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Kunkujang Pilgrimage is Saturday

Thu, 04 Dec 2008 04:11:32 GMT

Thursday, December 04, 2008

The annual pilgrimage to Our Lady Queen of Peace Shrine at Kunkujang, in Kombo South, Western Region is scheduled for Saturday 6thDecember 2008.

According to a press release from the Catholic Shrine Committee, this year’s pilgrimage, the 22ndof its kind, will begin with a Solemn High Mass at 10am to be celebrated by His Lordship most Rev. Robert P. Ellison CSSp, Bishop of Banjul. This will be followed by a whole day of prayer, ending in the evening around 5pm.

“The Bishop of Banjul is pleased to invite all men and women of goodwill in our beloved country to this national day of prayer for peace and progress of our dear motherland and all its people and for the whole world”, the release added.

Source: Picture: His lordship Bishop Robert Ellison

Farewell, Adieu! Habibu Ceesay

Tue, 02 Dec 2008 05:09:08 GMT

Tuesday, December 02, 2008

Habibu Ceesay, you never say goodbye to your friends, brothers, sisters and colleagues. Forever and forever, farewell to our dearest friend Habibu Ceesay. “Ceesay mol”, Ceesay “Ngari” as I always call you and you respond with nice smiles.

Habibu, for those of us who love, does not mean to path. Habibu if this pathing was not made, we shall always be together forever and forever.

May your soul rest in perfect peace until we meet again. The young journalists in this country will always remember you.

Author: by Ida Jallow

Tribute and condelence to a dear brother, friend and colleague, Adieu! Habibu Ceesay!

Fri, 28 Nov 2008 05:19:07 GMT

Friday, November 28, 2008

Editor

Dearest beloved Habibu Ceesay, your sun has set while it was yet day; you have gone from our midst, but shall always be remembered as a symbol of love and sadness until we meet again.

The evil that men do lives after them and the good is after interred with their bones. So let it be with you, dearest Habibu, if this parting was not well made forever, and forever fare the well.

May your soul rest in eternal bliss, may Allah the Almighty shower his blessings on you. My deepest sympathy to the journalist fraternity at large, to Habibu’s family, especially Hausoum Ceesay of state house. His friends, Sanna Jawara of the Daily Observer, and Madi Njie of Network of human rights journalists.

God bless you all.

Author: Miss Ida Kabba-Jallow, Bakau, Newtown.

APRC candidate optimistic of landslide victory

Thu, 27 Nov 2008 05:51:31 GMT

Thursday, November 27, 2008

In the countdown to the December 18th National Assembly by-election in Nianija constituency, the APRC sponsored candidate, Yaya Whan, has expressed optimism about his party’s chance to win a landslide victory.

Barely three weeks before the much awaited by-election, the APRC hopeful believe that the long awaited opportunity to demonstrate the unshakeable loyalty of the people of Nianija to the Alliance for Patriotic Reorientation and Construction party has come.

Whan made these remarks yesterday at the National Assembly Chambers, during an exclusive interview with the Daily Observer. According to him, APRC is fully prepared to recapture the Nianija seat. He even went to say that majority of the people in Nianija were APRC supporters. ‘‘Their loyalty to the party is based on the fact that APRC, under the leadership of Professor Alhaji Yahya Jammeh, has registered unprecedented developments in all sectors of life since he took the mantle of leadership,” he said.

“My landslide victory,” he went on, “is certain in Nianija. My people are not relenting in their efforts to ensure that the seat is retaken.”
As the official campaign trail is expected to start on Saturday, December 6, in Nianija, Yaya Whan urged his people to refrain from political violence, noting that a winning party has no cause to indulge in violence. He emphasized the need for peace and stability to be maintained in the constituency, noting that campaign should not be seen as an opportunity for people to incite violence.

