MEETING OF THE AFRICAN
UNION ORGANS ON THE AFRICAN
HUMAN RIGHTS STRATEGY FOR AFRICA
11-13 MARCH 2010
BANJUL, THE GAMBIA
NEWS BANJUL, THE GAMBIA(MB)- The African Union organs from the 11-15 March held meeting in Banjul, The Gambia on the formulation of Human Rights Strategy for Africa at the Senegambia Beach Hotel.
Below is the final communique it reads: The African Union Commission (AUC) organized a consultation with the AU Organs/Institutions and RECs on developing a Human Rights Strategy for Africa from 11-13 March 2010 in Banjul, The Gambia with the participation and support of its strategic partners: the Office of High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) and the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA). The meeting reviewed the mapping document on the African Human Rights System and the roadmap towards establishing a Human Rights Strategy for Africa.
The African Union Commission (AUC) in partnership with the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) and the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) are in the process of developing of a Human Rights Strategy for Africa. Developing a Human Rights Strategy is in line with the AU’s decision to establish an African Governance Architecture. Furthermore, the UN General Assembly Resolution A/61/296 of September 2007 Paragraph 16, called upon the UN System and the AU to develop a strategy for the effective promotion and protection of human rights in Africa.
The meeting reviewed the draft mapping document and draft roadmap for facilitating the African Human Rights Strategy. The meeting noted as follows:
(a) Commends the Department of Political Affairs of the AUC and its strategic partners for their efforts so far in the process of facilitating the African Human Rights Strategy and endorsed the process and the partnership towards its realization;
(b) Affirms the ownership and leadership of the AUC in the process of drawing up the African Human Rights Strategy;
(c) Affirms the need for the participation of the AU Organs, RECs and national institutions on human rights to be actively involved in the formulation of the African Human Rights Strategy;
(d) Reviewed the draft Mapping Document on the Human Rights Strategy and the draft roadmap, and made significant inputs into them;
(e) Discussed the linkage between the evolving African Governance Architecture and the African Human Rights Strategy.
The Meeting resolved as follows:
(a) The process towards the formulation of the African Human Rights Strategy should be intensified and accomplished within the set time frame;
(b) The Human Rights Strategy constitute part of the Shared Values of the African Continent, which should input into the AU Summit in January 2011;
(c) The mapping document should be circulated amongst AU organs/institutions, RECs and other relevant stakeholders for detailed formal input into the Mapping Document;
(d) The Mapping Document should be revised and finalized as well as the Roadmap by the AUC and its strategic partners;
(e) The Political Affairs Department will regularly consult with relevant AU Organs/institutions and RECs in the process of drafting the Human Rights Strategy for Africa;
(f) The process of drafting the African Human Rights Strategy should begin as soon as possible as indicated in the roadmap;
(g) A meeting of major stakeholders should be organized to present the revised Mapping Document and Roadmap and progress report on the drafting of the human Rights Strategy to them on the margins of the next African Commission on Human and Peoples Rights (ACHPR) Session in May 2010.
(h) It was recommended that the outcomes of the meeting will form the basis for regular consultations between the AUC and the other AU Organs with human rights mandates, RECS and partners on the preparation of the theme (Shared Values) of the January 2011 Summit.
The Meeting thanked the Government and Peoples of the Republic of The Gambia for their warm hospitality in hosting the meeting in Banjul and also the African Commission on Human and Peoples (ACHPR) for their support to the meeting. The meeting also commended the participation of the different AU organs/institutions, RECs and partners present and urged them to actively support the process of formulating the African Human Rights Strategy.
13 March 2010
Banjul, The Gambia
Thursday, March 18, 2010
Saturday, March 13, 2010
Lawyer Gomez impressed with YJAG Pledges D10,000
NEWS BANJUL, THE GAMBIA(MB)-Edward Anthoney Gomez, a legal practitioner has said that he is very much impressed with the Young Journalists Association of The Gambia (YJAG) particularly the activities they have undertaken towards national development.
Lawyer Gomez made the remark Saturday while delivering the closing statement at a training on The Gambia's media laws, organised by YJAG at the Yahya AJJ Jammeh Joint Officers Mess in Kotu. He also pledged to give the sum of D10,000 to the Association.
He advised YJAG members to be good citizens, hardworking, law abiding and always portray the good image of the country. While acknowledging that the journalists have the right to publish information, he urged them to follow the legal authority- the Constitution, since everybody is entitled to his/her fundamental human rights and freedom. He added that Section 25 of the Constitution guarantees freedom of speech and expression. Presenting a paper on the media laws of the country, Dr Henry DR Carrol, a legal luminery told participants that the media serves as a watch dog to inform, entertain and educate and as such journalists have right to write information.
He noted that everybody in The Gambia, regardless of colour, language, religion, race, status, business and political affiliation is entitled to his/her fundamental human rights. "Journalists should be reporting for public interest, for the good of the public; false publication law in the Criminal Code Cap 10 Volume III laws of The Gambia states that any person who publishes and re-produces rumour which is likely to cause fear or alarm should face the law. Do not publish false information," Dr Carrol urged the young journalists, adding that they should know the laws of the land since ignorance is not an excuse in the eyes of the law.
For his part, Sam Sarr, managing editor of Foroyaa newspaper who spoke on the law of sedition, expatiated on the history of the law and advised the young journalists to take their work seriously and be law abiding citizens.
Lawyer Gomez made the remark Saturday while delivering the closing statement at a training on The Gambia's media laws, organised by YJAG at the Yahya AJJ Jammeh Joint Officers Mess in Kotu. He also pledged to give the sum of D10,000 to the Association.
