ELECTIONS: IEC Sounds The Alarm, as Presidential, National, Local Gov't Elections Approach

NEWS BANJUL THE GAMBIA (MB)- Upon successful completion of the voter registration exercise, the Presidential elections will be held on 24th November 2011 to be followed by the National Assembly Elections in the first quarter of 2012 and the Local Government Elections a year later, in the first quarter of 2013 respectively, Alhaji Musutapha Carayol Chairman of the Independent Electoral Commission of The Gambia (IEC) has said.

 Carayol made these revelations at a press conference marking the launching of the electoral calendar for the 2011-2013 electoral cycle at the IEC headquarters along Bertil Harding Highway 30th March, 2011 in the midst of Journalists, politicians, and UN Agencies.

Invitation for Mansabanko Blogger to attend World Press Freedom Day in USA

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Empowering Local Media Worldwide Celebrate World Press Freedom Day, May 1-3, 2011 - Register Now Dear Njie, Join Internews at UNESCO's commemoration of World Press Freedom Day 2011 in Washington, DC,May 1-3, 2011. The theme of this year's global conference is 21st Century Media: New Frontiers, New Barriers.

Regional Integration a Vital Tool for Economic Growth

NEWS BANJUL THE GAMBIA (MB)- The Regional Integration of African States has been a major concern for the human right defenders across the ECOWAS region. This has led to a recent workshop by member from the Gambia and the neighbouring Senegal to discuss on the perception, recommendations challenges and the way forward on Regional integration as well as respecting the rights of people. 

Two Outstanding JournalistsTo Be Feature In Premier International Journalism Event in DC

Washington, D.C. – Two outstanding journalists will be featured at the 2011 International Center for Journalists (ICFJ) Awards Dinner on Nov. 1. Christiane Amanpour, host of ABC’s “This Week,” will receive the ICFJ Founders Award for Excellence in Journalism. Tina Brown, editor-in-chief of Newsweek and The Daily Beast, will serve as master of ceremonies for Washington’s largest international journalism awards dinner.

Veteran Journalist Takes ‘the Bull by the Horn’

NEWS BANJUL THE GAMBIA (MB)- The oldest practicing Gambian journalist Mr Swaebou Conateh on Wednesday took the bull by its horn demanded president Jammeh’s government to implement certain programmes in order to make more satisfactory and systematic progress on what, he said, is now a vexed question.

Mr Conateh , publisher/editor of The Gambia News & Report weekly magazine who make made this remark on Wednesdya during a meeting with the president said  his demands are already in existence in most countries.

Nationwide polio campaign In Gambia

NEWS BANJUL THE GAMBIA (MB)-The campaign for the 2011 on immunization against polio kicks start on March 25^th till  28 March, 2011 at the Kanifing Municipal Council grounds, targets children from five years of age and below for the first round, while the second round is already slated from April 22-25, 2011.

Mrs. Fatim Badgie, Minister of Health and Social Welfare, officially launched the 2011 campaign saying that the National Immunisation Days (NIDs) is one of the strategies of polio eradication initiative (PEI), which is an international initiative declared by the World Health Assembly in May 1988.

Health officials want parents to make children available for vaccination

NEWS BANJUL THE GAMBIA (MB)- At a joint press conference held at the National Malaria Control Programme conference hall, the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare and its development partners on Wednesday 23^rd March, called on parents to ensure that children under five years are vaccinated against the disease.

Health officials said the forthcoming nationwide immunization campaign is slated for lunch on Friday 25^th March at the Kanifing Municipal Council (KMC). The first round of the campaign is set to end on 28^th March, 2011, and a second round will be held from April 22-25, 2011.

Gambia: New Platform Established To……

NEWS BANJUL THE GAMBIA (MB)- The National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA), in partnership ECOWAS 17th March 2011, gathered at the Kairaba Beach Hotel to officially launch a new platform to strengthening and mitigating national disaster risk in The Gambia. The platform dubbed as “Gambia National Platform for disaster risk reduction.”
Established to provide the opportunity to identify and strengthen synergies that exist among stakeholders in the planning, preparation, mitigation, recovery and rehabilitation efforts required in dealing with some of the potential hazards that they are facing.

Anti Slavery Supporters

Dear friends

Please help us reach 50,000 signatures by Saturday to stop human trafficking!

We're delivering our trafficking petition with 38 Degrees, the Independent on Sunday and ECPAT UK to Downing Street this Saturday (19 March) to give the Government a last push to sign up to a new EU Trafficking Directive that will make sure countries in Europe work together to stop trafficking, and that victims are properly cared for.