“We must never loose sight of the fact that we are the people who live in Nianija and we will continue to live there. So we shouldn’t allow politics to turn us into enemies,” he warned, reiterating that politics should not disintegrate them. The APRC Nianija National Assembly candidate urged his people to nurture peace and tranquility and conduct the campaign in a smooth and peaceful atmosphere.

While urging the people of Nianija to renew their commitment to the cause of the ruling APRC party, Yahya Whan expressed gratitude to Professor Alhagie Yahya Jammeh for endorsing his candidacy.Meanwhile, the Daily Observer has gathered that the nomination for Nianija by-election is slated for Thursday, December 4th, at Janjanbureh, Central River Region.

Author: by Hatab Fadera

Bissau mutiny unfortunate

Thu, 27 Nov 2008 05:37:51 GMT

Thursday, November 27, 2008

Her Excellency Maria Ribeiro, the Guinea Bissau ambassador to the Gambia, is the latest to join the chorus of denunciations and condemnations of the Saturday’s aborted mutiny in the small former Portuguese colony in West Africa.

Ambassador Ribeiro described last Saturday’s attack on President Nino Vieira, which resulted to the death of two, as very unfortunate and disappointing.
The Guinea Bissau ambassador made these remarks Tuesday, during an exclusive interview with the Daily Observer, at her office located along Atlantic Road in Fajara.

The Guinea Bissau Ambassador plenipotentiary noted that the mutiny came barely a week after the peaceful historic legislative elections were held. Many observers thought, she outlined, that these elections were expected to not only herald a new era for Bissau but also to allow the country to enjoy lasting political stability. "I am disappointed because efforts to restore peace and unity in my country were threatened by Saturday’s mutiny," she told the Daily Observer, while noting that the situation on the ground was now under controlled.

Asked whether the incident would have some effect on the Memorandum of Understanding signed by members of 18 political parties in the Gambia, Ambassador Ribeiro stressed that the attack would in no way retard effort in the restoration of peace in Guinea Bissau. She further told the Daily Observer that the majority of Bissau Guinean political parties whose representatives converged in Banjul earlier to attend the Meeting initiated by President Jammeh strongly condemned the attacks, pointing out that public opinion also condemned vehemently the attack.

Ambassador Ribeiro went further to call on Bissau Guineans to nurture the peace, unity and stability that they have been yearning for, which she said would be hard to achieve if the country continues to face political set backs.

"What we need now is to put an end to all the confusions, all the disabilities, and get together as one in order to develop our nation. We need to learn from other countries in the sub-region and ensure that we register developments in areas such as energy, education, health, amongst others," she emphasized.

She concluded by saying that her country was in a position of achieving development if the human and natural resources are put together for the betterment of the populations.

Author: by Hatab Fadera

SJFFC,CU donate to women groups

Wed, 26 Nov 2008 05:28:13 GMT

Wednesday, November 26, 2008

The Cassamance Peace Project jointly initiated by the St Joseph’s Family Farm Centre (SJFFC) in Bwiam and Concern Universal (CU), last Friday made a donation of cash amounting to D31, 525 to Karoneca and Christian Women groups of Darsilami, in Kombo Central.

Presenting the donation to the beneficiaries, Yankuba Manneh, project coordinator of SJFFC, said the donation was meant to help construct a waiting shed facility for two milling machines that were previously donated to the beneficiaries by GAMCOTRAP and the Catholic Development Office. He recalled that SJFFC has a history of long ties with the community of Darsilami, describing them as faithful partners.

Mary Sambou, who spoke on behalf of the beneficiary groups expressed delight over the donation, describing it as timely. She noted that the re-operation of the milling machines would ease the hardship that they had been encountering through manual pounding of cereal crops.
In a similar development, an amount of D17, 100 was loaned out as part of the FAMILIES project to the marketing group of Darsilami.

Author: by Amadou Jallow

New Jarra West Chief Vows to Maintain Peace, Unity

Mon, 24 Nov 2008 05:23:05 GMT

Monday, November 24, 2008

The newly appointed head chief of Jarra West Sefo, Ebrima Kinteh, has vowed that he will do his utmost to maintain peace, unity and peaceful co-existence among (Jarankas) the people of Jarra.