He advised YJAG members to be good citizens, hardworking, law abiding and always portray the good image of the country. While acknowledging that the journalists have the right to publish information, he urged them to follow the legal authority- the Constitution, since everybody is entitled to his/her fundamental human rights and freedom. He added that Section 25 of the Constitution guarantees freedom of speech and expression. Presenting a paper on the media laws of the country, Dr Henry DR Carrol, a legal luminery told participants that the media serves as a watch dog to inform, entertain and educate and as such journalists have right to write information.
He noted that everybody in The Gambia, regardless of colour, language, religion, race, status, business and political affiliation is entitled to his/her fundamental human rights. "Journalists should be reporting for public interest, for the good of the public; false publication law in the Criminal Code Cap 10 Volume III laws of The Gambia states that any person who publishes and re-produces rumour which is likely to cause fear or alarm should face the law. Do not publish false information," Dr Carrol urged the young journalists, adding that they should know the laws of the land since ignorance is not an excuse in the eyes of the law.
For his part, Sam Sarr, managing editor of Foroyaa newspaper who spoke on the law of sedition, expatiated on the history of the law and advised the young journalists to take their work seriously and be law abiding citizens.
Women empowerment key priority for government
NEWS BANJUL, THE GAMBIA(MB)-"The government of The Gambia will continue to place high priority on women's economic empowerment iatn nional development strategies so as to reduce women's burden and vulnerability and ensure equal access to productive resources, institutional support services and capacity building. "Apart from government interventions, His Excellency the president of the Republic of The Gambia Sheikh Professor Alhaji Dr Yahya Jammeh has taken keen interest and a bold step in ensuring the attainment of gender equality and women's empowerment.
As a result, he has been supporting girl's education, improved access to health services by way of offering scholarships to girls, provision of equipment, expansion of infrastructure and making maternal services free.
His Excellency's love for children, especially girls, is so great that all the proceeds of his farms, are re-invested in the productive and social sectors of health, education, water and sanitation among other areas. "These where the remarks of the vice president and minister of Women Affairs Aja Dr Isatou Njie-Saidy in her goodwill message on the occasion of the International Women's Day, March 8th, 2010. The theme for this year's celebration is "Equal rights, equal opportunities: progress for all".
The full text of the speech reads:
Fellow Gambians, fellow women and girls. I take this opportunity to thank God the Almighty for the peace and good health, accorded to all of us, while praying for those who are unable to celebrate with us this year.
As a tradition, every year, on this day, I share my thoughts and reflections with you on both the global and local themes.
This year, the global theme is, "equal rights, equal opportunities: progress for all". However, in cognisance of the situation of Gambian women, the local theme for this celebration is, "economic empowerment: equal access and opportunities to productive resources and institutional support services". The objective of the celebration is to together take stock of the achievements, discuss the challenges and map a forward looking strategy. However, due to other official engagements, the official celebrations, in The Gambia, will take place in May 2010. The activities will include a solidarity march, a gala dinner and launching of the National Women's Federation.
Fellow Gambians, fellow women, and girls
The commemoration of the International Women's Day has grown from strength to strength and provides a forum for women and their development partners, all over the world to come together to further promote and advocate for the advancement of women so as to ensure their equal participation in the socio-cultural and development processes.
In this regard, let us share some of the achievements and challenges that we are faced with in The Gambia.
In general, key achievements have been registered towards women's advancement. The government of The Gambia has recognised the fact that there cannot be any meaningful development without the full and active participation of all its citizenry and this is amply demonstrated in the national policies and legislation as well as actions taken by governments such as in the ratification of key international and regional women's rights conventions and treaties, notable among them, the UN Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination Against Women, the AU Protocol to the Africa Charter on Human and Peoples Rights on the Rights of Women in Africa.
Fellow Gambians, fellow women and girls
Apart from Government interventions, His Excellency the president of the Republic of The Gambia has taken keen interest and a bold step in ensuring the attainment of gender equality and women's empowerment. As a result, he has been supporting girl's education, improved access to health services by way of offering scholarships to girls, provision of equipment, expansion of infrastructure and making maternal services free.
His Excellency's love for children, especially girls is so great that all the proceeds of his farms, are re-invested in the productive and social sectors of health, education, water and sanitation among other areas.
Fellow Gambians, fellow women, and girls
The theme of the year and Gambia's celebration; economic empowerment: - equal access, to productive resources, is in line with the national development strategies eg PRSP II, the MDG's and the Vision 2020, mission statement " a well-educated, trained, skilled, healthy, self-reliant and enterprising population"…and "a decent standard of living for all" which we all know, cannot be attained without giving equal opportunity and ensuring equity for women to participate fully in national development.
This theme is relevant as you all know women constitute 51%, of the total population of 1.4 million Gambians and are active in both the formal and informal sectors of the economy with limited skills and knowledge as well as resources. Women continue to be the poorest of the poor and the majority of the less privileged due to social, cultural and economic reasons. Women have limited access to finance, land, property and information, while they continue to work hard to keep up their family needs, operating mainly in the informal sector.
Less women are employed in the formal sectors and the few that are serving in decision-making positions both at the local and national levels in some cases lack adequate capacity. Therefore, the government of The Gambia will continue to place high priority, on women's economic empowerment, in national development strategies, so as to reduce women's burden and vulnerability and ensure equal access to productive resources, institutional support services and capacity building.
The key strategies adopted for poverty reduction among women, are although not limited to the development of favourable macro and micro economic policies, industrialisation or value adding provision of micro credit, labour saving devices, expansion of market outlets, livelihood skills development and career development for women employees. However, a lot more needs to be done and all sectors including the private sector and development partners are called upon to compliment the GOTG's efforts.