Journalists, Bloggers Examine Social Media

Journalists, Bloggers in the Middle East Examine Social Media and the Future of Journalism in Their Communities

Internews Tunisian journalists attend a seminar examining the role of information in popular movements conducted by Internews and the Mohamed Ali Center for Research, Studies and Training.

UNESCO presents Assessment of Media Development in Ecuador to National Assembly

Fernando Cordero (left) receiving the report from Edouard Matoko

© National Assembly of Ecuad

16-03-2011 (Quito)
On 15 March the Director of UNESCO’s Office in Quito, Edouard Matoko, presented the report, resulting from the application of UNESCO’s Media Development Indicators (MDI) in Ecuador, to the President of Ecuadorian Parliament, Fernando Cordero.

Sonia Gandhi delivers commonwealth

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Press release 17  March 2011 Sonia Gandhi urges Commonwealth to spearhead inclusion of women in global climate change debate “Most of the climate debate has so far been gender-blind” Speaking minutes ago at the Commonwealth Lecture in London, Mrs Sonia Gandhi called for women’s voices and concerns to be heard in the global climate change debate, to “help the world find a more sustainable and less consumerist path to development”.

Thank You from Japan

Mamadou Edrisa Njie -- I grew up in Japan. I’m accustomed to earthquakes. But nothing could have prepared me for this one. It was the first time I saw buildings in Tokyo actually sway back and forth. I watched live TV coverage as the tsunami swept away entire communities. It was like a horror film, but these are real people – thousands are dead, thousands more are missing. In one city, nearly half of the population is still missing.

NYC Raises Concerns Over Women Empowerment

The National Youth Council (NYC) on Monday 14th March, 2011 in Farrefenni Town, in the North Bank Region, joins other commonwealth countries in the world to celebrate the commonwealth day. The commonwealth day is set aside by 50 countries that were one time colonized by the British. Those countries formed the Commonwealth of Nations to commemorate the day and to co-operate and consult with each other on pertinent issues which concerns them. The day of the celebrations, the council calls for the address of the urgent need for women empowerment in the country.

Today's Women and the Society

NEWS BANJULK THE GAMBIA (MB)- In our world today, we see women of different societies, ways of living, traditions, norms, values and beliefs. Regardless of what civilization and modernization have shown and managed to convince women, still some women are lagging behind. An educated woman can be seen living in the heart of our cities especially in Africa  with cold and hot running water gushing from the tap whenever they needs it and a generator which comes in whenever the lights go off wouldn't believe that there is another woman who thinks that her life is a fairy tale. 

Caravan of Mercy Are True Partners- Deputy Governor Touray

NEWS BANJUL THE GAMBIA (MB)- Deputy Governor of West Coast Region, Madam Fatou T. Sanyang has said that Caravan of Mercy, a charitable organisation, registered in The Gambia are true partners with her council. She made these remarks  on Friday 11th March, 2011 at a presentation ceremony she presided over on behalf of the governor of West Coast Region.

Caravan of Mercy on the said date, donates medical cartons to Brikama Major Health Centre, Serrekunda Hospital and a modern wheel- chair to a disable woman in Brikama at a colourful ceremony held at the Governors office in West Coast Region.

With CIAM, AOHJ Receives Computers, Flash Drives

NEWS BANJUL THE GAMBIA (MB)- 8th March 2011, The Public  Health Research and Development Centre (CIAM), handed over two desk top computers and five flash drives 8kb to the Association of Health Journalists (AOHJ) at a ceremony held at CIAM conference hall in Kanifing, attended by mebbers of AOHJ.

Chairing the ceremony, Mr. Momodou Alieu Bah, CIAM welcome the journalists to the handing over ceremony of the equipments to the AOHJ saying that the official handing over of the equipments to AOHJ is part of the project "Strengthening capacity to utilise research evidence in policy making in the Gambia”, 

Angola / Intimidation Campaign to Stop Protest / Death Threats Against Opposition, Arbitrary Arrests of Activists, Journalists

LUANDA, Angola, March 10, 2011/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The Angolan government carried out an intimidation campaign in connection with an announced anti-government demonstration that was inspired by events in Egypt and Tunisia, Human Rights Watch said today.

The government warned in the weeks leading up to the protest, which was announced for March 7, 2011, that anyone who joined would be punished for inciting violence and attempting to return the country to civil war. Police arrested several demonstrators and journalists the night before the event. The announced demonstration did not take place.

Director-General condems murder of Iraqi journalist Hilal al-Ahmadi

10-03-2011 (Paris)

The Director-General of UNESCO, Irina Bokova, condemned today the killing of Iraqi journalist Hilal al-Ahmadi, gunned down in Mosul in February.

