Women of Substance

Maafanta.com


  Bismillahir-Rahmanir-Rahim

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       .                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       

The Pen Is Mightier Than The Sword

Prudent Trust Launches The Gambia’s First Escrow Service  - NiaNia Touray  Gambia.............more

Prudent Trust Company Limited is a
PrivateInvestment Management firm specializing...............
..more

Maafanta Interview With NDT

We caught up with Prudent Trust Co-founder Niania Dabo Touray on vacation in DC. And again , it 's all about Prudent! - She spoke to Fatou Jaw Manneh a little bit about herself and her company.......................more 

I read Pharmacy for one year at Uppsala University and later proceeded to read Bio-medicine and Public Health.......more

BREAKING OMERTÀby Jainaba Bah, Sweden..........more

BREAKING OMERTÀ – PART II:

by Jainaba Bah, Sweden...........more

BREAKING OMERTÀ: (Part III) 

Jainaba Bah (Sweden)................more



BREAKING OMERTÀ:

In Response to Modou Sarho’s (Dumo) Last Balang Baa Article (Part III)

Jainaba Bah (Sweden)

This article is dedicated to Abdoulaye Wopa Krubally. Wopa, the abandoned one! May your soul rest in perfect peace! Aameen!........................more


BREAKING OMERTÀ -  PART IV: In response to Modou Sarho’s (Dumo) Last Balang Baa Article.   By Jainaba Bah (Sweden)..............more


INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY – 2013

By Jainaba Bah, Sweden

...........more


OMERTA SERIES

by Lamin J Darboe

In Response to Alfa Jallow on the Jainaba Bah “Breaking Omerta” series...........more





Hello, my name is Sirra Ndow and I am a business support professional.  I own and operate Baanabaana Business Agency. Baanabaana means a businessperson, an entrepreneur and that is what my company is all about: supporting and serving entrepreneurs. We serve small business owners, specializing in solopreneurs , momprenuers and start-up business owners with less than 10 employees.......................................more










From Sirra Ndow

Joint Initiative Launched to Help Gambian Entrepreneurs Build Web Presence

The Gambia – February 15, 2013 – Nweb Plus, an IT solutions company, Sengam Ltd,  company specializing in voice, data and mobile technology and Baanabaana Business Agency, a company committed to helping online entrepreneurs succeed, has announced the launch of a joint initiative call Getting Gambian Business Online, GGBO which has been endorsed by the Ministry of Information and Communication Infrastructure (MOICI) and the Gambia Chamber of Commerce, GCCI to help small business owners take advantage of the great..............more

Fatou Sagnia Proudly displays banner, New York demonstrations

Imam Baba Leigh New York protest

Aminata and I

By: Fatou Sagnia, New York

January 23, 2013 was the coldest day of the year in New York, with wind chills hovering around zero degrees. In recent history, this was quite a record of sorts for the Big Apple. It seemed, however, almost prophetic that our protest for the release of a man of God would fall on such a day..........................................more

Never be afraid of the qualities that set you apart. Don't consider shrinking to fit in with others...Don't court other's acceptance, rise up to your full height. Swell out and take up your due space...Beware of the 'imposter syndrome',this is incredibly common and is utterly disastrous for your moral and ability to perform at your best. Whoever you are don't ever short-change yourself in your own self-appraisal. Don't ever fall short, hike up the extra inches...Success doesn't thrive on self-doubt, whether you are running the show or planning to , what's required is confidence, courage and the ability not to give a damn about what people thinks of you...Just be you and stand tall. !!! --

Rohey Yata Smith, Manchester, UK

WHEN WILL HE......
by Aisha Saidy
When will he............more

Sigga Jagne of STGDPInterview  with Pa Nderry Mbaye
Click here

Chris Sukuna, Secetary, Save The Gambia Democracy Project (STGDP)

Carrie Janneh , Maafanta.com

Operation Girls Catch Yaya

by Fatou Jaw Manneh

 (maafanta archives - 2010).................more


Halipha can't you see?
by Fatou Jaw Manneh...........more


Fatou Jaw Manneh, Publisher ,maafanta.com

I am Gambian
by Fatou Jaw Manneh.......more 

Senegal You Make Us Proud
by Fatou Jaw Manneh.........more

Happy Birthday Mr. President
by Fatou Jaw Manneh....more

Exclusive interview
with Journalist
Fatou Jaw Manneh editor and
publisher of Maafanta.com.....
.more

Thank you all  for signing the
petitionIt has and is reaching all
targets. Thank you all so much
Please sign
Stop Gambian
President Yaya
Jammeh Now
ADD YOUR NAME signon.org......more



"Like all  egomaniacs, he is
the opposite of greatness.
He is a petty, aggrieved, insecure, venal, paranoiac, pernicious,

depraved, intolerant, crass, corrupt, deceptive, dishonest, avaricious,
intemperate, dishonorable,
untrustworthy, misinformed, semiliterate, inarticulate, thuggish,
malcontent, violent, tribalist,
lying little man. Someone needs
to tell him that the Holy Quran is not
for carrying around."
- Foday Samateh   on Yaya Jammeh

The Circle of Life 

By Momodou Ndow, California
.............
more









Banka Manneh, President Save the Gambia Democracy Project(STGDP)


UNLAWFUL PRISONER KILLINGS 100 percent unlawful: the killings that angered the world and stained a nation  -   by Lamin J. Darbo, UK

In a confounding display of reckless and secretive statecraft, even some who still consider themselves officially connected and in the know swore on their lives that prisoner killings did not happen in The Gambia notwithstanding BBC and other reports quoting credible Amnesty International, and Civil Society Associations Gambia (CSAG) sources. No surprise these fellow citizens live in The Gambia! Under circumstances less contentious and disgraceful, and with.....................................more


A Blueprint for a Post-Jammeh Gambia   -  by Dr.Abdoulaye  Saine

IntroductionYahya Jammeh's decision to carry out nine death sentences of forty-seven death-row  inmates on August 26, 2012, is outrageous! It is simply senseless! But Jammeh's rule and decisions have hardly made sense to most right-thinking individuals........more

THE JAMMEH REGIME: BLIND PATRIOTISM AND THE WILLFULLY IGNORANT - by Ousainu Mbenga, Wash, D.C....more

Baba Aidara, Publisher hellogambia.com

Gunjur Diaspora Alkao Michael Scales

Tom Rhodes (CPJ)

East Africa Consultant 

Nickname: Toubaa Sanchaba

We should attack Yaya
Jammeh from all
fronts 
saysSenegalese
NGOs and  SENEGALESE
HUMAN RIGHTS GROUPS
..........
more

"Africa needs a new type of
citizen: A dedicated, modest,
honest, informed man and woman
who submerge self in service
to the nation and mankind.
A man and woman who abhor greed and detest vanity. A new type of man
and woman whose humility is his
and her strength and whose integrity is his and her greatness" -
Nkrumah.

Culture and Customs   of Gambia by  Dr. Abdoulaye Saine

Gambian News Online/Resources/Funstuff

These sites bring you all the news you need to know from the Gambia.

freedomnewspaper.com

hellogambia.com

gainako.com

thegambiaecho.com

senegambianews.com

thegambianbanker.comafricac.org

Thagambiadispatch

TheGDProject


These sites are very important to us. 

We get some news and inspiration from them.

The Oped Project

The Huffington Post

Confusedeagle.livejournal.com

Greatwomenspeakers.com

Allafrica.comIWMFAfricac.org


STGDP

CPJ

IFJ

BBC

Amnesty International

Gambian constitution

AU Charter

UN Charter

Human Rights Watch

For all the funstuff and Extraswww.funnyjunk.comwww.

howstuffworks.com

African Princess Rohey Yata Smith


Ndey Jobarteh Business Development Manager, Africa i Genkey AS, fra Gambia ........................more


The story of an African dictator that was once a hero (The Mugabes and the Gaddafis')  

by Fatoumatta Sanyang (YoungAfrica) 

Dictatorship is not a foreign concept in Africa. That being said, there are a lot of ...........more







More can be done to get justice for Deyda Hydara -  By Elisabeth Witchel/CPJ Impunity Campaign Consultant............more

The New Gambia – Nothing but the truth so help me God!

By Momodou Ndow

Just to clarify, I don’t have any affiliation with a Gambian political party nor do I have a political hat to throw into the political ring, but what I do have is my Gambian birth certificate, and I can supply an army of witnesses to corroborate these claims. Furthermore, my Gambian pride is in my values, the way I carry myself, my smile and how I interact and treat others..........more


DUGA ATLANTA AND THE SENEGAMBIAN COMMUNITY ORGANIZING A PRAYER VIGIL/CONFERENCE/DEMONSTRATION FOR ALH. IMAM BABA LEIGH AND ALL POLITICAL PRISONERS!! ......................more



Greetings to all Banjul community members and friends 

The Sweden Banjul ...............more

The Cost of Africa’s Inferiority Complex (1) 

By Honourable Saka

According to one estimate, African girls of today spend more money on fashion than what they spend on books and food combined.......more

Six Pillars of Character

T rustworthiness
R espect
R esponsibility
F airness
C aring
C itizenship

Dictator, Tyranny and Murderer Jammeh’s unlawful mighty lands in Gambia

By Sankung Jatta, UK

Dictator Jammeh has own land in every part of the Gambia. Where and how did Dictator get all these lands/ properties legally or lawfully? To name few of his mighty lands in the Gambia; Wadner, Kanilai farm 8 kilometres, ............................more

“Seven Deadly Sins
Wealth without work
Pleasure without conscience
Science without humanity
Knowledge without character
Politics without principle
Commerce without morality
Worship without sacrifice.”
Mahatma Gandhi





The Gambia: Imam Baba Leigh, faith and the rape of religion in The Gambia.By Mathew K Jallow

........more








NEW YEAR MESSAGE

SWEDEN-BANJUL NETWORK

Provisional Chairman , Alhadgi Pappa Ousman Alieu Jeng

Having regard to the non political,non ethnic,non caste and non religious dimension of the organisation, the attitudinal changes of banjulians (at home and in the diaspora) should now be of pramount importance to all.

.............................more





Alaada FiX

Your communication gateway to families, friends and love ones.

www.gambiacalls.com Pinless calling
No connection fee No monthly fee
1 minute rounding Rechargeable account.
Sign up now at: www.gambiacalls.com

Happy New Year Everyone!

True African Beauty. Senegal First lady Marieme Fye Sall

THE LEGACY OF SATANG  JOBARTEH

_________________________________________
A person may be measured by his or her talents while he or she lives and by his or her friends when he or she dies. ...............more

A New Book on The Gambia to be released this month

A new book on The Gambia, State and Society in The Gambia Since Independence: 1965-2012 will be released shortly. Published by the USA based Africa World Press, this massive volume (686 pages) is edited by Professor Abdoulaye Saine, Drs Ebrima Ceesay and Ebrima Sall.........................more











(Friends~of~Basse-Global) Thank You 

All!!!  -  editorialboard@mybasse.org

Hello All, .....................more

GrandMa Sirreh hosting the Maafanta Impressive People of 2012 awards.  

The Maafanta Impressive People Of The Year Awards. And the winners   Areeeeeeeee........

.................more


The names are in alphabetical order: 

Bayo, Sheikh Sidia – head of CNTG

Bojang-Sissoho, Amie – Programme officer ...............................................more

by D.A.Jawo


President Yaya Jammeh of Gambia:

Maafanta's worst person of the year. He makes gambian citizens cry everyday.

