NEWS BANJUL THE GAMBIA(MB)-The Gambia Committee on Traditional Practices affecting the Health of Women and Children (GACOTRAP) in partnership with ODAM ONGd, a Spanish NGO, recently conducted a sensitisation programme in the Lower River Region (LRR) on the issues surrounding FGM, and on the protection of women and childrens’ rights.
The training workshop attended by over 350 participants targeted community leaders including chiefs, alkalolus, women of reproductive age, and youths, among others, from six districts in LRR.
A media release made available to the News and Report, stated that the aim of the training session was to create awareness on issues of traditional practices such as female genital mutilation (FGM), early and forced marriage, and inheritance. Also on sexual and reproductive health and rights issues affecting women and girls, including gender-based violence.
In welcoming participants, the chief of Jarra West, Yaya Jarjusey, spoke at length about FGM and Gambians’ perceptions, pointing out that the campaign to stop FGM has been a topic for about 20 years now.
It is high time for a law to be enacted against FGM, he said, adding that many African countries have abolished FGM. “We (Gambia), have to move on with the changing circumstances in life”.
Jarjusey informed participants that the advocacy for a law on FGM in the Gambia is advancing as GAMCOTRAP has engaged National Assembly members about the effects of FGM.
According to Jarjusey, FGM is not a religious obligation, and it affects women’s sexual and reproductive health.
He assured GAMCOTRAP of his region’s unflinching support for the next “Dropping of the Knife Celebration” to be held in his region.
In her remarks, the Executive Director of GAMCORRAP, Dr. Isatou Touray, told the gathering that her organisation works on the promotion of women’s rights and awareness raising, and called on the people to join the “noble crusade”.
According to Dr. Touray, “our concerted efforts for the promotion of positive traditional practices would protect the sexual and reproductive health and rights of women in order to reduce maternal and child mortality and morbidity, among our women and young girls”.
She told participants that The Gambia has signed and ratified international and regional conventions to protect women and children from FGM and other harmful traditional practices that need to be domesticated.
According to Dr. Touray, the lack of a law against FGM in the country has created opportunities for people from neighbouring Senegal and other border countries to come to the Gambia and practice FGM.
She also advised that no girl should be a school drop out because of early or forced marriage.
Honorable Bafaye Saidykhan of the area advised the youths to pay attention to the messages that GAMCOTRAP is sending across, and to share the information with colleagues.
The chairman Mansakonko Area Council, Foday Camara also spoke at the event, which exposed participants to issues of gender-based violence, women and childrens’ rights, Islam and FGM.
Friday, March 19, 2010
‘Young People Must Seek Knowledge’
NEWS BANJUL THE GAMBIA(MB)-“It is very significant and a good initiative demonstrated by young people. Young people must seek knowledge in order to empower themselves”, declared Madi Jobarteh of TANGO who is also a journalist.
Mr. Jorbateh made these remarks on Saturday 23 January 2010 when he chaired the launching of “The Eye Magazine”.
Halifa Sallah, a politician, was the guest speaker.
In an opening statement, Siaka k. Dibba, an Editor and reporter with the Magazine, said the Eye Weekly Newsletter now the Eye Magazine was founded in October 2008, by a group of young Gambians. They “thought it prudent to initiate something that could contribute to the socio-economic development of their great nation”. he said. He said The Eye Magazine is a non-political paper, which focuses on building the capacities of young people of this nation, as a way of empowering them, as well as enabling them realize their potentials to the fullest.
Also speaking at the launching was the Executive Secretary of the National Youth Council, `Marcel Mendy, who spoke on the importance of peace, and on the need for the youths to be well informed and be educated, both in the provinces and urban areas of the country.
Binta Singhateh, the deputy Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Communication, Information and Information Technology said the advent of the Eye would help to employ some of the young people in the country. Journalism, she noted, is a profession instrumental in promoting democracy. She also advised that whoever wants to be a journalist “must read widely and must be neutral”. She also spoke of the media’s crucial role in fast tracking the country’s development.
In officially launching the Magazine, the Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Youth and Sports, Mambanick Njie, noted that “information is food of the human mind” It is critical to educate the masses, he said, adding that “Journalism is a noble profession”.
Mr. Njie pledged that his office would contribute enormously towards the advancement of young people in the country. The Ministry has recognised the talents of young people who are not in school. “Skills to be productive in the economy must be enhanced”, he said.
Mr. Jorbateh made these remarks on Saturday 23 January 2010 when he chaired the launching of “The Eye Magazine”.
Halifa Sallah, a politician, was the guest speaker.
In an opening statement, Siaka k. Dibba, an Editor and reporter with the Magazine, said the Eye Weekly Newsletter now the Eye Magazine was founded in October 2008, by a group of young Gambians. They “thought it prudent to initiate something that could contribute to the socio-economic development of their great nation”. he said. He said The Eye Magazine is a non-political paper, which focuses on building the capacities of young people of this nation, as a way of empowering them, as well as enabling them realize their potentials to the fullest.
Also speaking at the launching was the Executive Secretary of the National Youth Council, `Marcel Mendy, who spoke on the importance of peace, and on the need for the youths to be well informed and be educated, both in the provinces and urban areas of the country.
Binta Singhateh, the deputy Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Communication, Information and Information Technology said the advent of the Eye would help to employ some of the young people in the country. Journalism, she noted, is a profession instrumental in promoting democracy. She also advised that whoever wants to be a journalist “must read widely and must be neutral”. She also spoke of the media’s crucial role in fast tracking the country’s development.
In officially launching the Magazine, the Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Youth and Sports, Mambanick Njie, noted that “information is food of the human mind” It is critical to educate the masses, he said, adding that “Journalism is a noble profession”.
Mr. Njie pledged that his office would contribute enormously towards the advancement of young people in the country. The Ministry has recognised the talents of young people who are not in school. “Skills to be productive in the economy must be enhanced”, he said.
