Following recent reports of warning by the WHO of the possible contamination of milk and dairy products from The People’s Republic of China, the Department of State for Health and Social Welfare has issued a statement warning the general public against the selling or consumption of infant formula milk produced in China. This was contained in a press release sent to the Daily Observer by the department. Below we reproduce the full text of the said release.

It has been learned with grave concern by the department of State for Health and Social Welfare that certain infant formula milk produced in the Peoples Republic of China are contaminated with melanine.

Melanine is an organic based industrial chemical with 66% nitrogen by mass. If mixed with formaldehydes, it produces melamine resin, a synthetic polymer which is fire resistant and heat tolerant. This property makes it versatile and ideally suited to certain industrial operations.

It is learnt that several thousand babies in China are seriously ill due to melamine contamination of the infant formula with four deaths.

The babies are ill as a result of renal failure culminating from the formation of kidney stones.

According to an interim safety/food and drug conducted by the US FDA (Food and Drug Administration) the observed toxic effects of melamine on animals in controlled studies only occur following high dose exposures.

In light of the above, the Department of State for Health and Social Welfare is currently engaged in a massive inspection of food stores and groceries, looking for the incriminated product and its bi-products in order to take them off the shelves for further investigation.

As of now, with all the places visited, the incriminated infant formula has not been seen but a total ban of the product and its by-products is here by imposed by the department.

The Department of State for Health and Social Welfare through its Inspectorate Unit, responsible for ensuring food safety, has communicated to all major importers and assurance has been given that such infant formula is not imported into this country.

This goes to further buttress the fact that ensuring food safety is not only the responsibility of the government but all and sundry, the producers and importers of food included.

The general public is assured of the department’s relentless stand in ensuring the mental, social and physical well being of every one living on Gambian soil.

The general public is also urged to be vigilant and report any such products to the nearest health facility, if seen.

We prayed for a new Gambia. We hoped for a nation with talented young citizens. As the older generation are pasting off, we begin to question ourselves on the issue of who will take over the affairs of this nation from them and lead the nation into her promised land and actualize the dreams and quest of our nation and leaders.

We dream of a moment when Gambia will be in Africa like the Seattle of the United State of America and when every office and establishment in this nation will be composed and manned by energetic, highly skilled and enthusiastic Gambians. In that dream, most Gambian business enterprises would be owned by indigenes. Will such a nation be a paradise? Exactly, that would be the only adjective to describe such a state!

That paradise is on its way. The Gambia is already on this glorious path. We do not need a microscopic instrument to access it! The current state of our economy shows it vividly.

economyeconomyWhy have many refused to notice this blissful dream translating from a mental picture into a beautiful living reality? The wheel for the transformation of our country has started rolling. Guess what this enviable wheel is? It is the new breed of the young generation emerging in our soil. Does this sound like riddles? Stop the dream! Step out of your bed and take a walk on any official working day around town and see; what you will discover will amaze you and beat your imagination.

You will surprisingly discover that young Gambians are walking up to the challenge of becoming responsible, acquiring modern-relevant skills and demonstrating leadership /commercial acumen. We will not be making an over-statement by saying that; the bo tree is growing in the Gambia.

Visit any state department, bank, media house, educational institution, developmental agency …etc and you will definitely be overwhelmed by the number of youngsters employed as staff. There is a big difference between the Gambia of ten years back and that of today. The tide is actually changing. The younger generation is rising as a band of trained army to speed-up the country’s developmental pace and process.

I stand in ovation for all the youths in the Gambia labour market and to those who are currently undergoing training in the various tertiary educational institutions across The Gambia, as they have boldly responded to the government’s call (championed by His Excellency – A.J.J. Jammeh) for all Gambians to stand-up and contribute meaningfully to the socio-economic deconomyevelopment of the nation. He has often said that the task of building our nation is not the responsibility of foreigners as most foreigners are in the country for self-survival, enrichment and contribute minimally to national development.

Another interesting thing about this emerging new generation of youngsters is that the two genders are involved in this positive change. Gender equity is really taking shape and root in the Gambia. I am in great support of women empowerment as contending for the rights of women, my main argument is built on this simple principle, that if she be not prepared by education to become the companion of man, she will stop the progress of knowledge and virtue; for truth must be common to all, or it will be inefficacious with respect to its influence on general practice.

And how can a woman be expected to co-operate unless she know why she ought to be virtuous? Unless freedom strengthens her reason till she comprehends her duty, and see in what manner it is connected with her real good? If children are to be educated to understand the true principle of patriotism, their mother must be a patriot; and the love of mankind, from which an orderly train of virtues spring, can only be produced by considering the moral and civil interest of mankind; old orientation concerning the education and situation of woman, shuts her out from such investigations, but at present, she is receiving tremendous support and encouragement from various quarters.

