GYIN Gambia chapter participates in IFAD 7th regional forum

Banjul, 12 November, 2012-  Global Youth Innovation Network Gambia chapter took part in the 7th International Fund for Agricultural Development- IFAD regional forum in Banjul, The Gambia from 12th to 15th November, 2012.

The network is the legitimate national representation and chapter of the Global Youth Innovation Network International with headquarter in Washington, DC in United State of America.

The Banjul forum, is been Organised by IFAD in collaboration with the Gambian government. Held at the Kairaba Beach Hotel outskirts of Banjul.

Pro- Hope International on 16 days activism

In addressing the issues of sexual gender based violence, Pro-Hope International Gambia (PHIN Gambia) is celebrating 16 days of activism in the country by organizing a series of radio talk shows and sensitization for local communities.

This year’s Campaign theme, From Peace in the Home to Peace in the World: Let’s Challenge Militarism and End Violence Against Women! highlights the role that militarism plays in perpetuating violence against women and girls.

The African Centre for Democracy and Human Rights Studies (ACDHRS) funded PHIN Gambia's campaign, the campaign is taking place in Youna and its satellite villages- Mariam Kunda, Jamwelly, Sare Pateh, Labakoreh and  Latriya.

GYIN Gambia Chpater training for journalists, bloggers, others

GYIN Gambia with IFAD Communication Division

Banjul, 12 November, 2012-  Global Youth Innovation Network Gambia chapter took part in the 7th International Fund for Agricultural Development- IFAD regional forum in Banjul, The Gambia from 12th to 15th November, 2012.

The network is the legitimate national representation and chapter of the Global Youth Innovation Network International with headquarter in Washington, DC in United State of America.

 The Banjul forum, is been Organised by IFAD in collaboration with the Gambian government. Held at the Kairaba Beach Hotel outskirts of Banjul.

Tefa Global Solutions set to organize Lumo fair

Courtesy of Lumo

 Tefa Global Solutions  a charitable based organisation registered in Banjul, The Gambia year 2012, provides services and solutions to businesses, and the National Coordination of Farmers Associations The Gambia (Nacofag), in partnership with FAO banjul office, Ministry of Agriculture and the National Agricultural Research Institute are organising a "Lumo" Mandinka  word in English meaning weekly market held at different central points and time in rural villages of the Gambia.

The agribusiness fair,  Lumo in The City, according to organisers is geared to promote and reinforce the linkages among producers, suppliers, their market and the tourism industry  in The Gambia and will be held at the Famous Dream Park in Kololi between 11th to 17th November, 2012.

Negotiation on Nema project, "successful"

Gambian Negotiators, Rome

The deputy permanent secretary Ministry of Finance and Economic Affairs, Mod K. Ceesay recently led a nine man delegation to Rome, Italy to negotiate for the National Agricultural Land and Water Management Development (Nema) on behalf of the government and people of The Gambia.

The negotiation, according to the team leader, went "quite well" noting that the background work was done during and after the design phase which lasted over eight months. These consultations were participatory and highly productive.

Gambian journalists holds press briefing with IFAD communication consultant

Madam Mpouma Logmo Geraldine

Ahead of the 7th IFAD regional forum to be held in  Banjul, The Gambia, local journalists working in the Gambian capital city Banjul- print, electronic, online and bloggers held press briefing with International Fund for Agricultural Development ( IFAD) communication consultant Madam Mpouma Logmo Geraldine on the preparations for the upcoming 7th Regional Forum for IFAD funded projects to be held in Banjul, The Gambia from 12 to 15 November, 2012.

The media briefing was held at the Rural Finance Project conference hall on the 25th October, 2012. The theme dubbed " Result-Based Management for Sustaining Rural Poverty Reduction: Lessons Learned and Challenges".

Addressing journalists, Ms. Mpouma Logmo Geraldine, IFAD communication consultant told journalists that the upcoming forum will be held from the 12 to 15 October, 2012 in Banjul, The Gambia.

