The Gambia Investment Promotion and Free Zones Agency (GIPFZA), in collaboration with the Department of State for Trade, Industry and Employment, on Thursday, organised a day’s validation workshop at the Kairaba Beach Hotel.

The validation workshop brought together stakeholders from different government institutions, financial institutions, civil society organisations and other development partners.

Delivering his keynote address at the occasion, Abdou Kolley, secretary of state for Trade Industry and Employment, said in 2001, The Gambia government enacted the Investment Promotion and Free Zone Act to promote private investment in the economy and allow the private sector to play a lead role in the management of the economic resources.

Sos Kolley added that the gathering was meant to take stock of that decision to review and assess the two Acts and make them more responsive to the emerging challenges of poverty alleviation, technology development and to meet the millennium development goals. 

“Also, we need to reflect on the realities of the sub-regional integration process and the new economic partnership arrangement, which provide not only opportunities but also pose great challenges to our development,” he said.

According to him, the enactment of the two Acts and their subsequent review indicates the government’s strong conviction that promotion of private investment particularly Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) is central to our development process, adding that the government is very much aware of the value of the FDI as it will help diversify our economy, encourage domestic investment, bring in skills, technology and market access and lead to economic growth and social development.

SoS Kolley finally said building national consensus requires national consultation and his Department of State in 2007 formed an inter-departmental taskforce comprising all the key stakeholders to guide the review process.

Professor Don Lecraw from the University of Western Onlario, Canada, was the consultant who gave the overview of the draft document at the occasion.

Tallinding United have joined Brikama United in the GFA Division One League after a much-needed 1-0 win against Flaminins  over the weekend.

Tallinding went into the game knowing fully that anything less than the maximum points could dent their promotion hope should close contenders, Ham Ham, win their encounter against Serrekunda East United on Saturday.

However, with Tallinding side garnering the desired result against Flaminins, who have now joined embattled Star Light in the relegation to the Third Division, Ham Ham’s emphatic 3-0 win against SK East United was reduced to a mere win in the final match of the season.

In another final tie on Saturday, Young Africans salvaged a 1-1 draw against Nema United to maintain their status in the Second Division.

Division One returnees, Tallinding United and first-timers Brikama United will, come next season, replace relegated Interior FC and Gambia Ports Authority in the top flight.

The Small Holder Livelihood Enhancement-Business Project (SMILE-B) funded by the European Union at the tune €728,914, was recently launched at the Njawara Agricultural Training Center in the North Bank Region.

The project aims to ease the burden on women vegetable growers in the region by enabling them to have easy access to water at all times.

Speaking at the ceremony, Mr Paul O'hagan, Concern Universal’s international director for West Africa, underscored the significance of the project and urged beneficiaries to take ownership of the project.

Edward Seckan, governor of the North Bank Region, said that the launching of the project marks the start of a new era for the targeted beneficiaries as it will enhance their operations.    To him, the project is a step in the right direction as it is geared towards meeting the Millennium Development Goals, MDGs, of  eradicating poverty and hunger. He then commended the European Community through Concern Universal  for funding the project.

Speaking on behalf of the European Commission’s charge d’ affaires,  Fatou Kinteh said the European Commission is providing 728,914 Euros as a grant for the project. She said that the aim of the project is to improve livelihoods of poor rural and peri-urban populations through improved food security, increased household incomes and improved access to portable water through the promotion of affordable, small-scale water lifting and irrigation technologies.

She added that Concern Universal is a major partner of the European Commission in the implementation of its projects such as the FAMILIES project in the Western Region and the LIFE project in the North Bank Upper Region.

Mr Paul Johnson, the SMILE-B project coordinator who also spoke at the ceremony echoed Mrs Kinteh’s remarks.

The ceremony was witnessed by the Alkalo of Njawara, Aja Haddy Panneh, the chairman of Kerewan Area Council, Alhagie Lamin Ceesay, and a cross-section of the community.

