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Stakeholders Validate Draft Financial Manual for LGA’s

Thu, 27 Nov 2008 05:39:07 GMT

Thursday, November 27, 2008

The Gambia Agency for the Management of Public Works (GAMWORKS) has commenced the implementation of subprojects under the Third Public Works Project financed by the OPEC Fund for International Development (OFID).

One of the key components of this project is to provide technical assistance and training for Local Government Authorities (LGA’s).

To that effect, a day validation workshop was yesterday convened for LGA’s and other stakeholders at the Paradise Suites hotel in Kololi.

Participants reviewed and validated the draft financial and accounting manual.

Addressing the opening ceremony, Mr. Bubacarr Sankareh, auditor general, of the National Audit Office, who chaired the occasion, described the forum as timely. “Currently the financial memorandum they are using has been in use for the past 20 years, the Local Government Act provides that a new financial manual is put in place,” he said. He added that the subject for quality service delivery is fundamental and thus the need for sound financial management.

In declaring the forum open, Mr. Alasana Jammeh, permanent secretary for Local Government, Land and Religious Affairs, said that the workshop would strengthen local government institutions. He encouraged the participants to do justice to the draft manual.

The validation exercise was attended by regional governors, mayors, and CEO’s among others.

Author: Nfamara Jawneh

WR hosts Ecowas sub-regional meeting

Mon, 24 Nov 2008 05:15:08 GMT

Monday, November 24, 2008

The Western Region (WR), on Tuesday 18th November 2008 hosted the Economic Community of West Africa States (ECOWAS) sub-regional meeting on the Cross Border Cooperation (CIP) pilot operation in southern Senegambia.

The day long sub-regional meeting was held in the conference hall of the Region 2 Education Office in Brikama. The meeting brought together representatives from three countries within the southern Senegambia region, The Gambia, Senegal and Guinea Bissau.

The meeting was part of consultations and dialogue with local actors and other stakeholders about the ECOWAS cross border cooperation programme, especially the pilot operation in southern Senegambia.

Issues such as passes and permits, security check points along the border and between member countries, the difficulties encountered by drivers plying the border villages and towns took the centre stage.

Author: by Sanna Jawara

WANEP trains stakeholders on ECOWAS Convention on SA&LW

Tue, 11 Nov 2008 09:45:28 GMT

Tuesday, November 11, 2008

The West African Network for Peace Building (WANEP), began yesterday a two-day capacity building and sensitisation workshop for stakeholders.

The training session aims at raising awareness on the relevant of the international instruments with a particular focus on the ECOWAS Convention on Small Arms and Light Weapons following the Convention on Cluster munitions that was recently negotiated and adopted in Dublin, Ireland. The workshop also provides the opportunity to develop, lobby and advocate skills for the ultimate ratification and domestication of the said conventions.

The two-day training session brought together participants from NGOs, media, civil society organisations and members of the National Assembly.

The training session will also expose participants to the ECOWAS Convention on Small Arms and Light Weapons, the Land Mine treaty and the Convention on Cluster Munitions that are regarded as key international instruments aimed at addressing those issues.

At the end of the workshop it is expected that the ECOWAS Convention will be ratified by the Parliament.
According to the report monitored by WANEP, the proliferation of illicit small arms and light weapons and the use of cluster munitions continue to affect the lives of millions of people around the world, and is regarded as a serious threat to human security in generally.

The report further revealed that West Africa has had its fair share of the effects of these weapons, an increasingly preferred choice in armed conflicts that plagued the region in the past decade. "To that effect there is an ever present need to bring about an end to this menace through legally binding treaties in the promotion of security, peace and development". the report concluded.

