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By Alimatou S Bajinka Peace Hub The Gambia (PHTG) has on Monday 11 April 2022, embarked on a nationwide Youth Leadership Forum. The Nationwide Youth Leadership Forum(YLF) is Supported by the United Nations Peacebuilding Fund through UNFPA The Gambia. Mr. Bakary Sonko, Peace Hub The Gambia National Programme Coordinator, highlights the importance of Nationwide Youth Leadership Forum(YLF) to the young people and women. “In the modern generation, young people and women are critical constituents for innovative and participatory leadership. Given the numbers they constitute in our society, young people and women should be at the heart of governance, leadership and development for sustainability. Therefore, an initiative such as YLF will foster the shaping emerging young and women leaders in regions across the country,” he said. Mr Sonko explains that, in this Youth Leadership Forum, Peace Hub The Gambia will organize town hall meetings across all the regions of the country and one major mee

Former Gambian President, Yaya Jammeh  By Amadou Manjang Five parliamentary seats in the Foni Kansala districts, West Coast Region (WCR) has been won by independent candidates loyal to the former President Yahya Jammeh.  The candidates are drawn from the faction that break away from the Alliance Patriotic Re-orientation and Construction (APRC) party that supported National People's Party (NPP) in the 2021 presidential election. The faction known as (No-to-Alliance) rejected the NPP-APRC coalition. They supported the Gambia Moral Congress (GMC) presidential candidates in the National Assembly elections. Readers could recalled that the recent fighting that erupted between the Cassamance rebels and the Senegalese soldier's near the border in The Gambian territory evacuated lot of people in border villages in the districts of Kansala. Despite the evacuation of more than one thousand people in the area, there was lower turned out of voters during the National Assembly elections.  Cr

  Suspected drugs By Alimatou S Bajinka Operatives of the Drug Law Enforcement Agency of The Gambia (DLEAG) stationed at Barra in the North Bank Region (NBR) napped two men  with suspected cannabis sativa.  44 year old Dawda Yadeh of Mburr and 18 year old Kebba Cham of Kapantum in Senegal were clutched with fifty (50) big bundles of suspected cannabis sativa at the beach side in Barra on the 27 March 2022 around 10:00 AM onwards. The said suspected prohibited drugs were wrapped in cement papers and placed in the canoe.  The duo together with the fifty (50) big bundles of suspected cannabis sativa, the canoe alongside the canoe engine  were taken into custody as further investigations into the matter continues.

  By Alimatou S Bajinka   The Gambia component of the West Africa Competitiveness Programme (WACOMP-GM), is participating in the 15th edition of the Gambia Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) International Trade Fair at Bijilo. The trade fair, which attracted over 450 participants from the ECOWAS region, Europe and Asia, began on the 26th February and is expected to conclude on the 27th March 2022. With the theme “Accelerating Intra-Africa Trade for the realisation of AFCFTA through innovation”, the platform availed participants the opportunity to network and promote their goods and services. With the support from the European Union, WACOMP-GM is implemented by the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO) and United Purpose (UP). The project is increasing The Gambia’s competitiveness through enhanced quality compliance along the onion value chain by improving the performance, growth and contribution to industry, regional trade and exports of onion and other hortic

  By Amadou Manjang On the Institutional hearings of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), the Truth Commission has recommended the prosecution of NIA top officials for various human rights violations they carried out in their deparment. The recommendations details on the Truth Commission report, volume 13 recommends the prosecution of the following individuals. “Yankuba Badjie, the former Director General of the NIA and Sheikh Omar Jeng be prosecuted for their complicity in the unlawful detention and torture of Tumani Jallow and Abdoulie Gaye at the NIA and for their roles in handing over Tumani Jallow and Abdoulie Gaye to the Junglers knowing reasonably well that they were highly likely to be tortured and killed.  Badjie, Sheik Omar Jeng and Tamba Masireh be prosecuted for their role in the torture against Solo Sandeng and the April 14th 2016 UDP demonstrators at the NIA.  Edrissa Jobe (Alagie Morr) be prosecuted for the torture against Lamin Karbou and others at the NIA.  Lamin Da

