President Adama Barrow of the Gambia has expressed his gratitude to former president Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara and Lady Chilel Jawara for honouring his invitation to attend the country’s 53rd independence anniversary celebration.
The former president’s attendance despite old age signified his desire to see democracy thrive in the Gambia, as well as provide support and encouragement to President Barrow and his administration. His presence brought nostalgia to many and re-echoed the desire for the Gambia to once again take its place amongst the nations that respect human rights, democracy and rule of law.
President Barrow said the attendance of the former president was an honour and has demonstrated that Gambians are all one big family, no matter their political and ideological differences.
The Gambian leader through this message thanked all Gambians and friends of the Gambia who took their time to attend the celebration. He also thanked the organising committee and the security and armed forces for the security they provided as well as the magnificent march pass.
President Barrow further expressed gratitude to the school authorities, teachers and parents for the efforts made to get the children to participate in the march pass.
In a closed-door meeting with heads of the security forces, after the march pass, the president thanked them and further urged them to continue to work together and strengthened national security. He added that the world is moving towards democracy and that the armed forces have an important role to play in the promotion of peace and stability for democracy to thrive.
President Barrow prides administration for re-connecting the Gambian democracy where Sir Dawda Jawara’s government left in 1994. He called on all Gambians to continue to nurture peace, unity and respect for rule of law as we all work for the advancement of our nation.
This is how it should be. Well done Mr President. You look distinguished as always President Jawara.
God Bless The Gambia.
Keluntang, Lamin Darboe, Jollofnewsm 22nd February 2018.
It’s nice and patriotic to unearth the true nature of VERY BAD governance that is currently being perpetrated in our country.
Don’t listen to, or even respond to innocuous and simplistic arguments bent on defending lies. The truth about the state of affairs in our country is in everyone’s hands except for the blind-folded surrogates whose only intention is to thwart the truth.
Farmers have sold their yields and still couldn’t receive money while we continue to witness the deliberate squandering of our resources in USELESS Foundations, Movements and 1st/2nd Ladies’ Offices.
Bills in electricity and water for places that get a glimpse of the supply are still very high. Parents cannot afford education bills or guarantee their children’s three (four) daily meals and clothing with the very poor salary scales and unpaid farm produce, yet we witness high costs in government travelling expenditures and bogus fuel bills.
The prices of rice, oil, potatoes, onions (though some are home produce) are exorbitant and unaffordable. Yet we witness the use of two, three up to four vehicles for the “president and 1st/2nd ladies”, some ministers, government functionaries and families.
What do we know about the money spent in Dakar at the “Barrow runaway swearing-in and stay” in Dakar in 2017?
What do we know about the exorbitant expenditures at the USELESS independence anniversary celebrations and “second” swearing-in in 2017?
What do we know about the squandering of our money at the hotel cum office at Senegambia in 2017?
What do we know about the depleting of our resources in refurbishing the Fajara and Banjul State houses?
What financial figures, in unsuspicious transparency, were read to the Gambian people for incomes accrued and expenditures incurred by this CORRUPT, CORRUPTIBLE, NEFASTOUS, TRIBALIST and INCOMPETENT administration from January 2017 to December 2017?
This is about our lives and the lives of our younger generation. We are not opposing on bare grounds, we are asking tangible questions about properties that belong to the people not to individuals because of their terminable “privileges” at authoritative public positions.
I’m calling on our younger, more enlightened and patriotic people wherever they are to rise up against a CROOKED and SELFISH bunch of egocentric elitish elements, form a common vanguard and flush them out.
Simply make an observation of the Bensouda election as UDP flagbearer for the KMC Mayoral election (though I’m not a UDP supporter and not bothered about it). It speaks volume about the nature of influence-peddling and family patronage that continue to rein in this VERY BAD administration.
We aren’t “eating” government policy blue-prints. Our people haven’t experienced a pinch of benefit from the national cake, with all the succulent monetary gifts and rewards from outside. Where are the Chinese, Saudi and European monies?
Babu quote “What do we know about the money spent in Dakar at the “Barrow runaway swearing-in and stay” in Dakar in 2017?”…
That was evidently no “runaway” (/cowardice on anyone’s path as you insinuate) but a ‘tactical/strategic move/retreat’ in battle logistics, by (through) the ‘ECOWAS (demand/) request’ who were in engagement, technically at war with the kanilai Murderdom Devil already by then; (constitutionally on) in their mandated responsibility on behalf of peasantry Gambians & the subregions collectively; & (were) in logistical preparations as in all indications to physically engage in final assault when (should) the then negotiations with the mad Idol worshipping kanilai Murderer-coward fail(s) & ignored in its erratic hallucinations myopia….
