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Shocks and thrills in Inter-Bank tourney

Ebrima Dampha
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Each weekend, columns of executive cars lined up at the Father Gough Complex in Manjai as pot-bellied bank executives rally their teams to sweat it out in this prestigious tourney.

But that’s where the fun stops, because International Commercial Bank (ICB) coach Omar Sowe said the tournament has surprisingly produced hidden talents which are so good that he would recommend them to join the plane to Liberia to help the U-20 squad. 

“Frankly, this not a joke now, some of the players are very good despite the fact that bankers hardly find time for anything else,” he said. 

In the latest fixtures, GT Bank demolished FIBank 4-0 after drawing 1-1 with Eco-Bank. 

Trust Bank too were unstoppable against ICBank, beating them 4-0 on the same day. They had earlier beaten Access Bank 2-1 the previous week. Then Skype Bank beat Keystone Bank 1-0 as Access won Central Bank by similar score line. Other results show Zenith beat AGIB Bank 1-0.  Today, Eco-Bank locks horn with FIB

By Mamadi B Camara

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As stadium track remains inaccessible (Gambia exports over a dozen athletes to Senegal)

Ebrima Dampha
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According to Mr Joof, an international athletics official himself, more than a dozen national athletes are currently in Dakar Senegal, training, “because renovation works at the Independence Stadium, the only place with standard athletics track in The Gambia, is not yet completed.

“The lack of track means we have to look elsewhere in order to keep our athletes at standard preparedness for the championship, the biggest meeting of African athletics,” he said.

Accordingly, Mr Joof went on, the GAA negotiated a partnership with Diaraf Athletics Club in Dakar under which Gambian athletes are admitted into their club, receiving training and taking part in championships in Senegal and beyond. 

“We  are very fortunate to have a good relationship with Diaraf’s boss Alieu Sowe and wife Naif Kone, who are very useful in our project to have our athletes in full shape ahead of the championship,” he said.

Mr Joof further said the GAA has successfully landed an Olympic Solidarity scholarship for two other athletes, Adama Jammeh and Omar Jammeh, to attend the IAAF High Performance Centre for West African which is also based in Dakar.  The duo has since started the programme.

Asked what is the feedback from this outsourcing of athletes to Diaraf, Joof said the arrangement “fits The Gambia very well, providing excellent exposure to top class facilities and good conditions”, which under the present state of the stadium, would have been impossible.

Mr Joof said there are few other very talented young athletes who could go to Dakar under the Diaraf programme but because they are going to school they could only go in the holidays.

The following are some of the Gambian athletes in Dakar:

Fatou Sowe, Fatou  Ngum, Gina Bass, Isatou Camara, Omar  Jammeh, Adama Jammeh, Mustapha Manga, Buba Darboe, Lamin Keita, Ismaila Manga, Ebrima Camara, Assan Faye, Ebrima  Jarjue, Lamin  Sanneh and Pa Alieu  Jarjue. 

 

Author: Lamin Cham

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Mugabe slams African leaders attending EU-AU summit ‘sellouts’

Ebrima Dampha
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At least 35 African countries are represented at head of state and government level and others at ministerial level.  On the EU side, 22 countries are represented at head of state and government level and others are represented by foreign ministers. There are 58 heads of state and government out of 80 countries represented. 

The Gambia is among a handful of countries not attending the summit. The EU office told this newspaper that President Jammeh was indeed invited. Other countries that did not attend either because their leaders were not invited, or they dropped out later, include Central African Republic, Guinea Bissau, Eritrea and Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic.

South African president, Jacob Zuma, pulled out of the summit on Sunday, complaining that the EU was treating African leaders as “subjects” by dictating who should attend the summit. 

Reports from Brussels on the eve of the summit indicated that out of 54 African countries, 48 had confirmed participation in the 4th EU-Africa summit running today and tomorrow and 36 were represented at head of state and/or government level. Malawi leader Joyce Banda did not attend the summit as she is believed to be staying home to fight a critical election. 

Egypt was invited even though suspended from the AU because of a military coup.  Zimbabwe media noted that Morocco, which is not an AU member and which colonised the SADR and has close ties to the EU and US, is attending the meeting. Morocco pulled out of the AU in 1984 because it had accepted the SADR’s membership. 

           Additional information culled from Reuters

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Amnesty urges gov’t to stop threatening gays

Ebrima Dampha
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In its submission report to the UN Universal Periodic Review published on the 31 march 2014, Amnesty also calls on the government to amend laws which criminalise “consensual same sex sexual conduct and a persons’ right to freedom of expression through clothing.”

The Universal Periodic Review (UPR) is a UN human rights mechanism that subjects all countries of the world to a peer review of their human rights situation every four years. The first time The Gambia underwent the process was in 2010, where a number of issues were raised by countries the country faced. 

The Gambia’s next UPR session is in November 2014 in Geneva, and again it will face a panel of countries which will review the government’s human rights report, and those submitted by others including NGOs. Chief among these are the issue of free expression, death penalty, enforced disappearances, gay rights, among others.

Amnesty recalls that “President Jammeh has made numerous public statements attacking LGBTI rights, including at the UN General Assembly in 2013. In February 2014, he stated ‘we will fight these vermins called homosexuals or gays the same way we are fighting malaria-causing mosquitoes; if not more aggressively.’” 

The report added: “In 2012, 18 men and two women perceived to be lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender, were arrested during a raid on a nightclub. They were charged with attempting to commit “unnatural acts” and “conspiracy to commit felony”. Their pictures and names were displayed in the newspapers. The charges against them were eventually dropped due to lack of evidence.”

This is why the human rights organisation calls on The Gambia government “to promote human rights for all, regardless of their sexual orientation, and refrain from making threatening, intimidating, or discriminatory remarks against lesbians, gays, bisexuals and transgender (LGBT) people’s rights.

The UPR is a major accountability and monitoring process, and one of its features is that the report of the government must be made public before it is submitted. Also the recommendations that will emerge during the session must also be shared with citizens. According to observers, “this does not happen in The Gambia. The alternative reports of NGOs, and others are also to be shared before and after the exercise.”

 

By Sanna Camara

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Dr Saja Taal dies

Ebrima Dampha
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The vice chancellor of the UTG, Professor Muhamadou Kah said: “Dr Saja Taal’s death is a big loss to The Gambia. Up till his illness he had always been coming to the university to deliver his services to the nation. He is a person who has positively affected many lives. We are working with the family in making arrangements to pay our last respects to him. He will always be remembered for his contributions to the UTG and The Gambia at large. He has contributed a lot to the development of UTG and we will always remember him for that”.