Maiden National Forum On ECOWAS Cross Border Programme
NEWS BANJUL THE GAMBIA(MB)-The Gambia government in collaboration with the ECOWAS Commission organised a two-day national forum at the Baobab Holiday Resort from 1 to 2 March 2010.
The aim was the sensitisation of national and local actors and stakeholders on efforts being pursued by the ECOWAS Commission and its development partners in promoting and strengthening cross-border cooperation in West Africa under the framework of the ECOWAS Cross Border Cooperation Programme.
In her statement delivered at the official opening, the head of ECOWAS Cross-Border Programme, Kinza Jawara-Njai, thanked the Gambia government for hosting the forum on advancing West African cross-border cooperation and sub-regional integration.
Ms Jawara-Njai explained that the concept of cross-border cooperation (CBC) or 'local integration' was introduced and officially adopted onto the integration agenda of ECOWAS following a decision by the EOWAS Authority taken in Niamey, Niger, in January 2006 which called for development of cross-border cooperation within the West African sub-region.
She explained that the cross-border programme has been developed by ECOWAS as a new pillar for sub-regional cooperation and development, aimed at accelerating the integration process in West Africa.
She reminded participants that in June 2007, ECOWAS leaders adopted a strategic vision with a view to transforming West Africa into a "border-less region".
The implementation of the new vision's strategic plan, Ms Jawara Njai noted, focuses on bringing citizens of West Africa closer together. The aim of the plan is to move from an ECOWAS of states to an ECOWAS of peoples thereby ensuring a "people-centred ECOWAS" by the year 2020.
The CBC also aims at bringing the regional integration process and local populations closer together, mainly to demarginalize border areas, reduced poverty and achieve rapid socio economic development and integration in the sub-region through the creation of concrete and feasible joint development projects, in all sectors, that are achievable within short time limits, in order to promote and consolidate peace, security, stability and development in the entire sub-region in general, she remarked.
"We are well aware that populations in West Africa border regions have for centuries lived and worked closely together, have always enjoyed cordial ties of friendly cooperation, engaged in informal bilateral trade and exchange, intermarry and to this present day continue to enjoy a natural solidarity.
"Inhabitants of border regions generally share the same socio-cultural values and norms and this commonality indeed is recognized as a foundation for the attainment of the desired regional economic, social and cultural integration. ECOWAS is working hard to realize in collaboration with its various development the cross-border cooperation initiative concept within West Africa".
In this regard, adoption of the strategy is a concrete response to the dire need for the acceleration of the regional integration process within the sub-region, she went on.
The cross border cooperation programme and its modus operandi' the cross border initiative programme serves as an important tool to achieve the new vision of ECOWAS and this, Ms Jawara-Njai revealed, is why the programme has become a major component of the development agenda of ECOWAS, and is also integrated in the strategic plan of the Commission.
Implementation of the programme calls for preparation of relevant development projects in all areas of development with the overall objective of improving the standard of living of the often marginalized inhabitants of common border areas who are strategic partners in development. The cross-border initiative programme, she further mentioned, due to its cross-cutting nature provides a good opportunity for positive promotion of peace, security and good neighbourly relations among citizens of West Africa, and for regional institutional building in order to achieve rapid socio economic and cultural integration and development in the region.
"It is against this backdrop that the first national forum is being held", she added, and called on the participants to pursue the ongoing exchange with various stakeholders to put the programme on a firm pedestal with the active involvement of all actors in order to realise its stated objectives.
"As national partners in development and policy makers in your various domains, and at the national level, the ECOWAS Commission is of a firm belief that you have a major role to play in the implementation of the programme in the region, and particularly in your country and the southern Senegambia zone".
"We hope that you will provide the necessary leadership, support and commitment required to attain the programme's stated objectives.
"We have no doubt that with your zeal as representatives of the communities, societies, organisations and institutions and your ardent desire to bring about meaningful change and development in the lives of ordinary citizenry, especially inhabitants of border regions, you will partner with your government, the ECOWAS Commission and all involved in the implementation of the programme in order to ensure its success", she urged.
She also recognised the good that has been done in the past years by institutions, organisations and societies.
"I wish to seize this opportunity to recognise the untiring efforts of all partners in development who have contributed immensely to the operationalization of the programme in West Africa and especially in your zone, the southern Senegambia, in particular.
The Minister for Local Government and Lands, Pierre B. Tamba, hailed the ECOWAS Commission for partnering with the government in organising this maiden national meeting on the ECOWAS cross-border cooperation programme.
He also spoke at length about the importance of he meeting, and told all actors to play their roles and responsibilities in achieving the aims and objectives of the programme.
The aim was the sensitisation of national and local actors and stakeholders on efforts being pursued by the ECOWAS Commission and its development partners in promoting and strengthening cross-border cooperation in West Africa under the framework of the ECOWAS Cross Border Cooperation Programme.
In her statement delivered at the official opening, the head of ECOWAS Cross-Border Programme, Kinza Jawara-Njai, thanked the Gambia government for hosting the forum on advancing West African cross-border cooperation and sub-regional integration.
Ms Jawara-Njai explained that the concept of cross-border cooperation (CBC) or 'local integration' was introduced and officially adopted onto the integration agenda of ECOWAS following a decision by the EOWAS Authority taken in Niamey, Niger, in January 2006 which called for development of cross-border cooperation within the West African sub-region.
She explained that the cross-border programme has been developed by ECOWAS as a new pillar for sub-regional cooperation and development, aimed at accelerating the integration process in West Africa.
She reminded participants that in June 2007, ECOWAS leaders adopted a strategic vision with a view to transforming West Africa into a "border-less region".
The implementation of the new vision's strategic plan, Ms Jawara Njai noted, focuses on bringing citizens of West Africa closer together. The aim of the plan is to move from an ECOWAS of states to an ECOWAS of peoples thereby ensuring a "people-centred ECOWAS" by the year 2020.
