Leading Gambian Online Publisher Elected YJAG Secretary General

Mr Jahateh

(The Gambia News Online) An association of young journalists in The Gambia had unanimously elected, Lamin Jahateh, editor and publisher of Gambia News Online, an online blog, as their secretary general.

It was the second biennial congress of the Young Journalists of The Gambia (YJAG) which also marks the 4^th year anniversary of the association and held at the Kanifing Municipal Council Multi-purpose Centre along Jimpex Road in Kanifing, on Saturday.  During the congress, members of the association elected new executive members to steer the affairs of the association for the next two years. 

The YJAG Example Should Be Emulated

africa » gambia

Wednesday, October 26, 2011

The Young Journalists Association of The Gambia, in short, YJAG has undoubtedly proven to be one of the most viable media organisations in the country.

Since inception, this body of dedicated and committed young media practitioners, some of whom infact hold key positions in their various newsrooms, has implemented  series of significant programmes geared towards creating a better working  environment for its members in particular and enhancing Gambian journalism, in general.

Connect4Climate / World Bank

Are you ready to Connect4Climate? / World Bank kicks off social media climate campaign with photo/video competition for African youth

PRETORIA, South-Africa, October 28, 2011/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The World Bank, in collaboration with more than 30 global partners, is launching the Connect4Climate initiative a campaign, a competition, and a community that cares about climate change.

The campaign kicks off today with a photo/video competition for African youth, aged 13 to 35, which is designed to raise awareness about climate change.

AFRICAN YOUTH DAY,“Accelerating Youth Empowerment for Sustainable Development”

AFRICAN YOUTH DAY / Theme: “Accelerating Youth Empowerment for Sustainable Development”


ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia, October 28, 2011/African Press Organization (APO)/ — Invitation to representatives of the media


When: 1ST NOVEMBER 2011


Where: Khartoum, The Republic of The Sudan


Who: The Department of Human Resource Science and Technology (HRST) of the African Union Commission (AUC) in collaboration with the Government of the Republic of The Sudan.

Report on Global Youth Innovation Workshop Held in Cotonou, Benin 10-13 October, 2011

By: Mamadou Edrisa Njie

 GYIN AMBASSADOR THE GAMBIA

Mamadou Edrisa Njie

 The Government and the people of Benin under the dynamic leadership of His Excellency Dr. Yayi Boni hosted a good number of youth around the world to attend the Global Youth Innovation Workshop- Fair from 10-13 October, 2011 at the Palais Des Congress in Cotonou, Benin

The Global Youth Innovation Workshop -Fair is organized by Phelps Stokes and the International Fund for Agricultural Development to honor and celebrate young entrepreneurs’ achievements. The specific objectives of this event are:

·        To bring together youth to share their perspectives and ideas in relation to their business models,

·        To work toward solutions to common problems, and

·        To enable the participants to showcase their products and services and share best practices.

Trust should exist between journalists and security personnel

Minister Sonko (L) with Pa Malick Faye, Daily Observer MD

The North Bank Evening Standard- Gambia’s Minister of Interior, Mr. Ousman Sonko Saturday remark that “trust must exist between journalists and security personnel” when he presided over the opening ceremony of the 4th Anniversary and 2nd Congress of the Young Journalists Association of The Gambia (YJAG).

Mr. Sonko, who was honoured by the rare opportunity given to him, said journalists should be on familiar terms with security chiefs, stating that “it should not be difficult for an officer to confirm that someone has been arrested.” “But sometimes it could be difficult to tell immediately what next will happen to the person, what measures will be taken against the person or why he or she is arrested.”

YJAG elects new executive committee

New YJAG Executive Committee

[The North Bank Evening Standard]

The Young Journalists Association of The Gambia (YJAG) on Saturday elected a new executive committee, headed by Mr Modou S. Joof, news editor of The Voice newspaper, to steer the affairs of the association until 2014.

This decision followed the end of a two-year stint of the former executive committee, which was headed by Mr Assan Sallah, news editor at the Daily Observer newspaper, whose two-year term ended on September 16, 2011.

Lawyer Darboe Responds To Those Calling Him A Coward

Lawyer Ousainou Darboe

The leader of the United Democratic Party (UDP), Lawyer Ousainou Darboe, has responded to those who believe he is a coward and should relinquish the leadership of the major opposition party.

Mr. Darboe, who was the guest of the Weekend news upbeat program on Saturday, 22  October, 2011 moderated by Mr. Malick Jones,Principal  producer at the GRTS (Radio), had an encounter with callers, one of whom pointedly branded him a “coward”.

A caller, who gave his names as  Mamadi Jawo of Bwiam, in Foni, said:“This program is really interesting, and Ousainou Darboe is somebody who is really ready to rule the Gambia.

