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.
Saturday, March 13, 2010
Thursday, February 25, 2010
Journalist trained on Biosafety Clearing House
NEWS BANJUL, THE GAMBIA(MB)- About forty journalists from print and electronic were on Wednesday 17th February 2010 converged at Baobab Resort for a day long sensitization on Genetically Modified Organism (GMO) and Living Modified Organism (LMO), a program organized by Department of Parks and Wildlife Management funded by GEF/UNEP.
Speaking earlier, Alpha Omar Jallow the Director of Parks and Wildlife Management revealed that the Gambia has signed the convention on biological diversity (CBD) in 1992 and its Cartagena protocol on biosafety (CPB) on 24th May 2000.According to him the convention on biological diversity is the parent body to Cartagena protocol on biosafety; adding that the implementation of the parent body and CBD requires parties to the convention to take measures to regulate and manage or control the risks associated with the use and release of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) into the environment.” The Gambia has already developed the National Biosafety Framework document which is the policy document that contains relevant information on existing laws, regulation and policies relevant to genetically modified organism”, he added.
Director Jallow further went on to say the biosafety framework is meant to guide all processes regarding to safe handling, use and movement of GMOs into the country by means of proposed administrative structures. He noted that the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety is an international instrument that deals exclusively with GMOs which promotes biosafety by establishing practical rules and procedures for the safe handling and use of GMOs with specific focus on regulating movement of these organisms across borders from one country to another.
For his part, Alhagie Manjang BCH project coordinator said that the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety is an international agreement concluded and adopted in the framework of the convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). According to him the objectives includes convention of biodiversity, sustainable use of biodiversity and fair and equitable sharing of benefits to contribute in ensuring an adequate level of protection in the safe transfer, handling and of living modified organisms resulting from modern biotechnology that may have adverse effects on the conservation. He noted that the protocol applies to the transboundary movement, transit, handling and use of all living modified organisms that may have adverse effects on the conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity taking also into account risks to human health.
Mr. Kawsu Jammeh alias Jakarta, PoWPA project manager stated that genetically modified foods are developed and marketed because there is some perceived advantage either to the producer or consumer of these foods. This according to him is meant to translate into a product with a lower price, greater profit or both. Noting that initially genetically modified seed developers wanted their products to be accepted by producers, so have concentrated on innovations that farmers would appreciate. Adding that, genetic engineering offers a rapid and precise method of alerting organisms as compared to traditional methods that are slow and inaccurate.
Abdoulie Sawo park warden and also the assistant BCH coordinator revealed that the protocol on Biosafety Clearing House (BCH) was established in order to facilitate the exchange of scientific, technical, environmental and legal information on Living Modified Organism (LMOs) and for the parties assist including the Gambia to implement the protocol under the BCH project.
According to him all parties will need to put some basic information and non-parties are also encouraged to contribute appropriate information to the BCH. ”Required information should be posted within define time frames or as soon as feasible”, he emphasize.
Mr. Sawo further elucidated that some of the benefits of using the BCH include access to information about the national laws, regulations and guidelines of parties and other countries decisions and assessment relating to specific LMOs.
For Dr. Ebrima Njie lecturer at the University of the Gambia stated that genetic engineering is a set of techniques for isolating, modifying, multiplying and recombining genes from different organisms; adding that this enables geneticists to transfer genes between species belonging to different kingdoms that would have no probability of interbreeding in nature. “This practice originated in 1970s as the result of discovery of several key techniques in molecular genetics and the handling of GMO is multifaceted which could compromise the integrity of scientist, reduce organisms including human beings to commodities, intensify the exploitation and oppression of the third world and threaten human and animals health”, said Dr. Njie.
Speaking earlier, Alpha Omar Jallow the Director of Parks and Wildlife Management revealed that the Gambia has signed the convention on biological diversity (CBD) in 1992 and its Cartagena protocol on biosafety (CPB) on 24th May 2000.According to him the convention on biological diversity is the parent body to Cartagena protocol on biosafety; adding that the implementation of the parent body and CBD requires parties to the convention to take measures to regulate and manage or control the risks associated with the use and release of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) into the environment.” The Gambia has already developed the National Biosafety Framework document which is the policy document that contains relevant information on existing laws, regulation and policies relevant to genetically modified organism”, he added.
