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Dr Mariatou Jallow is new SoS for Health

Wed, 26 Nov 2008 05:45:21 GMT

Wednesday, November 26, 2008

The President of the Republic of The Gambia, Prof. Alhaji Yahya Jammeh has appointed Dr Mariatou Jallow Secretary of State for Health and Social Welfare. She replaces Dr Malick Njie. A press release from the Office of the President indicates that the measure took immediat effect from Tuesday, 25th November 2008. Below we reproduce the full text of the statement:

"His Excellency the president of the Republic of The Gambia, Professor Alhaji Yahya AJJ Jammeh, acting under the provisions of Section 71(4)(b) of the Constitution of the Republic of The Gambia, has decided to relieve Dr Malick Njie of his Cabinet appointment with effect from yesterday, Tuesday 25th November 2008.

His Excellency the president has also in exercise of the powers conferred upon him under Sections 71(1) and 71(3) of the Constitution of the Republic of The Gambia, appointed Dr Mariatou Jallow as Secretary of State for Health and Social Welfare with immediate effect."

Author: DO

SOUTH AFRICA: Desmond Doshane, "I want a president who can unite everyone"

Wed, 19 Nov 2008 09:53:58 GMT

Wednesday, November 19, 2008

Desmond Doshane, 19, is one of 1.6 million newly registered South African voters. He will be casting a ballot for the first time in elections due in the first half of 2009, and told IRIN what this means to him.

"Our leaders, like Mandela, went through difficult times to enable young people like me to cast their vote. I am not sure who I am going to vote for now, but I would like a president who will make sure some of my concerns are addressed.

"As a resident from [the Johannesburg township of] Alexandra, I hope that the next president of the country can be able to create jobs for us young people. There is a lot of criminal activity in Alex and I want the police to do more in making this township safe for us. The police are not doing enough to protect us; the women are afraid of being raped if they walk at night.

"I want a president who can unite everyone. I was not happy with the xenophobia attacks that took place here [in May] - we saw people being burnt alive. That was bad. What kind of society burns people?

"If the government had made sure that we all live together as one, we could have avoided the useless killing and displacement of foreigners - some have lived with us for many years.

"I also want the next president to build houses. We also want [subsidised] RDP houses under the government's Reconstruction and Development Programme. I live in a shack and I want a house where, if it rains, the water does not come in.

"I have been watching the US elections and I think the new US president is cool. I hope he can inspire some people in our country that you can do good things for your country.

"Sadly, we do not have young people involved in politics, but I hope someday we will have our own 'Obama' that will get everyone interested in politics."

IRIN

President - Pardoned Prisoner Caught by the Law Again

Wed, 19 Nov 2008 05:58:43 GMT

Wednesday, November 19, 2008

Pa Chaw, who was a prisoner and pardoned by the President of the Republic of The Gambia in observance of the Koriteh feast, was on the 18thNovember, 2008, brought before Senior Magistrate Abdoulie Mbackeh of the Kanifing Magistrates’ Court and charged with behaving idly and disorderly. He pleaded guilty to the charge.

According to the particulars of the offence, the accused, Pa Chaw, on the 7thNovember 2008 at Old Jeshwang conducted himself in a manner likely to cause disorder.

Prosecutor Corporal 358 Sarr told the court, as he was narrating the facts, that when the accused, who was granted amnesty by the president of The Republic some time ago, was seen loitering along the corner of the prison camp at Old Jeshwang, trying to call an inmate by the name of Modou Lamin Nyassi, who is currently serving his prison term. He stated that when the prisoners heard him they informed one of the prison officers who ordered his men to go round the fence to find out who the person was and that they found the accused standing on the fence. He finally indicated that the accused was caught by prison officers and later handed over to Kanifing Police Station where he was cautioned and charged.

Magistrate Mbackeh in his judgement warned the accused to desist from such practices. He stated that the President of The Republic pardoned the accused because the prison officers must have recommended him to President.

He finally sentenced the accused to keep the peace for a period of six months and that if he commits another offence, he would be sent to prison for three months.

Author: Dawda Faye

President Office Petition Case Continues

Mon, 17 Nov 2008 04:48:38 GMT

Monday, November 17, 2008

The trial of Musa Kinda Bah, who was alleged to have falsely informing the president’s office, continued on Friday at the Banjul Magistrates’ Court before Magistrate Kayode.