Every year, IFAD organize the event (regional forum) to bring together all project and Programme heads in a hall to discuss IFAD supported projects as well as to share knowledge, experiences, and develop an action plan, said Logmo Geraldine.

New tool to help join-up policies to cut poverty and conserve biodiversity

It will show how the two seemingly disparate worlds of poverty eradication and biodiversity conservation are linked, and its launch comes ahead of the UN’s International Day for the Eradication of Poverty on 17 October

This three-year project – led by the International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED) and the UN Environment Programme’s World Conservation Monitoring Centre (UNEP-WCMC) – is intended to ensure that policies to conserve nature and reduce poverty work in harmony.

IFAD ranks PIWAMP fouth in fiduciary rating

Beneficiaries and staff in action

Participatory Integrated Watershed Management Project (PIWAMP), a demand-driven project co-funded by the Government of The Gambia (GOTG), International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and the African Development Bank (ADB), has been ranked fourth in IFAD’s fiduciary rating 2012.

The design of PIWAMP was built on the successful experience of the concluded Lowland Agricultural Development Project (LADEP), its achievements, effects, impacts, as well as the strengths and shortcomings.

Voice reporter wins YJAG founder president’s award

L-R Jawneh, Saluyman and YJAG President Modou S. Joof

(The Point) - Sulayman Ceesay, a reporter with the Voice Newspaper, has won the 2012 YJAG Founder President’s Annual Award.

Ceesay, who also doubles as the treasurer of YJAG, was presented with his prize on Sunday 16 September 2012 at the Gambia Press Union secretariat in Fajara during activities marking the 5th anniversary of the association.

The award, 2nd of its kind, was initiated by the founder president of YJAG in 2011 to encourage members to actively participate in the development of the association.

Gambia News Online publisher attends media freedom and responsibility training in Ghana

Lamin Jahateh is also an editor at the MarketPlace Business newspaper

(GambiaNewsOnline) - Lamin Jahateh, editor and publisher of the blog, Gambia News Online, on Sunday left Banjul for Accra, Ghana, to attend a two-week intensive course on “Freedom and Responsibility in the Media”.

The course, which is for journalists from member countries of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), is organised by the International Institute for Journalism (IIJ), a Germany-based organization that seeks to enhance the professional performance of journalists across the world.

Conducted in cooperation with the Ghana International Press Centre in Accra, the course will take place from 17 to 28 September 2012.

According to the organisers, the course aims to examine the interdependence between quality and ethics in journalism.

GYIN Gambia on "Business-Oriented competition"

Ambassador Mamadou Edrisa Njie

Global Youth Innovation Network (GYIN) Gambia Chapter is making its presence in the country’s youths networks felt.

On 12  August, 2012, this  legitimate national representative and Chapter of the Washington DC-based Global Youth Innovation Network International, launched its “I am a GYINer” National Campaign, and also commemorated International Youth Day, or in short IYD.

Held at the Voice Newspaper Office in Serrekunda, the event witnessed the attendance of representatives of other youth organizations, Networks, and individual youth activists in the country.

The network,according to its officials, is a charitable organisation and non-political or religious in its efforts to provide opportunities to develop and improve the lives of many young Gambians.

2012 Excellence in Leadership Award recipient: Mr.Pape Samb

Every year, The Nimba Foundation & Miss Guinee North America Scholarship Pageant identifies young African Leaders who have excelled in their respective communities and in their professional fields and Humanitarian works.

We are very pleased, excited and honored to introduce our 2012 Excellence in Leadership Award recipient. Mr.Pape Samb, President & Chief Executive Officer of Phelps Stokes. The whole Continent is so proud of you and The Nimba Foundation and Miss Guinee  North America are very honored to present you with this award on September 2nd, 2012!!!

Who is Pape Samb????????

