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By Sheriff Saidykhan

Gambians have reacted to the 2024 draft budget submitted by the Finance Minister and Economic Affairs, Seedy Keita few weeks ago at the National Assembly. 

Speaking to West Coast Radio popular Coffee Time show with Peters Gomez on Tuesday, Alagie Saidy Barrow, former TRRC investigator said the country\

By Sheriff Saidykhan

The Minister of Finance and Economic Affairs Hon. Seedy Keita  has called for fiscal discipline through economic management across various ministries in the country. 

He made these remarks on Thursday in an interview with Peter Gomez on Coffee Time show.

“You do not have to entertain an expenditure push simply for the sheer objective of saying yes, I am given in what the agencies required. 

But you have to make sure you do it in a financial sustainable way. So, this calls for fiscal discipline. And that fiscal discipline is the anchor of budget execution. 

Even in the course of implementing the budget, you look at every month how much you can within the approve budget- and how much budget has come by that you can actually spend without bloating the expenditure,” he said.

A week after presenting his estimates of revenue for 2024 at the National Assembly, Minster Keita added that the objective of any fiscal budget is to ensure that you do not spend beyond your means.

Asked on the little budget allocation for the Ministry of Youth and Sport, Minister Keita explained.

“So a ministry like Youth and Sport is very important, because the bulk of the population of the country are youths. 

But that does not mean that what is allocated in the budget is their source of revenue. Youth and Sport continue to benefit from levies, from the imports-  they continue to benefit from the levies of the gateway.

And when we are formulating the budget, that whatever we allocate, there are additional sources of funding that comes to the sector. And when you\

A RECOMMENDATION TO  EVERY CITIZENS, PARTICULARLY RELEVANT AUTHORITIES ON HOW TO ADDRESS THIS ENDEMIC MENACE

By Alhagie Sillah 

When are we going to hold a serious conversation surrounding this endemic road traffic crashes (RTC) formally called Road Traffic Accident (RTA)?

The rate at which Road traffic crashes is claiming lives of our people is seriously worrisome and alarming, if drastic measures are not fully effected or implemented to address this menace would further continue to result to a catastrophic and tragic loss of valuable lives.

Are we going to sit, fold our hands and see Innocent citizens continue to loss their lives unbearably on a daily basis due to avoidable accidents?

It has now reached to a point, whereby people feel scared to on-board a vehicle whenever traveling, because you will be thinking if you are not going to be the next victim of Road traffic crashes before reaching your final destination.

 The relevant authorities have to seriously look into the frequent happenings of Road Traffic crashes and come up with drastic measures to avert such menace.

The innocent lives we continue to loss due to Road traffic crashes are unacceptable, unbearable and uncalled for.

We have been frequently experiencing horrible, unbearable and shocking Road Traffic crashes that are deeply disturbing and concerning. It is indeed pathetic and disgusting to note that most people affected by these are our valuable youths.

The authorities are paying deaf eyes and not taking heed to the pleas of its citizenry, little do they care about the reoccurrence of such menace.

How many lives have we lost and how many shall we continue to loss, if necessary or drastic measures are not taken or enforced?

It will be interesting to note that The Gambia (a small country of less than 2.5 million population) is ranked 4th in the world only behind Zimbabwe, Malawi and Liberia in the list of countries with the highest and worst Road Traffic cases.

Let me provide you with brief synopsis of the statistics obtained from the Gambia Police Force detailing the records of Road Traffic Crashes cases in the country; the report indicated that from 2011-2021, on average 121 people die annually from road traffic crashes. Within that period, a total of 1,218 Road traffic accidents occurred.

In addition, from January to September, 2023 that is within 9 months period, there had been a total of 683 reported cases of road crashes. A total of 113 die and 308 people sustained serious injuries combined, constitute 62% of  the total recorded accidents, 74% of total accidents and 82% of serious injuries involved people age below 40 years.

Although, the numbers could be under reported for some reasons, it could be increasingly higher than this due to the fact that not all road traffic crashes cases are captured and or recorded.

However, you will not know the devastating consequences or impacts of accidents until you visit the main referral hospital (EFSTH) at the Accident and Emergency units (A&E) where Road Traffic victims are admitted, you will be shocked with the kind of patients you will come across that are admitted due to Road traffic crashes; many have become physically challenged, some fighting for their lives, while a lot could not survive due to the traumatic injuries they suffered from. 

