Just two days after the end of the landmark visit of the Sierra Leonean president to The Gambia, his compatriots living in the country are recounting the visit of their head of state.

In an interview with Society, the interim chairman of the Sierra Leone National Union (SLENU), Mr John Alfred Ceesay, has expressed delight and appreciation with the manner of welcome “accorded to our president. We have been talking about the brotherliness of the two countries, but it has been demonstrated to the highest possible level during the three days visit of President Koroma”, said Mr Ceesay. He described President Yahya Jammeh as a true African brother, whose kind the continent of Africa deserves.

He said that the idea of exposing their new president to the numerous ongoing development projects in The Gambia would serve as motivation for the Sierra Leonean leader. He echoed the two leaders’ call for the people of the two countries to follow the footsteps of the two leaders, noting that “whatever good work the two presidents might be doing, it was up to us, the ordinary citizens, to exploit the benefit that lies therein” And he stressed, “we ought to ensure that the cordial relation that is being nurtured by our leaders is guarded jealously, for posterity.”

Ernest Bai Koroma, President of the Republic of Sierra Leone, yesterday received a tumultuous welcome at the Banjul International Airport on arrival for a three days maiden state visit.

President Koroma was received at the foot of the aicraft by his Gambian counterpart, President Alhaji Dr Yahya Jammeh, flanked by his cabinet, the Speaker of the National Assembly, members of the diplomatic community, the Sierra Leonean community in The Gambia and other distinguish personalities. President Koroma and a high powered delegation were also welcomed with the National Anthems of the two sister Republics-The Gambia and Sierra Leone. The Sierra Leonean Head of State was later led by his host to a presentation of Gambian personalities.

Shortly after the presentation, President Koroma joined his Gambian counterpart in a secured and confortable convoy from the Banjul International Airport grounds to his 5-star Ocean Bay Hotel in Cape Point, Bakau.

On their way to the hotel, the two Heads of State who joined The Gambia’s Number One Vehicle, received more applauses from communities within the Greater Banjul Area as the Presidential Convoy passed through Lamin-Abuko-Tallinding-Westfield-Kairaba Avenue and then took a T-Square turn in front of the Daily Observer Newspaper offices in Bakau to the Ocean Bay Hotel.

As part of his three days state visit, President Koroma will today visit the Kafuta Agricultural Project in Kafuta and depart for Bwiam to visit the Sulayman Junkung Hospital.

From there, Presient Koroma will proceed to Kanilai, home village of President Jammeh to visit the Kanilai Science and Technology Academy. In Kanilai, he will also visit the Fish Pond, the Noni Garden, the Animal Park and the Seed Processing Facility before departing for his Ocean Bay Hotel base for a night break.

On Saturday, April 12, President Koroma’s day will begin with a visit to Brikama Power Plant and later to Gunjur Fisheries Project. He will then proceed to the AU Villas at Brufut, later to Kololi were he will visit the West African Insurance Institute (WAII), before being hosted to a private lunch. President Koroma will then attend a general meeting with the Sierra Leonean Community at the Independence Stadium reception hall, to be followed by a State Banquet at the Kairaba Beach Hotel.

On Sunday, the Sierra Leonean Head of State will attend a Church Service at the Trinity Church in Serrekunda to be followed by a visit to the Sierra Leonean High Commission Chancery Building.This will be followed by a visit to The Gambia Ports Authority in the afternoon. He will then be hosted to a Tete-a-tete at State House where the two Heads of State will sign a Joint Communique and draft agreement on bilateral cooperation.

President Koroma will then be hosted to a private lunch before been seen off at the Banjul International Airport for Freetown at 17:00hrs by his Gambian counterpart, President Yahya Jammeh and dignitaries.

Says Senegalese Speaker Sall as Senegalese and Nigerian delegations arrive for the State Opening of Parliament

Macky Sall, the Speaker of the Senegalese National Assembly, and Honourable Tunde Akongun, Deputy Speaker of the Nigerian parliament, each accompanied by a high powered delegation yesterday arrived in The Gambia to attend the 2008 State Opening of the Legislative year.