Author: by Musa Ndow

Countdown to December Brufut Run Begins

Thu, 30 Oct 2008 06:43:29 GMT

Thursday, October 30, 2008

Brufut Marathon Run Association, with the support of the Friends of The Gambia UK and Taf Holding company Ltd, recently conducted a cleaning exercise at the Brufut Health Centre. As the theme for this year’s run is; “Run For A Clean Nation” the BMRA called on the villagers and the Brikama Area Council to join hands and help clean the health centre. A large crowd attended the exercise among them Lucky Sisters, Ajusco Family,Kayon Kalorn,Diamond Sisters,KankantaGarden women, Mz Thea Mom representing the Holland Foundation and Brikama Area Council. After breakfast, provided by the BMRA, the work started in earnest and finished five hours later when the entire place was cleaned. Speaking at the end of the cleaning, Miss Fatoumata Balajo, marketing officer BMRA, commended all the groups and the Brikama Area Council for doing the work. She told the council that the food, dustbins and the truck they provided greatly helped the success of the cleaning. She reminded the gathering that her association has taken up the challenge this year to run for a clean nation and this exercise is part of the activities that will culminate in the actual run slated the 6th of December 2008 at BrufutLowerBasicSchool.

Miss Balajo finally concluded by asking for support from all and sundry in order to make this year’s run a success as anything realised from the run will be used to help in education and health. .

Mrs. lsatou Dampha Jatta, the nurse in charge of the clinic, spoke about the benefits of a clean environment to health. She urged the all stakeholders to carry on cleaning environments since that will prevent certain illnesses from affecting society.

Mrs Marie joof and Mr. Abass Manneh, of the health centre and the Village Development Committee (VDC) respectively, thanked the BMRA for a job well done and told the villagers to always get involved in cleaning exercises of this nature.

Mr. Lamin Conteh, the assistant cleansing manager of Brikama Area Council,, expressed his appreciation to the organisers and informed them that the council will always be willing to collaborate with them in their efforts. According to him, waste is a byproduct of human activities and so therefore its effective management and control is the business of everybody. He thanked the head of the village and the groups for the selfless service they rendered to the clinic, “which is the surest way to achieve our collective aim of a waste free nation “he remarked. Other speakers included Mrs. Mabintou Sanneh, Miss Oumie Jabbi and Mrs Susan Jatta who all hailed the efforts of the Brufut Marathon Run Association for what they called an excellent initiative.

Government Donates One Million Dalasis to NAYCONF

Wed, 29 Oct 2008 06:22:44 GMT

Wednesday, October 29, 2008

With barely 52 days to the National Youth Conference and Festival (NAYCONF) the government on Tuesday made a huge donation to the biannual event to ensure its success.

The Secretary of State for Youth and Sports, Honourable Sheriff Gomez, on behalf of the government, yesterday presented the cheque amounting to one million dalasis to the organisers of the forthcoming National Youth Conference and Festival (NAYCONF).

With this, and other pledges, organisers are very much optimistic that this year’s NAYCONF, to be held in Farefenni, will be historic.

Speaking at a stakeholders meeting on the NAYCONF at the conference room of the National Youth Council, where he presented the cheque, the Secretary of State for Youth and Sports, Mr. Sheriff Gomez, described the move as a manifestation of government’s commitment in ensuring a successful NAYCONF. “This presentation is no doubt a manifestation of government’s commitment in empowering young people. Young people have been, they are and will continue to be government’s priority,” he said. He challenged the various organising committees to redouble their efforts to make this event memorable. He said that the government have shown the political will in empowering young people over the years. He implored the private sector and individuals to follow in the footsteps of government in supporting NAYCONF. He encouraged the committees to work as a team.

Mr. Gomez used the opportunity to announce some institutions that have also pledged to support this year’s NAYCONF. They include UNFPA, UNESCO, and ActionAid/AYCAH, UNAIDs, Gambjobs and RUE Chicken firm.

Speaking earlier, Mr. Mambanyick Njie, Permanent Secretary for Youth and Sports, reaffirmed his department’s readiness in empowering young people. “Youth have to be encouraged in a meaningful way. Any person who wants to help President Jammeh develop this country should support the young people,” he said. NAYCONF, he said, has to be treated as a national event. He said that there is no room for self blames this year and those organisers must ensure success. He called for transparency and checks and balances in the management of funds.

Pa Malick Ceesay, Executive Secretary of the National Youth Council, thanked the government through the Youth and Sports Minister for the gesture.

Meanwhile, the organisers are looking for 3.4 million dalasis to host over 500 youths from across the country and beyond for a week.

Author: Nfamara Jawneh

Gambia-Cuba intergovernmental commission opens

Wed, 22 Oct 2008 09:18:29 GMT

Wednesday, October 22, 2008

A two-day conference of the intergovernmental commission between the Republics of The Gambia and Cuba, yesterday, began at the Corinthia Atlantic Hotel in Banjul.