Director Jallow further went on to say the biosafety framework is meant to guide all processes regarding to safe handling, use and movement of GMOs into the country by means of proposed administrative structures. He noted that the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety is an international instrument that deals exclusively with GMOs which promotes biosafety by establishing practical rules and procedures for the safe handling and use of GMOs with specific focus on regulating movement of these organisms across borders from one country to another.
For his part, Alhagie Manjang BCH project coordinator said that the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety is an international agreement concluded and adopted in the framework of the convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). According to him the objectives includes convention of biodiversity, sustainable use of biodiversity and fair and equitable sharing of benefits to contribute in ensuring an adequate level of protection in the safe transfer, handling and of living modified organisms resulting from modern biotechnology that may have adverse effects on the conservation. He noted that the protocol applies to the transboundary movement, transit, handling and use of all living modified organisms that may have adverse effects on the conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity taking also into account risks to human health.
Mr. Kawsu Jammeh alias Jakarta, PoWPA project manager stated that genetically modified foods are developed and marketed because there is some perceived advantage either to the producer or consumer of these foods. This according to him is meant to translate into a product with a lower price, greater profit or both. Noting that initially genetically modified seed developers wanted their products to be accepted by producers, so have concentrated on innovations that farmers would appreciate. Adding that, genetic engineering offers a rapid and precise method of alerting organisms as compared to traditional methods that are slow and inaccurate.
Abdoulie Sawo park warden and also the assistant BCH coordinator revealed that the protocol on Biosafety Clearing House (BCH) was established in order to facilitate the exchange of scientific, technical, environmental and legal information on Living Modified Organism (LMOs) and for the parties assist including the Gambia to implement the protocol under the BCH project.
According to him all parties will need to put some basic information and non-parties are also encouraged to contribute appropriate information to the BCH. ”Required information should be posted within define time frames or as soon as feasible”, he emphasize.
Mr. Sawo further elucidated that some of the benefits of using the BCH include access to information about the national laws, regulations and guidelines of parties and other countries decisions and assessment relating to specific LMOs.
For Dr. Ebrima Njie lecturer at the University of the Gambia stated that genetic engineering is a set of techniques for isolating, modifying, multiplying and recombining genes from different organisms; adding that this enables geneticists to transfer genes between species belonging to different kingdoms that would have no probability of interbreeding in nature. “This practice originated in 1970s as the result of discovery of several key techniques in molecular genetics and the handling of GMO is multifaceted which could compromise the integrity of scientist, reduce organisms including human beings to commodities, intensify the exploitation and oppression of the third world and threaten human and animals health”, said Dr. Njie.
Women Farmers cry assistance
NEWS BANJUL, THE GAMBIA(MB)- According to reports reaching Mansa Banko revealed that Women farmers in Jarra West has called on the government, NGOs community to provide local ponds or salo that link them to their rice fields as accessibility to their rice fields is becoming impossible. In a bid to confirm the story, mansa banko send a reporter to visit the area and talked with few women farmer to throw a light to the issue, and this is what has said.
Speaking to Mrs. Fatou Camara of pakalinding said that their rice fields are natural irrigation area (tidal irrigation) once the river is at high tide the rice fields get irrigated, so for that being the case there are several ponds linking the feeder roads to the various rice fields but now become extremely difficult for one get access his/her field. According to her communities such as Karantaba, Kani kunda, Sankuya, Toniataba, Soma, and many others is all farming in the area, despite others travelled 4 to 5 km daily to their rice fields. Mrs Camara further lamented on the condition of the feeder roads, but special emphasis was laid on the conditions of the local ponds that require special attention.
According to the forty year old farmer that some decades years ago the ponds were made by bantapalas and later ladep project also intervene in a form of tesito (community work) and since the ponds worn off there has not been able to receive any assistance. She then called on government and NGOs for support, as they have harvesting their farms and transportation of the proceeds becomes the issue.
