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Current Feed ContentVP receives Mano River delegation Friday, September 19, 2008 Aja Dr Isatou Njie-Saidy, the Vice President and Secretary of State for Women’s Affairs, yesterday morning, received in her office a delegation from the Mano River Union countries. Led to the State House by Madam Hannah Forster, the executive director of the African Centre for Democracy and Human Rights Studies, the delegation comprised participants from the three Mano River Union countries; Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone. Speaking to a group of waiting newsmen, shortly after their audience with the vice president, Mrs Hannah Forster said that their mission to State House was to inform Vice President Njie-Saidy about a three-day consultative meeting held in the country for Mano River Union countries, on the Protocol on the Rights of Women in Africa. According to her, they also informed the vice president that the meeting accorded them the opportunity to review the progress being made in the promotion and projection of women’s rights in Africa. "We also told her that at the end of the meeting we were expected to come up with an action plan that would pave the way forward for the cause of the protocol in various countries," the ACDHRS executive director said, noting that the vice president, in reaction, was very much appreciative of the move. According to her, the delegation was very much impressed with the work of the vice president, and that they expressed their appreciation of the support she isgiving to Gambian women locally as well as those in other parts of Africa. She informed reporters that the consultative meeting was supported by the Solidarity of the African Women’s Rights, which is a coalition of about 30 NGOs working on Women’s Rights. She noted that the objective of the meeting was to strategise for the acceleration of the ratification of the African Union protocol in the rights of women in Africa for Mano River Union countries. One of the reasons why The Gambia hosted the meeting, according to Madam Foster, was to enable the member countries to see how far The Gambia had gone in terms of domesticating the protocol. For her part, Honourable Regina Sokan, one of the delegates and a member of the Liberian House of Representatives, said it was good for them to come and see how the first country that had ratified the protocol was implementing it, in the quest to map out the way for other countries. She concluded by saying that the ratification of the protocol was good since it stands to promote the interest of African women. Author: by Hatab Fadera Youth of the moment Friday, May 16, 2008 Name: Lamin Y Ceesay Date of birth: 12 October, 1986 Organization : Demo Youth Association (DYA) Position : Vice president Educational background : Kudang primary School, Bansang Junior Secondary School, St.Stephens Institute of Technology, Gambia Telecomunication and Multimedia Institute (GTMI) Qualification : Certificate in Commercial Studies, Computer Softwares, English proficieny, English in speakers of other languages (City and Guilds, London), and awaiting Cisco certificate. Gambian personality : .................. Ambition : Youth and business activities Hobbies: Football, reading and watching movies Advice to youth: Always to work towards one’s successes,because God helps those who help themselves. You donot sit and fold your hands. There is always a hope as long as one is alive. Dislikes: Discouragemnet and selfishness Reasons behind success: Happiness and dedication Author: by Kemo Cham VP Njie Saidy Hails Gambian Women Monday, May 12, 2008 As Country Celebrates International Women’s Day The Vice President and Secretary of State for Women’s Affairs, Ajaratou Isatou Njie Saidy, has commended Gambian women for what she described as outstanding contribution towards the socio-economic development of country. Vice President Njie-Sady made these remarks yesterday at the July 22 Square in Banjul, during the celebrations marking the International Womens Day where she deputised for President Jammeh. Addressing hundreds of people, she opined that the role played by women and their contribution to national development endeavours and processes could neither be emphasised enough or quantified. “As mothers, wives, care givers and decision makers, you continue to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of the country and Africa in general,” she said. According to her, the significance of the contribution of Gambian women to household food security, health and education of the children in the country is very telling in the strides made towards the national development efforts. “Your contribution to the Gambia’s national development cannot be over-emphasised” she noted. Dr Isatou Njie Saidy also described this year’s theme - “Investing in Women and Girls, Focusing on Financing for Gender Equality and Women Empowerment” as not only timely but relevant to the Gambian context. “In the area of politics, you women are the engine of success, you have contributed, and continue to contribute in the social and reproductive sectors; have occupied key decision-making positions in Govenment, and are managers of your own businesses.” She observed that govenment has been appointing and nominating women to decision-making positions both at national and internationlal levels. She however lamented that in spite of the numerous interventions by various stakeholders since 1995, women and girls continue to be restricted by and large to taking charge of mainly domestic chores and reproduction and are not in control of decisions affecting their lives. She went on to reaffirm govenment’s commitment to empworing Gambian women. While acknowledging the existence of a wide gap between men and women in the country, Dr Njie-Saidy enthused that with the women’s bill in the offing coupled with plans to secure labour-saving devices, rehabilitation of a number of gardens, among other initiatives, Gambian women are on the way to becoming more empowered. Maria Da Costa, the representative of the Chairperson of National Women’s Council, said that though March 8th is celebrated as International Women’s Day worldwide, countries choose their own suitable date for the celebration. She applauded the Gambia government for empowering the country’s women folk. Speaking earlier, Madam Aminatta Dibba, Director ECOWAS Gender Development Centre, said that funds mobilisation is a problem in the country. She thus announced her familiy’s establishment of a memorial fund for their late mother- Aji Oley Jack Memorial Fund. Vitalea Mutin, UNDP Resident Representative to The Gambia, stressed that unless women are accorded equal rights and opportunities, the attainment of MDGs cannot be achieved. He called for more investment in women, noting that progress for women and girls is progress for all. The celebration was marked by a march pass by school children, security forces and voluntary organizations. The occasion was graced by visiting ECOWAS Women Affairs Ministers and the First Lady, Madam Zainab Jammeh. Author: By Sarata J. Dibba & Nfamara Jawneh Source: Picture: Vice President Isatou Njie-Saidy Republic of Botswana - New Vice President, Cabinet and Appointments in the Civil Service Wednesday, April 09, 2008 As has already been widely reported, yesterday a number of new appointments were made in both the formation of a new Cabinet and within the senior service. In addition Parliament overwhelmingly endorsed the nomination of Lt. Gen. Mompati Merafhe as the new Vice President. H.H. Vice President Merafhe has previously served as the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation. Better Prospects Ahead for Senegalo-Gambian Relations Monday, April 07, 2008 The Senegalese High Commissioner to The Gambia, His Excellency Momodou Fall, has stated that the existing cordial relations between Senegal and The Gambia would only get better and better in the days ahead. Speaking last Friday during the 48th anniversary of the independence of the Republic of Senegal at the Sunbeach Hotel, H.E. Fall said that the Foreign Ministers of both sister countries met last November to review the bilateral cooperation between both countries with a view to consolidating it. He revealed that the consultative commission, presided over by the Gambian Vice President and the Senegalese Prime Minister, would be meeting shortly. He added that it would be followed by a summit of the two heads of state during which the issues raised at the consultative commission would be addressed. According to him, this would expedite the activities of the Senegalo-Gambian Permanent Secretariat. He further disclosed that the Chiefs of Defence Staff of both countries have already signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that would enable both armies to patrol their respective borders and arrest any subversive elements. “It is deemed fitting to note the excellent work both armies are doing to preserve the peace and stability of both countries,” he said. H.E. Fall then urged Senegalese living in The Gambia to be law-abiding, commending them nonetheless for their sense of unity as evidenced by their formation of an umbrella association under the leadership of one Mr Samba Mbowe. He noted with pride that Mrs. Awa Gueye-Thiam, a Senegalese resident in The Gambia, has been chosen as a Senator in Senegal. He added that he was certain that Mrs Thiam would use her wealth of experience in The Gambia to foster better understanding and friendship between The Gambia and Senegal. For her part, the Secretary of State for Communication, Information and Information Technology, Ms Fatim