The seventh session of the commission, which brought together secretaries of state, senior government officials, diplomats, and a cross section of development experts from the two countries, was described as timely, considering the fact that the two countries have over the years enjoyed bonds of friendship and bilateral cooperation.

The officials of the two countries discussed important issues pertaining to health, education, agriculture, and other development related challenges faced by the two countries.

Addressing the gathering of experts, Dr Omar Touray, the secretary of state for Foreign Affairs, described the commission as yet another testimony of a joint commitment to reinforce the bilateral relation between the two countries. He noted that the session will also give all stakeholders the opportunity to assess all what had been jointly achieved over the years, adding that it would further enable them to follow up on unresolved issues."

"With commitment and dedication by officials from countries, I am confident that the areas covered by our bilateral cooperation will be properly assessed thereby mapping out a path for the future,’ he said.

According to the Foreign Affairs secretary of state, the commission would also play a crucial role in the realisation of the goals and aspirations of our two peoples and it would promote ‘our shared values of solidarity, unity, peace, stability, and cooperation.

Dr Touray then expressed hope that at the end of the session, the commitment demonstrated by the leaders of the two countries and implemented by their representatives in Banjul would be translated into a more extensive Gambia-Cuban partnership.

For his part, Ramon Ripoll, the deputy minister for International Cooperation of Cuba, said, experts would have the opportunity to arrange cooperation activities that will be part of the programme of cooperation for the next two years. He went on to say that they are certain that these activities would strengthen the link, which will benefit both countries.

He noted that their experts participating in the commission had received instructions to find the best ways of cooperation that would allow mutual benefits for the two countries. He also called for realistic actions with a view to forster its successful implementation.

Deputy Minister Ripoll recalled that in 1995, the two governments signed the general agreement for cooperation, adding that from 1996 to 2007, the cooperation witnessed significant achievements. He cited the presence of 2195 Cuban health professionals, the training of doctors in The Gambia by the Cubans, as well as Gambian students pursuing higher education in Cuba as clear testimonies of a fruitful partnership.

The Cuban diplomat expressed optimism that the seventh session of the intergovernmental commission would mark a giant step in the existing bilateral relations and cooperation between the two countries.

Author: by Hatab Fadera

Gambia climate change forum on course

Tue, 07 Oct 2008 10:15:27 GMT

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Tuesday, October 07, 2008

Aja Dr Isatou Njie-Saidy, the vice president and secretary of state for Women’s Affairs, on behalf of President Jammeh, yesterday presided over the official opening of a two-day Gambia climate change forum at the Kairaba Beach Hotel.

The forum, which was organised by The Gambia government through the Department of State for Forestry and the Environment, in conjunction with the University of The Gambia and the United Nation’s Development Programme country office, brought together secretaries of state, representatives of international organisations, as well as key stakeholders in the cause of the phenomenon of climate charge.

Described as a timely move towards solving the issues surrounding climate change, the forum seeks to provide a platform for discussion in a bid to device ways and means of addressing the challenges posed by climate change. It also aims at creating a platform for information sharing and exchanges for deeper dialogue to strengthen partnership in climate change.

In her keynote speech, Vice President Njie-Saidy said that The Gambia government is doing a lot to implement the climate change convention. She informed participants that the government has created the relevant national instruments and institutions for the effective implementation of the various multilaterally sanctioned environmental agreements.

She indicated that the government had also succeeded in developing activities under the clean development mechanism in 2001 and in 2003 fulfilled the requirement of submitting the country’s initial national communication to the United Nation Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). In 2007, she went on, The Gambia finalised and submitted its national adaptation programme of actions to the UNFCCC secretariat.

"In all these years, we [have] prided ourselves for contributing to the international debate, research, and review efforts in climate change and related threats to the global economy.

The Gambian scientists have been participating in the activities of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), and they have become contributing authors, lead authors, coordinating lead authors and review editors of a number of IPCC reports," the vice president stated, while observing that no meaningful development can be attained and sustained without addressing the issue of climate change.