The CBC also aims at bringing the regional integration process and local populations closer together, mainly to demarginalize border areas, reduced poverty and achieve rapid socio economic development and integration in the sub-region through the creation of concrete and feasible joint development projects, in all sectors, that are achievable within short time limits, in order to promote and consolidate peace, security, stability and development in the entire sub-region in general, she remarked.
"We are well aware that populations in West Africa border regions have for centuries lived and worked closely together, have always enjoyed cordial ties of friendly cooperation, engaged in informal bilateral trade and exchange, intermarry and to this present day continue to enjoy a natural solidarity.
"Inhabitants of border regions generally share the same socio-cultural values and norms and this commonality indeed is recognized as a foundation for the attainment of the desired regional economic, social and cultural integration. ECOWAS is working hard to realize in collaboration with its various development the cross-border cooperation initiative concept within West Africa".
In this regard, adoption of the strategy is a concrete response to the dire need for the acceleration of the regional integration process within the sub-region, she went on.
The cross border cooperation programme and its modus operandi' the cross border initiative programme serves as an important tool to achieve the new vision of ECOWAS and this, Ms Jawara-Njai revealed, is why the programme has become a major component of the development agenda of ECOWAS, and is also integrated in the strategic plan of the Commission.
Implementation of the programme calls for preparation of relevant development projects in all areas of development with the overall objective of improving the standard of living of the often marginalized inhabitants of common border areas who are strategic partners in development. The cross-border initiative programme, she further mentioned, due to its cross-cutting nature provides a good opportunity for positive promotion of peace, security and good neighbourly relations among citizens of West Africa, and for regional institutional building in order to achieve rapid socio economic and cultural integration and development in the region.
"It is against this backdrop that the first national forum is being held", she added, and called on the participants to pursue the ongoing exchange with various stakeholders to put the programme on a firm pedestal with the active involvement of all actors in order to realise its stated objectives.
"As national partners in development and policy makers in your various domains, and at the national level, the ECOWAS Commission is of a firm belief that you have a major role to play in the implementation of the programme in the region, and particularly in your country and the southern Senegambia zone".
"We hope that you will provide the necessary leadership, support and commitment required to attain the programme's stated objectives.
"We have no doubt that with your zeal as representatives of the communities, societies, organisations and institutions and your ardent desire to bring about meaningful change and development in the lives of ordinary citizenry, especially inhabitants of border regions, you will partner with your government, the ECOWAS Commission and all involved in the implementation of the programme in order to ensure its success", she urged.
She also recognised the good that has been done in the past years by institutions, organisations and societies.
"I wish to seize this opportunity to recognise the untiring efforts of all partners in development who have contributed immensely to the operationalization of the programme in West Africa and especially in your zone, the southern Senegambia, in particular.
The Minister for Local Government and Lands, Pierre B. Tamba, hailed the ECOWAS Commission for partnering with the government in organising this maiden national meeting on the ECOWAS cross-border cooperation programme.
He also spoke at length about the importance of he meeting, and told all actors to play their roles and responsibilities in achieving the aims and objectives of the programme.
De-Worming Training In Banjul
NEWS BANJUL THE GAMBIA(MB)-Participants from the West African states of Gambia, Sierra Leone, Liberia and Nigeria are in Banjul for a three-day training workshop on de-worming, and on the FTI (Fast Track Initiative) proposal development for the Education sector.
The aim of the training session was to assist the governments of The Gambia, Nigeria, Sierra Leone and Liberia to develop school health proposals for the FTI funding (using de-worming as an entry point), and to provide master level training in the design and implementation of school-based de-worming.
The training workshop was funded by Partnership for Child Development (PCD), and expertise was provided by an otganization called De-Worm the World and the World Bank.
Officially opening the workshop, the Gambia’s Permanent Secretary Ministry of Education, Baboucarr Bouy, said literature has it that worms infect more than one-third of the world’s population, with the most intense infection in children and the poor.
In the poorest countries, children, according to PS Bouy, are likely to be infected from the time they stop breast-feeding, and to be continually infected and re-infected for the rest of their lives.
While noting that only rarely does infection have acute consequences for children, Bouy however, warned that ``the infection is long term and chronic, and can negatively affect all aspects of a child’s development namely, health, nutrition, cognition, learning and educational access and achievement ’’.
There is overwhelming evidence to suggest the correlation between worm infection and low learning outcomes of children, and this is corroborated by studies in low-income countries in Africa, South America and Asia which, according to the permanent secretary for Education, ``confirm that children with intense worm infections perform poorly – based on learning ability tests, cognitive function and educational achievement ’’.
The participants were also told by Bouy that differences in test performance equivalent to a six-month delay in development could typically be attributed to heavier infections of the sort experienced by around 60 million school-aged children.
And he also pointed to absenteeism as more frequent among infected than uninfected children.
The heavier the intensity of infection, the greater the absenteeism, to the extent that infected children attend school half as much as their uninfected peers, Bouy further informed his audience.
He went on to say that ``conversely, children who are worm-free are lively, and have a good appetite and are always ready to face new challenges in school ``.
Bouy believes such outcome contributes to good health and nutrition for children of school-age, which in turn leads to increased enrolment and attendance, reduced class repetition and increased educational attainment.
Given the benefits associated with the latter, Bouy is of the view that it is in the interest of any nation to liberate its children of school-going age from worm infection in support of the principles and ideals of Education For All (EFA).
It was for that reason that the Gambia’s education sector, in close partnership with development partners such as the African Development Bank, UNICEF, WHO and World Food Programme (WFP) benefited from the implementation of a school-based de-worming program which is described as a safe, simple and cost-effective strategy.
