Fate of an African President

Published in 1996 with Fulladu Publishers Company, Nsukka, Nigeria, this is a collection of 39 poems all written by Fodeh Baldeh. The poems are reflections on the bad experiences of the author after the 1981 foiled coup attempt of which he was wrongly imprisoned. Narrated by the author, at the time he was a lecturer at the Gambia College and the coup plotters, under the severe attack from the Senegalese military following the call for help from the then President Jawara, needed to broadcast a message in French. Fodeh was then chosen for his bilingual skills and having no choice but to accept, he translated a short message in French calling to the neighbouring francophone countries to save The Gambia from the Senegalese ‘invasion’. After the coup, he was imprisoned for a year during which he wrote these poems. This explains why these poems were published in Nigeria and could only be available in The Gambia after 1994.

The basic themes of the pomes centre on the injustice of his detention, resentment, a critical judgment towards the regime of the time, prison life and the humiliation afflicted due to the poor conditions of his detention, reproach towards the Senegalese intervention and remembering his close family members who had no right to visit him among others.

An extract of one of his poems explains why the creation of this collection: ‘In poetry I’m able/To pour out my feelings/Without fear or favour and feel with words/The way into the tunnel.’

183 pages; quality trade paperback (softcover); catalogue #05-1300; ISBN 1-4120-6389-2; US$16.61, C$19.10, EUR12.95, £8.58

An authentic and grasping story, with sly humour, of African immigrants in Paris facing a seemingly irreconcilable culture clash laden with racism and self destructiveness. This is the pulsating underbelly of Paris that tourists never experience.

About the Book

Sainy, a young Gambian, leaves the Gambia for Paris. Like most young Africans he arrives with high hopes for a better life. Confronted by a minefield of immigration restrictions with which he struggles vainly, he accepts an easy way in by marrying a Gambian-born divorcée and becoming the step-father of the woman's young son.

As the months pass, Sainy learns new facts about the Africans living in France. He sees how their home-grown values of culture and community and morality adapt in their new culture, for better or worse.

(Source: http://www.trafford.com/05-1300)

by Prof. Michael Ba Banutu-Gomez

Book reviewed by:
Dr Pierre Gomez
Senior Lecturer
University of The Gambia


This mighty work, Africa: We Owe it to Our Ancestors, Our Children, and Ourselves is composed of twelve chapters of which the first four focus on the pressing need for us Africans to identify ourselves within our culture and traditional values.

Today, we readily accept the music, behaviour and medicine of others at the expense of ours. In these early chapters, Professor Gomez equally admonishes us to place great value on commercial solidarity. A first hand experience of this way of life convinces him as to the greatness of its results. In addition to this, these chapters re-echo in a rather oblique manner, Chinua Achebe’s wonderful opener in Things Fall Apart which he himself adopted from ‘The Second Coming’ of W.B. Yeats:

“Turning and turning in the widening gyre
The falcon cannot hear the falconer;
Things fall apart;
the centre cannot hold!
Mere anarchy is loosed upon the world”

And he himself has this to say:
“Western education turned traditional rural African social structures upside-down. Instead of status based on age, hard work, and dedication, status was based on literacy”. P.77

Dr Gomez blames the moral anarchy that characterizes many an African society today on the divestiture of the elders of their supreme hold on the youth. In the days of old, elders assured the responsibility of shaping and guiding the conduct of the youth and so there was respect and order in our various African societies. But the elders have lost their voice and are nothing more than scarecrows, shadows of the pre-colonial elders.

In there early chapters, Dr. Gomez does not only invite us to bemoan this loss, but to sit together and re-empower the elders. This is the point of departure if we should ever hope to move forward in the restoration of the lost order.

The opening chapters also lay emphasis on the urgent need to overhaul the educational system in Africa. It should be restructured in a way to enhance sustainable social, economic and moral development. The new African child should be equipped with the knowledge to cater for the social, economic, scientific and technological needs of the continent. It is only when this is achieved that our Independence will cease to be dependent.

In short, the first four chapters seem to hammer home this point: Africa should work concertedly and earnestly to retain and maintain what is positive of traditional Africa and do the same to sale to acquire what is positive outside our continent.

In chapter 5, 6, and 7, Professor Banutu-Gomez makes a thorough diagnosis of the causes and problems posed by the rural-urban migration and proposes cogent situations to this problems. Here, he manifests himself as a very strong advocate of the development of small-scale rural industries and calls upon principal actors to design policies that include the development of regional “cities”, which are to serve as centres for efficient exchange of goods and services.

