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Current Feed ContentBasse Health Centre to be upgraded Friday, July 25, 2008 Plans to upgrade the Basse Health Center, in the Upper River Region to a district hospital are in high gear according to official sources in Basse. The Basse Health Centre, according to officials, is currently serving about 137, 577 people. Basse, one of the country’s busiest town, is on the border with Cassamance and shares business with most of the countries in West Africa. Our reporter who was in Basse last week went round to gauge the opinions of the residents of Basse. Ebrima Baldeh, deputy officer in-charge of Basse Health Centre confirmed the plan to upgrade the health post noting that the initiative is a worthwhile venture. He said that the current health centre cannot serve the population of the area. He welcomed the initiative adding that the importance of extending the health centre to a district hospital cannot be over emphasized. “As you can see, this new structure is part of the initiative and if completed,we will have more service for the patients and reduce the congestion in the wards,” said DOIC Baldeh. On the constraints of the current health centre, he said that the services in the theatre are not progressing due to lack of some facilities, without which effective services cannot be offered. Mr Baldeh expressed optimism that if the health centre is upgrade into a district hospital, the referral rate to Bansang will also drop and that it will also ease the economic burden on patients who cannot afford to pay for the referral cost as well as maintain the maintenance cost of the ambulance. “Basse catchment area alone has a population of 137, 577 inhabitants. So the number of patients who report to the health centre everyday is too much,” he explained. Alhagie Samba Tunkara, chairman of the Basse health committe, said upgrading the health centre to a district hospital is long overdue, noting that the population of Basse is increasing rapidly. According to him, the geographical location of Basse simply indicates that the current facilities at the Health centre cannot serve the masses in the area. “Patients are coming from Senegal, Cassamance, Guinea,” Chairman Tunkara said. For his part, Omar Khan, governor of the region, described the initiative as part of President Jammeh’s unlimited and ongoing developments since he took over the country in 1994. Author: by Musa Ndow back from URR Sotumakoi-Numuyel road project to startFriday, July 18, 2008 The construction of a road project linking Sotumakoi and Numuyel Village in the Upper River Region (URR) will commence soon, as the Basse Area Council has already presented a cheque for D100,000 to Momodou Camara, the chairman of the Numuyel Villlage Development Committe, at a presentation ceremony held in Numuyel Village. The 6km road project has been contracted to Ballast Nedam and is expected to be completed in three months. Presenting the cheque, Omar Sompo Ceesay, the chairman of Basse Area Council, said the initiative was part of his council’s contribution to the development of the region. He maintained that the Basse Area Council will continue to plough back part of its revenue to the people in order to improve their livelihoods. Chairman Ceesay disclosed that the council will purchase two tractors to improve the sanitary condition of the region. At the ceremony, URR Governor Alhaji Omar Khan advised the people of the area to continue to be loyal to the government and urged them to continue paying dues to the area council on time. He expressed his gratitude and called on the village development community to be supportive of the contractors and take good care of the road once completed. The ceremony was attended by the deputy governor, Alhaji Haji Kulley Camara, the chief of Jimara District and members of the community of Basse. Author: by Musa Ndow In Basse URR Journalists visit MRC projects Friday, July 18, 2008 At least four journalists from various newspapers in the country are currently on a three-day tour of projects at the Medical Research Council (MRC) Basse Field Station, Upper River Region. The trip is facilitated by the MRC Communications Unit and is aimed at informing people and showcasing the activities of MRC in the region, as well as promote collaboration between the MRC, the government and the community. On their first engagement, the team visited the field station, where they were taken on a conducted tour of the facilities, including the laboratory. They were briefed on the activities of the lab, which focuses on research on bacteria and anemia, among others. The station also undertook the Global Enteric Multi-side Study (GEMS), Pneumococcal Vaccine Trial (PVT), Pneumococcal Surveillance Project (PSP), and Demographic Surveillance Survey (DSS). At a meeting held in his office, Governor Khan spoke of the inter-sectoral collaboration between the MRC and The Gambia government and highlighted numerous interventions of MRC in