Fellow Gambians, fellow women and girls
In the social sectors, The Gambia has proven to be effective and responsive towards ensuring relevant and quality education for all. Several interventions such as the earlier ones mentioned e.g the president's empowerment of girls education project (PEGEP), girl's education trust fund, sponsorship for needy boys, access programme for girls at tertiary institutions and re-entry programme for girls and boys to reduce school dropouts have all been put in place by government. Gender parity is achieved at lower basic levels.
The focus is to attain this at all levels as well as relevance, quality and affordability. Women's participation in the economic sectors is improving both in the formal and informal sectors. Women are running major businesses in the trade, export and import sectors, as well as in the services and tourism sectors. Women continue to constitute the majority in subsistence agriculture and in the mostly impoverished informal sector of the economy in various fields.
Fellow Gambians, fellow women and girls
In the public sector, health service is delivered at three levels primary, secondary and tertiary. According to the Health Policy, high priority is accorded to women's reproductive health concerns. Physical access to health services continues to improve with the upgrading and building of new facilities and staffing them with trained health personnel. The PRS progress report 2008 indicates that over 85% and 97% of the population are within 3km and 5Km of a basic health facility and primary health care post respectively. Safe motherhood, reduction of maternal and child mortality and morbidity, are ensured through the provision of free maternal health care, recruitment of competent and skilled birth attendants, and an efficient referral facility, for obstetric care, in case of emergency.
Fellow Gambians, fellow women and girls
In the area of promoting of women and girl's rights, a women's bill is drafted and is at an advance stage in its enactment process. The enactment of Trafficking in Persons Act 2007, the Children's Act 2005, and establishment of a Children's Court, are all clear manifestations of government's commitment to promoting women's rights. A national plan of action has been developed as a follow up to the study on the commercial and sexual exploitation of children in 2004 to address the issues raised, and increase sensitisation campaigns regarding early marriage, sexual exploitation and related issues.
Capacity buildings, sensitisation and awareness creation workshops are conducted for teachers, law enforcement agents, nurses, social workers, religious and community leaders as well, women and children. Gambian female soldiers, police and immigration personnel have participated in a number of peacekeeping missions both in and outside the Africa region.
This is an important requirement for UNSCR Resolution 1325. The number of women at top decision making levels has increased gradually since the Second Republic. Recently, there is an increased number of women seeking elected positions in both the National Assembly and at the local government level. For the very first time, 20 women contested at the local government elections, and 15 won their seats. In the area of Women and the environment, media and the girl child, significant efforts have been made by government and its development partners.
Fellow Gambians, fellow women and girls
In conclusion, I wish to take this opportunity to thank all those who in one way or the other, supported the hosting of the 8th African Regional Conference on Women Beijing +15, which provided the forum for African countries to determine the extent to which their governments and development partners have met their promises or commitments to implement the BPFA.
This review process took stock of the implementation of both national, regional and international conventions such as the 2003 Protocol to the African Charter on Human and People's Rights on the Rights of Women in Africa, ie; the AU African Women's Protocol; the 2009 Gender Policy of the African Union; the AU Solemn Declaration on Gender Equality in Africa (2004); and the Africa-wide campaign to end Violence Against Women (VAW). As I speak, we are participating in the global review in New York, and pray that God continues to guide us throughout the deliberations. While wishing all a happy International Women's Day celebrations in advance, I thank you all and May Allah the Almighty bless us all men and women, young and old alike.
Thank you.
As a result, he has been supporting girl's education, improved access to health services by way of offering scholarships to girls, provision of equipment, expansion of infrastructure and making maternal services free.
His Excellency's love for children, especially girls, is so great that all the proceeds of his farms, are re-invested in the productive and social sectors of health, education, water and sanitation among other areas. "These where the remarks of the vice president and minister of Women Affairs Aja Dr Isatou Njie-Saidy in her goodwill message on the occasion of the International Women's Day, March 8th, 2010. The theme for this year's celebration is "Equal rights, equal opportunities: progress for all".
The full text of the speech reads:
Fellow Gambians, fellow women and girls. I take this opportunity to thank God the Almighty for the peace and good health, accorded to all of us, while praying for those who are unable to celebrate with us this year.
As a tradition, every year, on this day, I share my thoughts and reflections with you on both the global and local themes.
This year, the global theme is, "equal rights, equal opportunities: progress for all". However, in cognisance of the situation of Gambian women, the local theme for this celebration is, "economic empowerment: equal access and opportunities to productive resources and institutional support services". The objective of the celebration is to together take stock of the achievements, discuss the challenges and map a forward looking strategy. However, due to other official engagements, the official celebrations, in The Gambia, will take place in May 2010. The activities will include a solidarity march, a gala dinner and launching of the National Women's Federation.
Fellow Gambians, fellow women, and girls
The commemoration of the International Women's Day has grown from strength to strength and provides a forum for women and their development partners, all over the world to come together to further promote and advocate for the advancement of women so as to ensure their equal participation in the socio-cultural and development processes.
In this regard, let us share some of the achievements and challenges that we are faced with in The Gambia.
In general, key achievements have been registered towards women's advancement. The government of The Gambia has recognised the fact that there cannot be any meaningful development without the full and active participation of all its citizenry and this is amply demonstrated in the national policies and legislation as well as actions taken by governments such as in the ratification of key international and regional women's rights conventions and treaties, notable among them, the UN Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination Against Women, the AU Protocol to the Africa Charter on Human and Peoples Rights on the Rights of Women in Africa.
