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Current Feed ContentCRR rice growers appeal for helpFriday, September 19, 2008 The rice growers in Niani District are appealing to government for urgent assistance to gain access to their rice fields, which are located behind two hills which make it difficult for them to have access to the fields. The fields situated at Gentehburr are shared by over twenty villages under Nyanga Bantang Ward in Niani District, Central River Region North. The villages include Gentaburr, Dingeria, Ferrdousey, Ndawen, Kass Fulla, Kass Wollof, Kass Prom, Njoben Fulla, Njoben Tukurror, Sinchu Ndawen, Nyakoi, Maka Gui, Tuba Mbackeh, Jallow Kunda Demba, Jallow Kunda Mat, Jallow kunda Sering, Kerewan Sabally, Njoben Wollof, Ramatoulie, Madina Njien, Kass Yalal Fulla, and Kass Yalal Wollof. According to Pierre Bah, the chief of Niani, the district is a major rice cultivating area and if these villages get access to their fields, the rice production will greatly increase. According to him, the solution to food crises in this country is to respond to the clarion call of President Jammeh. “The people of Niani are committed and hard working and if they are assisted with some of their needs, they will enhance food self-sufficiency in the area,” he said.
He noted that rice is the staple crop in The Gambia and cultivating it will increase household food security in the area. He added “if this hills are degraded, growers will have access to their rice fields which will greatly help increase the production and productivity of rice in the district”. Author: Lamin SM Jawo in Janjangbureh WHAT’S ON: Student set to release new album Friday, September 19, 2008 Alieu Gaye, alias Papa K aka Smokey, a young Gambian musician, who incidentally is a student, has said that his new album would be out by the end of September 2008. He said that the first track of the album titled "My Life" will be played on radio stations across the country next week. Papa K revealed that his album is being recorded by the House of Production in Senegambia, who have been very supportive to him. In an exclusive interview with the Whats On on Thursday, Papa K said that he started singing three years ago, noting that music has always been part of his life since childhood. He said that his new album contains ten to twelve songs, mostly based on Rap, Hip-Hop and Ragga. he revealed that he become a musician by virtue of the hardship and pain he underwent in his life; his songs are therefore geared towards making the people know how painful life can be. Papa K however revealed that he is not without constraints as he needs assistance from the general public to help him record some of his cassettes and also to develop Gambian music to international level. "I wish to seek assistance from the public to help me finance my album and also to take Gambian music to higher heights", he said. He observed that the music industry in The Gambia is gradually being overshadowed by western music, his aim is therefore to help review it and give it back its lost glory. He dwelt on history saying that music started in Africa through griots and asserted the need to revive it. He finally called on all ghetto youths to avoid trouble as it makes their life more miserable. Author: by Amadou Sonko-Bah CRIME WATCH: When the robbers strike at Ndungu Kebbeh
Thursday, September 18, 2008 Monday, September 1st, earlier this year, was a chaotic day for the people of Ndungu Kebbeh; it was around the wee hours of that day when about seven armed robbers attacked the village situated in the northern region of the country. What was supposed to be an easy ride for the invaders turned out to be a bitter battle between the armed robbers and the villagers; and at the centre of it all were inhabitants of the compound of Alhaji Ebrima Bah who was reported to be the actual target of the marauding bandit. According to Darboe Manneh, a nephew of Ebrima Bah, who narrated their ordeal in the hands of the men of the underworld, there was a heavy downpour on the previous Sunday night, which continued until the early hours of Monday morning, sending every villager to bed very early. And it was also the beginning of the Holy month of Ramadan. There doesn’t seem to be anybody in the village who can identify the exact route through which the assailants entered the village on that turbulent night. However, as Crime Watch later found out, the resulting incident was the second of its kind in less than forty days, in the same compound. According to Mr Manneh, it was exactly 0200 hours when they heard the rapid sound of gun firing. It later emerged that the robbers had actually damaged one of the doors, gaining entrance into the room where his elderly uncle had been sleeping. The old man was reportedly held hostage, while his attackers went on demanding for money. Even though he told them that he had no money, his captors wouldn’t believe him. “They swung into action, scattering and ransacking every single item in the room in desperate search for cash,” said Mr Manneh. Unsatisfied with the result of their searching spree, the rubbers started shooting at the old man, stabbing him repeatedly, all to no avail. But eventually, they overpowered him, after hitting him on the head several times with a big club. This made the old man unconscious, dropping half-dead. Awa Manneh, a wife of the victim, was said to have cried out loudly for assistance; a cry that actually attracted the rest of the villagers who rushed