“Behold the turtle. He only makes progress when he sticks his neck out.”James Bryant Conant (1893-1978); Chemist, Educational Administrator


Business Dreamers

 - Ansu Saho, Indonesia..................more

Maafanta Awards. I Am Thrilled!

-  Jainaba Bah

Dear Fatou!

I would like to seize the occasion and wish all Maafanta's readership a much rewarding year!
Congratulations for being the first Gambian woman to give our people a platform where they can have a voice of their own, without fear or intimidation. In my book you are No. 1. You deserve a warm applause!
I am much thrilled and humbled by the award I received from Maafanta.People, sometimes say they don't deserve awards they are given, when they don't mean it.Whatever the motivation behind this one, I happily accept it and I am content. 
Thank you for jump-starting my year with such a thrilling experience.
Simply Amazing!
Best wishes/Jai

Happy New Year Maafanta!

Dear Sister Fatou,

As we say goodbye to 2012 and welcoming 2013, I wish to convey a special message of togetherness in this little struggle of ours.......................more


“Just because something isn't a lie does not mean that it isn't deceptive. A liar knows that he is a liar, but one who speaks mere portions of truth in order to deceive is a craftsman of destruction.”   ― Criss Jami

Black is beautiful. Binzy, Gambia. In support of 

Nuul Kuuk.com.....more

“Nobody can make you feel inferior without your consent.” — Eleanor Roosevelt 

Hillary Clinton Steps Down From State Department, Ending Three Decades of Public Service ..............................more

PART ONE: Black History Month 2013 Celebrates Crossroads of Freedom,............more

Falling on Fertile Grounds: the rise of drug-trafficking and the role of CSOs in West Africa

Afia Asare Kyei is the Law, Justice and Human Rights Programme Manager at the Open Society Initiative for West Africa (OSIWA) .....................more





"What counts in life is not the mere fact that we have lived. It is what difference we have made to the lives of others that will determine the significance of the life we lead.”  Nelson Mandela 










The Gambian Movement for Democracy Activists (DUGA), Tijaniyyah Association, Imams, Clergy and several other community based organizations in and around NYC will hold a massive demonstration at the United Nations on Wednesday, January 23, 2013, from 12pm-4pm, Leigh, Mamburay Njie and other political prisoners, adoption of the EU 17 points and the end of dictatorship in Gambia. -  Ebrahim Dawud Ndure

Dear Sister Fatou,

I send this Happy New year greetings to you,family and working mates at Maafanta in the name of our Banjul community organisation.Your solidarity and support to our organisational initiative and community which happened to be the capital of the Gambia is an example that will be recounted when the history of our efforts will be written in the future.May the new year bring with it the best for you ,family and friends.You are following on the glorious path in the history of the best of our African Women Ancestors.
Provisional Chairman , Pappa Ousman Alieu Jeng
..............................................................................
Thanks Papa Jeng. Banjul is our Nation's capital. It's upkeep is our collective responsibility. 
Thanks for the initiative!!! - Fatou

If you think you're too small to have an impact, try going to bed with a mosquito. 

Anita Roddick 



Press Advisory

by Ebrahim Ndure ..............more





 

Africa: Where black is not really beautiful

By Pumza Fihlani

BBC News, Johannesburg .............more


Pa Malick Faye and international protection

by Lamin J Darbo ,UK

Since his sudden and unceremonious dismissal as Managing Director, Pa Malick Faye (Pa Malick) must have been dealing with the acute conundrum of the lie he lived all these years as a staffer of the pro-government Daily Observer (DO) newspaper.......................more

CULTIVATING 

SENE - GAMBIA : 

A NATION OF THINKERS      

By: Ousainou Mbenga

The process to cultivate such an honorable nation must not be confined to the isolated and narrow nationalist notion of the untenable “54 Africas” that plague and undermine the struggle to liberate and unite Africa..................more

PROOF! SOURSOP FRUIT KILLS CANCER.

Raymond Kirlew, Yvonne Kirlew of Discovery Bay, St Ann, and Florida radio host Dr Dennis Grant, hold leaves and a soursop from the soursop tree behind them....................................more

What Happened to Banjul? - My Story - Part II

By Momodou Ndow

A city is a relatively dense and permanent settlement. They were initially formed as central places of trade for the benefit of citizens living in close proximity to each other. Such form of living facilitates all sorts of interactions. ...............more

“Senegal can hold its head up high today,” said Alioune Tine of the Dakar-based African Assembly for the Defense of Human Rights (RADDHO). “My country is setting an example for Africa by showing that Africans can take care of their own problems. The time when brutal despots could just take their bank accounts and move next door is coming to an end.”

GAMBIA DEMOCRATIC ACTION GROUP (GDAG) AND SAVE THE GAMBIA DEMOCRACY PROJECT ANNOUNCE THE LAUNCHING OF A NATIONAL CONFERENCE

Contact Information:

Alkali Conteh:contehalkali@yahoo.com

Musa Jeng: Jengfann@yahoo.com

Pa Samba Jow: jowfara@msn.com

GDAG and STGDP are excited to announce the launch of a national conference dubbed GAMBIAN CONFERENCE FOR DEMOCRACY AND GOOD GOVERNANCE to be held in Raleigh, North Carolina from May 18, 2013 to May 19, 2013........................more

Maafanta Attention

Dear Fatou,
I am Dr. Alhasan Ceesay of Njawara village and a novice writer. I would like to draw Maafanta's attention to the work I am involved with villagers in the region since my return to the Gambia in 1992. Here is how to get info relating to it.
My web site is: friendsofmandinggambimed.btck.co.uk 
Books can be viewed on entering: Dr. Alhasan Ceesay/books; and google search
Alhasan Ceesay/book/PublishAmerica.com and Alhasan Ceesay/books/amazon.com
Fatou my efforts have since returning to our beloved land been trying to bring relief to villagers. Hence with help of foreign doctors I have treated more 9000 villagers free ofcharge despite difficulties within. A third of sales of each of my books go to support NGO: Manding Medical Centre at Njawara. Helping expose our effort may just be the light we need at the end of the tunnel in bringing much needed medical relief to rural Gambia. Please feel free to contact me on 44+7556092403 any time convinience as we all committed to the Gambia. Thanks for taking time to review our rquest.
Yours Sincerely
Dr. Alhasan Ceesay, MD


You make us all proud already Dr. Ceesay!

God bless - FatouJM

The hypocrite's crime is that he bears false witness against himself.  What makes it so plausible to assume that hypocrisy is the vice of vices is that integrity can indeed exist under the cover of all other vices except this one.  Only crime and the criminal, it is true, confront us with the perplexity of radical evil; but only the hypocrite is really rotten to the core.  ~Hannah Arendt, On Revolution, 1963



Regina Mariama Manneh












Yahya Jammeh’s Charnel House

By MATTHEW OMOLESKY from the FEBRUARY 2013 issue

Human rights theater, like the global outcry over Gambia’s death penalty, only obscures the real nature of lawless, despotic rule................................more

picture : courtesy of  Godfrey Mwampembwa


The Gambia: An overview of Yahya Jammeh military regime’s horrible legacy

By Mathew K Jallow

The story I wanted to write this week was going to be extremely flattering, yet not superfluous. It was going to be a glowing tribute to a great president, without being a canting expose of his still untold story.................more

Updated List

Gambia Independence Celebrations. February 18 , 2013. We have nothing to celebrate

Below is our predicament:...............more

Say No To Yaya Jammeh

15 WRONG REASONS TO GET MARRIED!

==========================
1. You must not get married because of lust.
2. Infatuation (Love at first sight- sudden love)
3. Just liking the idea of marriage. It's just like joining the Army because you like the uniform. Nobody joins the army with a promise that he won't go to war.........more 

The Gambia: Remembering the April 10 2000 Students’ Massacre (April 2011).
By Mathew K Jallow

1. Reginald Carroll
2. Karamo Barrow
3. Lamin Bojang
4. Ousman Sabally
5. Sainey Nyabally
6. Ousman Sembene
7. Bakary Njie
8. Claesco Pierra
9. Momodou Lamin Njie
10. Ebrima Barry
11. Wuyea Foday Mansareh
12. Bamba Jobarteh
13. Momodou Lamin Chune
14. Abdoulie Sanyang
15. Babucarr Badjie
16. Omar Barrow (journalist & Red Cross volunteer).

..........................................................more

You Are Not Forgotten

Gambian Chronicles

D. A. Jawo Crystallizes a Nation in Transit

By Cherno Baba Jallow

In the fading days of the Jawara presidency, it seemed as if things weren't moving - or moving fast enough. Within the confines of presidential power and far, far away, the national soul was living listlessly. The custodians of power and authority were napping at the wheel.....................more


"""""Just about any head of state with average ambition can build schools, roads and hospitals. What sets Yahya Jammeh apart is his misplaced self-image as a man of destiny gliding on the sweeping wave of history. Listening to him, an act of unbearable mental torture, one hears a jumble of crude vocabulary of a self-anointed republican, patriot, nationalist, field marshal, prophet, genius, shaman and humanitarian. A breathing definition of a multiple personality disorder. He wants to impress upon his audience that he doesn’t only embody the dreams and spirit of the nation but attains a greatness so unique that it defies all categorizations and comparisons. That he is a one-off phenomenon in all the vestiges and vistas of time.

Such blinding if not archaic hubris and heroic pretensions are quite familiar. Like all egomaniacs, he is the opposite of greatness. He is a petty, aggrieved, insecure, venal, paranoiac, pernicious, depraved, intolerant, crass, corrupt, deceptive, dishonest, avaricious, intemperate, dishonorable, untrustworthy, misinformed, semiliterate, inarticulate, thuggish, malcontent, violent, tribalist, lying little man. Someone needs to tell him that the Holy Quran is not for carrying around. The sacred Revelation is not a prop for gimmicky display of piety. The Words of the Almighty are meant for recitation to acquire wisdom and guidance. If this ignoramus really knows how to read the Book of all books, he would be doing so every morning and night on national television and leading every Friday prayer at the State House mosque. Just like he is no professor or doctor of any sort, he is no sheikh. He is an empty pretender. A vain extrovert infected with infantile and fetish need for attention. From his overdressing, raving and ranting to uncouth mannerisms, the sane mind is conflicted over determining whether he is a scarecrow or clown with the keys to the highest office in the land.""""' -  Foday Samateh on Yaya Jammeh

Gambia’s Clandestine Foreign Operation Uncovered   -  kibaaro.com.

The Gambia government’s hatched clandestine foreign security operation against exiled Gambians in Senegal, Europe and the United States has been uncovered..................................more










IN MEMORY OF THE FALLEN HEROS ON APRIL 10TH/11TH
by Jainaba Bah

Flowers for you! 

The young valiant students; 
Who in seeking justice defied arms & authority
You threw yourselves in harm's way 
This was before any Arab Spring, 
You walked the path of Sharpville & Soweto
Embracing bullets and making the ultimate sacrifice
Who said the Gambian is a coward? 
Rest in perfect peace!



Thank you Maafanta and Hellogambia

This is to say a big thank you to ‘Maafanta’ and ‘Hello Gambia’ for publishing my article on Autism. I also thank your readers who contributed through their comments. The response was overwhelming.....................more











Open letter on Women’s Political Participation

by Ms Satang Nabaneh, Gambia

Friday, March 22, 2013

I think it is time I add my voice to the debate, to wear the badge of verbal fundamentalism, without the slightest embarrassment. Should have been a long time coming- to unburden myself and do a little carping....................more










Miss West Africa International 2013

MARIA SAWANEH (MWA Germany)........more

Bear with us. Maafanta is moving house. Please send all emails for now to fatoujm@gmail.com


Sohna Sallah , of DUGA, DC










Jainaba Phall of DUGA DC

Sohna Sallah and Jainaba Phall, Gambian heroes from DC. Sohna and Jainaba are DUGA activists from DC. They compiled and pulled out a report of the meetings in Raleigh North Carolina saturday night, awake till 2 a.m , that lead to the deliberations for Sunday.  We are already proud of you ladies!!!