ECOWAS & the host country (Senegal) would be responsible for the bills as in norms in accordance to international protocol levels, among & alongside the international community commitments….
Babu, it’s the gallant peasantry Gambians on our ‘collective own’ together, with the selfless firebrand politicians leading in the forefront, who captured (by pushed/shoved to/against the wall) & subsequently holed your god Evil kanilai Lucifer Cannibal Devil up in Banjul, with its rapping tail between its legs panting at the state House for the rest of the final days of its demise; yaya will pretend & brave its devilish face when parading on the TV at the time threatening everyone in bravado, while actually & factually spending the rest of time “shitting” in its pants in reality behind closed doors; & only for Evil yaya Devil to cowardly resort to taking to its chicken-hills running under president Alpha Condè person cover & protection on the ground as a corridor to escape into hiding on the equator when the ECOMIG tankers, battle ships & fighter jets started roaring, rolling towards closer by…
Babu, you are entitled to your opinion on the constructive criticisms; much (& all of which &/ even more than which) were the very cases as used to be/obtained on the ground too before; &/ some more/worst than, under the Devilish kanilai Murderdom for the 22 &/ so years Dark Age period…
The Gambia is surely better now than ever before, under the kanilai Evildom; things will certainly keep improving, will & can definitely get better gradually with time in collective dedicated efforts of the collective citizenry together…
God bless Gambia…
Bajaw,
This is an extract from individual contributors on Freedom Newspaper about Barrow’s NONSENSICAL interview.
Not Babu Soli giving his opinion this time. Better stop your reactionary blind-folded support for an UNQUALIFIED, SELFISH administration.
Nothing absolutely will improve with this CORRUPT bunch of USELESS TIME-WASTING group.
Anyway, READ ON and gather more opinion polls form the Freedom Newspaper!
Diallo Muzungu
Very true Mr Jallow
He is getting very cocky by the day.
Everytime he opens that mouth-more and more people are getting woundup and let down.
Yes- you were destined to be President, by Allah’s will-but through the coalition.
You see the UDP could have been the biggest amongst you-but give due to the other smaller parties that actually helped you over the line.
Every little helps and every good should be rewarded with a greater good.
Your pride is becoming overwelming and will
Lead you to a sad ending.
Always look after number one-which is you, your family and The Gambian people.
Quit the talking and focus on improving the lives of The Gambian people-who gave you a lifetime opportunity.
Too much ass licking will only cause you indigestion.
Like · Reply · 1 · 15 hrs
Babu, the truth, as always, speaks for itself; the Gambia is far better today, right at the material time, (more) than ever before under the Evil kanilai Devilish Killerdom; things will & can certainly improve in progression with time…
There’s the Barrow the politian personally/individually (in Adama’s person) first & foremost; & (also) the Barrow the president, who are(should/maybe) different persons circumstantially (but are) in the same person realistically; for us to understand some of the current political issues that we digest, (relay/react to) but mainly/mostly based on our individual emotions & Political partisan affiliations in most cases; instead of independently in the contexts & under the circumstances at the times…
If president Barrow is listening (personally &/advisers) he should peruse when &/ where to respond to political opponents (&/ foes) on local politics in political statements; especially when on international functions for the whole country such as he was in Turkey recently….
