The signing ceremony was held at the office of the out going UTG vice chancellor’s office at the University’s AdministrativeBuilding in Kanifing.

The objective of the social work program in the Gambia is to provide the needed training for the growing demand for social work professionals in the country and the sub region as well as upgrade the delivery capacity of those already rendering social work services without basic knowledge of social work.

According to officials, SOS will host the certificate program while UTG to host the diploma program.

Speaking on the occasion, the UTG vice chancellor professor, Andrew Stigen expressed pleasure in seeing the program come to a reality.

He described the program as very important and interesting. He opines that for the program to be more relevant in future there is a need to provide specialisation in social work.

Mr.Josef Kittl Director SOS-Kinderdorf International Regional Office for North/West Africa described the day as historic. “An NGO partnering with UTG to offer such a professional course is very significant”.

Mrs.Fanta Bai Secka, Director Social Welfare, said the Gambian communities need social workers while welcoming the introduction of the program.

Other speakers include Dr.Saidou Jallow Permanent Secretary for Higher Education, Dr.Senghore, Head Social Sciences and Mr. Lamin Sam Jaiteh Registrar UTG respectively.

The source went further to say thatTaiwan should seek to bolster diplomatic ties with developing nations via the “Aid for Trade” initiative espoused by the WTO in 2005, the Council for Economic Planning and Development (CEPD) said recently.
Since the initiative was proposed at a WTO ministerial meeting in Hong Kong in December 2005, the world’s major economic powers, including Japan, the US and the EU, have committed themselves to giving financial aid via multilateral mechanisms such as the WTO and the World Bank to help developing or least developed countries expand business opportunities and trade prospects, said a CEPD official who declined to be named.

Taiwan should go with the trend to use this ‘Aid for Trade’ initiative to increase bilateral cooperation and build mutual trust with other nations, whether or not they maintain formal diplomatic relations with the country,” the official said. “By doing so, the nation can also materialize President Ma Ying-jeou’s ‘modus vivendi’ diplomatic strategy.”
Ma, who took office on May 20, has been touting his “modus vivendi” diplomatic strategy to seek more international space for Taiwan. Ma has said the goal of the approach is to safeguard Taiwan’s rights while consolidating diplomatic relations with its allies and restoring mutual trust with countries that heavily influence Taiwan even in the absence of formal diplomatic ties.
Taiwan is a full WTO member.
The WTO-initiated “Aid for Trade” program helps developing countries, and least developed countries in particular, to build the trade capacity and infrastructure they need to benefit from trade openings.
Part of the program for overall Official Development Assistance (ODA) — grants and concessional loans that key member countries of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) have been working on over the past several years — “Aid for Trade” targets trade-related programs and projects.
It is designed mainly to help the world’s 40 to 50 least-developed countries to develop convenient and speedy trade systems, including nurturing customs officials and officials for international trade negotiations; lowering cross-border trade barriers and strengthening infrastructure development relevant to international trade, such as the development of port facilities and highways, the official said.
Taiwan has made significant contributions in the international domain, offering training in trade facilitation and customs procedures to less-developed countries, as well as helping improve their port facilities, he said.
Taiwan has accumulated rich experience and know-how after decades of providing assistance to its diplomatic allies — efforts that include providing consultancy services for small and medium-sized enterprises, vocational training, agricultural and fishery aid and aid to help the country’s allies build their own telecommunication and other high-technology infrastructure, he said.

According to the organizers, the theme of the conference is ‘Africa:The present and the prospect of the future’. The conference, the source revealed, will be held from the 10thto 11thNovember 2008 in Niamey, Niger.

Conference participants are expected to make presentations on key topics such as Democracy and Political reforms in Africa. This will deal with aspects of political reforms and democratic transformation through providing critical readings of some of the African experiments that went along Western lines. This treatment will aim at providing African alternatives that correspond with Africa’s need.

The other subject is the partnership and the issue of African Development.

It studies the problems and obstacles related to the continent’s development as well as partnership experiments which took place among African States themselves and between them and the outside world with emphasis and effects on the present and the future of the continent. The discussion strives for resolving such problems and offering sound solutions that meet the hopes and aspirations of African peoples.

The third subject is ‘Africa in a Changing World’. It traces current world affairs which witnessed constant and speedy changes in the age of globalization and block formation that became the basic character of our time.

