Worst is not over

By Masaru Yamada
Japan Agricultural Journalists’ Association

Is the worst over?
Everybody asks me. I always reply – “To me, it was apparently over, but one thing I can tell you it is totally depending on where you live.”

After being hit on March 11 2011 by one of the largest earthquakes in history, we Japanese are now – in a way – going back to ‘business as usual’.

In the world famous Akihabara electric town in Tokyo, you don’t see many differences between now and two months ago. You see many pedestrians on the streets on holidays looking for great discounts on PCs or games machines.

Press Freedom Having Voice To Speak

Dear Mamadou,

In the lawless eastern region of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, press freedom means having a voice to speak out against horrific violence against women and children. This World Press Freedom Day, the International Center for Journalists has teamed up with Vital Voices to help Congolese radio reporter Chouchou Namegabe, ICFJ's 2009 Knight International Award Winner and Vital Voices' 2009 Fern Holland Award recipient.

African Union Peace and Security Council 274th meeting / Press statement

ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia, April 26, 2011/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The Peace and Security Council of the African Union (AU), at its 274th meeting held on 25 April 2011, was briefed on the World Development Report (WDR) 2011 – Conflict, Security and Development, by Sarah Cliffe, the Special Representative for the WDR 2011. Council also listened to a statement by the AU Commissioner for Peace and Security, Ambassador Ramtane Lamamra, regarding the AU’s contribution to the elaboration of the Report, and the prospects for cooperation between the World Bank and the AU on the follow‐up to the Report’s conclusions.

CCG dissociate itself from The Gambia Government on events in Cote d’Ivoire

NEWS BANJUL THE GAMBIA (MB) According to a press release made available to MANSABANKO,  dated 18 April, 2011,  The Coalition for Change – The Gambia (CCG) wishes to dissociate itself from the statements and position of the Gambia Government on events in Cote d’Ivoire.

The most recent inconsequential state televised statement of President Jammeh calling for fresh elections and refusing to recognize President Alassane Ouattara in defiance of the international community, despite findings by virtually all independent observers and monitors that Laurent Gbagbo lost the November election, underscores the pariah character of the Gambian regime. 

GADHOH want sign language interpreters at the TV, others Institutions

NEWS BANJUL THE GAMBIA (MB)- Members of The Gambia Association of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (GADHOH), on Sunday 17 April, 2011 held its annual general meeting in Kanifing, at GADHOD headquarters, members present at the meeting calls on the government of The Gambia for the ratification of the person with disability act in the country, employ sign language interpreters at the national television and other institutions.. Speaking at the meeting, Mr. Abdoukardirr Drammeh, President of GADHOH, told the gathering that the association is doing all its best day and night for the government of The Gambia to sign and ratified the United Nations Convention on the Right of Person with Disabilities (UNCRDP), but was quick to sat that some strides have been made in other areas in the convention citing some parts of the Gambian constitution that gives rights to persons with disabilities in the country.

Cote d'Ivoire- what I' m seeing

Mamadou Edrisa Njie --  Tue, April 12, 2011 2:14:14 PM I haven’t slept much the past few months. Amid the violence and chaos all around me in Côte d’Ivoire, it’s no easy task to deliver food to those who need it. At least one million people have fled their homes, hiding out in the bush or setting out for the border. About an hour south of me in a town called Duékoué, hundreds of people were recently massacred. Families across the country are terrified to leave their homes. They’re running out of food and water and the supermarkets are completely bare.

Cash Most Important ‘Commodity’ but…………..

NEWS BANJUL THE GAMBIA (MB)- Perhaps the most important ‘commodity’ smuggle in West Africa for the purposes of money laundering is cash, according to information contained in the Inter-Governmental Action Group Against Money Laundering in West Africa better know as GIABA, in its report title “ Threat Assessment of Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing in West Africa.”

  According to the threat assessment, money is the lifeblood of crime, as it is of any business, and so the legitimate of illicit proceeds is essential for organised criminals to return a profit on their nefarious activities, said GIABA report.