Gambia Musolu Ali Wulli!!!

RE: THE UNIQUENESS OF GAMBIA KAL OR SANAWUYA RELATIONSHIPS
by D. A. Jawo
I like the above-captioned article by Lamin Sabally. These sort of stories will no doubt go a long way in lessening the tension usually created by too much involvement in political arguments, ........................more





Annual Report 2013The state of the world's human rights 

Human rights know no borders. But Amnesty International's 2013 report shows governments are using the excuse of 'internal affairs' in shameful attempts to block concerted international action to resolve human rights emergencies..........................more



Yaya Jammeh under no obligation?

According to Sarjo Bayang

Any person prepared to defend so many wrongs of Yaya Jammeh, the heavy handed self-imposed Gambian dictator needs lot of tongue muscles to win right thinking people. There is yet one situation where Jammeh stays within his rights.................................more














THE UNIQUENESS OF GAMBIA KAL OR SANAWUYA RELATIONSHIPS. HERE ARE RECENT HILARIOUSLY FUNNY BUT TRUE GIBES BETWEEN KIANKAS AND BADIBUKAS.

By Lamin Sabally, Minneapolis, Minnesota...........................more

Book Review: Standing Up Against Injustice Dr. Amadou Scattred Janneh

By D. A. Jawo

Gambians have long been subjected to all sorts of rumours and allegations about the maltreatment of detainees in the hands of our security forces, with stories of both physical and mental torture being frequently administered on detainees, mostly to elicit information as well as humiliate them........................more

Rejoinder: Halifa  On Hamat’s Comments

Dear Editors

Putting the Record Straight

Last week it made headline news in a number of papers that Hamat Bah has accepted my invitation to a debate. In fact, it is reported that he has even said that I am fond of inviting other politicians to a debate who often decline the invitation but that he, .......................................more



In every natural perspective, there is an allure and in place for the chosen ones. Please my people of a kind in patience, ignore  these gifts from the so called  leader in Banjul’s Statehouse!!!  -  

by Unbiased Prince


My fellow Gambian brothers and sisters of whom, I the Unbiased Prince GB of yet an abstemious competence of yours fellow as have the glimpse of you being in the.......more

God Bless Ben Jammeh

By Dida Halake

I read in the Daily Observer the other day that there is an “arrest warrant” for my old friend Ben Jammeh, the former IGP and NDEA boss in The Gambia. I hope and pray that he is alive and well wherever he may be.

..................................................more










HAPPY BIRTHDAY MR. PRESIDENT

by Salieu B M Njie

HAPPY 89TH BIRTHDAY TODAY YOUR EXCELLENCY

AND HAPPY 89TH BIRTHDAY ON BEHALF OF THE ENTIRE GAMBIAN NATION...............................more



Below is a compartive analysis of why President Jammeh can be considered as the best and worst Head of State for the Gambia.

-   by Pa Koumba Loum

10 Reasons WHY President Yahya Jammeh is the Best President for Gambia................................more



REJOINDER: "Kukoi Samba Sanyang was a 'Senegalese' national...After all"

by Ousou Menteh
With regard to letter written captioned ("Kukoi Samba Sanyang was a 'Senegalese' national...After all") by Kaba Sallah and his onslaught on Kukoi  I think Kaba Sallah got it wrong on Kukoi's naturalization.............more









Ode to Joy (Jai that is!)

Hey,

Jai (Bah that is!)

I like it!

What you say (that is!)

And if I may –

I too would like (with you)

For the Venerable Imam:

Pray.

And to the Veritable Lawyer,

Lamin J Darboe:

I like your most recent salvo!

Short, sharp and sweet:

Res ipsa loquitur!


Dida Halake


Alieu Mboge: The picture of heartlessness and cruelty. 

By Mathew K. Jallow

I was flabbergasted by Alieu Mboge’s very demeaning letter to Yahya Jammeh. It is similar to Bala Musa Gaye’s letter more than a year ago and Lamin Sanyang’s letter more recently last year. I was unable to react to Bala Gaye’s letter, but I am taking the liberty to respond to Alieu Mboge’s pathetic and humiliating letter to the animal; .............................more

LOOKING FORWARD TO HAMAT BAH AND HALIFA SALLAH “THE WAY FORWARD” DEBATE: WILL THIS BE THE QUINTESSENTIAL POLITICAL DEBATE OF THE CENTENARY POTRAYING THE CLASH OF TWO POLITCAL HEAVYWEIGHTS?

Lamin Sabally, Minneapolis, MN

The highly-publicized proposed debate between Gambia’s renowned US -educated sociologist, politician and social commentator, Halifa Sallah of the PDOIS, and Hamat Bah, leader of NRP and an incontestable Gambia political celebrity for now has all the .....more

London Photo

James Bahoum, Sarjo Bayang and Abdoulie Jobe

“A woman with an education may be able to spend more time sitting in a chair instead of lying on her back. A sound advantage, I should think.” 

Anne Bishop, Daughter of the Blood


DEMEAN, DEGRADE, DISCARD

by Sidi Sanneh

Imam Baba Leigh's involuntary imprisonment served as a rallying cry for dissidents and political opponents of Yaya Jammeh, inside and outside Gambia. The glue that held together the coalition of diaspora and the family and friends of the Imam, I am afraid to say, is threatening to become unstuck. Thanks to Yaya Jammeh and his band of Banjul Mullahs who morph into the Islamic Council and/or Banjul Muslim Elders when circumstances warrant it and mothballed when they are not needed. ................more



ARMS EXPORTSIran's Aghajani convicted over illegal arms in Nigeria

An Iranian, along with his Nigerian co-accused, have each been sentenced to five years jail for illegally shipping arms to Nigeria...............................more

FAIR AND BALANCE: THE CONERSTONES OF SUCCESS

by Sulayman Jeng

Shifting through the Gambian diaspora media houses particularly the electronic newspapers in pursuit of the struggle’s strengths and weaknesses, reveals hair-splitting intolerance, dishonesty, subjectivity and rose tinted perception of the realities which engulfed us................more



"We regret the decline of Senegal in humanism and respect for human dignity," detailed Me Dioma Ndiaye. 

The Senegalese League for Human Rights (LSDH), Amnesty International Senegal and the African Assembly for the Defense of Human Rights (RADDHO) were deeply concerned about the arrest of journalist and blogger Chad makaila Nguebla who lives in Senegal since 2005......................more

The Gambia: Yahya Jammeh and state of our nation -  By Mathew K Jallow

To many people at home, it looked like another propaganda coup, one similar to many others just over the last year alone; the releases of Dr. Amadou S Janneh, Tamsir Jassey, Lawyer Moses Richard, Lawyer Lamin Mboge, the hiring of Nana Grey-Johnson and now the recycling of Fatou Camara, who was recently hire and unceremoniously fired....................more










MFDC-12 deminers hostage: Macky pays its alliance with Salif Sadio at the expense of Caesar Attout Badiatte - Dakarois.net

The Head of State of Senegal Macky Sall and relay in the bush have committed fatal blunders in promoting wing of hard negotiations Atika northern front. Since his accession to the presidency,..............more

Africa Progress Report 2013

The Africa Progress Panel (APP) chaired by former UN Secretary General Kofi Annan just released the 2013 edition of the 120 pageAfrica Progress Report 2013 in English and French.  The focus is on equity in extractives: stewarding Africa's natural resources for all.........................more

GrandMa Sirreh Says:

Welcome back to The Gambia  the crying coast of Africa Our Dear Imam Baba leigh.

The bustling madness of Yaya Jammeh  by Unbiased Prince

I gave thanks and praises to God-Almighty Allah for the great news in light of our Imam Baba Leigh’s release from an unlawful detention . I thank you all once more as I have never underestimate your grave endeavors of which you my very many 

.........................................more

A STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION

by Sulayman Jeng

Allow me to extend my unreserved congratulation to you for taking the bold step in unconditionally releasing Imam Baba Mutarr Leigh. This noble gesture has not only uplifted the unimaginable horror, pain, sense of lost and endless sleepless nightmares for the imam’s family but also a step in the right direction. In my last letter to you captioned “IS YOUR CONSCIENCE STILL ALIVE? I opined:..............................more


Alhamdulillahi Rabil Alameen, Imam Baba Mulhtarr Leigh is free
Alhaji Salieu Njie


Nigerian Billionaire Aliko Dangote Raises $4.5 Billion To Build Refinery ................................more


The Village Girl

By Yero Jallow

This one is really funny. Yeteh Bah again I was told. Baldeh Bolong "Tahyor" and Bah Pullo "Gainako". As can be clearly seen, Baldeh Bolong was the village tailor and Bah Pullo was the shepherd. They were both in love with their professions..................more

GrandMa Sirreh says:

Am appealing to linguists and Buhabas Essa Sey, Suntou Touray and Sarjo Bayang to help  transcribe/translate Manding Morri Songs. A demand from Maafanta readers. Need your help brothers.


Books For Africa Annual Fundraising Luncheon

As you know, I volunteer with Books For Africa (BFA), as the Project Manager of a five-year-Million Books To The Gambia Project (MBTGP); - collaboration of......more










RE: NEW PROMISING SIGNS OF POSTIVE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE GAMBIA GOVERNMENT AND THE INDEPENDENT MEDIA COMMUNITY

by D. A. Jawo

I am in agreement with the above-captioned commentary by Lamin Sabally that Nana Grey-Johnson’s decision to respond to the invitation by the GPU to grace the last Press Freedom Day celebrations as their guest of honour should indeed be viewed in a positive light by both the GPU...................more


NEW PROMISING SIGNS OF POSTIVE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE GAMBIA GOVERNMENT AND THE INDEPENDENT MEDIA COMMUNITY:

Lamin Sabally- Minneapolis, Minnesota

Leaning heavily on recent local newspaper reports on the Gambia’s celebrations of the international media or press freedom day, hopes appear to be increasingly illuminating with the expressed initiation of a concrete 

..........................................more

GrandMa Sirreh says: Demba Njie Isabarry. Where is Papa Jeng in all this??? 

Can those "not nice folks" apologize to President Yam and you all move on?? Don't steal the Girls job and title now folks.

Sabarry Demba. We do not want issues from Sweden now. Thought you all are the cool ones?






Public plea for end to arbitrary arrests
from the Gambia
Amid the ugly nature of arrest and illegal detention of individuals without litigation, the public has pleaded for the instant seizure of the arbitrary scenario......................more










Happy One Year Anniversary Kibaaro News.!! 

We love the team , the contributors, the stories and  all the traditional music and oral historians and history. Kibaaro news is enlightening , engaging and a beautiful site.  Maafanta is wishing you all many more progressive years to come. To the whole team: Site Manager: Bamba Mass, Editor in Chief: Musa Saidykhan, Yaya Dampha, Suntou Touray, Yanks Darboe, Muhammed Lamin Sillah, Sarata Jabbi Dibba, Imam Ceesay, Tijan Massaneh Ceesay, Landing Nyassi, Baye Sankareh, Saul Saidykhan, Lamin Sabally.