For her part, Mrs Mbaka Drammeh Saidykhan the lady councilor of Jarra Kanikunda revealed that with this rice fields alone if they have the require support( adequate farming tools and fertilizers and on time) they will not only feed their families but other regions and the issue of food insecurity will be a thing of the past. Noting that the issue of these local ponds (salo) is of paramount important as it is linking point to the rice fields. “ We carry seedlings during transplanting period or harvested product to cross via these ponds through muddy which is the most difficult thing to do when it comes farming in this area”, she added. When she was asked whether they cannot quit farming from the area and farm else where since they are facing a lot of difficulties? She responded in negative, adding that the land is very ideal for rice cultivation and the level of rampage is very minimal. She noted that as productivity is always high due to its fertility farmers are always eager improve their productivity in other to have more, since their children school fees and other wellbeing is attach to it. She used the opportunity to urge her fellow women farmers not sell their proceeds at a give away price just for a one day ceremony or for social needs that is not a priority to their daily living. Adding that considering the difficulties in farming, it will be unnecessary for one to sell all his/ her products just for a mere asobee or ceremonies, this she added that this would only threatening the realization of the poverty reduction strategic paper and the crusade to achieve food self sufficiency.
Speaking to Mrs. Fatou Camara of pakalinding said that their rice fields are natural irrigation area (tidal irrigation) once the river is at high tide the rice fields get irrigated, so for that being the case there are several ponds linking the feeder roads to the various rice fields but now become extremely difficult for one get access his/her field. According to her communities such as Karantaba, Kani kunda, Sankuya, Toniataba, Soma, and many others is all farming in the area, despite others travelled 4 to 5 km daily to their rice fields. Mrs Camara further lamented on the condition of the feeder roads, but special emphasis was laid on the conditions of the local ponds that require special attention.
According to the forty year old farmer that some decades years ago the ponds were made by bantapalas and later ladep project also intervene in a form of tesito (community work) and since the ponds worn off there has not been able to receive any assistance. She then called on government and NGOs for support, as they have harvesting their farms and transportation of the proceeds becomes the issue.
For her part, Mrs Mbaka Drammeh Saidykhan the lady councilor of Jarra Kanikunda revealed that with this rice fields alone if they have the require support( adequate farming tools and fertilizers and on time) they will not only feed their families but other regions and the issue of food insecurity will be a thing of the past. Noting that the issue of these local ponds (salo) is of paramount important as it is linking point to the rice fields. “ We carry seedlings during transplanting period or harvested product to cross via these ponds through muddy which is the most difficult thing to do when it comes farming in this area”, she added. When she was asked whether they cannot quit farming from the area and farm else where since they are facing a lot of difficulties? She responded in negative, adding that the land is very ideal for rice cultivation and the level of rampage is very minimal. She noted that as productivity is always high due to its fertility farmers are always eager improve their productivity in other to have more, since their children school fees and other wellbeing is attach to it. She used the opportunity to urge her fellow women farmers not sell their proceeds at a give away price just for a one day ceremony or for social needs that is not a priority to their daily living. Adding that considering the difficulties in farming, it will be unnecessary for one to sell all his/ her products just for a mere asobee or ceremonies, this she added that this would only threatening the realization of the poverty reduction strategic paper and the crusade to achieve food self sufficiency.
HIV/AIDS impacts is unique
As AIDS kills adults in the prime of their lives
NEWS BANJUL, THE GAMBIA(MB)- Alieu Jammeh the director of National Aids Secretariat (NAS) has made it categorically clear that the impact of HIV/AIDS is unique because AIDS kills adults in the prime of their lives, thus depriving families, communities and entire nations of their young and most productive people. According to him this has added to the already heavy diseases burden in poor countries, the epidemic is deepening and spreading poverty, reversing human development, worsening gender inequalities eroding the capacity of government to provide essential services reducing labor productivity and hampering pro-poor growth.
Director Jammeh made these remarks in a two day forum for sensitization of National Aids Services Organization (NASO) on mainstreaming HIV and AIDS into the poverty reduction strategic paper held at paradise conference hall ended on Wednesday 17th February 2010.
