Essays

From Bakau Farokono to Brikama Sataibakono, the gods of optimism have taken charge. Sheriffo, the bard with the word that is the truth has been appointed the minister responsible for Words. Mansa Appai has one final word to make very clear. But not even his loyal interpreter, the Alhagie from Ndofen, knows the right words to convey the message. Yea, it's gonna be good news!

By Paul Collier,Vintage books, paper back 237 pages

Sulayman Gisse came home from work in the middle of the day and went straight to the kitchen and shot his wife without any ado. He then went into the house and called the police to inform them of what he had done. He looked in the mirror and saw a completely new person; he had changed and at that moment, felt that he had aged at least ten years within that short time. His mind took him back to his office and the scenes flooded his brain like a micro wave.

Life had never been easy at Sisugi Enterprises. The tradition, for those of our common townsfolk who worked there, was always to make do with available crumbs while the big shots at the top of the pyramid enjoyed their creamy fat. So it was no understatement to declare that one big steal deserved another.

Doctor Alieu Bitteye stepped on his accelerator and sped off towards the hospital. He couldn't go fast enough and kept silently praying that the traffic remains in its current state so that he could reach in time to safe the lady in labour and perhaps, her child as well.

Gambian entrepreneur who put mobile phones in Congo

When people got tired of looking at Dr Gumbogi Nyawuleng's “handsome” face and hearing his “educated” ranting, they averted their gaze and looked at other interesting characters in our little town, the likes of Hotfoot Coldy, Yesyes Nono, Loudy Shortbrain, and Clutchy Loosefingers.

Senegalese troops intervened and the bloodshed of July 31, 1981 ended. Gambians were grateful, but not until national pride over territorial integrity came to the fore.

Former attorney general, British Virgin Islands

Following recent dramatic political and social developments unfolding in Ukraine, I am constrained to share certain perspective with a view to putting things in their proper context in terms of the geopolitical and political ramifications of this fast unfolding crisis which has caught the attention of people the world over.

This intervention has been provoked, not so much by the ambitions of General Buhari to return to power as the head of a democratic Nigeria, as by declarations of support from directions that leave one totally dumbfounded.

Dr Gumbogi Nyawuleng was an expert in the art of listening. He could listen for many hours on end as people said things that could bring down heaven and earth.