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The Kora Festival

Wed, 12 Nov 2008 05:03:59 GMT

Wednesday, November 12, 2008

The National Council for Arts and Culture, together with the MaalisMusicSchool, will be organising the first ever Kora Festival in the country on 14-16 November this year. The aims of the festival include repositioning the kora instrument, celebrating kora talents in the country and discussing the future of the instrument in the competitive global environment. Our understanding of the festival is that our culture generally needs to be played up, because the moment we lose our culture, we will become defenceless as a people.

We would like to suggest that the organisers should start thinking of setting up kora clubs in the schools, at least up to the junior school level for a start. Our children need to be taught the beauty and magic of the musical instrument. And they should be encouraged to take pride in it. It could be a musical instrument o choice for them when they have school parties, especially during inter-house sports competitions. That way, they will help to preserve our culture with pride.

We hope that this festival will help to disabuse the minds of the participants of the erroneous impression that our traditional values are inferior. They become inferior when we stop taking pride in them. If we take pride in them, other people will do likewise. So the National Council for Arts and Culture should be commended for this initiative. They should ensure that the festival is held every year and even expanded to include other vital traditional values.

In the same vein, we would like to commend the organisers of the forthcoming Chancellor’s Award that is meant to foster artistic creation in the country. We surmise that the rationale behind the Chancellor’s Award is to assert our literary values, so that we are not all the time judged by external literary aesthetics. We have to have our own literary canons that project our artistic articulations in our own terms.

But then again, the awards should be done in such a way that the recipients are seen to be truly worthy. At this point in our development, we have to stop glorifying mediocrity. If we make excellent our hallmark in all that we do, the rest of the world will always respect us.

VP Njie-Saidy presides over the 23rd WAMZ meeting

Tue, 11 Nov 2008 10:04:05 GMT

Tuesday, November 11, 2008

Her Excellency, Aja Dr Isatou Njie-Saidy, vice - president and secretary of state for Women’s Affairs, last Friday, presided over the 23rd meeting of the Council of Ministers and Governors of the Central Banks of the West Africa Monetary Zone, (WAMZ).

The meeting, which was held at the Kairaba Beach Hotel, in Kololi, gave delegates the opportunity to discuss and examine member countries’ positions in the drive for the introduction of a single currency in the West Africa region.

WAMZ, conceived and supported by ECOWAS, is expected to assess its member countries’ position and come up with recomendations for the final introduction of a common currency.

Experts believe that when the common currency is operational, it will enhance economic integration and help develop the economy of its member states.

Officially declaring the meeting open, Vice President Njie-Saidy, described Monetary Union as a promoter of macro-economic stability and growth by maintaining mixed-up physical monitoring policy, among other issues.
She then observed that WAMZ could play significant role in the global economy and improve the welfare of its citizens.

"The creation of a successful monetary union such as WAMZ requires achieving a high degree of sustainable macro-economic convergence as we pledged for ourselves in our sub-region," the vice president noted, and added, "the Gambia’s commitment to a sound, excellent and prudent economic management, ensured that growth in GDP reached 6% over 5 years.

Inflation is well contained with a single digit, and the overall physical balance improves significantly in 2006, as well as 2007."

Vice President Njie Saidy went on to say that “as a result of this,The Gambia is in good shape. She called on other member states to copy The example of The Gambia by ensuring that the interest of all member states towards establishing a single currency is realise.

Speaking earlier, Mousa Gibril Bala Gaye, the secretary of state for Finance and Economic Affairs, gave a historical background of WAMZ and pointed out that its objective was to establish a monetary union characterised by a common Central Bank and a single currency that will replace the existing national currencies of member states.

He went on to say that this will develop the sub-region through trade, movement of goods and services within the region, among others.

"The monetary union was originally scheduled to take off in January 2003. However, following the 2002 mid term convergence review, it was concluded that the convergence achievement recorded were not sufficient enough to support the January 2003 launch. Some of the challenges identified were inflation, the soaring petroleum and public utility prices in some member countries and the problem of physical dominance", Secretary of State Bala Gaye stated.

"Two out of the five member countries, namely, The Gambia and Nigeria, satisfied all the four primary convergence criteria. Ghana and Sierra Leone met two of the primary convergence criteria, while Guinea Bissau improved on the attainment of one to two primary convergence criteria", the Finance secretary explained.