Essa Touray, a senior history lecturer at the university, recalled: “Saja Taal’s contribution to The Gambia’s intellectual discourse since 1990s has been the foundation and encouragement for many young people to pursue careers and research. I was invited as a guest lecturer at public lectures he organised which inspired me a lot to embark on academic research. To get a person of Saja Taal’s intellect and deep understanding of issues is not easy.

“Saja Taal has contributed to the enrolment of many people in the university from poor backgrounds who would not have made it without his support. When he served as secretary general for APRC and permanent secretary he always tried his best to help students from poor backgrounds to get scholarships. He was indeed a man of the poor. He was not pompous. He was a very humble man who could have a dialogue with everybody regardless of social background or class. His death is a big loss not only for The Gambia but Africa as a whole”.

The president of the UTG debate association, Mustapha Kah, said Dr Taal positively impacted the lives of thousands of young Gambians.

Apparently in a state of loss for words and between sobs and tears, Fatou Taal, a niece to Saja Taal based in the UK said: “It is a great loss for the family and the whole of The Gambia indeed. We are thanking everyone who sent messages and phone calls. We are also thanking UTG for all the support. He had a lot to give and we will carry the torch for him. He will be missed dearly…a sad day for us.”

Meanwhile, family sources told The Standard that his body will arrive in Banjul at 5pm today and interment will take place tomorrow. 

Alieu Badara Saja Taal is survived by a wife, Yatou Cham, three daughters – Sainabou Taal, Oley Saja Taal and Ndey Anta Taal, a son Momarr Taal and one grandson Yusupha Taal.

 

By Sainey Darboe

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MINISTRY QUASHES ‘RUMOURS’ OF BRIKAMA EBOLA CASE TEST CLEARS 2 SUSPECTS FROM GUINEA

Ebrima Dampha
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However, The Standard has also learnt yesterday that the Medical Research Council had admitted a patient from Guinea where the virus claimed the lives of at least 83 people. 

“Because she was coming from Guinea, she was treated as a suspect. A test was conducted on her and the diagnosis was sent to Dakar. They are awaiting the results,” our source said. 

Contacted, Mr Jallow said his ministry was not aware of this case. “If the ministry has this information, they will contact the MRC and see what’s next. There’s a task force formed to monitor the situation. 

“Any traveler coming from any of the affected countries is screened by health officials stationed at the borders. They look at their body temperature, and if their temperature is high, they take them to an isolated place where they are put under the care of the medical personnel who observe their condition for a while before they leave. Even after that, for surveillance purposes, they take the address and other details of the place they would reside here in The Gambia.”

Mr Jallow said there was no cause for alarm in The Gambia, but he cautioned that people should apply good personal hygiene. 

The health official advised: “People have to be vigilant in the sense that they should not run away from one another but apply preventive measures. Key among them is personal hygiene. This is important. Second, let’s stop touching urine, vomit, blood or anything that comes from human body with bare hands. And we should avoid travelling to places where there is Ebola.”

Meanwhile, as we were about to go to press last night, the Ministry of Health issued a press release stating that “due to the active surveillance system the ministry has put in place, two people who travelled from one of the affected areas in Guinea (Macenta, a town in southeastern Guinea, 295 miles from Conakry) have been traced by the surveillance network. 

Although their clinical signs are not specific for Ebola, they are being treated in an isolation ward and all standard infection control measures are being observed. The Ministry of Health does not want to take any chances. So their samples have been taken for investigation in the regional reference laboratory in Dakar to rule out Ebola infection. Contact tracing and follow-up are ongoing.”

The ministry said it has reactivated existing emergency preparedness and management structures and networks throughout the country.

In a further development, the minister of health, Dr Omar Sey, late last night, confirmed to this paper that the test results of the two quarantined people who recently travelled from Guinea, proved negative. 

 

By Sainey Marenah 

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Illegal migration – a challenge for Africa

Ebrima Dampha
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Please allow me space in your great newspaper to express my opinion on the ever increasing rate of African illegal migrants trying to make it to Europe, which has become a big issue that affects both the recipient countries and the continent in many ways. Despite being blessed with a huge amount of natural resources, the continent continues to lose her energetic young men and women who leave in search of greener pasture. The central question remains, what is the cause of this dilemma? Whenever such a question is raised then people begin to point fingers at one another, in mutual recriminations to avoid blame.

Figures released by the Warsaw based EU organisation on migration, Frontex, show that Africans illegally migrating to Europe for the first three months of this year amount to 33,000 with 22,600 coming through Italy. However, most of them were said to be migrants from some North African countries and Sub-Saharan Africa who fled as a result of instability and economic hardship with the hope of a better life and jobs in Europe. The flow of migrants in Spain has significantly dwindled, but Italy’s struggle with the exodus of migrants has been steadily increasing as more and more young Africans are heading for the shores of Lampedussa or Sicily.

Who is responsible for this? The explanation advanced by some is that the youths, particularly Gambian youths, should be blamed for such a problem because they have no cause to leave the country for any other part of the world as the opportunities have been created for them as key players to contribute their quota to the developmement of the continent. They maintained that the youth of Africa should not put themselves at the mercy of perpetrators of neo-colonialism and exploitation.

On the other hand, African governments have also received their fair share of blame for such a problem. Supporters of this view assert that African governments are making little effort to help extricate the continent; the youths in particular from the vicious p cycle of poverty, and more importantly, helping them to realize their potentials as crucial players to both national and continental advancement. They complain that the governments do not create enough job opportunities for the youth that will serve as sufficient incentives for them to stay back home.

Well from a personal viewpoint, I believed it all boils down to the lack of love for our continent. As stated by one of your letter writers in your last edition, “unless we hate what we are not, we will not love what we are and our destiny as a people will continue to be shaped by aliens who have no clue of where we started”.

Many people, in and outside Africa, have now perfected the art of  paying lip service to the promotion of African development and prosperity, but practical demonstration of such service is indeed acutely lacking. It is high time that we worked hard in making the best use of our resources for our socio-economic development.

However, this is the task of all and sundry, it is the responsibility of the youth to make sure that they play their quota to the development of our continent. With this, they must be ready to take the lead and be brave enough to face the challenges. But it is equally the responsibility of African governments to create the enabling environment for the youth to take the lead. This can only be realized if our governments put youth empowerment on top of their development agenda. This, I believe, is the surest way to tackle this daunting task.

Lamin Jawla 

Basse 

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Adieu Saja Taal

Ebrima Dampha
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Dr Taal was until at the time of his demise a lecturer at the University of The Gambia, which only goes to affirm his role in advancing the cause of creating a society of knowledge through the young university. But he was not only a man of the classroom, he was very much involved in the political evolution of the nation. 