Examples of young industrious people in the Gambia include: SOS Fatim Badjie Janneh, hoeconomynourable Seedy, Kemo Cham – the acting editor-in-chief of the Daily Observer Newspaper, Abdul Qadri Ceesay – Associate Asset and Liability Management at Standard Chartered Bank, Njaga Njie of Stratford College of Management.

Our youths realisation of their essential place in the process of actualising the nation’s dream is laudable; it has positive multiplier effects as these young people won’t only be empowered to earn a living, but it will also enrich the nation’s workforce with more enthusiastic professionals and intellectuals, give The Gambia a competitive advantage in international negotiations and exchange, strengthens our diplomatic relationships with nations around the world as we would be having well-informed people representing the country, provide a more efficient and effective management for the other national resources and business outfits/establishments, reduce the rate of dependence, reduce government expenditures on non-financial yielding ventures.

It is a common saying that, an idle mind is the devil’s workshop. So youths becoming more responsible and industrious will drastically reduce the rate of vices in our society as we are not ignorant that some youths are still rooming in the dark and living aimlessly. Some are still seating at bantabas, idling away their time and life with hope of getting to Europe and America, someday.

Only God knows when this hope will materialise and their fate even when they eventually arrive Europe! Recently, many were deported from Spain. Western countries keep passing immigration laws that are to the disadvantage economyof Africans…. Doesn’t this attitude of the West speak volume and require those with the ‘Europe Syndrome’ and ‘Babylon Dream’ to think twice and consider dropping such life endangering ambition? I want to use this opportunity to call on this category of young people to courageously rise to equip themselves for self and national relevance. Things might be a bit difficult today in the country but we must understand that it is a global trend and phenomenon. But assuredly things will not always remain the same.

The present condition is just the necessary occurrence in a country’s transformation process. No nation is static? The country is rapidly changing. We can either choose to be trained and become an asset to our nation or decide to be complacent and then become a liability or obsolete. The latter choice is catastrophic. So we must discard doubt, discouragement and despair from our life, learn to paddle our boat in the sea of time and seek to be part of our nation building process.

The government together with the help of other supportive agencies has given us the basic essentials that will enable us to get ourselves resourceful. The financial industry is rapidly growing with many financial institutions willing to grant loan at a moderate interest rate to those who intend to start-up business enterprises and become their own bosses. There are various training centres offering varieties of programmes at very reasonable price. Besides, the UTG, in recognition of this emerging team of ambitious youngsters, has introduced new instrument such as Access Programme and the Bridging Programme for those who still want to attend the university but do not meet the basic admission requirements, knowing that the neglect of education is tantamount to brinkmanship.

Let the grown-ups encourage the younger generation to treasure modern skill acquisition and true patriotism. They must live by example as action speaks louder than words. We must demonstrate that there is pride in labour. Our parents should be at the forefront in this practice of virtues. Our parents must themselves possess good qualities, and then they may require them in the children. They must not have the bad qualities in themselves, and then they (the parents) may require that they shall not be in their children. Never has there been a man, who, not having reference to his own character and wishes in dealing with others was able effectually to instruct them.

As a general life maxim, according to Confucius: what a man dislikes in his superiors, let him not display in the treatment of his inferiors; what he dislikes in inferiors, let him not display in the service of his superiors; what he hates in those who are before him, let him not therewith precede those who are behind him; what he hates in those who are behind him, let him not bestow on the left; what he hates to receive on the left, let him not bestow on the right:-this is what is called "The principle with which, as with a measuring square, to regulate one's conduct." The elders are the mirrors through which the younger generation see the future, model their lives and plan for the future.

I am saying a big thank you to all that have partnered with the government in the struggle to usher in this new youth era in the Gambia. Let’s keep up the good work….. We can disappoint the foes of the country. We can prove to the world that the greatness of any nation is not solely dependent on its size, but primarily determined by the value and quality of her people.

Besides, we that are part of this emerging new generation of youngsters must keep the spirit high, must keep developing ourselves, show piety, practice true patriotism and learn to always appreciate modern ethics and standards. Those aloof this is the best time to join this promising generation. Act now or never! With this emerging new generation the history of this country will soon be rewritten and Gambia will become the pride of Africa and the envy of the world.