Here he also stresses the need to promote biodiversity as this will serve as a boon to eco-tourism and ultimately boost African economies. And not surprisingly, he sheds a lot of ink (perhaps to avoid shedding tears) trying to point out to his readership the economic injustices we impose on ourselves by importing far more than we export even though a substantial percentage of the world’s raw materials come from our continent.

And from chapter 8-11, the author renews the call made by the early African elites – Kwame Nkruma, Kenneth Kaunda, etc.. to build a strong and proud Africa. The present boundaries should be seen as an accidental creation made to settle the territorial conflicts of our brothers with the opposite skin colour. These frontiers should be ignored, at least economically, so that African unity will grow deeper roots. And as regards the existing African countries, he admonishes Africans to work towards doing away with ethnic prejudices. To this effect, he writes: “when we longer view a person who is from an ethnic group that is different from our own as an enemy but instead as potential ally, we can more easily understand their world and thus it will be easier to discover what they value and need”. He believes, I believe and all of us should believe that it is only when national and intra-continental unity are attained that we can start talking about sustainable development.

Dr Florence Mahoney (nee Asi Peters) was born in Bathurst (Banjul), The Gambia. She is one of the three daughters of Lenrie Ingram Peters and Kezia Rosemary all of Sierra Leonean origin. Her two sisters are Bijou, a nurse and journalist and Ruby a retired UN administrator who passed away in May 2008. Her two brothers are the late Dennis Alaba Peters who loved cinematography and who has acted in major series and movies both in the UK and the USA and the eldest brother Dr Lenrie Peters, a surgeon and a celebrated and renowned poet and novelist.

Dr Mahoney attended the St Mary’s Anglican Primary and then the Methodist Girls High school before completing her secondary education at the Elphin’s Boarding school for girls at Derbyshire, the United Kingdom.

She obtained her Bachelor of Arts in History (Hons.) degree in 1951 at Westfield College, London University and a year later a Diploma in Education at Oxford University. Between 1960 and 1963, she will engage in historical research and would obtain her doctorate (Ph. D.) at the School of Oriental and African studies, London University. She taught History at The Gambia High School for a number of years. From 1972-73, she will be Fulbright Professor of African History at Spelman College, Atlanta, Georgia, USA.

She has occupied several positions of honour particularly relating to the church both nationally and internationally. She has conducted lectures, seminars and her works have been a source of reference for many scholars in African history.

She is married to Dr John Mahoney and they have three sons: Omotunde, Sola and Ayodeji.

Some of her publications:

1. Stories of The Senegambia (1982)
2. The Liberated Slave and the Question of the Return to Africa (2001)
3. Creole Saga: The Gambia’s Liberated African Community in the Nineteen Century (2007)
4. “Gambia Studies”: A Signare (Mulatto Lady) (published date not yet available)

Her Thesis (unpublished)

Government and Opinion in The Gambia, 1816-1901 (London, 1963)

About the Author

Mrs Adele Faye-Njie is a veteran home economist educator actively engaged in plying her craft to new heights. Her involvement in promoting and imparting culinary skills with emphasis on nutritional values in the sphere of indigenous dishes is widely known in both the formal and non-formal education sectors. Her career in teaching in both secondary and tertiary levels spans nearly three decades.

Her close involvement in the promotion of women issues, in particular those related to skills training and income-generation has resulted in her serving in various capacities on various bodies. Foremost among these are the National Women's Council, the National Council for Technical, Education and Vocational Training (NCTEVT) and the National Committee for Non-Formal Education on which she has served with distinction.

At present she is engaged in the running of a learning and income-generating centre for women. Her strong zeal for giving life-long skills to women affirms her conviction in taking concrete action to redress the gender bias handicap faced by women in general. In recognition of this, she was successfully nominated for the 1994 Woman in the Community Award sponsored by Soroptimists International, Banjul Branch.

The author's heightened sense of social responsibility has placed her in the forefront of indigenous pioneers. Through her dedication and dint of hard labour, she founded the St. Martha's Society (1973). It is today a cornerstone of Christian women's philanthropic activities within the catholic communion.

She is a prolific writer contributing articles and maintaining regular columns in local newspapers and journals to enhance greater appreciation of nutritional and dietary values. She is an authority in preservative methods of diverse local fruits and vegetables in season. Preservation of Fruit and Vegetables covers a wide range of these - demonstrating practical approaches to making a variety of preserved fruits and vegetables.

THE COMMON BUTTERFLIES OF THE GAMBIA

60 of the most commonly seen butterflies are illustrated in colour with brief descriptive notes on each to aid identification in the field. These notes include colouration, flight characteristics, status, times of the year when they may be seen and their common larval food plants.

Suitable for both professionals and those with just a passing interest in butterflies, this is the first in a series of guides describing the common flora and fauna of The Gambia, and is published by Makasutu Wildlife Trust.

