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Mauritanian community celebrates Independence Day

Tue, 02 Dec 2008 05:38:55 GMT

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Tuesday, December 02, 2008

Mauritanian Community in The Gambia, on Friday organised a reception at the Sun Beach Hotel, to celebrate their country’s 48th Independence anniversary.

To mark this day, His Excellency Yaya Ngam, the ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Mauritania to The Gambia, delivered a statement at the reception.
He expressed delight at the presence of the invited guests and dignitaries, describing it as a clear indication of the already existing relations between the two countries and their people.

He added His Excellency General Muhammed Ould Abdel Aziz, President of the High Council of State; head of state of the Islamic Republic of Mauritania and His Excellency Professor Alhaji Yaya Jammeh, President of the Republic of The Gambia have good brotherly relations.

The Mauritanian plenipotentiary explained that due to the block of institutions and difficult economic situation, Mauritania Armed Forces have with a start of patriotism carried out a movement of rectification on the 6th of August 2008, adding that from that date, the high council of state has taken a lot of measures in order to improve the living condition of the people of Mauritania.

He revealed that the high council of state has launched a policy of proximity by visiting disadvantaged regions where less privileged people are living and taking care of institutions whose objectives are to satisfy the vital needs of people. Within the next days, he added, consultations called “the Estate General of Democracy” will assembled for all the political actors and members of civil society, for a boost of the democratic process.

Ambassador Ngam also seized the opportunity to thanked The Gambian leader for sending a ministerial delegation twice to Nouakchott and for receiving envoys of high council of state and other missionaries from the government and the people of Mauritania.

The Mauritanian diplomat also commended the Gambian government for treating well the Mauritania community in The Gambia, especially those working in the business sector and also thanked the government for the warm welcome.

He finally urged the Mauritanian community in The Gambia to be law abiding, to maintain the already existing relationship between the two nations.

Crispin Grey Johnson, secretary of state for Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology represented the Gambian government with a host of other dignitaries.

Author: By Sheriff Barry

CCI to Launch New Business Card

Thu, 27 Nov 2008 05:34:22 GMT

Thursday, November 27, 2008

The Gambia Chamber of Commerce and Industry, in collaboration with New Technologies Africa (NTA), a registered company engaged in Information Technology and other related matters is putting finishing touches to the launch of the first ever Business ID card in the country.

New Technology Africa is focused in software making, telecommunications, video surveillance and tracking systems.

The Business ID card, to be launched by January 2009, will among other things facilitate the collection of data in all aspects of business thus ensuring efficiency and convenience.

It also can also help government know how many businessmen they have in the country, who is doing what and where he or she is located at any given time.

Speaking at a press conference held at The Gambia Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) office yesterday, Mr. Ousman Sey, managing director of NTA Company, said the card can be obtained either by individuals or companies.

According to Mr. Sey, with the business card, businessmen can have access to their imported goods at the port through an interface provided that the system is linked with the customs and exercise department.

He stated that the system has been working in Senegal and other neighbouring countries over the past few years and he expressed the hope that the system will be successful in The Gambia.

“The card contains bar codes with all the information concerning the company or the individual holding the card. It can link all state departments managing the business in the country,” he said, adding that it also helps businessmen to be known all over the world because a database that carries all the information of businesses connected to the Internet.

This, he added, is done through a server that will be provided by Unique Solutions, one of its partners. Mr. Sey however added that the card is not compulsory and its validity is one year after which it has to be renewed.

Author: Baboucarr Senghore

South Africas second satellite is a go

Tue, 25 Nov 2008 19:45:42 GMT

Tuesday, November 25, 2008

South Africa's satellite, Sumbandilasat, will take to the skies on theback of a Russian rocket launched from Kazakhstan on 25th of March nextyear. The small 80kg satellite, built at a cost of R25 million, will be thesecond satellite South Africa has sent into space.Nhlanhla Nyide, Chief Director of Communication at the Department ofScience and Technology, said that the satellite would offer theDepartment of Agriculture as well as the Department ofMinerals and Energy, the opportunity to study...