As part of a series of activities marking the birthday of Marcus Garvey, an erudite and outstanding pan-African human rights activist of the 20th century, Open Dream Productions is set to storm the Gambia on a massive African Diaspora artists musical tour.

This somewhat rare musical jamboree is organised by the Jamaican based Open Dream Productions in collaboration with Jambar records and ‘’Sen Ghigen’’ productions.The cross cutting multi-cultural music tour will  feature the internationally renowned Jamaican reggae star, Richie Spice, alongside six other top flight artists drawn from Jamaica, USA, UK, Europe and other African renowned  reggae and Hip pop  artists, especially from Senegal and The Gambia.

The show will commence in Dakar, Senegal, on 15th August and switch over to the prestigious Independence Stadium in Bakau on 16th August, 2008. The accompanying top flight reggae and hip pop artists include Daddy Mory, Hakim Abdoulsamad, Mbegane Ndour, Dead Maxi, Pee Froiss, and Fla ‘’the Ripper’’, among others.

The tour will be  exclusivelly hosted  in Africa. The Gambia and Senegal are the two countries in Africa chosen as the venue for the event.The programme is meant to honor and pay glowing and heart rendering  tribute to the life and dedication of the human rights activist, Marcus Garvey.

Marcus Garvey, undisputably  served as a great  inspirational figure to many Africans and people of African-descent as well as humanity at large, according to Olimata Taal, a renowned Gambian journalist based in Jamaica and a member of  organising committee of the programme. Olimata Taal spoke at length on the life and untiring efforts made by Marcus Garvey  towards promotion of the spirit of African unity and development throughout the world.

He served as a source of inspiration for many  African leaders both past and current generation such as Kwame Kruma of Ghana, Saikou Touray of Guinea, Julius Nyerere of Tanzania, President Jammeh of The Gambia, etc. Miss Olimata Taal made these remarks  in a recent chat with  the Arts and Culture anchorman ahead of preparations for The Gambia to host the 16th August 2008 Afrivan Diaspora musical tour.

The Jamaica-based Gambian, seized the opportunity  to urge both the public and private sector to extend a generous supportive hand in sponsorship of the programme as she made conclusive and remarkable reference to the sister Republic of Senegal, where she said, the tour had received a huge amount of sponsorship. Commenting on the life and activities of the seven top flight artists  about to storm The Gambia, Miss Taal described them as real pacesetters in the world of reggae and other specialised professions, especially the main artist of the event, Richie Spice, who hails from Jamaica. This rare showbiz event is a must  for all music  lovers to attend.

The programme is expected to be one of  the best and biggest summer musical showbiz ever to be held on  Gambian soil. It will concide with the famous back-to-school programme of the year.

Olimata Taal explained that, the  Open Dream Promotion is a company that specialises in audio-visual production adding that Sen Ghigen Productions specialises in public relations, coordinating events, organising tours, booking artists, hosting media shows in the field of reggae music and the hip pop world. The production company according to her, has developed an international reputation for organising projects in Africa, the Caribbean, USA, UK and other European countries.

 “The company’s  mission is to use music to heal the world  and use it as a tool for educating, informing and entertaining as well as providing an environment for learning and enjoyment,’’ she concluded.

Brikama United beat Nema United 2-1 on Tuesday, to gain promotion to the GFA First Division League.

Brikama United’s Alagie Bah headed in an opener in the first fifteen minutes of the game through Modou Susso's pass. Nema United almost dashed Brikama's hopes of qualifying when Abdoulie Bah capitalised on the opponents’ defensive blunder with a ballistic shot for an equaliser in the 53rd minute.

Brikama's new entrants Modou Sowe and Ebou Cole brought tears of joy and sorrow on the faces of Brikama and Nema fans respectively when the former fired in a rebound from the latter's shot saved by Nema's goalie Saikou Sonko in the dying minutes of the game.

With 32 points and one more match remaining against another fellow Western Region side Jambanjelly, who are relegation threatened, Brikama are looking forward to the First Division with hope of staying in the league and clinching trophies after their first season.