Received at the foot of the aircraft by Honourable Fatoumatta Jahumpa-Ceesay, Speaker of the National Assembly, Speaker Sall of Senegal was accompanied by Madam Daba Camara, a National Assembly Member, Monsieur Mousa Diao No.1 National Assembly Member, Monsieur Elhadji Wack Ly, a National Assembly Member, Monsieur Ousman Sow Huchard, a National Assembly Member and Madam Seynabou Kor Tine, the Director of Communication at the National Assembly of Senegal.

Honourable Akogun of Nigeria was also accompanied by Honourable Ali Ndume, Honourable Johnson Agbolagba, Honourable Elizabeth Ogbubo, National Assembly Members, Mr Kayode Akinmade, Yusuf Shinkafi and Mr Atiku Ibrahim.

Speaking to journalist at his Ocean Bay Hotel in Cape Point, Speaker Sall expressed delight at the invitation to attend the state opening and to visit a dynamic colleague.

He said “I am proud to be here in a land of peace and tranquility more especially with its leadership, President Yahya Jammeh” he said. He then emphasised the good cordial relationship between the two countries noting that The Gambia and Senegal are one family. “Therefore it is a great pleasure for me to come to The Gambia” he concluded.

A one day seminar on the theme ‘Democracy and Good Governance’ for National Assembly Members, Seyfolus, Regional Governors and Mayors was yesterday convened at the Corinthia Atlantic Hotel in Banjul.

Presided over by Speaker Fatoumatta Jahumpa-Ceesay, the seminar organised by the National Assembly and funded by the UNDP Gambia office, brought about 200 participants to discuss ways of strengthening democracy and good governance in The Gambia.

Declaring the seminar opened, Ismaila Sambou, secretary of state for Local Government, Lands and Religious Affairs, described the theme as of particular significance as it will enable local government authorities to review the state of progress with local government reform and decentralisation, one of the important components of the nation’s Governance program.

According to him, The Gambia has come a long way on the journey to democracy. He recalled that one of the main objectives of the July 22nd Revolution led by President Yahya Jammeh was to rectify the electoral and political system which was not transparent enough and did not encourage popular participation and citizen engagement in the political and economic development process of the country.

SoS Sambou then emphasised that Good Governance is the evolutionary process of implementing public authority based upon universal principles of democracy, conducted through established and transparent structures of society.

“It is for this reason that the constitution of the Gambia provides for separate executive, legislative and judiciary powers and structures and an Independent Electoral Commission. These institutions, which should support the process of democracy need in themselves to be strong and effective so that they can serve the interest of people in an open climate of transparency and accountability”, he said.


He added that, this has been the basis for designing the national governance framework which is an expression of government’s recognition that improving the governance environment of the Gambia is a necessary pre-requisite for the maintenance of sustainable development and the welfare of the Gambian people.

He noted that this governance frame work which is anchored on six sub-program components aims at promoting citizens engagement at all levels, improving transparency and accountability in a democratic system of government, strengthening government’s policy making capacity, enhancing the administration of justice, decentralising authority and responsibility and reforming public administration institutions.

SoS Sambou then highlighted the constraints faced in the local government system in the country but noted that with effective support and collaboration of the relevant institutions like the National Assembly, the authorities of the local government sector will soon conform to the democratic expectations of the constitution.

He added that decentralisation is one of the pillars of democratic governance and gives citizens the right and opportunities of participating in the economic and social development of their country through the creation of sub-national layers of governance at the regional and local levels.

He then lauded the enactment of the Local Government Act in 2002 which he said diffuses power between the central and national levels and provides the institutional framework that allows local government authorities to operate important services.

He then expressed confidence that the seminar will enable NAMs and district authorities to identify their respective roles and functions as they relate to local governance and local  democracy in their areas of jurisdiction and thank the office of the Speaker for organising the seminar and the UNDP for funding.

For his part, Muntean Vitale, UNDP Representative in The Gambia stated that democracy requires the existence of effective representative institutions at all levels and in particular a National Assembly in which all components of society are represented and which has the requisite powers and means to genuinely reflect the will of the people, legislating and overseeing government policies and actions noting that this roles are of crucial importance to strengthening and sustaining the democratic spirit.

He noted that good governance and capacity building for good governance is an area of focus for UNDP and it is apparent that good governance, which provides an effective and efficient framework for public management, is indispensable to reducing poverty and empowering citizens to exercise their rights and participate in national affairs.