``School-based de-worming has demonsrated its ability not only in the Gambia, but elsewhere, to reduce student absenteeism by 25 %, and at a cost of less than US$0.50 per child per year. ’’
Research, Bouy informed the workshop, has reliably revealed that de-worming is six times cheaper than providing meals and costs 20 times less than giving uniforms.
That with proper targeting of children in need as opposed to a full blown country-wide intervention, every infected child could be treated, with immediate impacts on their health, education, and long-term productivity.
Bouy believes that if there ever was a best buy for the education sector, ``de-worming is surely one``.
However, he said, it must be noted that the success of de-worming could not be devoid of schools, given that there are more schools than clinics and more teachers than health workers.
He added that schools offer a readily available extensive and sustained infrastructure with a skilled workforce that is in close contact with the community.
Such infrastructure in schools, in the words of the senior education officer, provides a unique opportunity to deliver medicine to the highest number of children, and that with minimum training and support from local health services, teachers could deliver this simple intervention to large numbers of school-aged children in a sustainable fashion.
``Teachers, therefore, need training to understand the rationale for de-worming and how to administer the pills and keep a record of the distribution, `` Bouy remarked. Undertaking this master-level training in the design and implementation of school-based de-worming is not only timely, but provides an opportunity for their education systems to deliver an integrated school health program that includes the key elements of the Focus Resources on Effective School Health (FESH) health policies that advocate the role of teachers in health promotion and delivery, he added.
The aim of the training session was to assist the governments of The Gambia, Nigeria, Sierra Leone and Liberia to develop school health proposals for the FTI funding (using de-worming as an entry point), and to provide master level training in the design and implementation of school-based de-worming.
The training workshop was funded by Partnership for Child Development (PCD), and expertise was provided by an otganization called De-Worm the World and the World Bank.
Officially opening the workshop, the Gambia’s Permanent Secretary Ministry of Education, Baboucarr Bouy, said literature has it that worms infect more than one-third of the world’s population, with the most intense infection in children and the poor.
In the poorest countries, children, according to PS Bouy, are likely to be infected from the time they stop breast-feeding, and to be continually infected and re-infected for the rest of their lives.
While noting that only rarely does infection have acute consequences for children, Bouy however, warned that ``the infection is long term and chronic, and can negatively affect all aspects of a child’s development namely, health, nutrition, cognition, learning and educational access and achievement ’’.
There is overwhelming evidence to suggest the correlation between worm infection and low learning outcomes of children, and this is corroborated by studies in low-income countries in Africa, South America and Asia which, according to the permanent secretary for Education, ``confirm that children with intense worm infections perform poorly – based on learning ability tests, cognitive function and educational achievement ’’.
The participants were also told by Bouy that differences in test performance equivalent to a six-month delay in development could typically be attributed to heavier infections of the sort experienced by around 60 million school-aged children.
And he also pointed to absenteeism as more frequent among infected than uninfected children.
The heavier the intensity of infection, the greater the absenteeism, to the extent that infected children attend school half as much as their uninfected peers, Bouy further informed his audience.
He went on to say that ``conversely, children who are worm-free are lively, and have a good appetite and are always ready to face new challenges in school ``.
Bouy believes such outcome contributes to good health and nutrition for children of school-age, which in turn leads to increased enrolment and attendance, reduced class repetition and increased educational attainment.
Given the benefits associated with the latter, Bouy is of the view that it is in the interest of any nation to liberate its children of school-going age from worm infection in support of the principles and ideals of Education For All (EFA).
It was for that reason that the Gambia’s education sector, in close partnership with development partners such as the African Development Bank, UNICEF, WHO and World Food Programme (WFP) benefited from the implementation of a school-based de-worming program which is described as a safe, simple and cost-effective strategy.
``School-based de-worming has demonsrated its ability not only in the Gambia, but elsewhere, to reduce student absenteeism by 25 %, and at a cost of less than US$0.50 per child per year. ’’
Research, Bouy informed the workshop, has reliably revealed that de-worming is six times cheaper than providing meals and costs 20 times less than giving uniforms.
That with proper targeting of children in need as opposed to a full blown country-wide intervention, every infected child could be treated, with immediate impacts on their health, education, and long-term productivity.
Bouy believes that if there ever was a best buy for the education sector, ``de-worming is surely one``.
However, he said, it must be noted that the success of de-worming could not be devoid of schools, given that there are more schools than clinics and more teachers than health workers.
He added that schools offer a readily available extensive and sustained infrastructure with a skilled workforce that is in close contact with the community.
Such infrastructure in schools, in the words of the senior education officer, provides a unique opportunity to deliver medicine to the highest number of children, and that with minimum training and support from local health services, teachers could deliver this simple intervention to large numbers of school-aged children in a sustainable fashion.
``Teachers, therefore, need training to understand the rationale for de-worming and how to administer the pills and keep a record of the distribution, `` Bouy remarked. Undertaking this master-level training in the design and implementation of school-based de-worming is not only timely, but provides an opportunity for their education systems to deliver an integrated school health program that includes the key elements of the Focus Resources on Effective School Health (FESH) health policies that advocate the role of teachers in health promotion and delivery, he added.
Unemployment Source of Concern
NEWS BANJUL THE GAMBIA(MB)-Unemployment in The Gambia is a source of concern for government, parents, school leavers and even non-school attendants.
The National Unemployment Plan has even called attention to the pressing issue of the high unemployment rates among the urban youth, aged 20-24 years.
According to findings, unemployment rates are generally higher among the more educated ones.
Using the latest population census figures, which is usually the benchmark reference for unemployment indication, the urban rate is 10 percent and the rural one stands at only 2 percent. Moreover, the urban youth unemployment rate is very high at 22 percent-- in rural areas youth unemployment is 3 percent.
However, research found that the highest unemployment is found among those with secondary education at 15 percent, while the lowest is found in those without any schooling with 4 percent.