 

However, death is by no means the end of this man. In developing countries, most of the intellectuals who reached a certain level usually leave and go to countries where they could harvest greater financial rewards, but that was not to be the path chosen by the legendary Dr Taal. He, after his studies, came back to the land of his birth and served until he succumbed to the white claws of death. Therefore, in death as in life, he shall be remembered for his sacrifice and struggle for sharing his knowledge with people regardless of age, religion, gender or position on the rungs of the social ladder.

 

In our quest for creation of a rich intellectual environment, Dr Taal contributed immensely. He was always around for scholarly seminars organised by the students and people from all walks of life. He was a passionate teacher of the great ideas and theories that he so passionately expounded, criticised and defended. History will bear witness to his great contribution to the burgeoning debate of ideas taking place in our beloved country.

 

It indeed is a sad day for his students with the many touching tributes and personal accounts of his students all over the social media. But it is not only his students who are mourning his demise but every Gambian who have an inclination towards knowledge and study. He is not only mourned but also celebrated for all the times he spent giving out his best to all those who needed it.

 

The Gambia will never forget him and will always remember him as a highly engaging patriot with regard to academia and the dissemination of knowledge. In losing him we shall be inspired in honour of his memory to continue towards the path he and other giants of this nation have paved. We pray that his soul rest in peace and that God reward him and grant him His mercy. 

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The versatile, erudite and energetic Malleh Wadda

Ebrima Dampha
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Introduction

If Bye Malleh Wadda were to be born in England, Holland, Germany, USA, Brazil, Argentina or indeed anywhere other than his real birth place, The Gambia, he would have today been enjoying the cult status enjoyed by the likes of Pele, Johan Cryuf, David Beckham, Diego Maradona, and you name it. This is so because throughout his glorious sporting career, which cut across every disciplines and category, Malleh Wadda has touched every Gambian sporting heart with joy through his sheer brilliance and tenacity and versatility.

 

Gamportsports: Who is Bye  Malleh Wadda?

Bye Malleh: Bye Malleh Wadda, born to Naffie Sallah and Mustapha Wadda, 22 October 1959 at 46 Buckle Street Half Die. I moved to New Perseverance Street in 1968. Attended Windley Primary for two years, then Muhameddan. One year at Crab Island, six  years at St Augustine’s, three years at Elmira College, New York; diploma courses, project planning and appraisal at Bradford University (UK), Harvard University (US), MBA (Finance) University of Bridgeport Connecticut (US).

Taught at St Augustine’s High School (1982 – 84), National Investment Board (1984-94), general manager Independence Stadium and Friendship Hotel (1994 -96), Entrepreneur 1996 to date; Coordinator Father Gough Sports Foundation.

Married to Oley Dibba; 5 children (Ida, Omar, Katty,Mustapha and Samsu Wadda)

Gamsports: Tell us about your sports career, take us down memory lane, from Mohammedan Primary School to Accra Sports  Stadium in Ghana?

Bye Malleh: I don’t think I can state or explain everything here, but I would highlight some. Started at Muhamedan with Sait Mbye as my PE teacher; fought very had to get into the school football team as goal keeper, with Bro Gaye, Essa Fye, Lie Jobe, Gibou, Sang, Sheriff Jobe (they were older and a class ahead and wanted their classmates on the team, but I worked hard and got in); same with Long Jump; got Sait Mbye to do a pitch at the base of the school where I would do 20 or so jumps during lunch break. Worked on high jump too with Imam Muntaha Fye, then continued long jump and football at Crab Island with Cherno Touray. 

At Saints, I continued with the long jump, high jump, football, basketball and volley. (We had the facilities there and at the Banjul Tennis Lawn where we spent a lot of our time).

I played first international by default in 1975 in Bamako for Real de Banjul against Stade de Bamako. (My brother Jim was the keeper, he got sick when we arrived in Bamako and as his reserve I had to play. We lost 2-0). Same year I played for the junior squad.

 

I played in the African Nations Basketball Championship in Dakar in 1977. The Ghana saga was in 1978. We were bundled off to Ghana for a friendly with three days of training (Ghana were hosting The African Nations Cup that year). I was keeper, we were leading one nil after 30 minutes but I had the shortest defense ever with Kanjura and AC Conte as central defenders and Louise and Saloum Njie as half backs. My goal was like shooting practice. We ended up losing 7-1. (My last international as keeper).

I decided to be an attacker after that match. In 1977, I went to the World University Games in Sofia Bulgaria, participated in the Long and triple Jump and made both finals.  I competed against the World record holder in triple jump then a Brazilian called Oliviera. In 1978, I went to Elmira College where I played soccer and basketball. In 1982, I went back to Gambia and started playing striker for Young Africans and later, the national team. (I won leading Goal scorer trophy at the Zone Two in Mauritania.  I played in two Zone Two competitions and amassed the highest goals for Gambia in our Zone Two history (10 goals). I also played in African Tennis Championship in Libya (1985). In 1984 at the opening of Independence Stadium I scored the winning goal against Sierra Leone. We won the tourney. I also played volleyball against Guinea and some rugby matches against Senegalese teams. I had some bouts in table tennis and cricket but was never good at them, so I let them go. I won the double as coach of Real in 1998 and repeated the League in 1999.  I cannot say all but I guess this is a good highlight.

Gamsports online: You were a High, Long and Triple Jumper in high school and you dominated those events, as a matter of fact you won the Victor Ludorum trophy three times in a row, a record in secondary Schools Sports history, from 1977 to date. What secondary schools athletics was like then compared to now?

Bye Malleh: I think secondary school sports are now a picnic and an occasion for children to have a party. For us it was intense competition. We trained very hard for it and competed very hard and we were very serious about the results and bragging rights. I dominated the jumping events and was part of a very fast 4×100 meters team which scored the most points three years in a row. I think we had very dedicated PE teacher (Alpha Khan, Cherno Touray, Mr Conteh and of course our Father Gough). 

Am not sure if you have dedicated PE teachers anymore. I don’t think Gambia College offers PE teachers anymore. That needs to be examined.

Father Gough really pushed us to maximize our capabilities and provided us with the facilities to get to the front. His departure has been a big loss to Secondary schools sports.

Gamsports Online: You left the shores of Gambia in 1978 for Elmira College in upstate New York and made an immediate impact there as an athlete, what was it like coming to a new athletic programme far more advanced than what you were used to?

Bye Malleh: I had a hard time making it to the Basketball team because the coach had already recruited 14 players for his team before I got there. I also had some bad habits and it was really hard work to get on the team, but I was used to working hard to get to where I want to.  So I finally made it, which was gratifying. With the soccer also I had to transform myself from a goal keeper to a striker and had to work very hard to do that coupled with college and two sports it was very difficult. Some people told me I could not make it, but I did. It was gratifying in the end.