“The critical importance of establishing democratic governance especially in developing countries was highlighted at the Millennium Summit where world leaders resolved to “spare no effort to promote democracy and strengthen the rule of law, as well as respect for all internationally recognised human rights and fundamental freedoms, including the right to development”. UNDP recognises this imperative and has as I already alluded to, designated governance as one of the main focus areas, which must be strengthened and expended as part of the strategy for sustainable human development” he said.

In Africa, where the challenges to sustainable development are most formidable, he said that supporting institutions of governance has become a priority for UNDP. He added that in accordance with these principles, in the recent years UNDP supported The Gambia in the implementation of the National Governance Programme (2004-2005), which has helped to extend and deepen understanding of the concept of good governance and the prorgamme has also assisted in short and medium term capacity development in key national institutions and has been instrumental in finalising various private sector oriented legislations designed to provide a business and investment friendly environment in The Gambia.

He added that a project to further support the capacity development of the National Assembly was also signed in July 2007 between the National Assembly and the UNDP within the framework of the Gambia Government - UNDP Country Programme Action Plan, 2007-2011 to further enhance the institutional capacity of the National Assembly as well as to assist in formulating a long term strategy to support sustainable capacity development of the National Assembly, including resource mobilisation of its implementation.

He then reiterated UNDP’s commitment to consolidate the existing partnership between them and the National Assembly towards further strengthening the National Assembly’s capacity to perform its constitutional role in the most effective and efficient manner.

Alhagie Demba Sanyang, Paramount Chief of The Gambia on behalf of the council of seyfolus, expressed delight at the seminar. He thanked the office of the speaker for the initiative noting that the seminar will go a long way in the history of The Gambia.

According to him, supporting democracy and good governance is indeed a step in the right direction and assured President Jammeh that they (Seyfolus) will live up to expectation. He also assured Speaker Jahumpa-Ceesay that they will have the maximum support from the council of seyfolus in national development.

Until recently, that is, before the intervention of the Gambian leader, President Yahya Jammeh, transfiguring the general perception towards farming in the Gambia, it was mind-boggling to see Gambians take to the land voluntarily. Even more stupefying is for those we in the Gambia prefer calling "semester" to forfeit the largely materialistic western life they live in the west to take up farming as their preoccupation. Well, this is exactly what one Yahya Touray has vowed to do.

In his early 50s, Yahya sees in himself a Pan-African, even though he makes his leaving in a Western country and has absolutely no inclination for the time wasting theories we get from academic forums about Pan-Africanism. But make no mistake; this Badibunka’s own humble philosophy is succinct and clear-cut. He emphasized, in his rather fascinatingly broken English (as he had never ever sat in a classroom of any sort) that the Whiteman came to Africa and got all his riches, "we are also entitled to go and get what we can from their land."   

Actually, earlier on, the Daily Observer had called and fixed appointment with this Italy based Gambian Rasta man to take a stroll to his orchard, situated in Lamin Daranka. Over the high volume Burning Spare music reverberating from the cassette player of his old fashion Jeep, Mr Touray freely spoke his mind about his feelings for Gambians and "our lazy attitudes."

His sense of understanding on Agriculture and contemporary issues made him a fascinating character, especially given the fact that he wasn’t schooled as such.  
   
On arrival at his orchard, we were greeted by a group of euphoric children, calling him Baba, Baba. He new straight away what they wanted. The cashew nut fruit, already ripe, kind of attract the children in the nearby areas and beyond to his garden.

Originally from Badibu Banni, Yahya Touray’s family now makes a living in Kanifing South. He, unlike other members of his family, has a special passion for farming. His inspiration, according to him, is his namesake, the Gambian leader, President Jammeh. And like the president, he has the firm belief that it is only through collective effort that we can achieve our goals.

He stressed the need for communal approach. This, he vowed, he is ready to do in the Gambia. Already, Yahya is sponsoring a project in Badibu, in a village near his. He disclosed that he deliberately refused to set it in his own village as a show of anger. "I want to make them awaken from their slumber. I want to show them that I can only work with people that want to work.