“I condemn the murder of Iraqi freelance journalist Hilal al-Ahmadi," said the Director-General. "Attacking journalists cannot be tolerated. By denying citizens access to information, these crimes tear at the very fabric of emerging democracies. They must be investigated and punished.”

Poorest Households Women Encounter Sex Earlier,

As Prostitution, Pornography and Early Marriage Taken Root

NEWS BANJUL THE GAMBIA (MB)- The Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS) that is designed to provide statistically sound and internationally comparable data for monitoring the situation of women and children in The Gambia, in its key findings The Gambia 2005-2006 which is the latest used for publication, has spelled out that women from the poorest households encounter sex earlier than those from the richest household indicating that Kauntaur, Central River Region North top the list. According to the MICS the first sexual encounter of women sex is earlier among women in Kauntaur and later in Banjul.

WAIFEM Regional Workshop In Gambia

NEWS BANJUL THE GAMBIA (MB)- A five-day regional workshop on “Banknote and currency management and forecasting in Central Banks” organised by the West African Institute for Financial and Economic Management fondly called WAIFEM, in collaboration with De La Rue, kicked off  on Monday, 7^th wind up 11th March, 2011.

 The regional workshop, underway at the Paradise Suites Hotel, Kololi, drew participants  from Ghana, Liberia, Nigeria, Sierra Leone and The Gambia. 

“A regional workshop on Banknote and currency management and forecasting in Central Banks would not have been more appropriate given the fact that our economies remain predominantly cash-based; reflecting the preference of economic agents, the weakness of the legal system to enforce contracts, and the level of the development of payments systems in our countries,” the WAIFEM Director General, Professor Akpan H. Ekpo said in his welcoming remarks.

Young People in the Media Held Intergeneration Dialogue

NEWS BANJUL THE GAMBIA (MB)- Young People in the Media Forum The Gambia, in partnership with Unicef, and Unique FM Radio, on Sunday 6 March 2011 took part in an intergeneration dialogue as part of activities marking the International Children’s Broadcasting Day commonly known as ICDB. This was at the Unique FM grounds in Bakau and this year's theme was “Boys or Girls are”. 

Speaking on behalf the Deputy Unicef Resident Representative, Lamin Tunkara of Unicef said that this year's theme suitably complements Unicef’s most recent flagship report, “The state of the worlds children 2011”. 

GAMBIA: Children’s Day Celebrated

 NEWS BANJUL THE GAMBIA (MB)- The Gambia has joined the rest of the world to mark International Children’s Day of Broadcasting.

This day is set aside for children to showcase their talents, and it has created an avenue for children to be heard by anchoring programs not only on radio stations but even the state-own Television stations as a demonstration of how valued children’s are in the society.

 This year’s celebration highlighted the roles of boys and girls in the society. One such radio that availed Gambian children that opportunity was the nationally known electronic media set purposely for children and women with talents called Kids and Women with Talents (KWT) Radio in Bakau.

GAMWORKS Hands Over Paved Street

NEWS BANJUL, THE GAMBIA (MB)- Under the Labour Intensive Component, forty youths were trained in the area of pavement blocks fabrication and laying of the block. The block totaling over 40, 000 were presented to Brikama Area Council during the launching in July 2010. The practical work for the implementation of the pilot phase of the project, commence in earnest, and youths has completed the laying of the blocks on the 180 meters long.

It was 3rd March, 2011 in Brikama, the Gambian Aency for the Management of Public Works (GAMWORKS) organised a formal  handing over ceremony of the finished 180 meters pave street to the stakeholders at a colourful ceremony held at the site leading to the Brikama Health Centre.

Minister Kolley Unveils New GIEPA Brand

NEWS BANJUL THE GAMBIA (MB)- "At the heart of  The Gambia Investment and Export Promotion Agency (GIEPA) is a continued commitment to encourage, promote and concretize starategies for a private sector led growth that creates wealth and generates employment.

" As we reflect on the future, we must move beyond rhetoric and assert through deeds and actions the role of GIEPA," were the words of Minister of Trade, Regional Integration and Employment, Mr. Abdou Kolley at the officially launchging of GIEPA brand, held at the Kairaba Beach Hotel on 3rd March 2011.

Prime Bank In Legal Tussle With Ex- Employee

NEWS BANJUL THE GAMBIA (MB)- Prime Bank Gambia Limited has been dragged to the Industrial Tribunal by its former Treasury dealer, Mr. Emmanuel George, over alleged  dismissal causing damages and breach of contract. 

Meanwhile, the case, which has been ongoing at the Industrial Tribunal in the Kanifing Magistrates’ Court complex before Magistrate Clement Nkumbe Ngube failed to proceed on 2^nd March 2011 due to the absence of the plaintiff’s lawyer, Mr. Moses Richards. 

