Political parties vow to elect women

 By Sainey M.K. Marenah, Managing Blogger

UDP Leader Ousainou Darboe

President Jammeh

Described by many political analysts as a move in the right direction, political parties vying for the 2011 presidential, parliamentary and local government elections  have vowed to elect women to top political positions so as to ensure equal political representation at decision-making levels.

Halifa Sallah NADD Secretary General

Remarks were made by all representatives of Gambian political parties, including the ruling APRC, UDP, NRP and PDOIS during presentations at a day-long sensitization forum for political parties organized by the Female Lawyers Association of the Gambia (FLAG) and the Inter-party Committee.

The forum, on the theme: “Temporary special measures to ensure women’s political participation”, brought together political party leaders, as well as a cross section of civil society organizations.

Presenting for the ruling APRC party, Samba Gagigo – First Administrative Secretary of the party, underscored the role of women in the socio-economic development of the country, noting that the ruling APRC recognizes that no national development programme would be successful without the effective participation and full support of the country’s women.

Henry Gomez Party Leader GPDP

Women, he said, are indispensable partners in Gambia’s development process. According to him, the APRC shall pursue its deliberate policy of empowering women by appointing qualified and capable women in positions of authority and decision making.

“The APRC after coming to power appointed the first female Vice President, female ministers; the first accountant general was a female, secretary general and head of civil service and many other permanent secretaries were appointed,” he said, adding that this clearly demonstrated that the APRC has put women in top positions of decision-making.

He stated that the party would continue to encourage women’s political participation to the highest level, and that special opportunities would be accorded to women in decision making positions

Presenting for the United Democratic Party, Dr. Borro Susso, chairman of the Policy Committee of the UDP, noted that since its inception, his party categorically expressed its belief in the equality of sexes in matters of rights and privileges of citizens.

“This was consigned in the constitution of the party as one of the beacons of our policy. The development of the party from formation up to the present time has been made with the full participation of our members. The UDP women’s policy contained in its policy document of which the party manifesto for the forthcoming elections form part of, addressees women’s rights in all sectors with due recognition of their potential role in the socio-economic development of the country,” Dr Susso stated.

Presenting further, Dr Susso explained that the UDP intends to diagnose discrimination against women in various sectors of the economy, and address the problems they are confronted with. He added that the UDP party has adopted a document as its policy with regard to women.

According to him, the UDP shall address the empowerment of women in the education sector. He said empowerment of women requires their transformation from cheering leaders to decision makers.

“The UDP shall ensure the increasing participation of women in the decision- making process at district, regional and national levels. Participation must be from the decision-making level right down to implementation. Access to political decision-making must be secured at both local and national levels,” he added.

Also presenting was Samba Baldeh, Administrative Secretary of the opposition National Reconciliation Party (NRP), who told the gathering that, as a political party, the NRP has adequately provided special measures to ensure women’s participation in politics and decision-making bodies.

This, he said, is clearly spelt out in the party’s manifesto, which they are working tirelessly towards achieving.

According to Baldeh, it is very clear to all that the role of Gambian women is wide- ranging, and very important to the socio-economic and political development of this country.

However, he noted that the NRP is of the view that there is still considerable room for improvement with regard to women’s empowerment in the country.

“There cannot be any meaningful development without the full participation of women in all aspects of development life,” the NRP administrative secretary opined.

He stated that as part of his party’s future policy, the NRP will seek to make it possible for Gambian women to obtain the highest possible education with training in their profession commensurate with their abilities.

Baldeh further stated that it is his party’s belief that behind every successful man, there is a strong woman. He noted that to comply with the legal obligation, NRP shall endeavor to put up as much candidates as possible in all coming elections.

Renown gender activist, Amie Sillah, who presented for the Peoples Democratic Organisation for Independence and Socialism (PDOIS) said her party is of the view that a strategic vision is needed to guide the formulation of policies and programmes that are designed to enhance greater parity in representative institutions.

According to Amie Sillah, PDIOS’s aims is to establish a democracy which would finally lead the people to exercise full control over the affairs of their society; a democracy based on a non-parasitic and responsive system of representation.

