GAMBIAN BUSINESSMEN ARRESTED FOR SMUGGLING OVER D2B TO HONG KONG

Two prominent businessmen, whose names are withheld for legal reasons, have been arrested at the Angolan capital of Luanda whilst on their way to Hong Kong, a Chinese liberated country whose economy is based on free enterprise and trade.

Two Gambian residents of Angola were arrested few weeks ago at the ‘Fourth February Airport’ in Luanda with cash in the region of US$7 million by the Angolan authorities, impeccable sources cited The Gambia’s Honorary Consul in Angola, Haggi Jawara, as saying.

Money smuggling through the belt

Sources also quoted Mr Jawara as saying the money, which was in US dollar, was confiscated from the two prominent businessmen while trying to travel to Hong Kong on November 28 this year for business.

The Gambia consul added that the two, currently in detention, are expected to be released next week after his personal plea to the Angolan authorities.
Over the years, Hong Kong, a former colony of the British Empire after the First Opium War in 1839 to 1842, has become a commercial centre for entrepreneurs and business peopled from mainly developing countries.

Angola's new Airport

As one of the world's leading international financial centres, Hong Kong has a major capitalist service economy characterised by low taxation and free trade, and the currency, ‘Hong Kong Dollar’, is the eighth most traded currency in the world.
Many business gurus on the African continent are now looking into Hong Kong’s market, an important centre for international finance and trade, with one of the greatest concentrations of corporate headquarters in the Asian-Pacific region.

Hong Kong growing market

It has been learned that the incidence, in which the two Gambians were involved, is one of hundreds of incidences happening on daily basis in the continent. And most of these incidences are directed toward the Asian giants – Hong Kong, Singapore, Japan, and Taiwan. Hong Kong unlike other competitors in the Asian-Pacific region is a country that has maintained a high laissez-faire system of capitalism and developed capitalist economy, ranking it the freest in the world by the ‘Index of Economic Development’, for fifteen consecutive times.

And as Jawara revealed, another group of 54 people, including Gambians, were also arrested, but later “released after several negotiations with the Angolan authorities”.
According to Hon. Jawara, in the Southern African country, traveling with a huge amount of cash as was done by the two Gambians, “contravenes the laws of Angola, which allows a person to travel with no more than US$15, 000”.
“But my plea to the Angolan authorities has been successful,” Jawara said. “The 54 people who were arrested in connection with the cash are already released and I am expecting the two [arrested at the February 4th Airport], who are both Gambians, to be released soon.”

GAMBIANS SEEKING GREENER PASTURES IN POLICE NET

As we have been informed, some Gambians were also recently arrested by the Angolan authorities at the border between Angola and the DR CONGO, for entering into the southern African country without “valid documents”.
Since Angola’s civil war ended in 2002, the central government has pulled its socks up to create economic development, making it the world highest GDP growth in the period 2001 to 2010.

Angola has a rich subsoil heritage, from diamonds, oil, gold, copper, as well as a rich wildlife (dramatically impoverished during the civil war), forest, and fossils. Since independence, oil and diamonds have been the most important economic resource.

However, as the quest for money becomes more and more intense, Gambians who are unable to make life easy by keeping their nose to the grindstone, have found their ways to the Northern, Central and Southern Africa territory, across the vast savannah, mountains, and wilderness to Congo, Angola.

This adventure is often met with numerous arrests and harassment of immigrants by border patrol police. This is why Jawara has been calling on Gambians to caution in their urge to use Angola as a transit point. “If they [Gambians] are going they must ensure that they are having valid documents to allow them easy access and entry in Angola.

EMBASSIES HAVE COMPLAINED OF ANGOLA'S IMMIGRATION POLICE

Whilst talking about his unwavering attempt to “negotiate for their release”, The Gambian Consul also called on Gambians abroad to always be law-abiding.

GNMC WANTS ACCESS TO ENERGY SERVICE FOR ALL

About 94% of the countryside in Africa is without access to energy service. And the Ministry of Energy in The Gambia is rolling out a regional programme of providing access to energy service by sensitizing the general public on the conservation and efficient use of energy to ensure other people in the community have access to energy service.