And Sarata keep the boys in check!!

from Fatou Jaw Manneh@maafanta.com

Another inequitable national honours list

By D. A. Jawo
Once again, the Gambian public has been treated to another very long list of socalled national awards recipients; 325 individuals and institutions altogether, as usual, comprising overwhelmingly of APRC militants and sympathizers as well as institutions with connections to those in authority............more

IS YOUR CONSCIENCE STILL ALIVE?

by Sulayman Jeng

Sitting in the park teeming with people enjoying a sunny day of the volatile British weather, I gazed afar curbing in nature’s beauty punctuated by oases of people doing one thing or another whilst my mind wandered nomadically. As my train of thoughts gathered momentum,...............more 

The Gambia: Blinded by dishonesty or wrapped in selective ignorance

By Mathew K Jallow

The refrain is familiar. It is a cry for sympathy. And, frankly, it is downright nonsensical. We heard it again this week. It seems Nana Grey-Johnson may have suddenly found religion. After nearly two decades, this accomplished writer and journalist, who has never written anything about Gambia under Imperial King, Yahya Jammeh, .................................more









What Will Happen After The Fall of President Yahya Jammeh?

Pa Koumba Loum
Much has been said about the anticipated demise and removal of President Sheik Professor Yahya Jammeh from power. There is a great deal of speculation about the manner in which he will be removed from power and at what time....................more


UNESCO Acts to Ensure Journalists' Safety - voanews.com

WASHINGTON,DC — The UN cultural agency, UNESCO, is calling for greater protections for the world’s journalists. It’s been joined by a number of international press freedom organizations..............more

LETTER TO THE ATTORNEY GENERAL

On the pending cases regarding false information to the president

ON THE PENDING CASES REGARDING FALSE INFORMATION TO THE PRESIDENT

Your noble profession emerged from the realisation that the unalloyed justice must be derived from careful weighing and balancing of law and fact  to separate  the grain of truth from the chaff..............................more


Dislodging Yaya Mad Jammeh from office   -  by Unbiased Prince

I mean the one who is sedious to Gambians,

And at our society of which is subjected to his disrespecting kind,  

And his so called Government swimming in our Gambian brothers’ and sisters’ blood,

Is a must , imminently needed!!!..........more

Dilation on Press Freedom

By Ebou Gaye

As media practitioners and their sympathizers observe World Press Freedom Day, I would like to expatiate on press freedom with a view to contributing my quota to the promotion and defence of the fourth estate- the press. Journalists suffer miserably in many parts of the world, Africa in particular.

...........................................more 

In Commemoration of World Press Freedom Day

Beacon of Hope for exiled Gambian Journalists (Maasalaah) Offering Hope for Gambia’s Future

By Alagi Yorro Jallow

Journalism in The Gambia is in the throes of its most severe crisis in decades. A combination of censorship, unbridled partisanship and ineptitude are steadily eroding the gains that the local media realized over the past decades....................more

LISTERNER OBSERVATIONS OF JOURNALIST PA NDERRY’S STRING OF COVERT INTERVIEWS OF THREE GAMBIA STATE MINISTERS.

Lamin Sabally-Minneapolis, Minnesota

With the prank interview of the Gambia’s number two on Freedom Radio fresh in mind, during which Vice President Dr. Ajaratou Isatou Njie Siady generously disclosed what is best termed in the US media fraternity parlance as TMI ( Too Much Information),  

.............................................more










The European Union Endorses GAMCOTRAP’s External Audit Report 2012

The Project Director of SOFRECO, Mr. Vladimir Rojanski and Accounting Expert of the European Union Non State Actors Programme, Mr. Amadou Danso Finance commended GAMCOTRAP for a successful completion of the EU-NSA project in 2012 after the European Union has endorsed the project A....................................more



Square Pegs v. Round Holes, Apples v. Oranges   Part Two 

(from maafanta archives)

By: Saul Saidy-khan  (saulskhan@yahoo.com)

f.) Yaya and his cohorts told Gambians they were not interested in staying long, yet four months after taking over, they rounded up a group of their colleagues they suspected of being disloyal,...................................more

Gambia Press Union Notice of Procession

As part of events marking World Press Freedom Day, which is commemorated on 3rd May every year around the world, the Gambia Press Union  will on Friday morning embark on a procession starting from Africell Junction to the TANGO Secretariat in Fajara,

The procession which is meant for only media practitioners is permitted by the office of the Inspector General of Police.

Given the significance of the day, media practitioners are urged to attend this programme on time. Media practitioners should converge at the Africell Junction by 9:30am.

Signed

Executive Board



GPU, TANGO and ICFJ

PRESS RELEASE

Introduction

May 3 is World Press Freedom Day.  This day is set aside by the General Assembly of the United Nations in December 1993 following a recommendation adopted at the 26th session of UNESCO’s General Conference in 1991, as an outgrowth of the Seminar on Promoting an Independent and...................................more

"Africa has seen a number of such personalities, who first claimed to be revolutionaries, but only to turn out the same as, if not worse than, those they removed from power. The records are unedifying: for Samuel Doe, Charles Taylor, Yoweri Museveni, Laurent Kabila, Muammar Gaddafy and others. Libya’s revolutionary training grounds, for a nursery, have only produced toxic transplants of far-reaching ecological disasters for the African continent." Cherno Baba Jallow on Kukoi Samba Sanyang

 PRINCE SANKANU APPOINTED SARAHULLEH YOUTH DEVELOPMENT AMBASSADOR - From Prince Sankanu

 Gambian film producer, writer and social critic Prince Bubacarr Aminata Sankanu is appointed Ambassador of the Gambia's two premier Sarahulleh Youth Development Organization (SYDO) and the Dynamic Sarahulleh Association For Change and Development (DSACD)....................more

Brave Hamat Bah

by Dida Halake

Dear Editor,

I am not sure where it was but I recently read of Hamat Bah being castigated for being a “Jammeh Stooge” and a “Sell-Out”. I think there are too many total idiots out there and they should hang their heads in shame when they read of Hamat Bah speaking out as bravely and clearly as this. But then again I suppose they have no shame...........................more

 HALIFA WRITES TO PRESIDENT JAMMEH

On Constitutional Lapses in the Inauguration of Councils

RE: ON DEVIATIONS FROM THE RULE OF LAW

The setting up of different dates to inaugurate councils after the 4th April 2013 Local Government elections reflects a lack of uniformity in the assumption of office by members of Councils who are elected on the same day and have equal tenure of office.

 ..............................................more

From Pa Ousu Njie

The Gambia: The new mind of a people and the color of betrayal - By Mathew K Jallow

To digress from the nastiness of politics for a moment, this focus, instead, on human nature in Gambia, is a fundamental component of the changes in our cultural landscape. This plunge into the complexity of human nature attempts to contextualize the enormous lapses in judgment to which many Gambians have become willing victims.............................more


Press  Release,  London       22 April 2013

Invitation to a Congress of UK-resident Gambians.

....Saturday the 11 May 2013 from 16.30 onwards

Venue: ATHLONE HALL, ATHLONE STREET KENTISH TOWN LONDON NW5 4LN (Nearest tube station…Kentish town NORTHERN LINE)

THE following can be contacted for further details:

Mr.Malik Kah…….07984524628

Mr.Bakary Dabo…….07548989047

Mr.Abdulai Jobe……..07712257888

Mr.Abdullah Bojang....07906140637.....more







This Date In African History/ Dr. Kwame Nkrumah Remembered !! - by Sainey Faye

April 27th, 1972 ....On this date Dr. Kwame Nkrumah passed away.His death took many by surprise, all around the world...................more

HALIFA WRITES TO THE ATTORNEY GENERAL

AMENDMENT CRIMINALISING DRESS AND OTHERS NEGATES THE DIVIDING LINE BETWEEN MINOR CRIME (MISDEMEANOR) AND MAJOR CRIME (FELONY) AND VIOLATES SECTION 33 OF THE CONSTITUTION

Having been a parliamentarian, you may understand why I have taken interest in the debate .......................................more






Aroki Taata Cham. May Allah grant her Jannah. Rest in peace wonderful woman.










Gambian Lewis Bojang dead ringer for Black Eyed Peas star

Will.i.ain't: Dispatch controller who is dead ringer for Black Eyed Peas star gets the VIP treatment everywhere he goes...............more

From Ama , London


What Does Kukoie Samba Sanyang Really Stand For? He is NOT the Solution to our Current Problems - Papa Koumba Loum

I listen with keen interest the interview of Kukoie Samba Sanyang aka Dr Manneh on Freedom radio the other day. Although there were many who praised him and seemingly supported Kukoie and saw him as the man who is capable of removing Jammeh,.............................more

L'ETAT C'EST MOI

by Sidi Sanneh
I praised Momodou Aki Bayo - a former GHS classmate - yesterday for his encouraging remarks about the government's desire to work with the Independent Mayor of Banjul and his City Council for the mutual benefit of city residents and the country. The statement was worthy of praise because it represented, in my view,..............more

WHEN BEAUTY BECOMES UGLY… 

Dear Mr Koukoi Samba Sanyang,

I have been keenly following your resurgence lately on all the Gambian online media both print and radio. Without mincing words, you are stepping out of yourself to justify your failed 1981 bloody coup. One thing that age and wisdom should have taught you is a missed opportunity ..............................more



THE IDEAL STATE

by Ebrima Conteh , Indianapolis

Aristotle asserted that human beings are political Animals; by this he meant humans live in societies and are interdependent. If Aristotle is correct, we do not have a choice but to live in societies that comprise of different factions..................more

The Gambia: The beckoning of Raleigh and the harrowing calls to Sweet Carolina

By Mathew K Jallow

There is growing resistance; the coalition is fortifying and the unity of purpose is coalescing around a central theme that has dominated Gambian life and politics for more than a decade and half........................more

Get Light or Die Trying

Last week’s post “Skin Bleaching, Self-Hatred and Colonial Mentality” generated LOTS of conversation on the web. What is surprising to me is the fact that many people have never heard of skin bleaching. Borrowing from my research on skin bleaching in Ghana, this week’s post “Get Light or Die Trying” is a brief introduction of sorts to the global phenomenon…................more


Skin Bleaching, Self-Hatred and Colonial Mentality

Sukuta Sanchaba Yda Diaspora

Hello Jaw Manneh,

How are you ?

There are many Gambians living abroad and equally among them are citizens of Sukuta. It was through general consensus based on out reach consultations, that the concept to form a diaspora organization emerged, intended to bring us closer together as a family, for peace, unison and development orientated for Sukuta..............more

Nigeria's dangerous skin whitening obsession

 Nigeria has the world's highest percentage of women using skin lightening agents in the quest for "beauty"................................more

GrandMa Sirreh says:

Thanks again Demba Njie. GrandMa Sirreh will be 90 yrs old next year, and would love you to take over Maafanta. You will keep the editorials spicy. God , you are an intellectual, a philosopher and i love it when you drag Yaya Jankangding Jammeh into the ditch!! You can get muddy with him at the same time. Love it!

I am down for the after-death- party. If our wishes come true, he will be dead by friday. Hope Goddess Meta sends an alert on thursday. Put me down for Chakrri and NaaMbuuru. And let's paint Banjul Njie RED. Thank you Alpha Jallow. There can be hardliners on this maafanta you know.