Gambia’s Economy on Track, Streamline Business Reforms

As common market access to over 300 million people 

NEWS BANJUL THE GAMBIA (MB)- The Gambia’s stable economy, safe environment, cheap labour force, and excellent transportation system, combined with the excellent lifestyle the nation offers, has stimulated investment across a wide range of sectors. The government of the day has complemented this advantageous business climate with a series of serious initiatives, including business-friendly reforms, prudent macroeconomic policies, investor outreach efforts, liberal trade policies, and improved port infrastructural and efficiency. The economy has an established track record in number of sectors, and new sectors are developing all the time, according to GIEPA publication.

Daily News Awards Columnist, Reporter

Believed to be the fastest growing newspaper, an independent private Gambian owned newspaper The Daily News that comes tri-weekly both in print and online on 6 April, 2011 celebrated its second year anniversary at its head office at Churchill town, 65 Kombo Sillah Drive in Kanifing Municipality.

 Daily News was founded by Mr. Madi MK Ceesay a renowned Gambian journalist, a Committee to Protect Journalist (CPJ) 2006 award, and a former president of The Gambia Press Union (GPU).

  Saikou Jammeh Editor-in-Chief of Daily News, contributor of the Africa Voice News paper published in Ireland, United Kingdom (UK) cum IIJ ALUMNI was awarded as the best columnist with a cash prize of D500.00, while Binta A. Bah as the best reporter of Daily News with cash amount of D1000.00. Mr. Aloe Ahmed Alota executive director of the Gambia Press Union was the chief judge for the award.

Violence against Women ‘Most Shameful Human Rights Violation’

NEWS BANJUL THE GAMBIA (MB)- Violence against women is perhaps the ‘most shameful human rights violation’, and it is perhaps the most pervasive and it knows no boundary of geographical, culture or wealth as it can be done to anyone in the four continent of the world, were the strong words of Isatou Bittaye.

 Bittaye is the vice chairperson of Kanifing/Banjul Peace Ambassadors The Gambia (PAG) as well a faculty member of PAG, was presenting a paper over the weekend at the governor’s office in Brikama, West Coast Region.

 She continued: “as long as violence against women continues, we cannot claim to be making real progress towards equality, development, and peace.”

SWAEBOU CONATEH'S STATEMENT, DAILY NEWS TWO

What Future for the Daily News

Statement by Swaebou Conateh on the occasion of the second anniversary of the newspaper on 6 April, 2011

Exactly two years ago today, the first edition of a newspaper called the Daily News,  hit the streets of KMC and Banjul Municipality. The venture was a brave, bold move on the part of our colleague, Madi Ceesay of Media Agenda and hitherto also of The Gambia Press Union, the Independent newspaper and the Gambia News and Report.

  At the time many people doubted if the paper could make it in an increasingly crowded media field. Already in circulation were the Daily Observer, the Point and Foroyaa Newspapers, among others. Even more so is the fact that the reading public, with limited incomes and even more limited appetite for reading or buying newspapers—thanks to their preference for celluloid films and the audio=visual news presentations.

SWAEBOU CONATEH OF NEWS AND REPORT MAGAZINE

NEWS BANJUL THE GAMBIA (MB)- FOR THE RECORDS, MANSABANKO, WISH TO PUBLISH THE STATEMENT DELIVERED BY MR. SWAEBOU CONATEH THE PUBLISHER AND MANAGING EDITOR OF THE GAMBIA NEWS AND REPORT MAGAZINE, COURTESY CALL ON JAMMEH BY MEDIA CHIEFS IN BANJUL, THE GAMBIA.

COURTESY CALL ON H.E. THE PRESIDENT, CHEIKH PRO. ALHAJI DR. YAHYA A.J.J. JAMMEH, PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC

                      

WEDNESDAY, 16 MARCH. 2011

I do not plan to be long in this intervention in view of the number of possible speakers and because of the valuable time your excellency is offering to us from his very busy schedule.  I can say that we are all grateful for the kind gesture.

  I should first of all thank Fatou Camara, who in just a few days of assuming this high office in the office of the president, has shown the imagination and drive to call for this meeting.  The high level of attendance despite the short notice goes to confirm our appreciation of her effort and of the significance of the meeting.