The Energy ministry’s recently launched Gambia National Multi-sectoral Committee (GNMC) has set in train its mission of achieving access to energy service for all.
Launched on 15 December this year, the GNMC, in its goal of fulfilling the requirement for the implementation of the ‘ECOWAS White Paper’, deemed it fitting to call on media practitioners to play their part as partners in development in sensitizing the general public on the conservation and efficient use of energy to ensure other people in the community, especially in the rural areas, also have access to energy service.

THE MOST COMMON SOURCE OF ENERGY IN GAMBIA IS FIREWOOD

According to the chairperson of the GNMC and director of energy at the Ministry of Energy, media practitioners could be of help in sensitizing the population on the essence for energy efficiency and conservation, such as the use of energy saving bulbs and of improved cooking stoves, as well as in discouraging the use of second-hand materials such as refrigerators and air conditioners.

GNMC chair Kemo Ceesay, while speaking to media practitioners from both the print and electronic media at a recent forum held at the Paradise Suites Hotel in Kololi by the Ministry of Energy, said the ECOWAS White Paper was adopted by the region’s heads of state in 2006 as a regional policy to increase access to energy service.
This policy recognizes that access to reliable, affordable and modern energy services is a vehicle for socio-economic development, and in general improves livelihood, particularly for the rural poor.
Mr Ceesay observes that in the African continent, the majority of the population live in peri-urban and rural areas with access to little, if any, modern energy service.

The ‘White Paper’, as it is called, is aimed at providing access to modern energy service to at least half of the population in ECOWAS: 36 million households and over 49,000 other communities by the target date for achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs); thus reducing poverty and increasing the chances of meeting the MDGs.

In his presentation on the occasion, Peter D. Mendy, energy officer of the Energy ministry, revealed that access to energy in Africa, if not in the world, has become problematic for rural residents.

“Three billion people are living with no access to modern energy service, and 1.6 billion are with no electricity,” he said.
He pointed out that without access to energy service, the possibility of attaining the MDGs is hanging in the balance. In Africa the percentage of people that have access to energy in the rural areas is startling, Mr Mendy said, adding that while 66.8% of urban areas have access to energy, only 22.7% of the rural areas are found to have access to energy.

In the ECOWAS region, the energy officer said, the urban electrification rate is 30%, while only 6% of the rural areas have access to electricity; thus 94% of the countryside is without access to energy service.
Mr Mendy therefore called on journalists to take “keen interest in the activities of the GNMC.”

Providing access to energy service is not the sole responsibility of the Ministry of Energy and GNMC, but all stakeholders including media practitioners.
While the free flow of information between media practitioners and the GNMC is a necessity, Mr Mendy pointed out that stakeholders should demonstrate a “strong and unyielding political will” to ensure access to energy service for all.

Adama Gassama, a member of the GNMC and an energy officer of the ministry, said the common phenomena found in ECOWAS as regards poor electrification status, include the lack of multi-sector institutional structures providing rural and peri-urban areas with energy service. This is one of the lacunae the GNMC will help to address in due course, as it has resolved to support the development of AES investment programmes and regularly monitor and evaluate these programmes.
Without access to affordable, reliable and sustainable energy services, the realization of MDG 1 to 5 would prove futile, she said while highlighting the importance of integrating AES as one of the national priorities, with a view to ensuring human development and achievement of the MDGs.

Mrs Gassama is optimistic that by 2015, at least 60% of rural inhabitants will have access to productive energy service, in particular “motive power to boost the productivity of economic activities and access to modern community services”.
She also stated that 66% of the population of 214 million people in the ECOWAS region will individually have access to electricity supply by 2015.

It was a timely workshop held at a time when more than half of the population of The Gambia have questioned the credibility of the national power supplier – NAWEC, as the people continue to grapple with erratic power supply.

Where there is a will there is a way, thus the GNMC is expected to contribute to bringing about a solution to the present status quo of electricity supply in the country.

UN releases ground-breaking report on sexual orientation and gender identity

Entitled 'Discriminatory laws and practices and acts of violence against individuals based on their sexual orientation and gender identity', the report documents widespread discrimination and violence faced by lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people around the world.