Source: http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/SAGoodNews/~3/466081983/south_africa_s_second_satellite_is_a_go_.html

Getting closer through modern technology

Mon, 24 Nov 2008 12:39:50 GMT

Monday, November 24, 2008

President Kibaki and Prime Minister Raila Odinga will now be able to communicate one-on-one through a video-link between their offices.

Source: http://www.eastandard.net/InsidePage.php?id=1144000107&cid=4&

From one earth to one world!The need for sustainable development

Tue, 11 Nov 2008 09:53:11 GMT

Tuesday, November 11, 2008

The objective of development is to meet the needs and aspirations of the people.

Humanity has the capacity and potential to meet these needs in a sustainable manner, without exploiting or deteriorating its natural resources.

We have to meet our needs with out compromising the needs of the future generation. This is the basic principle behind sustainable development.

The earth is one; the world is not. We all depend on one biosphere for sustaining our lines, yet each community, each country strings for survival and prosperity with little or no regard for its impact on others.

Some consume the earth’s resources at a rate that would leave little for future generations while others, many more in number, consume far too little and line with the prospect of hunger, squalor, disease and early death.

This situation is much more complex as the world found itself in an interconnected economic sphere. This gave birth to translational co operations, most of which now take centre stage in the exploitation of the earth’s resources for human survival and maximisation of production, undermining their basic concept of emergence.

As the world enters a technological age that coordinates human activities, it is time to take a sober reflection on the reality of world economy so that we can pay our debt to the future generation.

Most of the earth’s resources are found in countries where poverty, disease and hunger are common phenomenon for survival while trans-national co-operations have their roots from nations that are at the core of the global economy. This uneven distribution of the world’s resources is however a natural phenomenon but its exploitation, control and management rest in the hands of humanity.

Author: DO

Secy Fatim Badjie Inspires Young Journalists

Thu, 18 Sep 2008 06:10:13 GMT

Thursday, September 18, 2008

The Honorable Secretary of State for Communication, Information and Information Technology, Mrs. Fatim Badjie Janneh, has motivated the young and aspiring journalists in the country thanks to her attendance at the first anniversary celebration of the Young Journalists Association on Tuesday.

The presence of the Honorable Secretary of State and her deputy Permanent Secretary Mr.Abdou Karim Sonko speaks volumes of the commitment, care and love she has for the young people of this country. She could have just send in a representative as others normally do but for Madam Badjie the wellbeing of young people especially those who fall directly under her sector means a lot. Reach out and offer community services to your people, attitude is every thing and we need a positive change but depends on us. Help aspiring journalists to understand the profession and offer recommendation letters for employment, be professional ready and timely. Those were the inspirational words of the young and talented Secretary of Sate Fatim Badjie.

As the chief guest of honor at the occasion. Secretary of State Badjie implored young journalists to always read and listen to news and invest in cameras and recorders. “Be neutral and always keep the position just to inform but not take sides or allow your view to take over, let the readers decide,” she said. She also encouraged the Young Journalists Association to extend their membership to youngsters in the radio, TV and other media. SOS Badjie applauded the initiation of the Young Journalists Association and encouraged them to work hard while assuring them of her full support noting that as the real young practicing journalists they deserve support.

The theme for the celebration was “The Role of Journalists in National Development”. The relevance of the theme cannot be over emphasized as its will no doubt remind journalists of their contribution to the development of the country and also educate the general public that journalists are partners in development.

Appreciation: YJAG would like to thank the following for their support during the course of the past twelve months and to their anniversary. They include SOS Mrs. Fatim Badjie Janneh Chief Guest of Honor, DPS Abdou Karim Sonko, Gamcel, Taiwanese Embassy, Mr. Pap Saine and NusratSeniorSchool. Special thanks also goes to the following for gracing and participating in the anniversary Mr. Halifa Sallah, Mr. Suwaibou Conateh, Mrs. Amie Bojang Sussoho, Pa Modou Fall, press clubs and all others.

Source: Picture: Fatim Badjie-Janneh (Secretary of State for Comm. information and information technology)

New visa system for Gambia

Thu, 24 Jul 2008 04:42:48 GMT

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Thursday, July 24, 2008

A new biometric visa system, the latest acquired technology and facility intended to enhance the quality of service and security at the Banjul International Airport, was yesterday launched by President Alhaji Dr Yahya Jammeh.