Having been engaged in farming before venturing abroad, Yahya had been part of a jointly owned communal garden in his village in Banni. He felt devastated when, on arrival in the Gambia at one point, he realized that the garden had vanished. He would hardly forgive his tribesmen for that "careless attitude."

Today, he grows a host of plant that serve a host of purposes. Oranges, mangoes, cashew nut, cocoa are among the food crops he grows. He showed us plants that cure a host of diseases, like stomach ache, constipation, diabetes and infertility, etc.    

"If he can leave behind the luxury of New York for this part of the Gambia", Yahya said, pointing at the house of his next door neighbor, an American, "I wonder what we Gambians are up to. All we think about is erecting big houses in areas like Fajara, Kanifing or Bijilor, living lives that only perpetuate poverty among the poor."

Mr Touray’s American neighbor maintains a massive compound where he grows vegetables, produce of which he (Touray) believes eventually find their way to Western supermarkets.
 
He strongly believes that we can only attain the food self-sufficiency dream we cry about if we change our attitude.

On tourism, Mr Touray is blatantly dismissive of concentrating tourist activities within the Greater Banjul Area. He believes that we can maximize our gains and get the locals to benefit more if we extend the industry up country.

This he is already working on at his own individual level. In his land in Lamin, he is already erecting houses that would serve as guest rooms for prospective tourists. He also has plans to add onto his stock of plants some breeds of farm animals, the likes of sheep, goats, cows and even rabbits.

Pointing at some struggling seedlings of Mahogany dotted around his plot, he argued that it was possible for the Gambia to grow plants like the wooded tree which, he said, would satisfy our timber requirement. "Our problem is we do not work as we talk."

Yahya’s biggest self-imposed mission, if he can get the support of the Gambian leader, is to set communal gardens of this kind in the whole of the country. "I can do it", he argued. "I can establish and hand them over to the communities. If they take care of it well, they stand to reap the benefit. They can take care of problems like their children’s school fees without having to expose their privacies." He stressed that he does not need any financial gain for himself.

Indeed, Yahya Touray is already doing this, he only want to see the involvement of the Gambian leader, so that people will take it serious, and that the land will be available.

President Yahya Jammeh on Wednesday received in his office at State House, Banjul, General Philippe Bonnet, Commander of the French Forces in Senegal.

Led to State House by Danielle Robin, Charge d’Affairs, French embasy in Banjul, Commander Bonnet was accompanied by his deputy, Commander Baudry.

Speaking to reporters soon after their audience with the Gambian leader, General Bonnet said that their discussion with President Jammeh centered on the French Action and Support in the ECOWAS Military Initiative, what they do and what they intend to do in the coming months.

According to him, they also spoke on the last French support in the ECOWAS Military Initiative specifically on the last exercise “Deggo 27” which took place in Senegal last December in which The Gambia participated with an infatary unit. He described the event as “great” and that it showed the close relationship between The Gambia and France, as well the impportance accorded to the French support to the ECOWAS Initiative.

General Bonnet further stated that, he had also briefed President Jammeh on the next initiative the French Forces will undertake in Mali in next June for their next exercise.

The APRC Tobokoto supporters led by Yama Njie, youth mobiliser and organiser last saturday embarked on a massive cleansing exercise (set-setal) at the National Assembly ahead of the fourth coming state opening of the legislative year 2008.

The exercise, in which all members of the National Assembly participated actively, follows the giant step taken by the assembly leadership in facelifting the assembly grounds prior to the event.

Speaking during the exercise, Fabakary Tombong Jatta, Majority leader and NAM for Serrekunda East on behalf of Speaker Jahumpa-Ceesay, expressed delight at the exercise and commended Yama Njie and the youths for such a laudable initiative. He reiterated the giant leadership of the assembly and described the exercise as in reponse to the President Yahya Jammeh’s call for a clean environment.

According to him, the exercise is timely as the state opening of the 2008 legislative year is just in the offing and quickly anticipated for a very succesful state opening. “This will be the time when the leadership of this country will table the last years activities and plans for the year in which we are. Bills and motions will as well be table for ratification and enactment. For such, we are expecting all kinds of people. So the cleanliness of the environment is vital” he said.

He on behalf of the speaker thanked the youths under Yama Njie for the move and advised them to stick to such endeavors to compliment government efforts in ensuring a healthy nation.

