Eleven years ago, the United Nations set aside February 6 as the day each year for all of us to reaffirm our commitment to eradicate Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting and stand in solidarity with the women and girls forced to suffer its unspeakable consequences. The facts must shock every conscience into action. All told, about 120 to 140 million women in countries around the world have undergone FGM/C and another 3 million girls are at risk each year. Just as gender-based violence knows no boundaries, this tragedy spans the globe, including among many migrant communities in the United States. These aren’t…
Author: Gainako
What Leader Diaspora? With the Gambia Consultative Council’s (GCC) naming of Dr M L Sedat Jobe as its President, and the unrelenting drumbeat in some media houses that the Committee for the Restoration of Democracy in The Gambia (CORDEG) must select a leader to be credible, concern was rife in some activist circles that the commendable Raleigh process was about to descend into inconsequence should the management committee buckle under pressure by naming a so-called ‘leader of the Diaspora struggle’. As I was finalising my thoughts on the matter, the story broke that CORDEG named Dr Abdoulaye Saine…
The Gambia Ferry Services Disaster LETTER OF CONDOLENCE AND SYMPATHY The Gambia Consultative Council (GCC) expresses condolence and deep sympathy for the loss of life and injuries sustained from the disastrous Banjul-Barra Ferry Terminal accident, which occurred Sunday, January 2, 2014. GCC extends condolences to the families and friends of the Belgian national who lost her life, to all those injured in the accident, as well as other survivors and the entire people of The Gambia. This is the worst disaster on the Banjul-Barra ferry crossing in recent memory. This sad incident occurred despite repeated public outcry over the past…
GENERAL MEETING OF CDCG AND FEBRUARY EVENT (SYMPOSIUM) CAMPAIGN FOR DEMOCRATIC CHANGE CDCG (Gambia) UK HELLO ALL This is to announce that there will be a General meeting of above Campaign group for all members and those interested in joining CDCG. Details as follows: Venue: Athlone Hall Athlone Street Kentish town (Camden) London NW5 4LN Date: SATURDAY 15 FEBRUARY 2014 TIME: 2 PM PROMPT START PART1: Discussions will centre on Review of general progress, Review of our structures , ,Fundraising, Recruitment and any other matters raised on the floor. Part 2: Symposium organised by our Positive Action Team…
By Momodou Ndow The land I used to know was sandy, warm and sunny Tiny, cute, fluffy and cuddly like a bunny The laughter of children abundant, and smiles rivaled the sun for brightness All that now replaced by sorrow and sadness Like a sailing ship I’ve watched it drift away My soul detached not wanting to stay Children crush each other scrambling for biscuits thrown at them Wearing rags with too many holes to hem Dreams I envisioned for them fade away into the sky Like clouds making way for sunshine after the storm, but why? What…
By Demba Baldeh Imam Baba Muctarr Leigh was on Saturday February 1st the Chief Guest Speaker at the Seattle Mawlidu-N-Nabiyyi along with his counterpart Imam Momodou Ceesay the Deputy Imam of Detroit Islamic Center . The Mawlidu-N-Nbiyyi commemorated as the birth of Prophet Muhamad (PBUH) was organized by the Northwest Gambian Association – formerly the Seattle Gambia Association. The event has become an annual gathering designed mainly to attract the young Gambian population more towards their faith – the Islamic Religion. The Gambian population in Seattle is very young and is known for its social gatherings. As a…
President Jammeh has yet again fired another justice minister six months after appointing her to the top job. Ghanaian born Justice Mable Agyemang whose appointment as the first female Chief Justice in the Gambia was welcomed in many quarters was relieved of her job today February 4th without explanation. Chief Justice Agyemang’s background as a Commonwealth Judge who served many years as a technical aide to the Gambia was seen as a more likely Chief Justice to reform the Judiciary unlike many other justices who had little or no credible qualifications. At the time of her appointment this…
The much talked about horrible ferry conditions in the Gambia has lived up to its expectations by claiming one life and injuring several others. The Gambia ferry situation has made several headlines in the Gambian papers throughout last year. Despite the loud outcry and the false claims of new Ferries being commissioned between Banjul and Barra the disaster that many foresee coming hit home yesterday. A fatal accident claimed to involved a truck in a Ferry full of passengers claimed one life and injured 13 others including a European Tourist. The injured were rushed to the near by teaching…
By Yero Jallow Sources close to the CORDEG steering committee revealed to Gainako that Professor Dr. Abdoulaye Saine of Miami University (OH) will be the leader of CORDEG. The decision to have Dr. Saine lead CORDEG was all but finalized today, Saturday Feb 1st 2014 through the voting system adopted by the group. Dr. Saine was the lone candidate left in the contest automatically making him the default leader of the Group. CORDEG is expected to come up with an official press release to announce this highly anticipated development. Professor Saine is a highly recognized scholar, an author…
By Sidi Sanneh The Senegalese Transport Union’s boycott of the Gambia Ports Authority (GPA) ferry services continues unabated. The meeting held this week between the union and Gambia government officials ended in a stalemate. Meanwhile, the intransigence continues with no end in sight.It must be noted that the borders between The Gambia and Senegal have not been closed. It is only the President of the Republic of Senegal who has the power to close his side of the border, and no anyone else, including the Transport Union. Senegalese commercial vehicles are bound by union rules to observe the boycott…