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The Handwriting on the Wall

Tue, 11 Nov 2008 04:06:04 GMT

Tuesday, November 11, 2008

According to FOROYAA newspaper, Friday edition,rotten potatoes are now being dumped at the Kotu and Bakoteh dumpsites. With this incidence and the recent rise in bread prices, we are beginning to feel the deepening food crisis right in our own backyard. It all sounded like a fairy tale at first when news broke that the world was in the throes of a food crisis. The initial reaction was to wish it away, thinking that it was a problem affecting the other parts of the world, not us. But the realities are now staring us right in the face.

The price of rice has gone beyond the reach of the average Gambian, just as the price of tapalapa (our own local bread) is steadily soaring. Our fear is that before long, even tapalapa will disappear from the dining table. It is only then that we will realise the enormity of the problem at hand.

Even as it is, the situation is bad enough. Reading between the lines, it is clear from the rotten potatoes story that people are likely to scavenge dumpsites for food, if the need arises. As much as we hate to see this happen, it is still a possibility. When people are pushed to the wall, they tend to do things they never imagine they would do in a million years. The indications are that people are hungry and could be tempted to do anything just to keep the wolf from the door.

We must never allow this to happen. Of course, the National Environment Agency (NEA) should mount a public awareness campaign on the danger of scavenging food in dumpsites. That is step one. Step two is to step up the food production drive in the country. Every community should be made to cultivate their own farms whose produce should be sold to the community at a reduced price.

It is also important at this stage for individuals to invest heavily in farming. People should stop looking down on farming as an activity meant for barely educated people. If enough people invest in farming in this country, we can deal with the prevailing food crisis in our own terms.

Besides, we should learn to do away with some of our wasteful values that do not foster progress. It is now time for every one of us to live prudently and cut down on partying and the like.We cannot be telling the world that we are poor, yet we live ostentatiously at the same time. We have to watch the way we live.

“I’m living so far beyond my income that we might almost be said to be living apart.”

Saki

Farmer Cooperative Bank formation discussed in CRR

Tue, 28 Oct 2008 09:31:39 GMT

Tuesday, October 28, 2008

Over two hundred farmers from the Central River Region, recently met at Armitage Senior School to discussed ways and means of forming a Farmer Cooperative Bank in the region.

Forming themselves into cooperative societies would help in marketing their products in order to improve their living conditions.

Addressing the gathering, Lamin Darboe, the deputy governor of the Central River Region said cooperative bank is key in any development endeavour noting that the importance of its formation in the region cannot be over-emphasized.

He stated that farmers are the poorest in Africa which is due to marketing saying “they do not determine the prices of their produce”. Therefore, he added, forming themselves into cooperative societies would better improve their income status and livelihood. “With cooperative banks, farmers can be able to market their produce and also access bank loans” he said.

Deputy Governor Darboe then thanked all the participants for the proposed unity formation.

Abdoulie Manjang, the pioneer of the formation of the Cooperative Bank revealed that forming it will be key to improve farmers income citing Ghana as an example where the Cocoa industry is now run and managed by farmers.

Pierre Bah, Chief of Niani who chaired the meeting said the formation of cooperative banks will improve the living standard of farmers and facilitate their work. He called on the farmers to take up the activity seriously.

Other speakers included Lamin Saidy-kahan, the farm manager.

Author: by Lamin SM Jawo in Janjangbureh

Discussion on prices held in Upper Fulladu

Fri, 17 Oct 2008 10:22:22 GMT

Friday, October 17, 2008

The Upper Fulladu district authority recently held a meeting with butchers, cattle dealers, and fishermen at Bansang in connection with the reduction of the price of meat and vegetable garden produce. Over a hundred and thirty Alkalolu attended the meetings.

Addressing the gathering, the Seyfo of the district, Biran Baldeh, said the price of meat was set by President Jammeh and residents should accept it for the betterment of the district.

On vegetable produce, he said these are local products and should not be expensive compared to import goods. He asserted that a task force will be established to monitor prices in the district.

The Alkali of Bansang, Alhagie Kebba Korra, urged people to comply with the new prices set by President Jammeh. He thanked President Jammeh for setting up the prices, noting that this will help local consumers.

The president of the Butchers Association, Ali Mbenga, assured the gathering that they will comply with the new prices set by the president.

Other speakers included Alhagie Dam Jingo Alkali of Galleh Manda and Jerreh Keita of Sare Soffie.

Author: by Lamin SM Jawo

The cost of Land in The Gambia

Fri, 17 Oct 2008 09:07:53 GMT

Friday, October 17, 2008

Editor,

Please, allow me space in your widely read newspaper to express my opinion. First of all, I want to thank the president for his timely action to save Gambians from the hands of the greedy butchers.

Mr. President, there is one more thing that you may not have seen, heard of or have over looked, and that is the cost of housing in The Gambia. This is another aspect or sector that needs your timely attention. Houses in The Gambia are sold or priced at millions of dalasis or even quoted in foreign currency. Housing in the Gambia should be calculated to meet the needs of an average Gambian and not at a cost of millions of dalasis. The housing business is seriously exploited in The Gambia.