Gam Sports Online: You returned to The Gambia shortly after graduation and played a Nawettan game on that very day for Dai Ten and scored two goals, what was it like, how did you find the standard of football on your return?

Bye Malleh: As I said, I had worked very hard at being a striker and was a complete surprise when I returned to Gambia where I left as a goal keeper. I was much stronger and faster than most players, so I had an edge. I felt my standards were higher; I had gone to Montreal Manics training camp for two weeks in 1981.

Gam Sports Online: You are a founder member of Young Africans Football Club. Can you share with our readers the rich history of the club, dating to its inception to its recent achievement two weeks ago?

Bye Malleh: Young Africans started as a Nawettan team. Friends and classmates, like myself, Sheriff Njie, Albert Valentine, Paul Sarr, Ousman Jatta, Baboucarr Cham (petit) Futy Ceesay, etc…were friends and classmates and we wanted to showcase a young and talented group that was creeping in Gambian football. We had so much talent and skills. When I returned to the Gambia in 1982, Young Africans were in the first division and were being managed and financed by Father Gough. We were able to then set up a farm team, Roots. The idea was to have a second tier team to feed the senior team. Roots turned out to be so good that they made it the first division too. I think the team reached its peak between1982 to 84.

Gam Sports Online: In The Gambia Eleven of the 80’s, you were among the most vital components; tell us what it was like back in the days.

Bye Malleh: It was fun. We all wanted to play so much for our country and do well. We felt we had the talent to compete within the Zone Two and were very disappointed when we did not make it, especially between 1982 to 86. I use to be close to Saul Samba, a talented player, sometimes not in the mood, but when he was up to it, he could give defenders a hard time. Aziz was more that skilled and talented. Dodou Saine was smart, strong and fast. Louise was cunning but lack strength and pace which was his handicap. Sang Ndong was hard working in Goal. Essa Fye was fast and strong, moody also. Joe Tennis great shot, though did not like to work hard. Bill Badjie very hard working but lacked some confidence. Poachy Sarr was fast and talented. Sahou Sarr, a strong and hard worker. Biri was there towards the end of his career, but all you can say about Biri Biri is he was so good that you have to say his name twice. The Greatest African footballer ever in my book.

Gam Sports Online: In 1983, in Mauritania, you became the first Gambian to ever win the leading goal scorer trophy in the sub regional tourney, what was it like to come from an amateur league and play amongst the likes of African professionals at the time, example, Cherno Youm, Sheikh Seck, Fanta Madi Jarra, Roger Mendy, Bocande, Joseph Koto, and succeeded in beating them to that trophy?

Bye Malleh: I felt I could play professional, but it was not for me. I did not enjoy going to Montreal Manis in 1981. No comradeship and it was not fun for me. For me sports was for fun and not the professional aspect; I just enjoyed playing and was willing to play rather than being paid to play. I guess I had to prove to the doubters (there were a lot of people who doubted my ability). One thing people did not know was we played two matches before the Zone Two competition and in both matches I started on the bench. When we got to Mauritania I felt I had to prove to my doubters. So it was gratifying and it cemented my position as the best striker for the Gambia.

Gam Sports Online: In 1986, during the Zone Two Football Tournament you were in the UK studying. Prior to the tournament, the Gambian fans called for your recall for national service which never happened prompting “The Cabral Daily” The first daily Football paper in the history of Zone Two and The Gambia to run a story headlined, “WHO IS MISSING” .Evidently, no one could recall an explanation of why you did not come to Banjul. Well today we accorded you the space to tell the many disappointed Gambian fans of 1985. It is never too late?

Bye Malleh: Well it was winter in England and I was out training and playing in horrible weather in order to be able to make the tournament. I took permission from my programme and rescheduled my programme and had arranged a ticket and everything. I was calling Hallah Samba and OB Conateh daily, and but was devastated when I was told I was not registered for the tournament and it was unnecessary for me to come down. I was never so disappointed like that. I lost interest in my playing career after that. That was my second disappointment after the Senegal Zone Two saga. I loved playing in the Zone Two for it gave me an opportunity to showcase my talent around the region and missing that one was a terrible blow for me.

 

Gam Sports Online: After you retired from active football, you went into coaching and have been very successful, what was the transition like?

Bye Malleh: It was easy. I coached myself into being a striker. I also ran soccer camps in the United States before, plus my exposure it was a natural progression. I enjoyed coaching, it is like teaching. I enjoyed sharing my understanding of the game with others. I tried to establish a coaching staff also where I got other people to bring their experience and knowledge. I believe in team play. I love sports and sharing my knowledge and experience is always a pleasure.

Gam Sports Online: You have been quoted as saying that Biri is the greatest, elaborate on that for the benefit of those who never saw him play.

Bye Malleh: As I mentioned earlier, BIRI BIRI was the greatest African player I ever saw. He was fast, strong and very skilful. He had so much strength and talent he was unstoppable. I guess people in Seville, Spain would be the best to describe his greatness for we saw him when he was raw and playing under not too good surfaces, but when he got to Spain, they adored him and he took them to the first division where they stayed up to this moment. They are forever thankful to Biri Biri for it. Biri was a natural athlete and the traits he accumulated are insurmountable. I have seen Biri Biri score some impossible goals with defenders hanging on to him etc……

Gam Sports Online: If you were asked to choose one person who impacted your career as an athlete, who would that be and why?

Bye Malleh: It would have to be Father Gough. He gave me so much belief and encouragement. He made me feel capable of reaching a height not just in sports but in life. He has been an inspiration and support for all my life. I cannot express everything between me and Father Gough in this forum. He has been by far the greatest influence in my life.

Gam Sports Online: You are actively involved in the development of Gambian Sports in your capacity as the Coordinator of the Fr. Gough Sports Foundation, tell us about it..

Bye Malleh: The foundation is first of all to honour and acknowledge the work Father Gough has done in his life and the lives of others. The Foundation is involved the things Father Gough has done and continue to do in the Gambia, Human development. Giving scholarships, providing sporting facilities, providing sporting equipment for the development of the Gambia and Gambians through Education and sports.

The foundation has since its inception, in 2006/7 developed a top class football facility at the Father Gough Sports Complex; provided coaching, equipment and trophies and established a scholarship fund. This year we would be rehabilitating the Manneh Sillah Basketball Court in Banjul and constructing a basketball, volleyball and tennis courts at the Father Gough Sports Complex.

 

Gam Sports Online: You were raised by Real de Banjul, what was it like for you beating your older brothers all the time.

Bye Malleh: I am a Real fan and supporter for life. For me sport is pure and honest. When I compete I am not sentimental about it. I do my best to win. If not I don’t compete. I enjoyed beating my brother as I enjoyed beating other peoples’ brothers, it was a game and I wanted to win. They would have beaten me if they had the chance.