Are you not aware that Road Traffic Crashes is in-fact claiming lives of our population quicker than most of the deadly diseases?

Most of the Road traffic accidents are human errors. That said, if necessary measures are in place could reduce the number of road crashes cases we usually have. Therefore, I solely believe that there is still room for improvement, in order to reduce road traffic crashes in this country, because it is evident that most of our Road traffic crashes are obsolete.

There are key factors that are leading to frequent Road traffic crashes among them are but not limited to: unqualified driving, reckless driving, terrible condition of our roads, negligence, driving under the influence of alcohol and or drugs and above all our attitude towards the road usage among others.

Most of the people we see occupying our roads driving have not undergone any formal driving training, all we see is easy way of accessing driving license.

To address these prevailing problems, here are some key recommendations that will be helpful in trying to minimize Road Traffic Crashes in The Gambia, among them are but not limited to the following:

1. Multi disciplinary Taskforce: I implore on relevant authorities (National Road Safety, National Road Authority, Ministry of Transport, work and infrastructure, Gambia Police Force and Gambia Transport Union) to formulate a task force committee that will seriously revisit our old traffic laws and regulations, thereby enacting relevant and effective modern legislations that are geared towards improving road safety in The Gambia.

2. Proper law enforcement for traffic offenders: If traffic laws on drink-driving, seatbelt driving, speed limits, driving without license are not effectively enforced, there cannot be an effected reduction in road traffic fatalities and injuries, effective enforcement includes establishing, regularly updating, enforcing laws at the national, municipal and community levels, it also includes attaching appropriate penalties to offenders. There should be strong fines for traffic offenders like driving without license should be queried, imagine people caught driving without a valid driving license are charged and only liable to pay 1,000 dalasis, if we continue to levy such charges against traffic offenders, it is more of encouraging them to continue to carry on the act. To produce effective Road traffic outcomes, strong management and effective coordination in all aspects of road safety is key.

3. Dedicating a lead agency: I implore on the right authorities to dedicate a lead agency for effective road safety, this will go a long way in addressing and improving our road safety efforts.

4. Putting an end to corrupt practices and bribery from the authorities: I implore on all relevant authorities, particularly traffic officers to decease from corrupt practices and collecting bribes for traffic offenders; therefore any driver that offends traffic rules should be dealt with and face the full force of the law appropriately without compromise.

5. Attitude towards road usage: I implore on every road user; be it vehicle drivers, motorcycle riders, bicycle users and pedestrians to develop and nurture good or right attitude towards the usage of the road.

6. Non use of drugs and alcohol: I implore on drivers to stop the use of substances like alcohol and drugs that can lead to lost of balance while driving and can subsequently lead to serious crashes.

7. Non use of cell phones while driving: I implore on drivers to stop using cell phones while driving hence that can lead to distraction and impaired driving which can further cause serious injuries or fatalities.

8. Reckless driving and over speeding: I implore on drivers to stop over speeding and or driving anyhow on our roads, hence over speeding can lead to serious crashes.

9. Providing adequate post crash care:  I implore on government to serious consider post crash care for victims, immediate cares for injured victims after a crash has occurred, is extremely timely, hence sensitive delays of minutes can make a difference between life and death. Improving post crash care requires ensuring access to timely prehospital care before reaching to the main facility, this can be achieved through specialized training of people on prehospital care.

10. Non use of helmets and set belts: The use of the aforementioned items can lead to the reduction of serious injuries in crashes, therefore I implore on all road users to fully utilize helmets and sit belts before using the roads.

11. Regular sensitization: I implore on the right authorities to formulate a regular awareness campaign targeting all road user on safety and effective road usage.

12. Unsafe vehicles that are not fit for purpose: Safe vehicles play a crucial role in averting crashes and reducing the likelihood of serious injuries, therefore I implore on all vehicle owners to make sure there vehicles are upto standard, that is fit for use before hitting the roads 

In light of the above submissions, I wish to reiterate that It is obvious and crystal clear that most of our Road traffic crashes are preventable only if these points are highly noted and observed to the latter; otherwise, I do not see this country any near towards addressing or mitigating Road traffic crashes.

We should remember that every single life is priceless, irreplaceable and worth living.

We should graduate from the “maslaha”syndrome and act based on what ought to be done without fear or favor; affection or ill-will. 