According to him it is of crucial importance for the fact that the brunt of the burden is borne by women in their multiple roles as caretakers, breadwinners and subsistence farmers; adding that poverty, gender and HIV/AIDS seem to be closely intertwined. “In the early stage of the pandemic the better educated and better- off are more vulnerable to HIV infection, mainly because of higher resources and greater mobility”, he added. Noting that poverty reduction strategies are becoming the main development planning instruments in many countries, determining national priorities and domestic as well as external resource allocation. He further revealed that mainstreaming HIV related priorities helps create an enabling policy and resource environment for an effective response to the epidemic, thus achieving synergy between diverse interventions across many sectors and ensuring adequate financing for HIV/AIDS. Director Jammeh further elucidated that there is a greater need for capacity building of NASO to effectively undertake oversight role on all HIV and AIDS matters and resource mobilization and coordination from governments.
For his part, Mr. Abdou Touray the director general national planning commission stated that globally UNAIDS report revealed that HIV/AIDS is on the decline and results of 2007 sentinel survey in the Gambia also revealed a dramatic reduction in the prevalence level of about one hundred percent from 2.8 percent to 1.4 for HIV-1in 2006, whilst HIV-2dropped to 0.05 percent in 2007. Adding that prevalence rates have declined in almost all towns as it reduced from 4.8 percent in 2006 to 1.3 in Brikama, Sibanor, Farafenni, Essau and Basse in 2007.
According to him this development is attributed largely to positive behavioral change; noting that despite such gains registered in the national response to HIV-AIDS, there is still an apparent gap between knowledge and behavior change as well as insufficient knowledge of the key drivers of the epidemic. “ This sensitization forum will therefore provide the opportunity to share with policy-makers the experience in mainstreaming and strengthening the process of integrating AIDS into PRSPs to address the root causes and consequences of HIV epidemic its links to poverty”, he disclosed.
Mr. Touray added that in order to mainstream AIDS, national development instruments need to factor in the implication of HIV for overall poverty-reduction and growth, noting that such national strategies and plans should include strategies needed to stem the spread of HIV, to scale up the provision of care, treatment and support and enhance resilience to cope with the impacts of HIV and other shocks at individual, household, and community levels.
He further asserted that it is clear that stronger advocacy, sensitization and institutional linkages are needed, which has a need greater support and capacity building in promoting and ensuring that HIV-AIDS is all mainstreamed in all national development instruments. “Therefore there is great need for NAS and NPC to coordinate mainstreaming efforts and play the role of brokers on this critical relationship between different stakeholders”, said Mr. Touray.
NEWS BANJUL, THE GAMBIA(MB)- Alieu Jammeh the director of National Aids Secretariat (NAS) has made it categorically clear that the impact of HIV/AIDS is unique because AIDS kills adults in the prime of their lives, thus depriving families, communities and entire nations of their young and most productive people. According to him this has added to the already heavy diseases burden in poor countries, the epidemic is deepening and spreading poverty, reversing human development, worsening gender inequalities eroding the capacity of government to provide essential services reducing labor productivity and hampering pro-poor growth.
Director Jammeh made these remarks in a two day forum for sensitization of National Aids Services Organization (NASO) on mainstreaming HIV and AIDS into the poverty reduction strategic paper held at paradise conference hall ended on Wednesday 17th February 2010.
According to him it is of crucial importance for the fact that the brunt of the burden is borne by women in their multiple roles as caretakers, breadwinners and subsistence farmers; adding that poverty, gender and HIV/AIDS seem to be closely intertwined. “In the early stage of the pandemic the better educated and better- off are more vulnerable to HIV infection, mainly because of higher resources and greater mobility”, he added. Noting that poverty reduction strategies are becoming the main development planning instruments in many countries, determining national priorities and domestic as well as external resource allocation. He further revealed that mainstreaming HIV related priorities helps create an enabling policy and resource environment for an effective response to the epidemic, thus achieving synergy between diverse interventions across many sectors and ensuring adequate financing for HIV/AIDS. Director Jammeh further elucidated that there is a greater need for capacity building of NASO to effectively undertake oversight role on all HIV and AIDS matters and resource mobilization and coordination from governments.
For his part, Mr. Abdou Touray the director general national planning commission stated that globally UNAIDS report revealed that HIV/AIDS is on the decline and results of 2007 sentinel survey in the Gambia also revealed a dramatic reduction in the prevalence level of about one hundred percent from 2.8 percent to 1.4 for HIV-1in 2006, whilst HIV-2dropped to 0.05 percent in 2007. Adding that prevalence rates have declined in almost all towns as it reduced from 4.8 percent in 2006 to 1.3 in Brikama, Sibanor, Farafenni, Essau and Basse in 2007.