It highlights the duty of governments to implement their commitments and obligations under international law, by protecting the rights of all persons, regardless of their sexuality, gender identity or expression. The report also calls for decriminalisation of same-sex relations between consenting adults, and the granting of asylum to LGBT individuals at risk. It emphasises the importance of freedom of expression and assembly, and non-discrimination in accessing economic, social and cultural rights.

The mandate for the report was established at the 17th session of the Human Rights Council (the Council) (June 2011), by the UN's first ever resolution on sexual orientation and gender identity. The resolution was led by South Africa and supported by a majority of the Council, including countries from all UN regions.
It requested the High Commissioner for Human Rights to prepare the report, which will be presented to the Council at its 19th session in March. It also called for a panel discussion to be held at the Council to address the findings of the study in a constructive and transparent manner, and to consider appropriate follow-up. This discussion is expected to take place on Wednesday 7 March, 2012.

The panel will be the first time the issue of human rights, sexual orientation and gender identity receives such focused attention by the Council. When the report is presented, it will be important that discussion is informed by the understanding that human rights standards are universally applicable, regardless of sexual orientation and gender identity.
ISHR works to improve access to international and regional human rights systems by all human rights defenders, including those working on LGBT issues. A clear acceptance of the universality of human rights is a necessity for such access to be fully realised.

ISHR welcomes the progress made in 2011 at the UN on the issue of sexual orientation and gender identity, including the recent release of the High Commissioner's report. The report can be downloaded in English, Spanish, Russian and Arabic.

TRADE FAIR 2011:TAIWAN TAKES PRECEDENCE OF PROMOTING TAIWAN-MADE PRODUCTS AT THE HUB

The 2011 Trade Fair – the 5th biannual trade fair -- that kick started on the 8th December is winding up, with Taiwan products taking the centre stage of the trade fair.
Ranging from architectural designs and electronic innovations to food processions and artifacts, the 2011 Trade Fair has seen Gambians and non-Gambians alike, made best use of the two-week programme that has garnered entrepreneurs, small-scale businesses and large-size business from the sub-region and Asia at the independence stadium in Bakau.

. VICE PRESIDENT POSED WITH MARY CHENG AND H.E SAMUEL, THE NEW TAIWAN EMBASSY IN THE GAMBIA

The trade faire, which is held every two years to amass wide range of economic operators into close contacts in order to erect effective partnership that will positively impact on development of the business community towards sustainable growth and development, was for the first time in the annals of the country attended by Asia’s leading industrialists.

Representing Taiwan External Trade Development Council (TAITRA) was Mary Cheng, who works at the overseas exhibition section of the strategic marketing department. For her: “Taiwan has many excellent products that could be very useful to the Gambia.” She said TAITRA did not come to the trade faire to sell any product, but to promote their products that could be access online using http://www.taitra.org.tw.

MARY CHENG

Taiwan, as an export-oriented economy has been a close friend to the West African country, making Gambia a beneficiary of Taiwan’s largesse. Posting a real GDP growth rate of negative 1.87 percent for 2009, Taiwan was also ranked the world’s 17th-largest exporter in 2009, and had the fourth-largest foreign exchange reserves at the end of that same year.

Presently the Taiwan’s top export destinations are Singapore, US, the EU, and South Korea; but as Mrs Cheng observes, “Taiwan will also break new grounds in Africa, by exporting many of its widely-appreciated products to the continent.”
At the trade faire TAITRA presented many products to the public. Every now and then visitors take a careful on the products, that appear one of its kind at the trade faire.

Taiwan’s new Ambassador to the Gambia, Samuel Cheng, along with the Gambia’s vice president Dr Isatou Njie Saidy graced the occasion, making it one of the trade faire attended by dignitaries of such caliber.

THESE ARE SOME OF THE PRODUCTS THAT TAIWAN HAS IN STORED FOR AFRICA AND THE WORLD

STAKEHOLDERS REVIEW ACTIVITIES IMPROVING SANITARY HANDLING OF SEAFOOD SUPPLY

Various players in the fishery sector have gathered to peruse on the documents and activities that would further strengthen safety of consumable food, including new catches, and sales-food along the coast, where fishing boats land.
Held at the Department of Fisheries’ conference room on Tuesday, the meeting was organized by the Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) – an add-on to the Gambia-

Senegal sustainable fisheries project, locally called Ba-Nafaa.
The Ba-Nafaa project is a five year project, which commenced in October 2009 and will end in September 2014 is initiated by the American people through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), and it is implemented by the Coastal Resources Centre of the University of Rhode Island in partnership with the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) and the government of the Gambia.