The 34-year-old Chief Kinteh was speaking in an interview with these reporters recently at his residence in Pakalinding. He took the opportunity to outline the chieftancy history of Jarra West. He revealed to The Point that his grandfather was at one time a chief for 23 years known as Landing Kinteh then the chieftancy was given to Saikuba Jaqrjusey for 7 years who was later on succeeded by the father of the current chief Buwa Kinteh who served for 33 years. Alhaji Malang Yarboe served for two years then the mantle was passed to Yaya Yarjusey who also served for 10 years and now to him. Showing chieftancy is not new in his family. “As a traditional ruler, I will do my level best to ensure peace prevails in this district and the country as a whole,” he said. Chief Kinteh is a diploma holder in law from GTTI and also has been involved with a lot of practical work with the police as a prosecuting officer attached to the Banjul Magistrates’ Court. Chief Kinteh is confident that he is in a better position to dispense justice among the people of Jarra West without fear or favour. “With this experience I am fully confident that I can handle the district tribunal and maintain peace and love within neighbours,” he noted. When asked of whether his appointment came to him as a surprise Chief Kinteh has this to said: “Yes it came to me as a big surprise”. He promised to work hand in hand with the communities in the execution of his duties.

Author: Nfamara Jawneh & Abdourahman Sallah

Source: Picture: Chief Ebrima Kinteh

Below is a poem specially dedicated to president-elect Obama.

Mon, 17 Nov 2008 02:54:47 GMT

Monday, November 17, 2008

Below is a poem specially dedicated to president-elect Obama.

Black people, how did u feel when u heard of OBAMA's victory?
Anxious, nervous, joyous, curious or zealous?
Really, it was incomprehensible, indescribable and indefeasible
As it was a reflection of history, victory, glory and promissory
Crushing out tribalism, racism, colonialism and imperialism
Knocking down oppression, marginalization and discrimination

Oh OBAMA the eloquent, intelligent, decent and benevolent
Brain child of Martin Luther, Malcolm X, Garvey, Mandela and Nkrumah
And blood brother of Jesse Jackson, Oprah, Jammeh and Thomas Sankara
Man of peace building, economic development and social upliftment
A source of hope to the weak women, poor men and helpless children
For the defense of our sweet homeland
Only in PEACE, LOVE and UNITY can we firmly stand
Rising high to match steadily towards the Promised Land

Ask yourself what you can do for the African nation
For her children and future generations
Regaining Africa’s past glorious position
In an era of serious social degradation
Calling on all patriotic daughters and sons
As Africa witnesses the emergence of a bright new horizon

Long Live Obama
Long Live Maama Africa
And Long Live Black people

Author: EBRIMA JABBI, CHURCHILL’S TOWN

Bissau political leaders vow to reinforce peace

Mon, 10 Nov 2008 06:21:55 GMT

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Monday, November 10, 2008

Leaders of 18 political parties of Guinea Bissau have finally appended their signatures on a historic Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) which seeks to restore and reinforce lasting peace and stability in their country. The Guinea Bissau political heads made this significant move, last Friday, at the end of a two-day political consultative meeting, initiated by President Yhay Jammeh, at the Kairaba Beach Hotel in Kololi.

On behalf of President Jammeh, the vice-president and secretary of state for Women’s Affairs, Aja Dr Isatou Njie-Sidy, who presided over the signing ceremony, also appended her signature to the landmark MOU. Malle Sallah, the vice-chairman of The Gambia’s Independent Electoral Commission and a representative of the Guinea Bissau electoral body, Jao Quintino Teixeira, both put their signatures as witnesses.

Bearing in mind recent setback in peace as a result of political instability in the former Portuguese colony, the political heads, the signatories of the MOU, have agreed to put the past behind them.