Africa Unity's Golden Jubilee: A Reflection  

While committed to the promotion of African leadership and ownership in grappling with its challenges, we are mindful of the fact that success in our endeavors requires a strong partnership between the continent and the other members of the international community......more

The Gambia: Yahya Jammeh, PURA and Internet Café Operators; acts beyond legality

By Mathew K Jallow

It was a maddening reinforcement of the narrative Gambians have become all too familiar with. With one sweeping, but seemingly innocuous declaration, PURA, Gambia, declared illegal, three essential elements of the Internet, and with it, the technological that defines a century; the 21 century................more

Burning Issues

6 UNIDENTIFIED CORPSES AT THE MORTUARY BURIED
Published on Tuesday, 23 April 2013 07:05 | Written by Alagi F. S. Sora foroyaa.gm
In a developing story which was published earlier, Foroyaa reported about the six (6) unidentified corpses at the mortuary of the Edward Francis Small Teaching Hospital (EFSTH) in Banjul which were not claimed by anybody..................more

From Malik kah


Life as Art
by Cherno Baba Jallow

Writing appreciations is always a daunting exercise because it is an attempt to give life to the lifeless and to bequeath to them a token of commemoration lasting – hopefully – well beyond the momentary grief over their departure from earth. It would be a lot easier if the person were a public figure or if he or she had occupied a place in the public imagination.......................more

Read more: http://www.mybasse.org/ 

July 30th, 1981

(by Saul Saidykhan, from maafanta archives, July 30th 2012)

I was in my lower teens, in post-Primary school. Weeks earlier, we had closed school for Summer – rainy season recess. I was to travel to Jarra from Tallinding to see my folks. The fare by public transport then was only ten Dalasi for my age group. The public transport para-statal then was called The Gambia-Libyan Arab Public Transport Corporation (GLAPTC.) Because of the events of that July 30th, 1981 day, it was to be re-named The Gambia Public Transport Corporation (GPTC.) .......................................more

Serial Rapist Accused of Raping, Videotaping Underage Liberian Girls Sent to Court 

WRITTEN BY WADE C. L. WILLIAMS, WADE.WILLIAMS@FRONTPAGEAFRICAONLINE.COM

Monrovia- The Liberia National Police has confirmed the arrest of 43-year-old Lebanese national Jaafar Bashir who FrontPage Africa reported on Friday was facing a cloud of allegations that he has been involved in the raping of young Liberian children within the age range of 7, 9, 10, 11, 12 and 15................................more 


Yahya is the Best Thing that Ever Happened to Gambia  - by Papa Koumba Loum

To those of you who are jealous and angry about our President, you can say all what you want. He may have killed the students during the April 10 and 11 demonstration in 2000, he may have killed Koro Ceesay, Deyda Hydara, Imam Baba Leigh and many others, he may have poisoned many, plundered our resources and even engaged in drug trafficking,....................more



Get Off Macky Sall's Back: Senegal is a Democracy, Not a Dictatorship

By Yankuba Jambang, editor,senegambianews.com

Senegal will forever remain Gambia's only immediate neighbor that surrounds it on all sides but the west, where the Atlantic Ocean sits. All Senegalese citizens and Gambians are aware of this, and the natural bond of fraternity that exists between the two states.

...............................................more

Letter to Kukoi Samba Sanyang

by Unbiased Prince

My dear Mr. Kokoi Samba Sanyang,

As found in every level of caring for your sons and daughters of the Gambian Nation, I am to be taking the natural gratuities of my utmost zealousness to extend my sincere believe that you, my dear friend and uncle of much loved are not a failing father at all............more

PURA: Internet dating services prohibited

Friday, April 19, 2013

The Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA) has issued a press release prohibiting companies and/or individuals operating through Internet Cafes and offering Dating services and Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) services as a commercially available service to the public in The Gambia..................................more


Mr. Diallo's claim that the Senegalese and other people should be informed that The Gambia, "those who have the audacity to give their opinions or criticize the management of power, are still exposed to the arrest and detention , or a trial of intent or to fiscal or financial penalties or the loss or simply to murder. " -

 Oumar Diallo of Raddho on a visit to Banjul

..........................................more


Proposal Expands Harsh, Wasteful Criminalization of Border Crossers ........................................more

Joye - By Aminata sillah

Dear Citizen Good Deeds:

Would you believe that only $20.00 a month keeps a child in school in the Gambia? Conditions of the children in the Gambia cry out for your help! Lack of basic necessities to attend school, substandard educational facilities, and inability to attend school are just a few of the challenges that children in the JOYE program face every day..................................more

To make it easier for you, visit our website: www.giftofjoye.org 

"TO HEAL THIS WORLD"; IN MY OPINION!   -  by Ousu Menteh

BEAUTIFUL "AZAAN" MUSLIM CALL TO PRAYER IN A CHURCH USA (LATEST) - above video

Maafanta, i am Forwarding these  Youtube videos for the website Friday video featuring .

What is inspiring is that on the podium you will observe three denominations of Abrahamic religions; 
- Judaism represented by one left-hand side
- Islam represented by one in middle for call to prayer and
- Rest is Christian hospitality manifested in host church for what appear to be  multi-faiths united in praying together 


Kukoie Sanyang v Senegal

By Dida Halake

At the Royal Courts of Justice,

The Strand, London.

In the matter of Kukoie Samba Sanyang  (Claimant)

vs.

The Republic of Senegal

Before His Honour Hail Haile Halake.................more

[Audio] reaction between the Gambian Koukoy Samba Sagna: "I was forced to come to Bamako ..." seneweb.com............................more



Unusual: Karim Wade, shower and bucket

By: Lamine Samb - Senego.com

Poor Karim Wade. The son of the President of the Republic is surely going through the most difficult moments of his life. The former all-powerful minister of state under his father who was accustomed to live in an insolent luxury begins to discover another world. In effect Rimka who spent his second night in the brigade research Colobane begins to suffer martyrdom.

According to the newspaper the Tribune while he was bathing, the son of his father was asked to go for a bucket to wash. Times change Ndeyssane.










Urgent! Koukoy Sagna Samba arrested at the airport in Dakar - Seneweb.com

The former opponent of the regime Daouda Diawara, who attempted a coup in 1981, resulting in the intervention of the Senegalese army, Koukoy Samba Sagna, was arrested at the airport in Dakar, according to our colleagues of the Zik Fm.They add that it will be extradited to The Gambia in the near future.

This is the ridiculous bill that passed today at the National Assembly. Please share with maafanta readersAbubacar Jallow, Gambia

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
A BILL ENTITLED
AN ACT to amend the Criminal Code Act Cap 10 Vol.111 Laws of The Gambia 2009 and for connected matters...................................more



ABUSED, INSULTED AND TREATED AS FOREIGNER AT KANILAI.  MY HOURS OF HORROW IN PRESIDENT JAMMEH’S NATIVE VILLAGE!

By Prince Bubacarr Aminata Sankanu, currently contributing his quota towards nation building on the ground in The Gambia. Tel/SMS: +2206774620

I would like to start by apologizing for possible errors as I wrote this piece under time pressure with unstable electricity supply..................................more


Dozens dead in Somali courthouse attack

From Mohamed Amiin Adow, for CNN........more

Princess Jai, The Honour is Mine!

By Dida Halake
Thank you Princess Jai, I am highly honoured. My daughter is Jainaba Jallow (aged 9) and I named her Jainaba myself simply because I like the name. Now when she asks me why I named her Jainaba, I will tell her "After Princess Jainaba Bah of Sweden and Gambia"!...................................more

A PERSPECTIVE ON 1981 COUP DETAT 

* The attempted Gambian coup d'etat of 30 July 1981
A 1991 Paper

By Arnold Hughes

Three decades have passed since the abortive coup d'etat in The Gambia, yet, surprisingly, little has been written about this momentous as well as tragic event in its history. The abortive coup was not merely a singular occurence in Gambian politics; it was also unusual in the annals of coup-making in Africa in that it was plotted and in part executed by civilians rather than soldiers......more



Police in Senegal have arrested the son of former President Abdoulaye Wade on suspicion of corruption.

Karim Wade is suspected of illegally amassing about $1.4bn (£900m) during his father's rule, his lawyers said.

Karim was a senior minister during his father's rule from 2000 to 2012, and was in charge of major infrastructure and energy projects.................................more


The Disappearance of Baba Leigh and Return Him Well and Fit" UK High Commission 

Monday, April 15, 2013
Today sees the publication of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office’s Annual Report on Human Rights and Democracy.  “It is a matter of disappointment for me personally that, for the first time ever, The Gambia earns a specific mention in its pages by way of a specific case study” British High Commissioner Banjul.........................more

Jai Bah drops club for Prince Dida Halake

WITH MUCH RESPECT!

Comrade Dida!

Please allow me to first of all Thank You for all the beautiful and encouraging commentaries .................more


UK urges Gambia to investigate cleric's disappearance

(AFP) –   BANJUL — The United Kingdom urged the Gambia on Monday to investigate the whereabouts of an outspoken religious leader who has not been seen by family or friends since his arrest more than four months ago.........................................more

Dear Grandma Sirreh, I Disagree

By

Foday Samateh

There is no fine way to put it. Grandma Sirreh, the repository of wisdom and dispenser of aphorisms here at Maafanta.com, is wrong to call on Jainaba Bah and Mai Fatty to quit their dispute over the latter’s (alleged) role in the police crackdown on the Organization of Revolutionary Students (ORS) and MOJA-G back in 1983..............................................more










May Their Souls Rest In Perfect Peace

FURTHER REFLECTIONS ON MUSA CAMARA'S PIECE  - by Lamin J Darboe

Dear Editor.............................more

AN ESSAY ON DECADENCE OF MORALITY IN THE GAMBIA by Musa Camara

I am just reading the article as per subject in your website but it left me speechless. I must admit I have never read such an insightful, captivating,factual and powerful narrative by a Gambian before. Musa has rekindled emotions long lost in me. Most importantly he has succeeded in forcing me to do a reality check of self-evaluation to borrow his phrase. Please give him my utmost admiration and love.
Sulayman Jeng

Personal Greed Destroying National Grid 

A case of social decline where symptoms are treated leaving causes at a cost 

By Sarjo Bayang.............more


Hatshepsut the Woman Who Was King

Letter to Gambian men

by Lang Colly

Gambian men return to the values of our Glorious past by treating our women as equals and with the greatest respect. .......................more



“An Epidemic of Honesty”

By Lamin Sabally- Minneapolis, MN

In what it beautifully and captivatingly calls the latest incident of an epidemic of honesty, ................more



Greedy Man

By Baba Galleh Jallow

Apart from Bogeyman, Second Genamin Gyant DaMidget alias Mbarass, was also known as Greedy Man. ...................more



The Gambia: Judiciary in overdrive and Yahya Jammeh’s coronation (published December 2010) - By Mathew K Jallow

......more




REFLECTIONS ON MUSA CAMARA'S PIECE

'Contrary to Musa’s contention, The Gambia is not a “postmodern” society '- Lamin J Darboe

Dear Editor................................more


Gambia: April 10, 2000   - I remember…13 years on  -  By Aisha Dabo

“It ended with a Commission of Inquiry, with the state culprits given a blanket amnesty..............more


Reflection

by Aminata Sillah, Texas

As I read the piece from Musa Camara, I went through various facial expressions and emotions..............................more



Ambassador Edward M. “Ned” Alford
United States Ambassador to The Gambia.
BANJUL
Dear Mr. Ambassador..................more 


Another April 10th anniversary – still waiting for justice
By D. A. Jawo
As Gambians and people of conscience all over the world ...............more


The Gambia: April 2000 Massacre; Gone but never forgotten (first published 2006)

By Mathew K Jallow.............................more



Well Done Musa!