Vice President Njie Saidy further went on to say that The Gambia is contributing significantly to the stabilisation of Green House Gas (GHG) concentrations in the atmosphere, adding that they will strive to maintain that policy direction.

"The Gambia government will not fail in its commitment to bring about and pursue relevant national programmes and projects necessary to help us confront the issue of climate change sufficiently. As a country, we have gone far in putting in place mitigation and adaptation plans estimated respectively at US$16 million and US15 million. Both plans show government’s willingness to implement a line of projects towards responding to the challenges of climate change from those that seek to introduce waste management, fuel switching and energy efficiency production and conservation techniques, to those that involve the installation of early warning systems, as well as coastal and marine resource management," she noted.

While expressing hope that the forum would achieve its objectives, Vice President Njie-Saidy noted that the government would leave no stone unturned in its efforts to enhance national capacities to observe, predict and interpret world climate change trends and information.

For his part, Momodou Kotu Cham, secretary of state for Forestry and the Environment, called on development partners, both bilateral and multilateral, to be supportive of the projects proposed in the plans of action. He informed the forum that the plans were geared towards increasing the resilience to climate change of the local communities and ecosystem. SoS Kotu Cham noted that their plans were necessary as vulnerability to climate change was synonymous to continued under-development as it impacts on all socio-economic sectors in the country, noting that 90 percent of livelihood thrive on climate-sensitive activities.

Ms Chinwe M Dike, the UN resident coordinator, described the forum as a demonstration of the great importance that the government of The Gambia attaches to the threat of the current climate variability in the country. She observed that the forum constitutes an important component of the ongoing national advocacy and sensitisation work, which is aimed at ensuring that climate change and climate variability considerations are fully taken into account in national and regional planning and programming.

The UN resident coordinator stressed the need for ambitious policies and strategies to avert future climate change.

Other speakers at the forum included Professor Andreas Steigen, former vice chancellor of the University of The Gambia, Dr Michel Jarraud, secretary general, World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) and Mr Abiodum Bashua, secretary of the conference of parties at the United Nation Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).

Author: by Hatab Fadera & Alieu Ceesay

Call against poverty reinforced

Tue, 30 Sep 2008 04:46:01 GMT

Tuesday, September 30, 2008

Stakeholders in the fight against poverty have called for reinforced efforts and commitment with realistic policies to ensure the eradication of poverty, the scourge which is ravaging hundreds of millions of people around the world.

This "call for action" was made at a poverty hearing session, last Saturday; and it was organised by the Global Call to Action Against Poverty - The Gambia (GCAP - Gambia), at a ceremony held at the President International Award centre in Bakau.

According to officials, poverty hearing is an advocacy strategy forum organised specifically to offer opportunities to people living in poverty to share their stories, and express their concerns about the scourge, and to celebrate achievements. The principle of the day, they indicated, is ownership, particularly for those who have been rendered powerless by chronic poverty and gross inequality.

Speaking at the occasion, Alhagie Kebbeh, chairperson of the Global Call to Action Against Poverty, The Gambia chapter, said the movement is one of the world’s leading advocacy campaign networks which mobilises people, particularly the poor, to voice out their concerns and their feelings regarding their living conditions in relation to poverty. Mr Kebbeh stressed the need for pro-poor policies, saying that poverty is one of the biggest injustices that a human being could be faced with.

"As we speak, eight hundred and fifty million (850m) people go to bed without food, daily. This is unacceptable as the world has more than enough to feed its inhabitants," he posited.

Mr Kebbeh, who is also the President of the Africa Youth Coalition Against Hunger (AYCAH), stressed the need for more consolidation, saying that stakeholders should double up on the campaign to improve the lives of the poor. He observed that the lack of social amenities in various settlements is one of the major factors amplifying poverty in these communities. While maintaining that GCAP-Gambia will continue with the fight, he called for concerted efforts to eradicate the menace.

Yadicon Njie Eribo, coordinator of Forum for African Women Education - Gambia (FAWEGAM), amplified the call further, saying that in Africa, women are the most vulnerable as they face challenges such as voicelessness in the society, illiteracy, malnutrition, and ill health. "Poverty causes women to be deprived of their social right to education. It is an indisputable fact that women, being subjected to illiteracy, contribute immensely to development," she said, emphasizing the need for them to be empowered in reducing the trend of poverty.