Dr. Isatou Touray Reports On The Pan African Conference In Addis Ababa

Gamcotrap, Dr. Isatou Touray

Dr. Isatou Touray (Mrs.), Executive Director of the  Gambia Committee on harmful Traditional Practices affecting women and children (GAMCOTRAP), has, in this piece,shared with the public what had transpired at the recent Conference held in  Addis  Ababa, where the continental union otherwise  African Union, invited her organisation amongst other experts, to share best practices  to eliminate harmful traditional practices on the African continent.

Below, we reproduced  her detail  article made available to us by GAMCOTRAP.

GAMBIA: Not A Known Money Laundering Hub

Dr. Abdullah Shehu

The 2010 report of the Intergovernmental Action Group Against Money Laundering in West Africa, popularly called GIABA, has looked at the prevalence of predicate crimes in the Gambia and ongoing efforts against money laundering and financing of terrorism.

The report noted that the Gambia is not a regional centre, although it is a regional re-export centre. Goods and capital are freely and legally traded in The Gambia, and as is the case in other re-export centres, “smuggling of goods occurs”. 

Sensitation on ECOWAS NCC, Secretarait

Representatives from the various Ministries, the public and private sectors,Non-Governmental Organizations, among others, on  October 5th, converged at the Paradise Suites Hotel for a one-day sensitization workshop on the ECOWAS National Coordinating Committee and Secretariat. 

The main objective of the ECOWAS NCC and Secretariat is to improve the economic supervision of the ECOWAS Member States by re-inforcing good public finance management and ensuring the creation of the ECOWAS Single Currency, says Madam Isatou Faal, Deputy Permanent Secretary(DPS) at the Ministry of  Finance and  Economic Affairs (MoFEA).

Gambia Host Anti- Money Laundering/ Counter Financing of Terroriem Workshop

Dr. Abdullahi Shehu, GIABA

The Director General of the Inter-Governmental Action Group against Money Laundering in West Africa better known as  GIABA, Dr. Abdullahi Shehu, has, in his remarked at the opening of the GIABA workshop in Banjul, repeatedly reminded the Gambian authorities of the country’s commitment to implement the recommendations in its Mutual Evaluation report, which was adopted in November 2008.

MORE ABOUT CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE

You may be facing one of the most difficult crisis in your life.  The news is terrible.  Your child has been sexually abused, perhaps by a close family member or a family friend or a trusted adult or a complete stranger.  You re angry with your self for not being able to protect your child.  You re also greatly worried about the health or marriage prospects of our child.  Yes, it is terrible but you can still support your child in this very difficult moment ad also ensure other children are protected too.

Fighting child sexual abuse and exploitation is not an easy work, but with the help of the brochure and other resources, and with the support of the family and members of the society, we would be able to protect a lot of children.

Commonwealth Youth Forum 8, Communique CYF8 2011

The Commonwealth of Nations has a responsibility to develop youth as one of its most valuable assets in the best interest of the Commonwealth and to ensure our future prosperity.  In order for the Commonwealth to be relevant and accountable to the needs of its 1.2 billion youth , it is critical that youth directly participate in all levels of decision making and budget allocation, not only in policy and program design but also in implementation and evaluation. In a time of great political, social, economic, technological and environmental challenges, we call for immediate action to rectify failures and build upon successes of the past.

Seven Billion People, Seven Billion Possibilities, Says UNFPA

A young girl carrying a baby in a village in DRC. MONUC, Lake Albert Patrolling Mission. Credit:UN Photo/Martine Perret UNITED NATIONS, Oct 26, 2011 (IPS) - When Adnan Nevic was born in Bosnia-Herzegovina back in October 1999, he was hailed as the world's six billionth person, triggering a visit to Sarajevo by then Secretary- General Kofi Annan. Come Oct. 31, the United Nations is predicting the world will usher in its seven billionth person in a seemingly over-crowded planet bursting at its seams. Judging by growing population trends, the seven billionth boy or girl may well be born somewhere in Africa or possibly in Asia. But the United Nations is not willing to stick its neck out to predict the continent in which he or she would be born - or even to identify the individual child as was done with Nevic.

Attacks on Human Rights Defenders Cast Wide Shadow

U.N. Special Rapporteur Margaret Sekaggaya underscored the importance of implementing the Declaration for Human Rights Defenders. Credit:UN Photo/Jean-Marc Ferré

UNITED NATIONS, Oct 26, 2011 (IPS) - A chair stood empty at the launch here Monday of a report on the repression of human rights defenders, a physical reminder that its would-be occupant - Ales Bialiatski, president of Human Rights Centre Viasna in Belarus – has been languishing in prison since August.

