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Women’s empowerment

Mon, 27 Oct 2008 08:48:33 GMT

Monday, October 27, 2008

One very important thing the world must have realized now is that decades of alienation of the women folk have deprived the world of their invaluable contributions. We in The Gambia are grateful with the fact that we were among the first few to have seen the need to adjust to the inevitable, although this, as destiny would have it, would not happen until now. The turn of events came about as a result of the foresight and intellect demonstrated by a thoughtful leadership which would itself not surface until now.

In just a little over a decade at the helm of affairs of this country, the APRC leadership has done so much that it is increasingly becoming a daunting task to enumerate its achievements. But a number of the achievements registered are so compelling that we need not endeavor to explain them. This is because of their significance in terms of accelerating the development process of the nation. The potential significance of these sectors concerned is what dictates the urge of the country’s leadership to give them the utmost attention they need.

Efforts to empower the Gambian woman, for instance, has been a prominent feature in the development master plan of this administration, and it had been there since the early days of the revolution, with President Yahya Jammeh himself displaying a complete show of interest on the issue. In fact, the president’s continued support for the course of women in general, and Gambian women in particular, have earned him the recognition of a champion of their course; recognition he enjoys as far as beyond the borders of this country.

The launching of the latest intercontinental women’s empowerment project, last week, an initiative jointly sponsored by the governments of The Gambia and Spain, demonstrates in no uncertain terms how far this government of ours can go to meet the demands of its women folks.

Despite the euphoria that comes with the launch of this mammoth venture, it is crucial to highlight the daunting task that accompanied it for the women folk. Government have done its part, the ball is now in your court.

Author: DO

As Women Empowerment Project launched

Fri, 24 Oct 2008 10:22:38 GMT

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Friday, October 24, 2008

Gambian women assured of Gov’t support

Alhaji Dr. Yahya Jammeh, the President of the Republic of The Gambia, has assured Gambian women of his government’s continued support towards their empowerment, as far as national development is concerned.

This was contained in a statement read on his behalf by the vice-president and secretary of state for Women’s Affairs, Aja Dr Isatou Njie-Saidy, during the launching ceremony of the Women’s Empowerment Project, under the auspices of President Jammeh. The initiative, funded by the governments of The Gambia and Spain, was launched yesterday, at the Paradise Suites Hotel in Kololi.

"As a government, we will continue to take the necessary steps, even go to the extra mile, to lend our support to the women of the Gambia. Personally, I am on record recognising at any given opportunity, the inspiration I have drawn from the hard work and exceptional enterprise of our women folk.

I shall not relent in committing my attention and the special attention of government, to championing the course of women and working towards increasing our success in the following key areas; the inclusion of women in the functional structures of government, especially at decision making level; girls education, with particular focus on parity at all levels; the drastic reduction of maternal and child mortality rate; the protection and promotion of women’s rights, with legislative instruments that do not only guarantee protection, but stipulate stringent penalties for those who perpetrate violence against women," she said.

Commenting on the President’s words, she further stated that her government would not and shall never tolerate rape and other forms of abuse directed against women.

Perpetrators, she said, will be tracked down to face the full and uncompromising force of the law.

She went on to say women Constitutes about 50% of the labour force, and, continue to lead in the production of the country’s major staple food especially rice. In addition to the crucial role they continue to play in the horticultural sector, Gambian women are also very active in the tourism industry.

According to the President’s statement read by the Vice-President, women have the fundamental duty to serve not only as mothers and household keepers, but also as breadwinners for many families.

She went on to say that the Women Empowerment Project constitutes a magnificent project, as it showcase another meaningful step in the efforts deployed by government towards providing the necessary environment, infrastructure and facilities for Gambian women to learn and acquire skills, access resources and finance, network at the local and international level, thus harnessing their collective potential to create and develop a vibrant platform for business and production.

Acknowledging the immense contribution of the outgoing National Women’s Council, she reiterated that the invaluable contributions of the outgoing members of the National Women’s Council must be commended, as their rewarding and productive services to the women of this country will continue to offer their support and advice to the council, and also share their vast experience with new members.

She further said that the Spanish African Women Empowerment Project will support, amongst other things the building of a processing and storage plant as well as the National Women’s multi purpose complex. "Resources have also been mobilised to build the market complex which will house two hundred outlets, a supermarket, restaurant, a cinema hall as well as other out-door facilities," she outlined.

