I wish to make use of the opportunity provided to readers of your very informative newspaper to send a word of caution to the world. First and foremost, I would like sound a dire warning to the world that it is not only Africa that stands at risk of devastation by Ebola, hence the need for greater action from all nations and governments.
The economic impact of Ebola on the most affected countries, Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea carries with it a real threat of sparking instability and nullifying years of sustained economic growth achieved by the African continent.
Perhaps no one can put it better than the Liberian president Ellen Johnson Sirleaf who said of the epidemic: “We all have a stake in the battle against Ebola. It is the duty of all of us, as global citizens, to send a message that we will not leave millions of West Africans to fend for themselves against an enemy that they do not know, and against whom they have little defence.”
The World Health Organisation Thursday forecast that there will be 9,000 confirmed cases of Ebola by the end of the week, with the number of deaths soon to reach more than 4,500.
The number of new cases of the virus are doubling every four weeks which is alarming.
According to experts, if someone is infected with Ebola they will develop a fever and experience headaches, joint and muscle pain, a sore throat and intense muscle weakness.
These symptoms are known to develop suddenly, between two and 21 days of a person becoming infected, but patients typically develop these symptoms after five to seven days. After these symptoms develop people experience diarrhoea, vomiting, a rash, and stomach pain before liver and kidney functions deteriorate. Ebola then causes internal bleeding and patients can bleed from their ears, eyes, nose or mouth.
Needless to say, this is a very sad way for anyone to make their exit in the world. Little wonder then that the president of Supreme Islamic council called it a punishment from Allah.
Modou Lamin Jagne,
Sinchu Alagie
We need to celebrate July 22nd Revolution
Dear editor,
As we clock 20 years of Jammeh’s rule and the July 22nd Revolution, I cannot but thank the government for the celebrating this day with all the pomp and pageantry it deserves.
Since President Jammeh took the mantle of leadership of this country, we are no longer as impoverished as we used to be. Development is no longer an empty word .It is active and happening in every part of the country. Thanks to his hard work, dedication and ambition to move us away from poverty. You have eradicated poverty in many ways by creating conducive atmosphere for everyone, creating marketing opportunities, promoting agricultural production, education, health and infrastructural development.
Under the president’s able leadership, the Gambian people have continuously enjoyed freedom, peace, stability, socio-economic and technological development.
Omar Jah
Tobacco Road
Banjul
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