Fellow Gambians, fellow women and girls
Apart from Government interventions, His Excellency the president of the Republic of The Gambia has taken keen interest and a bold step in ensuring the attainment of gender equality and women's empowerment. As a result, he has been supporting girl's education, improved access to health services by way of offering scholarships to girls, provision of equipment, expansion of infrastructure and making maternal services free.
His Excellency's love for children, especially girls is so great that all the proceeds of his farms, are re-invested in the productive and social sectors of health, education, water and sanitation among other areas.
Fellow Gambians, fellow women, and girls
The theme of the year and Gambia's celebration; economic empowerment: - equal access, to productive resources, is in line with the national development strategies eg PRSP II, the MDG's and the Vision 2020, mission statement " a well-educated, trained, skilled, healthy, self-reliant and enterprising population"…and "a decent standard of living for all" which we all know, cannot be attained without giving equal opportunity and ensuring equity for women to participate fully in national development.
This theme is relevant as you all know women constitute 51%, of the total population of 1.4 million Gambians and are active in both the formal and informal sectors of the economy with limited skills and knowledge as well as resources. Women continue to be the poorest of the poor and the majority of the less privileged due to social, cultural and economic reasons. Women have limited access to finance, land, property and information, while they continue to work hard to keep up their family needs, operating mainly in the informal sector.
Less women are employed in the formal sectors and the few that are serving in decision-making positions both at the local and national levels in some cases lack adequate capacity. Therefore, the government of The Gambia will continue to place high priority, on women's economic empowerment, in national development strategies, so as to reduce women's burden and vulnerability and ensure equal access to productive resources, institutional support services and capacity building.
The key strategies adopted for poverty reduction among women, are although not limited to the development of favourable macro and micro economic policies, industrialisation or value adding provision of micro credit, labour saving devices, expansion of market outlets, livelihood skills development and career development for women employees. However, a lot more needs to be done and all sectors including the private sector and development partners are called upon to compliment the GOTG's efforts.
Fellow Gambians, fellow women and girls
In the social sectors, The Gambia has proven to be effective and responsive towards ensuring relevant and quality education for all. Several interventions such as the earlier ones mentioned e.g the president's empowerment of girls education project (PEGEP), girl's education trust fund, sponsorship for needy boys, access programme for girls at tertiary institutions and re-entry programme for girls and boys to reduce school dropouts have all been put in place by government. Gender parity is achieved at lower basic levels.
The focus is to attain this at all levels as well as relevance, quality and affordability. Women's participation in the economic sectors is improving both in the formal and informal sectors. Women are running major businesses in the trade, export and import sectors, as well as in the services and tourism sectors. Women continue to constitute the majority in subsistence agriculture and in the mostly impoverished informal sector of the economy in various fields.
Fellow Gambians, fellow women and girls
In the public sector, health service is delivered at three levels primary, secondary and tertiary. According to the Health Policy, high priority is accorded to women's reproductive health concerns. Physical access to health services continues to improve with the upgrading and building of new facilities and staffing them with trained health personnel. The PRS progress report 2008 indicates that over 85% and 97% of the population are within 3km and 5Km of a basic health facility and primary health care post respectively. Safe motherhood, reduction of maternal and child mortality and morbidity, are ensured through the provision of free maternal health care, recruitment of competent and skilled birth attendants, and an efficient referral facility, for obstetric care, in case of emergency.
Fellow Gambians, fellow women and girls
In the area of promoting of women and girl's rights, a women's bill is drafted and is at an advance stage in its enactment process. The enactment of Trafficking in Persons Act 2007, the Children's Act 2005, and establishment of a Children's Court, are all clear manifestations of government's commitment to promoting women's rights. A national plan of action has been developed as a follow up to the study on the commercial and sexual exploitation of children in 2004 to address the issues raised, and increase sensitisation campaigns regarding early marriage, sexual exploitation and related issues.
Capacity buildings, sensitisation and awareness creation workshops are conducted for teachers, law enforcement agents, nurses, social workers, religious and community leaders as well, women and children. Gambian female soldiers, police and immigration personnel have participated in a number of peacekeeping missions both in and outside the Africa region.
This is an important requirement for UNSCR Resolution 1325. The number of women at top decision making levels has increased gradually since the Second Republic. Recently, there is an increased number of women seeking elected positions in both the National Assembly and at the local government level. For the very first time, 20 women contested at the local government elections, and 15 won their seats. In the area of Women and the environment, media and the girl child, significant efforts have been made by government and its development partners.
Fellow Gambians, fellow women and girls
In conclusion, I wish to take this opportunity to thank all those who in one way or the other, supported the hosting of the 8th African Regional Conference on Women Beijing +15, which provided the forum for African countries to determine the extent to which their governments and development partners have met their promises or commitments to implement the BPFA.
This review process took stock of the implementation of both national, regional and international conventions such as the 2003 Protocol to the African Charter on Human and People's Rights on the Rights of Women in Africa, ie; the AU African Women's Protocol; the 2009 Gender Policy of the African Union; the AU Solemn Declaration on Gender Equality in Africa (2004); and the Africa-wide campaign to end Violence Against Women (VAW). As I speak, we are participating in the global review in New York, and pray that God continues to guide us throughout the deliberations. While wishing all a happy International Women's Day celebrations in advance, I thank you all and May Allah the Almighty bless us all men and women, young and old alike.
Thank you.
WAEC GOES ONLINE
NEWS BANJUL, THE GAMBIA(MB)-The Gambia national office of the West African Examination Council, WAEC, yesterday unveiled its new website at a ceremony held at the WAEC Office on Marina Parade, Banjul.