High Level Policy Dialogue Seminar on Youth Employment in Africa

The African Development Bank is organizing a High Level Policy Dialogue Seminar on Youth Employment in Africa in Lusaka, Zambia, that will focus on the challenges and opportunities faced by the following countries in the Southern Africa region: Angola, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique and Zambia.

Women ‘Kafoo’ trains on Food Processing

The women of Brufut kafo called Nyafullen Kambeng kafo on 24 June, 2012 benefitted from a day-long training on food processing ofunded by the Joint Undertaken In Communities Education (JUICE), a local organization.

   The training brought together women of the group to learn the new skills to be able to acquire the required knowledge and skills to be able to engage in meaningful development, thus relied on the skill for living.

Faye Suso, Development and Networking Coordinator, JUCIE project, commended the women group for their fruit full collaboration with JUICE project saying that since 2005, JUICE project has been partnering with the group, while addressing the opening ceremony.

  Mr. Suso said the JUICE project was established in 2004 by a group of development-oriented people who have extensive experiences and knowledge in development work. According to him, JUICE project was formed to support women cause by empowering them, with life and marketable skills to boost their income generation avenues and reduce poverty.

No Rest for Cyber Activists

Audience at the Social Media and Human Rights Conference in Florence, Italy. Credit: Susan Dabbous/IPS

By Susan Dabbous

FLORENCE, Jun 20 2012 (IPS) - One and a half years since the beginning of the Arab Spring, activists who guided their fellow citizens through the relatively unchartered terrain of social media activism feel their fight for human rights, democracy and transparency is only just beginning.

2012 Shaping Up as Worst Year Ever for Journalists

By Peter Richards

PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad, Jun 25 2012 (IPS) - It’s the type of honour roll that journalists would prefer not to be on.

But as an emotional Allison Bethel-McKenzie read out the names of the 72 journalists who have made that grim list so far this year, even Trinidad and Tobago’s president, George Maxwell Richards, was moved to plead for “some form of internationally recognised immunity” to lessen the risks to journalists while doing their jobs.

“From Somalia to Syria, the Philippines to Mexico and Iraq to Pakistan, reporters are being brutally targeted for death in unparalleled numbers,” Bethel-McKenzie, executive director of the International Press Institute (IPI), told the Austria-based organisation’s 61st World Congress here.

President Richards, in his address to the opening ceremony Sunday, acknowledged that while the media plays a critical public role, “the risks for media personnel are ever increasing, as they are for diplomats, in a changing world environment which does not guarantee safety.

Ethiopia: Conviction of journalist on terror charges is a miscarriage of justice

Addis Ababa 27.6.12: ARTICLE 19 is saddened by the conviction of 24 Ethiopians, including Eskinder Nega, a prominent journalist and blogger, who had been charged with conspiring with rebels to overthrow the government.

Nega along with 23 others including opposition politician Andulalem Arage were charged last year, most of them in absentia, under the anti-terrorism law with six counts including conspiracy to dismantle the constitutional order, recruitment and training for terror acts and aiding Ethiopia’s arch foe, Eritrea as well as belonging to a terrorism group, ‘Ginbo 7’ that aimed at disrupting security.

GIABA organizes sensitization seminar on AML/CFT for Journalists

The Inter-Governmental Action Group against Money Laundering in West Africa (GIABA) will hold a sensitization seminar on Anti-Money Laundering (AML) and Counter-Financing of Terrorism (CFT) for journalists from English-speaking countries of West Africa between Thursday 28 June and Friday 29 June, 2012 in Banjul, The Gambia.

The objectives of the seminar are to (i) expose journalists to the knowledge of AML/CFT framework; (ii) to assist participants to produce reports and articles/features of quality on AML/CFT issues; and (iii) improve the network of journalists who will assist GIABA in disseminating information on the AML/CFT systems in West Africa.

Specifically, the seminar is to build strong alliance with the media for effective dissemination of AML/CFT messages and to improve the network among journalists in promoting the implementation of effective AML/CFT regimes in the region.

