Addis Ababa, 1^st September 2010- Union leaders and journalists from across Africa will gather tomorrow, Thursday 2^nd September 2010 at 9:30 am, at the headquarters of the African Union (AU) in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia for a key meeting to discuss the safety and protection of journalists working across the continent.   

Bamba Mass, UK

Dear editor,

Please allow me space to clarify some issues here!

I am so surprised that certain people with who cannot hide personal feuds against the Mandingo tribe have used their tirades to try taking my last article all out of proportion as they tried but failed to make it look like I am against banjulians as a whole and not members of the Banjul Mafia. Little did they know that members of the Mafia are from all sectors of the tribal divide? I have passed the stages of exchanging insults or involving in tribal tirades because when I wrote the last piece, I wrote with strong conviction that readers with human brains would understand my beef was against the Banjul mafia and not against any particular tribe or the entire city.

By Yero Jallow

At the beginning of Ramadan, the Gambia observed scarcity of sugar country wide. Sugar is one of the most basic amenities any place. The hit definitely came at the wrong time, especially when Gambians need sugar for their meals in breaking the fast. Upon hearing the scarcity of sugar, Gambians online (Gambia Post) sharply criticized Jammeh for the scarcity of sugar in the Gambia.

Yahya Jammeh Gambian Leader

ABSTRACT

The Gambian president, Yahya Jammeh, has been in power for 16 years now. He came to power through a bloodless coup d'?tat on 22 July 1994 and was elected as president two years later in September 1996. He has since been re-elected twice. Only 29 and a lieutenant at the time of the 1994 coup, Jammeh is now the only remaining member of the original coupists who brought ex-President Sir Dawda Jawara's 32year rule to an end. Bubaccar Sowe looks back on Yahya Jammeh's 16-year reign, and counts the pluses and minuses of a man who appears not yet ready to give up power.

Courtesy of: New Africa Magazine: http://www.africasia.com/newafrican/na.php?ID=2958

Yahya Jammeh Gambian President

Public Information Notice (PIN) No. 10/118
August, 27, 2010

Despite challenging global, and by extension domestic, conditions, the Gambian economy has performed well in recent years. Real Gross Domestic Product (GDP) grew by an average of 6.0 percent a year during 2007-09, up from an average of 3.6 percent during 2004–06. Even during the global economic crisis in 2009, real GDP growth was strong at 5.6 percent led by a continued rebound in agricultural production, which helped cushion the impact of sharp drops in tourism and remittances from Gambians working abroad. Throughout this period, inflation was held to low single-digit rates, as the Central Bank of The Gambia (CBG) generally exercised monetary restraint. In 2009, inflation fell to 2.8 percent. Inflation edged up marginally in early 2010 (4.1 percent in May), but is expected to remain low (about 5 percent) for the year as a whole.

Previously, I have used my open letter style of communication to reach out to folks in trouble. Some did listen, and they yielded wisdom. Others never listened, and to them is continuous trouble. Yaya Jammeh is one of those idiotic dummies who never listened to my advice, and you can clearly see how muddy his’ is, from the ‘cooking pot to the frying fan,’ even though he pretends that everything is ok. The truth is not all glitters are gold. If Yaya Jammeh is able to disappear to a ground hole today without anyone seeing him forever, he will do just that, for he truly knows what awaits him, which is true justice!

Pa Modou Bojang

By Pa Modou Bojang, UK

Those of us who have witnessed and experienced the Gambian political process at first hand are well aware that President Yahya Jammeh and his cronies will do anything to win (or shall I say rig) the elections. We know that our president goes all over the country making pompously impossible promises to the poor people in exchange for their votes. We know he intimidate his opponents to scare them off. We know that he is the only one in the country with unlimited access to the state coffers and he uses our hard-earned money to bribe electorate into voting for him and his party. We also know that he uses his military to instill fear and panic in the minds of the people.