Investigations show that among the few graduates who are lucky to be employed in the tourism, banking and finance services, insurance etc are employed because of either “who you know, not what you know, and scratch my back and I give you employment”.
Calculations in the Population Census 2003 show an unemployment rate of 9, 7, 6 and 1 percent respectively for those with pre-primary, primary, and post-secondary education and for others.
The PRSP does not give specific employment/unemployment figures, but emphasizes three important issues. These include the greater relative importance of unemployment as a priority in urban areas (according to people’s perceptions), the relatively high incidence of unemployment among graduates despite evidence of vacancies in the public sector, and the significance of urban youth unemployment.
The country study document on macro economic and labor market aspects, published jointly by Carnegie Endowment for International Peace and International Poverty Centre in July 2008, said that the most acute employment problem in low income developing countries is seldom unemployment.
According to the report, underemployment, i.e., “part-time, seasonal and short-term employment and low average earnings due to poor productivity” is frequently of greater concern. It stated that The Gambia’s HIS survey examine underemployment through the lens of a number of working days per year.
According to the survey data, most categories of workers work around 200 days or more. In the case of Wage-Workers, most of them work year round or 313 days per year. Calculations from IHS 2003 database on the days of work per year (median) of employed workers, point out that employers as 200, unpaid family workers 200, apprentice 200 and other total workers 205 days.
These figures suggest that underemployment is not a particularly serious issue, at least not as serious as often assured. However, this indicator does not provide information about other dimensions of underemployment, for example information on the number of hours worked per week.
On unemployment, others attribute it either to have the opportunity to further their education at tertiary institutions. On the other hand, the tertiary institutions are very expensive, which lends few people the opportunity to attend.
Findings revealed that currently there are no tertiary institution apart from The Gambia College that is offering free education for the poor and needy students in the country that want to further their education.
It is evident however that one consequence of unemployment is the increase in crime rates. The high rate of crime happens in the urban areas as young people found in “ghettos” and “attaya vous” get involved in crimes. Another part on the crime rate can be in the tourism area where it is common that “bumsters” engage in hurdles with each other
The increase in crime rate and criminals, worries the Gambia government and President Jammeh, has denounced it in his new year to address the nation saying “In fostering peace and stability, in the Gambia, I would never compromise with criminals and detractors, whose main intention is to stall our progress as a country. “.
Recently, “there has been a sharp increase in heinous crimes including murder, rape, robberies and others perpetrated within our boarders” said Jammeh.
“We as a nation denounce violence in all forms. My government will always maintain zero tolerance for people bent on wreaking havoc, instability and violence, we will apply the laws of this land to the letter,’ he added.
Making a similar statement, for the application of the laws, Justice Moses Richards of the Appeal Criminal Court Division of the High Court, on 8 September 2009, while presiding over an attempted rape case brought against one Omar Ndure, also denounced violence in all forms. Justice Richards declared a rape and murder crusade until such a time that the menace is completely eradicated in society.
According to him, murder and rape had become rampant in society. As he put it, his court continues to receive cases of rape and murder almost on a daily basis and he declared that until such time that the menace is completely eradicated, if anybody is found guilty on the offences of murder and rape, he would waste no time in handing down the maximum sentence on the convict.
Speaking to our reporter in Brikma, Madam Fatou Sonko said that unemployment can cause crime in society adding “if one graduates and does not have any job to do, the person can easily engage in criminal activities”.
According to her, unemployment has become of great concern for parents noting that “we are tired sitting with our sons and daughters, looking eye to eye from morning to dust every day”.
She called on government to create more job opportunities noting that the country needs more investors to come and create employment for our young ones.
Madam Sonko also advised the young to engage in skill work to become self-employed.
The National Population Policy 2007, indicates that the current rapid population growth rate will translate into a high rate of labor force growth in the future and, consequently, increased demand for employment opportunities.
The Document spells out that the country is already facing the problem of having to provide for an increasing number of new entrants to the labor force.
Authentic reports shows that the rural-urban drift and international in-migration appear to have aggravated the unemployment problem in the urban areas. According to the Gambia Bureau of Statistics 1993 unemployment rates,, unemployment is high among the youth at the age 20-24 years, with 29.12 percent males and 26.93 percent females.
However, creating sustainable livelihoods for the youths and for their need to be involved in national development, is the way forward. Youths need support for them to make their own future, and some of the support or activities can be based on empowerment, entrepreneurship training, creating awareness seminars and outreach programmes.
It is to be noted that growth in the job market is not keeping pace with the high turn over of school leavers and, as a result, there is high unemployment among the youth. This provides clear evidence of the need to consider the population factor in economic development strategies.
The National Unemployment Plan has even called attention to the pressing issue of the high unemployment rates among the urban youth, aged 20-24 years.
According to findings, unemployment rates are generally higher among the more educated ones.
Using the latest population census figures, which is usually the benchmark reference for unemployment indication, the urban rate is 10 percent and the rural one stands at only 2 percent. Moreover, the urban youth unemployment rate is very high at 22 percent-- in rural areas youth unemployment is 3 percent.
However, research found that the highest unemployment is found among those with secondary education at 15 percent, while the lowest is found in those without any schooling with 4 percent.
Investigations show that among the few graduates who are lucky to be employed in the tourism, banking and finance services, insurance etc are employed because of either “who you know, not what you know, and scratch my back and I give you employment”.
Calculations in the Population Census 2003 show an unemployment rate of 9, 7, 6 and 1 percent respectively for those with pre-primary, primary, and post-secondary education and for others.
The PRSP does not give specific employment/unemployment figures, but emphasizes three important issues. These include the greater relative importance of unemployment as a priority in urban areas (according to people’s perceptions), the relatively high incidence of unemployment among graduates despite evidence of vacancies in the public sector, and the significance of urban youth unemployment.
The country study document on macro economic and labor market aspects, published jointly by Carnegie Endowment for International Peace and International Poverty Centre in July 2008, said that the most acute employment problem in low income developing countries is seldom unemployment.