He recalled that the WAMZ payment and settlement system for The Gambia, Sierra Leone and Guinea Bissau was successfully launched in Banjul, recently. He went onto explained that the objective of the payment system is to upgrade The payment systems of The Gambia, Sierra Leone and Guinea Bissau to the same level of Ghana and Nigeria, to facilitate the harmonisation of the payment system in all the member countries of WAMZ.

David Carew, the chairman of the Convergence Council, who also doubles as the finance minister of Sierra Leone, praised the achievement recorded by member countries by putting in place positive economic policies and budgetary management.

He went on to say that the initiative will not only promote economic integration but that it will also foster unity and bilateral cooperation.

Mr Carew also spoke at length on the challenges faced by developing countries.

He appealed to all member states to ensure that the project succeed, “so that we enjoy the economic benefits of regional integration.”

A representative of the ECOWAS Commission, Professor Lambert Bamba, also spoke at length on ECOWAS’ resolve to supporting member countries towards fulfilling the criteria of WAMZ. "The struggle for a single currency will enhance economic development of Africa", he remarked.

Author: by Assan Sallah

New Market Inaugurated in Sanyang

Tue, 11 Nov 2008 05:02:56 GMT

Tuesday, November 11, 2008

The Secretary for State for Local Government, Lands and Religious Affairs, Ismaila Sambou, recently presided over the inauguration of the new market in Sanyang in Kombo South.

In his speech Secy. Sambou said that the government is ready to provide for the needs of the nation’s citizens. He called on people to pay their taxes on time so that the council can bring more development to the Western Region.

For his part, the chairman of Brikama Area Council, Sunkany Badji, expressed the council’s readiness to provide for the basic needs of the people of the region and urged the beneficiaries to make good use of the new structure.

Speaking earlier, the chief of Kombo South, Alhagie Sheriff Ajeh Janneh, commended Brikama Area Council for the construction of the structure and also commended the government for improving the lives of Gambians.

The market was funded by Brikama Area council to the tune of over one million Dalasi’s.

Author: Lamin Darboe

St. Therese Honours Patron Saint

Fri, 17 Oct 2008 05:08:59 GMT

Friday, October 17, 2008

The Parish Council and parishioners of the biggest parish in the Catholic Diocese of Banjul recently honoured their patron Saint in a grand style at the St. Therese’s Primary School campus.

The new parish council under Richard Mendy, who has been acting since the sudden demise of Tony Mendy, the then parish council chairman, contributed lots of additions in line with the self-reliance drive that has been in the offing.

In addition to honouring their patron saint, St.Therese, they have also honoured and given certificates of appreciation to some ten parishioners who have and continue to contribute to the development of the church at Kanifing. Some of the certificates were giving in absentia.

Ernest Anthony Mendy, the chairman in charge of the Awarding Committee reiterated his commitment in following the strict conditions for choosing those their committee selected. He says, “This is our first time; we hope to increase in our next selection. We know a lot of our parishioners are deserving but we cannot give it to all at the same time.”

The “Ashobi’ Committee” endeavoured to get their nice cotton, which added flavour to their celebration.

Rev. Fr. Peter Jammeh CSSP. in his sermon challenged parishioners to do more for their priests’ house by renovating it. “Do a little more like St. Therese, your patron saint,” he appealed.

Author: Augustine Kanjia

Source: Picture: The Congregation

Former Brikama Area Council CEO Charged

Fri, 10 Oct 2008 04:57:04 GMT

Friday, October 10, 2008

Lamin Jammeh, former Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Brikama Area Councl, has being charged with giving false information to a public officer, contrary to section 114 (a) of the criminal code cap 10 volume III laws of the Gambia 1990.

According to the particulars of the offence, the accused Lamin Jammeh between the month of January 2007 and March 2008 at Sukuta Jobe Kunda by a letter reference MLJ/Co8/19/2008 informed the Secretary General that his service with the Brikama Area Council was unlawful terminated.

He did this, according to the particulars, when he knew or had reasons to believe to be false. He did that with the intention to cause or knowing it to likely cause the Secretary General to either compensate or reinstate him which the Secretary General ought not to do if the true state of facts were known to him.