A three-time nominee for the Nobel Peace Prize, Bialiatski is charged with tax evasion, but supporters say it is clear that the charges are in retaliation for his long and distinguished career of human rights activism in the country.

Rural Women’s Day: What Has Road Network Got To Do With Women’s Rights?

As an advocate of women’s empowerment and to fulfil the calling of my profession I thought the only thing I can do is to inform those in position of power and authority through this article that we all owe it to women’s right to health and economic empowerment to construct the minimum standard of road networks in rural Gambia.

Dear Editor

Traveling to one of the remote areas of The Gambia, Wuli East with a GAMCOTRAP team to undertake a training supported by UNFPA has turned out to be a journey of reflection.
In an attempt to get on the best available road, we drove from Basse to Fatoto Ferry crossing just to realise that the ferry has not been in service for a month; the hand pulled ferry was stocked in the middle of the river.
We drove back for another 45 minutes to cross from Basse to Wuli.  We arrived just in time for the ferry to quickly cross over to the other side of the river bank.     A two hours journey started to go to Briffu in Wuli East.

MAJOR GROUPS CONTRIBUTION

MINISTERIAL POLICY DIALOGUE ON PROGRESS IN THE IMPLEMENTATION OF SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT COMMITMENTS AND NEW EMERGING CHALLENGES. -24^TH OCTOBER 2011 ADDIS ABABA, ETHIOPIA

MAJOR GROUPS CONTRIBUTION - BY LUCY MULENKEI INDIGENOUS INFORMATION NETWORK

Hon Ministers, invited Guests Ladies and Gentlemen, I am here today proud to have been given this opportunity to contribute in this important policy dialogue on the progress made in the implementation of sustainable development and the new emerging challenges.

Major groups are part of civil society, and are the most significant institutional evolution since World Earth Summit in RIO 1992. Since then, civil society has developed its engagement on all fronts and at different levels, providing leading forums, pioneering in implementing, advocating for a shift in paradigms, and actively pushing to introduce reforms globally and regionally.

Gambia Press Union Granted Observer Status at the African Commission

The North Bank Evening Standard has just gathered that the Banjul-based African Commission on Human and People's Rights has granted "Observer Status" to the Gambia Press Union (GPU) about an hour ago. 

The Union applied for observer status under the ARTICLE 19/GPU European Commission-funded project. The first phase of the project, a training for 20 Gambia journalists on "International Standards on Freedom of Expression"  has already been completed. 12 participants has already been selected to partake on further training on "Safety and Security for Journalists".

GAMWORKS Commended For Holding 'Timely and Regular' AGM

The Gambia Agency for the Management of Public Works (GAMWORKS) on 20 October, 2011 at the Kairaba Beach Hotel received an ample acclamation from congress delegates for what they described as the 'most outstanding' Agency in The Gambia known for holding 'regular and timely' AGM as well as submitting comprehensive annual and financial report to the public.
It was the 7th Annual General Meeting (AGM) of GAMWORK which gathered a good number of congress delegates across the country.

Ministers review Africa’s platform for Rio+20, Consensus Statement expected

ECA Press Release No. 130/2011: Addis Ababa, 24 October 2011 (ECA) - The Executive Secretary of the UN Economic Commission for Africa, Mr. Abdoulie Janneh, today launched the ministerial segment of the Africa Regional Preparatory Conference for Rio+20 with an ardent call for African policymakers to rethink existing growth paradigms for the continent.

DEPARTURE STATEMENT BY COMMONWEALTH DEPUTY-SECRETARY GENERAL, MRS MMASEKGOA MASIRE-MWAMBA AFTER VISITING THE GAMBIA

In line with the commitment of the Commonwealth to support democratic processes in member states, I visited The Gambia from 18 to 20 October 2011.

During my visit, I met senior government officials, including those from the National Assembly, and Judiciary, as well as the Independent Election Commission and the international community.

IFJ Calls on Journalists to Join Global Wage Survey

IFJ President, Jim Boumelha

24 October 2011

The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) today calls on journalists around the world to take part in a global wage survey "WageIndicator" to campaign for decent pay to journalists and to narrow the gender pay gap in journalism.

In a letter addressed to its affiliates, the IFJ called on all its members to participate in a global wage survey conducted by WageIndicator, to measure wages of over 1,500 different occupations and 400 industries in over 56 countries around the world.

FAJ Urges Gambian Government to End Silence over Whereabouts of Missing Journalist

• The leadership of the Federation of African Journalists (FAJ), the African group of the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), today met Gambian Justice Minister Edward Gomez to demand that his government break its silence over the whereabouts of journalist Chief Ebrima Manneh who disappeared in 2006.

