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Team Outpost  Muhammed S. Bah President of the Gambia Press Union, (GPU) has urged the government of President of Adama Barrow through the Sheriff of the High Court to reconsider the eviction notices to over 950 landlords and property owners in Farato, requiring them to vacate their properties by June 13, 2024. “I urge President Barrow and Minister Hamat Bah to intervene swiftly and ensure that the interests of the majority are protected,” he urged.  The court decision stated that the land belongs to the Alkalo of Bafuloto. In his regular Facebook activism Muhammed S. Bah, said these homeowners, who legally purchased their land from Manor Properties, have built homes and invested their life savings into these properties.  The impending evictions, he said, threaten to render thousands of Gambians homeless, “creating a scenario ripe for conflict and instability.” He added: “The government must act to mediate this dispute and find a solution that prevents mass homelessness a...

By Sheriff Saidykhan  The National Nutrition Agency (NANA) in collaboration with the Catholic Relief Service (CRS) has on Tuesday concluded five days capacity building Training of Trainers (ToT), on the use of Social and Behavioral Change Communication (SBCC) on Life Scale Food Fortification (LSFF) in Foni, Bwiam The objective of the taining participants will develop the skills to apply Social and Behavioral Change Communication (SBCC), and the Inter Personell Communication (IPC) effectively in their work. Serign Faye, veteran broadcaster one of the task force officers applauded the organisers for the training. saying they have facilitated a conducive learning environ for all the participants. Antoine Mendy, of CRS thanked NANA for successfully conducting the training. Aziz Ceesay, Director of SBCC at NANA expressed delight and extended gratitude to the partners for their unflinching support to NANA, geared towards improving the nutritional status of the country. Mutarr Seckan, Cad...

Team Outpost  National Nutrition Agency (NANA) in partnership with the United States Conference of Catholic Bishop (CRS) has on Friday kick-off five days capacity building Training of Trainers (ToT) on Large Scale Food Fortification (LSFF) in Foni, Bwiam. The training brought together nutritionists, stakeholders and experts to brainstorm on the need for the revival of food fortification in the country. During the training participants will develop the skills to apply Social and Behavioral Change Communication (SBCC), and the Inter Personell Communication (IPC) effectively in their work. Ousman Dem, Program Manager, Social and Behavioral Change Communication (SBCC) said the training is vital as it will equip participants on food fortification knowledge and skills. Adama Jallow, of Point Newspaper said the training will enable him to acquire requisite knowledge on food fortification. “I will be equiped with an additional knowledge for better improvement.” he said. The training on the...

Team Outpost  Gambia Women are Free to Choose, (GWA-FC) a pro female circumcision advocacy group have reiterated its support of the Women's Amendment Bill 2003, which seeks to further amend the Women's Act 2010 by repealing sections 32A “Prohibition of Female Circumcision” and 32B Accomplices to Female Circumcision. “Our organization echoes the vast majority of grassroots women in The Gambia who upholds female circumcision as a religious expression and a cultural right. In the next few weeks we will finalize and submit a detailed position paper with important references to legal, medical, social, anthropological, human right and sex/gender studies. This press release summarizes our position paper and highlights some key reasons we strongly urge the National Assembly to pass the Women's Amendment Bill 2003.” the release urged.  The release added that, female and male circumcision are complementary and interdependent cultural practices that predate Islam.  “The majority of ...

Team Outpost  Madi MK Ceesay, national assembly member for Serrekunda West, and onetime victim of Jammeh era, has said that justice is inevitable and inescapable for criminals to hide.  In a telephone interview with this medium, Madi Ceesay expressed delight and extended gratitude to the Swiss Federal Court verdict on the 20 years jail term sentencing of Ousman Sonko. “This goes to tell perpetrators that, days are gone now when you can trample on people's right and think you can go scot free. No hiding in the world. Nowhere to hide. Anywhere you go to you will face justice.” he argued. The Switz Federal Court found Ousman Sonko guilty of aiding and abetting the former regime, on rights violations committed under the ruthless hands of Yahya Jammeh. Ousman Sonko is also obliged to compensate the victims, money amounting to 20 million Dalasis. And also after his sentencing, Sonko will be expelled from switz and ban for 12 years not to enter switz.  After having testified dur...

By Alagie Saidy-Barrow  At the height of his powers, there were very few people in The Gambia with more influence and power than Ousman Sonko. Ousman Sonko and his interior ministry, along with the NIA now called SIS, were at the forefront of the APRC government’s abuse of Gambians. They killed and raped Gambians, and no one ever held them to account.  Ousman Sonko, like many with residual power from Yaya Jammeh, was untouchable. He was Yaya Jammeh’s eyes and ears. Ousman could do whatever he wanted in The Gambia and didn’t have to worry about anyone coming after him. Ousman Sonko never learned that power is transient. That power belongs to man but only temporarily. And many other Gambians, like Ousman Sonko, are yet to learn this bitter lesson. Once in power or close to those in power, we easily forget the transience of power. That is why you still hear worrisome phrases like “it is orders from the top.”  Ousman Sonko, like everyone who has ever been close to Yaya Jammeh...

        GPU Welcomes Sentencing of Ousman Sonko Over Torture of Journalists  (Banjul, 15 May, 2024) - The Gambia Press Union (GPU) welcomes today’s verdict and sentencing of former Interior Minister Ousman Sonko in Switzerland to a 20-year prison term for crimes against humanity.  The Swiss Federal Criminal Court in Bellinzona found Sonko guilty of multiple counts of “intentional homicide, torture and false imprisonment, as well as crimes against humanity”, on Wednesday.  Sonko, who earlier denied the charges, was sentenced to a 20-year jail term (minus approximately 7 years already served in custody). He will also be expelled from Switzerland. The Court found Ousman Sonko guilty of the killing of a perceived political opponent in 2000; of torture and illegal detention in connection with a coup plot in March 2006; of the killing of a politician in 2011 and of deprivations of liberty as well as acts of torture - including one killing - of peaceful demon...