MAKASUTU WILDLIFE TRUST

Makasutu Wildlife Trust (MWT) is the leading wildlife conservation non-government organization in The Gambia. It is also a non-profit making, nonreligious and non-political registered charity. MWT aims to conserve the biodiversity of The Gambia and encourage a greater awareness, appreciation and participation in all aspects of biodiversity, its conservation and sustainable use of the environment, through the active involvement of local communities.

All profits from the sale of this guide go directly into the funds of Makasutu Wildlife Trust, where they will be used to help protect the wildlife of The Gambia.

If you would like to become a member of Makasutu Wildlife Trust and help to support our work, or if you would like more information about what we do, please contact us at: Makasutu Wildlife Trust. PO Box 2164, Serrekunda, The Gambia: Email: drumohq@ganet.gm; Tel: (00 220) 782633.

This book has been produced as part of the Darwin Initiative Project, through the financial support of Standard Chartered Bank, and the Traditional British Garden Fete Fund.

From the blurb

Ramatoulie Onikepo Othman is an Oku Marabou born in Banjul. The Gam bia. She had her primary and secondary schools education in Freetown, Sierra Leone and later pursued a career in Secretarial 'Studies at the Presentation Girls Vocational School, Banjul. Writing has always been her hobby. Her exposure to investigative report writing in the early 80s while working as a social worker at the Department of Social Welfare, Banjul. gave Ramou the impetus to develop her writing skills.

Between 1983 to 1994, Ramatoulie spent most of her spare time in freelance journalism. During this period, she subscribed to newspapers like the Nigerian Daily Times. National Concord and The Standard. 'In Defence of Islam', 'The Extended Family as an Insurance Arrangement', and 'Child Marriage - a Social Menace' were amongst her series of write-ups published in the Nigerian print media. In 1993, she featured as an actress in the famous Nigerian Television Authority festival called TeleTest.

In February of 1996, Ramou contributed to the much talked about topic of skin bleaching by issuing a commentary in the Daily Observer newspaper on the controversies of the practice.

'A Cherished Heritage' is Ramatou's first book written in the Gambia but her first ever in Nigeria was 'The Views of an Onlooker', a compilation of her 1991 newspaper articles.

(This is the blurb from her book, A Cherished Heritage)

Foreword (p. 8)

I have written this cookery book to provide easy, speedy and efficient ways of preparing, cooking and serving delicious and nutritious Gambian meals.

I also hope that the book will be a useful guide for the student of home economics, as it aims to provide an appropriate choice of menus using weal products for the purpose of examinations.

Food is usually divided into three main groups:

1) Body building or flesh forming foods: proteins and mineral salts:

2) Energy giving foods: fats and starch.

3) Protective foods: vitamins, mineral salts and roughage.

When planning meals, you should provide foods from each group. The food selected should supply the required daily nutrients in the most digestible form.

I believe that at least three meals should be eaten everyday if possible: one big meal and two small ones. It is essential to start the day with a good, sustaining meal, as this enables us to work more efficiently. Daily consumption of fruit should be encouraged, particularly in the morning as this stimulates the bowels, prevents constipation and headaches.

Green vegetables are an excellent source of vitamins and mineral salts. They can be eaten raw, in stews, ‘palasas’ or as an accompaniment to the main dish.

First class protein should be included in the daily diet. The menu should be varied, alternating fish with meat, beans, groundnuts and locust beans, which are valuable second class protein foods. Whenever possible one of them should be included in our daily meals: e.g., Mbahal with fish, or beans, or both.

New cooks may want to take note of the following advice. -It is a good idea to reduce the amount of oil in your cooking. Slow cooking draws out the maximum flavour of your ingredients. Remember to use the correct proportion of ingredients. Try to avoid monotony in the methods you choose of cooking, alternating grilling with steaming, stewing, boiling and sautéing. When making a sauce the stock or roux should be cold to avoid a greasy sauce. In preparing slimy soup use a little lubi and boil it with water, kren-kren or okra before adding it to the soup.

As a cookery writer, it is my daily role to create, experiment and improve on failures. I hope that the recipes here, the results of many years in the kitchen, will inspire you to make tasty meals of your own with confidence.

Happy cooking!

Book review

This 93-page recipe book presents 94 recipes of both national and international dishes. Adele’s recipe book is divided in three parts: the normal dishes, the weaning meals and notes for Home Economic students.