Speaking at the occasion, Amadou Saine, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Fisheries, Water Resources and National Assembly Matters, said “The objectives of WASH include improving water supply and sanitation in approximately seven oyster landing and processing sites, and improving sanitary handling of sea food supply.”
The WASH component of Ba-Nafaa is implemented through sub-contracts with GAMWORKS and the Trust Agency for Rural Development (TARUD): GAMWORKS is to provide construction over-sight supervision of the facilities that are to be constructed in approximately seven fishing landing and oyster processing sites, whilst TARUD has been contracted to conduct needs assessment to assist in the selection process of the sites.

TARUD would also be involved in the capacity development of the fishing and oyster communities on Participatory and Sanitation Health Transformation (PHAST); training of communities and outreach on hygiene promotion, as well as the preparation of management plans for the preparation of water and sanitation facilities.

PS Saine welcomes WASH as an add-on component to the Ba-Nafaa project, saying “The provision of water and sanitary facilities in the artisanal fisheries sub-sector is very important and timely and goes a long way in complimenting government’s efforts to ensure that fish and fishery products are of very high quality and meet international standards of food safety [requirements].”
For the deputy director of fisheries Famara Dampha, “There are clear signs of over-exploitation of important fish stocks world-wide and Gambia is not an exception. There are also signs of ecosystems modification due in some part to fishing activities.”

He went on: “Climate change is also threatening to take its toll on fisheries. These and many other challenges including those related to international fish trade facing the sector collectively threatens the long-term sustainability of fisheries and the contribution of fisheries as food supplier and foreign exchange earner.”
However, in the vein of managing fisheries, which will embrace conservation as well as environmental considerations, the department responsible for fisheries has identified reducing post harvest loses or increasing post-harvest utilization, yet results have not been realized.

He pointed at factors that led to the underachievement the above goal, saying “One of the constraints was inadequate water and sanitation facilities at the landing sites,” a factor Ba-Nafaa is expected to address.

TRADE FAIR 2011

GAMBIAN-MADE PRODUCTS TAKE PRECEDENT AT THE HUB

The 2011 Trade Fair – the 5th biannual trade fair -- that kick started on the 8th December has winded up, with indigenous-made products taking the centre stage of the fair.

Ranging from architectural designs and electronic innovations to food processions and artifacts, the 2011 Trade Fair has seen Gambians and non-Gambians alike, made best use of the two-week programme that has garnered entrepreneurs, micro and medium scale businesses from the sub-region at the independence stadium in Bakau.

MARY CHENG AND THE VICE PRESIDENT OF THE GAMBIA

The trade faire, which is held every two years to amass wide range of economic operators into close contacts in order to erect effective partnership that will positively impact on development of the business community towards sustainable growth, was for the first time in the annals of the country attended by Asia’s leading industrialists – Taiwan and Malaysia.

Representing Taiwan External Trade Development Council (TAITRA) was Mary Cheng, who works at the overseas exhibition section of the strategic marketing department. For her: “Taiwan has many excellent products that could be very useful to the Gambia.” She said TAITRA did not come to the trade faire to sell any product, but to promote their products that could be access online using http://www.taitra.org.tw.

THE NEW TAIWAN AMBASSADOR TO THE GAMBIA

Taiwan, as an export-oriented economy has been a close friend to the West African country, making Gambia a beneficiary of Taiwan’s largesse. Posting a real GDP growth rate of negative 1.87 percent for 2009, Taiwan was also ranked the world’s 17th-largest exporter in 2009, and had the fourth-largest foreign exchange reserves at the end of that same year.

Presently the Taiwan’s top export destinations are Singapore, US, the EU, and South Korea; but as Mrs Cheng observes, “Taiwan will also break new grounds in Africa, by exporting many of its widely-appreciated products to the continent.”
Ensign Global Malaysia was also seen breaking significance records at the trade faire; selling Asian-made food that was very well appreciated during the trade faire. Gambians, particularly students were seen in a queue grappling to get hold of the groceries.

