Gainako Newspaper

A Swedish based Gambian boxer who turned
down the offer to participate on behalf of Sweden
and decided to play for his original homeland is
now in deep trouble for failing to settle hotel bills
accrued during the period of the African Olympic
qualifiers in Namibia, a few months ago.

Mr. Badou Jack not only qualified to raise the
Gambian flag at the 2008 Olympics in China but
also succeeded in winning a Gold medal for his
country in the qualifiers in Windhoek.

What makes news is that since then Mr. Jack's hotel bills have not been settled by the department of
state for sports. The sad thing is that the boxer still owes the hotel.

Reports reaching this correspondent said the boxer is in limbo as he finds it difficult to settle the bills,
but the president of the Gambia Boxing Association Mr. Correa put the blame squarely on the
department of state for Sports for not doing enough to salvage the young gifted boxer.

According to information, Correa has contacted the permanent Secretary as well as the Sports
Council but nothing significant has been done about the matter up to now.

It is also said that the president of the association wrote a letter and went to see the permanent
Secretary personally; that his vice president also did the same thing, but instead of addressing the
matter as it deserved urgency, the permanent Secretary categorically uttered something that could only
frighten an already excited Correa . And what did he say? He said, "if at all this is the amount you
have to pay for one boxer, it is better not to participate at all and simply come back"

According to information, the president of the association also spoke to the then SOS for sports Mass
Axi Gai who bluntly said, "I cannot help, I am sorry."

Now one can imagine how such a president after doing all these efforts for one's country would feel
when told that one's effort is not worth the while. Also imagine a great boxer like Badou who with
pride won a gold medal of the eleventh category has to endure all the humiliation after one's triumphant
victory in a foreign country.

The questions that should naturally follow are:

1) is the Gambia Government interested in uplifting sports men and women? If yes, why are they
discouraging young talented and progressive sports persons who are excelling and earning glory for
the country?

2) Would Badou and his likes not use this example after enduring such a humiliation to discontinue
their performance for their country or would they change heart and say after all it's not worth the
pride?

The desperate boxing president is now left with other option but to go round begging so as to settle a
hotel bill of a boxer who has mustered all courage and energy to win an eleventh grade GOLD
MEDAL for his dear country.What is however clear is what the Government allocates to the
department of state is very meager. In 2007 the budget allocated for Youth and Sports department
was only eight million dalasi. The final question is, is it the athlete or the country that is shamed by the
whole affair?

...ANSUMANA MARENA
.PROPRIETOR OF JULAKAY ENTERPRISES IN HOT SOUP
....................By Solo, Banjul correspondent...........................July 17th, 2008
The proprietor of Julakay Enterprises, a construction firm, Mr.
Ansumana Marena has been arrested by the state and is said to
be held at the maximum-security wing of Mile Two prisons.

Mr. Marena was said to have been arrested since on Sunday
by state security agents. According to The Observer Newspaper,
Mr. Marena is arrested in connection to financial matters but
did not specify. However, unconfirmed information has it that
Mr. Marena is involved with the Gambian president in a business
deal that amounts to 13 million Dalasi for a joint businesses, but
the narration go like this.

President Jammeh entrusted the businessman with a huge amount of money to do business, make
profit for him and return the amount with interest, but the businessman has failed in his attempt to pay
the amount on time.

Some say the unfortunate businessman is likely to fall in the same trap as Baba Jobe for not paying
customs duty and other taxes during the period; that in this type of thing the state will just charge you
for financial impropriety such as not paying customs duty, economic crimes against the state etc etc
and pin you on that to land you in jail without mentioning anything about the crux of the matter.

.................................OPINION
Poor Treatment of Journalists Gives The
Gambia A Bad Name : By Kairaba Demba;.................July 16th, 2008
I read with great interest the many incidents of ill treatmnet
of journalists in The Gambia well documented in an article
written by PK Jarju and wish to add my thoughs on it: My
contributions would come as a series and in this first one I
take a few cases of ill treatment of press men and how the
lack of professional media advisers at state house caused
media blunders at the presidency!

Those who are surprised by the current plight of Dida Halake
are those not in the know that humiliating staff at the Observer
and indeed government media houses are a tradition.

Unfortunately though except perhaps in Halake's case; a few
others I know have done their best not just to serve their
media houses but also the general audience. The whole thing is not far from the general rot that
characterise todays' Gambia where hypocrites and mediocres have hijacked the national services and
are busy destroying the competent ones! Let me focus here on a few cases I know of in the media!