Badjie, who stood in for the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, said that the special relations between Senegal and The Gambia would always serve as a beacon of hope for the realisation of African integration. “The common ancestry and history have enabled the two countries to forge strong bonds of friendship and co-operation that have stood the test of time,” she said, adding: “Through closer cooperation there is hope that we will be able to attain the development aspirations and objectives of the two countries.” Present at the occasion were diplomats accredited to The Gambia, religious leaders including Alhaji Cherno Kah, the Imam Ratib of Banjul, Secretaries of State, Chief of Defence Staff Major-General Tombong Tamba. Others included a large number of Senegalese residents in The Gambia, as well as prominent Gambian citizens from all walks of life. Author: By Pap Saine & Pa Modou B.O. Bojang Source: Picture: Ms. Fatim Badjie (Secy of State for Information) THE GAMBIA LAUNCHES THE GLOBAL HUMAN DEVELOPMENT REPORT (GHDR) 2007/2008 AND THE YOUTH HUMAN DEVELOPMENT REPORT 2006 Monday, March 31, 2008 The Global Human Development Report on the theme Fighting Climate Change: Human Solidarity in a Divided World, and the Youth Human Development Report 2006 was launched in the Gambia on the 25th March 2007 by Her Excellency, Ajaratou Dr. Isatou Njie Saidy, Vice President of the Republic of the Gambia at the Corinthia Atlantic Hotel, Banjul. The Launch was done on the seaside where evidence of sea erosion and other natural phenomena are clearly manifested, and in order to present the audience with a picture of some of the impacts of climate change on the environment in reality. Climate change has imposed great challenges on humanity, which if left unresolved, would bring about unprecedented reversals in human development, of which the world’s poorest will bear the brunt. Hon. Mass Axi Gai, Secretary of State for Youths and Sports delivered a statement focusing on Climate Change and Youths, stating that 4900 children die every year as a result of dirty drinking water and poor sanitation facilities, according to the UNDP2006/2007 Human Development Report. Hon. Momodou Kotu Cham, Secretary of State for Forestry and the Environment said that we in the Gambia do not contribute to the build up of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. The Gambia is actually a net remover of greenhouse gases from the atmosphere based on the management of our forest cover, and the 1993 Greenhouse Report clearly shows that the average Gambian absorbs about 44 tons of carbon dioxide every year from the atmosphere. In his statement Mr. Vitalie Muntean, UNDP Resident Representative said: "Before 2005 it would not have been possible to hold such an event at this very location. For those of you who could remember, the Gambia’s coastline, including this very location was seriously eroded to the point of threatening the hotel and related structures. However, the joint GOTG/AFDB beach nourishment project of 2003/2005 salvaged the situation by restoring much of the critically eroded coastal beaches. While it is possible to restore the impacts of climate change, the cost of restoration and mitigation far more outweighs the cost of prevention." Expounding on the contents of the report, Mr. Muntean indicated that the 2007/2008 GHDR indentifies five tipping points, which could stall and then seriously reverse human development. These are: • Agricultural Production and food Security, • Water Stress and Water Insecurity, • Rising Sea levels and exposure to climate disasters • Securing health, especially for poor countries and • Collapsing ecosystems. In the Gambia he said , the adverse effects of climate change observed over the last three decades include coastal erosion, reduced but erratic and intensive nature of rainfall, resulting to run-off, and causing severe floods, drought, loss of biodiversity and decline in agricultural production in various parts of the country. In her launch statement, the Vice President Ajaratou Dr. Isatou Njie Saidy mentioned that this year’s Global Human Development Report on Climate Change joins the Fourth Assessment of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and the Stern Review to provide the most authoritative and important contributions to the debate on climate change. According to her, the Report argues that the world is drifting towards a ‘tipping point’ that could lock the world’s poorest countries and their citizens in a downward spiral, leaving hundreds of millions facing malnutrition, water scarcity, ecological threats and loss of livelihoods. Other speakers at the Launch included MS. Min-Whee Kang Resident Representative of UNICEF who dwelt on the impact of climate change on children and what UNICEF is doing to address the global challenge that