The forum is aimed at providing solutions contributing to the development of all sectors for the benefit of the African peoples.

Meanwhile, the organizers are calling for papers from Africans on the above mentioned subjects. Those interested can send in one-page abstract of their work either in English, Arabic or French as early as possible with contact details.

Interested participants can fax them on 00218213403691 or email on azis_derassat@hotmail.com.

The Gambia U-17 side will take on Bissau in an international friendly match billed for Saturday

August 2nd 2008, at the Independence Stadium in Bakau as part of preparatory efforts by The Gambia Football Association for the first round matches of the 8th African U-17 Championship in Algeria in 2009.

Speaking to Pointsports, Seedy MB Kinteh, President of the Gambia Football Association, stated that the GFA will do their level best to ensure the qualification of the U-17 team in the 2009 CAF U-17 Championship.

He pointed out that the purpose of the friendly is to test the level of preparedness of the team for the first leg encounter against Sierra Lone in Banjul on August 30th 2008.

He called on all Gambians to rally behind the team and also assist them financially and morally.

“Looking at the important game we have ahead of us in August, I am appealing to all Gambians to come out in their large numbers to cheer the boys to victory on Saturday as it is a testing ground setting the stage for Sierra Leone game,” he added.

No sooner had the International Criminal Court (ICC) indicted Sudan’s leader Omar al-Bashir for crimes against humanity than his loyalists cried out against the action, saying that it would jeopardise the peace process. But that is just one objection. The other objection is that the ICC is on a witch hunt of African leaders. A more ridiculous objection we have never heard.

Charles Taylor, the former president of Liberia now standing trial at the ICC, is notorious for his terrible acts as a rebel leader and as president. His arrest and trial are therefore justified. He now has the chance to establish his innocence. For the many people whose lives Taylor ruined, having him on trial for his atrocities is not punishment, but justice. This monster called Charles Taylor deserves no less. But if the court finds him innocent, so be it.

The Sudanese conflict is on record as the longest armed conflict on the continent. And the humanitarian challenge it has posed ever since its outbreak is unimaginable. Millions have lost their lives and many more have been displaced, condemned permanently to a life of tragedy and misery. And al-Bashir is seen as a key perpetration of this tragedy. Like Taylor, he should go to the ICC to clear himself. Why the fear, if he knows that his hands are clean?

What is happening to Taylor and al-Bashir is not an anti-African leader campaign. Even if it is, then these leaders have given the prosecutor cause for them to have them on trial. If they had practiced good governance, with respect for human rights, transparency and accountability, then they would not have been going through this ordeal.

This then should serve as a lesson to other incumbent leaders that they cannot misgovern us, plunge us into civil wars and degradation and hope to get away with it. It is our contention that what is happening to both Taylor and al-Bashir is a positive development in the sense that the few remaining dictators on the continent will have to learn; otherwise, the long arm of justice will slowly but surely catch up with them someday.

The MO Prize has rewarded an African leader who served his people well. If we have to go by the dictum that for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction, then al-Bashir is only about to reap what he has sown.

“Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.”

Martin Luther King

Dear Colleagues,
The Gambia, will today, Wednesday July 2, 2008, join the rest of the World to commemorate the International Sports Journalists’ day.

It is indeed my great honour and pleasure to wish you all the best for this important day in the annals of sports journalism worldwide.
July 2 was earmarked by the International Sports Press Association (AIPS) as the official day of celebration because of its significance as the date when the International Sports Press Association (AIPS) was established at the 1924 Paris Olympics.
This July 2, 2008 will mark the 84th anniversary of the founding of AIPS.

I wish to take this opportunity to congratulate all members of The Gambia Sports Journalists Association for a job well done in recent years

We have indeed witnessed great development and expansion of our Association from its foundation in November 10, 1998 with only eight journalists, into vibrant national and international organisation it is today representing more than 45 members.

The Day will be commemorated in The Gambia for the first time in a form of a March past and open forum at the Youth Monument at West Field.

The forum is expected to be attended by sports authorities, sports associations and stakeholders in the development of sports and journalism.

The theme of the celebration is” Role of Sports Journalists in Sports Development”

I wish to take this opportunity to acknowledge the contributions of each and every one of you specially the new generation of committed and professional journalists that took over the mantle of leadership of the association from the old guard.