The Daily Observer was my favourite paper and I hardly missed an edition between 1993 to 2004.
I was privy to a lot of information arising out of the circumstances that led to the sale of the Observer
and I remained close to the establishment even after that. If I want to give specifics here most of the
staff would make out my identity which I do not want.

My intention here is to draw attention to the ungratefulness of the Observer management to its staff
and how the general treatment of journalists by the APRC government through bad advise or
hypocrisy has brought about the present poor image of the president and the country:

I will start with the dissatrous handling of the case of three journalists among many other good ones
who have been maltreated by the system in Banjul and have left in fear or shame for having been led
down by the very system and state they were serving.

Sheriff Bojang: Currently studying in London
Contrary to what many believed, the sale of the Observer could not neccesarily have brought about its
sorrowful state today, if the innovative strategies and editorial management employed by Sherrif
Bojang had not been rudely interupted . Even though everyone knew that the new owners are close to
President Jammeh, if it is not himself, Bojang had vigorously pursued a fair coverage of issues that
though not harshly critical of the regime, but never fail to cover what was in the public dormain. Sheriff
was gifted in recognising what was news,especially what the readers wanted to read.

Soon after he took over the paper, Bojang created interesting columns and pioneed the popular
Weekend Observer with its much sought -after stories, features and Sports. Indeed so interesting was
the Observer that people hardly noticed that its ownership has changed hands.Sheriff was hell bent on
keeping much of the paper:s reputation intact following the high profile sacking of DA Jawo and the
honorable resignation of Baba Galleh Jallow.

This period, compared with the rogue spell under Buba Baldeh, was like death and life. However
even after the gabbage and gutter years of Buba Baldeh with his blind biasness towards the
establishment, Bojang managed to lift the paper to acceptable heights upon his return as manager.
Drawing experience from his years as reporter he himself anchored breaking news stories and
conducted eye browsing interviews with people and on issues which are taboo under Buba Baldeh.

But what happened to Sheriff? Hypocrites and charlantans in the board conspired against him in their
snake like style and managed to throw him out because he would not condone their mediocracy. He
was one day given the boot without notice. I was very close to a certain board member who later
became the angel God of the Observer claming to be the voice of Jammeh on Observer matters. if I
want to go into the details of Sherif.s sacking my my identity would be uncovered. But the real motive
and reasons would be discussed later in subsequent articles. To recognise his worth; just go through
the stories of the Daily Observer these days and compare the presentation; coverages and content of
the sheriff Bojang years.

Lamin Cham
Next to come to my mind is Lamin Cham also currently studying In London! This is the man who is
likely to blow my cover if he read this and is still with his good memories of events and people around
him. Here is a man who had dedicated his entire life to the Daily Obsever, spending weeks: days and
weekends across the Kombos and eslewhere and keeping late nights at work to feed his readers with
the latest local and international sports every single day of the calendre. Who would ever forget
waking upon every morning to see his smilling face at he top of the second to last page of the paper ,
loaded with last night's latest sports news on the GFA league and other sporting events. Together with
his team, they boosted sports coverage and undoubtedly contributed a great deal to today's vibrant
sports media . Infact there are very few young sports journalists in this country today who has not
pass under Cham's Observer Sports desk. Which Nawettan centres have Cham not visited in the
Gambia ? Who would forget his contributions on the GRSTS sports desk?

What did they pay him? Was he not removed unceremoniously and innocently and months later
subjected to a brutal torture for doing absolutely nothing with the Freedomnewspaper. A man who
does not even have the heart to harm an insect.

Let me now expand to deal with other journalist outside the Observer who has been maltreated .

Peter Gomez: Director Of West Coast
Next is Peter Gomez, another houeshold name in the Gambian media. Gomez is clearly the best brain
in broadcasting in the country at the moment. Having served Radio Gambia on a salary of less than
D200 from 1981 to 1992, Peter went to train and worked in Germany . Being a patriot , he returned
home and volunteered to work for his old institution on starvation wages despite the fact that he could
get three times more corresponding for international media.. He came back to Radio Gambia a
complete mordern broadcaster and made an instant impact. The good old News at Ten became
popular again while Sports Round Up was again the talking point in sports news reporting. Infact it
was not difficult to hear people saying that they listen to Radio Gambia only just to hear Peter Gomez.
What did they pay him? One day a man rode on a bicycle towards the station and as Peter, always
modest, was leaving the station, called him. ''Mr Gomez. I have a letter for you''. It was his dismissal
letter. Again no reason but all those who followed the Sharia Saga and Peters uncompromising
standse knew why he was sacked. Where is Peter Gomez now . Whose loss was his departure from
the station? The Gambia or Peter Gomez?