The truth is Babu, Barrow won the Coalition candidacy nomination on some 400% more than his runner up opponent, for example which indicates much to desired on political heavyweight on the ground; the Conservative-Tories had 52.5% votes against 47.5% (just 5% difference) with those who opposed brexit which is currently about to destroy (should be named Brestroy instead), in Britain, for example…
Barrow the politician had loads of garbage strewn on his path lately from political foes, which (I believe) he (must) expect as in the worlds of “political animals” everywhere; such political statements (he recently made), should be separated & left for local politics levels on the ground, rather than on international despensations in/on national duties…
Let’s, come back & analyse the political trends on the ground, after the upcoming local government & mayoral elections for the real political landscape shaping up in the new Gambia…
For your information ; I’m apolitical & never will be political ever for the Gambia; in my conviction to contribute my constitutional quota to Gambia & humanity at large; I would’ve been on the ground cozy up to the politicians by now, if I harbour interests in political office; I currently live in the UK; sharing my time in debate to better the homeland together…
God bless Gambia…
Every Gambian are collectively bound (binding) constitutionally, to contribute, help/aid divergently (& complement/facilitate) Adama Barrow the president, through critiques &/ criticisms in opinions, on meaningful state advancements endeavours (for our betterment collectively together) regardless, whether (you) one sides/agrees (politically) with Adama the politician on (same side) partisan political divergences/manoeuvres for political partisan domineering/not…
I believe there’s progress (after the while) & (there’s indeed) room for more improvement, but things (have &) can only get better with time, gradually…
Forward Gambia,ever true…
This constitutional bound (binding) on us all as citizens, doesn’t negate anyone’s rights to oppose/stand against any politicians in elections, if any citizen(s) happen to desire/choose to/so divergently; the constitution presents & guarantees for everyone’s exercise of (your/our) individual (/independent) &/ partisan capacities entitlements to seek for political offices divergently, whilst (at same time) contributing to one’s overseeing mandate in divergence views, where/where necessary (deem fit/appropriate) overall for macro societal advancement endeavours in unison together…
Nation building are mandatory responsibilities for all (citizenry) to aspire & see to fruition; while the politicians grapple-wrestle (one another) in politics for political offices; in peaceful harmonious coexistence…
What have we gained from the two USELESS independence anniversary celebrations(2017,2018) apart from wasting the meagre public resources on IDIOTIC festivities that will never ameliorate our livelihood? Why can’t this SICK administration put their BLOCK heads together to make drastic changes for the better. Can they by all indications?
Why celebrating every year when our people’s dire needs visibly rest on their social and economic precarious conditions that are worsening daily?
How much was spent last year and this year?
When yaya jammeh have you ever comment on that?hell no ,so please keep your salty words, insults and hypocricy to your self and stop this nonsensical insults and try a better life and do something for the Gambian people better than building up too much hatred agaist your fellow country men and women,again if you dont becareful you will get heart atttack.
I mean when yaya jammeh was celebrating independence for 22 damn yrs have you ever comment on that, look be fair to yourself so that you can be fair to others that’s how life goes on
I attach another stealing spree perpetrated by the USELESS, CORRUPT; TRIBALIST and VERY BAD administration under a British Argos Watchman in presidential attire.
Please read on!
BABU SOLI
HERE IT IS!
Gambia: How Did Gamtel’s $ 2. 5 Million Gateway Funds Finds Its Way To The Federal Reserve Bank In NY Last Week Without The Finance Minister’s Knowledge ? Finance Minister Sanneh Says: ” This Is News To Me.”
February 28, 2018 2042
I just finished interviewing Gambia’s Finance Minister Amadou Sanneh. We covered a wide range of issues during the interview. The interview was occasioned, following a letter we received from a Gamtel insider alleging that the Barrow government has transferred $2.5 million dollars from the company’s Gateway account at the GTB Bank to the Federal Reserve Bank of New York City. Minister Sanneh said there is nothing fishy or mischievous about such a transaction as far as he is concerned.
“Well, as I said, I don’t know of a specific transfer through the Federal Reserve bank. This is news to me, but if they did on behalf of the government, I am sure government must have an account operated by the Central Bank. So, I don’t see anything abnormal in that,” Finance Minister Amadou Sanneh told me on the line to Banjul during an exclusive interview on Wednesday.
“There is nothing fishy about that. There is nothing improper about that. It is a normal transaction that should have taken place,” he added.
Mr. Sanneh couldn’t explain what the transferred $2.5 million dollars was meant for. Though, he said it is normal for the Central Bank to effect such transfers on behalf of the government.
According to Wikipedia “The New York Fed is the largest in terms of assets of the twelve regional banks. Operating in the financial capital of the U.S., the New York Fed is responsible for conducting open market operations, the buying and selling of outstanding U.S. Treasury securities. The Trading Desk is the office at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York that manages the FOMC Directive to sell or buy bonds.[5] Note that the responsibility for issuing new U.S. Treasury securities lies with the Bureau of the Public Debt. In 2003, Fedwire, the Federal Reserve’s system for transferring balances between it and other banks, transferred $1.8 trillion a day in funds, of which about $1.1 trillion originated in the Second District. It transferred an additional $1.3 trillion a day in securities, of which $1.2 trillion originated in the Second District. The New York Fed is also responsible for carrying out exchange rate policy by buying and selling dollars at the discretion of the United States Treasury Department. The New York Federal Reserve is the only regional bank with a permanent vote on the Federal Open Market Committee and its president is traditionally selected as the Committee’s vice chairman.”