affects everyone. The launch ceremony was followed by series of presentations and a lively debate on climate change in the context of the Gambia, with adaptation and mitigation measures highlighted. The Launch was attended by several Secretaries of State, other senior government officials, members of the diplomatic community, civil service organisations, media representatives, student and youth representatives, and colleagues from the UN System. Following the Launch, a series of sensitisation and advocacy activities is planned, designed to raise the profile of climate change issues in our development agenda. These activities include competition among journalists, a symposium with the University of The Gambia, competition among school children and a panel discussion on TV and Radio on the topic Climate Change. For more information please contact registry @undp.org UNDP is the UN’s global development network, advocating for change and connecting countries to knowledge, experience and resources to help people build a better life. We are on the ground in 166 countries, working with them on their own solutions to global and national development challenges. As they develop local capacity, they draw on the people of UNDP and our wide range of partners. Author: DO Gunjur Marlborough Link President Visits Vice President Sunday, March 16, 2008 The President of the Gunjur Marlborough Link, Mr. Nick Mores, this week paid a courtesy visit to her Excellency the Vice President, Ajaratou Isatou Njie Saidy, in her office at the State House. Speaking to reporters after the audience Mr. Mores said the relationship between Gunjur and the people of Marlborough in the United Kingdom was founded in 1982 and since then the two communities have benefited from each other. He revealed that the relationship between Gunjur and Marlborough would continue for many years to come. He also expressed great delight at having paid a visit to the Vice President. He further revealed that since the inception of the link in 1982 Gunjur has benefited a lot from development infrastructure including a six-block building at Gunjur Lower Basic and Pre School. Mr. Mores was accompanied to the State House by the Chief of Kombo South Sheriff Ajeh Jammeh and the Secretary of State for Local Government Land and Religious Affairs Mr. Alhagie Ismaila Sambou. Author: By Lamin Darboe Source: The Point VP Declared Old Yundum Police Station Open Thursday, February 28, 2008 The community of the village, with the support of their Alkalo, constructed the Old Yundum new police station. The Vice President, Dr. Isatou Njie Saidy officially opened it recently on behalf of President Jammeh. In declaring the new police station open the Vice President, who made her statement on behalf of the President, said the importance of the occasion cannot be over emphasized given that it is a result of a partnership between the Gambian police force and the community of Old Yundum. The existence of this police station is evidence of a need felt by the people of Old Yundum, especially in the wake of the development and expansion of the Kombo Coastal Road Network. The VP noted that in a bid to complement community efforts the Gambia Police Force installed a solar lighting system to address the electricity needs of the station pending the arrival of the Rural Electrification Project to the area. She closed her statement, saying, “I will assure the community of Old Yundum that the police will continue to be very vigilant in their duties and in the execution of their daily functions in the interest of the community and the entire nation. Author: By Fatou Dibba & Aboduie Nyockeh Source: The Point UNFPA 2008 population planning meeting heldMonday, February 04, 2008 The United Nations Population Fund (UNFP) in conjunction with its stakeholders recently held it’s annual review and planning meeting for the 2007 and 2008 at the Tendaba camp, Lower River Region. Speaking at the occasion, Fatou Jassy-Kuyateh, permanent secreatary, office of the Vice President said the meeting served as a forum to clear differences and misunderstanding among stakeholders on pertinent issues inoder to create a way for, to a successful programme implementation. “As we strive towards realizing the dreams of a Silicon Valley, striking a balance between population growth and socio-economic development still remains a concern for the government of The Gambia”, she noted. According to her, the sixth programme of action seeks to contirbute to the improvement of the quality of life and standard of living of the peple of The Gambia. She reiterated that the success of the programme will further reinforce the gains The Gambia registered towards the attainment of the Mellennium Development Goals. She added that despite the achievements, The Gambia is still faced with series of demographic challenges