There are others like Peter Gomez's boss at Radio Gambia , Bora Mboge. From 1977 when he
completed his A levels, Bora dedicated his life to the Radio and unlike some of his colleagues never
left it for single day until June 2006 when he was unceremoniously booted out.

I can go and on as their dozens of other who have done great service and were even killed in service.
And the circumstances leading to these men's departure from their well cherished and indeed
competent services are the same; they are victims of sychophants, incompetent people who felt
jealous and insecure in front of these people. What is more sorrowful is that some of these destroyers
have gone on to be advisers of President Jammeh on media matters.

Just like other areas of today's Gambian society, anybody who wants to destroy the other only need
to have access to Jammeh... Knowing that Jammeh's moody type of person, his media advisers play
on his emotions to eliminate competent and harmless people from the good worjk they were doing.
Infact much of the bad publicity Jammeh is getting today is undeserved and unnecessary.

Through their lack of professionalism and jealousy The president's media advisers have managed to
eliminate competent media practioners who they feared could have risen to the very positions they are
today holding today as square pegs in round holes. Their incompetence can be traced in the numerous
media blunders that occured at the presidency simply because the Preseident does not have
competent media advisers . Those who surround him as media advisers or information ministers
lacked the dynamics and functions of mordern day media. As a result they do not know what
statement would make the President sound funny and ridiculous in the eyes of the world. The most
glaring example is the blunder with the Aids cure debacle.

His Information minister or press officer or director of TV should have advised him that even with all
his sincererity and confidence in having a cure, the World would not believe him. They should have
known that by calling the international media, they are helping to make the President a laughing stock
in the World because the media would feed on it as meat, knowing the funny and bizare nature it
would look and sound to the rest of the world.. And Jammeh does not not deserve this because no
matter what you think of him, he loves his people and country.

In the same vein much of the trouble with journalists which has brought a lot of bad image to the
regime are caused by these incompetent people surrounding the President. Journalists would not
prefer to go abroad if they don't fear arrest or have not seen their collegues arrested and tortured
Instead of engaging The President, interpreting and advising him on contemporary international
political , diplomatic and related news and media dynamics, these mediocres would rather pick up a
story in the local newspaper; rushed to the President to say, ''look at this article it is written by so and
so reporter. He is an opposition symphyatiser. I will make sure I close this paper or radio,' or deal
with this reporter'. If the President happens to be in a bad mood that day or is brooding over a
complex national matter, the next thing you hear is that that reporter is sacked or picked up. Then the
international media will obviously pick up the story. Before too long it is documented among a list of
human right abuses. All these can be avoided if the President sack these liars and employ
professionals.

Here are some ways I would recommend;
Mr President, replace your infromation Minister with competent media practioners who knows how
the world information system works and would be able counter, react and appropriately advise you
on matters dealing with the media. You will realise gains immediately.. Liberate the national airwaves,
including the GRTS TV and Radio by putting in competent managers and journalists to cover all that is
in the public interest. Lift the ban on radio stations and press houses that have been closed down .

Talk freely to journalists from all sides on national issues. The best way to kill a rumour and even a
true story is to make a public statement about it once and for all.

Last but not the least allow those journalists you may have inadvertently sent on exile, by closing their
offices or persecuting them. I sincerely believe that you do not mean any bad or evil to the nation but
you are not getting the image you deserve largely because of your handling of journalists affairs. They
are agents of news and if they are hurt,that is bound to be news. Of course they are not above the
law. Drop the case against Fatou Jaw Manneh and set Chief Manneh free if you are holding him;
apologise to the journalists both at home and abroad who were tortured by your state security agents.

......................................POEM
...........My Femininity
........................................By Aisha .............July 16th, 2008

The tops and tanks
Jeans and Apple bottoms
From New York to Milan
Paris to China
Designers are cracking their Heads up
The lines of Versace, Gucci, Armani, Coach and Fendi
My femininity is of unique taste and style.

Stabilizer of Masculinity
My femininity detoxify man's fluid
Making the world green
Saving man's soul from daily to weekly or rather monthly dialysis
Less he becomes gay.

