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Current Feed ContentAPRC convenes national conference
Wednesday, July 23, 2008 Thousands of APRC militants, supporters, and sympathisers, Saturday, converged at the Jerma Beach Hotel in Kololi, for a two-day conference, sanctioned by the National Mobilising Committee of the country’s ruling party. The vice-president and secretary of state for Women’s Affairs, Aja Dr Isatou Njie-Saidy, presided over the opening ceremony of the national discussion, on behalf of President Yahya Jammeh. The conference brought together delegates from across the four corners of the country. With the theme: ‘Institutional strengthening of APRC in the context of national development," the conference aimed at discussing key issues, among them a review of the party’s strategies and action plan, and the subsequent adoption of the document; the party’s constitution; and selection criteria of its candidates. In her statement on behalf of the Gambian leader, Vice-president Njie-Saidy thanked Allah for the 14 years of development. She echoed calls for unity and respect for authority. Three categories of people, she said, have been key to the successes of the APRC: opinion leaders; the rich; and the educated. She paid homage to Mr Amadou Samba, as one of the foremost helpers of the party in terms of financial support. Vice President Njie-Saidy also reminded delegates that the conference was a follow-up to an earlier one held in Mansakonko, Lower River Region. The issues discussed there, the vice-president said, are waiting to be discussed. She then challenged the delegates to justify their representation by making their presence felt throughout the discussions. The party’s national mobilizer, SoS Yankunba Touray, echoed his deputy, Madam Aji Fatou Sallah. He told the gathering that there was no doubt that the party was doing fine among the women folk, who he said do not just stop at talking, but manifest their support for the party by action. Hon Touray compared the party’s performance in the last two elections, arguing that the results indicate an increase in the APRC’s performance. He however, cautioned against complacency, urging the membership to brace up for the forthcoming general registration in 2010 and the subsequent elections. A representative of the National Assembly, Hon Sulayman Joof, said that the party’s problem is not the opposition, but what he called "intra-party feud." This, he cautioned, would not augur well for the APRC. In his welcome statement, the chairperson of the occasion, Hon Fabakary Tombong Jatta, who is the majority leader of the National Assembly, praised the delegates for the high turnout. Hon Jatta attributed the event in the fully packed hall of the country’s newest five-star hotel, to the people’s readiness to heed the Gambian leader’s call; a man that has championed, and continues to champion their cause. “This is an indication of the party leader’s commitment to take the country where it belongs in terms of development,” he told a jubilant audience. The majority leader argued that every Gambian, be they APRC supporters or not, who had a knowledge of where the country was before July 1994, could tell the difference today, and that anybody could guess where the nation is heading. He, however, urged all regardless of party affiliation, to focus on the development aspirations of the country. The APRC’s general-secretary, Manlafi Jarju, stressed the need for unity among party members, respect for authority, and "most importantly, to maintain loyalty to the ideals of the party’s constitution." He said that there would be no success without the full participation of the membership. A representative of the APRC’s youth wing, Majanko Samusa, said that national consultations like this are what politics entails, and that it is what takes a nation forward. Dialogue, he went on, is essential. He also called on the youth folk to beware of the danger of disunity among their ranks. This was a view shared by a representative of the council of elders, as well as the party’s deputy national mobiliser, who sought to remind the women folk of President Jammeh’s unreserved support for their cause. Also present at the occasion were the Speaker of the National Assembly, secretaries of state, NAMs, a number of Gambian ambassadors, as well as delegates from APRC chapters overseas. Author: by Kemo Cham Gambian supporters off to Mauritania Friday, July 11, 2008 At least twenty-five Gambian supporters left Banjul yesterday for Nouachott, Mauritania, to cheer up the Gambia under 20 team in the second leg of the qualifiers for 2009 Rwanda under 20 championship finals. The Gambia will face Mauritania on Saturday, July 12, for the return leg of the qualifying round of Rwanda finals. Bai Cham, president of the National Scorpions Fans Club, told Observer Sports that their trip was made possible thanks to the efforts of the Gambia Football Association who