The machine has the technology to authenticate the identities of travelling visa holders, thereby discouraging identity theft.

At the ceremony held in the terminal building of the Banjul International Airport, President Jammeh thanked Gibril Jobateh, a technician and his team, who installed the state-of-the-art security equipment, for a job well done.

“I always want the best for this country. No system is either good or bad. It depends on how you handle it. This is a security system but if people who are supposed to operate it decide to destroy it, it will not be useful to this country,” President Jammeh said, expressing hope that the system serves as a monitor to avert any possible fowl play.

“The Gambia is developing at a very fast trend, because of the peace and security. For the security of The Gambia, there will be no compromise,” the president stressed and then gave a warning to those who would be operating the system.

“Let me make it very clear, if you tamper with the system, you will pay a very high price. If you want to jeopardise the security of this country just because you want something [in addition] to your salary, you will pay a very high price for that,” the president warned.

He urged the operators of the system to work honestly for the development of the country, noting that every Gambian should be proud of the biometric visa system, because in Africa, there are diamond and oil producing countries who do not have the technology.

“The Gambia has it and by the time they have this system, we would have moved to something higher, because I want to make sure that The Gambia is three steps ahead of the rest of Africa”, Dr Jammeh noted, saying “The Gambia small [though] it may be, will be a beacon of hope for the rest of mankind”. The Gambia with time, he continued, will be the standard bearer in technology in Africa.

Ousman Sonko, the secretary of state for Interior, hailed the president’s initiative to install a biometric visa system as a noble project geared towards bringing cutting-edge technology in the area of internal security.

“This biometric system is a precursor of what is to come next in our continuous march towards meeting the aims and aspirations of Vision 2020, the Millennium Development Goals and the Silicon Valley,” SoS Sonko noted.

The Interior SoS informed the gathering that his department, in collaboration with other stakeholders, is in the process of introducing in the very near future, biometric national documents, including passports, identification cards and other related documentation.

“I have been reliably informed that under this Biometric Project, the Immigration Section of the airport has been fitted with 13 modern and customised computer terminals and related accessories. With this system, officers of the Immigration Department at the airport, could easily isolate and identify citizens from other nationals entering and leaving the country,” he said.

According to him, the project also provides for the issuance of Gambian visas to visitors wishing to enter The Gambia. “These visas can be issued in some Gambian embassies abroad with a direct link in Banjul.

The system can filter any information or person coming to The Gambia, and can ensure proper records of all people arriving in and departing from the country. The possibility of identity fraud is rather unlikely and it can capture and store the identities of people for a lifetime,” SoS Sonko added.

He then added: “Given our newly found wealth in terms of natural resources coupled with the increasing trend in transnational crimes such as human trafficking, the illicit drug trade, terrorism and related crimes, it is of paramount importance that we in The Gambia secure our borders and ensure that our beloved country is sealed and quarantined from these vices in the interest of peace, security, social development and prosperity”.

Also speaking at the ceremony, Fansu Bojang, the director general of the Gambia Civil Aviation Authority, thanked the government for investing in such a worthwhile project, which is a demonstration of its commitment to ensure the smooth flow of passengers in a secure environment.

Mr Bojang said following the events of 9/11 in the US, efforts at tightening security at international airports intensified around the world. “Industry leaders and technology experts continued efforts in fine-tuning procedures and perfecting the technology that go to give users of airports and citizens the ultimate assurance of security.

One area conspicuously identified for strengthening within the airport security system was immigration and passport control. The system as you are aware has a fingerprint module that allows biometric reconciliation of individuals to their travel documents,” he explained.

The Gambia according to him, is no doubt the first country on the continent to fully introduce biometric tracing in its passport control system.

Buba Sanyang, the acting director general of the Immigration department, said the system is a smart and accurate method of controlling and monitoring the issuance of visa to migrants entering another state with visa fees paid. “This visa can be issued at all Gambian Embassies abroad and is linked to Banjul, The Gambia from anywhere in the world. The present Visa Data Base System is directly linked to New York and Washington,” he added.