Dear Editor (Fatou),
I write to commend Musa Camara for his brilliant op-ed in Maafanta. It is by far one of the most comprehensive and thoughtful on the Gambia, Gambian personality, culture and society that I have read in a while. Musa spared no one- his insights were sharp and captured well our current and past challenges. He drew on history, sociology, religion, politics, etc., to shed light on the seldom spoken contradictions and taboo subjects in our society. Musa has a lot to say and must continue to write because these are issues we must begin to address to have any hope of moving our country forward.- Dr. Abdoulaye Saine

Thank You, Musa Camara  - Dida Halaki

Editor,.......................more


THE NEW FACE IN JAMMEH'S BUNGA BUNGA PARTY

- by Bamba Sering Mass (Human Rights Activist) UK

The Gambia's  dictator Yahya Jammeh has invited  a .............more




FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

The Raleigh Accord.

Raleigh, North Carolina U.S.A. May 19 2013:  The three-day Gambia Conference on Democracy and Good Governance organized by GDAG, STGDP, and DUGA successfully concluded in Raleigh, North Carolina.  The convention brought together Gambians, political leaders, civil society organizations, and non-Gambians alike, far and wide......................................more

Opening Ceremony of the 26th Ordinary Session of the Permanent Representatives Committee (PRC) ....................................more


MAY 25th, 1963 .......On this date upon the founding of the Organization Of African Unity, 31 Heads of States proclaimed it African Liberation Day. This year marks the 50th anniversary day of the OUA/AU, and it's theme is 'Pan-Africanism And African Renaissance' in the 21st century. The AU is urging Africans worldwide to join in celebrating this day, to help make it a day of worldwide observance in honor, of the ancestors who helped in the fight for freedom and liberation and independence; of the motherland and all her scattered suffering children.
-    Sainey Faye



The Voices of Gambian Queens In Raleigh 

By Suntou Touray

When Me become too big and Us too small
When a call fell on deaf ears, but scrutiny became prevalent
When the nobleness of silence is raped
When plagues spread like wild fire..............more

Photo: Sigga Jagne and Maimuna Ceesay from New York



Behind every great man , is a great woman. With every good organization as GDAG , are great women. Thank you Madam Alkali Conteh, Sophie Seye Conteh and team , for the wonderful meals throughout the  STGDP/GDAG/DUGA conference in North Carolina. The hospitality is great. We are all very grateful. Thank you Madam Conteh

Sigga Jagne, Vice Chairwoman STGDP in Raleigh North Carolina





















Photo: STGDP Chief Banka Manneh


The Raleigh Accord:

That GDAG, STGDP, DUGA convened a conference in Raleigh North Carolina from the 17th to the 19th May 2013 to bring together the key players in the field (heads of political parties, politicians, civil society, and the media to dialogue and consult on the way forward...............more



Fatou Jaw Manneh

Raleigh Presentation


Good Afternoon Ladies and Gentlemen:

When I got the request and invitation to present a paper on Gambian journalism, I sent word to Gambian journalists on the ground for input lest I leave out any important details. The information I got from my colleagues on the state of journalism in the last 19 years.......................more


Epitaph for Ex-Attorney General Lamin Jobarteh?

By Dida Halake

Editor,

I believe, like the UK, EU and US governments, that the Jammeh Regime “crossed the Rubicon” with the executions of the Mile 2 inmates. Those chilling killings were justified by Ex-Attorney General Lamin Jobarteh.

Having written the above title, I now recall that another more apt “Epitaph for Lamin Jobarteh” may have been delivered in a Gambian court of law by a brave Gambian Magistrate (Borry Touray) during the Jammeh Regime’s legal proceedings against Ebrima Ismailla.............more

Justice Minister lamin Jobarteh fired!!!!

Red card for Justice Jobarteh !
It was another head rolling at Gambia’s state House with Justice Minister Lamin Jobarteh being the latest victim.
Appointed last year as part of latest entrants in Jammeh’s government, sacked justice minister has served merely one-year three months in the portfolio at time of his dismissal. High Court’s Amie Joof is appointed to fill Jobarteh’s boots a release from Jammeh’s government says. -   
by Abubacar Jallow, Gambia

THE RALEIGH SUMMIT: A GAMBIAN CALL

By – Pata PJ

I know it is very easy to be worn out on a long walk where the finish-line is not at sight. And I am talking about the psychological more than the physical wearing down. In that case, you could only be driven by DETERMINATION, FAITH, CONVICTION and LOVE.

Nineteen Years of prolonged but persistent combat against Tyranny and Anarchy in Banjul, more than half of my human life.............................more



Israel Forcibly Injected African Immigrants with Birth Control, Report Claims

forbes.com

This weekend, a report revealingthat African women immigrating toIsrael were subjected to mandatory contraceptive injections, effectively amounting to forced (if temporary) sterilization made global headlines.

...........................................more











BANJULIANS TO BURY POLITICAL DIFFERENCES

Published on Tuesday, 14 May 2013 17:Forooyaa | Written by Ousman Njie
Development Oriented Citizens in Banjul (DOC) Banjul, is a proposed organization aiming to bring the people of Banjul together on a neutral and peaceful atmosphere, where Banjulians can discuss the city’s development without political interference. It is also aimed at working with anyone, be it government, NGOs or individuals in completing their efforts to develop Banjul.............more


Forward From Sweden- Banjul Network









Amnesty.org

Tragically, the story of Imam Baba Leigh is not unusual in the Gambia where the authorities seem to be carrying out a campaign of illegal arrests, harassment, and death threats against anyone who dares to speak up on human rights.

Lisa Sherman-Nikolaus, West-Africa researcher at Amnesty International.................more

Poem For Imam Baba Leigh

أنا ب احتفل إطلاقك

أنا ب احتفل حياتك

أنا ب احتفل تحديك

أنت, الذي قد اختار أن يقف فوق للحقيقة

حتّى عندما عنى هو ثابتة بانفراد

صارمة

[إيمم] [موكهترّ] [ببا] [لي]

أنت, ال [فيربرند] [إيمم]

في نغمة [بلّيجرنت]

.........................................more



Silvio Berlusconi bunga-bunga trial: prosecutors demand six years in jail

Prosecutors sum up, saying there was 'no doubt' that then PM paid for sex with underage prostitute and abused his office to cover it up...................more

A “pardon” for Imam Baba Leigh is preposterous nonsense!  by Lamin J. Darboe

When news of Imam Baba Leigh’s (Imam Leigh) release exploded in Gambian communities at home and abroad, it was greeted with unanimous and justified relief. For watchers of Gambian public space, curiosity nevertheless centred on how the Imam Leigh imbroglio would be explained by his abductor, i.e. the state of The Gambia..............................more











Ode To Imam Baba Leigh
by Jainaba Bah
I celebrate your release
I celebrate your life
I celebrate your defiance
You, who have choosen to stand up for the truth
Even when it meant standing alone
Unrelenting
Imam Mukhtarr Baba Leigh...................more

Imam Baba Leigh’s release and the conscience of Gambians

By D. A. Jawo
All people of conscience, both in the Gambia and abroad, are no doubt today celebrating the release of Imam Baba Leigh, more than five months after he was kidnapped and held hostage by the Yahya Jammeh regime. His crime; ...................more











The Brazen Bibliophiles of Timbuktu

How a team of sneaky librarians duped Al Qaeda  BY YOCHI DREAZEN................more

Prominent Newsreader Fatou Camara has bounced back as director of Press and Public Relations of the Gambia government -

 by Abubacar Jallow , Gambia
Renowned for her TV programme dubbed the Fatushow, Ms Camara is recalled to the government portfolio with effect 9th May according to news monitored over state-controlled Gambia Radio Television Services, aired this evening.....................more

Jollof News Online Appeals For Help

Monday, 06 May 2013 13:50

(JollofNews) – The management of Gambia’s online newspaper, JollofNews, is seeking support for the up keep and maintenance of its website.
The newspaper which was established in 2010 by exiled Gambian journalists as an alternative news source for Gambians both in the Gambia and Diaspora is facing the prospect of being taken offline due to lack of finances.
............................................more
Uneasy Walkway

By Yero Jallow

As I stood to gaze over the distant horizon

down my feet with my little shadow

I saw many sky layers seemingly going down

I followed it with energy and hope thinking I can get to where it touches the ground

and anytime that I covered a distance good enough

The sky horizon layer increases by an equal distance.

With hope, determination and my little shadow

never once did I get discouraged with the furthering horizon.......................more

ALINE SITTOE DIATTA (JATTA) - AFRICAN HEROINE, PRIESTESS, & LIBERATION FIGHTER   

By Sainey Faye

May 8th, 1943- On this date Aline Sittoe Diatta (Jatta) was arrested by the French colonial forces. Aline Sittoe Diatta was born in 1910, whilst others say 1920; but was not born inside or out of royalty in the African society of Kabrousse; which was once a a kingdom of the Jolas.....................more

The Gambia: Nana Grey and GPU; promising courtship or a blind road to the “promised land?” By Mathew K Jallow

The absolute fallacy of the Gambian media and government partnership in development has a curious reconciliatory ring to it, but in Gambia as in any other country, the media does not exist to partner with any government. The Gambian media’s obligation is to citizens and not to report about a lousy road built in Banjul or anywhere else, because that is the work of government................................more






GAMBIA: PRINCIPAL ACT RAISES SERIOUS HUMAN RIGHTS CONCERNS

Gambia: Principal Act raises serious human rights concerns-   Date Published: 7 May 2013
...................................more

Halifa writes to Hamat Bah

Dear Mr Bah,

On Your  Press Conference and an Invitation for National Debate or Joint Press Conference on the Way Forward By Opposition Parties

I have been asked by the grassroots supporters of our party to respond to comments you made at your Press Conference which merit clarification. It is my personal opinion that it is not a sign of magnanimity to add insult to injury. Your party has already suffered defeat and you are entitled to make comments to save whatever is left of its integrity and political viability................................more

Out of anger Demba Ngange Njie forms his own OGIS ( Organisation of Gambians In Stockholm)


Hello OGIS, and all concerned members

My name is Ngange Demba Njie, and I’m a very concerned  member of OGIS (Organisation of Gambians In Stockholm). I’m going to form my own OGIS and want to inform the members of the organisation, so that anyone of you can feel free to come and join us at anytime..........................................more













Interview with Gambian music star Jerreh Jizzle Jallow

Well, well. Let's all brace up, for the Jizzle Kingdom has arrived. 18-year-old Gambian music phenom Jerreh Jallow has released an album called Lyrical Kiddo. He commands us to drop on the floor. Jaraama Jamtum, was how it started, Aye Ball Ma Kalakodou Watha, Wanna See Your Body Touch The Floor, Kaanasillah Mbullo Mutta Ayehh Bang Bang, Buldegglu Noonyii, They Just Trying To Fool You!.............................. more

www.soundcloud.com/jizzlebenz 

Gambia World Press Freedom Day............more

What Happened To Banjul? Part IV – The Mosquitoes’ Story (Fiction)

By Momodou Ndow

As more and more gutters became stagnant in Banjul, "The Banjul Mosquitoes" found themselves with more real estate to breed and keep multiplying. Then they decided to take it a step further by organizing and selecting a leader. They have been learning from the "Banjul Ndongos" (street boys) and it was now time for them to put that knowledge into use.....................................more


150 DAYS & 5 months INCOMMUNICADO, THE FATE OF IMAM BABA LEIGH RAISES MORE QUESTIONS THAN ANSWERS - 

Salieu B M Njie

Dear Respected Brothers & Sisters,

I am appealing to your conscience, reaching out to your intelligence, counting on your patriotism and imploring you in the name of Allah Subhanahu Wataallah, let us not allow the name of Imam Baba Leigh to be erased from our mnds and on the screens of our computers. 
...............................................more

