Gainako Newspaper

..............................Deyda Hydara
3 Years after he was murdered
......................................By Demba Baldeh..................................December 16th, 2007

Sunday December 16th, 2007 marks three years after seasoned journalist Deyda Hydara founder
of the point newspaper was openly murdered in cold blood few blocks from a police station in the
Gambia. The government of The West African State of the Gambia refused to investigate thoroughly
the brutal murder of this innocent law abiding citizen.

The National intelligence agency and the police after a lot of pressure from the press and the international community only
came up with a flimsy so called investigation, which only yielded shameful results. The investigators try to blame Deyda for
his own murder despite evidence that he was gunned down openly while driving two of his employee's home.

The investigation raises more questions than answers to this heinous crime against a leading journalist and his family. The
question remains, how could Deyda be responsible for his own death when someone openly fired on him? How much
credibility does the government have by blaming a murdered citizen for his own death?

The circumstantial events surrounding Deyda's death and the handling of the investigations all point fingers to the Jammeh
government directly or indirectly being responsible for his death. The whole country knows that Deyda was a fierce critique
of the current government. The country also knows that the President has issued numerous death threats against his
opponents and critiques. Gambian citizens also know that the government refused to show interest in the investigation of
Deyda's Murder much more putting resources into the investigation. Therefore, in a country where rule of law applies and
the constitutional rights of citizens are respected, the government would have been found responsible for Deyda's death
even if they have no hand in it by virtue of their reluctance to investigate the case.

It is also evidence that similar circumstances surround the disappearance and brutal murder of then finance minister
Ousmam Koro Ceesay. The same circumstances also applied to the murder of innocent students; the disappearance of
prisoners allegedly accused of plotting to overthrow the Jammeh regime and the death of several Ghanaians in the Gambia.

It is clear that there appears to be a trail of heinous crimes committed in the Gambia that the Government refused to
investigate. Why government refused to investigate these crimes indicates that the government of Yahya Jammeh or his
agents has some serious questions to answer.

It is indeed a serious disappointment that the former Director of the National Intelligence agency Mr. Pa Jallow whose
appointment the point newspaper held in high esteem brought the biggest failure in his administration. The least the man the
Point newspaper regarded as someone who could bring sanity to the agency could have done was to investigate thoroughly
the death of this media icon who founded the Point Newspaper.

Although Pa Jallow's short stay as Director of NIA was not clearly known to us, there is no evidence for us to believe that
he in fact attempted to solve these crimes under his agency's watch. We can therefore safely conclude that Pa Jallow like
his predecessors has failed the Gambian people in rendering his services to innocent citizens and their families.

All hopes of finding any solution to this list of atrocities seems far from being achieved. However, the media must not rest
no matter how long it takes until these cases are solve or those in positions of authority are held accountable for refusing to
protect these innocent citizens.

We will continue to demand justice for Deyda and his fellow citizens until dooms day. No amount of silence from the
authorities can prevent us from calling for credible investigations of these cases. We called on the Economic community of
West African States (ECOWAS) court of Justice to include the murder of these innocent citizens to any other cases they
bring against the government of the Gambia. We also called on the Media foundation for West Africa to also include all
these cases in their push for justice for chief Ebrima Manneh.

There is ample evidence that the Jammeh regime has clear negligence against the protection of the rights and safety of its
citizens. By virtue of government's responsibility to not only protect all citizens but also thoroughly investigate crimes
committed against any citizens, they should be held responsible for these crimes.

Finally, we call on all Gambian citizens either presently serving the government or had served in some capacity to come out
and tell the world anything they know about the brutal murder of these citizens. Much has been said and documented about
the murder of Ousman Koro Ceesay and as a result many Gambians have a clue of those behind his murder. The same
thing needs to apply for the murder of Deyda and those innocent students. These documentations will some day serve as
evidence or at least serve as leads to the investigation of these cases.

Slowly but surely someday, somewhere, by some responsible leadership, these cases will be thoroughly investigated, and
justice and closure will be rendered to the families of these brave citizens.