Gam Sports Online: Finally, your younger brothers, Roots football Club still talk a lot of trash; they claim they were better than Young Africans. You have the last word!

Bye Malleh: As I mentioned, Roots was suppose to be a “FARM” team, in the end they were competing with Young Africans. I still think Young Africans were better especially with Aziz Corr. Last word, thanks for the opportunity to talk a bit about myself. I think I have not mentioned some people I should have.  My apologies I don’t mean to marginalise anyone, it is just that I cannot remember everyone and might even be wrong with some of my info but  I don’t meant to give a false account of events. This is to the best of my memory. Once again thank you and good luck to www.gamsports.com. 

First published on Gamsports.com with questions by Tijan Masaneh Ceesay, author, ‘Insiders Review of Gambian Football 1975-1985.’

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30-man Gambia delegation off to Monrovia

Ebrima Dampha
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LIST OF PLAYERS

1. Bubacarr            Sanyang

2. Musa                   Touray

3. Bubacarr             Sanneh

4. Mass                    Manga

5. Sang      Pierre    Mendy

6. Alieu                    Jatta

7. Saikou                  Conteh

8. Bakary                  Njie

9. Ebrima                 Tunkara

10. Bubacarr               Trawally

11. Lamin                    Jallow

12. Madi                     Fatty

13. Ebou                     Kanteh

14. Bully                      Drammeh

15. Ali                          Sowe

16. Saloum                  Faal

17. Bakary                   Daffeh

18. Ebou                     Sanyang

19. Yusupha                Bobb

20. Abdoulie               Bah

 

LIST OF OFFICIALS

1. Tapha Manneh     Head Coach

2. Abdoulie Bojang    Asst Coach

3. Alagie Marong       Goal Keeper Trainer

4. Kalifa Manneh       Team Doctor

5. Wandifa Ceesay     Physio

6. Amadou LS Jaiteh Equipment Manager

7. Ebou ML Secka     Head of Delegation

8. Saikou Bah    Team Manager

9. Kebba Touray    GFF Official

10. Ismaila Njie GFF Official

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U20 goal merchant speaks ahead of Liberia match

Ebrima Dampha
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Next, he helped his team to victory again, slapping visitors Casa Sports with a lone goal in the second warm up match, that would sent shivers down the spines of Liberia who have 

So after that game the striker told The Standard;

 ”I think, I can continue with this form and discipline with my national team and I will try to keep training harder .We have to emulate and be inspired by great players in our ranks such as  Ali Sowe, and others and of course we would like to be like the Ronaldos and Messis”.

But he said he is only able to score because of the team work of the other players in the team and together he thinks they can do even better. 

 

By Mamadi Camara

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Gambia alert to Snowdens

Ebrima Dampha
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Minister Nyombi Thembo was here in Banjul for a 3-day regional summit on Information and Communication Technology, called Africa Innovation Digital. The annual event, the 12th of its kind in Africa, was organised by Extensia and hosted by Gambia’s Information Ministry. 

Responding to a question on the continent’s vulnerability to cyber threats to the security of governments and businesses, he said: “The moment you decide to go for ICT, which we must do, then you are highly exposed. 

“At a government level, the vulnerability is even more. There are people who because of different interests would want to get into your systems and disrupt your work.”

The advancement of information technology has given rise to a new breed of whistleblowers who utilised the space the digital world provides to expose what they believe were wrongdoings of their governments. 

But none can so far be comparable to a former CIA technical worker, Edward Snowden. The 29-year-old’s revelations about United States government’s surveillance on the internet and telephone communication of its citizens and other nations have sent shock waves across the world, triggering a geopolitical controversy in an already politically tensed world.

“All the time we have to be on the lookout,” Minister Nyombi Thembo says. “Governments, operators and individuals should be highly sensitised about cyber security. 

Meanwhile, the deputy permanent secretary at the Gambia’s ministry of Information and Communication Infrastructure said his government was alert to such threats. 

Mr Lamin Camara said: “Cyber security is integral in our agenda. Any system that we adopt we make sure we are in control of that security. In as much as we promote cyber adoption and utilisation, there’s threat which brings need for cyber security.

“This is a concern for us as a government. We have seen things happening around the world. The [Edward] Snowden case and the Wikileaks but, then, I think the security has to start with ourselves. The government can curb cyber security threats but inculcating it in the individual and educating people is the way forward.”

 

By: Saikou Jammeh

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UTG awards Ndondi Njie posthumous doctorate degree

Ebrima Dampha
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In a citation of his many accomplishments in his patriotic desire to serve the nation, the citation read at the ceremony said of him:

“Mr Ndondi SZ Njie was born in Banjul on the 12th January 1935. He was one of many sons born to a well known Banjulian business man, Samba Njie Prie. He grew up in Banjul where he did both his primary and secondary education at a time when most Wollofs were not keen at sending their children to school (Western Education). He held two Masters Degrees from the University of Reading, United Kingdom and University of Maine, USA. 

 He later bagged three diplomas in agricultural studies from the Republic of China (Taiwan), Ahmadou Bello University of Nigeria and Borgo a Mozzano, Italy.  With all these diplomas, Mr Njie was still not satisfied and proceeded to Cambridge, United Kingdom for another diploma in education from the Institute of Education”. 

Among his numerous responsibilities, Mr Njie served as head teacher, Pakalinding Primary School and senior master at Armitage High School. From there he worked as an agricultural training officer with the Ministry of Agriculture from 1979 to 1983. 

The citation continued: “Being more interested in academic work and having a foresight for the Gambia’s only higher education institution, at that time, Bai Ndondi, moved to the Gambia College from 1979 to 1989 when he retired from active service. During the period he was at the Gambia College, he served both as deputy principal and principal of Gambia College. Upon his retirement in 1989, Mr Njie continued to serve the Gambia College as adviser from 1989 to 1991. Mr  Njie did not only serve the higher education sector of the Gambia but was also an honorary associate lecturer at the Nova Scotia Agricultural College in Canada.

“Apart from his full time work Bai Ndondi also worked and served in various sectors and with different portfolios. He served as chief of party in NZ Development Consultancy Services. He was the president of the African Biosciences Network (Gambia chapter). He also served as chairman in the following organisations; board of directors, Tango, steering committee, ATPS- Gambia, board of directors, Chamen Self Development and Training Centre (GOIC). It was because of his hard work and his quest for excellences that he was appointed as chairman, Independent Electoral Commission for The Gambia in 2006”.