his region. He thanked MRC for coming up with such projects. In Basse, the team was received by Omar Khan, the governor of URR and the administrative officers of MRC Basse Station. The meeting was attended by Lt Muhammed Jattta, the commanding officer at the Basse Military Barracks, as well as the commanding officers of other security services in the region. In a similar engagement, the team held a meeting at the Basse Regional Health Office with the regional health officer, Mr Saikuna Sagnia, who also highlighted MRC’s work in the region. Author: by Musa Ndow in Basse URR AMSA to hold 5th bi-annual conventionWednesday, July 16, 2008 The Ahmadiyya Muslim Students’ Association (AMSA), will be holding their 5th bi-annual convention, slated for the 18-22 of July 2008, at the Nasir Ahmadiyya Senior Secondary School in Basse.The event is part of the celebrations marking a blessed Hundred years of Khilafat-e-Ahmadiyya. With a solid reputation in the educationnal sector, the association has been developing, over the years, students’ potentials and also inculcating good moral values in them, to become good and responsible citizens. During the convention, comprehensive discussions on major Islamic topics will be dealth with, such as the Holy prophet of islam Muhammed (SAW) as a universal prophet and teacher, the dof Isa (AS), the life history and advent of Imam Madi (AS), and Khalafat and the responsibilities of muslims. AMSA called on all members and non members alike to attend this important gathering in the name of Allah. Author: by Mariatou Ngum-Saidy Basse Area Council Owes NAWEC over D12 Million Friday, May 16, 2008 Basse Area Council (BAC) owes the National Water and Electricity Company (NAWEC) arrears of over 12 million dalasis. This was revealed to The Point yesterday by the new Chairman of Basse Area Council, Omar Sompo Ceesay. According to Chairman Ceesay, the said sum was consumed during the past 10 years or so. He said that when they took over the leadership of BAC there has been no electricity. “It was just recently that we paid half a million dalasis to restore light and maintain water to enable us carry out our work effectively,” he disclosed, noting that henceforth the council would be using Cash Power metre so as to forestall any further increase on the already huge arrears they owe NAWEC. Chairman Ceesay further revealed that the total income of BAC is far less than D4 Million yearly and that if they should pay NAWEC all the arrears they owe, they would not be able to carry out their intended development projects in the region. He appealed to Government to help settle these arrears for them in order to enable them execute other development initiatives in the Upper River Region. It could be recalled that during the President’s Dialogue with the People’s tour at a meeting in Basse, Chairman Ceesay appealed to him to rescue his council from debt. “It’s a serious problem for us otherwise all our revenue will go to NAWEC,” he lamented. Meanwhile, BAC Chairman has expressed enthusiasm that President Jammeh would do something for his council. Author: By Nfamara Jawneh Source: Picture: Omar Ceesay (BAC's Chairman) Bravo GpfFriday, April 04, 2008 Editor, Please allow me a space in your widely read news paper to express my sincere appreciation for the efforts of the Gambia Police Force in the community. Firstly i would like to thank, Benedict Jammeh the Inspector General of Police. Since he took over the affairs of GPF, there has been a numerous transformation ranging from the various unit under his office. The crime rate has dropped tremendously, compare to those days. Under his leadership Sir, the deployment and operations of these young gallant men of the police Intervention Unit in all the administrative regions across the country has decrease the complains and theft report cases to the charge units of the Gambia Police Force. Sir, the simultaneous complains which used to be in the Police stations has also become the thing of the past. However, i would not do justice, if i did not pay tribute to the Gambian leader President Dr Alhagie Yahya Jammeh who is the brain behind all the development. Whose revolutionary leadership style in just thirteen years of ruling transformed the Gambia in to a city state, i think he worth more than emulation. Editor, as am writing to you right now from Basse one of the Gambia’s busies entry point for the Casamance, Bissau and Conakry travellers, the theft and other criminal report cases has dropped immensely. By Haruna Jallow Basse Mansajang Author: DO SOS Herman Gmeiner Opens New School Thursday, March 06, 2008 The SOS Hermann Gmeiner International has built a provincial school in Basse. The school consists of 64 pupils ranging from grade one to three. In an interview with The Point, the school Headmaster Mr. Ismaila Njie, said that their school is a private, non-profit venture that aims to deliver quality education to all pupils. All the necessary tools for quality assurance, he noted, are