The latest prosecution witness to testify on the case was Sub-Inspector Sulayman Gaye a police officer attached to the Interpool Department of The Gambia Police Force. Sub-Inspector Gaye told the court that on 4th May 2008, a correspondence was received from the office of the president with a petition by the accused that he was wrongfully terminated while working under Gamtel. He said in the petition the accused claimed to be possessed of a MA degree major in finance and upon his completion of it had returned from the UK and was denied to work at Gamtel. He added that after the petition was received it was sent to the office of the Inspector General of Police for investigation, adding that a panel was formed to investigate the petition. He adduced that the accused was invited and questioned on the allegation and he admitted that he did not possess the qualification he had stated in the petition. He stated that the accused only produced a diploma certificate in business administration.

Further adducing, the witness told the court that during the investigation the panel did not recover any certificate which showed that the accused possessed the qualification he stated in the petition. He said the Gamtel resource manger was invited and led the panel to the personal file of the accused of which the panel went through but only found that he possessed a diplomat. He said the accused excepted before the investigating panel of been the author of the petition written to the office of the president. He said a statement was later obtained from the accused.

The accused Musa Kinda Bah is standing trial on charges of giving false information to a public servant and uttering false documents.

On count one, the alleged offence disclosed that the accused on 4th May 2006, in the city of Banjul and diverse places gave false information to the office of the president that Senior Mangers, Directors and Heads of Department of Gamtel engaged in malpractices, wrong doings and nepotism, knowing it to be false.

While on count two, the offence revealed that on 4th May 2006 at Gambia Telecommunication Company Ltd (Gamtel) in the city of Banjul the accused Musa Kinda Bah uttered false Certificate to the Manging Director of Gamtel, claiming to possess a Masters Degree in Business Administration (finance Major) from the University of Leicester in the United Kingdom, which he knew to be false. He denied the charges.

The case was at length adjourned to the 21st of November 2008.

Author: Modou Sanyang

AMERICA IS Not Only for White Americans but its For All Americans.

Fri, 14 Nov 2008 07:13:08 GMT

Friday, November 14, 2008

The politics of the United States of America has reached a level which is most welcome by not only Africans living in the USA but even for those who are miles away. Barack Osama’s candidature and subsequent winning of the elections becoming the first African rooted president has added another flavor on the American democracy. This goes to show the whole world that America is not only for white Americans but for all Americans, be it black or white.

One thing should be clear to all Africans is that Obama is President of the USA and not an African state. But we are optimistic that he will pursue a more enlightened foreign policy toward Africa than his predecessor George Bush. There is no doubt that Obama has good intentions when it comes to Africa, but it will take a lot more than good intentions to undo and reverse the over 50 years of damaging US foreign policy toward Africa.

A necessary step in this direction is for him to listen to Africans themselves, especially those who continue to fight for the democratization, human rights, and the control over their own natural resources, and economic rights.

The American election is an important event on the world calendar that cannot go without noticed. Several economies and international trade are hanged on the policies of the United States of America.

The USA for centuries has also serve as a model of democracy. They have succeeded in changing their governments democratically for years now, which alone is a big achievement. The world is a living witness to impeachments against sitting presidents, the world have also seen the resignation of President Regan after the Watergate scandal.

The fact that it is one of the oldest democracies in the world, a country that have never experience a coup, tells a lot. Yes we have seen times when a sitting President is assassinated, but that cannot rule it out that the USA is not one of the samples of democracy in the world.

Coming back to the November presidential elections, which has much importance not only to the citizens of the USA, but to many none USA citizen some of whom are living far away from the USA. In the past six or so years under the Republicans the world has seen and suffered from the tragedies of wars fought and sponsored by the USA government, all in the name of fighting terrorism.

One of the recent wars was the Iraqi war where many innocent civilians and soldiers lost their lives. The reasons of that war are still not over, and that is why the Americans are still based in Iraq. There is a permanent occupation of Iraqi territory by the USA soldiers, that situation is not welcomed by majority of the Iraqi people, and that is why a lot of suicide bombing are carried out on a routine basis.

There is this fear that a continuation of a Republican rule is going to be an extension of such unwanted wars and the presence of USA soldiers on the Iraqi land. That alone has reflected badly on the world economy. To salvage the people of the world from such is allowing the Democrats a chance to head the affairs of the USA.