such as high population growth, rapid urbanisation and environmental degradation, which according to her constitute major impediment to achieving a higher quality of life for the peolple. She equally commended UNFPA for its asisstance . Dr Ruben Mboge, UNFP asisstant representative said whilst there is an overall increase in the allocation and distribution of funds to three components to follow the same pattern as stipulated in the country programme document, the resource allocation to vraious implementing partners is based on the same considerations used last year. He noted that more resources will be allocated for regional and grassroot interventions especially where interventions and structures are weak adding that efforts should be made to strengthen their capacities. “Two UN volunteers with expertise in the operations, monitoring and evaluation of programmes were recruited last year to provide support to the NPCS. I must say that now we are begining to see the added value they are bringing into the programme coordination”, he observed. For his part, Momodou Soma Jobe, Governor of Lower River Region thanked the population secretariat and its partners for choosing his region to meet. He told the gathering that Lower River Region has been the favourate region for providng a platform for discusions on how the challenges posed by unfavourable demograhic situation could be tackled. The LRR Governor said the importance of the annual planing meeting cannot be over emphasised noting that it will avail particitpants the opportunity to take stock of the previous year’s experience in programme implementation for better palnning and result oriented implementation. “This shows how commited we are to ensuring that the ideals of the population programme are adhered to as a way to attaining the goals of vision 2020” he said.
He then implored UNFPA to keep up the spirit of partnership in their bid to achieve the national population goals.
Author: by Buya Jammeh VP Opens BSIC Bank Gambia LimitedWednesday, January 09, 2008 The Vice President, Dr Aja Isatou Njie-Saidy, yesterday presided over the inauguration of the Sahelo-Saherienne Bank for Investment and Commerce (BSIC) Gambia Limited. Deputising for the President of the republic, she revealed that the heads of state and government of the Sahel in February 1999 signed the treaty establishing the SEN-SAD community. Within the framework of this treaty, she added, it was agreed that a Sahelo-Saherienne Bank be established to provide a comprehensive range of financial and banking services. She revealed that the Gambia government would continue to show firm commitment by subscribing 5% equity, equivalent to 12 million euros. She acknowledged the initiative of the Libyan leader, Muammar Ghadaffi, for authorising a Libyan government loan to pay in advance of the share subscription for all the members of the bank. Making reference to what she called the vibrancy of the Gambian economy and the fact that it has been enjoying high rates of growth, she expressed government’s commitment to assisting the banking sector to grow and expand. She urged banks to get involved in long-term lending for the development of small and medium sized enterprises. BSIC is the first investment bank to set up in The Gambia, said Momodou Bamba Saho, Governor of the Central Bank of The Gambia. This, he said, would further increase the diversity of players and add vibrancy to the Gambian banking sector. He expressed the belief that BSIC will play an important role in the regional integration process and help establish relationships between businesses and institutions in The Gambia and other CEN-SAD member countries. Speaking earlier, Alhadi Mohamed Alwarfalli, Chairman and General Manager of BSIC Group, said that among the objectives of the group is to contribute to the socio-economic development of CEN-SAD, to promote investment in trade and support countries among others. He revealed that just last week, by joint agreement with the Islamic Development Bank Jeddah, they concluded a joint financial operation for the procurement of petroleum and gas products worth 10 million US dollars for The Gambia. He further revealed that their plans for 2008 are to have five branches in Banjul and the Greater Banjul Area, thus bringing their products and services to the doorstep of every Gambian. The occasion was attended by several Secretaries of State, former President Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara and the Libyan Ambassador to The Gambia, Dr. Ali Muhammed Dukaly, among a host of other diplomats and dignitaries. Those present also witnessed the laying of the foundation stone for the headquarters of the BSIC group. The bank is located opposite the Fajara War Cemetery. Author: By Nfamara Jawneh Source: The Point |
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