provided a coaster to convey the supporters to cheer up the team in the West African country. Defender Pa Modou Njie’s last-gasp goal aid Gambia beat Mauritania 1-0 in the Banjul first-leg tie two weeks back, and the 2007 African bronze medalists only need to avoid a defeat on Saturday in order to progress to the next stage of the qualifiers where they will meet either Ghana or Libya. Author: by Nanama Keita Gambian fans in MauritaniaThursday, July 10, 2008 At least twenty-five Gambian fans will leave Banjul today for Nouachott, Mauritania, to cheer up the Gambia under 20 team in the second leg of the qualifiers for 2009 Rwanda under 20 championship finals. Bai Cham, president of the National Scorpions Fans Club, told Observer Sports that the Gambia Football Association has provided a coaster to convey the supporters to cheer up the team in the West African country. Italian coach Lorenzo Rubinazzi and his 18-man squad safely arrived in Mauritania on Wednesday ahead of the return leg which is scheduled for Saturday, July 12. The skipper and only foreign player in the Darling Scorpions line-up, Pa Modou Njie, scored a last-gasp goal to aid Gambia to a 1-0 victory over the visitors in the Banjul first-leg tie two weeks back, and the 2007 African bronze medalists only need to avoid a defeat on Saturday in order to progress to the next stage of the qualifiers where they will meet either Ghana or Libya. Author: by Nanama Keita Zimbabwe election valid - Says President Jammeh Thursday, July 03, 2008 president Alhaji Dr Yahya jammeh, has given the June 27 Presidential election run-off in Zimbabwe a clean bill of health, saying “Zimbabwe’s election is valid”. The president, in addition, branded the leader of the main opposition mDC, morgan Tchangarai, as a “blue-eyed boy” and “puppet” of the West, emphasising that Zimbabwe will never be colonised again. The plain speaking Gambian leader made these remarks in an interview with newsmen at the airport, upon his arrival from the 11th AU summit in the Egyptian Red Sea Resort of Sharm El-Sheikh, which lasted for two days. According to Dr Jammeh, the summit was not diversion on the Zimbabwe issue but rather showed African leaders working for the continent’s interest and those who are for West. He added: “The pronouncements of major Western media before the summit was what those representing Western interests came with, but they have regretted it’. The Gambian leader made comparison to an election recently held in an Eastern African country, which was described as not free and fair by all institutions involved in the process, yet the West decided to be mute about it. the aftermath of that election was marred by violence during which many were killed, thousands displaced and the end result was a unity government. To him, Africans accept Mugabe’s re-election, because it was lawful as the country’s laws do not ban elections if a party decides to boycott. hypocrisy Dr Jammeh again made reference to an event in a country in the Horn of Africa, where opposition protesters were shot and killed with impunity. he added that the government went to the extent of refusing to release the dead bodies unless the relatives paid for the bullets, but yet still the West made no noise, because that government was serving their interests. “Why Zimbabwe?” he asked. “Because the whites are involved,” he said, answering his rhetorical question. he observed that the suffering of the people of Zimbabwe was not Mugabe’s making, but the West’s just because they want to effect a change of government, which will be ruled by their puppet. Dr Jammeh wondered why the West during the first round of the election decreed the process foul only to endorse it when the MDC emerged as the winner. He agreed with President Museveni of Uganda that elections cannot be free and fair, when the opposition are backed by external forces to destablise a country by launching attacks on ruling party supporters and use NGOs to induce the electorate. inclusive government To Dr Jammeh, president Mugabe can accommodate “nationalists” and “patriots” who have divergent views with him but have the country’s interest at heart. But the decision for that mechanism to be in place lies with the government and people of Zimbabwe. Prosecuting Mugabe The Gambian leader called the Western ploy to prosecute President Mugabe on the pretext of misrule as “free, fair and fine”. But questioned why they are not calling for the prosecution of the then white minority government in Zimbabwe and South Africa, where they carried out mass killings of Blacks, which was stopped by Mugabe and his fellow nationalists. He added that today, the perpetrators of those crimes are living freely and no one is calling for their prosecution. “We Africans should learn a lesson from this. They (the West) think they can dictate to us (Africans) and this is not acceptable. Africans should stand for Zimbabwe. After all what did the West