Desmond O. Okocha

Marketing Officer

Stratford College of Management

Mr Ming Ching Cheng, an agronomist and adviser in rice breeding and cultivation attached to the Taiwanese Technical Mission at the Sapu Agricultural Research Station in the Central River Region, has predicted a possible increase in rice yield in CRR, come 2009. Mr Cheng, before coming to The Gambia in December 2006, had been working as an adviser in rice breeding and cultivation in one of seven Taiwanese agricultural extension stations, the Huoalian, for over thirty solid years.

In an interview with Mr Cheng, he left no stone unturned in delving into the Taiwanese government’s close ties with the government of The Gambia in ensuring efficient rice production in the country. He confidently said that in May, 2009, rice yield in both Northern CRR and Southern CRR will rise as high as 5, 600 tons. Mr Cheng told this reporter that there were 35 hectares of tidal irrigation rice fields in CRR North and 660 hectares in CRR South. Each hectare of these, he said, produces almost 5.6 tons of rice.  Cheng asserted that if tidal irrigation rice fields are managed well, they will be more productive.  He said although there are over 18000 hectares of upland rice fields, these produce the least yield, with 1.2 ton each.

This he attributed to the lack of appropriate water and fertiliser management. This, he noted, is unlike the tidal irrigation rice fields where technical know-how is essential and is indeed usually given to the rice growers. 

Mr Cheng said that if rice growers adhere to their technical advice, more rice yield could be expected in every harvest. He took the opportunity to advise rice growers to adhere to the requirements of the appropriate calendar of tilling, seedling and transplanting of the seedlings; which is early February. This would mean that by May, every one would have harvested their rice. 

Failure to do this, the Taiwanese agronomist argued, would mean harvesting during the rainy season, something that might have disastrous consequences.

Mr Cheng sought to reiterate the commitment of the Taiwan’s International Cooperation and Development Fund (ICDF) in The Gambia’s food sustenance drive, saying that each year it pledges a budget of 200, 000 US Dollars for every 50-hectare land development in the tidal irrigation system. He expressed optimism of the imminence of the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the Department of State for Agriculture (DOSA), Action Aid The Gambia, and the Taiwanese Technical Mission, which aims to help rice growers with horse and donkey carts, training programs in rice production and literary courses.

Cheng posited that for The Gambia to be totally food self-sufficient, there is the ardent need for attitudinal change among the people, echoing the Gambian leader’s long standing call.  He said that Gambians should not only rely on the Taiwanese, but should act as well, stating that if business partners should emulate President Jammeh, then in a few years to come we will not only be food self-sufficient, but can export rice to other African states. He further stressed that any business partner who wants to emulate the president will be assisted technically by the mission "as far as rice production is concerned". Mr Cheng concluded that by May 2009, everyone might be able to buy rice from rice growers in CRR at a very reasonable price.

Reports gathered by the Daily Observer have revealed that Alh Tabora Manneh, until now the chief of Lower Niumi, has been relieved of his position, and replaced by Fabakary Sonko, the Alkalo of Essau, in the Lower Niumi District, North Bank Region. Fabakary Sonko is said to be serving as the acting chief. This development was said to have happened on Tuesday in the afternoon.

When contacted, former Chief Manneh confirmed the story of his removal, but was quick to say that everything was going on smoothly, and that there was no problem. Mr Manneh added that he was grateful to the government of The Gambia, promising to "always rally behind President Jammeh".

The Daily Observer tried to reach the Department of State for Local Government, Lands and Religious Affairs for possible comments on the issue but to no avail. 

Chief Tabora Manneh was one of the longest serving chief s in the country.

Following recent reports about the alleged deportation of some Gambian nationals from Spain, The Gambia government, through the Department of State for Communication, has issued a press release, apparently aimed at clarifying their position in the case.

The release categorically affirmed the country’s commitment to the cordial relationship between the two friendly countries, apparently rebuffing distorted reports from the bad press about the real situation. Below we reproduce the full text of the release.

Repatriation of Gambia nationals from Spain

Flight of 19th September 2008

The Government of The Gambia wish to acknowledge the existing cordial relationship between the Kingdom of Spain and The Gambia.

We state that on September 19th, 2008, Spain failed to follow the set procedures and practice that required them, among other things, to inform the Gambian authorities of the identification of the illegal migrants (over 100 Gambian migrants) and the number of migrants involved in any repatriation exercise. Furthermore, a date for the repatriation exercise was yet to be agreed and finalised by the two state parties. Thus the plane landed without authority from the Gambian authorities.

The Gambia has been receiving illegal migrants from the Kingdom of Spain for some time now and will continue to do so within the framework of the agreement with the Kingdom as long as the repatriation exercise is done in conformity with set procedures and to the letter and spirit of the said agreement.

