun – and an annular eclipse, in which a ring of sunlight is still visible around the moon, astronomers say.

This year's event is a rare hybrid eclipse, where for part of the event, the sun's light is not completely covered. Such events, called annular eclipses, are dangerous to watch directly, says the National Geographic Centre.

Criminal charges against Gambian musician for radio vandalism withdrawn

On September 2, singer Nova, a Ghetto Boy Music Producer, was invited to the studios of Star FM upon his request to be granted airtime to clear his image which he claimed had been tarnished by the radio station over reports he had “impregnated three women living on the same compound” (Photo/Reverbnation)

Britain warn its citizens against using Gambia ferry

Do not use Gambia ferry, United Kingdom tells British (Photo credit: Sinsistema)

Criminals look for vulnerable sectors to launder their proceeds – Dr Shehu

GIABA DG Dr. Abdullahi Shehu says criminals are stepping-up their illicit actiities (Photo Credit: Modou S. Joof/2012)

Following the implementation of regional and national Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) measures with emphasis on financial institutions, criminals look for vulnerable sectors through which they could launder their proceeds, according to Dr. Abdullahi Shehu.

The Director General of the Inter-Governmental Action Group against Money Laundering in West Africa (GIABA) explain on Wednesday that one such vulnerable sector is the designated non-financial instititions, business professions (DNFBPs).

DNFBPs comprises of accountants, real estate agents, lawyers, notaries, and other independent legal profesionals, he said during a GIABA-organised training on the AML/CFT requirements for accountants in English-speaking West Africa from 11 to 12 September, 2013 in Banjul, The Gambia.

GIABA bring AML/CFT requirements to West African accountants in Banjul

Photo Credit: Modou S. Joof/2012

Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) requirements has been brought to the attention of accountants in English-speaking West Africa by GIABA.

The Inter-Governmental Action Group against Money Laundering in West Africa, GIABA, is holding a training on the AML/CFT requirements from 11 to 12 September, 2013 in Banjul, The Gambia.

The Financial Action Task Force (FATF) revised standards place obligations on accounting professionals to adopt and implement AML/CFT measures, including risk assessment and application of the Risk-Based Approach to AML/CFT implementation, GIABA said.

Abiola Ekundayo highlight ‘obvious challenges’ in marine and aviation insurance

Mr Abiola Ekundayo (photo credit: Lamin Jahateh)

“Obvious challenges” in underwriting marine and aviation insurance in West Africa were Monday highlighted by Abiola Ekundayo, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of West Africa Reinsurance Corporation (WAICA Re).

Mr Ekundayo was speaking in Banjul, The Gambia at the start of a weeklong (August 26-29) international training course on “advance marine and aviation insurance” for insurers from various companies in West Africa.

Gambian politician, Waa Juwara, is ‘keeping it cool’

Waa Juwara was arrested on several occasions and tortured (Photo Slide: Kibaaro News)

The leader of the opposition National Democratic Action Movement (NDAM), Mr Waa Juwara is no longer sure if he is an opposition. 

He has worked with the Jammeh-led Government as an opposition since 2009 when he became governor of Lower River Region and later Minister of Local Government and Lands.

On the eve of President Jammeh’s 19^th Anniversary of the July 22 Coup, Juwara told The Voice: “We will be able to keep it cool and be able to contribute in one way or the other to make sure that Gambia is still intact.”

“That is why we talk about development, you cannot talk about development in actual fact when there is no peace and stability which we have enjoyed for a good measure,” he said on Sunday, July 21. 

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 19^th 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”.

The Gambia to go into export domain in 2017

RICE as a staple food in Gambia is mainly imported from Asia (Photo credit: Facts and Details)

Homosexual promoting powers will fail miserably: Pres. Jammeh

Mr Jammeh had vowed to lockup homosexuals in “different cells”(Photo Credit: SEYLLOU/AFP)

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.

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.