out in their numbers to help, lunching a counterattack on the rubbers. “This aggravated the firing spree,” posited Mr Darboe, disclosing that during the process, one of the armed robbers was killed, and a second sustaining serious injury. According to the villagers, nobody could recognise their assailants as they disguised themselves in veils, covering the entirety of their faces. The rubbers eventually fled into the bushes in the face of the resistant villagers, coinciding with the arrival of personnel from the police department. Following the dreadful scenario, it was rumoured that the attack on Mr Ebrima Bah had in fact been triggered by the arrival of his son from Europe, shortly before the incidence. According to reports, many people in the village shared this thought. The conspiracy theory is that the bandits were probably informed of this, triggering them to conclude that they could possibly get some money from the man, as his son, who had already returned to his base before this unexpected incident, was sure to have brought him some money from Europe. In line with this, some of the villagers believe that there must be a stool pigeon within the village or its neighbouring villages who might know more about the residents of Ndungu Kebbeh than they thought. ASP Sulayman Secka, Police PRO, said that there is no arrest made on the incident, but that police investigation was in progress. He also said that there was still no one to have come forward to identify the corpse of the dead rubber currently deposited at the mortuary. The police spokes person however confirmed that they later discovered that the intruders had been armed with double barrel guns. They also discovered three cartridges; one used one and two unused ones, at the scene; all of the cartridges been blue in colour. In addition, some amount of money (coins) in Senegalese currency (CFA), and some talisman (juju) were found on the body of the dead rubber. Ndunga Kebbeh, a village of about five hundred houses, serves as a commercial centre for the rest of the surrounding villages, like Kuntaya, Kerr Katim, Ndungu Charreh, Makabala Manneh, Sarre Yorro, among a host of others. In the past, Kerr Katim, Kerr Samba Yassin and Kerr Patteh, all in the same region, were also said to have suffered similar attacks. “But it all got reduced extremely after the setting up of Police Intervention Unit posts in those areas, allowing for a constant patrol of teams of security personnel,” ASP Secka added. The weekly market day, ‘lumo’, also contributes in the making Ndungu Kebbeh one of the most popular of villages in the North Bank Region, receiving thousands of people on business transactions on a weekly basis. When Crime Watch arrived in the village, the situation had gone back to normal, as confirmed by the villagers themselves. Some of the youths in the village, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said that this was not the first time such an attack was happening. Amadou Bah, the man charged with providing security for the village’s market, recounts how he narrowly escaped death from the hands of the men of the underworld, about one and half years ago. “They came from behind; one of them strangling me, while another one hit me on the head, with a stick, before taken me to the bush. They tied my hands and legs and later tied me on to a tree, like a punching bag,” he explained. And he continued that one of them held a sword near his neck, guiding him, “ordering me not to shout, and that if I did he would cut my head down.” In way of avoiding reoccurrence of such incidence, the youths have adopted the habit of staying awaken late into the night, keeping vigil across the streets of the village. And according to ASP Secka, the PIU officers have doubled up in their regular patrol in the area. Author: by Yunus S. Saliu 4-year cerebral palsy patient seeks assistance Tuesday, September 16, 2008 Ebrima Cham, a four-year old child residing in Bundung, is urgently in need of assistance in order to undergo overseas treatment. He is a cerebral palsy patient who has been facing medical difficulties over the past years. Isatou Njie walked last Friday into the Daily Observer’s premises to make a desperate call on individuals, government departments and philanthropists so as to enable her son to recover from a disease due to the damages sustained by his brain before or during birth, resulting to difficulties in movement or talking. The medical report reveals that Ebrima Cham has been known to the Neurology Clinic since early infancy because of a neuro-developmental delay following a severe neurological disease. A cranial scan undertaken by the medical doctor has shown pathological effects on the brain. It is against this background, that the parents and the medical staff of the Royal Victoria Teaching Hospital (RVTH) are seeking assistance from the general public. Anybody willing to help can contact Nyakassi on 9889817 at the RVTH n Banjul. Author: DO Upper Basic Student Seeking AssistanceTuesday, September 02, 2008 Binta Jammeh, a native of Nyofeleh Village in Kombo South, is seeking support from the general public to enable her continue her education, which was halted due to financial constraints. Binta, a graduate of According to her, she completed her grade nine exam last year but couldn’t proceed to the senior secondary school due to financial problems. Speaking to The Point, a desperate looking Binta said, “if I have the support I am willing to go back to school for my own