Sustainable development needs innovative financing and private sector support, experts say

RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil, June 19, 2012/ -- Innovative sources of finance and resources from the private sector are key to achieving sustainable development in Africa, African leaders and world experts said yesterday at the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development, or Rio+20, in Rio de Janeiro.

Logo: http://www.photos.apo-opa.com/plog-content/images/apo/logos/african-development-bank.jpg

Speaking at high level panel on “Financing Sustainable Development in Africa”, African states and their partners discussed resource mobilization for sustainable development – both domestically and internationally.

The panel, representing a number of partners such as the African Development Bank (AfDB) (http://www.afdb.org), the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), the UN Economic Commission for Africa, the Ivoirian ministry of Economy and Finance and the Pan African Chamber of Commerce and Industry also addressed the divide between the managers of money (international finance institutions – development banks, donors etc.) and facilitators of development (e.g. NGOs, CSOs).

Gambia's Fatou Bensouda sworn in as ICC prosecutor

 

Fatou Bensouda has spent the past eight years serving as Luis Moreno-Ocampo's deputy

Fatou Bensouda, a former Gambian justice minister, has been sworn in as the International Criminal Court's new chief prosecutor in The Hague.

She becomes the first African to hold the post.

Today’s World Environment Day – Can tourism in wetlands be sustainable?

PRESS RELEASE


Dear All,

On the occasion of World Environment Day (WED), the Ramsar Secretariat takes this opportunity to address sustainable tourism activities in wetlands and how this relates to this year’s WED theme on “Green Economy”. The UN Environment Programme defines the Green Economy as “one that results in improved human well-being and social equity, while significantly reducing environmental risks and ecological scarcities”. With their natural beauty and biodiversity wetlands make ideal locations for tourism and the income generated for national and local economies in and around wetlands can be substantial. There is consequently a clear relevance of sustainable wetland tourism in poverty eradication strategies and policies and as a potential contributor to a Green Economy.

DECLARATION OF FARMERS ORGANIZATIONS AT THE NATIONAL FARMERS CONFERENCE AT JANJANBUREH, CENTRAL RIVER REGION

DECLARATION OF FARMERS ORGANIZATIONS

AT THE

NATIONAL FARMERS CONFERENCE

JANJANBUREH, CENTRAL RIVER REGION

30 MAY 2012

PREAMBLE

WE THE FARMERS ORGANIZATIONS of the Republic of the Gambia, meeting here in Janjabureh, in the Central Region of the country in a National Farmers Conference from 29 – 30 May 2012, and with the full mandate of all the registered Organizations in the country, including the present Apex bodies of these organizations:

RECOGNIZING the high importance of farmers organizations in the economy of the country in general, and the Agriculture and Natural Resources (ANR)  sector in particular, essentially as potential tools with which to facilitate the organization of farmers into entities, forge partnerships with sources of support, provide platforms for dialogues with Government and Development Partners, through which they could effectively obtain advantages from advocacy, negotiations, mobilization of resources, communication, securing cost effective goods and services that will enhance their enterprises and achieve the best of options for themselves and their connections;

JANJANBUREH DECLARATION BY FARMERS OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE GAMBIA

JANJANBUREH DECLARATION

BY  

FARMERS OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE GAMBIA

AT THE

NATIONAL FARMERS CONFERENCE

JANJANBUREH 29-30 MAY 2012

PREAMBLE

We the Farmers of the Republic of the Gambia, meeting here in Janjanbureh, in the Central River Region of the country from 29 – 30 May 2012, and with the full mandate of all the farmers of each of the Regions of the Gambia, namely: West Coast Region, North Bank Region, Central River Region both North and South, Lower River Region, Upper River Region;

HAVING regard to the great and bold initiative taken by the Honourable Minister of Agriculture, under the most distinguished leadership of His Excellency the President of The Republic Cheikh, Prof, Dr. Alhaji Yahya A J J Jammeh, specifically to set in train a process of establishing the highest national platform for dialogue between farmers and the Government, farmers and Development Partners, farmers and their institutions;  

In memoriam Femi Adi Soempeno

IIJ Alumnae Femi Adi Soempeno of Indonesia passed away on May 9 aboard a Russian-made passenger jet that crashed into a mountain in West Java.