did for Africa?,” he rhetorically asked. The theme Commenting on the theme of the summit, which was “Meeting the Millennium Development Goals in Water and Sanitation”, Dr Jammeh said sanitation is the problem in Africa and not water. “Leaders have realise that collective approach at continental level will enable the continent to meet the MDGs in 2015,” he added. Author: by pa malick Faye What is Stopping Supporters From Coming Out? Tuesday, July 01, 2008 It is very sad to see our national teams playing in our home ground with a low turn out of spectators to come out and give support to our national teams. What is stopping supporters from coming out to support our national teams? Pointsports went around to get people’s views on this issue; why people don’t come out to support our teams? Speaking to Alieu Cham, alias Chama, of Sere kunda he said, “ it is very disappointing to see our stadium empty during our matches, since our game against Karamo Jaiteh, a Gambian fan expressed disappointment saying that he doesn’t think that Gambians like football. “ I don’t think Gambians like football, because if you listen to the comments we made during sports programs we always talk about the way forward for Gambian football. We are now well recommended in the game of football throughout the world. We saw the team’s performances from both the youth and senior national level. We saw where our football is heading so it is left to us now to give support to the teams when they are playing. In football you win lose or draw.” He continued saying, “The Gambia are still in the race for the 2010 World and African of Nations qualifying rounds. We have a good chance of making it to our first appearance in the continental tournament. We need to change our attitude, we should not be talking on the radios without acting. Let’s be fair to ourselves, we should be supportive to our teams. When there are football games we have to encourage our players by attending. In his remarks, Ebrima Mboob said, “ we don’t have anything to say to the people governing the game of football in the It will be recalled that The Gambia played against Author: By Ebou Manneh Source: Picture: Fans at the match Opposition politician, supporters ExoneratedFriday, June 20, 2008 Lamin R. Darboe, a former UDP candidate in Kombo East constituency, is now a free man following the striking out of his case by the Brikama Magistrates’ Court for want of prosecution. Mr. Darboe was charged alongside Buba Darboe and Jerreh Fatty for their alleged involvement in an assault that occasioned actual bodily. The trio was on Tuesday acquitted and discharged of the charges for, according to magistrate John Njie, there wasn’t substantial evidence before the court to rely on in convicting the men. Magistrate Njie explained that since the case was mentioned nearly two years ago, the prosecution had only called in two witnesses to prove the ingredients of the matter beyond reasonable doubt. He however added that none of the prosecution witnesses’ testimony was sufficient enough to prove the prosecution’s case. He consequently acquitted and discharged the men of the charges. It would be recalled that the three men were rounded up by security agents shortly after the results of the 2006 Kombo East by-elections were made public. They were subsequently charged with assault before being arraigned. Author: By Abdoulie Nyockeh Supporters Must Support!Friday, June 13, 2008 In the 2003 play-offs for the World Cup and the African Cup of Nations, Gambia played at home against Senegal and were held to a goaless draw. In the return match in Senegal, The Gambia were defeated 3-1. Gambia’s loss to Algeria in the first leg in Algiers by a single goal was followed by a 2-1 victory over Algeria in the return leg at home. Gambia beat Liberia here at home by 2-0 in that campaign and, needing only a draw or a narrow loss, threw the tournament in a heartbreaking 3-0 defeat in Monrovia. Two of the goals were woefully conceded in the last eight minutes. The Gambia crashed out of both tournaments. This time around, and caught in the same group as 2003, Gambia have again been held to a goaless draw at home by Senegal and again have home advantage against Algeria in the first round. We have two hopes. Our first hope is that this time we can maintain a good scoreline in Senegal on our return leg, or even better a victory, depending on our result against Algeria. Our other hope is that we can this time not only defeat Algeria but improve the scoreline from 2-1 to 3-0 at least. Needless to say, the Scorpions have to put up their best fight. They need every ounce of energy to maintain a good position in the play-offs. It is a tough assignment and sacrifice, but one they must make to make up to the nation the failed promise of 2003. But again it must be said, as we have said before, that for sure success, a big onus is on the supporters to play their role. If the boys are to produce