interest”. She said that her parents were unable to pay for her and she is relying on philantrophists and well wishers to support her schooling. “My dream and aspiration is to be educated and support my parents but then this dream is only attainable with support from others,” she said. Those interested in supporting Binta can reach the family on 00220 7606744 or 7055162. Author: By Lamin Darboe 24 year-old in Need of Overseas TreatmentThursday, August 21, 2008 Habibou Sallah, a 24 year-old living in Bundung, is currently seeking the financial assistance of donors, Ngo’s government and philanthropists to travel overseas for medical treatment. According to the medical report issued by the Royal Victoria Teaching Hospital, the boy is a known sickle cell patient since April 2000. He fractured his left femur in an accident and developed chronic oesteomyelitis of the left femur and left clavicle. He has been to He also has avascular necrosis of the head of his left femur secondary to his sickle cell disease. The report states, “we as a board have agreed that he will benefit from overseas treatment for the avascular necrosis of the head of the femur which will need surgical treatment as well as the chronic oesteomylisis which can be followed up at the orthopedic clinic.” The report also indicates that after examination it is clear that the young man is in urgent need of overseas treatment as the only means of restoring him to a normal life. He is suffering every day and his health is deteriorating all the time. Habibou is seeking help from anyone who is in a financial position to help him in his predicament. He can be contacted on 9325894. Author: By Yerro Mballow & Malamin Conteh LIPS provides genuine assistance to young Gambians,... says Mr Osagie Wednesday, August 13, 2008 Danieh Osagie, proprietor of Lamin Institute for Professional Studies (LIPS) said LIPs is in high spirit to improve the welfare of young and needy Gambians through scholarship packages and job creation, with a sound enterpreneurial skills. He made this remark during an exclusive interview with the press at his office in Lamin which is in relation to the institute’s forthcoming anniversary, the fifth of its kind, scheduled to take place soon. According to Mr Osagie LPS is not only interested in financial gains, but also to contribute to the welfare of the nation. ‘‘Since its inception in 1993, LIPS has provided over 500 (five hundred) scholarship packages to the physically disabled persons and the most needy students facing financial constraints, with the aim of empowering the youths. He added that, LIPs doesn’t compromise standard and quality. “We will continue to serve the Gambian youths, so as to enable them build a better future for themselves,” he assured. He finally expressed satisfaction about the way Gambians have taken ownership of the institution.He also used the opportunity to thank parents and guardians for the confidence and trust they have in the institution. On his final statement he disclosed to the members of the media that he is now appointing Joseph Osagie as the new country director. Author: by Sheriff Barry Another ‘Little Jainaba’ needs urgent help Monday, August 11, 2008 Jainaba Janneh, a 3-year old resident of Farato village, Kombo South, needs urgent overseas medical treatment. According to a medical report issued by the medical board of the RVTH and signed by Dr Emmanuel Onyekwelu, Jainaba Janneh was referred to the paediatric neurology clinic of the RVTH from the regional eye care centre for further evaluation and management of her right retinoblastoma. The medical report indicated that Jainaba Janneh will need to undergo an evaluation radiotherapy and multimodal intensive chemotherapy overseas. Salifu Janneh, father of Little Jainaba, speaking to the Daily Observer in a rather emotional state, said the disease is causing the young girl sleepless nights and endless pain. “She is really suffering and she needs urgent assistance to save her life,” he told the Daily Observer tearfully. According to him, he obtained information that the disease can be treated in Dakar, Senegal, “but I cannot afford the cost of her treatment. I appeal to the general public for assistance.” Any one wishing to help can call the following numbers, 9935687, 7000048, 7331442. Author: by Sanna Jawara Conjoined twins at RVTH
Friday, August 08, 2008 For the first time in the history of childbirth in The Gambia, one Ramatoulie Jallow, a resident of Serrekunda London Corner, on Wednesday afternoon, went under the knife in a major caesarean operation that led to the birth of conjoined female twins. The caesarean birth was reported to have been successfully conducted at the Gambia Family Planning Association (GFPA) Clinic in Kanifing by Dr Ndabo Manneh-Camara, following a thorough examination. The twins are joined at their stomachs. They were later referred to the Neonatal Unit of the Royal Victoria Teaching Hospital. Dr Ndabo Manneh-Camara, a medical doctor of the GFPA Clinic, who conducted the operation, said this development was the first of its kind in the country and such a case is very rare in the world. “I have been in the field [of medicine] for 21 years, but this is the first time that I have came across such a case,’’ Dr Camara said. The insight The GFPA’s medical doctor explained that the mother of the twins - married with three children - came to her clinic at around 1:00 pm on Wednesday with labour pain. “When I checked her, I realised that her abdomen was very