Femi Adi Soempeno

Femi perished along with 44 other passengers of the ill-fated Sukhoi Superjet 100. The twin-engine plane vanished from radar screens during a sales promotion trip and was afterwards confirmed to have slammed into Mount Salak.

Lessons from the Smiling Coast of West Africa

By Wole Olaoye

My grandmother, Hannah Dovonou of blessed memory, had a standard exclamation for any remarkable disclosure or happening. Instead of saying something like Waoh or My Goodness, she would simply exclaim “H-a-l-l-o!”

I am having my own “H-a-l-lo” moment right now in The Gambia, where a chapter of the Great Ife Alumni Association was launched last Saturday. This is my very first visit to this country. My earlier acquaintance with the Gambia was through a friend and classmate at the Post Graduate College of the University of Lagos in the 80’s, Alhaji Swaebou Conateh who is one of the foremost journalists in this country. More than a quarter of a century after those happy days in Akoka, it was indeed a great pleasure reuniting with my friend and sharing remembrances about those good old days when we still dared to dream dreams.

Training of Trainers workshop of Arabic Islamic (Madrassa) Teachers and Principals on the Use and Management of Statistical Data

High Table

PRESS RELEASE: Through ISESCO Funding, The Gambia National Commission for UNESCO jointly organised with the Madrassa Unit of the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education and in collaboration with the General Secretariat for Islamic Arabic Education (AMAANA) a Training of Trainers workshop of Arabic Islamic (Madrassa) Teachers and Principals on the Use and Management of Statistical Data

The workshop, which took place at the Regional Education Office in Region one from 23 to 26 May 2012 saw the participation of principals and senior teachers of several Madrassa schools in The Gambia, personal of the Planning Directorate of the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education and staff of the teacher training institution ( Gambia College).

AGRA to help implement new G8 Global Partnership Initiative on Food Security

PRESS RELEASE: The Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA) was given a key role in the G8’s next phase

NAIROBI, Kenya, 

The Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA) (http://www.agra-alliance.org) was given a key role in the G8’s next phase of a shared commitment to achieve global food security. The Scaling Seeds and Other Technologies Partnership, part of the new initiative focused on increasing agricultural food production in Africa, will be housed at AGRA and will focus on strengthening Africa’s seed sector. 

Logo: http://www.photos.apo-opa.com/plog-content/images/apo/logos/agra.jpg 

Reporters Exposing Somali Pirates and Domestic Violence in Afghanistan to Receive Prestigious Journalism Award

A Kenyan journalist investigating the Somali pirates and an Afghan broadcaster exposing violence against women will receive the 2012 Knight International Journalism Awards, the International Center for Journalists (ICFJ) announced. The award recognizes excellent reporting that makes a difference in the lives of people around the world.    Kassim Mohamed is an investigative reporter covering Kenya and Somalia, a nation plagued by lawlessness and piracy. He has chronicled the ensuing chaos in great detail—and at great personal risk—for the Nairobi-based Star FM radio station and The Star newspaper.

”G8 New Alliance on Food Security and Nutrition: “A new chapter in North-South partnership"

MEDIA ALERT

”G8 New Alliance on Food Security and Nutrition: “A new chapter in North-South partnership"

Virtual Press Briefing by IFAD President Kanayo F. Nwanze

Kanayo F. Nwanze, President of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), will brief media on what the G8’s New Alliance for Food Security and Nutrition could mean for countries in Africa

CAID Training For Youth Advocates

Children and Community Initiative for Development (CAID) organised a two-day training workshop  on   Advocating Youth and Children issues,  Held at the Girls Guide Training Centre in Kanifing from 18-19 May 2012.