Apart from contributions to national development, the late Ndondi Njie was also a well known consultant, who served as consultant for the Association of African universities, the Commonwealth of Learning, Vancouver, The Women Rice Project and Freedom from Hunger Campaign.  Being a “dynamic, dedicated and enthusiastic man, Bai Ndondi never got tired” but continued availed the nation of his services by serving as adviser to the vice chancellor of the University of The Gambia.

The citation concluded: “As all human beings have a destiny in life; Bai Ndondi’s destiny was well cut out for what he was good at doing, working to improve the agricultural sector and the lives of others. As all human being have a mission to fulfill, Bai Ndondi fulfilled his mission in 2011.  Bai Ndondi is survived by four children and wife. May his soul rest in peace and may all his contribution to the Gambia society be rewarded”.

By Sainey Darboe 

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UNICEF Seeks greater engagement with media on children

Ebrima Dampha
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Mr Rupert Leighton, deputy Unicef  representative in The Gambia said the agency would support and work with the media particularly in the course of the year in a series of activities that would characterise the commemoration of the 25th anniversary of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, UNCRC. 

“This year marks the 25th anniversary of the UNCRC,” the UN diplomat said. “Governments, civil societies, religious and youth organisations as well as the media are challenged to think differently about how to promote and achieve change for the most vulnerable children who are also the hardest to reach, using equity approach for the inclusion of all children.

“Unicef will continue to partner with the media and provide them with the necessary support to ensure that all pertinent issues relating to children’s rights and equity is prominent in national dialogues.” 

Mr Leighton was speaking at a day’s training workshop for local journalists on reporting on children’s issues. The training forms part of UNICEF’s media support to advocacy programme being implemented by Department of Information Service, and funded by UNICEF under the Gambia Government-UNICEF country programme of cooperation 2012-2016. 

Presiding over the opening ceremony, the UN diplomat added: “Today’s training is important because it will ensure that the rights and integrity of all children continue to be protected when they are talked about in the media. 

“Furthermore, it will provide an understanding of why the UN convention on the rights of the child, or CRC, is significant in forwarding a conductive environment for all children everywhere in the world, including through media reporting.” 

Also speaking, the permanent secretary, ministry of Information and Communication Infrastructure, Ms Nancy Niang said: 

“Your role as media practitioners in the implementation of the media support to advocacy component cannot be overemphasised. This is because the media can serve as a powerful tool in supporting advocacy efforts for children and women by creating a strong programme visibility, focusing on achievements and the remaining gaps.”

Although she paid a tribute to Gambian media’s commitment in promoting women and children’s issues, PS Niang believes that there is room for improvement. 

She added: “A well coordinated approach to disseminating well-defined messages and quality materials by the local media still remains a challenge. This challenge if surmounted would create an enabling environment for the media to effectively contribute to the acceleration of the desired changes related to the social, cultural and economic condition of children and women in The Gambia within the media.”

Mr. Malick Jones, the deputy permanent secretary, ministry of Information and Communication Infrastructure challenged the media to live up to expectation by bringing out positive stories relating to children’s.

 

By Sainey MK Marenah

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Do we need religion?

Ebrima Dampha
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These are questions that are bugging the minds of many a youth in our times. The spread of knowledge of things hitherto unknown to man has made almost everyone suspicious of the tales of miracles that have held man tight to religious ideologies. Man no longer views, let’s say Jesus’ walk on water or Abraham escaping from the fire unscathed or Muhammad curing a sore eye with a spit of his saliva enough to hook him to the idea of an All-Powerful God. Man has gone to the moon and has explored the depths of the earth and seas and seems to be content with the gadgetry that is so fascinating to him. But the truth is, man is equally unhappy. The needs of man have increased with the passage of time and he is now insatiable. Yet, he is also devoid of any sense of contentment and spiritual health.

This has resulted to the excesses that we see today in modern society. No one has enough of anything. The happiness that we seek cannot be found anywhere. Man drinks liquor like water in the hope that he will find happiness. Some go the extra mile to taste cocaine or heroin or marijuana, but cannot still find the happiness they need. Sex is another area where man seeks to find happiness, but there also he seems to be in a delusion. This is manifested in the way he talks, the way he dresses or even the way he eats. When Sigmund Freud said that all problems of the world are related to sex, the world thought that he was crazy and some went to the extent of telling him so in his face. But, the father of modern psychology was right, at least partly. Sex symbolizes love and it is love that can bring about the happiness we so much crave but cannot attain. This love is manifested in different ways, love for art, love for poetry, love for music, love for wine, love for a woman or love for family. But all these manifestations of love fade in the long run. The true and real love which fades not is only the love of God Almighty. All other forms of love are misguided manifestations of that powerful bond between the Creator and the created. That is why the Holy Qur’an says that it is only in the remembrance of Allah that hearts can find rest. Whatever form of love you choose to manifest that desire within you will fade sooner or later.

One must find God, Allah, Jehovah, Jah or whatever name one may wish to call Him to be able to find love. It is to help society – those who will avail themselves of the opportunity- to find that love that we will endeavor in the coming weeks and months to answer the questions raised above in a sequence that will enhance easy understanding. This, it is expected, will help seekers after truth to find the path to success and happiness in a well-coordinated and guided way so as to fulfill the in-built desire of their hearts to find true comfort and happiness.

 

Does God really exist?

Some philosophers will have us believe that God does not exist and that it is man’s lack of knowledge of nature that led to the idea of a supreme being. They forward the theory that as man did not understand the powers of nature, thunder, lightning, lions, sickness, death and other forms of suffering, he started assigning them supernatural powers. When there was thunder, man ran to hide and worship the ‘god’ of rain. When there was death he did the same and so on and so forth. As time went on though, man gained knowledge and knew why or how these things happened, he therefore decided to combine all these ‘gods’ and call them one big ‘god’. To a naïve person, this explanation may seem plausible but looked at closely; it has a lot of loopholes. For, where that the case, god would be under obligation to thank and worship man instead because he discovered him! Also, how comes all peoples of all times came to the same conclusions at different times in history when no contact or communication was ever established between them? The truth is that Allah, reveals Himself to His servants and no one made this discovery. He is One and Holy and the light of the heavens and the earth. The Holy Qur’an does not only forward a claim that God exists, but has followed it with proofs and arguments which leave no doubt in the mind of an unbiased reader. 

The first proof that I would like to present for the existence of God Almighty is the law of cause and effect. It is known fact that the universe is a chain of causes and effects. The Holy Quran has put this forward as an argument saying that God is the cause of all causes or is the ultimate cause. This shows that God is the originator of the universe in as much as every rationale human being knows that nothing comes of its own. No one will argue with the fact that whatever we observe in the very organized universe is either a cause or the effect of another. It is also beyond reason to imagine that this will have no end. A little study of the laws of entropy and the big bang will make it abundantly clear that there is an ultimate cause which the Holy Qur’an claims is Allah, the Almighty. So far, no scientist in the world has ever claimed that the universe in infinite. Thus it must have a beginning and an end.