Our lands and houses are meant for Gambians, not Europeans, foreigners or Gambians abroad. Yes, of course, the above can afford the houses but what about the average Civil Servants? How many Gambians living in the Gambia can afford a piece of land, 30 by 30 metres, costing them $250.000? That’s easy for someone outside the country. So prices should be set so the average Gambian and not the foreigner or the Gambian abroad alone can afford them.

Mr President, Gambians need your help. Thanks.

Augustus Mendy
A Gambian in the US

Author: DO

Niani authorities meet butchers, cattle dealers

Fri, 10 Oct 2008 13:36:36 GMT

Friday, October 10, 2008

DoSH slams a ban on infant formula milk

As part of efforts to regularise the price of commodities, meat and other essential items in Niani district and the country at large, the authorities in the region recently met with butchers, cattle dealers and fishermen in Wassu.

The meeting brought together chiefs, Alkalos, butchers, cattle dealers, security chiefs in the region, fishermen and other stakeholders.

Pierre Bah, head chief of the district, emphasised the need for the reduction of commodity prices especially meat and fish. He made reference to the call by the Gambian leader for butchers and other dealers to reduce their prices. He also made references to the prices issued by the president putting a kilo of steak at D80 and meat with bones at D60.

He then revealed that as authorities in the region, they will establish a task force to monitor the prices of various commodities in the district.

Dickori Jawo, the Alkalo of Kuntaur Fulla Kunda urged them to comply with the new prices set by President Jammeh for the betterment of the district. He thanked President Jammeh for setting up the prices, noting that they will help consumers.

Malick Nyang, the president of the Niani fishermen association assured them that they will comply with the new prices set by President Jammeh.

Author: by Lamin SM Jawo in Janjangbureh

Butchers should comply

Tue, 16 Sep 2008 04:42:16 GMT

Tuesday, September 16, 2008

Last Thursday, President Yahya Jammeh issued an ultimatum, ordering butchers and people engaging in the selling of other basic commodities to reduce their prices and desist from dubious practices.

That call did not only come at a time when the cost of living is approaching record highs at the global level, but it also came during the Holy Month of Ramadan, a period when Muslims the world over strongly endeavor to come close to their Creator, the Almighty Allah. But current developments reveal that this ultimatum did not go down well with some people.

There are reports that some butchers are currently on ‘a sit-down strike’, apparently in defiance of the demands of wisdom. The move of these butchers, as the KMC mayor put it, is quite surprising, as it seriously betrays our ideals and the dictates of our religious beliefs.

This development reveals that while some groups of people are working hard for the general good, others, are busy focusing on championing individual interest. This is totally against the spirit of reinforced enthusiasm that has guided this nation for some time now. In fact, this development rekindles a long standing debate calling on Gambians to take up responsibilities in areas as crucial as this.

The urge to maintain a reasonable living for the ordinary Gambian surely is shared by everyone, and that is exactly the line taken by President Jammeh. That was in fact what warranted the ultimatum of the Gambian president.

Author: DO

Prices of foodstuff: Cause for concern

Fri, 12 Sep 2008 03:55:54 GMT

Friday, September 12, 2008

Barely a week after the Muslim community in The Gambia started observing the holy month of Ramadan, the Daily Observer took it upon itself to sample the opinion of the general public on the state of the prices of basic food commodities in the market.

However, the paper has so far gathered that prices of basic food commodities continue to rise crescendo.

Prices fluctuation seem to be the favourite activity of unscrupulous retailers.
At the Serrekunda market, consumers have raised great concerns over the recent price hike of basic foodstuff.

In Latrikunda, a general mood of dissatisfaction with the trends prevailing in the market convinced this reporter that vendors needed to put their acts in order.

In speaking with some of the vendors, they informed he paper that the cost price of some foodstuff like rice is D820 and a bag of onion is D330. A bag of potatoe, sugar cost D440 and D575 respectively.

Author: DO

Cheats!

Thu, 11 Sep 2008 03:41:30 GMT

Thursday, September 11, 2008

The Community Assistant Group, an organisation that has been relentless in efforts to wipe out the growing inflation of prices and other malpractices which abound in the business community, especially local markets, has once again exposed another malpractice.

According to the outcome of their investigations, some unscrupulous butchers have adopted the dubious practice of cheating on buyers, by loosening the knots of their weighing scales, a criminal technique that enables them to under-measure their meat at the expense of unsuspecting customers. Revealing this to the Daily Observer at his office at the Serrekunda market, Buba Sarr, the chairman of the Community Assistant Group, emphasised the need for people to be educated about the dubious technique.

This, he said, prompted him to call on the authorities concerned to investigate the matter. He noted that they were collaborators in the general efforts to weed out such unpleasant phenomena.

Mr Sarr also told this paper that the butchers have also increased the price of meat and bone from D75 to D80 per kilo; and steak, from D90 to D100 per kilo, something he said they were doing at their own discretion.