Also speaking at the ceremony, Aja Kassa Kanteh-Sanneh, the out-going chairperson of the National Women’s Council, said in 1980, the Council was created by an act of parliament to serve as the machinery for addressing shortcomings confronting women empowerment, where the council under the leadership of a Chairperson, serves as the advisory body to government on women’s issues.

"The Women’s Bureau serves as the secretariat to the national Women’s council and is charged with the responsibility of the day-to-day administration of the work of the council and implement recommendations emanating from council meetings which are usually held every three months, she concluded.

Author: by Mariatou Ngum-Saidy & Asanatou Bojang

UN Day today

Fri, 24 Oct 2008 09:25:13 GMT

Friday, October 24, 2008

The United Nation system in The Gambia will celebrate UN Day, today, Friday October 24, 2008 on the theme ‘UN 4 U’.

The United Nation which came into being after a majority of its founding members ratified a treaty setting up the world body on the 24th October, 1945, has its headquarters in New York.In 1971, the United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution recommending that the day be observed as a public holiday by member states.

The name “United Nation” coined by United States President Franklin D. Roosevelt, was first used in the ‘declaration by United Nation” of 1st January 1942, during the second world war, when representatives of 26 nations pledged their governments to continue fighting the Axis power. Therefore, the United Nations officially came into existence on the 24th October 1945.

The Gambia being the 116th member of the United Nation will today join the whole world to celebrate the UN Day on the theme “UN4U”.

According to reports, The Gambia for forty-three years on in the UN, is able to host nine UN agencies within the UN system namely; UNAIDS, UNICEF, UNDP, FAO, UNFPA, UNHCR, WFP, WHO.

At a press briefing ahead of the day Sainaibou Jallow -Gaye communication partnership and resource mobilisation analyst of the UN system in The Gambia said this year’s theme - UN4U, encourages all UN member countries and offices, to promote the work of the UN through schools.

In The Gambia she said, a major quiz competition in collaboration with Department of State for Basic Secondary Education will take place at the Atlantic Hotel in Banjul as part of the celebration.

She added that the competitors at the level of Senior Secondary School will be drawn from six senior schools such as Gambia High School, Nusrat High School, Ndows High School among other schools from region one regional education centre.

According to her, Mrs Fatou Lamin Faye, secretary of state for Basic and Secondary Education is expected to grace the quiz competition with the UN Resident Coordinator and other officials of the UN system in The Gambia.

Other speakers at the briefing included Jeggan Grey-Johnson assistant communication officer, Lamin Camara, Programme assistant and George Williams. They all highlighted on the role of the media to make sure what the UN is trying to implement to reach the youths noting that the media is the key to inform the people.

Author: by Alieu Ceesay & Omar Wally

A challenge for our scientists

Mon, 20 Oct 2008 06:58:32 GMT

Monday, October 20, 2008

Innovation creates room for accommodating prospects of progress; but innovativeness is a seemingly missing feature in the developing world, especially so in countries on the African continent.

This year’s World Food Day, celebrated on the 15th October, coincided with a turbulent period as the world battles with fears of meeting its food demands in the face of what seemed to be an uncontrollable spree of price hike of basic foodstuffs. World wide focus has been on how to produce more, rather than how to maximize accessibility to what we have. At present, this fear is being overlooked as much focus was paid to the so-called ‘credit crunch’ in the US and other major European financial institutions.

But the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) raised concerns on what had been a neglected line of thought, looking into possibility of making the maximum out of local produce. The global body issued what it called a ‘challenge’ to its directors in more than 80 countries worldwide to develop new methods of nutritional foods using local produce. This is an incredibly valuable idea that had eluded us all this while.

The richness of the continent’s vegetation puts it at quite an advantageous position regarding this initiative. It will not only allow for increased accessibility to food, but it will also ensure induction of valuable nutrients where it is absent, making our available food stuff readily nutritious.

Accordingly, the micro-nutrient rich products which will be designed to reduce child malnutrition, especially among children under two, was a key factor considered in taking the decision.

Actually the challenge is for our governments, but it is more so for our scientists.

Author: DO

National MDGs report discussed

Wed, 03 Sep 2008 03:52:03 GMT

Wednesday, September 03, 2008

The statutory draft report of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) for 2007 was on Monday validated at a one-day meeting convened at Paradise Suites Hotel in Kololi.

The validation of the draft report came ahead of the upcoming UN MDGs Session of Heads of State and Governments, which the Gambia is expected to attend.