available and well-trained human resources are also in place. He said that despite being a private school their fees are just D100 per term. Mr. Njie further stated that the school is a basic cycle school and they are expecting more children as the school grows up. “We want to make sure we deliver quality education to the children in Upper River Region, because people here have been crying for the low performance of students, so the SOS has come to solve such problems so that it can be thing of past,” he said. He continued saying, “but our admission policy is strict because our new intakes had to sit to an entrance examination before they are enroll, we always give concessions to those who attended our kindergarten”. On the issue of the constraints they encounter, Njie disclosed that a transportation problem is one of their main constraints as some of the children from the community face a lot of problems in order to reach the school. “The parents teacher association (PTA) committee were able to find a vehicle that brings children to school every day and they pay D150 per month which is also hindering the enrolment. The PTA are still trying to meet the philanthropists and NGOs to help them get a permanent transport for the school going children,” he said. Njie finally called on all parents to make the best use of the opportunity by sending children to SOS as it is one of the best schools in the region. “Some parents complain that there is no payment in public schools whilst we charge D100. I want to tell them that education is not cheap and they should therefore endeavour to send their children to SOS. We are also expecting to enroll grade seven by the next academic year and computer studies will be included in our syllabus starting from grade one onwards as we already have French in our curriculum from kindergarten upwards,” he emphasized. Author: By Sarata J Dibba Source: The Point Basse Manneh Kunda Circumciser Drops Knife Wednesday, February 20, 2008 The community of Basse Manneh Kunda and their Circumciser, Dusu Kanteh, made a public declaration to stop female genital mutilation in their village. This declaration was made at this year’s celebration of Zero Tolerance to FGM organized by GAMCOTRAP in the Upper River Region. Speaking on behalf of the Governor of the region, the deputy Governor, Mr. MS Kah said his office is fully aware of the efforts being made by GAMCOTRAP and called on the region to give the organizations their support in the bid to protect women and girl children in particular. The National Women’s Councillor, Aja Kumba Kora, a native of Manneh Kunda thanked GAMCOTRAP for giving her village the opportunity to gain in-depth knowledge on the effects of FGM and early marriage on the reproductive health of women and girls. She noted that despite years of resistance from her community, she was happy that they have reached consensus to stop FGM and promised that they would all work towards protecting their children. Speaking to a crowd of over one hundred women and men, the Chief of Basse, Seyfo Muhammad Krubally, urged the women to take advantage of the sensitization to gain knowledge and to be aware of their role in protecting girls from harmful traditional practices. The Alkalo Lasana Manneh and Chairperson of Manneh Kunda Village Development Committee, Manlafy Sanyang, all welcomed GAMCOTRAP to the community and expressed their support to its activities. The Local government Councillor for Basse Ward, Mariama Jaw, noted that despite the slow pace experienced in changing peoples attitudes and perspectives, after two decades of awareness creation, the people of URR are positively responding to GAMCOTRAP’s call to protect girl children from FGM, the depressing bane of early marriage, and other harmful traditional practices. Meanwhile, GAMCOTRAP has responded to a call by the women of Basse Mansajang Kunda with a sensitization programme with one hundred participants, mostly young mothers, their circumciser and traditional birth attendants as well as men. The training focused on the effects of FGM and early marriage on the sexual and reproductive health rights of women and girls. The Deputy Governor of URR, M.S Kah said he was in his official capacity representing the Governor, Mr. Omar A. Khan, who urged the participants to leam a lot from the sensitization because they are an important target to stop the practices. He commended GAMCOTRAP, through its Executive Director, Dr. Isoto U Touray for its commitment to the empowerment of women and to stop harmful traditional practices. Amongst the speakers was the chairperson of Mansajang Village Development Committee, Omar K. Baldeh, who noted that sensitization is to create awareness and to enlighten the people but cautioned that in the long run when there is a mass awareness, there would be a law to the stubborn ones who insist on continuing to harm children in the name of tradition. Speaking at the ceremony, the chief of Sandu District, Seyfo Jung Bah, expressed