As enshrined in the MOU, for the greater interest of Guinea Bissau, they have agreed to work constructively towards national reconciliation and the consolidation of democracy, respect for human rights, the rule of law and good governance in their country.

The leaders of the 18 political parties further agreed to work positively and cooperatively towards the organization of transparent and credible elections which will reflect the will of the people and be accepted by all the contesting political parties and the general people of Guinea Bissau.

Speaking on behalf of President Jammeh, the Gambian vice-president acknowledged the president’s continuous efforts to ensure that lasting peace and stability prevails in Guinea Bissau and in the West Africa sub-region at large. In recent years, she recalled, the Gambian leader had played a crucial role in Guinea-Bissau.

VP Njie - Saidy seized the opportunity to call on the political party leaders to resolutely adhere to the MOU and to learn from the past in order to forge ahead as a nation.

"Let the Bissau Guineans also look on wards and see what they can do for themselves. At least you can ensure that peace and stability, which is within your reach, prevails. The president hope that you will adhered to the MOU," she said, while emphasising that The Gambia would monitor the implementation process of the MOU in Bissau.

She urged them to campaign peacefully in the November 16th legislative elections. The vice-president hailed the political party leaders for the trust and confidence bestowed in President Jammeh, in his quest to ensure peace and stability in their country.

For his part, the secretary of state for Fisheries, Water Resources and National Assembly Matters, Yankuba Touray, who also doubles as the APRC National Mobiliser, described the signing of the MOU as a clear commitment of the Guinea Bissau political leaders to restore peace and stability in their country.

In a similar vein, Dr Omar Touray, the secretary of state for Foreign Affairs, said the signing of the MOU committed each political party to play its role in ensuring peace and stability in the interest of the country.

He therefore noted that the Gambia’s interest is to promote stable peace and democracy in the sub-region, and Guinea Bissau in particular. The secretary of state for Local Governments, Lands and Religious Affairs, Ismaila Sambou, echoed similar sentiments.

Guinea-Bissau’s ambassador to The Gambia, Monica Jawed Rivera, hailed President Jammeh for his understandable stance in restoring peace in her country. She described the meeting as a rare opportunity worthy of emulation

Other speakers at the ceremony included Mallei Sallah, the vice-chairman of the country’s electoral body, Jao Quintino Teixeira, representative of the Guinea Bissau electoral commission.

Author: by Hatab Fadera

The just reigns by peace

Mon, 10 Nov 2008 05:20:58 GMT

Monday, November 10, 2008

The recently concluded talks aimed at bringing a lasting peace in Guinea Bissau reveals an intention of epic significance for the people of the sub-region, but more so for the people of Guinea Bissau.

He who endeavours to resolve your problem surely aims for the best for you.

It must have taken a great deal of time and effort for President Jammeh to have taken this extraordinarily milestone decision of mediating between the various political leaders of Guinean Bissau. You might as well be asking yourself why this move of the president in the first place. But given the historical background of the two countries, one finds a resonating answer to the above question. And, besides, regional integration is wholly tied to a serene prevalence of order.

Achievement of development is only possible in the face of peace and stability, yet our societies are so entwined that the peace of the various countries of the region are interconnected; one can hardly progress if their neighbour remains lagging behind.

It is also obvious that a people who are busy settling scores do not have enough time to think of positive development for their country.

Therefore, it calls for only a development oriented person to see wisdom and make attempt to put such a wrong right.
In the final analysis, it becomes the task of every rightful thinking person who seeks lasting solution for a problem that is bound to threaten the peace of the rest of society, to ensure that peace prevails in Guinea Bissau. No body is more so binding than Bissau Guineans themselves.

It remains that President Jammeh’s gestures also bind Bissau Guineans to a tremendously difficult mission; they, apparently, are the sole beneficiaries of the fruit of this landmark undertaking. As the implementers of the dictates of the MOU they have signed in Banjul, all their moves and actions from now on will have a great bearing on the destiny of their people and the rest of the region.

Author: DO