The National Planning Commission, in collaboration with the Office of the President, UNDPand the Gambia Burea of Statistic (GBos), prepared the 2007 country report on the status of the MDGs implementation in The Gambia.

The report covered various sectors relevant to the MDGs, including education, health, environment, amongst others. It also identified some major challenges regarding the availability of resources, data gaps, policy orientation and priority for development cooperation and appropriate recommendations therein.

In his presentation on the sub-theme Eradicate extreme poverty and hunger, Alieu Saho from the Gambia Revenue Authority, described poverty as a global phenomenon that is affecting both the rural and urban areas.

On challenges, Saho told the gathering that the economy is faced with certain difficulties in recent times, but was quick to note that The Gambia government is committed to poverty alleviation which it has manifested in the Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper ll and other sectoral strategic documents.

For Juldeh Ceesay, the principal economist at the National Planning Commission, maternal and reproductive health issues are high on the list of priorities of the government. She said the country has experienced a lot of challenges in its efforts to realise the MDG targets on maternal mortality and underscored some gains registered by the government.

During the deliberartions, which also saw several other presentations, the participants were exposed to the content of the report, which they carefully studied and suggested necessary adjustments and recommendations.

Author: by Musa Ndow

NYP Speaker receives Peace and Love award

Fri, 22 Aug 2008 09:27:54 GMT

Friday, August 22, 2008

Honourable Lamin F Bojang, the speaker of the National Youth Parliament, has has recieved the award of PEACE and LOVE Medal from Energy Boys and Girls of the World Federation for Peace and Love, based in Taiwan, during the 5th Session of the United Nations Annual Youth Assembly, recently concluded in New York, on Thursday, 14th August 2008.

Honourable Bojang, who was awarded the medal along side over a dozen other young people from around the world, was commended for his contribution to the development of young people in TheGambia.

Presenting the Medal to the Awardees, Ying – Chen, a member of the Energy Boys and Girls said that their parent organization is operating world wide, working to promote world peace and love.

She noted that her organization was indeed very grateful to award a medal to outstanding youth personalities ‘whose contribution to world peace through their respective organizations complements world peace and love.’

Upon receiving the award, Hon. Bojang thanked the Energy Boys and Girls for the encouragement. He called on them to collaborate with young people of the Gambia as there exist a very closer relationship between the governments of The Gambia and Taiwan. This, he said, could be supported through creation of partnership between like minded organizations in the two countries.

Young people, the NYP speaker went on, has a major stake in the development of their society and the world as a whole. Therefore, the inculcation of responsible behavior and attitude goes a long way in the promotion and protection of world peace.

Author: by Kemo Cham

Security concern: a genuine priority

Tue, 29 Jul 2008 04:09:38 GMT

Tuesday, July 29, 2008

In this age, security concerns form a crucial part of the policies of all governments. No matter the size or geographical location of a country, the eminent threat posed by international terrorism (individual and state-sponsored terrorism), and all other forms of criminality, makes it a priority that countries should ensure that sound security modalities are in place.

You do not need to offend anyone these days to be a viable target. The twin attacks on the US Embassies in Nairobi and Dar-es-Salem, in 1998, are a clear illustration of that.

It is therefore a cause for rejoicing for the people of The Gambia that we are blessed with a leadership that has not only demonstrated real security concern, which is indeed a genuine concern, but has gone further to make it a top priority in its development agenda.

Of course, the performance of our security services have hardly been found wanting, and it has been improving incredibly, thanks to the support they enjoy from the top leadership of the country; in terms of moral, material and financial support.

As a matter of fact, the level of security The Gambia enjoys is responsible for its increasing popularity as a destination for people from an array of countries; from Africa to the Mediterranean, right across the Atlantic.

It is reassuring to note that our security-minded government has not lost touch with the need to venture into the fast changing technological world, which has become so prominent that one’s failure to get themselves well prepared makes them even more susceptible to attacks of all sorts.

The installation of the new state-of the-art security equipment – the biometrics visa system – puts this small but great country of ours far ahead of many countries in the region and beyond. This development does not only demonstrate The Gambia government’s resolve to safeguarding the security of its citizens, but it also reaffirms its degree of commitment to its responsibilities. It also re-emphasises our position in terms of ensuring international security.

But as President Jammeh himself urged during the inauguration of this facility, which is a monumental national pride, the instalment of the equipment by government is just a step in this genuine drive for international safety and security; the issue of sustenance, which rests solely on the shoulders of the common citizens, especially those directly in charge of its upkeep, is of crucial importance.