According to him this development is attributed largely to positive behavioral change; noting that despite such gains registered in the national response to HIV-AIDS, there is still an apparent gap between knowledge and behavior change as well as insufficient knowledge of the key drivers of the epidemic. “ This sensitization forum will therefore provide the opportunity to share with policy-makers the experience in mainstreaming and strengthening the process of integrating AIDS into PRSPs to address the root causes and consequences of HIV epidemic its links to poverty”, he disclosed.
Mr. Touray added that in order to mainstream AIDS, national development instruments need to factor in the implication of HIV for overall poverty-reduction and growth, noting that such national strategies and plans should include strategies needed to stem the spread of HIV, to scale up the provision of care, treatment and support and enhance resilience to cope with the impacts of HIV and other shocks at individual, household, and community levels.
He further asserted that it is clear that stronger advocacy, sensitization and institutional linkages are needed, which has a need greater support and capacity building in promoting and ensuring that HIV-AIDS is all mainstreamed in all national development instruments. “Therefore there is great need for NAS and NPC to coordinate mainstreaming efforts and play the role of brokers on this critical relationship between different stakeholders”, said Mr. Touray.
Youth Ambassadors witness final graduation
NEWS BANJUL, THE GAMBIA(MB)- About fifty young people who have successfully completed their one year course on peace building training and were certified as peace educators, in a ceremony held at Join officers mess over the weekend.
Speaking at the ceremony the out going president of youth ambassadors of peace, Mr. Buba Darboe highlighted the importance of the occasion, adding that any one who wants to be a member of YAP must be subjected to training. “As you can see these young grandaunts, we have found them fit and capable to be peace educators”, he added.
According to him youth ambassadors of peace is committed in ensuring that peace is cultivated in the minds of the young people who are the cream of any nation and for meaningful development to happened peace and stability should prevail.
For his part, Fabakary Kalleh the executive secretary of youth ambassadors of peace (YAP), reveal that YAP intend to create a situation where peace is planted in the minds and hearts of people. According to him YAP plans for tomorrow taking in cognizance of yesterday, in the past decades Africa has been painted with red blood of her sons. “ Quotation from various thinkers that every African living in Africa is a potential refugee, yes it was a situation that challenge us to turn the table which can only be possible by the sons of Africa”, he stress.
He noted that, they were convinced that with the instrument of peace, dialogue and understanding, tolerance and forgiveness, freedom and democracy, we can lift the society from that trouble part into tomorrow base on peace and development. He further pointed out that the role of peace educator is to empowered young people to be specially responsible after provided them with alternative inform choices in dealing with conflict. To him conflict is inevitable and therefore there is a need to resolve conflict transformative without violence or war.
According to him this grandaunts were well trained in peace building and amongst the modules trained includes gender perspective in peace building, women in violence, roles of stakeholders in peace building, violence against women, human rights to mentioned few. “As peace builders there is a greater need for people to live in a qualitative human relationship and YAP will ensure that peace is cultivated in minds and hearts of people to ensure that people enjoy their human rights as human beings”, said Mr. Kalleh.
Mr. Kalleh further disclosed that in months time Youth Ambassadors of Peace (YAP) will be change to Peace Ambassadors of the Gambia (PAG).
Edmund Foley legal officer institute for human rights and development in Africa, said that for those who has studied human right, human right began out of struggle. According to him the United Nation talks about mankind in two occasion has been ravages by wars and from that process a universal declaration of human rights in 1948 when the second world war ended in 1945. He noted that since then there are so many treaties and international agreements and constitutions, which see to protect human rights.
“Human Rights are something that is own by human beings and needs not confrontation every time”, he added. He emphasizes that as grandaunts they have tasked themselves to promote peace in the minds of people and to ensure that every individual person enjoy his /her human rights as human beings; I have charged you as educators to maintain the peace by preaching/teaching peace for people to use dialogue in solving conflicts.
For him the challenges are the wider society is going to look at you (peace educators) as children be bold and assertive; and you have started in the Gambia but in the future you may assign in the continental for a greater assignment.