For the Gambia our homeland 

God save The Gambia and her people 

Our lives matters!!!!!!!

Enough is enough!!!!!!!

About the Author

The author is a Health Researcher, Health Advocate and Tutor

Publisher’s Note

Views expressed herein are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of the publisher. Want to be a contributing author? Please email opmail220@gmail.com

Team Outpost

The Coalition of Progressive Gambians (COPG) have critiqued MPs for failure to passed reform bills, chief among which is the draft constitution, the Anti Corruption bill and the security reforms.

“Their failure to tabled the draft constitution bill which is the will of the citizenry, the Anti Corruption Bill and the Security reforms are issues more pertinent than the urgency to sit and pass the former President\

The Gambia Press Union (GPU) is calling on the Gambia Police Force (GPF) to drop all charges against Madi Jobarteh, one of the country’s leading human rights activists. Madi is charged with “seditious intention”, “false publication and broadcasting”, and “incitement to violence” following his arrest, detention and subsequent release on police bail last month.

The charges are believed to have stemmed from unspecified social media comments he made last month in reaction to the arbitrary arrests and detention of an online media talk show host whose rights were violated by the police, and a series of comments by President Adama Barrow directed at media houses, activists and the opposition that were seen to threaten press freedom, freedom of expression, and Gambia’s fledgling democracy.

He has yet to appear in court, and his bail has been extended to 23rd November, 2023. The police are also holding onto his mobile phone since his arrest on 9th October following reports of surveillance by the police.

Madi, who was unwell and had informed the police of his health condition at the time of his arrest, saw his health deteriorated while in detention. He was later admitted at a local clinic before he was granted bail.

He has told a local daily that the charges against him are politically-motivated. “I find these charges to be ridiculous because I have not committed any of those offences, so for me, this is just persecution,” he told The Standard.

“We are calling on the police to immediately and unconditionally drop all charges against Madi Jobarteh,” GPU President, Muhammed S. Bah, said. “The government must respect the fundamental freedoms of individuals in law and in practice as affirmed by the Gambian Constitution and various United Nations, African Union and ECOWAS instruments that the Gambia is a party to.”

In May 2022, President Adama Barrow verbally attacked and threatened Madi Jobarteh in a live broadcast accusing him of seeking to “set the country on fire”, and that media organisations that offer him their platforms are harming the country – comments the GPU found unacceptable.

Madi was also arrested, detained and charged in July 2020 for organizing a ‘Black Lives Matter’ peaceful protest in front of the US Embassy in Banjul, and for criticizing Gambia government over unsolved killings of civilians allegedly linked to Gambian police and Senegalese forces.

“Madi Jobarteh is currently the most persecuted human rights activists in The Gambia, for merely utilising his fundamental right to free expression and holding the government, state institutions and public officials to account over allegations of corruption, poor service delivery and misgovernance,” GPU Secretary General, Modou S. Joof, said.

While the president and his government said it is committed “to democratic values, including the highest regard for the freedom and liberty of [the] people”, the recent arbitrary arrests and detention of journalists or media workers, rights activists, and opposition figures based on their work and speech or expression, and the president’s recent comments - go against whatever progress that has been made in terms of press freedom and freedom of expression.

“The government needs to demonstrate tolerance for freedom of expression and to appreciate the role of activists like Madi Jobarteh and the media who are playing a crucial role in fighting against corruption and for political and social-economic progress – which can only be achieved when fundamental rights and freedoms are upheld,” Joof said.

Sedition

Sedition, which is found in Section 51 of the Criminal Code, is an obsolete colonial-era law from 1933, which, among other laws, including “false publication”, was challenged at the ECOWAS Court of Justice. In 2018, the Abuja-based Court ruled that Gambia’s laws criminalising speech violated the rights of journalists, and directed that the government “immediately repeal or amend” the laws in line with its obligations under international law.

The sedition law was meant to ensure loyalty to the British Crown and to protect the monarchy from criticism and to stifle freedom of expression in an independence-seeking-Gambia, which has since been revised to shield Gambian presidents from criticism, being held accountable, and to severely restrict freedom of speech.