The Holy Qur’an has claimed God for both the beginning and the end. It is easily observable that everything in this world decays. One only needs to look around you to observe that there is decay everywhere, which confirms that nothing is infinite. When we study the Holy Word of God we learn this very clearly. In the second chapter of the Holy Qur’an, Allah the Almighty says:

…to God we belong and to Him shall we return. (2:157)

This verse clearly indicates that everything in the universe will ultimately return to God Almighty and that nothing is infinite. Studying this verse with the knowledge of the law of cause and effect in mind, one is bound to conclude that there is a God who is the ultimate cause of all causes. The theory of the beginning and the end of the world put forward by the scientist and corroborated by the Holy Qur’an also gives credence to this fact. We are told by the scientist that the world began with what they refer to as the ‘big bang’ thus culminating in the ‘white hole’ and will revert to a ‘black hole’ which will in turn go back to a ‘white hole’, until entropy consumes everything, is consistent with the Quran’s descriptions.

 

The Holy Qur’an says:

Remember the day when we shall roll up the heavens like the rolling up of written scrolls by a scribe. As We began the first creation, so shall We repeat it- a promise binding upon Us; We shall certainly perform it. (21:105)

This verse is totally in agreement with the scientific description of how the world began and how it will end- both accredited to God the Almighty. In the same chapter Allah refers the disbelievers to the fact that the heavens and the earth were a closed up mass and He cleaved them asunder, perhaps creating what the scientist call the big bang, and how He created every living thing from water.

It is clear from the above that the law of cause and effects proofs conclusively that the world must have a creator who also controls it. 

As I said earlier, the Holy Qur’an has put forward numerous proofs of the existence of God and in our next issues; we will be looking at other proofs of this nature.

All praise belongs to Allah, Lord of all the worlds.

 

Musa Bah is a teacher at Nusrat Senior Secondary School and the author of several books.

 

By Musa Bah

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Why are many Gambians dying young? (On the scourge of diabetes and how to confront it) part 2

Ebrima Dampha
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According to the World Health Organization (WHO) data on The Gambia, the mean fasting blood glucose levels of Gambians are steadily rising from 4.9 mmol/L in 1980 to 5.6 mmol/L in 2008 for females. In males, it has risen from 5.15 mmol/L in 1980 to 5.42mmol/L in 20087. The mean normal blood glucose level for humans is about 4mmol/L or 72mg/dl. The normal fasting (8 hrs without food) blood glucose level is between 70-130mg/dl and less than 180mg/dl after meals (4).

The scourge of diabetes does not affect The Gambia alone; it is a worldwide crisis, which if not slowed down, will take a toll on populations across the globe. Diabetes is pandemic and The Gambia is not an exception to this. The WHO has estimated that 346 million people worldwide have diabetes and 3.4 million died from the consequences of high levels of blood sugar in 2004. Eighty percent of all diabetes occurs in low and middle income countries of which The Gambia is a part (6). Up until last year, according to WHO, The Gambia had not integrated programs or did not have a specific policy/program or action plan to help curb the rise of diabetes (7). So as citizens, we are left with a few options or none to fend for ourselves against this terrible disease. Our only way out is to inculcate prevention strategies in our daily routines or lifestyles. This will require behaviour and lifestyle modifications.

Diabetes is categorised into different types. It is categorised as pre-diabetes; gestational diabetes; Type I Diabetes also known as insulin dependent or juvenile on-set diabetes; Type II Diabetes also known as non-insulin dependent diabetes or adult on-set diabetes(5). All types of diabetes share one common characteristic and that is: “abnormal glucose (sugar) levels.”

Type I Diabetes occurs when an individual is not producing insulin and Type II Diabetes occurs when an individual is not producing enough insulin to move sugars into body cells or when an improper usage of insulin is happening in the body. Insulin is a hormone in the body that is produced by the pancreas that facilitates the movement of food products such as glucose into cells to produce the energy we need for our day-to-day activities. Gestational diabetes is diabetes that occurs during pregnancy (1).

Signs and symptoms of diabetes are but not limited to: frequency in urination, fatigue, weakness, extreme hunger and thirst, non-healing wounds, tingling and numbness, dry skin and weight loss. Diabetic patients deal with another extreme blood sugar level called hypoglycemia which is low blood sugar levels. The signs and symptoms of hypoglycemia are: confusion, thirst, hunger, sweating, restlessness, shaking, blurred or double vision, loss of consciousness, seizures etc (2). Hypoglycemia can be triggered by not eating enough food or the effect of insulin or oral hypoglycemic on the body.

Like I stated in my last article, one has to be responsible for one’s own health. You are just risking dying prematurely if you sit and wait for help from politicians. Get out and do something about your health and don’t let anyone dictate how you are going to live your life. With the advent of all these imported canned foods to The Gambia, it is getting harder and harder as the days go by to live a life without exposing oneself to diabetes precursors. It is rather unfortunate that we in The Gambia look at canned foods as the way to go in terms of living healthy. It is disheartening to see people in The Gambia take pills such as “Geigedo” to increase their weight. The notion that looking “fat” means you are living a luxurious life is obnoxious! People doing that are slowly but surely killing themselves as one of the risk factors for getting diabetes is being obese or overweight.

So what can Gambians do to prevent and delay diabetes and its nefarious effects (if inevitable)?

· First and foremost: Know your status by getting tested for diabetes. Testing blood sugar levels help doctors in diagnosing diabetes. It is important to know your Hemoglobin A1C levels. This will help the doctor to know your blood sugar levels for a period of 2-3 months retrospectively.

· Eat healthy by eating small, frequent portions during the day which should include servings of fruits and vegetables. Eating white rice three times a day is not advisable. White rice has been associated with significant increase risk for diabetes (1).

 

· Minimise sugar and sweeteners consumption. The “wonjos”, “attayas”, “pancakes” “gingers”, “charkeres” ‘Tees” just to name a few, are getting sweeter by the day in The Gambia. We got to cut down on fried foods such as “benechin”, “chu” and the likes if we want to be around for a while.

· Read canned food labels before consumption. I hope the government will make sure food product importers label the foods they import. Look for high fat, salt and cholesterol contents and avoid them.

· Exercise regularly by moving around. Walking around the neighborhood, walking to school or the market, weeding the back yard, playing with children are exercises one can benefit from if you can’t do strenuous exercises like running or playing soccer. We have to dismantle the “attaya vous” my fellow citizens and find other ways of socialising with friends and family.

· Maintain a healthy body weight.

· Quit smoking if you are a smoker.