US Embassy In Banjul Brief Entrepreneurs

NEWS BANJUL THE GAMBIA (MB)- A brief session on the upcoming International Franchise Expo (IFE), stated on 1-3 April 2011, in Washington DC, was Thursday 3rd March 2011, held a briefing session at the American corner on Kairaba Avenue, by the United States Embassy in Banjul, as part of its efforts to promote trade between the United States of America and the Republic of The Gambia. 

The session was meant to brief individual entrepreneurs, or small and medium size enterprises interested in acquiring a franchise business, as a master license, area developer, or sub-franchise. 

Cashew Farmers Exporters Sensitisation

NEWS BANJUL THE GAMBIA (MB)- The Gambia River Basin Cashew Value Chain Enhancement Project (CEP), with funding from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) on Monday 28th February 2011, organized a one-day sensitization meeting for exporters, traders, processors, and transporters in the cashew sub-sector. 

Focus on new information technologies forInternational Mother Language Day

Poster of International Mother Language Day

@ UNESCO

18-02-2011 (Paris)

Half of the world’s 6,000 languages are endangered. International Mother Language Day (IMLD, 21 February) underlines the importance of preserving this cultural and linguistic wealth. The theme for this year – The information and communication technologies for the safeguarding and promotion of languages and linguistic diversity – highlights the new technologies’ enormous potential for safeguarding, documenting and promoting the use of mother languages.

Director-General condems murder of Pakistani journalist Abdost Rind in Balochista

28-02-2011 (Paris) The Director-General of UNESCO, Irina Bokova, today condemned the shooting to death of Abdost Rind, a reporter with the Urdu-language newspaper Daily Eagle on 18 February in Pakistan’s Balochistanprovince and voiced concern over the safety of media workers in the region.

“I condemn the murder of Abdos Rind,” the Director-General declared. “The killing of Abdos Rind raises further concern over the ability of media workers in Pakistan to exercise the fundamental human right of freedom of expression. All of us depend on free media to engage in informed debate and make responsible choices.”

EU Awards Over 800,000 Euros To NSA

According to a media dispatch release issued yesterday, The Non-state Actors (NSA) Strengthening Programme is funded to the tune of 2,469,900 pounds by the European Union (from the European Development Fun – EDF) and is being implemented in close collaboration with the Government of the Gambia. The overall objective of the Programme is to enhance the role of Non State Actors (i.e. civil society) in contributing to good governance, poverty reduction and the enhancement of sustainable livelihoods in the Gambia. The Programme aims to strengthen the capacity of NSAs to play an active role in development processes and in public life in the Gambia. The European Union has a long-standing cooperative relationship with Gambian civil society, as well as with local and decentralized authorities in the field of development.

Local Communities Recognised in Climate Change Issues

NEWS BANJUL THE GAMBIA (MB)- The government of The Gambia under the auspices of the Ministry of Forestry and Environment, has recognised the local communities participation in the fight against the threats of climate change in the country, said Mr. Ebrima Darboe at the said Ministry.

Mr. Darboe made these remarks on behalf of the minister of Forestry and Environment at the official opening of a two-day workshop from 25th -26th Fenbruary 2011 at the Mansea Hotel, and was organised by Global Unification The Gambia, (GU), solely funded by Action Aid International The Gambia (AAITG) under the theme: 'Climate Change and Agriculture, ensuring Food Security in the Changing Climate.'

Jammeh Foundation for Peace to be 'World Class Peace Institute'

NEWS BANJUL THE GAMBIA (MB)- quotations by the lead consultant who presented a paper on Education for Peace: challenges and opportunities for Curriculum Development, Professor David J Francis from the Department of Peace Studies, University of Bradford, United Kingdom said:

- “ Since wars begin in the minds of men (and women) that the defenses of peace must be constructed”. UNESCO preamble.

- “If you don’t want war, prepare for peace”. (Si vis pacem, para bellum) Vegetus.

- “Education is simply peace building by another name”. Kofi Annan

- “Poverty, under development and fragile states create fertile conditions for violent conflict and the emergence of new security threats, including international crimes and terrorism. There will be no lasting security without development and no effective development without security and stability”.

(G8 Africa Action Plan 2005:4)

Non-State Actors Capacitised on Grant Management

 A five days from 21st - 25th February, 2010, a training workshop for 13 organisation fondly called as the Non-State Actors (NSA) was held at the Paradise Suites Hotel for the implementation on grant management and implementation. Giving an overview of the training, the programme coordinator, Mr. Fergal Ryan of the Non-state Actors in The Gambia said the training is related to series of grants that is given to 13 organizations for projects to be implemented in the Gambian soil, adding that the project is funded by the European Union (EU) in collaboration with the government of The Gambia.