One Fatoumata Baldeh, a student of St. Theresa upper basic school, who tasted the foodstuffs, explained to this reporter that she “appreciated the coming of the Asians at the trade fair”, and said the “food is unique”.

GTTI ON EXHIBIT

One of the most watched exhibitions was that of the Gambia Technical Training Institute (GTTI) where home-grown engineers and architects have their work put on display. This exhibition has stimulated a good number of students and visitors who took a careful watch of the vividness of young Gambians.

Miss Ya-Awa Njie, a lecturer on engineering accentuated the importance of taking somber with technical education, saying “That would help trim down the excess of expatriate demand that the country has relied on over the past years.” She challenged that scholarship for technical education should be intensified for students who had built interest in studying this field.

On display was an emulated traffic light and street lights that were the works of the engineering students of the school. The semi traffic light was powered by a ‘darkness detector’ that shows light whenever darkness penetrates into the system.
For Miss Njie, she would love to see a gender-equilibrium class, where both girls and boys are equal in number in the class; but this, she said, is far from achievable.

ACCESS BANK AND COMIUM SHINE

One of Gambia’s leading banks also stood out at the trade fair, introducing a new product: “Access Mobile”, which is a uniquely new-introduced product in the country’s financial market.

“Our passion to ensure our customers get the best of banking has always encouraged us to develop beneficial products that help our customers succeed,” said Muhamed El Kabir Fye, the head of corporate affairs at the bank.
He said with the Access Mobile, customers can have access to their account using their mobile phone everywhere; thus allowing them to have total control of their account.

He applauded the organizers of the event, saying “Everything goes smooth.”
Comium’s Joeking Mendy, marketing field promoter, was very happy with the level of participation this year. He said since the commencement of the day, Comium has adhered to the code of conduct that was put in place by the organizers, saying “[the possible] lack of adherence to the code of conduct, has kept away some companies,” that were making a lot of noise at the event last year.

Comium also introduced the ‘Kick and Win’ product, where everyone who buys a credit is a winner. This product was revealed on Saturday, during ‘My day of business’ invented by GCCI; where one buys a SIM card and kicks a ball; by scoring, one wins D100 credit plus a football or a t-shirt or a bag. If one fails to score, nevertheless, one wins a football or a t-shirt or a bag. “We hope to make this a tradition [something that will continue even after the trade fair],” he closed.
The 2011 trade faire that ends yesterday, Sunday 18 December, was the first of its kind in the annals of Trade Fair in the country, having garnered entrepreneurs from the sub-region and beyond.

Spell of the Albino - Africa Investigates - Al Jazeera English

Spell of the Albino - Africa Investigates - Al Jazeera English

America, Israel and Iran - no way out - Opinion - Al Jazeera English

America, Israel and Iran - no way out - Opinion - Al Jazeera English

Human Rights Council creates Special Rapporteur on Syria at special session on the ongoing crisis

On 2 December 2011, the Human Rights Council (the Council) held its 18th special session and third successive special session on the situation of human rights in the Syrian Arab Republic. The special session had been requested by the European Union, with the support of 28 member states of the Council, to respond to the report of the Commission of Inquiry (the Commission), which found that members of the Syrian military and security forces have committed ‘crimes against humanity’ in 2011.

The special session, supported by fellow Arab States Qatar, Kuwait, Libya, Jordan, and Saudi Arabia, was also backed by 40 observer States. It concluded with the adoption of resolution A/HRC/S-18/L.1 entitled ‘the human rights situation in the Syrian Arab Republic’. The resolution was adopted by majority, with 37 votes in favour, 4 against, and 6 abstentions. Of the Arab States, all voted in favour.

The resolution, which condemns the increasingly grave human rights violations in Syria, includes the decision to establish the mandate of a Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Syria. The mandate holder will be appointed at the March 2012 session of the Council, coinciding with the end of the mandate of the Commission. The mandate holder is requested to monitor the implementation of the recommendations from the Commission and of the Council’s resolutions.