He further expressed dismay at the rapid inflation of the price of Irish potatoes, which he said had also been increased from D350 to D650 per bag. A bag of onion, he said, was also inflated from D300 to D600 per bag.

He, however, put the blame on importers of such goods, adding that recently, Armanti Irish potatoes and onions were out of stock. These, he said, used to be the best and most affordable and some other businessmen who buy these products from neighbouring countries inflate their price.

Author: by Sheriff Barry

Ahead of Ramadan

Tue, 02 Sep 2008 08:02:01 GMT

Tuesday, September 02, 2008

Public Express Concerns Over Rising Prices of Goods

As Muslims all over the world enter yet another month of Ramadan, concerns as to the rising prices of basic commodities especially during this holy month continue to occupy the minds of many.

The holy month of Ramadan, seen by many as a month of blessing, has in recent times seen the highest increase in the prices of commodities especially sugar and rice.

Well, taking a stroll in and around the streets of Serrekunda yesterday, our reporter caught up with some members of the general public who have expressed serious concerns, calling on the government to take urgent action.

According to one Maimuna Ndow, a vendor at the Serrekunda market, “As Muslims, we should see this month as a month that we can use to earn ourselves more blessing from Allah the Almighty. We should be reasonable enough to enable the poor to enjoy this month. We are not equal and knowing that, one should be willing to share with the needy.”

For one Aji Yamoundow Ceesay, this is different. “Despite being in the month of Ramadan, I will maintain my prices as they are. I bought some of my goods at very exorbitant prices before this month, so I don’t see any reason why I should bring down my prices. I intend to continue to sell my goods on my own price”.

As explained by one Ousman Camara, the month should not be seen as a moment to profiteer but rather as a month to earn more blessings from God. “Yes business is business but we should be reasonable enough at certain times. Businessmen should not use this as an opportunity to make more money to the detriment of the poor and the needy,” he said.

In the view of one Mustapha Manneh, Muslims should make best use of the month rather than committing more sins for themselves by selling their goods at more than the reasonable selling price. “We should not be bent on making more profit during this period. We should try to get ourselves closer to the Almighty Allah by doing what is right and not otherwise”.

A businessman, who wants to remain anonymous, said the general public should also understand that the business community consists of human beings and therefore have to survive. “We set up our own businesses to help ourselves and our families. The public should not just look at their interest but rather the interests of the business people.” “Skyrocketing prices have been a long problem in this country and people should not only think that prices should go down at this very month. This has been a long problem and I believe the only thing that can at least alleviate the situation is for government to intervene. Mere talk will not do anything about this. Urgent action by government is the only solution especially in this holy month,” said one Oumie Nyang of Dippa Kunda.

Author: By Baboucarr Senghore

SENEGAL: High cashew prices benefit rebels

Tue, 05 Aug 2008 05:21:23 GMT

Tuesday, August 05, 2008

The soaring price of cashew nuts in Senegal’s restive southern region Casamance is lining the pockets of armed rebels according to Ismaïla Diédhiou, an agricultural expert who works at the local development association ASPRODEB.

“Insecurity has also risen in the forests where cashews are grown towards the Guinea-Bissau border, which has benefited the rebels who collect the nuts themselves to sell them on in Ziguinchor and Guinea-Bissau,” Diédhiou said.

Since March the price of cashews has shot up from 29 US cents per kg to 94 US cents now to reach “the highest price in ten years,” said producer Aliou Coly. The price rise was caused by a small harvest, improved quality of the nuts, and the removal of fixed prices, according to experts.

Damien Manga, a member of the rebel group the Movement of Democratic Forces in the Casamance (MFDC) confirmed that rebels benefit from selling cashew nuts.

But he says they only use the money to cover their living expenses – not to buy the weapons they have allegedly used in a series of attacks on civilians over the course of this year.

In May 2008 the MFDC were allegedly involved in slicing off the ears of up to 20 peasant farmers who had ignored a warning from the rebels to stop selling cashews.

“We collect cashew nuts to sell like everyone else. It is through cashew nuts that we can afford to buy clothes or shoes and take care of our daily needs,” he said, adding “[This year] I got over a tonne of nuts, which meant I could repair my motorbike,” Manga said.

“Some say [selling] cashews or cannabis enables us to buy weapons. This is false… it is only our leaders who buy our weapons.”

Manga blamed violence near cashew orchards on the Senegalese military which has a heavy presence in the break-away region, claiming they too profit from the cashew trade.

Lieutenant Malamine Camara, Senegalese military spokesperson in Ziguinchor, denied the allegation.

“Our mission is to ensure the safety of people and goods in this region. We never engage in profit-making activities, and we execute our mission by the rules,” he said.

While a handful of farmers and rebels are profiting from the high prices, for the peasants who are too afraid to access their land, 2008 is as bad a year as any other.

“Most of our orchards are on land that is exploited by the rebels. We still don’t dare go there because of the landmines and the armed men,” producer Bacary Sane, who owns trees near the Guinea-Bissau border, told IRIN.

IRIN