It is important for Gambians, therefore, to note that every single stride we register is sort of a prerequisite for another development level. We can only claim to be making true progress if we are able to maintain our gains, but not by destroying and replacing what we have already achieved. If we want to maintain the development trend we have been undertaking, it is of paramount importance that we jealousy maintain what we have first.

Author: DO

Impact of tourism in Africa

Wed, 02 Jul 2008 04:51:02 GMT

Wednesday, July 02, 2008

The impact of tourism in Africa accounts for more cash moving from rich to poor countries than governments give in aid. Tourism constitutes over 10% of total exports in more than half of African countries for which there is data. In countries such as Mali and The Gambia, tiny annual international arrival figures of 70,000 – that’s less than 200 tourists a day – are significant and tourism contributes 10.1% and 30.5% of total exports for these countries respectively.

But can tourism really be pro-poor? Yes, according to Caroline Ashley and Jonathan Mitchell, but only if current practices change. On the contrary it is fairly clear that isolated, ‘alternative’ and small-scale initiatives are unlikely to have the impact or market linkages to delivering the scale of benefits to the poor that are realistically possible from changes at the margin to mainstream tourism.

Over the decade of the 1990s, Africa has experienced a rise in tourist arrivals from 8.4 million to 10.6 million. According to the World Tourism Organization (WTO, 2006), the tourism industry in Sub-Saharan Africa enjoyed a robust annual market share growth rate of 10 percent in 2006. In spite of this, there are only few empirical studies that investigate the contributions of tourism to economic growth and development for African economies.

Using a panel data of 42 African countries for the years that span from 1995 to 2004.This study explores the potential contribution of tourism to economic growth and development within the conventional neoclassical framework. The results show that receipts from the tourism industry significantly contribute both to the current level of gross domestic product and the economic growth of Sub-Saharan African countries as do investments in physical and human capital.

Author: by Yunus S. Saliu

Ecowas meets on conflict, peace-building

Tue, 01 Jul 2008 06:02:04 GMT

Tuesday, July 01, 2008

A four-day Zonal Strategic Planning Meeting on Conflict Prevention and Peace-bulding, organised by the Ecowas Commission, kicked-off yesterday, at the Jerma Beach Hotel, Kololi.

The meeting seeks to strategise and plan the bottom-up approach to conflict prevention and peace-building. It was also designed to reflect and take practical steps towards consolidating human security in West Africa.

The meeting came barely a year after the first major consultative meeting on the draft Ecowas Conflict Prevention Framework, which took place in Banjul.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Dr Abdel Fatah Musah, conflict prevention adviser to the Ecowas President, said the 2007 draft Ecowas Conflict Prevention Framework serves as a tool to facilitate cooperation between Ecowas institutions and organs, member states, civil society and external partners. In this collaboration, he continued, challenges of the intermediate and root causes of human insecurity and conflicts in the sub-region would be addressed.

"In January, this year, Ecowas member states adopted the conflict prevention framework at their summit in Ouagadougou. Over the years, Ecowas has amply demonstrated its status as a continental trailblazer in interventions to stop violent conflicts and to build peace. The Gambia is an example to all as a willing troop contributor in this regard, whether in the sub-region or beyond," he said.

According to Dr Musah, containment of conflict is not enough, as the sub-regional body is often constrained in its actions in circumstances of so-called "local conflicts".

“Several local conflicts have been festering in the region, while new ones are emerging. They [the people] need concrete solidarity and support in their efforts. We are gathered here to further strengthen synergy between member states, civil society and Ecowas resources on the ground, in order to accompany and complement the tireless efforts of our member states to resolve lingering local conflicts such as in Casamance, the Yenga dispute, the Niger Delta, northern Ghana, Mali and Niger,” he emphasised.

In her keynote address, Nafi Barry, the deputy permanent secretary at the Department of State for Trade, Industry and Employment, who delivered a statement on behalf of SoS Abdou Colley, said Ecowas member-states cannot achieve their objectives without collective collaboration with key stakeholders.

"Sustainable peace can only be forged, when the people unite, as it is a prerequisite to good governance and development,” Ms Barry noted.

Speaking earlier, Afi Yakubu of Foundation for Security and Development in Africa (FSDA), expressed gratitude to the Ecowas Commission for its foresight and leadership, which has created the necessary space for more engagement.

