Over the past five years, numerous criminal activities, including stabbing, armed robbery and theft have been recorded across The Gambia. One community endangered by the criminals is Manjai Kunda, with residents asking for the swift intervention of Adama Barrow’s government to fix the trouble. Victims’ account Saffiatou Colley, a night shift worker, recalled a last month encounter that nearly took her life, while closing from work around 2 a.m. She said three boys had approached her with a knife threatening her to leave her bag or be stabbed to death. She claimed to have been pushed to the ground and as they attempted to collect her bag, a man appeared to her rescue. “I did not report the case to the police because I don’t know those boys. Due to my attack, I lost my job. I told my boss that I could not work at night. So, he needed to change my shift to day time. But he refused. Then I resigned from the job because I couldn’t trade my life for anything,” she said. According to Saffiatou, she voted for Adama Barrow and she is now expecting his government to take a concrete step to address security problems in Manjai; especially armed robbery. She tasked Barrow to keep his campaign promise to ensure every Gambian life is safe and secure. Business people such as shopkeepers are usually key targets of the criminals. A shop owner, Abdoulie Sowe, also in Mankai Kunda was a victim. He lost D70, 000 to criminals, who broke into his shop and stole items including gas bottles, crates of soft drinks, packs of soap, among others. He has no idea who broke into his shop. Although he reported the case to the police, nothing came out of it. “I am even afraid of continuing my business because those who stole from me are still free; and they might come back again,” Abdoulie lamented. Sowe challenged the government to put mechanisms to solve security issues in Manjai because no one can do business in an unsafe place. Ramatoulie Sallah, whose house was broken into by a thief, said while asleep around 5 a.m.; she heard footsteps in the room. As she peeped through the window, she realised it was a thief. She shouted, but the thief had already escaped with a decoder and a laptop before the neighbourhood was alerted. “I reported the case to the police but there was no success in recovering my stolen items. I want this new government to make a stop to such things in my community. It is now very difficult for me to sleep at night now because of the previous experience,” she expressed. The thieves have also robbed public worship places such as mosques in Manjai. Ebrima Jallow, a member of Manjai a Mosque Committee, said equipment such as loudspeakers, microphones, battery, and some Quranic books were stolen from their Mosque. As other cases mentioned, the police did not find the thieves. He grieved that it will cost them a lot for them to buy the stolen equipment again, as they rely on donations. He further said that the security issue in Manjai is alarming and a step needs to be taken. Barrow’s promise Referencing his manifesto during the December 4 presidential election campaign, Barrow has promised to equip the armed and security forces to the fullest to be able to address the issue of insecurity in the country. In addition, in May this year, President Adama Barrow in a televised address to the nation on national security, assured to keep the country safe “Fellow Gambians, it is my primary duty as President and Commander-in-Chief of the Gambia Armed Forces to keep this country safe. Therefore, let me assure you all that I will discharge my responsibilities both day and night without fear or fear, affection or ill will,” he said. He added that his government would continue to do everything possible to boost the capacity of the Gambia Police Force and other internal security services in relation to personnel equipment and training in order to enhance their capability to all threats and crimes. “I call upon the organs of the state, the judiciary, the legislator and the media to play their roles and complement one another to nip the surge in crime rates,” Barrow said in the televised address. Perspective of expert Sheriff Gomez, a security expert said the causes of security problems like crimes related to theft and armed robbery can be attributed to frustration, hopelessness, unemployment, desperation and inadequate distribution of resources. To solve the problem, he suggested the government study, know and understand the causes and reasons of the crimes for solutions. Gomez went on to say that the internal security agents such as the police need resources required, to maximise their delivery in ensuring safety and security of the people.