To all those who lost their innocent lives in the hands of cowardice, we mourn with your families and pray that the lord
protect your love ones in your absence. May their souls rest in peace Amin!!!

....THE RECENT ELECTIONS IN MINNESOTA.
.......................................By GON.....................November 25th, 2007

We congratulate the Gambian community in Minnesota for electing another executive committee to serve 2007 to 2009 as
stipulated in its constitution. The outgoing committee under the leadership of Mr. Dawda Sowe just likes hispredecessor
Mr. Lang Dibba did a good job for wholeheartedly sacrificing their efforts in seeing a Gambian community flourish.
Regardless of some lapses registered, the community came a long way entertaining and helping many at a time of need. We
hope the new committee under Mr. Wuyeh Sanneh will capitalize from the strengths and weaknesses of the prior two
leaders to move forward with the community. The elections were free and fair, though Gainako realized a low turnout. The
Gambian community in Minnesota is huge, and an important function like this in our expectation should have pulled at least
three-quarter or half of the community. But there is no blame for anyone for not attending. The blame is for the low turnout
(7% to 9%). There were no explanations for the women not in attendance. We hope that low turnout truly represents the
people. We hope it was no boy-cot.

First of all, it is important to note that many are called but few are chosen. Leadership is for the people. Leaders represent
a community. By being a leader, it requires humbleness, being considerate, being accountable, transparent, being strong for
dialogue and criticism and reaching out to all within the community even those that disagree with you. Leadership cannot be
personalized or it cannot create the "melting pot" deal where those at the bottom boil and those on the surface enjoy it.
Leaders should deliver to those that elected them. It is an interdependent relationship. The community must support their
elected leaders by working with them. If at anytime they fail, it is only noble for them to resign in good faith and let
someone else rectify the wrongs. No one should insist on being a leader and no one should coax people to be selected a
leader. It should be an earned status. So leaders must keep that trust level, never ever to let their personal desires or
emotions do the job. Their voice at anytime should be the voice of the people they are serving. Any rules or regulations
must truly represent the community. That's why vehemently an editorial member of Gainako and one time committee
member to the association [the author of this piece-Yero Jallow] over the years criticized certain stipulations in the
Gambian constitution. We must not stop supporting our communities by taking part in events. The stipulations that were
voted in a light quorum which ended up affecting certain societal pillars must be nullified forthwith with an apology from the
committee and a promise to work and support those affected families. If the rule is not working, it is not for us, or better
put as if the rule is destroying our relationship, then that rule should be voted out. However that is not condemning a voted
rule in a quorum. We still respect the votes that counted.

In an editorial like this, it is also the hope that the new committee will reunite the hope of Gambians in Minnesota. The plight
of those languishing in immigration jail must be considered in any package by any necessary means. The committee should
also select a committee of elders as an advisory body that will act as an oversight institution to oversee a good relation
between the community and the committee. Such a committee must be good listeners. The new committee should also
reach out to the smaller associations whose strengths over the years supported the association greatly to form its pillars.
They should also qualify their stance especially the 501 (c) which by its specialty requires no contribution or member
beneficiary, i.e. to say they can only receive donations. Our women must not be left behind for they are our strength. The
outgoing association under Mr. Sowe included the women and this must continue. An attendee in the capacity of an editor
also advised the committee to develop good relation with the US politicians, the likes of Mayors, Senators et cetera. That's
an advice worth listening to. Being apolitical doesn't mean one cannot interact with politicians.

With these words, Gainako wish you luck. We won't hesitate to constructively criticize you at times of need. That's exactly
what we did in the past. We are partners in-development.

..........BABY DUMPING;
............................A Crime Beyond all Crimes
............................By Yero Jallow, Co-editor.............................November 16th, 2007

It is not uncommon nowadays to see babies dumped in toilets, gutters, in the bushes or even buried alive. Such stories are
frequenting Gambian newspapers especially the Point Newspaper. You wonder what has happened to our society.
Obviously something is wrong somewhere.