The vote of thanks was given by Mr. Siaka Dibba and the ceremony was characterized by a drama presentation and songs.
Speaking at the ceremony the out going president of youth ambassadors of peace, Mr. Buba Darboe highlighted the importance of the occasion, adding that any one who wants to be a member of YAP must be subjected to training. “As you can see these young grandaunts, we have found them fit and capable to be peace educators”, he added.
According to him youth ambassadors of peace is committed in ensuring that peace is cultivated in the minds of the young people who are the cream of any nation and for meaningful development to happened peace and stability should prevail.
For his part, Fabakary Kalleh the executive secretary of youth ambassadors of peace (YAP), reveal that YAP intend to create a situation where peace is planted in the minds and hearts of people. According to him YAP plans for tomorrow taking in cognizance of yesterday, in the past decades Africa has been painted with red blood of her sons. “ Quotation from various thinkers that every African living in Africa is a potential refugee, yes it was a situation that challenge us to turn the table which can only be possible by the sons of Africa”, he stress.
He noted that, they were convinced that with the instrument of peace, dialogue and understanding, tolerance and forgiveness, freedom and democracy, we can lift the society from that trouble part into tomorrow base on peace and development. He further pointed out that the role of peace educator is to empowered young people to be specially responsible after provided them with alternative inform choices in dealing with conflict. To him conflict is inevitable and therefore there is a need to resolve conflict transformative without violence or war.
According to him this grandaunts were well trained in peace building and amongst the modules trained includes gender perspective in peace building, women in violence, roles of stakeholders in peace building, violence against women, human rights to mentioned few. “As peace builders there is a greater need for people to live in a qualitative human relationship and YAP will ensure that peace is cultivated in minds and hearts of people to ensure that people enjoy their human rights as human beings”, said Mr. Kalleh.
Mr. Kalleh further disclosed that in months time Youth Ambassadors of Peace (YAP) will be change to Peace Ambassadors of the Gambia (PAG).
Edmund Foley legal officer institute for human rights and development in Africa, said that for those who has studied human right, human right began out of struggle. According to him the United Nation talks about mankind in two occasion has been ravages by wars and from that process a universal declaration of human rights in 1948 when the second world war ended in 1945. He noted that since then there are so many treaties and international agreements and constitutions, which see to protect human rights.
“Human Rights are something that is own by human beings and needs not confrontation every time”, he added. He emphasizes that as grandaunts they have tasked themselves to promote peace in the minds of people and to ensure that every individual person enjoy his /her human rights as human beings; I have charged you as educators to maintain the peace by preaching/teaching peace for people to use dialogue in solving conflicts.
For him the challenges are the wider society is going to look at you (peace educators) as children be bold and assertive; and you have started in the Gambia but in the future you may assign in the continental for a greater assignment.
The vote of thanks was given by Mr. Siaka Dibba and the ceremony was characterized by a drama presentation and songs.
Magazine Party Concided with Salary Increment
NEWS BANJUL, THE GAMBIA(MB)- Staff of the Gambia News and Report Magazinerecently held a staff party at the Dippa Kunda residence of theEditor-in-chief and Publisher of the Magazine, Swaebou Conateh.
Mr. Conateh used the occasion to announce a salary increment for the staff, with effect from 1 January 2010.News and Report Magazine is the only current affairs magazine in The Gambia established on the 18 February 1992 by Swaebou Conateh.
Speaking on the occasion, Seedy Njie, the accountant, said “the staff at News and Report are one family”, and he advised the staff, particularly the reporters, “to be patient in order to get what you want”.
Amadou Bah the production manager said “we should be doing this (holding a staff party) often”.
Madi Ceesay, the Editor and Publisher of The Daily News newspaper, who is a former employee of the magazine, was also at the staff party, and in a brief statement noted that “News and Report is a school for journalists”.
“All the experience I acquired in Journalism, I got it from Mr. Conateh”, he pointed out.
A freelance editor with the magazine, Alieu Sagnia, said the people associating with Mr. Conateh have a lot to learn from his knowledge and experience”. He pointed out that Mr. Conateh has vast experience when it comes to journalism, both at the national and international arenas.