  By Amadou Manjang  Lyndon B. Johnson an independent candidate for Banjul Central constituency told journalists that Banjul is turning into a store city; vowed to protect the residents if elected into the National Assembly. He made these remarks after submitting his nomination papers to the Independent Electoral Commission Returning Officer in Banjul, ahead of the Parliamentary election.  “If you look at Banjul, everywhere is constructed into a store. People don’t have where to stay so most of the people are going to kombo,” he lamented. Johnson said that property developers in Banjul are constructing stores that are causing residents of the city to loss their homes. This according to him, is depopulating Banjul. “We have seen that the city is going on the drain in the sense that wherever a property is sold in Banjul, people tend to loss their houses.  And all of sudden (they) won’t have nowhere to go or (they would have to) move to kombo,” he said.  He further added that there should

  By Sheriff Saidykhan The Gambia Association of Local Government Authorities (GALGA) called on the government of President Adama Barrow to rescind its decision for the allocation of stalls at the newly constructed Basse market, in the Upper River Region (URR).  Landing B. Sanneh, the President of Gambia Association of Local Government Authorities said the pronouncement of the President is contrary to the dictates of the Local Government Act 2002. He made these remarks at a press briefing held on Thursday 17 March 2022, at its main office in Tabokoto. “We the Local Government Authorities of The Gambia, comprising Chairmen and Mayor's of all the eight Area, Municipal and City Council's, have considered this announcement by the President as contrary to the dictates of the Local Government Act, 2022 and the powers vested on Basse Area Councils by the Act. The announcement has the potential of destabilizing and compromising smooth relations between the URR Regional Governor's O

  By Amadou Manjang The Truth Commission report that was submitted to the government months back has recommended that the government of The Gambia to repeal all repressive media laws and ensure the safety of journalists’.  “The government should with immediate effect, repeal all repressive legislation, including legislation that does not comply with international and regional human rights law, particularly the Information and Communication (Amendment) Act 2013 and Criminal Code (Amendment) Act 2013; being criminal libel and defamation,” the report stated. The report further stated that the government should take all necessary steps to ensure that all journalists are able to freely exercise their right to freedom of expression without fear of arrest, detention, intimidation or harassment. “To ensure media and freedom of expression provisions contained within the Constitution comply with international standards, as outlined under article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Poli

  By Amadou Manjang The Truth Commission recommended that former President, Yahya Jammeh should be investigated and prosecuted for the murder of Deyda Hydara, the disappearance of Chief Ebrima Manneh, the arson attacks on Radio 1 FM and The Independent newspaper as well as torture on journalists’.  The commission's report stated that an investigation be carried out for the purpose of prosecuting the Junglers who participated in the murder of Deyda Hydara, arson attack on Radio 1 FM, attacks on The Independent newspaper and torture of the journalists and other persons mentioned in relation to the Freedom Online Newspaper issue. The commission has uncovered the killing, torture, disappearance of journalists and other Gambians for expressing their freedom of speech. “A study be carried out on the Criminal Code and the Criminal Offenses Bill 2020 and the Criminal Procedure Bill 2019 with a view to removing/repealing or amending any provisions contained in it that are repressive or undu

  By Amadou Manjang The former president Yahya Jammeh and his hit squad the “Junglers” has been recommended by the Truth Commission to be persecuted for crimes of murder, torture and other serious human rights violations.  The Junglers  as a killer squad was created by Yahya Jammeh, as a witch hunt to eliminate his enemies or people he perceived as threats to his rule. Whilst the then Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces, the truth commission held him as the ultimate commander of the Junglers.  The commission revealed that Jammeh occasionally directly, commanded or issued instructions directly to the Junglers to carry out certain killings or to carry them out in a particular manner. The commission recommends the prosecution of “Yahya Jammeh for the crimes referred to in this report and impose a life-ban on him from holding public office.”   “Prosecution of all the Junglers and other persons listed for their complicity in crimes referred to in this report subject to the grant of amnes