This biometric system in Banjul is the latest Immigration controlling system of recording movement of persons, capturing their correct identity and data information without imposters, wanted criminals or persons escaping from the country since the system is linked internationally.

Author: by Lamin M Dibba & Asanatou Bojang

Slavery Still Exists

Thu, 12 Jun 2008 05:38:45 GMT

Thursday, June 12, 2008

- Secy Grey-Johnson

Mr. Crispin Grey-Johnson, Secretary of State for Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology, has asserted that Africans are the victims of the trans-Atlantic slave trade that lasted for some four hundred years. He reiterated that the slave trade did not only cause untold misery, suffering and damage to Africans, but that it also led to the colonisation of the continent and the institutionalisation of racism, especially in the Americas and certain parts of the African continent itself.

He added that there is no gainsaying the fact that slavery and racism have taken their toll on the Africans who have remained the only victims of these crimes and have not received as much as an official word of apology, not to mention reparations.

According to him, even after the formal abolition of slavery, the practice of slavery has endured in different forms through the many acts of racism. This, he said, has affected the lives, and caused the deaths of millions of Africans on the continent and beyond, as well as through the emerging growing phenomena of human trafficking, sexual slavery, child prostitution among others.

He explained that the effects of slavery and racism on African social, economic and political fabric have been debilitating and enduring to this day.

Secretary of State Grey-Johnson was speaking on Tuesday at the opening session of the four- day African Union Expert Group meeting on slavery and follow-up to World Conference against Racism underway at the Kairaba Beach Hotel in Kololi.

“It is therefore fitting, albeit long overdue, that as a people, we should come together to craft a common position on the subject and racism and their continued drag on the self-actualisation of Africans wherever they may be,” he said.

Secy. Grey-Johnson revealed that “the racist trans-Atlantic slave trade has been classified in international law as a crime against humanity,” adding that it is in the same league as the holocaust, apartheid, genocide and ethnic cleansing.

“It is no secret that the Jews, the Japanese, the native Australians, the native Americas and every other group against whom such crimes were perpetrated have all received some form of restitution or an apology or both.

“Why have Africans and people of African descent remained the only victims of these crimes, that have not as much as received an official word of apology, not to mention reparations, for the death and destruction caused by this crime committed against them?” he queried.

“As we prepare for the forthcoming review of the implementation of the Durban Declaration in 2009, let us refresh our memories on some of the salient points agreed in that declaration.

“The declaration calls, among other things, for the provision of effective remedies, recourse, redress and compensatory and other measures at national, regional and international levels.

“As Americans observe the bi-centennial of the abolition of slave trade in the United States this year, and as the United Nations prepares for mid-term review of the United Nations Durban conference on racism, let us rise up together and for once make it known to the whole world that we have not forgotten our history, and that we shall never forgive those who have wronged us for as long as they refuse to ask that forgiveness and offer to make amends” Mr Grey-Johnson averred.

Experts from member states and the Diaspora are attending the meeting. According to Mrs. Julia Dolly Joiner, Commissioner for Political Affairs, African Union Commission, the meeting has been convened in pursuance of the 10th African Union Summit, which was held in January/February 2008 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. At that time the Executive Council requested the African Commission to convene an expert group meeting on the subject matter and to submit a report thereon at the next ordinary session of council in July 2008. Central to such a report, she noted, is the formulation of strategies to deal with the historical and continuing realities of slavery and racism.

Author: By Abba A.S. Gibba

Source: Picture: Mr. Crispin Grey-Johnson (Secretary of State for Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology)

Euro-rubbish Gambia?

Tue, 03 Jun 2008 04:34:37 GMT

Tuesday, June 03, 2008

The industrial revolution that started in the late eighteenth century has had such an impact on the life of man that he would have hardly imagined such a level of sophistication he has eventually attained.

Thanks to the rapid increase in knowledge in the subject of science and technology, man has been able to achieve his purpose just by a fraction of the effort, time and money it used to cost before then. The result is such that at our disposal we have all forms of machines that can amplify things that the human brain would normally find too intricate to fathom.