Joe Wilson a technician also attended as “a friend of the media”. “For me, I’m a friend of the media. Wherever you go, I will join you” he said.
Martha Cardos, a secretary and compositor, said “in anything one is doing he/she must have a time to work and a time for a break, and today we are having a break. We have come together, as one family, to relax, chat, and enjoy ourselves. I am very happy, and I can see it in every staff member’s face that they look joyous, and very pleased.
Mamadou Edrisa Njie a senior staff reporter said “the party was very nice, and I really enjoyed it to the maximum. “I advise the management to help us organise this kind of party quarterly. As reporters, it is good to be sitting with your boss and seniors and taking advice from them, If you are really interested in learning. I thank the management and news room coordinator, Ismaila MS Naban, for guiding me through.
“For me this party turned out to be a lecture session. I was very happy and took note of all the advice. Mr. Conateh said as a journalist you should know your community, and he went into details to explain the importance of the profession.
Adding his voice at the party, Ismaila MS Naban, the Editorial Assistant, said:
“Actually it was a good move by the staff. This will help to bring closeness among the staff. In any set up closeness is very vital, as without closeness we are tempted to be suspicious of one another. News and Report has always been one family, since the time when Madi Ceesay was here. It is like a family, and I hope it will continue like this”. His advice for the young journalists is: “We must endure to read very well; read any document that comes your way. Nobody is born a professional. Journalism starts from scratch in order to climb up the ladder” he added.
Mr. Naban called on the young journalists to come together. As he puts it: “Solidarity in the media is the best thing that we do or else we cannot achieve what we want”.
Mr. Conateh used the occasion to announce a salary increment for the staff, with effect from 1 January 2010.News and Report Magazine is the only current affairs magazine in The Gambia established on the 18 February 1992 by Swaebou Conateh.
Speaking on the occasion, Seedy Njie, the accountant, said “the staff at News and Report are one family”, and he advised the staff, particularly the reporters, “to be patient in order to get what you want”.
Amadou Bah the production manager said “we should be doing this (holding a staff party) often”.
Madi Ceesay, the Editor and Publisher of The Daily News newspaper, who is a former employee of the magazine, was also at the staff party, and in a brief statement noted that “News and Report is a school for journalists”.
“All the experience I acquired in Journalism, I got it from Mr. Conateh”, he pointed out.
A freelance editor with the magazine, Alieu Sagnia, said the people associating with Mr. Conateh have a lot to learn from his knowledge and experience”. He pointed out that Mr. Conateh has vast experience when it comes to journalism, both at the national and international arenas.
Joe Wilson a technician also attended as “a friend of the media”. “For me, I’m a friend of the media. Wherever you go, I will join you” he said.
Martha Cardos, a secretary and compositor, said “in anything one is doing he/she must have a time to work and a time for a break, and today we are having a break. We have come together, as one family, to relax, chat, and enjoy ourselves. I am very happy, and I can see it in every staff member’s face that they look joyous, and very pleased.
Mamadou Edrisa Njie a senior staff reporter said “the party was very nice, and I really enjoyed it to the maximum. “I advise the management to help us organise this kind of party quarterly. As reporters, it is good to be sitting with your boss and seniors and taking advice from them, If you are really interested in learning. I thank the management and news room coordinator, Ismaila MS Naban, for guiding me through.
“For me this party turned out to be a lecture session. I was very happy and took note of all the advice. Mr. Conateh said as a journalist you should know your community, and he went into details to explain the importance of the profession.
Adding his voice at the party, Ismaila MS Naban, the Editorial Assistant, said:
“Actually it was a good move by the staff. This will help to bring closeness among the staff. In any set up closeness is very vital, as without closeness we are tempted to be suspicious of one another. News and Report has always been one family, since the time when Madi Ceesay was here. It is like a family, and I hope it will continue like this”. His advice for the young journalists is: “We must endure to read very well; read any document that comes your way. Nobody is born a professional. Journalism starts from scratch in order to climb up the ladder” he added.
Mr. Naban called on the young journalists to come together. As he puts it: “Solidarity in the media is the best thing that we do or else we cannot achieve what we want”.