Seditious intention is seen as “an intention to bring into hatred or contempt or to ‘excite disaffection’ against the President”, which is punishable with a fine between 50,000 and 250,000 dalasi (between US$815 and $4,074) and/or a term of three years imprisonment. Part of the sedition law that shielded the government from being held accountable was scrapped by a Supreme Court ruling in 2018 following a GPU-suit from 2015.

False Publication

The “False Publication and Broadcasting” law, which has been replicated in the Criminal Offences Bill, 2022, is found in Section 181A of the Criminal Code. It states that the “negligent dissemination of false news or information” is punishable by a minimum of one year imprisonment and/or a fine between 50,000 and 250,000 dalasi. Under this law, anyone who “wilfully, negligently or recklessly, or having no reason to believe it is true, …publish or broadcast any information or news which is false…”, is deemed to have committed an offence. A lack of knowledge that the information was false is not a defence, unless it is proven that adequate measures were taken to verify the accuracy of the information.

In February, the GPU presented a position paper on the Criminal Offences Bill, 2022 to the National Assembly Committee on Human Rights and Constitutional Matters to consider removing sections on false publication and sedition which restricts press freedom and freedom of expression. The Bill, which seeks to repeal the current criminal code, is still at the committee stage.

While the government has accepted the recommendations of the Truth Commission to review these repressive laws restricting press freedom and freedom of expression in line with

international human rights standards, there has been very little progress in terms of implementation, and the laws still exist in the criminal code, and some are replicated in the new criminal offences bill.

Incitement to Violence

Found in Section 59B of the Criminal Code, also imposes up to a three-year jail term for persons found guilty of “making any statement indicating or implying that it would be incumbent or desirable (a) to do any acts calculated to bring to death or physical injury to a person or to any class or community of persons; or (b) to do any acts calculated to lead to destruction or damage to any property.”

The Gambia government must uphold the rule of law, and its local and international obligations on fundamental freedoms as affirmed by the United Nations’ Universal Declaration of Human Rights which states that: 

\"Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference [from the government, police or anyone], and to seek, receive, and impart information and ideas through any media regardless of frontiers.\" 

The GPU urges the government to prioritize the reform of laws known to restrict press freedom, freedom of expression and civil liberties as per the recommendations of the Truth, Reconciliation and Reparations Commission, the 2018 Judgement of the ECOWAS Court, and recommendations by a government-instituted Media Law Reforms Committee in 2018. 

These reforms should include removing or repealing or amending any provisions in the Criminal Code that are repressive or unduly restrictive or inimical to freedom of expression and of the press in a democratic society, including false publication and inciting to sedition which are found in the new Criminal Offences Bill, 2022. 

All laws that negatively affect fundamental human rights and have been earmarked for reforms deserve the same urgency that the government gives to other laws at the level of the Executive and the National Assembly – as was the case for the Former Presidents’ Bill, 2023 among others.

By Modou Lamin Conteh

Non-communicable Disease  (NCDs) on a country\

 | Author Shares His Views On The Legality Of Jammeh’s Right To Benefits And Entitlements |

By Almamy Fanding Taal

The quick answer to the above question  is NO and the long answer is it\

By Amadou Manneh

The Gambia Police Force (GPF) in collaboration with sister police units have continue to demolish stalls and shops that are illegal building along the country’s highways.

During the second week of the Nationwide road cleaning exercise, the police have today arrested over a dozen individuals for non-compliance.

“The public is reminded that anyone found in or returning to areas already cleared will be arrested and prosecuted,” the police said.

The nationwide road cleaning exercise has so far demolished hundreds of stalls and corners in the Greater Banjul Area.

The demolition have cause  great economic hardship to people who are earning their living from the stalls.

The victims lamented that their only source of income has been cut short and they have no means to earn money.

“This is the only place I use to work and earn my living but now it is gone and I am left with nothing,” Penda Sarr said.

Penda’s stalls was demolished because it is erected on the curbs of the highway.

“I erected my stalls here because I couldn’t find any other place to erect it. The markets are congested already so where do they expect us to go,” she said.

Penda is among hundreds of petty-traders and business owners whose stall have been demolished. Alagie Mbood said that the demolition is a bad idea, adding that it is depriving citizens from their source of income.

“For this means that I am unemployed at the moment. The government never employ me. I was self-employ so the government has taken my job,” he added.

He called on the government to reconsider its decision because they are hurting many Gambians.

“They have to find solutions to our problem rather than just demolishing our shops and leaving with no options,” he concluded.