Editorial   The life mantra of yesteryear generation was/is the ability to listen to one another for the self-actualization of one's potential and progress. The existential threats facing the society today, is multifactorial; including organized crimes, drug abuse, teenage pregnancies, gender equality violence and the dis-oriented youths - for those watching further away has been a great concern. Many sociologists have tried efforts to set down theories underlying the problems, and the need for a more participative societal- problem solving, but all their efforts are still unanswered at the borders of inquiry. In recent times, we've seen the spike of organized crimes, and the scarcity of KUSH in the country.  kush, is a derivative of cannabis mixed with synthetic drugs such as fentanyl and tramadol and chemicals such as formaldehyde. The many causes of this potent drug is quite unabated, as it is killing and still destroying the minds of the youngsters. Some people posited th...

Team Outpost  Following the announcement by President Adama Barrow at the beginning of this year to bring back the 2020 Draft constitution, the Coalition of Progressive Gambians, (COPG) have recently engaged the government through the Ministry of Justice to bring back the 2020 Draft Constitution in its original form. “This implies that the entrenched clauses provided in the constitution must not be amended or changed in anyway. It must be noted that these entrenched clauses provide for the realization of the independent function of the institutions that qualify good governance and those entrusted with the responsibilities of executing the functions of those institutions as defined by law. The institutions as the Independent Electoral Commission, The Auditor General's office, The National Human Rights Commission, The Anti-Corruption Commission, the Public Service Commission,the Inspector General of Police, the Presidential term limit to name a few, the personnel appointed to execute...

By Alagie Saidy-Barrow  A long time ago, some Gambians in Atlanta came up with the idea of celebrating America’s independence on July 4th. Gambians from all over the United States converged in Atlanta for a few days of merriment. It used to be one of the biggest Gambian events in America, if not the biggest. For most attendees, the highlight of the July 4th celebrations was the evening football matches that had Gambians from various states competing for bragging rights. The evening at the park was also when some Gambians came to showcase themselves. It was their moment to impress other Gambians. To show how well they were doing. Some Gambians start planning for July 4th celebrations months before the event.  I know of a fellow who was said to have rented a very expensive car and drove it down from another state to Atlanta. He had the car parked close to the main entrance of the park with dancehall music blasting! He was hanging out with a few of his friends seemingly disintere...

Editorial   Emotions are wrapped up during and after the just concluded two days summit, of the Organisation Of Islamic Conference Summit (OIC) in Gambia. A country whose people are expected to participate actively during the build up of the event to make it successful, many were seen in their various funeral mode of distress, due to the poor planning of the summit. Top on the agenda of discourse of the summit, was the Hamas - Gaza conflict, which bears little or no significance to the general masses.  The OIC was/is greeted with mix emotions in the country, whose people are still battling with many crisis; chief among which is the cost of living crisis. It was alleged that corruption malfeasance was rampant leading up to the OIC summit. A man is a needing animal, and the basic need is as physiological - food sufficiency, development and security. It is a widely held conviction that, a starving man will forgo his need for self-interest in order to get food.  An adage says...

Armed robbers stormed the premises of Kabiro Camara's filling station in Essau, North Bank Region and made away with an undisclosed (substantial), amount of money. Sources said: “In the wee hours of Sunday, at about 3: 00 Am local time unknown armed robbers with assault raffles and pistols, invaded the fuel station and opened the main gate for his colleague's assailants to join the expedition while a gate-away car waited on the main Farafenni Highway also known as Essau turntable”. The robbers did not only stop at making away with substantial amounts of money but also deepening half of the fuel tank. The youths of Niumi particularly Essau are calling on all and sundry to be vigilant and report any suspected causes of petty fuel selling from individuals. They promised a lofty amount of money to anyone who may find the culprits. At the time of going to press efforts were made to reach out to the police, PRO, but remained futile. This is a developing story and Niumi FM, will conti...

  By Sheriff Saidykhan  Modou Joof, the Secretary General of the Gambia Press Union (GPU) said the Union is still concerned about the safety and security of Journalists in the country.  He made these remarks on Friday, during the celebration of World Press Freedom Day at Sunset Beach Hotel, Kololi with the theme “A Press for the Planet: Journalism in the Face of the Environmental Crisis”. World Press Freedom Day is set aside to reflect on issues of press freedom and the recognition of the important role of a free and independent press, and to amplify the voices of the voiceless. State of Press Freedom & Freedom of Expression in The Gambia Modou Joof said there have been an increase in media proliferation, allowing people to enjoy the luxury of watching different media channels and to share divergent views on the administrative life of the country. “We have seen an increase in the number of private radio stations by almost 75%, with 39 FM stations in operations as of 2...

      Team Outpost Media  Shine Light In Girls’ Education in collaboration with the Association of Health Journalists (AOHJ) has on Monday trained journalists on Gender Based Violence (GBV) and Female Genital Mutilation (FGM/C). The daylong capacity building training is aimed at empowering journalists through compassionate reporting, in the drive towards combatting Gender Based Violence and FGM/C across communities. Speaking at the event, veteran broadcaster Serign Faye said journalists have a crucial role to report accurately on gender sensitive issues. He further urged the Ministry of Health to work closely in tandem with Health Journalists to enhance reporting on gender based violence, and FGM/C. “The mass media is not only limited to informing the masses, but to educate the society on gender sensitive issues. Journalists have a crucial role to inform, and not to cause alerm” he advised. Modou Touray, of the Block TV, said the training was significant to journalis...