  By Amadou Manjang  As the new academic year begins, there is a growing tendency of fear among educators that the number of experience and qualify teachers leaving the field may increase.  Many teachers have quit the profession due to lack of motivation.The rate at which teachers are quitting the profession to other professions in search of greener pasture is increasing at an alarming rate. Alasana Jallow , a former high school teacher said he quit the profession to attend the university to further his education.  “I left because I was not focusing on my studies (at the University of the Gambia,” he said.  The Higher Teacher Certificate (HTC) holder further pointed out that for him to further his education and develop himself, he needs to quit the teaching profession. However, Mr. Jallow said that lack of motivation and respect are also among the key reasons he left the profession. “People are tired of this disgusting situation” he lamented. For his part, Salifu Manneh , a teacher a

  Photo Credit: Flex Dan By Sheriff Saidykhan The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) has on Wednesday 2nd March 2022, convened a daylong training with media practitioners and Civil Society Organisations (CSO's,) as part of it's efforts to raise awareness of the role of the media and Civil Society Organisations ahead of the Parliamentary and local government elections.  The event held at the Gambia Tourism and Hospitality Institute (GTHI), in Kanifing brought together IEC officials, media practitioners and Civil Society Organisations to dilate on the IEC code of conduct during covering election.  Hannah Forster, the Chair of CSO Coalition on election highlights the significance of the training ahead of the election.  “The training is part of IEC hallmark to ensure that their is a capacity building for its partners most especially the media and the CSO, to ensure that they participate in the process of election” she remarked. Alieu Ceesay, board member of the Gambia Press Uni

  Photo Credit: thegambiatimes By Amadou Manjang Following the Truth, Reconciliation and Reparations Commission (TRRC) recommendations on the human rights violation committed during the former president Yahya Jammeh’s 22 years dictatorship, the Commission has recommended the prosecution of the former president and the vice president. The report revealed that the vice president, Isatou Njie Saidy is also recommended for the arbitrary arrests, detentions, tortures, injuries and killings of the demonstrators in April 10 and 11on students.  The Truth Commission stated that Yahya Jammeh, the former Commander in Chief of The Gambia Armed Forces should be prosecuted for all the atrocities against students, such as arbitrary arrests, unlawful detentions, tortures, assaults causing harm and killings of the demonstrators. The recommendations were given on the ground that Jammeh either gave the orders and instructions to kill the students or he had failed to investigate and prosecute members of t

  By Amadou Manjang The Truth Reconciliation and Reparations, Commission (TRRC) report recently submitted to President Adama Barrow, after months of investigating human rights violations under the former government, recommends former President Yahya Jammeh for raping Fatou Jallow (Toufa) and others. The Truth Commission stated that Yahya Jammeh has committed rape against Fatou Jallow (Toufa), and protected witness DB 18, adding that on Jammeh’s ordered witness FB 17 was rape by the Junglers. Protected witnesses are those whose identity were concealed during their testimonies at the Truth Commission public hearings for safety and privacy. The Truth Commission also recommended the prosecution of Ousman Sonko, for his role committing rape of Binta Jamba, 15 year old girl in Lamin Daranka and  protected witness F and the harassments of five female prison officers of The Gambia prison services. Jammeh’s hit squat the Junglers, are also recommended for prosecution, for raping and other forms

By Sheriff Saidykhan    Sheick Seedia Darboe, the renowned late Islamic cleric was remembered by faith Muslims from different walks of life at an event held over the weekend at Medina Bakhalarr in the North Bank Region (NBR). The annual (Gaamo) of the late scholar is set aside to account his life and the miracle things he left behind for admiration by faith Muslims at all times.   The two days event attracted thousands of faith Muslims and scholars from across the region, to share historical knowledge of Islam. He was born at Nyonbato in Senegal, and later migrated to settled at Medina Bakhalarr. Up to date theirs no accurate year when he was born. He founded the settlement in 1937, with the view to spread Islam within North Bank Region and other Satelite villages. Addressing Muslims at the event. Imam Ba Kawsu Fofana, renowned scholar urged Muslims to be steadfast in their religious affairs and to follow the guidance of elders. He said the late cleric played an i