According to her, many people are unhealthy as a result of the effect of abject poverty, adding that the kind of food consumed in most poor homes is sometimes poor. The result of this, she said, is the shortening of lives span.

The FAWEGAM coordinator then challenged women to take up responsibility in ensuring that their children, especially the girl child, stick to their education. This, she concluded, will go a long way in alleviating poverty.

Author: by Hatab Fadera

PURA introduces consumer parliament

Fri, 26 Sep 2008 04:51:37 GMT

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Friday, September 26, 2008

In a bid to raise awareness of the rights of the consumer and the obligations of the service providers in the resolution of their common problems and concerns, the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA), yesterday, convened a stakeholders’ meeting.

The consumer parliament forum, as it is called, brought together all the stakeholders from the utility industry. The session was held at the Paradise Suites Hotel in Kololi.

This maiden forum, according to officials, is an innovative public awareness and interaction session that aims at providing a forum for consumers of communication services, telephone (fixed and wireless), prepaid calling cards, and internet services, to meet face to face with operators, with the opportunity to express their views and put forward their complaints.

The session also seeks to serve as a platform where the operators in turn can clarify issues pertaining to their service delivery, and to publicly give account of the ways in which they provide these services to their subscribers.

As expected, participants at yesterday’s forum raised a series of concerns, like the need for change in the service delivery systems of the various service providers. Many expressed the need for the operators to be current with the problems facing the consumers for possible redress through capacity building initiatives.

Suggestions from certain quarters challenged PURA to organise meetings on a quarterly basis with the various operators, so as to ensure that pertinent issues raised at the consumer parliament are adhered to for the achievement of the common objectives of the initiative.

Reacting to comments, Rein Zwolsman, chief executive officer of Gamtel/Gamcel, described the initiative as a "bold step", saying that the parliament will ensure that issues affecting both consumers and operators are highlighted. He expressed the need for operators to embrace the initiative positively since it stands to serve the interest of both parties (consumers and providers).

While commending PURA for such the noble initiative, Mr Zwolsman expressed his company’s resolve to ensure that it regains its admirable position in Africa’s telecommunication industry.

Alagie B Gaye, director general of PURA, said his authority will not relent in the efforts to ensure the provision of qualitative and efficient communication, electricity, water and sewerage services throughout the country. According to him, the consumer parliament initiative was one among many others aimed at addressing the consumers’ concerns, noting that the notion was built on the fact that service providers are here to provide services. He emphasised that the best way of engaging service providers is through a consultative manner such as the consumer parliament, where the provider will be made to know about the existence of their obligations to those they serve.

"Generally, consumers need to be equipped to be able to shop around, to know where to go and obtain comparative information on products and services," he said, adding that although it is possible to rely on the service providers to provide consumers with the necessary information and the advice they need, experience shows that this is not always the case. Mr Gaye stressed that operating companies are not keen to provide adequate information about their products and services.

In an effort to bridge this gap, and in pursuant of its mandate to inform, educate and protect consumers, Director General Gaye emphasised, PURA devotes significant time and resources towards this direction. While commending the participants for attending the parliament, he expressed his authority’s resolve to ensure compliance and standard best practices.

Author: by Hatab Fadera

Aid Effectiveness Workshop Wraps up

Thu, 25 Sep 2008 05:00:08 GMT

Thursday, September 25, 2008

A one-day workshop on aid effectiveness ended recently at TANGO head office in Kanifing.

The forum which brought together various stakeholders including NGO officials and journalists was funded by Action Aid The Gambia.

Addressing the closing ceremony, Action Aid Policy Manager Lamin Nyangado said the workshop was meant to raise awareness among civil society organisations and other stakeholders about aid effectiveness and the Paris Agenda, build or strengthen common understanding about donor practices example conditionalities, parallel planning, budgeting and reporting.

He stressed that the workshop will help build better and stronger relationships that are mutually supportive and beneficial to the citizens.

Director of Tango, Mr.Ousman Yarboe, thanked the participants for effectively participating in the workshop while urging them to put the knowledge acquired into good use. He described the workshop as very important for The Gambia.

Author: By Lamin Darboe