GPU Statement on WPFD 2013

Gambia Press Union urges government to expand space for media freedom

Today is World Press Freedom Day. This day was set aside by the United Nations General Assembly through decision 48/432 to celebrate the fundamental principles of press freedom;................more

It Is Inhumane to Recall Gambian Students from India 

by Sidi Sanneh

The very thought of having to be withdrawn from a University degree course for no apparent reason is devastating enough, much less for a young student thousands on miles from home and away from loved ones.   To forfeit a scholarship in the process with no guarantee of it ever being restored is simply an inhumane act; a pain inflicted on reportedly 30 young Gambian students through administrative fiat thousands of miles away from the Indian sub-continent by Sheikh Professor Jammeh without a single student being given the chance to present their case.............................more 










Comment/Gambians and the Environment 

Why Are Many Gambians Dying Young? The Environmental Factor - mybasse.org

In his ongoing series on the health conditions of Gambians, My Basse Associate Editor Bakary M. Jallow makes a persuasive case for a pollution-free environment in The Gambia.............................more

The Riddle of Kukoi

By Cherno Baba Jallow

Until in recent times, Kukoie Samba Sanyang, the architect of the abortive July 31, 1981 mutiny in The Gambia, had barely made any headlines at all. He had gone largely mum, but, without question, still cognizant of his standing, if detestable, in the ongoing tell-tale of Gambian history. Gambians can never forget Kukoie. He and the calamitous events he set off in 1981 remain entrenched in the deep recesses of our national memory.....................more

complete

ENGLAND AND USA DIASPORA MEETINGS

by Fanta Jarra

Dear GarandMa Sirreh

I have been waiting for comments from the Gambian political parties and movements about the the surgical analysis made by Ms Satang Nabaneh, Gambia on Women’s Political Participation.

Unforunaely they are all very silent................more

 THE CONFUSED KANILAI MONSTER WILL BE DEFUSED AND DISPOSED

By Lamin J Jammeh England
Following his frustration, marginalisation, accusations, depression, threats, human and animal sacrifices, sleepless nights and confusion would only lead him to self destruct.The efforts we are making is definitely ruining his life and position.I for one wouldn’t be surprise when I heard that Jammeh take his own life...........................................more

Letter to Ambassador Jackson McDonald on the State Department's Report 
Dear Ambassador McDonald,

Re: THE GAMBIA - State Department's Human Rights Practices for 2012
The U.S. State Department's Report on the human practices in The Gambia for 2012 ( henceforth referred to as the Report ) is out and it does not make pleasant reading..............................more

GAMBIA NEEDS GENUINE LIBERATORS

by Sulayman Jeng

Nothing good comes easy. In the same vein, it can be equally asserted that conferred cosmetic recognitions received on a silver platter do not radiate the pride that successes achieved through hard work and personal sacrifices reflect. In a nutshell, one tends to value and cherish things that one has toiled hard for more than those received from the hand of fortune.....................more

Square Pegs v. Round Holes, Apples v. Oranges

Part One

By: Saul Saidy-khan  (saulskhan@yahoo.com) - from maafanta archives

In trying to make sense of the Gambian political conundrum, one needs to begin by being wary of small lies – they have a tendency to grow and produce very undesirable consequences. A big problem with lies is, by dint, they require augmentation with other lies to sustain them. Worse than that, lies are indicative of a dishonest or insincere mindset.....................................more


Re: Jainaba Bah

I applaud Jainaba Bah and Mai Fatty but...........

by Musa Sarr

I applaud Jainaba Bah and Mai Fatty for their contributions and unrelenting efforts to see a better Gambia for all. Education and excelling in academics, is a great gift and requires hard work, and must be encouraged at all times;.............more


AUC Chairperson Urges Women to Play Their Part in African Renaissance

April 24, 2013

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia (PANA) – Emphasising the commitment of the African Union (AU) to promoting gender equality, AU Commission Chairperson Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma has called on African women to contribute to the continent’s renaissance....................................more



National Bar Association and Constituency for Africa Caucus on Capital Hill to Strengthen Engagement in Africa-  africansuntimes...more



Announcement - BFA Million Books for Gambia- U of W Stout - Walk

This is a reminder that the long awaited Books for Africa / Million Books to the Gambia Project’s – 68 mile-walk is finally here.........................more

The Ideal Presidency

By Baba Galleh Jallow

“Being president is a humbling job,” said Obama as he spoke at the opening of the George W. Bush Library at the Southern Methodist University Campus in Dallas, Texas on Thursday, April 25 2013. Those words sprung involuntary tears into my eyes. Indeed, I find tears involuntarily springing to my eyes on many occasions when I watch and hear the speeches of American leaders. Perhaps it is the extremely stark contrast I see between these great but humble citizens,......more


Singer Jizzle and His Kingdom

Some are born with music talent. Feat in the industry however, comes to others through hard work. Both holds true for Jizzle. Young as he is, in age and in music, Jizzle nonetheless does not take for granted his natural musical ability and quality. He employs both exuberance and brainpower to pull off conscious, appealing songs...................more

www.soundcloud.com/jizzlebenz











African Union: Human and Peoples’ Rights 

We are marking yet another historically significant milestone as we celebrate the Golden Jubilee of the birth of the pan-African Unity in the formation of the OAU. Over the 50 year period since the OAU was established, Africa and indeed the world have witnessed momentous developments, with significant political, economic, social, cultural and technological changes..................more

From Sainey Fye


Mandela honoured by film installation in Times Square 

A film installation celebrating Nelson Mandela is taking over the electronic billboards in New York's Times Square.........................more

Free Karim Wade seneweb.com

HALIFA WRITES TO THE ATTORNEY GENERAL 

Attorney General and Minister of Justice

AG Chambers

Ministry of Justice

Marina Parade  

AMENDMENT CRIMINALISING DRESS AND OTHERS NEGATES THE DIVIDING LINE BETWEEN MINOR CRIME (MISDEMEANOR) AND MAJOR CRIME (FELONY) AND VIOLATES SECTION 33 OF THE CONSTITUTION.............more

From Pa Ousu Njie


“A Week of Hell” Launched in Minnesota

By Yero Jallow (Minnesota, USA).

Book author Papa Faal, a nephew of former President Sir Dawda Jawara launched his book titled, “A Week of Hell”  in Roseville (Minnesota).  In his book, Papa recalled how in July 1981 12 Renegades and civilians shocked the nation in an .............................................more

Photo: Papa Faal in white, wife Yasai in lemonn green at the poduim, Guest in black (courtesy of kibaaro.com)

The Dictator

By Baba Galleh Jallow

That dictators are essentially paranoid is a fairly well-known fact. Feeding on public insecurity and fear, the dictator is himself supremely insecure and fearful. There is not a single moment of a dictator’s life when he is not preoccupied with his personal security, when he does not imagine daggers in the lurking in the dark shadows of his mind, waiting for an opportunity to pounce upon him and stab him to death. 

.................................more

Ding Dong the witch Jammeh is dead

By Demba Ngange Njie

The BBC radio broadcasting is deciding whether to play a few seconds of the hit song ding dong the witch is dead at Iron lady Thatcher's memorial day. The former British prime minister Margret Thatcher labelled the ANC South Africa as a terrorist group, and Nelson Madiba Mandela a terrorist during the 80's when she was in office. She went further to support the aparthied regime in South Africa and defending the British interest in the region. .........................more

How our legal experts continue to fail us
By D. A. Jawo
Once again, the professionalism and sincerity of some of our socalled legal luminaries is quite questionable, especially in the way and manner they seem to treat issues of concern to Gambians. A case in point had been the type of bills recently presented to the National Assembly by the Attorney General and Minister of Justice, and of course, not surprisingly, unanimously passed by the National Assembly Members...........................more

The Ban on Skype & Viber 

by  Emmanuel 

Allow me space in your respectable paper to react to the Press Release by PURA

Gambians are indeed interesting specie. Skype (and later Viber) has been in existence in The Gambia for several years now just like PURA has been. Does PURA really mean all these years, they never realised that the continuous functioning of these two communication media was at the detriment of "our national interest"???..........................more


Boston Marathon bomber manhunt: Police nab suspect alive ............................more

Cease-fire! Jainaba Bah and Mai Fatty are both giants of this struggle

"Breaking Omerta", by ALFA JALLOW

Dear Editor;

I would like to add my voice to the call of the legendary GrandMa Sirreh for a cease-fire between Mrs. Jainaba Bah-Jallow and Barrister Mai Ahmad Fatty. I know both personalities. Mr. Fatty was my headboy at high school while Mrs Jainaba Bah-Jallow taught me at Muslim High School as well as a fellow Brikama resident..............................more

The Omerta Series Must Continue!

by Momodou Olly Mbodge

Re: Jainaba Bah's "Breaking Omerta" Series

Dear Grandma Sirreh,

Hope you do not mind if I invite myself to the on-going conversation around Jainaba Bah’s interesting write-ups. Ms Bah’s narrative is rich and contributes in our understanding of the political intrigues during the PPP government’s rule....................................more


LONDON DEMONSTRATION April 18 2013  - by Bamba Mass

The General Gambian Communities in England and Wales, on Thursday 18th April 2013 converged at the Trafalgar Square where minutes of silence was held for the victims of the April 10th and 11th's mass massacre of 14 Gambian children by the regime of President Yahya Jammeh .......................more

Jainaba Bah’s “Breaking Omerta” Series - by Lamin J Darboe

Dear Editor

Re: Jainaba Bah’s “Breaking Omerta” Series

Having given her word against enlarging her difficult conversation with Barrister Mai Fatty of GMC fame, Jainaba Bah’s acclaimed “Breaking Omerta” series are now likely to be severely diminished in overall informational, and, or, educational effectiveness. Integral to the coherence of the narrative were the stories of real people, and if, in typical Gambian style, we cannot behold a mature,......................................more

Re: Jainaba Bah

by D. A. Jawo
While I fully endorse the decision by Ms Jainaba Bah to ceasefire with Mai Fatty over the interpretation of the perceived role that Mr. Fatty played during the heyday of the struggle to emancipate Gambians from the clutches of the decadence that prevailed during the moribund PPP era, but I would also be very disappointed if that means her stopping the serialization of her interesting experiences during that period..................more



HAMAT BAH MUST NOT BE A THREAT TO RATIONAL MAJORITY OPPOSITION UNITYBy Badou Samba , New York.

I found Hamat Bah’s justification for NRP’s participation in the local government election baffling, misleading and unrealistic. I think Hamat has forgotten so soon which terrain he was fighting his battle on....................................more

The Raliegh gathering of May 2013 

by Karamba Touray

Inshallah I intend to travel to Raliegh, NC on the weekend of May 18-19 to meet my fellow citizens and friends of The Gambia. The agenda for the meeting as outlined by the facilitators is as ambitious as it is timely, a combination  I believe  makes it worthy of the support of anyone who believes our nation can and should be on a  better path. Our difficult struggle against a cruel tyrant has been long and arduos. Some of our people have paid the ultimate price , while others continue to endure persistent injustice ,.....................more











This Date In African History / April 15, African Freedom Day

"It is time for new hands to lift the burdens."  - Nelson Mandela
"My generation led Africa to political freedom.The current generation of leaders and peoples of Africa must pick up the flickering torch of African
Freedom, refuel it with their enthusiasm and determination, and carry it forward." - Mwalimu Julius Nyerere 1st President Of Tanzania
APRIL, 15th IS AFRICAN FREEDOM DAY !!! 55 YEARS…!!!....................................more
From Sainey Faye 










UK Government Calls on  Gambia  to Return to Dialogue with EU as British MPs frown on the continued detention without trial and disappearance without trace in the Gambia.