Daily News Newspaper Clocks Two

 NEWS BANJUL THE GAMBIA (MB)- NOT fever than forty journalist including editors, sub- editors, senior reporters, and freelances journalists on Thursday 6 April 2011, gathered at the Daily News newspaper ground in Churchill's Town to celebrate the second anniversary of the newspaper. 

 The celebration was done in the form of speeches delivered by different speakers. Daily News newspaper was established on  6 April 2009, by Mr. Madi M.K Ceesay Founder and Proprietor of the daily news newspper, also well known for its guidig Motto: Factual, Reliable, and Authoritative. Daily news newspaper has continued to attract lot of readers for their unbeatable news coverage. 

Jammeh Launches WAAP, GCCP Projects Officially

NEWS BANJUL THE GAMBIA (MB)- The president of the Gambia Shekh Prof. Dr. Alhagi Yahya Jammeh, on Tuesday 22 March 2011, at the Kairaba Beach Hotel Launches the Gambia Growth and competitiveness project (GCCP). And the West African Agricultural Production Project (WAAP). The project is financed through a Grant with the International Development Association (IDA), allocation of US$ 12 million equivalent to be implemented over a period of five. 

Business Entities Warns Using Jammeh’s Pictures

NEWS BANJUL THE GAMBIA (MB)- The office of the president, has issued a press release, drawing the attention of all business entities to get green light from office of the president for the usage of Jammeh’s pictures. According to the release, the office has observed that some individuals and business entities are in the habit of using president Jammeh’s picture for commercial fadus. The release warned that  all those found contravening the order will face the full force of the law. 

"CU Has Redirected Its Focus…," Director

NEWS BANJUL THE GAMBIA (MB)- The Country Director of  Concern Universal,  Madam Patricia Wall, has pointed out that with increasing vulnerability to climate change and the increase in the impact of hydro-meteorological disasters, Concern Universal has “redirected its focus” in addressing risks by strategically considering climate change adaptation in all risk reduction and mitigation interventions.                                                                  

Citing an example from the past four years since 2007, Concern Universal has been involved in the annual flood response with its partners across the country. 

  Ms. Wall made these remarks when she opened the two days workshop on the Establishment of the National Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction in mid- March, 2011 at the Senegambia Beach Hotel. 

Stakeholders Brainstorm On Sanitation And Hygiene Policy

NEWS BANJUL THE GAMBIA (MB)- Stakeholders from government ministeries, departments, UN Agencies, Civil Society Organisations, as well as the media gathered at the National Nutrition Agency (NaNA) conference hall in early March to discuss the country’s National Strategy for Sanitation and Hygiene Policy 2011-2016.  The strategy has been developed within the context of a number of national policy and legislative instruments relevant to sanitation and hygiene, Mr. Sana Jawara, representing the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health and Social Welfare said at the official opening. 

Iranian journalist to receive 2011 UNESCO/Guillerno Cano Award

07-04-2011 (Paris)

Ahmad Zeidabadi© NetNative

Imprisoned Iranian journalist Ahmad Zeidabadi is the laureate of this year’s UNESCO Guillermo Cano World Press Freedom Prize. He was selected by an independent international jury of 12 media professionals.

NATCOM/UNESCO Celebrates Water Day

NEWS BANJUL THE GAMBIA (MB)- The Gambia National Commission for UNESCO, joins the rest of the world to celebrate world Water day 7^th April, 2011 at the National Nutrition Agency (NaNA) conference hall. The objective of the day, according to UNESCO, is to focus international attention on the impact of rapid urban populationgrowth, industrialization and uncertainties caused by climate change, conflicts and natual disasters on urban water systems. 

Women in Peace Building Is Imperative

NEWS BANJUL THE GAMBIA (MB)- The role of women in peace building is imperative, hence their rights need to be protected and guaranteed says Isatou Bittaye of Peace Ambassadors of The Gambia, vice chairperson of Kanifing/Banjul Zone.

 She was presenting a paper “on women in peace building” recently at a two days training, held at the Governor’s office in West Coast Region in Brikama as part of ongoing recruitment process 2010-2011 organised by Peace Ambassadors The Gambia (PAG).