Speaking at the gathering, the acting head of the WAEC national office, Mr. Felix U. Okoroafor noted that the importance of ICTs in the educational service delivery cannot be overemphasized. According to him, the West Africa Examinations Council as a pioneer of excellence and currently the foremost examination delivery body in West Africa cannot but set its examination operations on a more efficient course.
He emphasized the need to improve on their service delivery system so that all member countries of the council embrace the ICT mode of operations and redefine the way they do almost everything, adding that the system stimulates rapid development and enhances community involvement in education.
He further cited that the launching of ICT by WAEC’s Banjul office will go further to prove that WAEC’s responsibilities extend beyond just preparing candidates for examinations but also guiding the students towards a successful outing.
Mr. Okoroafor revealed that it will also expose them to ICT basic skills and reduce all the stress involved in the registration of candidates for WAEC examination and the processing of results.
His words: “The council is very much aware of the mad chase for paper qualification which invariably leads to the adoption of fair and foul means for which WAEC has been unjustly blamed.”
He noted that the sub regional examination body will continue researching on the best method of assessing candidates in addition to being attentive and responsive to the problems and challenges facing the society. He added that it is worth noting that the West African Examination Council has already proven itself capable of adapting to changes in its research experiences on ICT, which will continue to benefit the Gambia and other member countries.
For her part, Mrs. Fatou Njie, chairperson of the The Gambia National Committee of the Council said the launching of the WAEC corporate website would make online registration and result checking easy. She said this highlights the WAEC website as more than a mere embracing of ICT.
She said: “Information equals knowledge and knowledge equals power, the realization and the launch of this new website embodies WAEC’s unwavering quest in ensuring that its multi-faceted range of stakeholders and beneficiaries from school candidates, private candidates and organizations can have easy access to much needed information from WAEC.”
Also speaking at the event, Mr. Baboucarr Boye, the permanent secretary, Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education, said the new WAEC website will help enhance service delivery for those standing as candidates in its examinations as well as all others involved in one way or the other with the Council. He added that this will especially be the case in areas like examination registration, administration of the exams, registering students/candidates in schools or locations where there is no internet access and the integration of registration data.
Mr. Boye said this occasion marks another milestone in the annals of history of WAEC in The Gambia in its quest for excellence in education. He said since August 2004, the Banjul office of WAEC signed an agreement with Fleet Technologies Ltd. for the provision of direct access online information services for a period of ten years and the programme entails the provision of a functional system with which pre-tertiary students can register for most of the examinations administered by the council.
Mr. Boye further emphasised that the launching of the website will ensure effective collection of examination registration data that conforms with the required format, increase the turn-around time for the processing of examination registration data, reduction in the overhead cost of handling examination registrations and more effective and efficient ways of processing examination registration.
The permanent secretary noted that since the establishment of the Council in 1952, it has successfully weathered so many challenging storms and it is keeping faith with its vision of being a world class examination body that adds value of the educational goal of its numerous stakeholders. He added that the council has been burdened with its paper based-operations and its attendant problems. According to him, to address these, efforts have been intensified for the council to explore and exploit the advantages of technology. He said this launching is the outcome of the different efforts made by WAEC in The Gambia to align itself with modern trends in examination and result checking.
“In addition to improving the council’s services to the candidates and other stakeholders, it will also serve as a catalyst for making WAEC in Banjul a reference point among the comity of examination bodies within and outside The Gambia.
He pointed out that it will also move the council away from its hitherto paper based operations to technology-based whose advantages far surpasses its disadvantages. He then enjoined all principals, Teachers, Examiners and other stakeholders in education to assist WAEC in her efforts to conduct hitch-free examination. This, they could do by adhering strictly to the operations of the new system.
Speaking at the gathering, the acting head of the WAEC national office, Mr. Felix U. Okoroafor noted that the importance of ICTs in the educational service delivery cannot be overemphasized. According to him, the West Africa Examinations Council as a pioneer of excellence and currently the foremost examination delivery body in West Africa cannot but set its examination operations on a more efficient course.
He emphasized the need to improve on their service delivery system so that all member countries of the council embrace the ICT mode of operations and redefine the way they do almost everything, adding that the system stimulates rapid development and enhances community involvement in education.
He further cited that the launching of ICT by WAEC’s Banjul office will go further to prove that WAEC’s responsibilities extend beyond just preparing candidates for examinations but also guiding the students towards a successful outing.
Mr. Okoroafor revealed that it will also expose them to ICT basic skills and reduce all the stress involved in the registration of candidates for WAEC examination and the processing of results.
His words: “The council is very much aware of the mad chase for paper qualification which invariably leads to the adoption of fair and foul means for which WAEC has been unjustly blamed.”
He noted that the sub regional examination body will continue researching on the best method of assessing candidates in addition to being attentive and responsive to the problems and challenges facing the society. He added that it is worth noting that the West African Examination Council has already proven itself capable of adapting to changes in its research experiences on ICT, which will continue to benefit the Gambia and other member countries.
For her part, Mrs. Fatou Njie, chairperson of the The Gambia National Committee of the Council said the launching of the WAEC corporate website would make online registration and result checking easy. She said this highlights the WAEC website as more than a mere embracing of ICT.
She said: “Information equals knowledge and knowledge equals power, the realization and the launch of this new website embodies WAEC’s unwavering quest in ensuring that its multi-faceted range of stakeholders and beneficiaries from school candidates, private candidates and organizations can have easy access to much needed information from WAEC.”
Also speaking at the event, Mr. Baboucarr Boye, the permanent secretary, Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education, said the new WAEC website will help enhance service delivery for those standing as candidates in its examinations as well as all others involved in one way or the other with the Council. He added that this will especially be the case in areas like examination registration, administration of the exams, registering students/candidates in schools or locations where there is no internet access and the integration of registration data.