"Across the West African sub-region today, we have come to realise that our governments need the input of civil society to grow in as much as civil society can play complementary roles. A strong civil society reflects a strong government and the opposite is true. That is why we place a great premium on this Ecowas Zonal Strategic meeting on conflict prevention and peace-building," she said..

Other speakers at the ceremony included Moussa Dabal, zonal bureau head and Carlos Salsamendi, the Cuban ambassador to The Gambia. The meeting is being attended by the 16 representatives from Ecowas member countries.

Author: by Sheriff Janko

African Liberation Day No easy victories

Fri, 23 May 2008 04:00:47 GMT

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Friday, May 23, 2008

On April 15, 1958, in the city of Accra Ghana, African leaders and political activists gathered at the first Conference of Independent African States. It was attended by representatives of the governments of Ethiopia, Ghana, Liberia, Libya, Morocco, Sudan, Tunisia, The United Arab Republic (which was the federation of Egypt and Syria) and representatives of the National Liberation Front of Algeria and the Union of Cameroonian Peoples.

This conference was significant in that it represented the first Pan-African Conference held on African soil. It was also significant in that it represented the collective expression of African People’s disgust with the system of colonialism and imperialism, which brought so much suffering to African People. Further, it represented the collective will to see the system of colonialism permanently done away with.

After 500 years of the most brutal suffering known to humanity, the rape of Africa and the subsequent slave trade, which cost Africa in excess of 100,000,000 of her children, the masses of African People singularly, separately, individually, in small disconnected groupings for centuries had said, “enough”! But in 1958, at the Accra Conference, it was being said in ways that emphasized joint, coordinated and unified action.

This conference gave sharp clarity and definition to Pan-Africanism, the total liberation and unification of Africa under scientific socialism. The conference as well laid the foundation and the strategy for the further intensification and coordination of the next stage of the African Revolution, for the liberation of the rest of Africa, and eventual and complete unification.

The Conference called for the founding of African Freedom Day, a day to, “mark each year the onward progress of the liberation movement, and to symbolize the determination of the People of Africa to free themselves from foreign domination and exploitation.”

Five years later after the First Conference of Independent African States in the city of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia another historical meeting occurred.

On May 25, 1963, leaders of thirty-two independent African States met to form the Organization of African Unity (OAU). By then more than two thirds of the continent had achieved independence from colonial rule. At this historic meeting the date of Africa Freedom Day was changed from April 15th to May 25th and Africa Freedom Day was declared African Liberation Day (ALD). African Liberation Day has been held on May 25th in every corner of the world since.

African Liberation Day as an institution within the Pan-African movement reflects the growth and development of Pan-Africanism. When Pan-Africanism was faced with fighting colonialism, the focus of African Liberation Day was on the anti-colonial struggle and the fight for national independence. As Pan-Africanism grew stronger and developed into a more mature objective, African Liberation Day activities reflected this maturation.

African Liberation Day has contributed to the struggle to raise the level of political awareness and organization in African communities worldwide. It has further been used as a tool to provide a platform for many African and other oppressed peoples to inform the African masses about their respective struggles for true liberation and development.

Particularly for Southern Africa, African Liberation Day played a critical role in the defeat of colonialism and apartheid. It inspired others to support through various progressive organizations, liberation committees and movements both in Africa and the socialist countries around the world, the building of anti-colonial and national liberation movements by generating arms for the freedom fighters, offering a platform where the world could receive political education on the nature of the struggle, and providing a mass assembly where the spirit and moral of the freedom fighters could be reinvigorated.

African Liberation Day has helped to expose U.S. led imperialism, Zionism and colonialism as enemies of Africa. Imperialists for decades have attempted to distance African Liberation Day (and the African Revolution in general) from the struggle for socialism. Remember that it was, and is, capitalist Europe, and not the Soviet Union, Cuba, North Korea, China or Vietnam which occupied, colonized and exploited Africa. Several states in Africa today stand independent because of military and other assistance from socialist countries.

From the first ALD held in Accra, Ghana where Osagyefo Kwame Nkrumah planted the first seed to the hundreds of African Liberation Day observances which have occurred all over the world.

African Liberation Day stands committed to the struggle for national independence, African redemption, African liberation, African unification and scientific socialism. Today African Liberation Day activities are being organized throughout Africa and all over the world where African people are living and struggling.

The journey down the Revolutionary path can only be accomplished by joining a revolutionary organization working for the people. The freedom of Africa and African people demands revolutionary action through revolutionary organization.

Author: DO