The Executive Committee of the United Democratic Party [UK Chapter] has reviewed PDOIS’s Public Notice of 15^th August 2010 and noticed that PDOIS didn’t disagree with our position that NADD was designed to be an alliance as per the terms of the Memorandum of Understanding [MOU] that established it. They, in fact, implicitly agreed with us in that respect by way of repeated reference to NADD as an alliance. We therefore consider that aspect of our dispute resolved. The question that now arises is this; can an alliance be registered under our electoral laws for the purpose of contesting and sponsoring candidates in public elections? The answer is a definite no. We have explained how Section 60 of the Constitution prohibits any such venture from taking place and therefore do not need to repeat that. We have also explained how NADD came to be registered as a political party. We do not need to repeat that too. People can refer to our Press Release of 31^st July 2010 for background information.

Amadou Samba Gambian Businessman

By Yero Jallow

First of all, I want to extend my bravo message to Pa and Freedom Newspaper for the courage and being there for Gambians at a time of need. The Freedom Newspaper was born out of dire need to rescue Gambians, and expose the tyrannical regime of Yaya Jammeh and his imbecile accomplices. The paper has done just that, though here and there, as humanity abounds, some snacks are sometimes broken, but in overall, the Freedom Newspaper is a vibrant paper. Over the years, readers have seen a tremendous improvement in terms of news reportage and information, especially pertaining to Gambia’s political affairs.  For that, I unconditionally congratulate the Freedom Newspaper, and I humbly ask all freedom loving philanthropists to do the same.

Foday Drammeh

By Foday Drammeh

Whether personal, organisational (business) or national level, Innovation plays an important part in all areas of life. It is one of the key elements that bring about success. Its contribution cannot be under estimated in a modern society. As globalization intensifies through improved technology, communication and competition, traditional approaches on their own have become inadequate in satisfying customer needs. New and contemporary methods are needed to be combined using strategic methods in order to surpass expectations and to get the desired results. With increasing market sizes as a result of increasing demand, innovation has become a fundamental issue to meet the challenges of customer dynamics. What then is financial Innovation?

M I Banoramas

MY CONDEMNMINATION FOR CELEBRATING JULY 22

22 July is the day when all Gambians should come together as one to condemn this day, and observed silence for the lost of so many life and continual siege that impose on us bye the dawn of 22 July 1994.Up to date. After criminal Jammeh’s demise there will be a clause which will be enacted into our constitution to criminalize any form of celebrating 22july within the jurisdiction of our border territories.

Enough legroom in there? This van looks very anti-height from where I’m standing,’ Jermaine remarked as a beige-coloured Toyota Corolla van pulled up, a side-angled portrait of a turban-clad man, piercing eyes looking right ahead, white Islamic beard which Jermaine reckons gives him a holy, prophetic look, occupied the top right windscreen.

Binteh S. Minteh

By Binneh s Minteh

In the midst of a global agony of the inhumane treatment of the Gaza people, the world is yet to come up with a moral consensus in salvaging innocent men, women and children of Gaza from decadence, brutality and the inhumane cacophonic Israeli policies that has compromised the well-being and dignity of Gaza people for decades long.  The recent Israeli assault on a humanitarian Flotilla of vessels destined for Gaza provides a parsimonious explanation of an attack on humanities moral conscience. If Israel continues to enforce a blockade on the basis of security, then it suffice to argue that such polices must include providing human security for the people of Gaza. In a nut shell, Israel must then be responsible for ensuring that provisions that guaranteeing well-being of the people is never compromised. Basic provisions such as food, shelter, medicine, clean and safe drinking water and physical protection, forms a core component of such human security.

With Femi Peters Jr. (Chelsea)

‘Can I?’

There was a devilish glint in Jermaine’s eyes tinged with mischief Tapha has never seen before.

‘If you don’t trust your throw prowess, use your good foot,’ he replied softly so as not to scare off the would-be victim.

Jermaine nodded, crept stealthily up to a crouching cat washing itself, totally oblivious to what was about to take place.

One minute, it was washing its right paw; a split second later it was levitated in the air gravitated by Jermaine’s right foot.