She stated that PDOIS sees the need to transform the party into a school for nurturing the sovereign woman, who is matured and conscious of her rights.

In her view, PDOIS stands for gender parity in appointing the members of all oversight institutions such as the IEC, the office of Ombudsman and National Council for Civic Education. She concluded that the party also stands for gender parity in filling the posts of president and vice president, among others.

‘Poverty level remains high in The Gambia’

By Sainey M.K. Marenah, Managing Blogger

It is forty six years after independence and there is ample evidence that The Gambia is still grappling with key development challenges, despite the numerous gains that are being registered. The ‘poverty level remains high amidst other disturbing indicators in the areas of maternal and infant mortality, HIV/AIDS prevalence and in hygiene and sanitation’, Yankuba Dibba, board chairperson of TANGO has said.

Dibba, who was speaking yesterday at the launching of the TANGO Policy Dialogue held at the TANGO office in Kanifing, opined that the provision of quality, affordable and accessible social services such as education, health care and utilities add to these challenges.

He underscored his office’s appreciation of the efforts of the government and its development partners in the drive towards achieving national development objectives.

The TANGO policy dialogue provides a unique opportunity for policy and decision makers, researchers, and students, development workers, journalists and the general populace in accessing relevant and up-to-date information on key development issues about The Gambia and world.

Held under the theme: “Rethinking National Development – from Outputs to Outcomes”, the launching of the policy dialogue also coincided with a forum discussion among stakeholders.

The discussions, among others, focused on an analytical overview of the Gambia’s development process and roadmap from independence to date in order to highlight the successes registered and the challenges encountered, so as to chat a way forward.

This, officials said, will raise the question as to how well the economy has created the necessary enabling environment to reflect the fact that the private sector is considered the main engine of growth, and responsible for the generation of national wealth and employment.

According to Dibba, the policy dialogue has been deliberately conceived to add value to these efforts, by focusing on knowledge creation and dissemination as a catalyst in the country’s drive towards national development.

Also speaking at the launching was Ousman Yarbo, Executive Director of TANGO, who said the policy dialogues are quarterly interactive discussions aimed at bringing together experts from policy institutions, development organizations, academia, civil society, and the private sector.

Yabo urged for both individual and collective participation, which he added is key to the policy dialogues.

Benjamin A Roberts, Director of Business and Export Development at the Gambia Investment and Export Promotion Agency, who was the keynote speaker during the dialogue, made a presentation on the “Overview of national development- challenges, prospects and lessons”.

In his presentation, Benjamin among others gave a comprehensive economic development plan of 1975- 1986 down to Vision 2020: 1996- 2020, giving challenges, prospects and lessons from Vision 2020 and the post independence economy of The Gambia.

Mod A. Secka, Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Finance and Economic Affairs, who also presented on “Beyond PRSP: What lessons to learn for prospect and challenges in the attainment of PAGE”, said government has recognized the important roles NGOs play and will continue to create the enabling environment for them to grow and flourish.

This, he said, is recognized in the country’s Vision 2020 and the medium-term plans such as the PRSP II and the Programme for Accelerated Growth and Employment (PAGE).

Bai Matarr Drammeh, President of the Gambia Chamber of Commerce and Industry, also presented a paper on the topic “The private sector and national development - are they compatible?” whilst Momodou B. Sarr, Executive Director of the National Environment Agency presented on the topic “Climate change: what policy, institutional and technical requirements are necessary for adoptability as a way forward for The Gambia.”

According to the GCCI President, the private sector is concerned with multiple sets of actions and commitments conducive to investment, especially in the production sectors as the basis of social and economic development, supported by inclusive government policies for economic growth through development of productive trade capacities. With this, he opined, employment opportunities will be available.

Hamat Bah calls for amendment of election act

Hamat Bah NRP Leader

Leader of the opposition National Reconciliation Party (NRP), Hamat NK Bah, has expressed the need for the amendment of the Election Act ahead of the 24th November presidential polls, saying that the Act is in conflict with the Constitution of the country.