their best, then the supporters must play their part, and play it well. With sound support, the players can produce even more than their best. This is what we want to see happen starting with the Algeria match. Supporters should come out in their thousands and shout in their thousands. We must not come out in our thousands and shout in our dozens. That would not fire the boys up. Support must be heard, felt, and above all, relentless. Again we want to remind supporters to help the organisers by being orderly, disciplined and generally positive. We should all remember that we are now under the spyglass of the international football authorities, FIFA and CAF, and should prudently avoid financial sanctions as were inflicted on us during the Gambia/Algeria match last year. On that occasion we recall that the Disciplinary Board of CAF imposed a fine of $ 10,000.00 on Gambia on basis of what was found to be unruly behaviour of Gambian supporters as well as offensive conduct of some of our players during the 2008 African Cup Preliminaries against this same team Algeria here at Independence Stadium. The GFA president, Mr Seedy Kinteh has rightly called it a “watch-match”, and has cautioned for maximum care and restraint on part of all supporters. If our crowd comportment in our match against Senegal is anything to go by, we should not fear sanction but rather expect praise from the authorities. But we must be vigilant all the same. Furthermore in our own interest, we should protect ourselves against heat exhaustion by reducing exposure to the sun by for example wearing straw hats and carrying enough water and even salt and sugar to prevent dehydration. Again Africell should be commended for their valuable support to The Gambia Football Association in particular, and to Gambian sports in general. We appeal once more to all successful businesses in this country to lend a hand to sports promotion in The Gambia. Let’s go Scorpions! Forex Bureau Rates: M J Finance 9965635 Buying GBP = D40.00 US = D20.00 5000CFA = D240.00 EURO = D31.00 Swedish Kroner= D320 Danish Kroner= D370 Selling GBP = D41.50 US = D21.50 5000CFA D 250.00 EURO D33.50 Kroner D350.00 Danish Kroner = D425 Forex Bureau Rates: M J Finance 9965635 Buying GBP = D40.00 US = D20.00 5000CFA = D240.00 EURO = D31.00 Swedish Kroner= D320 Danish Kroner= D370 Selling GBP = D41.50 US = D21.50 5000CFA D 250.00 EURO D33.50 Kroner D350.00 Danish Kroner = D425 How the Scorpions Should Have Won …Tuesday, June 10, 2008 Supporters Also Have a Job to Do The weekend’s encounter at Independence Stadium between The Gambia and Senegal in the on-going qualifiers for the World Cup and the African Cup of Nations has visibly left all Gambians in a resigned mood. The result could however have been one of thrill and jubilation. Yes, certainly the boys gave us their best and played very good soccer against their very experienced and capable rivals. As a team they showed great resolve and cohesion, even despite their few days’ preparation. Man for man, the players were equally sound and effective. A good example is the spectacular marking of the Senegalese captain, Elhajj Diouf by Tijan Jaiteh (T-Boy). Though he didn’t produce the desired goal, Njogu Demba was also very impressive and his unfruitful efforts just showed that the goalkeeper, Tony Sylva, was on high form. Coach Paul Put and his assistants must also be commended for producing a great selection and a very good team performance despite the lack of adequate preparation time. On the whole if there was any weakness on the day, it must have been from the pavillions. That is where The Gambia failed to secure the much deserved victory on Sunday. There would have been a big difference if the supporters had supported loudly and resoundingly throughout the match. But we were lukewarm in our support, as though we were watching a concert and not a football match. We only shouted at moments of the highest excitement. Support should be sound and overwhelming to fire up the team and dampen the opposition. That is the importance and advantage of having ‘Home’ games. The fans have an active contribution to make especially in Home games. The last 15 minutes should have been a ‘do-or-die’ affair. The whole stadium should have been on their feet drumming support and demanding that winning goal. Then the boys would have got the zeal and responded with a surprising attack, and they would have been able to produce that essential goal, especially at a time when the opposition were a man down and looking completely exhausted. Unfortunately that opportunity was not seized. Therefore it is yet one more lesson for Gambia to learn. The game is not to be left to the coach and the players alone. The supporters have to do a job too, support. Let us take this opportunity to thank Africell for their valuable financial contribution to the Scorpions especially for paying salaries of the head coach, Paul Put. It is hoped that more prominent business enterprises will also come out and make their name in sports promotion in this country. Coach Paul Put Count on Gambian Supporters