GAMCOTRAP Empower Womens to Speak for Themselves

NEWS BANJUL THE GAMBIA (MB)- “Women are generally homogenous though wrongly considered to be. Therefore, many institutions tend to address their concerns only under broad development categories without taking and recognising their agency as individuals in their own rights. There are many advocates for women, women and men but in GAMCOTRAP, we empower women to speak for themselves, because the issue we address affect them emotionally and physically, affecting their bodily integrity which is a very intimate and private aspect of sexuality. 

Inter Africa Committe Board Meeting, GAMCOTRAP Hosted

NEWS BANJUL THE GAMBIA (MB)- The Gambia Committee on Traditional Practices affecting the Health of Women and Children (GAMCOTRAP) hosted the Inter African Committee (IAC) Annual Board Meeting from the 29 – 31 March 2011 at the Kairaba Beach Hotel. The annual meeting gathered Board of Directors of IAC from 10 member countries in Africa. 

UNESCO-NATCOM Gives Helping Hands to National Library

NEWS BANJUL THE GAMBIA (MB)- On their drive to make learning, research and information accessible to the people UNESCO-NATCOM donated technological materials amounting to D230, 000 to the Gambia National Library on Friday at Gambia National Library in Banjul.

  Four computers, heavy duty copier, A3 color printer, 6 UPS voltage stabilizer, external hard drives digital camera and a flatbed scanner, were the donated materials to the Library in Banjul.

Why Sexual Terror, Weapon of War in Conflict???

NEWS BANJUL THE GAMBIA (MB)-At the launching of the Education for All (EFA), global monitoring report 2011, the Secretary General, Gambia National Commission for UNESCO Sukai Bojang,

says sexual terror is used as a weapon of war in conflict areas against girls and women, despite the effort of governments in the conflict to push their education agenda, aid donors have not been supportive and only 2 percent of humanitarian aid goes to the education sector.

 The launching of the 2011 report was held at colorful ceremony at the Laico Atlantic Hotel in Banjul. The report was sponsored by UNESCO-BREDA which also highlighted the challenges faced by countries that cannot attain education for all goals 2015, and also gives adequate data and projections on what to expect if solutions are not found quickly. It also exposes how the world is faring with regards the achievement of the six EFA goals by 2015.

FREE TRADE: West Africa Moves Slowly For Decades

The 10^th meeting of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS/UNMOA) and the Committee for the Management of the ECOWAS Common External Tariff (CET) are jointly holding a five-day Meeting from 4^th to 8^th April, 2011 at Jerma Beach Hotel. 

 According to organisers of the meeting, the 10^th of its kind is organised by ECOWAS and is meant to give member states the opportunity to review and make conclusions on the common external tariff in the sub-region.

Network of Young Female Leaders, Extraordinary Visionary Feat

Says VP Njie Saidy as she launches the network 

NEWS BANJUL THE GAMBIA (MB) The Gambian Network of Young Female Leaders of West Africa was officially launched by Her Excellency Dr. Aja Isatou Njie-Saidy at the Paradise Suites Hotel in Banjul 2^nd April 2011, becoming the third network to be launched after Guinea Conakry and Senegal.

  Facilitated by the Dakar-based ECOWAS Gender Development Centre (EGDC) in Senegal, is geared towards the assuming of leadership roles by young females in West Africa, both politically and in the socio- economic development of the sub-regional economic bloc, ECOWAS.

MDGs: Climate Change Presents Significant Threats

NEWS BANJUL THE GAMBIA (MB)- “Climate change is considered to be one of the most serious threats to sustainable development, with adverse impacts expected on the environment, human health, food security, economic activity, natural resources and physical Infrastructure. 

 “The impacts of climate change, therefore affect our response to other development agendas in the Gambia like the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), country strategic plans and vision. “Climate change presents significant threats to the achievement of the MDGs especially those related to eliminating poverty and hunger and promoting environmental sustainability” says Mr. Ibrahim Ceesay of African Youth Initiative on Climate Change (AYICC).