Bah, who spoke to this reporter in an interview yesterday, opined that the Constitution of the Republic of The Gambia is the supreme law of the land and any other law found to be inconsistent with any of its provisions should be null and void.

Commenting on the ongoing sittings of the revising courts to look into complaints and objections put forward by political parties, Bah said chapter 3 section 12(1c) clearly spelt out when somebody obtains citizenship by false fraudulent means what should be done, and it is the high court that has that is mandate.

“But the Election Acts tell us that revising courts are set up throughout all divisional headquarters and the Chief Justice appoints Magistrates to hear cases.

According to him, it is therefore clear that there is need to amend the Election Act immediately to put it in line with the constitutional provision, because the two are totally in conflict.

The NRP leader called on the Independent Electoral Commission to confront the Ministry of Justice for the Election Act to be amended.

“This is unfair; the law is a very bad law and something must be done urgently for this Election Act to be amended, because the constitution is the supreme law and above all other laws,” he stated.

Bah also stated that this situation, coupled with the lack of intellectual debate and discourse in the country, is setting the country backward.

“Any law that in conflict with the law is void and inconsistent,” he added.

He also revealed that his party withdrew some of its objections at the revising court in Jangjangbureh due to what he said was the party’s witnesses reluctance to show up and give evidence.

He said his party also found it difficult to secure the services of a legal practitioner, which he added came at the last minute.

The NRP leader challenged private radio stations to allow the opposition air time in their respective radios ahead of the polls.

Regarding recent allegations by one Demba Sey, who told a rally in Kaur during the President’s meet-the-people tour that he mobilized Senegalese to register and vote for the NRP, Bah said that the man’s name is Hassan Mboge, and not “Demba Sey” as reported in the news media.

Henry Gomez denounces politics of castigation

Gomez: " Let stop Politics of Castigation."

By Sainey M.K. Marenah, Managing Blogger

Secretary General and party leader of the opposition Gambia Party Democracy and Progress (GPDP), Henry Gomez, has called on his fellow opposition members and Gambians in general to always avoid the politics of personal attack and castigation, ahead of forthcoming presidential election slated for 24th November 2011.

Gomez, who was speaking to our reporter at the weekend, said such behavior has“no room in 21st century politics”.

“People have graduated from these types of politics. This is the time of reconciliation, and for us to build a better and prosperous Gambia through change, which I believe we can,” Gomez stated.

While calling on what he called non-politicians to leave politics to the politicians, the GPDP leader noted that politics comes and goes.

According to him, many Gambians think that his party is small, but come 24th November, the election results will speak for itself.

“We have done our homework and we are strong on the ground,” he added.

He stated that the credibility of the forthcoming presidential election depends entirely on the Independent Electoral Commission, calling on the Commission to conduct the polls in a free, fair and transparent manner.

“Gambians trust the IEC; so the Commission must not betray that trust bestowed on them,” he said.

Also noting that the IEC needs help from all stakeholders in the electoral process, including the politicians by ensuring peace and tranquility, Gomez stated that his party would contest the November polls.

Commenting on the much talkedabout possibilities of forming an opposition alliance, the GPDP leader opined that all opposition parties are hoping for one goal, which he said is “change”.

However, he expressed the need for opposition leaders to go for primaries to enable Gambians choose their favorite candidate to contest against the ruling APRC.

He said with this, a term limit of five years will be implemented so that no person can stay at the helm of affairs for more than two terms.

Gomez also used the interview to refute recent allegations made against him by Shyngle Nyassi of the United Democratic Party, that he is on President Jammeh’s payroll, stating that being in the opposition does not mean that one would not commend government for doing good.

“Politics is not about harassment; politics is not about intimidation; politics is not about insulting; politics is not about fighting, and being an opposition does not mean that you have to criticize even the good deeds of government. There are things that you can clap for, and say ‘a job well done’ ” Gomez stated.

“I have nothing against President Jammeh. The only thing I have against him is his leadership,” he stated.

He said, among others, that his party’s programmes for 2011 will be to call for real democracy and change.

“All what we need is change, because we all know where the ruling APRC is heading to,” he said, adding that anyone who is prepared to vote for the APRC is voting for kingship, and not for a president.