big and that everything was not normal. The moment I realised that she was not in active labour, I quickly suggested a scanning. The scanning report revealed a multiple pregnancy and this suggested a delivery by operation, which I had initially suggested,” Dr Manneh-Camara said, adding that “I wasted no time in going ahead with the operation”. According to Dr Manneh-Camara, during the course of the operation, she realised that the twins were joined and could not be separated. She disclosed that after the operation, she referred the twins to the RVTH Paediatric Unit for further investigations. However, Dr Manneh-Camara, who has undoubtedly earned fame for herself as the first Gambian doctor to handle such a rare and major maternity case, admitted that she was unsure of whether the twins share the same organs, but noted that their mother’s condition is normal. Asked about what is responsible for such a phenomenon, Dr Manneh-Camara attributed it to genetic factors, which occur at the early stages of pregnancy. Specialist care Noting that the operation for a possible separation of the conjoined twins is not available in the country yet, the veteran doctor called for urgent financial assistance to facilitate an overseas operation in order to save the young lives. “Their parents are not financially strong and only urgent intervention from all stakeholders can complement their efforts to separate the twins overseas,” she added. Dr Tamsir Mbowe, director of Health and Medical Services, who has visited the conjoined twins at the Neonatal Unit, said the twins have a “high chance” of survival. “The good news is that the visceral organs of the twins are not connected together according to the CT Scan conducted at the RVTH,” he added. Urgent assistance Dr Mbowe, himself a well-known gynaecologist, said two hospitals have been identified to conduct the operation in Europe at a cost of D1.6 million. He then called on the public to assist in meeting the financial cost of the special operation for the separation of the twins in Europe. Ramatoulie Jallow, the mother of the twins, who is currently admitted at the GFPA Clinic, also appealed for assistance to save the lives of her twins. Yankuba Dibba, the executive director of GFPA, stressed that the twins need urgent financial aid in a bid to also go under the knife overseas. Willing individuals, organisations and institutions, who wish to help can render assistance by contacting 991 4535/ 776 4535, or tamsirmbowe@yahoo.com. Scientific evidence Conjoined twins are extremely rare, occurring in as few as one in every 200,000 births. The twins originate from a single fertilised egg, so they are always identical and of the same sex. The developing embryo starts to split into identical twins within the first two weeks after conception. However, the process stops before it is complete, leaving a partially separated egg which develops into a conjoined foetus. The birth of two connected babies can be extremely traumatic and approximately 40-60% of these births are delivered stillborn with 35% surviving just one day. Historical records over the past 500 years detail about 600 surviving sets of conjoined twins with more than 70% of those surviving pairs resulting in female twins. Historical records The earliest known documented case of conjoined twins dates from the year 945, when a pair of conjoined twin brothers from Armenia were brought to Constantinople for medical evaluation. It was here that they were determined to be acts of God and the birth of conjoined twins was considered a proof that the male's sexual prowess was truly twice that of the average man. However, the Moche culture of ancient Peru depicted conjoined twins in their ceramics dating back to AD 300. The English twin sisters Mary and Eliza Chulkhurst, who were conjoined at the back (pygopagus), lived from 1100 to 1134 and were perhaps the best-known early example of conjoined twins. Other early conjoined twins to attain notice were the "Scottish brothers", allegedly of the dicephalus type, essentially two heads sharing the same body (1460–1488, although the dates vary); the pygopagus Helen and Judith of Sz_ny, Hungary (1701–1723), who enjoyed a brief career in music before being sent to live in a convent; and Rita and Cristina of Parodi of Sardinia, born in 1829. Rita and Cristina were dicephalus tetrabrachius (one body with four arms) twins and although they died at only eight months of age, they gained much attention as a curiosity when their parents exhibited them in Paris. Author: by Hatab Fadera Boy, 13, needs urgent overseas treatment Thursday, August 07, 2008 Lamin Ceesay, a 13-year old boy from Tallinding is in urgent need of financial assistance to undergo overseas treatment in Dakar, Senegal. According to a medical report from the Royal Victoria Teaching Hospital, Lamin Ceesay was presented to the disability clinic at the hospital with a one year history of being unable to look to the left side plus two months of weakness of the right arm and leg. “There was no associated convulsions, weight loss, fever, cough, contact with TB, vomit or headache”, the report stated. “He was born at term by NVD with no complication, had normal development and growth. He lives with his uncle and there is no family history of epilepsy or bleeding disorders,” the medical report concluded. Any one who wish to help him can contact Sunkinking Ceesay on; 9809456 or 9923881. Author: by Ebrima Kanuteh |
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