However, as in every sphere of life, every good thing has a bad side about it. Today, we are preoccupied with a massive problem of management of used and outdated products. It follows that this landmark increase in production has however failed to offset the parallel increase in human want at the global level, so that the Western world - Europe, to be precise - where most of these materials are manufactured, is guaranteed of a way out of the problem of dumping. In the pretext of extending hand to the less privileged, the used and outdated stocks are shoved in the hands of the largely unsuspecting people of the so-called developing world.

On our Monday edition we published, on our opinion column, a piece on the effect of certain Western based charitable works; vis-à-vis second hand products. It would be interesting indeed to note that that piece, as critical as it was, represents the view of an insider who genuinely questions the intent of the numerous rallies that find their way to the developing world in the name of helping the poor. Well, the issues this gentleman highlighted represent just a fraction of what prevails across the rest of the continent. The Gambia’s is by no means an isolated case.

Mr David Beardsley, a retired UK vehicle engineer, and a Panelist on GRTS’ traffic talk show, backed up his argument with key, convincing points, with the advantage of having served in the transport industry of his country for a considerable period of time.

Given his insight in the industry, it is indeed important that we take Mr Beardsley observation serious. Certainly, it is a good thing that people come up with initiatives that aims at raising fund for the development of the deprived masses, but it also important to note that it will be counterproductive to be raising fund from one angle, while contributing to the destruction of society’s worth at another angle.

Most materials, especially the second hand ones, find their way to the Gambia with the expressed objective of boosting the development aspiration of the country, but a closer look reveals that in fact the positive value of some of these materials by a large extent outweighs the purpose of these gestures. Simply call it civilized dumping. Yes, in many cases that is the purpose.

From clothing to electrical wares, household decorations, all other forms of vehicles, computers, and the list goes on and on and on; many of these have found their way to the continent simply for the wrong reason. The reason for our suspicion is quite tied to the fact that in most cases these materials are in so bad a condition that they do not stay long in the possession of their new owners.

We have reached a stage where African leaders should look into the issue, putting general interest at the fore. Whether they are vehicles or not; whether they come free of charge or not, their suitability, with regards to the safety of the people, should be looked into while arranging for importation. There is absolutely no need bringing in a bunch of computers free of charge when its maintenance will cost the beneficiary more than it would as a new one.

Author: DO

ICT Providers Observe International Telecommunication Day

Thu, 22 May 2008 06:03:41 GMT

Thursday, May 22, 2008

The information communication technology (ICT) providers in the country joined the rest of the world Saturday in observing international telecommunication day. The celebration started with a march passed, led by the police band from the Serre Kunda Gamtel exchange, along

Kairaba Avenue

to the new GRTS building in Kanifing where the celebration proper was held.

The theme for this year is connecting people with disabilities-ICT opportunities for all.

One unique thing about this year’s celebration in The Gambia is that almost all-key ICT providers in the country participated in the event.

Speaking at the occasion, CEO Gamtel/Gamcel Rein Zwolsman said that the key to information society is universal access. “Every one should have access to ICT. No one should be denied the potential benefits of the new communications, information technologies” he stressed. He noted that ICT brings a wide range of innovation to people. He used the opportunity to hail the various institutions in the country that have created employment for disabled people.

CEO Zwolsman encouraged other institutions to emulate the sector thus giving disabled persons the opportunity to explore their potential.

Mrs. Ida Jallow, Acting Director of Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA), described telecommunication as an essential engine of growth.

Mr. Gaira Lamin, deputising the president of The Gambia Federation of Disabled, expressed his admiration with the theme of the celebration.

In his keynote address, Abdou Karim Sonko, permanent secretary of the Department of State for Information, Communication Technology, said that the theme is not only fitting but also relevant to the socio-economic advancement of the country. He revealed that their Department of State is currently pursing the development of national email account and web points in the country. He further revealed that plans are underway to have ICT connection points in the country to reduce cost, thus making internet service reliable, affordable and accessible to all while reducing demand on international bandwidth. PS Sonko stressed that ICT provides a lot of opportunities which must be used by all including disabled people. He posited that President Jammeh has set a stage to make quality education accessible and relevant to all including disabled people.

Author: By Nfamara Jawneh & Njie Baldeh