The day would ever remain in the heart and mind of sports enthusiasts in Brikama and Western Region in particular, as it marks the first qualification of a team from Western Region, to the GFA Division One League since the establishment of The Gambia Football Association in 1952.

The Head Coach of second division giants Brikama United, Lamin Kah Bojang,has expressed optimism that his team will gain promotion to the GFA First Division League this year.

He made these remarks while speaking to Pointsports at the teams training ground at Mahaad Senior Secondary School Football Field in Brikama.

He said, “ the boys are determine to ensure that we are promoted to the GFA First Division League this time around after failing to qualify last season. We were not lucky and lost the second spot to Samger FC on goal difference with 33 points each. I think it is very important to avoid what happened last year by losing in our final game against Ham Ham. This dashed our hopes on making it. I am aware of this fact and will not encourage it to happen again,” he stated.

Brikama United are currently leading the table with 29 points, a single point ahead of fellow contenders Talinding United with two more matches to go.

They will meet third place holders, Nema United in week seventeen matches and struggling Jambanjelly in the final week of the 2008 Second Division matches.

Week 17 Fixtures

Tue 05/08/08Nema Vs Brikama United-Stadium

Tue 05/08/08 Ham Ham Vs Flamemins -S/k West

Tue 05/08/08S/kunda East Vs T/United-S/k East

Wed 06/08/08 Kaira Silo Vs Y/Africans -S/k East

Wed 06/08/08 Star Light Vs Jambanjelly -S/k East

Sainey Suso, deputy permanent secretary, Department of State for Justice, has said that the promotion and protection of human rights in Africa are primary responsibilities of all and sundry.

DPS Suso also disclosed that it is only when human rights are guaranteed, promoted, protected and fulfilled that peace and development can be realised in the African continent.

Deputy Permanent Secretary Suso made these statements on Monday while deputising for the Attorney General and secretary of state for Justice at the opening of the 5th extraordinary session of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Right at Jerma Beach Hotel.

According to him, for Africans to ensure the promotion and protection of their human rights, they need to restore more confidence in the whole continent. He highlighted that the member states of the commission are obligated to submit their state reports to show the progress made, as well as the challenges faced in implementing the provisions of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ right.

"The complaints mechanism is also another avenue [through which] redress can be sought for the violation or threats of violation of the rights under the Charter," he said.
He expressed hope that the commission would at the conclusion of the session issue concluding observations on the state reports and decisions on the communications and complete the review of the rules.

"This, I believe will help reduce the backlog of work to be done and also allow the commission to have more time to execute its promotional mandate within the African continent," he noted, adding that it will also enable the commission to effectively work with the court since heads of states have approved the merger at the just concluded African Union Summit in Egypt.

“I am therefore confident that all the delegates will give it their best and participate fully in the deliberations because everyone’s contribution will be vital towards ensuring that the African human rights system is fully developed, functional and effective for the benefit of the African Peoples," he concluded.

Musa Bittaye, Sheikh Tijan Hydara, Dr Robert Eno, senior legal officer of the African Union, Dr Feyi Ogunades, senior legal officer of the AU and other important personalities attended the ceremony.

The word beauty means the combination of qualities that pleases the aesthetic senses or the intellect  and moral senses.The world of arts and beauty are synonymous.The word arts on the other hand mean the exhibition of human creative skills or its application.

The Gambian beauty industry is growing from trickle to a steady stream. The industry has undoubtedly registered unprecedented growth in recent years, thanks to the untiring and relentless commitment of erudite beauty and modelling agencies throughout the length and breadth of The Gambia.

Beauty and modelling agencies like the famous Gomez promotion,Lamin Saidy beauty and modelling agency, Fabec promotion, amongst other household name agencies really deserve commendation for their spirited and unwavering support geared towards the development, promotion and preservation of the arts and culture of beauty and modelling in the country.