Author: Madi M.K.Ceesay

Source: Editorial

AMERICA IS Not Only for White Americans but its For All Americans.

Fri, 14 Nov 2008 07:05:25 GMT

Friday, November 14, 2008

The American election is an important event on the world calendar that cannot go without noticed. Several economies and international trade are hanged on the policies of the United States of America.

Author: Madi M.K.Ceesay

Source: Editorial

Man Seeks Helping Hand From President, Other Philanthropists

Wed, 12 Nov 2008 05:22:49 GMT

Wednesday, November 12, 2008

Mr. Modou Lamin Sanneh, a 34 year-old man residing in Bundung, has been suffering from elephantiasis for 25 years and has a severely swollen left foot. He is seeking assistance from anyone who can help pay for his medical treatment. Through the help of friends, Mr. Sanneh raised 295 pounds to travel and have his condition assessed. The doctors at St George’sHospital are now happy that he does require surgery in the UK but will not carry it out until his bill has been paid.

Mr Sanneh is therefore appealing to any philanthropists, donors, NGO’s, government or the President to come to his aid and help him travel to have his condition treated. He can be contacted on 7777136 or 7566245.

Author: Malamin Conteh

Source: Picture: Modu Lamin Sanneh (Patient with elephantiasis)

Government terminates partnership with Spectrum

Mon, 10 Nov 2008 06:30:40 GMT

Monday, November 10, 2008

The government of The Gambia has announced the termination of its partnership agreement between Spectrum International Group and Gamtel, the national telecommunication giant. This is contained in a news release monitored on GRTS, and it is reported to have come from the office of the president.

The release states that the decision was taken "due to fundamental breaches of the provisions of the partnership agreement between the government of The Gambia and Spectrum International Holdings.”

And it went on: “this was further exacerbated by the underperformance of Gamtel/Gamcel and the deterioration of the country’s telecommunication infrastructure under their watch.”

The release concludes by assuring each and every Gambian that the government will never tolerate investors that try to exploit The Gambia.

Author: DO

What Have Daughters Got to Do With it?

Fri, 07 Nov 2008 04:56:16 GMT

Friday, November 07, 2008

The American presidential election always offers a lot of excitement. Whether you like or dislike America, you are always fascinated by it. It is a unique country founded on the best possible ideals – liberty, equality and fraternity. It has once again shown that it is truly worthy of these ideals, with the amazing outcome of the just-concluded presidential election.

America has broken the race barrier for good. What it is yet to break away with is its patriarchal character, though Decision ‘08 also offered that possibility with the indefatigable Hillary Clinton fighting it out to end with Barack Obama for the nomination of the Democratic ticket.

Perhaps in the not too far future, history would be made again with the election of the first female president of the United States of America. Who would this be? Though it is difficult to say at this moment, we’ve observed that since Bill Clinton, all the American presidents have only daughters. Bill Clinton has only one daughter, George W. Bush two daughters only, and President-elect Barack Obama has as yet only two daughters, like his immediate predecessor. Would one of these girls be confident enough to take after their fathers in the future? It would be interesting to see an Obama daughter contesting the Democratic Party ticket with the Clinton daughter. And the winner going on to lock horns with a Bush daughter. Sounds interesting, right? You never can tell - anything is now possible in this world!

But why are Clinton, Bush and Obama not bothered by the male child mania? They are liberated souls. These are men who don’t care about the sex of their children – a child is a child, they seem to tell us. And who is to tell that a male child would be more successful in life than a female one? This is another lesson these great men – Clinton, Bush and Obama – are teaching the world. They are saying that the female child has as much right and opportunity in life as her male counterpart. They are saying in a clear and loud voice that just as race and colour don’t matter so does gender – that is, the sex of your child! What we are witnessing is the gradual emergence of both the male and female energies to produce a harmonious world.

Speech of President Elect Obama

Thu, 06 Nov 2008 04:27:44 GMT

Thursday, November 06, 2008

If there is anyone out there who still doubts that America is a place where all things are possible, who still wonders if the dream of our founders is alive in our time, who still questions the power of our democracy, tonight is your answer.

It’s the answer told by lines that stretched around schools and churches in numbers this nation has never seen, by people who waited three hours and four hours, many for the first time in their
lives, because they believed that this time must be different, that their voices could be that difference.