Human Rights Council to hold third successive special session on Syria

On 2 December 2011, the Human Rights Council (the Council) will hold its 18th special session on ‘The situation of human rights in the Syrian Arab Republic in the light of the report of the Commission of Inquiry’. Despite two previous special sessions on the situation in Syria the violence has continued. , The request for the special session, submitted by the European Union (the EU), was signed by 28 member States of the Council, including fellow Arab States Qatar, Kuwait, Libya, Jordan, and Saudi Arabia, and 40 observer States.

The call for this special session follows the release, on 28 November, of the report of the Commission of Inquiry (the Commission), which found that members of the Syrian military and security forces have committed ‘crimes against humanity’ in 2011. The Commission of Inquiry was set up through a resolution adopted by the Council at its 17th special session in August, to investigate all allegations of human rights violations committed by Syrian authorities.

The Commission was to be dispatched to Syria but was refused permission to enter the country by the Syrian authorities. As a result, the Commission was not able to base its report on direct observation. However, it concluded that gross human rights violations amounting to crimes against humanity had indeed been committed by the Syrian military and police and called upon the Syrian Government to immediately stop the violence against protesters and to allow independent investigation into all allegations. In addition, it regretted that the Government had repeatedly refused to cooperate with the Commission

A PARADIGM SHIFT: INSURERS YEARN FOR MARINE INSURANCE, INSURANCE-CONSCIOUS SOCIETY

Captains of the insurance industry have continued to live on their dream of having an insurance-conscious society to make sure that even the newly born baby will taste the sweet cake of insurance companies in the country – a process many believed sounds like casting pearls before swine. The dream does not only stop at the society, but has cut across to oceans and rivers, as marine insurance has begun to capture the interest of insurers.

The fact that insurance is a defensive measure used against future conditional losses to prevaricate the possible risks of the future, aside from ancillary benefits to the nation and the economy, it does not seem to be acknowledged by the people.

However, with a significant growing population and a burgeoning marketplace, insurance companies and brokers are gathering momentum, as people, especially the young ones are becoming aware of the importance attached to the insurance industry, says Momodou Lamin S. Bah, administration and finance manager of Patriot Insurance Brokers (PIB). The young people in this country are beginning to take seriously the importance of insurance; a dream comes true.

Momodou Lamin S. Bah, administration and finance manager of Patriot Insurance Brokers (PIB).

An absolute paradigm shift is indispensable in the insurance industry, especially on changing the culture of the people towards the insurance business, vis-a-vis the abundant socio-economic advantages attached to the industry. This is why those pulling the strings at the insurance industry have been urged to cast their nets wide and target the young ones especially students.
However, on the other side of the story, insurance companies have continued to yearn for a ‘national marine insurance legislation’, which is a vital component for investors and the economy

Marine insurance as it is sometimes called is one of the various forms of insurance, which covers the loss of damage or loss of ship, goods, and property at sea. Such insurance acts as a necessary talisman for exporters and cargo businesspersons against factors like rough weather conditions, rough handling of cargo, fire, shipwreck, and so on. It however excludes losses that can be recovered from a carrier.

BAH HELPS TO DEFINE MARINE INSURANCE

Speaking on the genesis of marine insurance, Bah explained that this form of insurance is generally considered to have been the very first type of insurance. The oldest tangible evidence of this insurance is a policy written in 1343. In a different form, however, marine insurance was introduced many centuries prior to that time.
Trade of various sorts was an important feature of ancient civilization. At first trade was conducted primarily on land, but gradually water transportation became more important commercially, Bah explained.

Bah went on: “Marine insurance can be traced back to the bottomry bonds and respondentia bonds used in ancient Greece and Rome and, even further back, to the relationship between Babylonian traders and their Darmathas. Sometime during the Middle Ages, the first true insurance transaction took place.

By the seventeenth century, marine insurance was being transacted by individual underwriters who congregated in London coffeehouses, most notably Edward Lloyd’s coffeehouse, which was the predecessor to the modern Lloyd’s of London.”
Cargo insurance covers the interest of shippers, consignees, distributors, and others in goods and merchandise shipped primarily by water or, if in foreign trade, also by air. Most cargo insurance involves foreign trade across oceans, but the cargo may also be transported within a nation or between nations on inland waterways.