AU Human Rights Commission Urged to Combat Impunity for Crimes against journalists

• The Federation of African Journalists, the African group of the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), and the Eastern Africa Journalists Association (EAJA) in a statement supported by the International Trade Union Confederation of the African Region (ITUC-Africa) today told the 50^th Ordinary Session of the African Commission on Human and People's Rights (ACHPR), sitting in Banjul, The Gambia, that African continent is experiencing renewed and aggressive premeditated attacks on journalists, and media organisations in an attempt to control, manipulate and censor the free press and free speech.

Regional cooperation key to successful anti-terrorism fight – GIABA

Director General of the Inter-Governmental Action Group against Money Laundering in West Africa, Dr. Abdullahi Shehu has called on countries of the West African region to deepen technical cooperation and expertise in the fight against terrorism in the region.

Dr. Shehu said this in New York while addressing the meeting of the United Nations Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate (CTED) as part of activities marking the 10th anniversary of the adoption of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1373 (2001).

SPEECH BY OUTGOING PRESIDENT, YJAG

SPEECH BY ASSAN SALLAH, PRESIDENT OF YJAG ON THE 4^th ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION OF THE ASSOCIATION HELD AT THE KMC MULTI-PURPOSE HALL, KANIFING ON OCTOBER 22^ND, 2011.

Assan Sallah Outgoing President

Today marks an important milestone in the annals of the Young Journalists Association of The Gambia. As we celebrate our 4^th anniversary which also coincided with the association’s 2^nd Congress. I am therefore deeply honoured to give my welcome remarks in this important gathering.

Today is a moment of reflection on our achievements in the past for my executive as it marks the end of term for my executive and the beginning of a new term for the incoming executive. I also want to make it very clear that I am stepping down after serving as president of the association for two years and I will not contest for any position.

However, I would also want to assure the incoming executive that you have my support and can always count on me whenever the need arises. I will still be an honorary member and guide you in our drive to move the association forward.

Mr. Chairman

Distinguished guests,

Ladies and gentlemen

Each year when we celebrate our anniversary, we choose a theme and discuss on it. The theme for this year’s celebration is; “the role of journalists in elections.”

Modou S. Joof's 2009- 2011 'ACTIVITY REPORT'

Prepared and presented by Mr Modou S. Joof, YJAG Assistant Secretary General, @ the 4^th Anniversary and Congress of YJAG on October 22, 2011 @ the Kanifing Municipal Council Multipurpose Complex, Jimpex Road, Kanifing

PREXY YJAG: Modou S. Joof

The outgoing executive came into being on September 16, 2009 during the first Congress of the Young Journalist Association of The Gambia (YJAG).

After observing democracy, the new executive continues to work under the action plan of the former executive. One of the activities it held in November 2009 was a “Climate Change Conference” funded by the World Wildlife Fund, through the Ministry of Forestry and the Environment.

The conference was designed to increase the knowledge of young journalists on climate change and its effects on the environment and the lives of the people. We believe that journalists can only report accurately topical issues of global concern when they are better understood.

GAMBIAN JUSTICE MINISTER LAWYER EDU GOMEZ 'FAIL TO FULLFILL HIS PLEDGE'

FAILED  HIS PLEDGE GAMBIAN JUSTICE MINISTER

The Young Journalists of The Gambia (YJAG) has reminded the Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Edward Gomez, of a pledge he made to them more than one year ago which he is yet to fulfill.

At the 4^th anniversary celebration, which also marks the 2^nd biennial congress of YJAG, held on Saturday at the Kanifing Municipal Council multi-purpose centre in Kanifing, from the outgoing president, the secretary general and to the treasurer of YJAG all re-echoed in their report that the Justice Minister still did not honour the pledged he made since February 2010 to give the association ten thousand dalasis (D10,000).

“Until today, we have not received that D10, 000 pledge, despite several efforts made to remind him about it,” said Assan Sallah, the former president of YJAG, while delivering his statement on the occasion.

“Therefore I will use this opportunity to again remind the Honourable Minister of Justice of his pledge to YJAG,” Mr Sallah added.

Gambian Social Justice Activist to Attend Global Workshop – Fair

Social Justice cum Journalist Njie

Mamadou Edrisa Njie Social Justice Activist cum Journalist from The Gambia will be attending a Global Youth Innovation Workshop Fair from 10- 13 October in Cononou, Benin.

 The Youth Innovation Workshop Fair is organized to honor and celebrate young entrepreneurs’ achievements. The specific objectives of this event are: To bring together youths to share their perspectives and ideas in relation to their business models, to work toward solutions to common problems, and to enable the participants to showcase their products and services and share best practices.

Phelps Stokes and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), in collaboration with the Government of Benin, Activos Culturales Afro (ACUA), Palmares Fundacao, and Give1Project organized the even and cordially invited Gambian social justice activists cum journalist to attend as a participant and a facilitator.