It’s the answer spoken by young and old, rich and poor, Democrat and Republican, black, white, Hispanic, Asian, Native American, gay, straight, disabled and not disabled. Americans who sent a message to the world that we have never been just a collection of individuals or a collection of red states and blue states.

We are, and always will be, the United States of America.

It’s the answer that led those who’ve been told for so long by so many to be cynical and fearful and doubtful about what we can achieve to put their hands on the arc of history and bend it once more toward the hope of a better day.

It’s been a long time coming, but tonight, because of what we did on this date in this election at this defining moment change has come to America.

A little bit earlier this evening, I received an extraordinarily gracious call from Senator McCain.

Senator McCain fought long and hard in this campaign. And he’s fought even longer and harder for the country that he loves. He has endured sacrifices for America that most of us cannot begin to imagine. We are better off for the service rendered by this brave and selfless leader.

I congratulate him; I congratulate Governor Palin for all that they’ve achieved. And I look forward to working with them to renew this nation’s promise in the months ahead.

I want to thank my partner in this journey, a man who campaigned from his heart, and spoke for the men and women he grew up with on the streets of Scranton ... and rode with on the train home to Delaware, the vice president-elect of the United States, Joe Biden.

And I would not be standing here tonight without the unyielding support of my best friend for the last 16 years ... the rock of our family, the love of my life, the nation’s next first lady ... Michelle Obama.

Sasha and Malia ... I love you both more than you can imagine. And you have earned the new puppy that’s coming with us ...to the new White House.

And while she’s no longer with us, I know my grandmother’s watching, along with the family that made me who I am. I miss them tonight. I know that my debt to them is beyond measure.

To my sister Maya, my sister Alma, all my other brothers and sisters, thank you so much for all the support that you’ve given me. I am grateful to them.

And to my campaign manager, David Plouffe ... the unsung hero of this campaign, who built the best - the best political campaign, I think, in the history of the United States of America.

To my chief strategist David Axelrod ... who’s been a partner with me every step of the way.

To the best campaign team ever assembled in the history of politics ... you made this happen, and I am forever grateful for what you’ve sacrificed to get it done.

But above all, I will never forget who this victory truly belongs to. It belongs to you. It belongs to you.

I was never the likeliest candidate for this office. We didn’t start with much money or many endorsements. Our campaign was not hatched in the halls of Washington. It began in the backyards of Des Moines and the living rooms of Concord and the front porches of Charleston. It was built by working men and women who dug into what little savings they had to give $5 and $10 and $20 to the cause.

It grew strength from the young people who rejected the myth of their generation’s apathy ... who left their homes and their families for jobs that offered little pay and less sleep.

It drew strength from the not-so-young people who braved the bitter cold and scorching heat to knock on doors of perfect strangers, and from the millions of Americans who volunteered and organized and proved that more than two centuries later a government of the people, by the people, and for the people has not perished from the Earth.

This is your victory.

And I know you didn’t do this just to win an election. And I know you didn’t do it for me.

You did it because you understand the enormity of the task that lies ahead. For even as we celebrate tonight, we know the challenges that tomorrow will bring are the greatest of our lifetime - two wars, a planet in peril, the worst financial crisis in a century.

Even as we stand here tonight, we know there are brave Americans waking up in the deserts of Iraq and the mountains of Afghanistan to risk their lives for us.

There are mothers and fathers who will lie awake after the children fall asleep and wonder how they’ll make the mortgage or pay their doctors’ bills or save enough for their child’s college education.

There’s new energy to harness, new jobs to be created, new schools to build, and threats to meet, alliances to repair.

The road ahead will be long. Our climb will be steep. We may not get there in one year or even in one term. But, America, I have never been more hopeful than I am tonight that we will get there.

I promise you, we as a people will get there.

AUDIENCE: Yes we can! Yes we can! Yes we can!

OBAMA: There will be setbacks and false starts. There are many who won’t agree with every decision or policy I make as president. And we know the government can’t solve every problem.

But I will always be honest with you about the challenges we face. I will listen to you, especially when we disagree. And, above all, I will ask you to join in the work of remaking this nation, the only way it’s been done in America for 221 years - block by block, brick by brick, calloused hand by calloused hand.