The Executive Director of CAID, Mr. Ibrahim Ceesay, told his audience at the opening ceremony that the training and recruitment was designed for new-intakes to the Children Advocacy Newtwork (CAN), an advocacy based group under the auspices of  CAID.

The main aim of the training, as Ceesay highlighted, was to empower the participants with necessary skills and tools (leadership, advocacy, drama, child rights, public speaking, volunteer and activism), to be able to advocate strategically on all issues affecting children in The Gambia and promote mass information, education and communication that enable s children to express their needs and participate in making decisions affecting them at all levels.

GU Awarded UN status to accredit Participants for the Rio+20

I have the pleasure and joy to informed you that after prolong process, GU ( Global Unification, The Gambia), is awarded, one time status ( hopefully full time status soon) with ECOSOC and the United Nations Economic and Social Affair. Find the list of accredited organisation here: http://csonet.org/content/documents/AccreditationsAnnexI.htm

Aisha Keita and Jama Jack from The Gambia and Morocco Selected Among Africa’s Most Outstanding Emerging Women Leaders

Aisha Keita

Moremi Initiative for Women’s Leadership in Africa proudly announces the 2012 MILEAD (Moremi Initiative Leadership and Empowerment Development) Fellows. The 25 selected MILEAD Fellows are some of Africa’s most extraordinary young women leaders with the courage and commitment to lead and shape their communities and Africa’s future as a whole. The Fellows were chosen through a highly competitive selection process and criteria for their outstanding leadership promise, community service accomplishments, and commitment to the advancement of women in Africa.

Ms. Aisha is a young Gambian at the University of the Gambia in Political Science. Aisha’s experience as a girl child growing up in The Gambia and the many obstacles she had to overcome made her build  passion to become a  journalist to fight for the right of the younger generation more especially women, with the vision to create sustainable and conducive environment for young people in The Gambia and Africa as a continent.  Currently Head of News and current Affairs Unique FM Radio. She is also working with different organization both national and international level and occupying various positions, she is nominated as Communication and Networking office of Lend A Hand society as well Thing Young Women and Global Unification Gambia, all these are entrusted to her due to her level of understanding and passion she has for young people and women in The Gambia and Africa.

Africa Needs Ethical Leadership

By Mamadou Edrisa Njie

Just back from Dakar

Marie Angelique SAVANE, Sociologist and International Consultant, has said that Africa needs ethical leaders who are accountable to their citizens for sustainable development to be effective. She was speaking in an interview with our editorial assistant in Mbour – Senegal at the first national session of the LEAD Africa Fellowship training programme organized by the LEAD Francophone Africa Regional Programme Office.

Two Gambian Girls Follow in Fathers' Foot steps, Bag Science Degrees the Same Day from the Same University

Ngoneh and Musu  

Two Gambian girls were among  4,800 graduates of the 2012  academic year at the University of Kansas in Lawrence, Kansas, USA. 

The two,  Musukebba Conateh (alias Musu) and her younger sister Fatou Conateh (Ngoneh) are the daughters of  veteran journalist Swaebou Conateh of the News and Report Weekly Magazine, and Mrs Sukai Conateh, both of Dippakunda in Kanifing Municipality.

Each of the girls was awarded the bachelor of science degree at the same  graduation ceremony held in the University’s stadium, which was filled to capacity for the ocassion.

Ngoneh qualified as a Civil engineer at the School of Engineering and Environmental  Studies while Musu specialised as a respiratory therapist nurse from the medical school at  the KU Medical Centre (KUMC) in  Kansas City, Kansas.

Rural Bank Raises More Than A Million Dalasi

High Table

Over a hundred and fifty customers of Madina Sancha Village Saving and Credit Association (VISACA) converged at Madina Sancha for the Annual General Meeting 2012
In officially declaring the meeting opens the project Coordinator Rural Finance project,  Mr. Lamin Fatajo commended the community of Madina Sancha for their hard work, dedication, and commitment. According to Mr. Fatajo rural finance entails provision of financial services to low income earners (i.e. the active poor and the poorest of the poor). Micro finance is one of the common words in the twenty first century and it is now commonly referred to as “the provision of financial and non financial services to low-income clients.”