Mr. Sanneh was having a meeting with World Bank and IMF officials when we earlier contacted him for comment. He asked us to call him back, which we did. He later went on record to be interviewed after his meeting with the World Bank delegation.
Quizzed whether he was implying that he was not aware of the government account at the Federal Reserve bank in New York, Sanneh replied: “I am not saying I am not aware; I am not also saying I am aware because the Central Bank will not tell you these are the banks unless I enquire; how many bank accounts they are operating; they are managing them; they are entrusted to them; So, if they have an account with the Federal Reserves; then so be it. They manage different accounts.”
Quizzed further: “To the best of your knowledge, you are not aware of the $2.5 million transaction? “Not as you have stated. I don’t know that Gamtel should pay this gateway … to government. The process, which are the technical level; I am sure their finance team would work with my permanent secretaries for direction; just they do enquire, where they should put it. So, that is a simple government process,” Sanneh responded.
Mr. Sanneh was informed that the Freedom Newspaper was privy to a communication authored by he (Sanneh) in which he instructed Gamtel to effect the transfer of the $2.5 million to the Federal Reserve bank in New York. That he Sanneh stated in the said communication that the president Adama Barrow had earlier concurred that the gateway funds should be deposited to the Central Bank, but that decision was subsequently rescinded per the document. Hence, an instruction was given for the $2.5 million dollars to be transferred to the Federal Reserve bank in New York last week.
In response, Finance Minister Sanneh categorically denied authoring such a letter. He challenged this medium to provide the purported letter if it is available. He strongly denied instructing Gamtel management to issue such a transfer.
According to Finance Minister Sanneh, the Gambia government has decided to liberalize the Gamtel gateway, following the departure of MDI, a swiss based telecommunication company.
“I know the government since MDI left; was handling all transactions into the gateway. And when MDI left; Gamtel was made to need a temporally manager of this gateway. So, they are the ones doing the gateway transactions and receive money on behalf of government. And the gateway itself, it is going to be liberalized; policies have been in place; monitoring systems are being tendered by PURA; so that we will know each carrier, each operator is transacting, and government will just levy it sanctions; and this is what is the income for government; then each operator will terminate on its own. So, this is a transitional government, but what Gamtel is handling is doing it on behalf of this government. This is a transitioning. So, if they pay the funds to central government revenue, they are just acting for the government until this policy is fully implemented now; then every operator; Gamcel, Qcell, Africel or Comium, they will all terminate on their own and government will get its revenue through its taxes,” he said.
Mr. Sanneh also talked about government awarding the bio-metric contract to Semlex, a Belgian company. He said the decision was reached by cabinet in the best interest of the country. Part of the decision to award the contract to Semlex was to avoid a possible lawsuit from the company, he said.
Mr. Sanneh also commented on the World Bank’s decision to revoke the auditing contract that was earlier awarded to his auditing firm. He said as far as he is concerned, there was no conflict of interest in the bidding process. He said he never interfered in the bidding process and has no relation with his company since he took up government appointment.
The full interview will be aired on Thursday during the Freedom Radio Gambia Civic Education show. Stay tuned.
Below is the letter we received from a Gamtel insider, who is concerned about the recent transfer of $2.5 million dollars from the company’s GTB Bank account to the Federal Reserve bank of New York. We edited the bank account details for privacy issues. Please read on……
…………………………………….
As I told you in the morning, we (Gamtel) recently made a transfer of US 2.5 million Dollars to this account xxxxx 2469 and the address is Federal Reserve Bank of New York,33 Liberty St,New York,NY 10045,USA.The swift code is xxxx US33.
The point I want to stress here is that when this government came to power, they accused Yaya Jammeh of doing many mal-practices including the siphoning off of Gamtel’s gateway funds. But they in turn are doing the same thing. The money transferred is Gamtel’s hard earned revenue that is being denied to them by this government. Already, the company is reeling from financial onslaughts of Yaya Jammeh and his enablers.
Since the coming to power of this government, they have made things very difficult for Gamtel to survive and to prosper. For example, they said that we must not take any loans from the banks, yet the little money we gathered from the gate way is also taken away from us by this coalition government.
The minister responsible for communications has never set foot in Gamtel House.
To this government, there is substitute for Gamtel in the form of mobile communications. That is why internet is still in the doldrums in the Gambia. Perhaps they are preparing the ground work for the takeover of Gamtel by Africell.
I have wanted to send you the documents but the atmosphere in the Gambia is not far from the days of dictator.
But in the nutshell, they are gradually shocking life out of Gamtel, slowly but surely.
Thanks.