George Town Trust, a registered charitable organisation based in the United Kingdom on Tuesday, September 24, donated D150,000 to the Armitage Senior Secondary School for the payment of school and examinations fees for 122 needy students at a ceremony held at the school grounds in Janjangbureh.

Richard Leon, chairman of George Town Trust, speaking at the presentation ceremony, said the objective of his Trust is to help needy students in their educational careers.  Mr Leon asserted that he believes in long-term sponsorship and that the sponsorship will be based on merit.  He called on the students to make the best use of the opportunity.

The deputy governor of the region, Lamin Darboe, thanked the philanthropists for their generosity and urged the sponsored students to make the best use of the chance and take their education.

Baboucarr Suwareh, CRR Regional Education director, said education is very expensive and government alone cannot do all and needs support from philanthropists.  He pointed out that assisting the needy students would go a long way in complementing government’s efforts in their Education For All campaign.  He urged and challenged the students to have discipline, make their books their friends and work hard.  He commended the George Town Trust for their benevolent gesture.

The principal of Armitage Senior Secondary School, Ebrima Joof, encouraged the beneficiaries to be committed to learning and urged them to take up the challenges.

The Board chairman, Kaunding Tambedou, handed over a certificate of appreciation to the chairman of the Trust.  The head box of the school, Foday Jawla, delivered the vote of thanks.

In a bid to improve the framework of implementation of the West Africa component of the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) assisted Safety at Sea Project within the seven member states of the sub-regional fisheries commission namely Cape Verde, The Gambia, Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Mauritania, Senegal and Sierra Leone, the FAO, in collaboration with the Department of State for Fisheries, Water Resources and National Assembly Matters, recently began a five-day training of trainers workshop at the Tanji Community Fisheries Center in the Western Region.

The Safety at Sea Project aims, among other things, to build and strengthen capacities of community fisher folks in areas of navigation, especially the rules of the route at sea, the use of GPS, meteorological data in fisheries, Search And Rescue at sea (SAR), Participatory Monitoring Control and Surveillance (MCS).

Mr Adiatu Njai, director of fisheries, at the Department of State for Fisheries said the workshop was meant to arm and expose fishermen and fishing communities to safety measures at sea. He  urged the fishermen to be cautious once they are at sea and reminded them about the use of life jacket.

Mamanding Kuyateh, FAO regional coordinator in  West Africa on the Safety at Sea Project, described fishing at sea as one of  the most dangerous occupations in the world. He added that safety at sea and related issues are important for both small and large scale fishers to be aware of.

According to the FAO Safety at Sea boss, accidents and other related  incidents  rates are very high in some countries, which most often involve huge loss of human lives within fishing communities and cause severe distraught for families as well as entire communities and the nation at large.

Mr Kuyateh explained that issues bordering on safety at sea within the small-scale fisheries sector had earlier on  received very  little attention and regulation, therefore, the  need to build and strengthen capacities of national partners in order to regulate issues relating to safety at sea within the fishing communities.

“As partners in struggle, we are concerned about  the  high loss of lives at sea. The  appropriate  capacities and skills  for ensuring safety at sea in our small-scale fisheries sectors cannot be over emphasised," he said.

Mr Kuyateh then disclosed plans for the establishment of  National Safety at Sea bodies, which according to him, will be  institutionalised in each of the concerned countries and functional within decentralised local government structures.

Malcolm Duthie, FAO country representative, has stated that aquaculture has to be the way forward if we are to ensure long term food security in The Gambia.

He was speaking recently in Banjul, at the launching of a project backed by his agency, a Technical Co-operation Programme (TCP) in collaboration with The Gambia government through the Department of State for Fisheries, Water Resources and National Assembly Matters.

He further observed that as with rice production and other essential grains, the country has to move away from being dependent on only the whims of nature to provide ever increasing amounts of food.  According to him, we cannot simply rely on the sea and the river to continue to provide regular supplies of fish, which he added forms a vital source of affordable protein in this country.

The FAO representative said the program is aimed at helping in the development of sustainable Aquaculture systems adding that it involves a total cost of more than US$408.000.00 for a period of 2 years.

According to him, the project is meant to assist the government in providing technical guidance and backstopping in the implementation of the country’s strategic framework for sustainable aquacultural development.  He further added that it is also meant to build capacity in public institutions to support the development of the sub-sector.

He finally thank the government through the Department of State for Fisheries, Water Resource and National Assembly Matters for their approval of the  Technical Cooperation Programme.  He concluded by wishing them success in the implementation of the project adding that it should directly assist over 100 fish farmers whose livelihood depends on aquaculture.