LEAD Francophone Africa Awards GYIN-Gambia National Coordinator A Fellowship

SOCIAL JUSTICE ACTIVISTS CUM JOURNALIST

Leadership for Environment and Development (LEAD) Africa Francophone has awarded Global Youth Innovation Network- Gambia (GYIN-Gambia) National Coordinator, Ambassador Mamadou Edrisa Njie,  its LEAD Africa fellowship programme COHORT 17, The Gambia.The fellowship will runs from 5-12 May, 2012. The official launching will be held at the Parc Zoologigue de Hannat in Dakar, Senegal. Other sessions will be held in Mbour.

LEAD Africa and the LEAD Africa Fellowship Program are part of the global LEAD network whose common mission is to inspire leadership and charge for a sustainable world.

African Union and UNESCO to Commemorate World Press Freedom Day on May 3RD at the AU Headquarters

ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia,  World Press Freedom Day (WPFD) will be celebrated tomorrow, Thursday 3rd May 2012 under the theme: “New Voices: Media Freedom Helping to Transform Societies”. The event at the AU Headquarters is organised by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in collaboration with the African Union Commission, some Associations of Journalists based in Ethiopia and the Ministry of Information of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia amongst other partner organizations.

MESSAGE FROM DR. JEAN PING CHAIRPERSON OF THE AFRICAN UNION COMMISSION  ON THE OCCASION OF WORLD PRESS FREEDOM DAY

MAY 3rd 2012

Jean Ping, AUC Chairperson

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia - The African Union is celebrating this year, 2012, as the year of Shared Values. These values are accepted and shared by all member States of our Union. Among them, there is one which is a fundamental human right entrenched in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights: Freedom of Speech.

This value is of critical importance because it feeds democracy and consolidates good governance, which our world needs. 

Dr. Abdullahi Shehu

The Intergovernmental Action Group against Money Laundering in West Africa (GIABA) has further strengthened its partnership with the media geared towards cleaning West Africa of the twin crimes of money laundering and terrorist financing.

The sub-regional institution has recently brought together media practitioners from various media houses within and outside the West African region at a seminar dubbed World Press Conference held from 27-28 April in Dakar, Senegal to re-orientate them about their complementary roles in creating a sub-region devoid of these transnational crimes which can potentially undermine the economic growth of sub-region if not properly check on time.

Dr. Abdullahi Shehu, director general of GIABA said the objectives of the World Press Conference includes to acquaint the media professionals about regional initiatives on Anti-Money Laundering and Counter Financing Terrorism (AML/CFT) framework, especially the mandate of GIABA in its sustained efforts to combat the twin crimes in the West African sub-region.

Gambia: GOODBYE MY DEAR FANS: MY LAST ONLINE CONTRIBUTON ON GAMBIAN ISSUES!

By Prince Bubacarr Aminata Sankanu No, I have not taken an oath of secrecy requiring total break-up of direct unvetted communication with all and sundry! As the African saying goes, if you can influence or inspire at least one thousand people, you do not belong to yourself but to those thousand people. My cozy place in the hearts of my fans is more important to me than the Oscars, the Pulitzer Prize and other accolades.

Peru is latest developing nation to adopt climate change initiative

(Reuters) - Peru became the latest developing country to enact a domestic climate change initiative in the absence of a binding global pact, adopting a resolution on Thursday to lower carbon emissions in its fast-growing economy.

Commonwealth SG On His Visit To The Gambia

 Commonwealth Secretary General Mr. Kamalesh Sharma

At the end of his visit to The Gambia- the first by the Commonwealth Secretary General in eight Years- Mr. Kamalesh Sharma addressed the local press informing them of the issues discussed.