.........................................more

Gratitude to GrandMa Sirreh 

by Fanta Jarra

Dear Fatou,
Allow me to express my greatest gratitude to GrandMa Sirreh.The GrandMa advice to Jainaba Bah and Mai  Fatty is a real demonstration of the real role GrandMas use to play when our societies had not degenarated to the point we are at now.How can we read and watch two potential members of our forum enter into a fight about events during a period when they were both victims of STATE TERROR that some of us tend to erase from our memory.......more

The Joke That is “Françafrique” Independence

by Saul Saidykhan

An abused people – be it a country or nation, have two un-enviable faults in common with an abused woman in that both have a tendency: a) to fall into fatalistic self-helplessness, and b) to look for love in all the wrong places. With the exception of Equatorial Guinea, no African country exemplifies this sad dilemma today better than Yaya Jammeh’s Gambia. For which reason, Gambians now point to many other African countries as examples of what they want us to be........................................more

You can fool all the people some of the time, and some of the people all the time, but you cannot fool all the people all the time. -
 Abraham Lincoln

GrandMa Sirreh says: Jainaba and Mai, please let's move on. let's move on. Too much baggage for this Jawara Jammeh years.The Judge presiding over this case, Mr. Halake, is a Yaya reject too, so am not sure any in this case can be trusted . On top of that GrandMa Sirreh's beefs can fill this Minneapolis Target Stadium . So, let's just move on. let's all limp on in peace for the sake of Mama Gambia. Any date yet on catching Yaya Jammeh????

At the Royal Courts of Justice,

The Strand, London.

In the matter of Jainaba Bah vs. Mai Fatty

Before His Honour Hail Haile Halake.

Summary of the case before the court:..........more

Re: DISTORTING HISTORY

by Jainaba Bah

Mai, I was expecting a Solemn Press Release from you as the Party Leader of the GMC (Gambia Moral Congress) in memoriam of the April 10th 2000 Student Massacre. The fact that you chose just this anniversary day to respond to me and draw attention to yourself speaks volumes about the guy who compares himself to Ernesto Che Guevara.......more

Maafanta, Please provide space to publish the full lyrics

by Ousu Menteh

GREAT LYRICS EASILY TRANSCRIBED 
Xuman, Djily Bagdad, Tiat & Ombre Zion "Message of Hope","Democracy in The Gambia" and freedom from a dictator Lyrics

.........................more


INDEMNITY? HOW ABOUT YOUR CONSCIENCE?  - By: Pata PJ

On December 15, 2012, a former Bad Boy Rapper G-Dep walked into a Harlem Precinct, turned himself in after confessing to a cold case murder. G-Dep owned up to killing a young man on a botched robbery on October 19, 1993.........................more

DISTORTING HISTORY

MAI AHMAD FATTY

 « Many will call me an adventurer – and that I am, only one of different sort ; one of those who risks his skin to prove his platitudes. » Che Guevara

History is a controversy. Historians often differ in their narrative of a historical event, albeit in doing so, they may all barricade themselves with what each of those historians may term 'historical facts.' That is because 'facts' in themselves may constitute controversies. A historian is not simply one who dabbles in the past in the conventional sense as it is understood............more

On two Iron Ladies – Jainaba Bah & Margaret Thatcher!

By Dida Halake.

Editor, First on Foday Samateh’s admiration of Jainaba Bah’s writings:

Jainaba’s memoirs of Moja-Gambia are absolutely phenomenal and I join Foday, again, in appreciating and applauding Jainaba’s output. I too have known Nana Grey-Johnson and reviewed his book in the Daily Observer and wish him well in his new job.

On Mrs. Thatcher:.......................more

The Good You are Doing

By

Foday Samateh

This is an open letter to Jainaba (Neneh Galleh) Bah on your Breaking Omertà series here in Maafanta.com. I write not so much to commend you but to plead with you. In the fifth installment you wondered aloud whether you should continue the series given the unconscionable happenings in The Gambia........................................more


Jojo's Mag Issue 3

Dear All,

Here we go with the first draft of Jojo’s Mag issue 3!

Jojo’s Mag working in collaboration with the organisers of Miss West Africa (MWA) International brings you exclusive coverage of the Miss West Africa International ......................more


Margaret Thatcher dead at 87 following stroke

The first woman elected to lead a major western state changed way Britons viewed politics and economics.................................more











BREAKING OMERTÀ - PART V:

In response to Modou Sarho’s (Dumo) Last Balang Baa Article.

By Jainaba Bah (Sweden)

Recent dramatic events have made me consider whether it is worth continuing this narrative. The unknown fate of Imam Baba Leigh, the spine chilling revelations of Bai Lowe on Freedom Radio and the gruesome rape ordeal of a sixteen year old teenage ......................................more











Between Scylla and Charybdis

Why Section 114 of the Criminal Code Must be Scrapped

Lamin J Darbo, in consultation/close collaboration with Dr Abou Jeng 

As incredible as it may sound to legal and political observers, The Gambia Government is in the process of expanding the punitive contours of Section 114 of theCriminal Code, Volume III, Laws of The Gambia, 2009 (Section 114). From a misdemeanour attracting a maximum penalty of D500, and, or, six months imprisonment,..........................more

Dr Abou Jeng is a Human Rights Lawyer and Associate Research Fellow at the Centre for Human Rights in Practice, University of Warwick, UK. 

.......................................more

SUSPECTS IN AFRICA DRUG TRADE HELD IN NY FOR TRIAL

By PETE YOST and LARRY NEUMEISTER
— Apr. 5 9:25 PM EDT
NEW YORK (AP) — A former navy chief of the small West African nation of Guinea-Bissau who is suspected of being a kingpin in the international cocaine trade was brought to the U.S. for trial on drug charges following his arrest at sea by federal drug agents, authorities said Friday..........more








GAMBIA’s DISGRACED VICE CHANCELLOR

The deceptive nature of the so-called Prof. Muhammadou Kah, Vice Chancellor of The Gambia’s only university ( UTG), has finally come to light. Documents reaching us from Banjul did show that  Kah’s Nigeria certification as a Professor is at most questionable rather than being a Professor in real academic terms......................more

Story From Banjul

Story From Banjul

Rotary Club of Hythe

Flying Hesperus March 2013

OUR NEW HONORARY MEMBER............more

OUR NEW HONORARY MEMBER TWO.......................MORE

Something is still rotten in the state of Gambia

By Foday Samateh

maafanta archives

Yahya Jammeh and his diehard supporters can slaughter hundred or thousand cows for a merry feast. They can throw all manners of sumptuous parties in all the seven regions of The Gambia for the fourth presidential election he had been declared the winner...........more

To be King or not to be King -- that is the question. - from maafanta archives

By Foday Samateh

We are supposed to believe that a brazen plot of power-grab concocted in the State House in Banjul is a yearning call of a grateful nation on their benevolent President to accept the crown of a benign King. That the district chiefs and other trumpeters of sanctioned views of the officialdom are..............more










An Essay on Decadence of Morality in The Gambia  -  By Musa Camara

Irreformable and notorious individuals who commit blatant infractions or heinous crimes are generally isolated, publicly shamed, unequivocally condemned, socially sanctioned and even legally punished both in the interest of justice and for the good of society. Not the mercurial dictator who demands to be called His 

..........................................more

musacamara@hotmail.com



How autism has touched my life

by Neneh Sanyang, Dubai

April 2nd is World Autism Awareness Day

How has autism touched my life? By the birth of my son, our son the handsome, cheeky and unique in his own way, which just makes us love him more. He is a teenager now but still non verbal but communicates well with pictures for his needs......................more

Photo: Neneh and her son

World Autism Awareness Day

World Autism Awareness Day aims to increase people's awareness about people, especially children, with autism.........................more









Cooperative As A  Business Model

by Fanta Jarra

The case for establishing cooperatives as the new business model in the Black Community........more






Imam Baba Leigh "Prisoner of Conscience Defense fund Has Begun!!! Please Join

If you have a relative, a friend, a schoolmate, a coworker, a neighbor and fellow citizen murdered, disappeared, tortured and or fired from their job without a reason?  then PLEASE Join your fellow Gambians to free our nation of Oppression! We count on you to support the course!!...................more

http://www.gofundme.com/2foa8w 










Terror In Paradise

by Malik Kah

Terror Intimidation Torture

 Kill and maim is the name of their game
They believe we should live in fear 
Because of the evil we hear about them 
From evisceration 
To human sacrifice corpses eaten in a pool infested with crocodiles .....................more

A MUST LISTEN TO!!

Halipha Sallah, Mustapha Faye and Seedy Ceesay on Freedom Radio - 2011..........more











FAB FASHION: SENEGALESE/GAMBIAN REGINA MANNEH EMERGES AS THE FACE OF AFRICA FASHION WEEK LONDON 2013

With only a few months to go the the biggest African fashion extraganza in London, Africa Fashion Week London 2013, Gambian/Senegalese model Regina Manneh emerged as the winner of the Face of AFWL 2013 competition after a fierce race on Facebook, with Nasai Forna and Vanessa Simpson taking the second and third places respectively.

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Hatshepsut the Woman Who Was King

Letter to Gambian men

by Lang Colly

Gambian men return to the values of our Glorious past by treating our women as equals and with the greatest respect. If our great Ancestors could allow Hatshepsut to be one of the greatest leaders in history some thousands of years ago, Why not now. Gambian progressive men must join the struggle to support the equality of women and men, girls and boys...................................more

Please remember the great Madiba in your prayers. News is that he is hospitalized again....though aging, but Mandela's face is still needed around. A world without Mandela is gloom - Yero Jallow ( Dalton)

Say that again Dalton. Readers please join us all and pray for Mandela. Surah Yassin you can click and listen to . Specifically for our dearest Mandela's recovery.













Dr Isatou Touray is Guest Speaker at the Gender Institute of the London School of Economics

The Gender Institute at the London School of Economics on the 18th March organized a public event to explore the Politics of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM)..............................more

Photo. Dr. Isatou Touray, Abdoulie Jobe and Dr. Abdoulaye Saine

Sahara Radio

You can listen to the program online http://tunein.com/radio/Sahara-Radio-s156605/or call 1-832-280-0015 (US) on Sundays and Mondays from 6-8pm ET. You can participate by calling (614) 899 0076 or (614) 899-0408..........................more

Letter To GrandMa Sirreh

from Fanta Jarra, Gambia


Dear GrandMa Sirreh,

Hope you are in the best of spirits to receive this letter.I am inspired and motivated by Satang`s letter on Women and political participation in the Gambia..
Your very educative comments on many issues relating to gambia have been very good reading for me. Hope you will encourage the brilliant women who have raised the  level of our understanding in this forum to continue the surgical analysis of the conditions of our Gambian women...............more

Thank You Maafanta

Dear Fatou,

Thank you for publishing our request with regards to Manding Medical Centre in Maafanta. The villagers and all patients who chance to benefit from your particiption remain forever grateful to you and the Gambia is proud of daughters like you. Bravo and keep in touch. On behalf of the villagers and myself please accept our profound gratitude for exposing our dream to the world. Regards.  My web site is: friendsofmandinggambimed.btck.co.uk
Dr. Alhasan Ceesay, MD