Mr. Boye said this occasion marks another milestone in the annals of history of WAEC in The Gambia in its quest for excellence in education. He said since August 2004, the Banjul office of WAEC signed an agreement with Fleet Technologies Ltd. for the provision of direct access online information services for a period of ten years and the programme entails the provision of a functional system with which pre-tertiary students can register for most of the examinations administered by the council.
Mr. Boye further emphasised that the launching of the website will ensure effective collection of examination registration data that conforms with the required format, increase the turn-around time for the processing of examination registration data, reduction in the overhead cost of handling examination registrations and more effective and efficient ways of processing examination registration.
The permanent secretary noted that since the establishment of the Council in 1952, it has successfully weathered so many challenging storms and it is keeping faith with its vision of being a world class examination body that adds value of the educational goal of its numerous stakeholders. He added that the council has been burdened with its paper based-operations and its attendant problems. According to him, to address these, efforts have been intensified for the council to explore and exploit the advantages of technology. He said this launching is the outcome of the different efforts made by WAEC in The Gambia to align itself with modern trends in examination and result checking.
“In addition to improving the council’s services to the candidates and other stakeholders, it will also serve as a catalyst for making WAEC in Banjul a reference point among the comity of examination bodies within and outside The Gambia.
He pointed out that it will also move the council away from its hitherto paper based operations to technology-based whose advantages far surpasses its disadvantages. He then enjoined all principals, Teachers, Examiners and other stakeholders in education to assist WAEC in her efforts to conduct hitch-free examination. This, they could do by adhering strictly to the operations of the new system.
Gambia joins AfricaNn Countries in fight against polio
NEWS BANJUL, THE GAMBIA(MB)-The Gambia on Saturday joined 18 other West and Central African countries in the fight against polio with the simultaneous launch of immunization campaign against polio.
Speaking at the flagging off of the campaign at the Jammeh Foundation for Peace, Dr. Abu Bukarr Gaye, The Gambia’s minister of Health and Social Welfare highlighted the efforts of the government in ensuring that the country achieves its present polio-free status. He noted that the national immunization day is one of the key strategies of the polio eradication initiative (PEI) declared by the World Health Organisation in May 1988.
According to him, The Gambia has followed this international initiative by declaring its own expanded programme on immunization, aimed at reducing childhood morbidity and mortality resulting from vaccine-preventable disease. Since then, the country has conducted several national immunization campaigns, which have always recorded an achievement of over 95 percent of the target population (children between 0 and 5 years) vaccinated against polio.
However, the minister said that there is a risk of invasion of polio in the country as polio is still a feature of the neighbouring countries. He said it is against this background that the World Health Organization (WHO) recently recommended that countries in the West Africa sub-region conduct national polio campaigns targeting children less than 5 years. He added that this activity would be synchronized between 19 countries in the sub-region and beyond in order to guard against the importation of the polio virus from those countries within the sub-region where the virus still circulates.
A total of 85 million children are targeted in the campaign, with The Gambia providing 338, 148 of these.
Also speaking at the event, Dr. Thomas Sukwa, WHO representative in The Gambia said the West Africa sub region is the most fertile ground for polio, the reason that an international commitment is necessary in ensuring that it is ended. According to him, there has been some progress in the eradication of the wild polio virus, yet much more still need to be done.
He noted that the simultaneous campaign is necessary to end cross-border transportation of wild poliovirus by the end of June 2010, indicating that to achieve this goal NIDs must be of the highest quality while there should be high level of political commitment, effective coordination at the national and sub-national levels, proper micro-planning at the sub-national level including cross-border activities (such as identifying crossing points, and deployment of technical and logistical support accordingly), and independent monitoring of the process after each round among others.
He observed that despite the gains recorded in the global polio fight, 11 of the 19 polio infected countries are in the ECOWAS region, pointing out that the success of polio eradication greatly depends on delivering the polio vaccine to each and every child, including the most vulnerable and hardest to reach.
For her part, Oumu Tall, Rotary International representative in The Gambia said the country is on target and is launching the synchronized national immunization days along with the other 18 countries in West and Central Africa that will reach 85 million children.
According to her, this commitment proves the government’s unflinching resolve and readiness to give its full attention and support to the health sector.
She further urged the people to see the monthly environmental sanitation exercise (set-settal) and health inspection of foods as a blessing. “If NIDs have 100 percent coverage, routine immunization continues and the population is intensively sensitized on hygiene and sanitation, we will keep The Gambia polio-free,” she said.
She said any importation of the virus in a prior declared polio free country becomes a major setback in achieving the country’s eradication goal.
Speaking at the flagging off of the campaign at the Jammeh Foundation for Peace, Dr. Abu Bukarr Gaye, The Gambia’s minister of Health and Social Welfare highlighted the efforts of the government in ensuring that the country achieves its present polio-free status. He noted that the national immunization day is one of the key strategies of the polio eradication initiative (PEI) declared by the World Health Organisation in May 1988.
According to him, The Gambia has followed this international initiative by declaring its own expanded programme on immunization, aimed at reducing childhood morbidity and mortality resulting from vaccine-preventable disease. Since then, the country has conducted several national immunization campaigns, which have always recorded an achievement of over 95 percent of the target population (children between 0 and 5 years) vaccinated against polio.
However, the minister said that there is a risk of invasion of polio in the country as polio is still a feature of the neighbouring countries. He said it is against this background that the World Health Organization (WHO) recently recommended that countries in the West Africa sub-region conduct national polio campaigns targeting children less than 5 years. He added that this activity would be synchronized between 19 countries in the sub-region and beyond in order to guard against the importation of the polio virus from those countries within the sub-region where the virus still circulates.