According to the report, underemployment, i.e., “part-time, seasonal and short-term employment and low average earnings due to poor productivity” is frequently of greater concern. It stated that The Gambia’s HIS survey examine underemployment through the lens of a number of working days per year.
According to the survey data, most categories of workers work around 200 days or more. In the case of Wage-Workers, most of them work year round or 313 days per year. Calculations from IHS 2003 database on the days of work per year (median) of employed workers, point out that employers as 200, unpaid family workers 200, apprentice 200 and other total workers 205 days.
These figures suggest that underemployment is not a particularly serious issue, at least not as serious as often assured. However, this indicator does not provide information about other dimensions of underemployment, for example information on the number of hours worked per week.
On unemployment, others attribute it either to have the opportunity to further their education at tertiary institutions. On the other hand, the tertiary institutions are very expensive, which lends few people the opportunity to attend.
Findings revealed that currently there are no tertiary institution apart from The Gambia College that is offering free education for the poor and needy students in the country that want to further their education.
It is evident however that one consequence of unemployment is the increase in crime rates. The high rate of crime happens in the urban areas as young people found in “ghettos” and “attaya vous” get involved in crimes. Another part on the crime rate can be in the tourism area where it is common that “bumsters” engage in hurdles with each other
The increase in crime rate and criminals, worries the Gambia government and President Jammeh, has denounced it in his new year to address the nation saying “In fostering peace and stability, in the Gambia, I would never compromise with criminals and detractors, whose main intention is to stall our progress as a country. “.
Recently, “there has been a sharp increase in heinous crimes including murder, rape, robberies and others perpetrated within our boarders” said Jammeh.
“We as a nation denounce violence in all forms. My government will always maintain zero tolerance for people bent on wreaking havoc, instability and violence, we will apply the laws of this land to the letter,’ he added.
Making a similar statement, for the application of the laws, Justice Moses Richards of the Appeal Criminal Court Division of the High Court, on 8 September 2009, while presiding over an attempted rape case brought against one Omar Ndure, also denounced violence in all forms. Justice Richards declared a rape and murder crusade until such a time that the menace is completely eradicated in society.
According to him, murder and rape had become rampant in society. As he put it, his court continues to receive cases of rape and murder almost on a daily basis and he declared that until such time that the menace is completely eradicated, if anybody is found guilty on the offences of murder and rape, he would waste no time in handing down the maximum sentence on the convict.
Speaking to our reporter in Brikma, Madam Fatou Sonko said that unemployment can cause crime in society adding “if one graduates and does not have any job to do, the person can easily engage in criminal activities”.
According to her, unemployment has become of great concern for parents noting that “we are tired sitting with our sons and daughters, looking eye to eye from morning to dust every day”.
She called on government to create more job opportunities noting that the country needs more investors to come and create employment for our young ones.
Madam Sonko also advised the young to engage in skill work to become self-employed.
The National Population Policy 2007, indicates that the current rapid population growth rate will translate into a high rate of labor force growth in the future and, consequently, increased demand for employment opportunities.
The Document spells out that the country is already facing the problem of having to provide for an increasing number of new entrants to the labor force.
Authentic reports shows that the rural-urban drift and international in-migration appear to have aggravated the unemployment problem in the urban areas. According to the Gambia Bureau of Statistics 1993 unemployment rates,, unemployment is high among the youth at the age 20-24 years, with 29.12 percent males and 26.93 percent females.
However, creating sustainable livelihoods for the youths and for their need to be involved in national development, is the way forward. Youths need support for them to make their own future, and some of the support or activities can be based on empowerment, entrepreneurship training, creating awareness seminars and outreach programmes.
It is to be noted that growth in the job market is not keeping pace with the high turn over of school leavers and, as a result, there is high unemployment among the youth. This provides clear evidence of the need to consider the population factor in economic development strategies.
Gambian Artist Opens ‘Mama Africa’ Centre
NEWS BANJUL THE GAMBIA(MB)-“Mama Africa” a women’s museum and arts centre is now open at Bato Kunku village in the Kombo South district of the Western Region.
The centre was founded by Isha Fofana, a female Gambian artist, and reportedly built at a cost of 3 million Dalasis.
Mama Africa is described as the first international women’s museum in The Gambia, and the fifth in Africa, after the opening of similar centres in Senegal, Mali, Bukina Faso and Ghana.
The new art centre was officially opened on 16 February 2010 ,by the Minister of Tourism and Culture, Fatou Mass Jobe-Njie, on behalf of the Vice President.
Fatou Mass Jobe-Njie congratulated the proprietor and artist, Isha Fofana, for taking the bold initiative and responding to the call of the President by contributing to the development of the artistic and cultural heritage of the country.
According to her, the new development will inspire fellow artists to re-dedicate themselves to the development of Gambian visual arts through innovation, creativity and partnerships.
The women’s museum and art centre will also contribute to the development of cultural tourism in the country which, the Minister said, “is a cornerstone of our tourism policy in terms of product development ad diversification”.
The opening of the centre, she continued, “is yet another added attraction on Gambian soil”, and a response to President Yahya Jammeh’s call for all and sundry to contribute their quota to the socio-economic advancement of The Gambia.
The minister commended the proprietor, adding that the ministry applauded her efforts in raising the standard of Gambian visual and plastic arts through establishing a centre of excellence that she created in the context of contributing to national development.
“On my behalf and on behalf of the Ministry, I wish to congratulate Isha Fofana once more for this laudable initiative, and to pray that Allah continues to give her the strength and the wisdom to make even greater contributions to the visual ad plastic arts sub-sector of our national life”.
The minister assured the founder of her Ministry’s “unflinching support and solidarity at all times”, adding, “we wish you tremendous success in the months and years to come”.