Speaking to journalists at the Kairaba Beach Hotel on Tuesday,24 April, 2012, Secretary General Sharma described his visit to The Gambia as an important one, reasoning that the “the Commonwealth has entered a new chapter in its history to reform and renewal, and The Gambia is a highly valued member with much to contribute and much to benefit in this new era”.

'Take A Loan And Say No To Withdrawal'

‘Take a loan and say no to withdrawal’ was the theme for this year’s Catholic Education Secretariat Credit Union ‘s (CESCU’s) 10th Annual General Meeting (AGM)  held on Monday, 14 April 2012 at the Saint Peters Lower Basic School Hall in Lamin.

The AGM enabled the board to share with members and other Stockholders a record of activities and salient information on  membership, financial  activities, savings, loans, constraints, and pronounced a way forward with great hope and determination.  

In her report, the Chairperson, Board of Directors, Mrs. Zono Jammeh, who is also the Principal of Saint Therese’s Upper Basic School, said savings is the  sure base upon which credit unions thrive; and the assurance of the survival of any credit union is pinned on healthy savings of its membership. 

Because the primary objective of establishing a credit union is to mobilise savings from members, she remarked.  Membership savings, according to her, as at 2010 stood at D8.4m compared to D10.7m in  December 2011 representing an increment of 27%. 

The idea of withdrawal, Madam Jammeh told her audience,  is becoming a major deficiency for the proper management of the union.  

Avoiding Risk For Poor Rural Households

Avoiding and managing risk is a prerequisite for poor rural households to move out of poverty, and it is thus to their livelihood strategies, ‘IFAD 2011 Rural Poverty Report’ revealed.

The report dubbed’ New realities, new challenges: new opportunities for tomorrow’s generation’ is  an in-depth study of rural poverty.

The findings in the report come from a collaboration among dozens of experts in the field of poverty reduction-both inside and outside IFAD. They also come from the poor rural people themselves.

At the household level, decisions about how to allocate and use cash, land and labour are a function not only of available opportunities.

'Election A Challenge, Kudos Only For Senegal' Hannah Forster

ACDHRS, Madam Hannah Forster 

The Executive Director of the African Centre for Democracy and Human Rights Studies (ACDHRS), Madam Hannah Forster has said in her opening statement at the Non-Governmental Forum (NGO Forum) that only the Republic of Senegal must be congratulated for successfully concluded elections.

The ACDHRS boss was speaking at 25th NGO Forum, held at the Kariaba Beach Hotel from 14 to 16 April, 2012, preceding the 51st Ordinary Session of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR) in The Gambia.

Forster told the gathering of rights activists from different countries, and members of the diplomatic and consular corps in the Gambia, among others, that  after the minor attempt to upset the cart of constitutionalism by the former President Abdoulie Wade, the voice of the Senegalese people have been heard loud and clear reinforcing the constitutional framework towards the respect for democracy, for peace and human rights.

Gambia Hosts Course On Specialises Report Writing Skills And Presentation Techniques

Hon. Amadou  Colley, CBG 

A nine-day training workshop on specialized report writing skills and presentation techniques,  organized by  West African Institute for Financial and Economic Management (WAIFEM), kicked off Monday, 16  April, 2012. 

In his  opening remarks, Hon. Amadou  Colley, the  Governor of  the Central Bank of The  Gambia, said the importance of effective communication in today’s economic and business milieu, and the unprecedented changes and transformation in communication, as as well as the need to keep abreast with global developments, had  compelled WAIFEM to add this course to its menu of pogrammes  since 2002.

They are aware that the response by the user institutions to WAIFEM’s call for nomination for the course has been overwhelming evidenced by its persistent over-subscription over the years. He added that effective communication does not only enable individuals, corporate bodies and the community to express their identity but, it is also the indispensable means for any meaningful collaboration. Most business decisions  involve the corporation and interaction of several individuals or bodies to realize common goals.