Due observation must be directed to the  organisers of other related beauty pageants such as the annual Miss July 22nd ,initiated and exclusivelly sponsored by the Gambian leader,president Yahya Jammeh and supported by the Department of state for Education and other stakeholders in the development of education. This rare beauty contest that seeks to exhibits the talents and beauty of our school going girls, as part of efforts meant to prepared them for fututre challenges both intellectually and socially. Other beauty contests like the annual miss Bakau, Miss inter-school beauty contest among others also cannot be left behind in terms of their invaluable support towards sustenance of the spirit of arts and culture in the country.

This week,the arts and culture anchorman  gave analysis of the above stated caption, due to its importance and steady growth. He described both as  lucrative and intellectually orriented.  Special reference was made to the forth coming face of Africell, another leading GSM service providers in the Gambia. The art of beauty and creativity are interwoven or per say inseparable.

As a passionate and unshakable lover of the world of beauty and arts. I had already attended a couple of beauty pageants,however, the most beautiful aspect of the whole show is its exclusive and extensive exhibition of the spirit of our rich and deep rooted cherished traditional cultural norms and values,as well as other side attractions that goes with the programme.These side attraction activities are mostly very educative,inspiring  and interesting. Beauty contest in most cases served as an avenue for breeding talented and smart young queens and help inculcate a sense of self awareness. The old adage has it that, relax and beautiful minds normally live longer than the oppressed and hardworn ones.

The famous adage has it that, let us"human beings’’use the different gifts allotted to each of us by our creator, God the Almighty Allah. The above quotation further has it that,you are a  new creation,no one has ever been born who is just  like you,with your special combination of gifts and talents. Creativity is a way to use your gifts in order to bring about  introduction and  development of new things into the world. Creativity on  other hand  means a way to use the spark of God within you, it could also mean expressing new ideas and inventions such as arts, music, dance among others. In essence, creativity is  referred to as  a way to let the light of originality within you to shine out for the benefit of others.Creativity connects us with  beauty and our creator God.

According to the dispatched information relayed to the arts and culture desk ,from the office of the Africell on Kairaba Avenue has it that, the beauty pageant is a Gambian televised personality show, which began in 2007,the programme features a group of young female candidates drawn from all parts of the country.The programme according to the dispatch, is organised by Africell in collaboration with Beacon Interactive co,Ltd  and it  has registered huge success, thus became number one watched beauty pageantry in The Gambia.

The show accomodates  a  total of thirty  young  sparkling beauty queens, who competes on a weekly  showcase,  broadcasted on the GRTS, characterised by voting either through sending text message or dialling their individual contestant number. At  the end of the day the ,contestant with the highest number of votes emerges as the winner.

As it was the case last year,Miss Yamundau Leigh went home with a brand new 4X4 Kia Sportage car after beating all her rival competitors. This year too a brand new 4X4 Nissan Pathfinder or a scholarship awaits the  would be winner of the face of Africell.Activities marking the start of the programme were launched on 30th  of June 2008,said mr Peter, an official  of  Africell.


He spoke about the  Company’s mission to provide the highest level of reception and customer care service, thus proving their famous slogan bringing people closer through GSM solution.

Africell, being the leading  GSM  Company in The Gambia, on Saturday, launched its mega promotion called “Phone for every Gambian”, at a press conference held at the Kairaba Beach Hotel in Kololi.

This mega promotion, is the latest to be introduced by The Gambia’s indomitable mobile communications company, following the on going face of Africell part 2, D10,000000  campaign, among others.

The promotion will also help each and every individual in the country to access a brandnew mobile phone.

Speaking at the press conference, , Papa Leigh, Marketing and Sales Manager at Africell, said, making the GSM service affordable to all communities, has always been his company’s primary target, adding that, Africell looks at the world through the eyes of The Gambian people.

“We know that the only barrier that prevents most Gambians from having universal access to Telecommunication, is  financial deficiency”, he noted.