A total of 85 million children are targeted in the campaign, with The Gambia providing 338, 148 of these.
Also speaking at the event, Dr. Thomas Sukwa, WHO representative in The Gambia said the West Africa sub region is the most fertile ground for polio, the reason that an international commitment is necessary in ensuring that it is ended. According to him, there has been some progress in the eradication of the wild polio virus, yet much more still need to be done.
He noted that the simultaneous campaign is necessary to end cross-border transportation of wild poliovirus by the end of June 2010, indicating that to achieve this goal NIDs must be of the highest quality while there should be high level of political commitment, effective coordination at the national and sub-national levels, proper micro-planning at the sub-national level including cross-border activities (such as identifying crossing points, and deployment of technical and logistical support accordingly), and independent monitoring of the process after each round among others.
He observed that despite the gains recorded in the global polio fight, 11 of the 19 polio infected countries are in the ECOWAS region, pointing out that the success of polio eradication greatly depends on delivering the polio vaccine to each and every child, including the most vulnerable and hardest to reach.
For her part, Oumu Tall, Rotary International representative in The Gambia said the country is on target and is launching the synchronized national immunization days along with the other 18 countries in West and Central Africa that will reach 85 million children.
According to her, this commitment proves the government’s unflinching resolve and readiness to give its full attention and support to the health sector.
She further urged the people to see the monthly environmental sanitation exercise (set-settal) and health inspection of foods as a blessing. “If NIDs have 100 percent coverage, routine immunization continues and the population is intensively sensitized on hygiene and sanitation, we will keep The Gambia polio-free,” she said.
She said any importation of the virus in a prior declared polio free country becomes a major setback in achieving the country’s eradication goal.
CSOs warn of harmful effects of EPAs
NEWS, BANJUL,THE GAMBIA(MB)-The National Youth Association for Food Security (NaYAFS) in collaboration with the National Alliance for Food Security have warned of the potential harmful effects of fully implementing the Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs) with countries of the European Union at a recently organized one-day forum to sensitize media personnel and other civil society organizations (CSO) on the effects of possible EPA agreements on livelihoods. The forum was held at the Baobab Holiday Resort in Bijilo.
Speaking at the occasion, Mr. Alhaji Kebbeh, executive director, National Youth Association for Food Security said when the partnership agreements were drawn up, there were a lot things that were seen as inconsistent with the development aspirations of third world countries, particularly in the ACP - the African, Caribbean and Pacific countries.
He said they therefore hope to organize a series of activities to enlighten the people on the dangers the EPAs pose, which is the week of ‘Action for The Gambia’, adding that among these activities, will be the consultative meetings with the civil society organizations and media practitioners.
“International trade agreements continue to affect millions of poor people’s lives and livelihoods. As negotiators of the Economic Partnership Agreements we as trade justice advocates continue to be skeptical about the resultant effect of a finalized trade pact based on a reciprocal basis between the EU and West Africa. This proposed agreement poses a threat to the giant economic strides that the country has made in recent years, which is principally based on the sound economic policies instituted by the current government but these run the risk of being incapacitated by the coming into force of the proposed trade agreements,” he said.
He said the EU continues to mount pressure on some of the non Least Developed Countries LDCs within the region (Ghana and Ivory Coast) who have both initiated the partial EPAs to move on to full EPAs, thus we have found it as a matter of urgency to involve all stakeholders (policy makers, law makers civil society, farmers, private sector and the media) in the dialogue on the state of the negotiations and what is at stake.
Mr. Kebbeh said there have been a lot of stalemated and unclear issues which are yet to be fully resolved as far as the ACP countries accepting the agreements are concerned. He said in order for the developing nations to come some sort of agreement on fully implementing the EPAs some tough bargaining lies ahead.
“In 2008, there were countries who signed partial EPAs, Ghana and Ivory Coast, because they are non LDCs. In West Africa, we have 16 countries plus Mauritania which is not part of the ECOWAS, most of these countries are still on the sidelines and are yet to sign off on the EPAs,” Kebbeh added.
Mr. Kebbeh noted that there is time now for people, CSOs, government and the media to speak with one voice so that governments take their time in coming to a decision about EPAs because a wrong decision will not only have damaging consequences for the trade of individual nations but also trade within the sub-region, which is why ECOWAS is expected to weigh in on the issue, which could make individual decisions made by nations null and void.
Right to food and the trade justice campaign are among key programs that the National Youth Association for Food Security embarks upon to support and empower the poor and socially excluded.
Speaking at the occasion, Mr. Alhaji Kebbeh, executive director, National Youth Association for Food Security said when the partnership agreements were drawn up, there were a lot things that were seen as inconsistent with the development aspirations of third world countries, particularly in the ACP - the African, Caribbean and Pacific countries.
He said they therefore hope to organize a series of activities to enlighten the people on the dangers the EPAs pose, which is the week of ‘Action for The Gambia’, adding that among these activities, will be the consultative meetings with the civil society organizations and media practitioners.
“International trade agreements continue to affect millions of poor people’s lives and livelihoods. As negotiators of the Economic Partnership Agreements we as trade justice advocates continue to be skeptical about the resultant effect of a finalized trade pact based on a reciprocal basis between the EU and West Africa. This proposed agreement poses a threat to the giant economic strides that the country has made in recent years, which is principally based on the sound economic policies instituted by the current government but these run the risk of being incapacitated by the coming into force of the proposed trade agreements,” he said.