What began 21 months ago in the depths of winter cannot end on this autumn night.

This victory alone is not the change we seek. It is only the chance for us to make that change. And that cannot happen if we go back to the way things were.

It can’t happen without you, without a new spirit of service, a new spirit of sacrifice.

So let us summon a new spirit of patriotism, of responsibility, where each of us resolves to pitch in and work harder and look after not only ourselves but each other.

Let us remember that, if this financial crisis taught us anything, it’s that we cannot have a thriving Wall Street while Main Street suffers.

In this country, we rise or fall as one nation, as one people.
Let’s resist the temptation to fall back on the same partisanship and pettiness and immaturity that has poisoned our politics for so long.

Let’s remember that it was a man from this state who first carried the banner of the Republican Party to the White House, a party founded on the values of self-reliance and individual liberty and national unity.

Those are values that we all share. And while the Democratic Party has won a great victory tonight, we do so with a measure of humility and determination to heal the divides that have held back our progress.

As Lincoln said to a nation far more divided than ours, we are not enemies but friends. Though passion may have strained, it must not break our bonds of affection.

And to those Americans whose support I have yet to earn, I may not have won your vote tonight, but I hear your voices. I need your help. And I will be your president, too.

And to all those watching tonight from beyond our shores, from parliaments and palaces, to those who are huddled around radios in the forgotten corners of the world, our stories are singular, but our destiny is shared, and a new dawn of American leadership is at hand.

To those - to those who would tear the world down: We will defeat you. To those who seek peace and security: We support you. And to all those who have wondered if America’s beacon still burns as bright: Tonight we proved once more that the true strength of our nation comes not from the might of our arms or the scale of our wealth, but from the enduring power of our ideals: democracy, liberty, opportunity and unyielding hope.

That’s the true genius of America: that America can change. Our union can be perfected. What we’ve already achieved gives us hope for what we can and must achieve tomorrow.

This election had many firsts and many stories that will be told for generations. But one that’s on my mind tonight’s about a woman who cast her ballot in Atlanta. She’s a lot like the millions of others who stood in line to make their voice heard in this election except for one thing: Ann Nixon Cooper is 106 years old.

She was born just a generation past slavery; a time when there were no cars on the road or planes in the sky; when someone like her couldn’t vote for two reasons - because she was a woman and because of the color of her skin.

And tonight, I think about all that she’s seen throughout her century in America - the heartache and the hope; the struggle and the progress; the times we were told that we can’t, and the people who pressed on with that American creed: Yes we can.

At a time when women’s voices were silenced and their hopes dismissed, she lived to see them stand up and speak out and reach for the ballot. Yes we can.

When there was despair in the dust bowl and depression across the land, she saw a nation conquer fear itself with a New Deal, new jobs, a new sense of common purpose. Yes we can.

AUDIENCE: Yes we can.

OBAMA: When the bombs fell on our harbor and tyranny threatened the world, she was there to witness a generation rise to greatness and a democracy was saved. Yes we can.

AUDIENCE: Yes we can.

OBAMA: She was there for the buses in Montgomery, the hoses in Birmingham, a bridge in Selma, and a preacher from Atlanta who told a people that We Shall Overcome. Yes we can.

AUDIENCE: Yes we can.

OBAMA: A man touched down on the moon, a wall came down in Berlin, a world was connected by our own science and imagination.

And this year, in this election, she touched her finger to a screen, and cast her vote, because after 106 years in America, through the best of times and the darkest of hours, she knows how America can change.

Yes we can.

AUDIENCE: Yes we can.

OBAMA: America, we have come so far. We have seen so much. But there is so much more to do. So tonight, let us ask ourselves – if our children should live to see the next century; if my daughters should be so lucky to live as long as Ann Nixon Cooper, what change will they see? What progress will we have made?

This is our chance to answer that call. This is our moment.

This is our time, to put our people back to work and open doors of opportunity for our kids; to restore prosperity and promote the cause of peace; to reclaim the American dream and reaffirm that fundamental truth, that, out of many, we are one; that while we breathe, we hope. And where we are met with cynicism and doubts and those who tell us that we can’t, we will respond with that timeless creed that sums up the spirit of a people: Yes, we can.

Thank you. God bless you. And may God bless the United States of America.

Source: Picture: Barack Obama (First Black AFrican American President of America)