Chamber Prexy Urges Companies To Register
NEWS BANJUL, THE GAMBIA(MB)-The President of the Gambia Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI), Mr. Bai Matarr Drammeh, has called on companies operating in the country to register with the chamber.
Drammeh made this call in a exclusive interview yesterday, at his office at 3D Cosulting in Fajara.
According to Drammeh, they are calling on all companies in the country to come and register with the chambers as it is here for them. He added that it is important for companies or associations of companies to take application forms to be a member as there are lots of benefits at the chambers.
He stated that to become a member the fees vary, depending on the size of the company, noting that the minimum fee is D1000 and the maximum D15000. He added that any amount that the companies register with the chambers is also the amount of their yearly subscription fees.
He explained that GCCI is a non-political organisation, whose membership belongs to different political parties. But he was quick to say that as a chamber they must have good real functional parternership with the government of the day.
According to him, the government needs the chambers and in turn the chamber also needs the government as they need to table some of their problems with the government so as to get solutions.
The GCCI prexy noted that “with more companies registering with the chambers and paying their yearly subscriptions they are supporting themselves as members of the chambers”. Companies, Drammeh said, must join the chambers as they are partners in development.
“Being a member of the chambers”, he explained, would make it possible for them to have addresses of companies and contacts. He said as of now there is no statistics on how many companies are operating in the country, which he said, is very sad.
As a chambers, Drammeh noted that they had taken the issue with the government to address the high cost of electricity for domestic use.
“We complained to the government about the rates of NAWEC and now the rates have gone down and all the companies are enjoying it, being a member or not. So you see what the chambers is doing. The reduction of the tariff is benefitting everybody,” he stated.
Drammeh revealed that the chambers is also discussing the issue of taxes with the government for possible reduction, adding that in the near future they hoped that the taxes would also be reduced.
Drammeh also explained that the yearly subscription and registration fees of companies and the annual gala dinners the chambers organises are what keeps them going.
“We use these monies to pay our staff among other things that the chambers needs to spend money on,” he said.
He added that from the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) to Board of Directors, President, 1st and 2nd Vice-President, are all not paid a single butut, that they serve the chambers voluntarily and also put in some of their resources.
“We volunteer our money, our resources and time just to keep the chambers alive,” he concluded.
Drammeh made this call in a exclusive interview yesterday, at his office at 3D Cosulting in Fajara.
According to Drammeh, they are calling on all companies in the country to come and register with the chambers as it is here for them. He added that it is important for companies or associations of companies to take application forms to be a member as there are lots of benefits at the chambers.
He stated that to become a member the fees vary, depending on the size of the company, noting that the minimum fee is D1000 and the maximum D15000. He added that any amount that the companies register with the chambers is also the amount of their yearly subscription fees.
He explained that GCCI is a non-political organisation, whose membership belongs to different political parties. But he was quick to say that as a chamber they must have good real functional parternership with the government of the day.
According to him, the government needs the chambers and in turn the chamber also needs the government as they need to table some of their problems with the government so as to get solutions.
The GCCI prexy noted that “with more companies registering with the chambers and paying their yearly subscriptions they are supporting themselves as members of the chambers”. Companies, Drammeh said, must join the chambers as they are partners in development.
“Being a member of the chambers”, he explained, would make it possible for them to have addresses of companies and contacts. He said as of now there is no statistics on how many companies are operating in the country, which he said, is very sad.
As a chambers, Drammeh noted that they had taken the issue with the government to address the high cost of electricity for domestic use.
“We complained to the government about the rates of NAWEC and now the rates have gone down and all the companies are enjoying it, being a member or not. So you see what the chambers is doing. The reduction of the tariff is benefitting everybody,” he stated.
Drammeh revealed that the chambers is also discussing the issue of taxes with the government for possible reduction, adding that in the near future they hoped that the taxes would also be reduced.
Drammeh also explained that the yearly subscription and registration fees of companies and the annual gala dinners the chambers organises are what keeps them going.
“We use these monies to pay our staff among other things that the chambers needs to spend money on,” he said.
He added that from the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) to Board of Directors, President, 1st and 2nd Vice-President, are all not paid a single butut, that they serve the chambers voluntarily and also put in some of their resources.
“We volunteer our money, our resources and time just to keep the chambers alive,” he concluded.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)