The first part reserved for normal dishes comprises of Breakfast, Lunch, Supper and Soups. Other recipes figuring under this part are how to prepare Fish, Vegetables, Desserts and Sauces. There are 77 recipes under this part distributed in the following manner: Breakfast, 11; Soups, 4; Lunch, 12; Fish, 11; Supper, 12; Vegetables, 8; Desserts, 15 and Sauces, 4.

Under weaning meals, the author proposes 17 recipes. She provides a special introduction for this part to better explain what kinds of dishes are good for babies, how they should be prepared and which age corresponds to which dish. Included in this part are recipes like Coos and Groundnut porridge (Pap), Scrambled eggs, steamed fish, fish pie but to name a few.

The last part dedicated to Home Economics students is in four short chapters: Reheating foods, Cooking for Invalids, Vegetarian Cookery and Nutrients in our Local Foods. This very important information helps better sort out the types of dishes to prepare for whom and on what very special occasions. No recipe is proposed but clear instructions are given to guide students (and other readers) in catering for special people and knowing the ingredient composition of the food we eat.

There is an Appendix where some extra recipes such as Domoda (peanut butter soup or groundnut soup), Fish domoda and Cherreh M’Buum are given on the request of her readers; a Glossary and explanations on the local use of measurements.

Adele has produced a comprehensive and a must have recipe book which is very handy both for non-Gambians discovering our delicious dishes and for Gambians (on the soil and the Diaspora alike) who would like to perfect their skills or learn to prepare new dishes they love.

If you are interested in Senegambian recipes, click on the link below:

http://www.accessgambia.com/information/food-recipes.html

Adele Faye Njie is the wife of Hon. Justice Solomon Francis Njie and daughter to Mrs Cecilia Priscila Faye and Reverent J. C. Faye.

Author’s note (Slightly modified)

Adele Faye Njie is a born organiser and has the unique ability to bring women together. She ranks her greatest achievement so far as the foundin^g, in 1973 of St. Martha's Society. an organisation for Catholic women, which has developed into helping a broad range of Gambian women and now has Branches in Banjul, Serrekunda, Bakau, Fajikunda and Lamin.

In 1989 St. Martha's Society and the local branch of the YWCA formed a firm link and established a skills centre at Fajikunda for girls and women. This joint effort was sponsored by the World YWCA in Geneva. A home economist profession, she is ready to share her knowledge with her fellow women - teaching them skills useful for generating income and of general benefit to the family, she is particularly interested in encouraging women to make use of local produce and to create healthy meals. She has written cookery books, given talks, exhibitions and given demonstrations to promote nutrition for adults and children,

From 1965 to 1971 Adele Faye Njie was a teacher of home economics and presented the first Gambian students for the GCE 0-level exams in cookery and nutrition in 1968. She became a home economics lecturer at Yundum and was later promoted to senior lecturer and head of technical studies until her retire­ment in 1989.

Every week she writes a popular Food and Nutrition column in October 1992 she has shared her recipes with the readers and offered invaluable advice on such diverse topics as how to preserve seasonal fruits and vegetables, how to pre­pare weaning meals for babies, and how to cater for vegetarians. Her contributions to this column have formed the basis of this book. She has also contributed to Awa, a women's magazine published in The Gambia.

Between 1987 and 1993 Adele Faye Njie was a nominated member of the National Women's Council, appointed by the President of The Gambia, Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara. She was also nominated as a member of the National Council for Technical Education and Vocational Training by Mrs Fatoumata Tambajang, the chairperson of the National Women's Council. In 1993 the Minister of Education nominated her to serve on the National Committee for Non-Formal Education.

In July 1992 she established a learning and income-generating centre for women and girls to teach them skills such as sewing and cooking with which they can earn a living. She was in the process of implementing a new business innovation for market women in animal husbandry. Farming, food processing and food preservation was to play a major part in this project.

Adele Faye Njie was named as Women in the Community 1994 by the Soroptimists International of Banjul. She was also proclaimed International Woman of the Year 1991 - 1992 in recognition of her services to teaching women income generating skills ( self reliance) by the International Biographical Centre, Cambridge England.

A Taste of The Gambia: Local and International Recipes

Preservation of Fruits and Vegetables

STIGMA

Ears stand upright

And will not bow

Stalks conceived of

Ears and will not

Deliver

All baked and

Sway in Languor

In the empty wind

I hear the leaves

Rustle as they

Are wont to

But there is no

Hissing sound of

Seed rubbing against seed

As there should be

In the matter of

Seasons there is

Nothing the farmer ignores

But when seasons are

Not seasons and crops

Will not yield, he

Loses his balance and

Blandly waves a veinous

Arm from the side of

The road to The

CITIZEN driving past

In opulence.

Hassum Ceesay

(Ndaanan, Vol. 5, Issue 1&2, March/September, 1976, p. 27)