The 24th March 2004 revolution in the Association which has brought my tenure as President could not have come at a better time as the then leadership was falling short in principally guide the association after six years into office.

I urge you as colleagues to further strengthen our co-operation which has served as the main force through our tenure.

I call on you to strive for greatness, not only professionally, but by representing the ideals of our association and by setting a good example as global citizens. It is now more important than ever to consolidate our traditions.

Once again, my heartfelt congratulations on this festive occasion. Enjoy celebrating International Sports Journalists’ Day, 2008.

Yours sincerely,
Namory Trawally

President SJAG

The Gambia U 20 team claimed victory in their first international engagement in the 16th edition of the African Youth Championship qualifiers to be held in Rwanda next year.

The Under 20’s snatched a 1-0 victory over Mauritania in Banjul last Sunday.

The match was well contested by the two sides. The Gambian team created lot of chances but finishing was the problem for the team, equally the Mauritanian side also made several attempts to enter the Gambian box but the Gambian defenders did not allow them to penetrate. In the 35th, 39th, and 40th minutes of the first half Cherno Njie, Aruna Jammeh and Pa Modou Jagne missed lot of goal opportunities.

The boys, during the coarse of the game were playing a lot of aerial balls which was not favourable to the Gambians the Mauritanian were capitalising on the situation. Luckily for The Gambia during injury time the team captain Pa Modou Jagne relieved the Gambian fans the pressure by scoring the wining goal for The Gambia.

The winners between The Gambia and Mauritania are expected to meet Ghana or Libya in the final stages of the Qualifiers.

In its relentless efforts to meet the banking needs of its regional customers, Guaranty Trust Bank, has gone a step further to introduce GT Bank International Money Transfer (GTMT) service.

The service, which is expected to initially start within the West African sub-region, will now enable customers as well as non-customers of the bank to receive and send money with ease and speed. With the presence of GT Bank in four countries across West Africa, the GTMT service would squarely solve the perennial problem associated with money transfer within the sub-region.

In essence, this new product will also enable customers and non-customers of the bank in Nigeria, Gambia, Ghana and Sierra Leone to walk into any of the various branches of the bank in any of these countries to receive and send money.

The product has a number of advantages and benefits over existing modes of money transfer. Firstly, it is instant and secured. A customer only needs to walk into any of GT Bank branches with cash and within minutes, the sender would be given a pin code for the receiver to use in collecting the transferred funds.

Secondly, it is relatively cheaper than other existing modes of transfer as its charges a flat rate of 3% on amounts above $300, while a flat sum of $10 is charged for amounts below $300.

Interestingly also, the service is available to both account and non-account holders of all Guaranty Trust Banks in Nigeria, The Gambia, Sierra Leone and Ghana.

There is also a fixed exchange rate as the payment and receipt of funds is in US dollars unless the recipient requests for the local currency. Users could also make a huge transfer of up to a limit of $10,000 per transaction.

According to the Managing Director of GT Bank (Gambia) Ltd Mr. Lekan Sanusi, “The fixed exchange rate would eliminate the high risk of customers getting huge losses as the exchange rate of the US Dollar changes on daily basis.

“At GT Bank, customer satisfaction is second to none in anything we do,” he added.

He pointed out that with the large presence of Nigerian, Sierra Leonean and Ghanaian populations in The Gambia, GTMT would be highly welcomed.

Commenting on the reliability of the GTMT service, Mr Bolaji Ayodele, GTB (Gambia) General Manager who also heads the operations division, said the reliability of the new service is devoid of any short coming as it immediately notifies the sender of the transaction by email message.

Mr. Ayodele went on to say that when the receiver finally receives the money, an email message is automatically sent to the sender for notification of receipt of the money.

National U-20 Coach Lorenzo Rubbinacci will test the strength of his side in a friendly international to be stage between The Gambia U-20 team with that of Senegal on the 21st of June in Banjul.

The match will be part of the FA’s preparatory efforts for the team’s match against Mauritania on June 28 in Banjul in the qualifying rounds of the 16th African Youth Championship in 2009 in Rwanda.

The winner between The Gambia and Mauritania are expected to meet Ghana or Libya in the final stages of the Qualifiers.

The Gambia youth team put up a very good performance during the last African and World Youth championships and were the African bronze medalists in Congo.