A baby and how sweet a baby can be. When others are daily looking for babies in their lives, others are killing
them. In whatever way we can piece about the matter, it is a very cruel act. Such doers wronged beyond the limits. The
law should be invited to the fullest to take its cause. It is becoming typical of the "Jahaliya" period in Arabia where idolaters
because of beliefs buried their daughters alive. Those were idolaters. These ones committing the crime are believers in
religion but only do it to run away from societal laughter.

The sad thing is all these helpless babies are innocent. Perhaps, what is even more sympathetic about it, such victims are
helpless. No amount of rescue operation will recover them. The damage would have been long since committed by the time
that the news is out. Babies came to this world in search of their destiny, luck and pursuance of mercy wherever it may be,
just like anyone else. No one knows what any of those victims would have being if allowed to live; could be an activist, an
educator, an Imam, a Priest or anything one would ever think of. It only helps to show the degree of cruelty exercised by
such wicked people. Wicked indeed because they have no respect for humanity.

Why run away from shame to kill another life. If you are that in a shame, you should take your own life and spare a new
born baby. After they indulge in sex out of wedlock, it is only a shame to their families to give birth to what is called a
"bastard." At least, you cannot erase a sin by committing another sin. A sin is erased by getting closer to God by
repentance. Taking a life is so cruel, so wicked, and so inhumane that the degree of its cruelty cannot be fitted in writing.
Now as to whether you get caught doing the act or not, such a deed will haunt you the rest of life. You should know
at least you were born unharmed by your mother at birth. Have you ever asked yourself "Why my mother didn't murder me
at birth?" It is all but for love, pride and wish for continuation of human degeneration.

Now here is what our society should do to combat the disease that has succeeded in surfacing its angry smile in our
society. The Government should enact heavy penalties on such criminals. In a similar vein, people who show early signs
should be counseled. Parents and friends should be on the alert for their love ones. A high level of "watchdog" in the
society will check a person before the crime is committed. In a society that easily isolates girls impregnated out of wedlock,
it is a driving factor for such victims to think of hiding the shame by doing "abortions" and "baby dumping." That's not the
solution.

Gainako in its endeavors for awareness and peaceful existence condemns the act to the fullest. We find it hard to believe
that in the current age, there are still such qualified criminals capable of burying innocent babies alive. This crime of baby
dumping is beyond all crimes.

...........GOOD JOB AGERA!
.......................................By Yero Jallow..........................October 26th, 2007

No! The struggle is not a joke. It is real. A thank you must be given where it is due. Communities and
people must be bonded together regardless of any political or other differences. This is called true
unity. We cannot talk about unity when daily and nightly we are stocked on not helping our neighbors
or friends. If we eat or drink, are we also concerned that our neighbor did? Until, we turn towards
that direction then the unity scale will not be heavy.

Over the years, AGERA has done it all. In the wee days, we witnessed their hands in the unification of political parties in
Atlanta, USA. That ended up giving birth to NADD. It was a clear manifestation of their good hearts and commitment to
see a democratic Gambia flourish. In the end, though dreams didn't come through but theirs was clear for all ositive-minded
individuals to emulate.

Recently, one Momodou Bah died in Atlanta. It is the same AGERA mobilizing themselves to fly the body home. This is a
commendable job, and it shouldn't be light in the eyes of the decent. May the soul of the deceased rest in perfect peace.
Amen! We all could have been in the late Momodou's shoes. Problems and tragedies are blind. They neither discriminate
nor know bounds. A hit can be anyone, anytime.

In the past, an enquiry shows similar endeavors where they assisted people with all sorts of problems. Entertainments are
an attachment to them. I am sure the same applies to many other organizations, individuals and communities, known and
unknown. We therefore salute you for being consistent and steadfast, secondary to being doctors out to heal peoples'
problems. See, the little things all matter. They all count. Therefore, AGERA, good job on all your positive endeavors. You
are that beneficial olive branch.

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