When the case resumed yesterday before Magistrate Lamin George of the Banjul Magistrates’ Court, the police prosecutor Sub-Inspector Badjie applied for a bench warrant for the arrest of the accused as he was not in court. He also applied for the bail bond to be forfeited to the State until the accused was produced and also for the defence counsel to produce the medical report of the accused as he claimed that the accused was ill

His surety informed the court that the accused was ill and had travelled to Senegal for medical treatment.

The ‘s application was not granted, but instead the court warned the surety that she would be given one week to produce the accused or else she would be made to forfeit the bail bond she had signed for the accused.

The case was adjourned until 16th October 2008.

Author: Modou Sanyang

“I Don’t Know Why Turo Darboe Resigned” - KMC Mayor

Mon, 22 Sep 2008 05:20:49 GMT

Monday, September 22, 2008

Mr. Yankuba Colley, Mayor of the Kanifing Municipal Council, has expressed his view that he has no idea about the resignation of Momodou Turo Darboe, nominated councillor.

Mr. Darboe, who was nominated as a councillor in KMC is reported to have tendered his resignation to Mayor Colley last Wednesday following two months of reported absence at the council.

When contacted yesterday for comments, the seemingly disgruntled Mayor Colley told our reporter that he doesn’t know anything about Turo Darboe’s resignation.

“There is nothing to say on that. He has resigned and that is it. I have nothing to say about that,” he said.

According to Mayor Colley, there is no problem between Mr. Turo Darboe and the Kanifing Municipal Council. “He has resigned, he has resigned, there is nothing to say about that,” Mayor Colley said.

Mr. Darboe, a staunch supporter of President Jammeh, is said to have spent hundreds of thousands of Dalasis towards the development of KMC. He is also said to be very active in helping the council collect taxes that have been owed to the council for several years.

He is also said to have sponsored the Mayor and all the 17 councillors of the APRC party in the Kanifing Municipal Council during the Local Government Election in January 2008. He was also appointed the APRC Campaign Manager for the KanifingMunicipality during the local government elections.

Mr. Darboe was also said to have created a fully furnished office for the councils at KMC. He was also said to be carrying out all his work on a voluntary basis and was not in receipt of any salary.

Efforts to talk to Mr.Darboe proved futile as his cellphone was switched off.

Author: By Baboucarr Senghore

Source: Picture: Modou Turo Darboe

Council Recommends Gambia College Pair Dismissal - Principal Senghorr

Fri, 19 Sep 2008 05:38:26 GMT

Friday, September 19, 2008

Mr Alieu Badara Senghorr, the Principal of Gambia College, yesterday informed the Banjul Magistrates’ Court that the Gambia College Council had terminated the services of the accused persons Lamin BT Sanyang and Abdlie Baldeh following a recommendation from the College sub-committee on discipline.

Continuing his testimony before Magistrate Lamin George, Mr Senghorr said that after receiving a series of complaints against the accused persons and after doing his investigation and taking action within his limit he forwarded the matter to the chairman College Council to deliberate on it and take action.

He said he was instructed to write to the Chairperson College Council sub-committee on discipline to convene a meeting of the disciplinary committee to investigate the complaints and make recommendation to the council.

He added that a meeting was convened where he was asked to submit all the correspondence between the students, College administration and accused persons and also a copy of the college conditions of services.

According to him, the college conditions of service contain the rules and regulation of condition of service of staff. It also included disciplinary provision, he said.

He said another meeting was convened in which the accused persons were invited and the head of the School of Education, but the accused persons failed to turn up at the meeting.

Further testifying, Mr Senghorr said the committee continued with their meeting. Guided by the condition of service of the College and the provision of the accused persons’ appointment letters, it was found that the accused persons had been disrespectful and disobedient to the College authority.

He said the College sub-committee finally made recommendation to the College Council to terminate the services of the accused persons. He adduced that the College Council met and endorsed the recommendation of the sub-committee on displine to terminate the services of the accused persons. He said the committee instructed the College administration to write to the accused persons to that effect.

The case was then adjourned until 30th September 2008.

Author: By Modou Sanyang

KMC Denies Financial Crisis

Wed, 10 Sep 2008 05:20:36 GMT

Wednesday, September 10, 2008

The Kanifing Municipal Council (KMC), Gambia’s biggest council, has refuted allegations that the council is currently in serious financial crisis.