happiness in witnessing such an important meeting and seized the opportunity to officially invite GAMCOTRAP to his district for parents to be aware of the effects of FGM. He noted that it was through awareness that some of the circumcisers have stopped for the greater benefit of society. The series of outreach activities were supported by the Community leaders of the various villages, GAMCOTRAP advocacy team and religious advisers, Oustass Muharnadou Sanuwo and Saikou Fayinke, an Islamic preacher at Basse Community Radio and a native of Manneh Kunda, former circumcisers from Koba Kunda and Kaba Kama. GAMCOTRAP was supported by Action Aid The Gamhia to celebrate this year’s Zero Tolerance to FGM Day in the Upper River Region. Source: The Point Gambia Football Coaches Association to Train Coaches in URR Thursday, February 14, 2008 The Gambia Football Coaches Association will on Thursday travel to Basse to conduct a three-day coaching clinic with the Basse Sports Committee which will kick off on Friday the 15th of February 2008. The delegation will be headed by the President of the Coaches Association Pa Suwareh Faye together with three other coaches Mafugi Jatta, Amat Cham and Baboucarr Demba alias Borris. The training, which will look at the basic techniques in coaching, will be attended by Physical Education Teachers, Nawettan coaches and Female coaches. Pa Suwareh Faye, President of The Gambia Football Coaches Association, said the training is the first of its kind and will cover the entire Upper River Region. He said after the training, participants will start working with the Association in terms of upgrading themselves. The delegation is expected to return on Monday morning. Source: The Point Ex-circumcisers equipped on entrepreneurshipFriday, February 01, 2008 At least 50 women circumcisers, including traditional birth attendants and women leaders have participated in a three-day training on sexual and reproductive health rights and entrepreneurial skills in Basse, Upper River Region (URR). The training - conducted by the Gambia Committee on Traditional Practices affecting the Health of Women and Children (Gamcotrap) in partnership with the Inter-Africa Committee and Equality Now - is aimed at providing alternative employment opportunities for trained ex-circumcisers who have stopped practicing female circumcision. Speaking to the participants, the Assistant Governor of URR, MS Kah, congratulated Gamcotrap for its continuos struggle to support the women of URR to pursue their development agenda. Mr Kah observed that the community sensitisation undertaken by Gamcotrap is encouraging as it discourages many people from practising FGM. URR Assistant Governor Kah called on the participants be good role models for their communities. Dilating on the objectives of the training, the Executive Director of Gamcotrap, Dr Isatou Touray, noted that the leadership undertaken by the ex-circumcisers and their communities to stop FGM set the pace for the wind of change highlighted by the dropping of knives at the Independence Stadium on May 5, last year. Dr Touray noted that poverty is one of the factors that perpetuates the practice of FGM, saying that providing entrepreneurial skills to the ex-circumcisers will contribute to better management of their small income generating activities, thereby contributing to reducing poverty at the household level. Mariama Jaw, councilor for Basse, called on women to use their leadership influence to discourage FGM and its effects on women and girls. Ms Jaw promised to advocate for the eradication of all harmful traditional practices affecting women and girls. She then finally commended Gamcotrap for building confidence amongst women to effectively participate in community and national development. In a separate development at the OSIWA-supported community sensitisation activity that gathered over 100 women from Giroba Kunda and surrounding villages in URR, Ms Jaw expressed the necessity for women to be encouraged to participate in political issues that will advance the course of women in society. It was observed that women had always taken leadership at the household level to improve the welfare of the family and the community; however, it is important for women to extend that leadership role to the national level as part of the women’s empowerment process. The sensitisation also included awareness creation on harmful traditional practices and sexual and reproductive health rights. Meanwhile, URR Governor Omar Khan has commended Gamcotrap for its sustained engagement in the region and expressed optimism that his region will be the first FGM-free zone in The Gambia. He made these remarks during a courtesy call paid to him by the women. A learned Islamic scholar in Basse, Saikou Fayinke, the Alkalo of Kaba Kama, Aja Fatou Danso, national women’s councilor, Aja Kumba Kora, were among several dignitaries who attended the activities. Author: by Musa Ndow |
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