He said the EU continues to mount pressure on some of the non Least Developed Countries LDCs within the region (Ghana and Ivory Coast) who have both initiated the partial EPAs to move on to full EPAs, thus we have found it as a matter of urgency to involve all stakeholders (policy makers, law makers civil society, farmers, private sector and the media) in the dialogue on the state of the negotiations and what is at stake.
Mr. Kebbeh said there have been a lot of stalemated and unclear issues which are yet to be fully resolved as far as the ACP countries accepting the agreements are concerned. He said in order for the developing nations to come some sort of agreement on fully implementing the EPAs some tough bargaining lies ahead.
“In 2008, there were countries who signed partial EPAs, Ghana and Ivory Coast, because they are non LDCs. In West Africa, we have 16 countries plus Mauritania which is not part of the ECOWAS, most of these countries are still on the sidelines and are yet to sign off on the EPAs,” Kebbeh added.
Mr. Kebbeh noted that there is time now for people, CSOs, government and the media to speak with one voice so that governments take their time in coming to a decision about EPAs because a wrong decision will not only have damaging consequences for the trade of individual nations but also trade within the sub-region, which is why ECOWAS is expected to weigh in on the issue, which could make individual decisions made by nations null and void.
Right to food and the trade justice campaign are among key programs that the National Youth Association for Food Security embarks upon to support and empower the poor and socially excluded.
Training on International Laws for Armed Forces Winds up
NEWS, BANJUL, THE GAMBIA(MB)- March 5th 2010, marks the end of a two weeks training for (20) Armed Forces on the incorporation of International Humanitarian Laws (IHL), supported by the International Committee of Red Cross through The Gambia Red Cross as a guidance tool into their peacekeeping efforts at all times. The training was held at the Joint Officers Mess in Kotu
In his statement at the end of the training, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Defence, Mr. Harry Sambou reminder the Armed Forces that the training was to integrate the International Humanitarian Laws into a training exercise adding that the exercise they can in turn put it into practical and told them to share the knowledge gained with their colleagues.
He continued, “The knowledge gained will serve as a tool in executing your functions both at home front and particularly during peacekeeping mission outside The Gambia”.
According to PS Sambou, the words of His Excellency President Jammeh cum the Commander in Chief of The Gambia Armed Forces, that “sky is limit”, noting that the Commander in Chief, has provided an enabling environment for them in their ways to success and welfare for both men and women in the Armed Forces.
He told them, to be flag bearer of the country, in doing so, “maintaining discipline, loyalty, honest, and above all patriotism, while calling them to be loyal to the state”.
Sambou further expressed profound gratitude to the International Committee of Red Cross (ICRC) for what he described their support to The Gambia Armed Forces adding that their relationship for the past was cordial.
In his statement on behalf of the Chief of Defence of Staff, the Deputy Chief of Defence Staff, Major General Ousman Badgie, informed the services men and women that the knowledge gained during the training is paramount more especially in armed conflicts, as it will guide them and gives them ample time to know what when someone is in conflict zones for peacekeeping missions.
According to Badgie, as members of the Armed Forces, they are subjected to both civil and military laws, noting that they must at all time guard their actions during armed conflicts, he went on to say that the training of the Armed Forces is timely.
“The training came at a very important time and it is most welcoming as it is geared towards capacity building. This will boost our programme line up for 2010 to 2011 training session”.
Badgie challenged them to take up the responsibilities, the opportunities and the knowledge that they obtained from the training and make it into best practices and share the information with the ones that are unfortunate to be part of the training.
The Special Representative of the International Committee of Red Cross, Mr. Wolde, said that the ICCR will continue to support The Gambia Armed Forces towards the complete and full integration of International Humanitarian Laws into the military training and procedures.
In his statement at the end of the training, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Defence, Mr. Harry Sambou reminder the Armed Forces that the training was to integrate the International Humanitarian Laws into a training exercise adding that the exercise they can in turn put it into practical and told them to share the knowledge gained with their colleagues.
He continued, “The knowledge gained will serve as a tool in executing your functions both at home front and particularly during peacekeeping mission outside The Gambia”.
According to PS Sambou, the words of His Excellency President Jammeh cum the Commander in Chief of The Gambia Armed Forces, that “sky is limit”, noting that the Commander in Chief, has provided an enabling environment for them in their ways to success and welfare for both men and women in the Armed Forces.
He told them, to be flag bearer of the country, in doing so, “maintaining discipline, loyalty, honest, and above all patriotism, while calling them to be loyal to the state”.
Sambou further expressed profound gratitude to the International Committee of Red Cross (ICRC) for what he described their support to The Gambia Armed Forces adding that their relationship for the past was cordial.
In his statement on behalf of the Chief of Defence of Staff, the Deputy Chief of Defence Staff, Major General Ousman Badgie, informed the services men and women that the knowledge gained during the training is paramount more especially in armed conflicts, as it will guide them and gives them ample time to know what when someone is in conflict zones for peacekeeping missions.
According to Badgie, as members of the Armed Forces, they are subjected to both civil and military laws, noting that they must at all time guard their actions during armed conflicts, he went on to say that the training of the Armed Forces is timely.
“The training came at a very important time and it is most welcoming as it is geared towards capacity building. This will boost our programme line up for 2010 to 2011 training session”.
Badgie challenged them to take up the responsibilities, the opportunities and the knowledge that they obtained from the training and make it into best practices and share the information with the ones that are unfortunate to be part of the training.
The Special Representative of the International Committee of Red Cross, Mr. Wolde, said that the ICCR will continue to support The Gambia Armed Forces towards the complete and full integration of International Humanitarian Laws into the military training and procedures.
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