Human Rights: ‘governments are primary duty bearers’

Governments all over the world are duty bearers when it comes to ensuring respect for human rights. Human rights are not gifts bestowed at the pleasure of governments nor should governments withhold them or apply them to some people, but not to others, Madi Jobarteh, program manager at TANGO has said.

He told participants that when governments do so, they should be held accountable.

TANGO is the Association of Non Governmental Organisation in The Gambia, and Jobarteh was presenting a paper to a cross section of duty bearers at the opening of a three-day Non State Actors Regional Training Workshop held at the TANGO office yesterday.

“Governments are the primary duty bearers for rights. Every individual has a responsibility to teach human rights, to respect human rights, and to challenge institutions and individuals that abuse human rights,” he stated.

Presenting his paper on the topic: “Understanding Human Rights”, Jobarteh told participants that every organ of society, including corporations, NGOs, foundations, and educational institutions also share a responsibility for the promotion and protection of rights.

However, human rights go with duties and responsibilities, and every human right has a corresponding duty, he added.

“Human rights are meaningful only if respected and protected,” he continued.

Jobarteh further stated that human rights are the birthright of every member of the human family. He noted that no one has to earn or deserve human rights, because human rights are not granted by any human authority such as a monarch, government, or secular or religious authority.

“They are not the same as civil rights”, he pointed out.

In his view, constitutional rights are granted to individuals by virtue of their citizenship or residence in a particular country, whereas human rights are inherent and held as attributes of the human personality.

“Human rights are both abstract and practical. They hold up the inspiring vision of a free, just, and peaceful world and set minimum standards for how both individuals and institutions should treat people.

“They also empower people to take action to demand and defend their rights and the rights of others; human rights values are rooted in the wisdom of literature, traditional values and religious teachings of almost every culture,” he noted further.

Jobarteh also stated that respect for human rights by individuals and governments lays the basis for peace and stability; a culture of rights in governance serves as the security and safety of all persons in society; a threat to human rights endangers all members of the society.”

Jobarteh is also of the firm belief that development cannot be sustainable without regard to respect for rights and freedoms.

Dilating on human rights concept and principles, he said human dignity affirms that all people deserve to be respected simply because they are human beings, noting that: “all individuals deserve equal respect regardless of age, sex, origin, status, religious or other orientation.”

He concluded by saying that the rights that individuals have cannot be taken away, surrendered, or transferred.

Meanwhile, addressing the participants, the Executive Director of TANGO, Ousman Yarbo, said the significance of the training workshop cannot be overemphasized as human rights are a global concern.

According to him, human rights basically are about the way people live, way people should be treated; interact; and the way things should be done.

Njundu Drammeh coordinator of the Child Protection Alliance also gave a presentation, while Kebba K. Barrow of TANGO delivered the welcome remarks.

NRP will deliver surprises in November polls - Hamat Bah

Hamat Bah

Leader of the opposition National Reconciliation Party (NRP), Hamat Bah, has assured Gambians, especially his party militants that come the 24th November presidential election, his party will deliver surprises.

Hamat Bah was speaking in an interview with The Point yesterday, when he spoke on a wide range of issues, including his party’s preparations ahead of the polls, its agenda and priorities, the recent general voter registration exercise, among others.

According to Mr. Bah, his party is at the moment preoccupied with the general voter registration that was recently concluded.

He announced that by going through the records, the NRP is the only party that has filed complaints and objections at the revising court that has commenced its sittings.

Noting that all the objections were filed in Central River Region, the NRP leader said his party is waiting to see how the proceedings will be handled, before they give their final judgement on the whole process.

"NRP will see how the Judiciary will handle these issues at the revising courts. We hope and expect that justice will be delivered fairly in the best interest of the Gambian people," Bah who said he will be contesting the forthcoming polls as a presidential candidate added.

In his view, the country’s political climate could have been more vibrant than it is now, "but unfortunately the opposition does not have access to any of the private radio stations not to talk of the public radio or TV".