Heads turn topsy turvy
The mere sight of my cleavage
Many a big man have cried
Rather of joy than sadness
Yet consoled by my femininity

Nine months loaded without help
The pains and trauma only I bear
The beauty of which keeps the world glowing
On my femininity men mount
On it they ride
The pleasure of which irresistible
Till climax they reach.

By Aisha

..................................News
DISTRAUGHT WORKERS AT GRTS RADIO
& TELEVISION CRY FOR HELP
............................Is Anyone Listening?
..........................By Solo, Banjul Correspondent..................July 14th, 2008
After the reports of injustice meted out to the junior staff of
the GRTS television as well as the act of nepotism on the side
of management which this reporter reported sometime ago,
the reporter again accidentally visited the GRTS Radio and
realized that the same cancer that infected GRTS TV has also
affected the Radio as well.

The GRTS Radio which is public property has been marred
by inefficient management accused by their own staff for
engaging in unjust treatment and favouritsm in work place.

Angered by what they perceived as the unjust treatment meted out to them and the unfavourable
working conditions they are being subjected to by their immediate superiors, the aggrieved or should I
say downtrodden staff at the state owned radio at mile 7 studios have written a letter and a resolution
to the GRTS management asking them to improve their working conditions.

This reporter overheard the staff complaining bitterly about a Serign Faye (manager at the radio) who
has decided to travel to Venezuela with SOS Fatim and a certain female reporter at the Television.

According to the utterances of the GRTS staff, Serign is the only one who travels outside the country
on behalf of the radio. This they considered as unfair because as they said he does not infact send any
reports when he travels. The junior staff observed and complained that they are called upon only when
it pertains to local coverage because as they unhappily complained internally, there is no money in
such coverages.They infact mentioned that the greedy manager has just returned from an International
trip before going to Venezuela. �Does he want to devour everything,� they asked.

The GRTS staff also protested vigorously that they too want to be given the opportunity to cover
President Jammeh; s trips abroad.

It is part of their complaints as well that mobile phone calls cannot be made inside the Newsroom and
this affects their work a great deal. They further indicated that if the Telephone lines in the Newsroom
at the TV can call mobile phones, then they too should also have the same facility.

The staff of the TV pointed out among other things that one of their colleagues who have spent a long
time at the Newsroom is yet to be staffed when some of her colleagues at the other units have already
been employed.

They indicated that if they should spend several hours (overtime) working, then they should be
provided with food.

The staffs who were venting their anger in solace argued that all those in the Newsroom have
supported the idea to write a petition to the management. They however said they have run out of
patience; that they will give little time to them to solve the problem, failing which they will know what
to do.

Even though this reporter had no business in the affair he was listening keenly to his aggrieved
colleagues� grievances and protestations and has observed that even those staff who are not known
for engaging in confrontation are now resolved to face their management.

The Department for state for communications should bear in mind that junior reporters or media
workers are also human beings who need promotion like anybody else. They should look into the
plight of the younger staff and indeed all other workers and make sure they are protected from selfish
and greedy scavengers. The only hope of these workers is rest on the Department to put things right.
This reporter hopes that somebody is listening to the cries and grievances of these helpless media
workers.

..................................................................POEM
..............I A WOMAN
...............................................By Aisah.................July 13th, 2008
Am divinely Beautiful yet extremely Smart
Am amazingly Intelligent yet courteously Bold
Am fiercely Ambitious yet persistently Determine
For I A Woman

Fragile many thought
Slim Skinny the features of my body
Strong and Independent
Courageously Excelling
For I A Woman

Many a Man have tried
A barrier yet unsuccessful
I unstoppable
For I A Woman

I a Thoroughbred
Combination of the best genes.
Blue Blood aloud i shout!
Pure streams through runs my veins
Wisdom and Integrity
Weapon of protection
I choose to compete in the Soccer (Men's') world
For I A Woman

Beauty the disease i spread
Smartness the infectious virus
That intrigue their imagination
Overwhelmed for I A Woman

Through tough Moments and Challenges
I learned life's best lessons
Will power, persistence and Courage
The strength of my mind
For I A Woman

Within the game of Survival (Life)
Comes the players
The greedy, the ruthless
The good, the bad
The ugly, the mean
The bold, the beautiful
The cheaters, the liars, the destroyers
The heartbreakers, the "heart makers"
From among the ladies and gentlemen
Yet bold and independent
I stand tall and confident with Head Up High
For I A woman, the last Standing against all odds!

By Aisha 7/11/08 3:30am

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