According to Mr. Leigh, the obstacle (financial deficiency) that stands between Gambians and Telecommunication has been removed, because Africell has held itself responsible for the development of this nation and will never stop looking for solutions.

He revealed that Africell is the Gambia’s biggest GSM operator with more than five hundred thousand subscribers, adding that the reason behind their success has always been the support of their faithful customers,who are always considered as fruitful partners in development .

“We believe in,and trust  the public as the base on which this company stands  and that’s why we work day and night to bring at hand ,the best services. Today’s offer is another way to say (thank you) to The Gambian people”, Mr Leigh remarked.

He further revealed that this mega breakthrough in Gambia’s Telecommunication market is due to  a partnership with Reliance Financial Services to offer a phone for every Gambian.

Mr Leigh also explained the details about  this offer and below we re-produced the full text of his explanation.

“Under this program, the customer will pay as low as D100 per month and get a brand new Nokia Phone plus new Africell Sim Card followed by a free credit allowance every month.

1.To benefit from this offer, the customer is bound to visit any of the Reliance Branches and present any sort of an identification document (Passport, ID card, drivers’ Licenses etc.)

2. If the customer chooses to pay for the phone package over the period of ten months, the down payment will be D100 (one hundred dalasis) and the monthly payments will be 100 dalasi only and each time the customer compensate his monthly payments, he will instantly receive 50 dalasi worth of credit for free (Africell to Africell).

3.If the customer chooses to pay for the phone package over the period of five months, the down payment will be D160 dalasis only and each time the customer compensate his monthly payment, he will instantly receive 80 dalasis worth of credit for free (Africell to Africell).

4. All phones will be delivered at Reliance Financial Service centres.

For his part, Ismaila Faal, Chief Operating Officer at Reliance Financial Services, said the target group in this campaign are central to and are at the heart of Reliance’s mission.

“Reliance sets out to change lives, leveraging on Micro- Finance and Micro Credit as a platform. Out target is something that we certainly share in common with Africell and now with Quantum Net  Digital”,  Mr Faal observed.

Since its establishment, Mr Faal went on, Reliance has made  promise to the people that it will do anything humanly possible, to bring banking serivces to the doorsteps of Gambians.

“Today after 20 months of operation we are humbly proud to announce that we have 20 operational outlets in the country and we will soon cover the entire length and breadth of the country” Mr Faal told the press.

Lansana Tunkara, from Quantum Net Digital, Commended Africell and Reliance Financial Services, for what he described as a dynamic partnership. He said Quantum Net Digital has a long history of partnership with Africell, as well as with Reliance Financial Services.He added that their doors are always open for such as partnership.Mr Tunkara revealed that his Company is the first Nokia official distributor and the only official Nokia Service Centre in the country.

These phones under the offer will be taken care of by the Nokia one year waranty, which can be serviced at any Quantum Net Serice Centre”, he assured the gathering.

Saint Joseph’s Adult Education and Skills Centre on Wednesday held its graduation ceremony at the centre in Banjul.

In her keynote address, Ms Bernadette Fefegula of the Catholic Development Office (CaDO) who was also the guest speaker stated that gone are the days when women used to belong only to the kitchen and farms.  She thanked President Jammeh for putting great value on educating the girl child and urged them to utilise the opportunities accorded to them with strength and confidence.

She expressed delight with the center for improving and developing their social and economic status. She then advised graduates to count themselves lucky to have had such great opportunities. She also advised them to share with others, saying “in that way, you are playing your part in developing and empowering other young women and their families”.

For her part, Sister Pauline Leahy, project manager, revealed that eighteen students were graduating, after spending two years in computer training. She said the aim of the centre is to enhance knowledge, skills, attitudes and values of young women for their personal and social development, adding that they always create awareness on children and women’s rights as well as to ensure their promotion and respect through communication for behavioural change.

Sister Pauline Leahy then thanked all those who have supported them in making them realise their aspirations.

Miss Nyima Gomez, a graduating student, gave the vote of thanks.