Author: Yusef Taylor

By Yusef Taylor, @FlexDan_YT With the countdown at just over two weeks to The Gambia’s 54th Independence Day, critically acclaimed Gambian rap duo, Poetic X, just released another socio-politically conscious track entitled “Ligaye” which translates to work in Wollof. The main chorus encourages government and all Gambians to work towards national development “na ngurr bi ligaye, yep a ligaye”. Produced by Maw G with Kora instrumentals by Mafu, Ligaye features Bilal’s hall mark punchlines and Ayo Jack’s vocals on the chorus. Known for critically acclaimed hits like Sunu Dekala and more recently #OneGambia featuring the late Aminata (Swedish Gambian singer),…

By Yusef Taylor, @FlexDan_YT 31st January 2019 Dear Hon. Halifa Sallah, NAM for Serrekunda Sir, it is with great respect and disappointment that I write you this letter. When I saw your open letters to Momat Cham and most recently OJ I thought you had some contradicting information concerning gross human rights violations during the APRC/ AFPRC Regime. I am still struggling to understand the purpose of your open letters and your desired impact. One cannot blindly follow truth without considering the impact of that truth. What purpose does it serve to hammer down the location of your cell after…

By Yusef Taylor, @FlexDan_YT This is the third installment on our Budget 2019 articles which takes a closer look at the Economy and how it will affect the lives of everyday Gambian residents and businesses in 2019. After reading news of the increase on taxes of basic commodities such as cement, flour, onions and potatoes by Fatu Network a comparison was conducted on the tax increases as detailed in the 2018 and 2019 Budget Speeches. The details of this comparison are contained in the table below. It can be seen that no mention has been made of the aforementioned basic…

By Yusef Taylor, @FlexDan_YT James J. Corbett once said “You become a champion by fighting one more round. When things are tough, you fight one more round.” These words rang true five times at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas for Swedish boxer of Gambian origin, Badou “The Ripper” Jack. After suffering a cut on his forehead in the 7th round which he later described saying “the cut was a nasty one, but I’m fine now”, Badou fought five more rounds when many would have thrown in the towel. Fighting on the undercard of Manny Pacquiao’s title defence against Adrien Broner, the former…

By Muhammed S. Bah, @Msbahdynamic edited by Yusef Taylor, @FlexDan_YT International Republican Institute (IRI) mourns the loss of their colleague Buba Bojang, who joined IRI’s office in The Gambia as a program assistant in 2017. Buba Bojang a native of Sukuta passed away on the early hours of Tuesday 15 January 2018 after a brief illness. Buba died at the age of 26, leaving a wife with and six-month old baby. Robina Namusisi, IRI Gambia Program Director in a somber mood highlighted that her organization has lost a dedicated staff. Speaking to Gainako she said, “No words can describe what all of us…

By Yusef Taylor, @FlexDan_YT “If the National Development Plan is the vehicle to drive The Gambia towards destination NewGambia, then the National Budget is the fuel to propel this vehicle towards this utopia.” This is the second article on the 2019 Approved Budget which compares the Estimate vs the Approved Budget to understand the adjustments made. The Gambian Economy is heavily dependent on Foreign Aid and regularly requests for additional funds to finance its activities for the Fiscal Year. Last year the Executive announced a blanket salary increase of all Civil Servants by %50, raising the question, “where will the…

By Yusef Taylor, @FlexDan_YT After weeks of pursuing the 2019 Budget from Estimate stage to the final Approved stage, Gainako has finally laid its hands on the Approved 2019 Budget. Below is the first in our series of articles on the Approved 2019 Budget focussing on the Budget Appropriation Report. The total sum of the Appropriation Budget is D17 Billion Dalasi. The Office of The President, the National Assembly, and the Judiciary have been allocated D697 Million, D132 Million and D164 Million respectively. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has been allocated D1.2 Billion, surpassing the allocation of all three…

Compiled by Yusef Taylor, @FlexDan_YT Last week the country was taken by surprise when a large importation of Guns was intercepted at the Banjul Seaport. Since then the Police has issued a press release to inform the public on the matter. Below is the press release from Police. “The Office of the Inspector General of Police wishes to inform the general public that GACH SECURITY LIMITED situated at Fatou’s Gold Plaza, Bertil Harding Highway, Kanifing, The Gambia, applied for Gun Importation License in accordance with the Arms and Ammunitions Act to enable them import single barrel rifles for hunting and…

By Yusef Taylor, @FlexDan_YT Translation to Wollof On Saturday 12th January, Gambian US-based Philanthropist and Theologian Dr Rev. John Loum launched a small Christian book entitled “Taaraa bun ndaw bi” translated by Gorgi Pa Wally Tamba in Wollof. The book was originally written by “Jangaleket bi Martin” and the translation of the book was funded by the Lutheran Heritage Foundation based in Michigan, in the United States of America. Speaking about the Lutheran Church Dr Rev. John Loum explained that “now what Lutherans are known for is translation… The founder was part of the Roman Catholic Church. He found [it] to be…

By Yusef Taylor, @FlexDan_YT Context Gainako’s Flex Dan and Muhammed MS Bah visited the Sheriff Department yesterday after visiting residents in Falla who have been served eviction notices. The residents claim “up to 60 residents are at risk of homelessness in the next four days, 14th January 2019”. One Bai Bojang who Falla residents alleged is from Sanyang is claiming ownership of a large piece of land belonging to 5 different compounds. The plaintiff Bai Bojang alleges that the land was given to him by his deceased Grandfather and has pursued a court ruling in his favour from the Kombo…