Tuesday, June 03, 2008 The head
Coach of the “We
witnessed over 40,000 Liberian spectators in our match against In his
remarks, the Captain of the Scorpions, Ebou Sillah, said that he was very happy
with the team’s performance. “We played well, as you know we are not used to
playing together yet, but everyone was doing his job well.” He said that the
game against It could be recalled that the Scorpions of The Gambia will host the Terranga Lions of Senegal in the Group 6 fixture of the World and African Cup qualifiers, on Sunday 8th Jun 2008. Author: By Ebou Manneh Source: Pictures: Coach Put arriving at Banjul International Airport (1) Biri leading the players (2) The players on arrival at the airport (3) Unite for Banjul - Jammeh urges Banjulians
Tuesday, May 20, 2008 President Jammeh has urged Banjulians to close ranks and work for the interest of the capital city, as he wrapped up the 2008 ‘Dialogue with the People Tour’ on Sunday, at the July 22 Square, Banjul. Addressing thousands of supporters at the square, President Jammeh used the opportunity to thank all those who had in one way or the other contributed to the success of the tour. The president then talked of the political difference that trailed the last general elections in the capital and thanked Alieu Mboge, the director general of the Gambia Tourism Authority, mayor Samba Faal, Nancy Njie, the secretary of state for Tourism and Culture and Neneh Macdouall-Gaye, former secretary of state for Communications and Information Technology, for delivering unity to the Banjulians. He told the gathering that Banjul is a small city, where disunity must not be allowed. “I am therefore delighted with the unity in Banjul today,” he said. The president warned genuine APRC supporters against opposition elements in green-coloured outfits, pretending to be APRC militants. He advised Banjulians to avoid such individuals, as they are usually bend on poisoning the mindset of true APRC supporters. President Jammeh then gave the crowd a flashback of Banjul’s glory. “There was a time when Banjul was the most decent capital in Africa, but it has lost its face when the people voted in for an opposition mayor who did not do anything in Banjul, but selling public toilets. At that time, when I entered Banjul, I felt ashamed because of the untidy environment”, he recalled. President Jammeh advised the people to reject independent candidates, who give promises to join APRC party, when voted into office. He stressed that there has never been any independent-APRC candidate in the country. Assuring the Banjulians of his determination to live up to his promises, the president expressed his preparedness to transform Banjul into one of the best capitals in the West African sub-region. He then dismissed excuses that Banjulians cannot respond to his call for back to the land, saying that “you have the river, where you can engage in fishing and other farming activities to be self-reliant. But unfortunately, foreigners are utilising the opportunities. Over US$12 million fishing project is in Banjul today, but 98 per cent of the employees are foreigners”. He stressed the need for a changes of attitude, especially among the youth folk. He urged them to engage in skillful activities, emphasising that without hard work, poverty cannot be eradicated in the country. Yankuba Touray, the secretary of state for Fisheries, Water Resources and National Assembly Matters, elaborated major projects embarked upon by the Jammeh administration, pointing to the coastal protection project and the electrification of the capital city. SoS Touray highlighted a US$4 million electricity project from Kanifing Municipality to Banjul, a US$8 million for a special port for fishermen, amongst others. He then called on the people to support President Jammeh’s back to the land call, saying that independence is not just about raising a country’s flag, but to be food self-sufficient as a nation. Samba Faal, the mayor of Banjul, presented a cheque of D200,000 for the rehabilitation of Banjul mini-stadium and another one for D812,160 for the construction of the gutters at Spalden, Hills, Ma Samba, Primet, Dobson and Gloucester streets, as his council’s counterpart contribution to Gamworks. Other speakers at the meeting included SoS Nancy Njie, Alhagie OB Conateh, Pa Ebou Sanneh, a youth mobiliser, Aji Fatou Sallah, deputy APRC national mobiliser. The meeting, the BCC presented certificates of appreciation to President Jammeh, Alhaji OB Conateh, amongst many other public figures and distinguished Gambians for their support to the council. At the end of the ceremony, President Jammeh also presented a brand new van to the National Patriotic Students Association. Author: by Alhagie Jobe |
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