Pa Kalipha Sanyang, KMC’s Public Relations Officer, maintained that this is never the condition as purported when this paper went to the council yesterday to take in the council’s side of the story over allegations that the council is really in serious financial crisis.

Recent reports have it that the Kanifing Municipal Council is currently facing serious financial crisis, the state of affairs which reassuringly illustrates the sustenance of what many describe as the gloomiest days of the council, as well as bring about a crisis of confidence in KMC.

Sources said the municipality has to turn to the banks for overdraft to be able to pay last month’s salaries.

“Even the tractors can no longer go around to collect garbage as usual because the municipality cannot foot the bill of fuel for them,” the sources said.

According to PRO Sanyang, during this time of the year (lean period) the council receives not much money.

He explained that the peak period, a time when the council usually collects much, runs from January to July. He noted that usually towards the last quota of the financial year, the cash flow goes down naturally.

“The council however remains as solid as ever and we are living up to expectations both in terms of service delivery and overhead expenditures. Never in the history of this council was an overdraft obtained to pay salaries. We had paid salaries as early as the 25th of this month and the tractors are busily serving their purpose.

He revealed that the council is owed well over D70, 000, 000.00 (seventy million) in arrears, which he maintained is negatively impacting on the operations of the council.

Author: By Abba A.S. Gibba

Source: Picture: Mayor Yankuba Colley

Let Peace Prevail

Tue, 19 Aug 2008 08:32:37 GMT

Tuesday, August 19, 2008

The Supreme Islamic Council has elected its new executive. Momodou Lamin Touray and ten others were elected having stood unopposed. The other executive members are: Alhagie Sheriff Bajan, 1stVice President; Sheikh Gibril Kujabi, 2ndVice President; Dr. Mbye Kebba Kah, Secretary-General; Ebrima Touray, Deputy Secretary-General; Ajaratou Jainaba Dibba, Assistant Secretary General English; Cherno Darboe, Assistant Secretary-General Arabic; Baba Drammeh Junior, Treasurer; Alhagie Mamadou Lamin Kanteh, Assistant Treasurer; Alhagie Baba Bubacarr Drammeh, Auditor and Aja Maimuna Savage, Assistant Auditor.

We wish the new executive the best of luck in their new roles but also appeal for calm and unity in the ranks of all Muslims. Directly in the aftermath of the election the offices of The Point were stormed by a group of people who were not best pleased with the outcome of the election. They were irate and discontented with the turn of events they had just witnessed. The group had supported an alternative candidate for the presidency. What is called for now is a period of calm. Let each group assess their situation with cool heads and try and seek a peaceful solution.

In his farewell speech, the outgoing president of SIC, Alh. Banding Drammeh, assured the new executive of his continued support. He called for unity and understanding among Muslims in the country. The names of these executive members were announced by the Returning Officer, Alhaji Mustapha Carrayol, Chairman of the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC). We add our voice to this call and hope that unity, prosperity and peace will flow for all Muslims during the life of the new executive. Fighting has no place in Islam, it is a religion of peace. We ask all Muslims in The Gambia to remember this at all times and try to live in a fashion which adheres to these Islamic principles.

“Peace cannot be kept by force. It can only be achieved by understanding.”

Albert Einstein

Seven Gambians Receive Commonwealth Youth Exchange Council Certificate

Wed, 06 Aug 2008 06:26:47 GMT

Wednesday, August 06, 2008

The acting British High Commissioner Birse Graham yesterday presented the Commonwealth Youth Exchange Council Certificate to seven award participants of the Presidents International Award of The Gambia who participated in the 2006-07 in Scotland at his office in Fajara.

Speaking at the ceremony, Ambassador Graham said the program will enable young people to contribute towards the socio-economic development of their country.

He advised the youth to serve as role models and to continue the partnership between the two countries.

For his part, the permanent secretary youth and sports, Mamanyick Njie, stated that the young people of the two countries, through the exchange program, have learn a lot about each others culture and tradition.

Ps Njie said the president of the republic, because of his passion for the youth, set up the NYSS and the PIA.

He said the Gamscot project is helping the youths of The Gambia.

The chief executive of PIA, Abdoulie Bah, said PIA is tasked with creating opportunities for the youth of the world.

Margaret Newlands gave a brief background history of the Gamscot project and the exchange visit which dates from 2003

Author: By Pa Modou Faal

Source: Picture: Participants with counterparts