Samba Faal, Mayor of Banjul, equally commended Yama Njie and the youths for the move. He assured them of the council’s continued technical support to such endeavors as it is in response to President Jammeh’s call for a healthy nation.

Honorable Haddy Nyang-Jagne, NAM for Jeshwang noted that the exercise is vital as the assembly leadership is expecting some of her colleague speakers from the sub-region to attend the state opening of the 2008 legislative year. “So to clean the grounds of the assembly will be another plus in our programme.

We are very impressed with the move by the youths and we hope that others will emulate” she said.

Yankuba Colley, Mayor of KMC, described the exercise as very important and shows the commitment of the youths in complimenting government efforts in ensuring a healthy nation. He added that when the request for the assistance came to his office on the activity, they responded positively by assisting in giving a tractor and other vehicle to collect the rubbish.

“We quickly responded because it is in line with President Jammeh’s call and more specially because of the good leadership of the National Assembly” he said.

For her part, Yama Njie who initiated the exercise, commended President Yahya Jammeh for the leadership qualities.

She observed the unprecedented developments The Gambia registered under President Jammeh’s leadership and called on every citizen to support President Jammeh. “We are here to clean the environment ahead of the state opening. The President is coming and for the fact that he is doing everything he can to transform the country more especially treating various diseases in free of charge, we definetely cannot pay him back. So this is the only way we can do and we will continue to support him” she said.
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To the Speaker, Yama Njie saluted her for the leadership qualities recognised by even the opposition National Assembly members. “Because of that, and the love the speaker has in me, I decided to organise the exercise to compliment her efforts in the facelift of the assembly ahead of the state opening of the parliament” she said.

She thanked the KMC, BCC and Dr Mariatou Jallow of the RVTH for the support in ensuring the success of the exercise.

Other speakers included Honorable Abdoulie Saine, NAM for Banjul Central, Honorable Baboucarr Nyang, NAM for Banjul South and Mustapha Jallow, senior programme officer, National Environment Agency.

Go-For Africa Foundation in Holland, on Tuesday, donated medical items to Kuntaur Health Centre at a presentation ceremony held at Kuntaur.

Speaking at the presentation ceremony, Momodou Katim Touray, Deputy Governor of Central River Region on behalf of Governor Ganyie Touray, thanked Go-For Africa Foundation for the gesture geared towards improving the health delivery system in The Gambia. He added that the medical items donated will help to reduce maternal mortality and improve health service delivery at the health centre as well as complementing government’s efforts in the health sector.

He then saluted President Yahya Jammeh for providing health facilities to the door steps of the rural people.

Fatou Nyassi, nurse in charge of Kuntaur Health Centre, thanked the donors for their support to the health centre, describing them as true friends of Kuntaur. She assured them that the donated items will be put into good use.

Handing over the items on behalf of the Foundation, Johan Schouten, a member, called on the beneficiaries to make good use of the items. He said their foundation focuses on health and education sectors, adding that they are also supporting  other African countries like The Gambia.

Seedy Bensouda,  Alkalo of Kuntaur also commended the philanthropist for their humanitarian gesture.

Other speakers include Banna Sillah, Alhajie Saho and Nfa Kawsu Sillah, who expressed similar sentiments.

Militants of the ruling Alliance for Patriotic Re-orientation and Construction (APRC) in the Senegalese capital, Dakar, have felicitated President Yahya Jammeh on the birth of his new born baby boy, Mohammed Yahya Jammeh.

This message was conveyed on behalf of the militants by Jarreh Bojang, the party mobiliser in Senegal during an exclusive interview with the Daily Observer.

He on behalf of the membership of his branch prayed for long lasting health and wellbeing for the Jammeh family and all Gambians.

Mr Jerreh Bojang who is currently in town also reaffirmed their commitment and continuous support for President Jammeh and the APRC government. According to him, President Jammeh’s love for The Gambia has been manifested in the unprecedented development changes in the country in his 13 years of leadership.

He also commended the Gambian leader for  his major breakthrough in the cure for Hiv/Aids, Asthma and other disease, which according to him manifests his love for humanity. This service for humanity according to him, is another plus for President Jammeh, Gambians and Africans saying that African’s are proud of President Jammeh.