According to Tourism and Culture Minister, a nation’s artists, producing a nation’s art, are important partners in development. “Art permeates virtually every aspect of life, from the utilitarian and functional things that “we need and use as humans to the aesthetic and decorative aspects”.
The art of a nation, she said, portrays the creative genius of its people and exposes in a positive and aesthetic form, the socio-cultural features of a country.
“This is why it is so important for great attention to be paid to the arts, because they constitute an important pillar in national development”.
The development and promotion of the visual and plastic arts is, therefore, a cornerstone of the cultural policy of the Gambia, she added.
Ms Fofana’s accomplishment is yet another feather added on to the cap of Gambian women for their continued contribution to the socio-economic development of the country in virtually all sectors, the Minister said.
“Today is red letter day in the annals of arts and culture in the Gambia”, declared Momodou Joof Director General at the National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC), who thanked Ms Fofana for the initiative.
The day marked a breakthrough in art and culture and the tourism sector with the official opening of this first international women’s museum and arts centre in the country. According to Mr. Joof, Ms Fofana’s work as an artist started far back in the early 1980s when she was a member of “Gambia Black African Arts Club” in Bakau.
“Isha had a passion for art at early stage in life, and has been like Edrisa Saine, Baboucarr Etou Ndow, among others in Bakau town”.
“To me, it is not a surprise to see such a complex built by Isha”, Mr. Joof added.
The NCAC Director-General further revealed that the Gambian artist has spent almost ten years in working in the artistic field in the Gambia, Africa and the world at large.
“During her time in Europe, she had exhibitions at UNESCO on the occasion of the music award given to Youssou Ndour of Senegal and singer Oumou Samgare of Mali.
“Her gallery in Germany was a cultural centre for people interested in arts and culture from all over Africa”.
Ms Fofana has made a name in the arts world, as she has participated in many international exhibitions, according to Mr. Joof.
“It is very rare to see young a Gambian who has travelled abroad and made a name, who comes back to the country”. Ms Fofana has been making a positive contribution to the tourism industry, and called on others to follow in her footsteps.
Mr. Joof commended the female artist for taking up the challenge by coming back to her native country, and assured her of NCAC’s support at all times.
“What you achieved here is indeed a shining example for many Gambians, especially young artists”.
Isha Fofana said “Mama Africa” is a non-profit association founded in 2009 in The Gambia.
“The vision that guided the creation of the complex is to build an institute for the future based on the belief that the voices, imagination and contributions of women must be part of the foundation of the society, and shape the future”, she said.
According to her, she was born in Banjul in 1965, and travelled to Germany, and that she has spent over 10 years working as an artists.
She revealed that, after an audience with the Vice President some years back, she decided to return home and to help her country in her field.
She thanked the Gambian leader for creating the enabling environment for artists in the country.
“This centre was built without support from any organisation; all the money I have abroad is what I spent here”.
According to her, the museum will be turned into a lively cultural centre and, hopefully, generate interesting exchanges as more visitors from West Africa and beyond come to visit.
“It will not be a museum where visitors just walk around and watch historical objects and art works, but it will be a “living museum”, she said, adding that guests will meet artists at work, enjoy local dancing and music, observe traditional and cultural dresses and learn to prepare Gambian foods and drinks.
“They will have the opportunity to get in touch with female spiritual powers and healing methods and experience family life from the past and present”.
She added: “My mission is to show the life of a modern African woman, and contemporary African art, and to give a view to the inside of women in the African society of the future”.
I had for almost ten years a great career in Europe and I decided to come back to my country (The Gambia), to help, to give back to my country something, the experiences I have learned.
“It is not the money we have to give to our homeland, to the children; it is the knowledge which will build up a great future for The Gambia.
Prayers were led by Isha’s father, Alhaji Gassim Fofana. The public was entertained by cultural groups.
The centre was founded by Isha Fofana, a female Gambian artist, and reportedly built at a cost of 3 million Dalasis.
Mama Africa is described as the first international women’s museum in The Gambia, and the fifth in Africa, after the opening of similar centres in Senegal, Mali, Bukina Faso and Ghana.
The new art centre was officially opened on 16 February 2010 ,by the Minister of Tourism and Culture, Fatou Mass Jobe-Njie, on behalf of the Vice President.
Fatou Mass Jobe-Njie congratulated the proprietor and artist, Isha Fofana, for taking the bold initiative and responding to the call of the President by contributing to the development of the artistic and cultural heritage of the country.
According to her, the new development will inspire fellow artists to re-dedicate themselves to the development of Gambian visual arts through innovation, creativity and partnerships.
The women’s museum and art centre will also contribute to the development of cultural tourism in the country which, the Minister said, “is a cornerstone of our tourism policy in terms of product development ad diversification”.
The opening of the centre, she continued, “is yet another added attraction on Gambian soil”, and a response to President Yahya Jammeh’s call for all and sundry to contribute their quota to the socio-economic advancement of The Gambia.
The minister commended the proprietor, adding that the ministry applauded her efforts in raising the standard of Gambian visual and plastic arts through establishing a centre of excellence that she created in the context of contributing to national development.
“On my behalf and on behalf of the Ministry, I wish to congratulate Isha Fofana once more for this laudable initiative, and to pray that Allah continues to give her the strength and the wisdom to make even greater contributions to the visual ad plastic arts sub-sector of our national life”.
The minister assured the founder of her Ministry’s “unflinching support and solidarity at all times”, adding, “we wish you tremendous success in the months and years to come”.
According to Tourism and Culture Minister, a nation’s artists, producing a nation’s art, are important partners in development. “Art permeates virtually every aspect of life, from the utilitarian and functional things that “we need and use as humans to the aesthetic and decorative aspects”.
The art of a nation, she said, portrays the creative genius of its people and exposes in a positive and aesthetic form, the socio-cultural features of a country.