By ALIEU SUSSO  The residents of Bansang in the Central River Region (CRR) have demanded to have access to safe, clean drinking water. The womenfolf of this community has for the past months been facing difficulties to access clean, safe drinking water for their daily activities.   The community benefited from many taps tap, which according to the residents are not hygienic for safe drinking purposes. In the run up to the Parliamentary and local government elections, the inhabitants of Bansang called on the government to provide safe, clean drinking water for the community.   Aji Fatou, a resident in the community recounted on the periodic difficulties they encountered towards accessing the water. She said the whole community fetched water from one borehole constructed by one Samaritan without any charges.   She added: “But with all that, we paid those who are having wheelbarrow each gallon is costing D15. Imagine having 15 gallons I spent D225. Therefore

By ALIMATOU S. BAJINKA   Drug Law Enforcement Agency of The Gambia (DLEAG), operatives of Bansang Field apprehended one man with suspected firearm and drugs. He was napped on the 28 January 2022, with one big bundle, two medium bundles, seventeen parcels and some quantities of suspected cannabis, coupled with a firearm at Bansang Allattentu.   He was subsequently charged for possession of prohibited drugs contrary to Section 35 and the use or possession of firearm contrary to section 47 the Drug Control Act (DCA) 2003 Revised Laws of The Gambia.  In a separate development, Faye Ceesay, a 57 year old Civil Servant by occupation was also nabbed on the 28 January 022 with three (3) parcels and twenty four (24) wraps of suspected cannabis sativa at Allattentu. Zaidah Sanneh, an adult male Gambian and a student was also apprehended on the same day with four (4) wraps and a smoking joint of cannabis at Bansang Town. The duo were taken into custody and charged for possession of Proh

  By Alimatou S Bajinka And Amadou Manjang President Adama Barrow has renewed his government promises towards improving the economic status quo of the country.  He made these remarks yesterday at the Independent Stadium, as he was sworn into office for the next five years after his landslide victory in the December 4th presidential election. The ceremony was attended by many African Head of States, government dignitaries and party supportes. He said Gambian people entrusted him with another mandate to continue his development plans for the country. He stated that in the next five years, his government will acccelerate the economic growth of the country.  “The focus now is centred on economic development” he said. President Barrow praised his government for registering significant strides during his first five years into office. “To cite examples, most of the construction works of the targeted eight hundred kilometre, Primary Road Network, and South Banks have been completed. My adminis

By Sheriff Saidykhan The Gambia Press Union (GPU) mourned the demised of two Gambian journalists. According to health officials the two late journalists were involved in a fatal car accident around Lower River Region (LRR) last night.  Muhammad S Bah, President of Gambia Press Union eulogised the late duo saying their demised was devastating. “A very devastating news to hear the demise of our two colleagues and brothers. Pa Modou served the GPU in several boards including the Sheriff Bojang jnr executive. I pray to Allah to grant them Jannah. My condolences to everyone in the media fraternity and the families as well” he decried.  Pa Modou Faal started working with The Independent Newspaper in 2001. He was also the founder of Association of Health Journalists in The Gambia. Musa Ndow, was a onetime executive member of Young Journalists' Association of The Gambia (YJAG).   This medium has reliably been informed that the late Pa Modou Faal, will be laid to rest today at 5pm in Lamin.

  By Alimatou S Bajinka Floricultural sector has been one of the hardest hit sectors amid covid-19 pandemic. The pandemic poses trickle-down effects on the sector which leads many businesses struggling with low income at the end of the day.  Floriculture is the growing of flowers, and its sector has been hard hit by the COVID-19 pandemic. This reporter went out and about at the Bertil Harding Highway to look into the constraints of some vendors, and assessed the impact of COVID-19 on Floricultural sector.  Modou Keita, a vendor who sells flowers at the Bertil Harding Highway, stated the impact of COVID-19 on his business.  “Corona has truly affected my business, the flowers we sell are mostly purchased by the tourists, and hotel owners, so most of the hotels are no more operating, which leads to the low sales of my produce, it’s like in every 100 if we were earning 90 before we are currently earning just 20, in a 100, that is how bad the COVID affected my business” he said. An anonymou