"After the Muslims’ holy month of Ramadan, the whole political landscape will change. It was the APRC that was on the ground throughout campaigning, but NRP will on be on the ground this time around," he said, adding that his party is optimistic that it will sweep the polls.

"Removing an incumbent is not a one day process. Look at all the governments in Africa that were changed through the ballot box. The opposition did not wake up one day and remove the incumbent. It took them time to draw new strategies. It is a process that you must continue; you have to go through the democratic process," he opined.

No opposition alliance On the issue of forming a formidable alliance ahead of the polls, the NRP leader repeated his earlier position that he is not hoping for a formidable alliance.

"I am not in for an alliance," he stressed.

He made it clear that he will never join any opposition alliance, unless he is joined by others, saying that there are lots of reasons why he is not going in for an alliance, which he would not share with the public. The NRP strongman further stated that the issues of youth unemployment and agricultural production are on top of his party’s priorities.

"It is rather unfortunate that in The Gambia, most of the investments are not privatized. This is not because people are not doing it. It is because they are not assisted or supported to invest their money the way they should invest it," Bah noted, decrying the fact that there are lots of investment in housing more than in industries.

"People spend millions in housing projects and, at the end of the day no one will occupy those houses. If those investments were on factories and others, then the issue of youth unemployment will be a thing of the past," Bah stated.

An NRP government, he went on, will address that by getting a broad committee of experts both from the private and government sectors, and every aspect of the society will be looked at in trying to formulate systems that will make possible for people to know where they can invest their monies.

Professional Tailor Eyes Int’l Market, Vows to Raise Standards

Malick Mendy: " I want set standard in Tailoring."

By Sainey M.K. Marenah, Managing Blogger

Malick Mendy, one of the leading professional tailors in the country, has told The Point that he is eying the international market for his Gambian made fashion dress, saying he has already met the international standard set for professional tailors.

Mendy, proprietor of Malick Mendy Tailoring, is among the few Gambian professional tailors who have carved a niche for themselves by meeting international standard and professionalism.

Speaking to this reporter at his newly built tailoring academy located opposite Glory Baptist School along Bartil Harding Highway, Mendy, a tailor of more than 35-year experience in the field, said: “I am a born tailor, and the son of Ousainou Mendy, a well respected Gambian tailor who did tailoring for most part of his productive life; so I have inherited this trade from my dad, since I was a teenager. I started sewing since I was 12 years.”

Mendy is a specialist in sewing men’s suits; ladies’ suits; western style dress; interior decorations; coating; school barges; security uniforms and barges as well as promotional items.

The Gambian star tailor, who displays extraordinary skills and talent behind the sewing machine, said he is working towards the country’s development blueprint and Vision 2020.  “I love what I am doing,” he added.

He said the government has created an enabling environment for them and what is left is to make the best use of the opportunity.

Mendy, who is currently employing more than 40 Gambian youths, is also optimistic of expanding his business to cater for the growing demand of the unemployed youth, which is one of his targets.

He thanks the Trade ministry and United States Embassy in Banjul for coming to his aid during his difficult times, adding that before his move to his new office, most of his tailoring shops were scattered everywhere.  “But with the acquisition of a land through the help of the ministry I was able to bring all my shops under one roof,” he said.

Mendy said 85% of his workforce are Gambian youths but the un-seriousness and lackadaisical attitude towards the trade of some of the youths frustrates him so much at times, despite all the opportunities he has put at their disposal.

Mendy, who has won many local contracts from the government and the private sector for preparing security badges, logos, ranks, caps and promotional items, told this reporter that he recently returned from Las Vegas in the US where he promoted Gambian tailoring together with his colleagues.

He is also plans to employ  more Gambian youths in the near future, adding that he is currently working towards preparing some Gambian-made dress to send to the US or Europe.

“I want to see people from the outside world coming to The Gambia to buy Gambian made textile products,” he said. “I am working on that through the help of the US embassy and the Trade ministry. We are already international but what we are exporting is limited; our aim is to export more and create more employment opportunities.”

He added: “My aim is to see that people come from the outside world to buy Gambian made goods. We have professional tailors and firms here in The Gambia, such as Sawallou Couture; they are doing well in the industry.”