“This is why it is so important for great attention to be paid to the arts, because they constitute an important pillar in national development”.
The development and promotion of the visual and plastic arts is, therefore, a cornerstone of the cultural policy of the Gambia, she added.
Ms Fofana’s accomplishment is yet another feather added on to the cap of Gambian women for their continued contribution to the socio-economic development of the country in virtually all sectors, the Minister said.
“Today is red letter day in the annals of arts and culture in the Gambia”, declared Momodou Joof Director General at the National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC), who thanked Ms Fofana for the initiative.
The day marked a breakthrough in art and culture and the tourism sector with the official opening of this first international women’s museum and arts centre in the country. According to Mr. Joof, Ms Fofana’s work as an artist started far back in the early 1980s when she was a member of “Gambia Black African Arts Club” in Bakau.
“Isha had a passion for art at early stage in life, and has been like Edrisa Saine, Baboucarr Etou Ndow, among others in Bakau town”.
“To me, it is not a surprise to see such a complex built by Isha”, Mr. Joof added.
The NCAC Director-General further revealed that the Gambian artist has spent almost ten years in working in the artistic field in the Gambia, Africa and the world at large.
“During her time in Europe, she had exhibitions at UNESCO on the occasion of the music award given to Youssou Ndour of Senegal and singer Oumou Samgare of Mali.
“Her gallery in Germany was a cultural centre for people interested in arts and culture from all over Africa”.
Ms Fofana has made a name in the arts world, as she has participated in many international exhibitions, according to Mr. Joof.
“It is very rare to see young a Gambian who has travelled abroad and made a name, who comes back to the country”. Ms Fofana has been making a positive contribution to the tourism industry, and called on others to follow in her footsteps.
Mr. Joof commended the female artist for taking up the challenge by coming back to her native country, and assured her of NCAC’s support at all times.
“What you achieved here is indeed a shining example for many Gambians, especially young artists”.
Isha Fofana said “Mama Africa” is a non-profit association founded in 2009 in The Gambia.
“The vision that guided the creation of the complex is to build an institute for the future based on the belief that the voices, imagination and contributions of women must be part of the foundation of the society, and shape the future”, she said.
According to her, she was born in Banjul in 1965, and travelled to Germany, and that she has spent over 10 years working as an artists.
She revealed that, after an audience with the Vice President some years back, she decided to return home and to help her country in her field.
She thanked the Gambian leader for creating the enabling environment for artists in the country.
“This centre was built without support from any organisation; all the money I have abroad is what I spent here”.
According to her, the museum will be turned into a lively cultural centre and, hopefully, generate interesting exchanges as more visitors from West Africa and beyond come to visit.
“It will not be a museum where visitors just walk around and watch historical objects and art works, but it will be a “living museum”, she said, adding that guests will meet artists at work, enjoy local dancing and music, observe traditional and cultural dresses and learn to prepare Gambian foods and drinks.
“They will have the opportunity to get in touch with female spiritual powers and healing methods and experience family life from the past and present”.
She added: “My mission is to show the life of a modern African woman, and contemporary African art, and to give a view to the inside of women in the African society of the future”.
I had for almost ten years a great career in Europe and I decided to come back to my country (The Gambia), to help, to give back to my country something, the experiences I have learned.
“It is not the money we have to give to our homeland, to the children; it is the knowledge which will build up a great future for The Gambia.
Prayers were led by Isha’s father, Alhaji Gassim Fofana. The public was entertained by cultural groups.
Gambians Urged To Be Wary Of Swine Flu
As Senegal Confirms H1N1 Outbreak
NEWS BANJUL THE GAMBIA(MB)-Essa Khan Executive Director of the National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA) has called on the people to be careful not to expose themselves to swine flu.
He said this following the confirmation of an outbreak of swine flu in Touba, Senegal, where many Gambian Muslims have gone recently to participate in the annual gathering in honour of Serign Touba Mbakeh.
Speaking at the official opening of the two-day training of trainers’ workshop on Humanitarian Pandemic Preparedness (H2P), held at the Dunes Hotel from 10th to 11th February 2010 Mr. Khan expressed worry that those who had gone to Touba could not be shut out of the country, thus there is a need for the country to revitalise its plans to avert an outbreak in the country.
According to him, both Senegal and The Gambia are contiguous, and an outbreak in any of the two countries could have effects on the other. He said this calls for a more collaborative approach between the two countries to tackle the situation.
Speaking of the H2P workshop, Mr. Khan said:
“We at the NDMA recognize the importance of this training, because the pandemic is a global issue that needs urgent attention.
Epidemics affect all parts of society. The training is crucial, since after the training, the trainees will be tasked to disseminate the information gained here to the entire nation, by replicating the process with other people in the various communities.
NEWS BANJUL THE GAMBIA(MB)-Essa Khan Executive Director of the National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA) has called on the people to be careful not to expose themselves to swine flu.
He said this following the confirmation of an outbreak of swine flu in Touba, Senegal, where many Gambian Muslims have gone recently to participate in the annual gathering in honour of Serign Touba Mbakeh.
Speaking at the official opening of the two-day training of trainers’ workshop on Humanitarian Pandemic Preparedness (H2P), held at the Dunes Hotel from 10th to 11th February 2010 Mr. Khan expressed worry that those who had gone to Touba could not be shut out of the country, thus there is a need for the country to revitalise its plans to avert an outbreak in the country.
According to him, both Senegal and The Gambia are contiguous, and an outbreak in any of the two countries could have effects on the other. He said this calls for a more collaborative approach between the two countries to tackle the situation.
Speaking of the H2P workshop, Mr. Khan said:
“We at the NDMA recognize the importance of this training, because the pandemic is a global issue that needs urgent attention.
Epidemics affect all parts of society. The training is crucial, since after the training, the trainees will be tasked to disseminate the information gained here to the entire nation, by replicating the process with other people in the various communities.
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