Youth unemployment continues to be a major problem propelling irregular migration thus youth in Kanfing Municipal Council call for employment opportunities. click to listen https://soundcloud.com/user-140623569-423216487/youth-in-kanifing-municipal-council-call-for-employment-opportunities
The Gambia is seeing a significant rise in the number of new Covid-19 cases, though the number of covid-related deaths have significantly reduced. Experts have warned that the relaxed nature of observing covid-19 safety protocols before, during and after the presidential elections may are the factor behind the increase in the number of new infections. Massive political rallies were held across the country in November, ahead of the December 4 election, and thereafter, gatherings that are more public were held with little or no covid safety measures. According to health experts, the trend is expected to continue with massive political rallies expected ahead of the parliamentary elections in April this year. It could be recalled that when covid-19 was discovered in the country in March 2020, all public gatherings were suspended to prevent the spread of disease but it is not practised now. The national situational reports from 1 November 2021 to December 16 indicated that 11, 426 new tests were carried out, 80 new cases, 36 recoveries, and 2 deaths were recorded in the Gambia. As of 1 November, the Gambia registered 9, 973 total confirmed cases, 14 active cases, 9, 618 recoveries, 1 new death, and 341 total confirmed deaths. However, as of 31 December 2021, 206 new cases were registered as the fourth wave of covid infections kicked in. Since then, a record 952 new cases have been reported by the Ministry of Health between the 1st and 8th of January 2022. Following the first positive covid case on 17 March 2020, President Adama Barrow-led government suspended all public gatherings; temporarily closed educational institutions and houses of worship; reduced the normal capacity of commercial vehicles and reduced the operational hours of markets. However, at some point in 2020, most of the COVID-19 regulations such as the ban on public gatherings was lifted due to minimised cases; but later in 2021, the Gambia experienced a second wave of the deadly disease. Despite that, public gatherings such as political rallies continued to be held. Despite the low records, Health authorities expect another wave in January 2022. United Democratic Party rally in Bakoteh on December 2, 2021 (Photo: Kerr Fatou) In a Foroyaa newspaper report, the Director of Health Services at the Ministry of Health said on 30 November 2021, that the Gambia is expecting another wave of Covid-19 in January 2022. Gibril Gando Baldeh, senior risk communication and community engagement at health communication unit, Directorate of Health Promotion and Education officer at Ministry of Health (MOH) said the Gambia has just entered its fourth wave of the pandemic and the ministry is aware of the threat, as there is already a sharp rise in cases. “This January, we have seen a sharp rise in cases. Meaning, from three to two (cases) which we were used to reporting in the beginning of December 2021… but coming one month down, we have started seeing a rapid rise in cases and this is alarming,” he expressed. In fighting other covid-19 variants, he said there is still need to use the same strategies that were used before such as the social distancing, hand washing, wearing of face mask, amongst others, to prevent the spread of the virus. However, Baldeh further said: “If the new (fourth) wave is similar to the first wave where we had almost hundred deaths in one month, more than five thousand cases in three months, it would force us to go in to more strict measures and ensuring that anybody who goes against these regulations would be dealt with according to law.” He added that it is obligatory to wear a facemask and adhere to covid-19 measures. He urged everyone to adhere to COVID-19 safety measures and take the jab to prevent widespread the spread of the virus. In a recent publication by the Point newspaper, Omar Sey, former minister of Health of The Gambia said if preventive measures are not put in place in political rallies, more COVID-19 cases could be registered. He justified that overcrowding is one of the factors of spreading the virus among people. “We all know that one thing that spreads the disease is overcrowding because someone may have the virus without symptoms and the person would be shouting while droplets coming from his or her mouth. This is the danger we have because some people do not know their health status,” he said. The former health minister said political rallies cannot be stopped in a year of election, but there is a need for political leaders to work with public health officials at the grassroots to make sure COVID-19 safety precautions are adhered to at all political rallies. He said political leaders should have containers of water with hand sanitizers for supporters at entrances of all political rallies and encourage their supporters to wear face masks properly and regularly to avoid spreading the disease. “The most difficult thing is social distance but they have to be encouraged to distance and avoid hand shaking. That can help in containing the virus,” he advised. Red Cross volunteers stretching a covid-19 corpse for burial in The Gambia(Photo: The Chronicle, The Gambia) Mr. Sey, who was the health minister of The Gambia when Ebola knocked some West African countries, advised the ministry through public health officials to use risk communication, community engagement and involvement strategy in every region. “Let politicians work with public health officials at the regional level to put health measures in place,” he told The Point. He advised the public to adhere to the Ministry of Health and World Health Organization recommendations and to take the COVID-19 vaccine. Meanwhile, a young feminist leader Amanita Jaiteh said women can minimize physical activities and always wear face masks to protect themselves. She encouraged women to participate in online campaigns on digital platforms when they have the access. The young feminist added that for women and children to be protected during this time, there is a need to invest in personal protective equipment for the women and girls by the government. Red Cross volunteers stretching a covid-19 corpse for burial in The Gambia (Photo: The Chronicle, The Gambia) “Political parties can consider hosting rallies in smaller groups at different intervals...,” she suggested. Jaiteh urged the awareness of women and girls to be raised about the dangers of the covid-19 pandemic to stay alert.
Addressing the press at State House on December 7, Barrow attributed his election victory to his achievements among them improving the energy sector in the country. Barrow said when he was coming to power in 2017, a World Bank report stated that electricity would come on and off 17 to 19 times a day. He bragged that his government was able to bring down electricity cuts to 2 to 3 times a day. He added that, that was why the Gambians came out in large numbers to vote for him . FactCheck Gambia verified such information to be false but, our reporter Alieu Ceesay who has keen interest in the energy sector prepared this report. ALIEU CEESAY 3- final