Healthcare workers: please DO NOT advise diabetic patients not to eat at night. “Suta domoroo bula” is a common sorry advice from some of our healthcare personnel in The Gambia. Advising a diabetic patient not to eat at night is predisposing him/her to hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) which is deadly. Diabetics should eat small frequent meals to achieve optimal blood sugar levels.

Diabetes and hypertension used to be foreign to our dear land but not anymore. One of the biggest problems facing our nation is the staggering number of undiagnosed diabetes and hypertension cases confronting us, rather unknowingly. Help our nation in determining the extent of the diabetes. 

 

By Bakary M Jallow

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GFF defends stance on URR football dispute

Ebrima Dampha
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“That is the best solution to this problem”, said second vice president Kebba Touray who spoke to The Standard yesterday. 

Touray said if any of these groups, -the Furu Gomez side which was elected under the Normalization time, and the Kurubally camp which rejects that elections, should organize the regional league, there would a be a possibility of a clash which shall not be in the interest of the youths there and the country. “That is why we as the GFF decided to sideline both camps until the problem is solved. The people need to play football meanwhile and that’s why we have to find a body which can run football there,” Touray said.

Asked how soon that that body would start work, Touray said people have been indentified already to serve in the committee but they are yet to be formally informed about their task and when to start. ”We have to do that with the local government and sports authorities and even security officials in the area,” he concluded.

Since the election of regional football associations late in the term of the GFA Normalization Committee, URR football stakeholders have been in dispute over the legitimacy of the election that brought Furu Gomez as president. A lot of stakeholders led by Aboubacar Kurubally claimed they were excluded from that election and held one of their own. Both camps are claiming to be the legitimate body and recently announced plans to stage separate leagues, leading the GFF to call on both sides to refrain from football matters until further notice.

However the National sports council has since advised that the Furu Gomez side is the recognized body and should be allowed to function as the regional football association there.

 

Author: Lamin Cham

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Say no to bigotry and yes to tolerance

Ebrima Dampha
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Every faith and ideology on this earth desires the good of all creatures. Even those seemingly violent ideologies, promote violence as a means to a good end. Of course the end cannot justify such evil means, but it illustrates the fact that men are by nature lovers of good. Tolerance is a virtue that is taught in all the scriptures that the major religions of the world profess belief and conviction in. So the issue of intolerance we can safely say stem from men trying to use religion in their evil machinations to further their own selfish interests. And this is what has gripped the world today.

 

We see the increase of religious intolerance daily. From Myanmar to the Central African Republic, the flame is being fanned and apart from empty rhetoric we see hardly anything being done to eradicate this menace. So it is becoming a part of our daily reality to hear thousands slaughtered for their beliefs and many others condemned to a life of misery. And unless we face it and try to deal with it, the cancerous tumour of intolerance will only grow more malignant.

 

At the root of this problem is of course the need for a sound interpretation of religious text. Most of the people going on to become extremists and intolerant people derive their so-called proofs from the scriptures of the religions they follow. So it becomes a binding duty upon the scholars of those traditions to stand up and intellectually refute those narrow-minded interpretations of the classical teachings. 

 

Islam, for example, encounters these types of scholars who use the Qur’an and the sunnah to justify their perverted goals. The current movement that defines the landscape of the Islamic scholarly elites is very weak. They see this demon growing stronger everyday but do very little to refute it and bring back the great teachings that characterise the path of Prophet Muhammad.

 

As for the political bigotry and prejudice that dominate much of the world, it will only be solved when we realise that political differences are the outcome of a diverse society. The diversification of the people will, by necessity, bring about different political leanings and followings. Through understanding that, we will come to terms and then move towards a cohesive nation building process. And the various governments and political parties need to put it on their programmes to educate their followers on the need for tolerance. It’s their civic duty to educate people on this if we are to have a society that can endure and live in peace and harmony.

 

The intellectuals, religious scholars, politicians are called upon to execute this idea. To promote the spirit of tolerance in this already volatile age is indispensable to the perseveration of our world- to encourage the need to accommodate all shades of opinions and ideas. The drive to development and lasting peace would only be a romantic novelty if we don’t promote this one ideal. The foundations of a civilised society rest upon the initiative of diversification embedded in a harmonious setup, and this is not possible without a tolerant people.

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Standard apologises to Henry Carrol

Ebrima Dampha
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However, Dr Carrol took strong offence to Sitaba’s criticism and wrote a letter refuting the claims which we published in our paper in its entirety in our 17th March edition. In addition, Dr Carrol repeatedly demanded an apology from this paper for publishing Sitaba’s comments regarding his person. At his instruction, his lawyer also wrote to us demanding the publication of an apology. 

We want to reassure Dr Henry Carrol that we hold him in high esteem as an old lawyer and a gentleman of generous dispositions and that we hold no grudge against him in whatever capacity. 

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Former Justice minister tries to discredit state witness

Ebrima Dampha
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Mr Jobarteh made this request yesterday before Justice Mikailu Abdullah at the high court in Banjul during his cross- examination of Musa Jarju who claimed he was assigned to obtain cautionary statement from Mr Jobarteh but could not remember the date the accused was detained at the NIA. 

Mr Jarju who claimed that he was a police officer attached to the NDEA headquarters at Fajara and is now working as a narcotics officer told the court: “I could not remember how many statements I recorded from the accused neither the time of arrest and detention of the accused at the NIA. Yes, I have recorded a statement from the accused in Tubanding village in Central River Region in relation to this case but I could not recall  whether the statement was obtained from him at his compound in Bansang in relation to this case as alleged by the accused.” 

He said the records were kept in their office.  Jobarteh then applied for the station diary and diary of actions to be produced for the purpose of cross-examination.  But the state prosecutor, Oumie Danso, objected arguing that there should be a notice for the production of these documents citing various sections from the Evidence Act to support her objection. She argued that the witness did not have the power and authority over the said documents. 

Replying on points of law, Jobarteh pointed out that the question of whether the witness did not have control over the said documents does not arise at this point but the matter was that, the said documents were kept at the NIA where he was detained.

“The only way for the witness to remember the dates is for him to go through the station diary or diary of action as he could not remember any of these dates when he recorded statements from me during my detention,” Jobarteh said quoting sections of the law. 

At that point he requested for a copy of the Constitution of The Gambia. He argued that it is the right of an accused to be given every facility and opportunity to prepare for his or her defence, citing the constitution. 

He further submitted that the witness was not a credible witness and that was the reason he was applying for the production of the documents so as to discredit the witness. 

However, after going through submission of the accused and the state, the trial judge overruled Mr Jobarteh’s application for “lack of merits”. Hearing resumes April 8.

 

By Baba Sillah

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