Ebrima Ceesay CEO of PIB

Ebrima Ceesay CEO of PIB added his voice on the topic: “It is noted that the Gambian giving its geographical location and population, is becoming paramount to have ‘marine insurance’ laws passed by [those at the helm of affairs]. Through this theoretical shift, the country can stand to compete with any other countries in the sub-region and Africa when it comes to solid insurance businesses.”
However, with the development processes in almost all the profit-driven sectors, such as oil, gas, fisheries, agriculture, transportation and others, Ceesay is optimistic that the insurance companies and its agents – the brokers --, would have their lips sign in term of growth and opportunities realisation.
Marine insurance can be broadly classified as either ‘property or liability insurance.’ Property insurance insures against financial loss resulting from damage to, or destruction of, property in which the insured has an insurable interest.

Liability insurance insures against financial loss resulting from some person or organization making a claim against the insured for damages because of bodily injury, death, property damage, or some other injury for which the insured is allegedly responsible, explained the insurance guru, Mr Ceesay, who said that PIB is set on building “efficient insurance service delivery system based on professionalism and commitment to integrity, sincerity, honesty, prudence and uncompromising quality service delivery.”


A MAJOR BREAKTHROUGH
After paddling the boat of insurance business for less than a year, Patriot Insurance Brokers has finally being appointed by GAMTEL – the nation’s communication gateway – to serve as brokers between the conglomerate and its insurers.

“Gamtel has appointed us as their insurance brokers and consultants, following a successful consultancy service conducted by Patriot Insurance Broker the company.” However, this was a worthy ventures, Bah explained, adding that Patriot Insurance Brokers are purely Gambians and are here to lift the burden of the Gambian people.

“We are also looking forward to receiving more brokerage and consultancy appointments from big companies and institutions soon, this is due to our professionalism and hard work we are rendering to our esteem customers in the insurance industry we entered the burgeoning insurance market,” he adds.

ACCOLADES ON THE ELECTIONS
Both Momodou Lamin S Bah and his doyen Ebrima Ceesay were over the moon for what they described as “conduct of a peaceful presidential election”, noting that Gambians have adjusted themselves to maintaining peace and security in the country.

For Ceesay, this year’s election is one of the most peaceful if not the most peaceful election that have ever happened in Africa, citing numerous other elections that have torn countries apart. He however, called on the Gambian people, particularly the youth cohort to hold high their country and work together for the betterment of the nation.

TRAINING SEMINAR ON EXPLORING CHANGES IN TEMPERATURE, PRECIPITATION EXTREMES INDICES KICKS OFF

A five-day regional workshop on exploring changes in temperature and precipitation extremes indices has kicked off in Banjul on Monday, at the Paradise Suites Hotel.

Hon Lamin Kaba Bajo

In his draft statement, Hon Lamin Kaba Bajo, the minister for Fisheries, Water Resources and National Assembly Matters, said the high dependence on the exploitation of non-mineral natural resources and by extension, our status of development the climate change is the main status of our socio-economic well-being and development in West Africa.

This pic demonstrates one of the effects of climate change on livestock

“However, like any resource, the extremes, that is, too much or too little, in its distribution over space and time pose a significant threat to our well being. Furthermore, the climate resource is such that humankind does not possess the capability to significantly alter its outcome.
It is therefore not surprising that hardly a day passes without the media reporting on climate hazards occurring somewhere in the global village, causing damage to property and the environment, disruption to livelihoods and sometimes, the loss of human lives,” he said.
Hon Bajo added that hazards of climate change affect all countries, particularly West Africa, where climate risks further exacerbates the already vulnerable socio-economic situation. The vulnerability of society to climate variability and change is likely to depend more on changes in the intensity and frequency of extreme weather and climate events than on changes in the mean climate.

He revealed that climate events and extreme weather would become more frequent in the 21st Century, adding that the role and responsibility of the climate community has become very crucial.

“Your understanding of the climate system and by extension, your interpretation of various climate events is coming under scrutiny by the public and authorities. The demand for information services on weather and climate is growing and will continue to grow because as extreme conditions increase, so will a greater number of people affected and hence the need for services to reduce their exposure,” he said, adding that their contribution has become more paramount.

While he implored participants to make best use of the seminar, he commended the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO), the UK Met. Office, and the Royal Dutch Meteorological Institute for making the seminar a possible.

Mr Bernard Gomez chaired the occasion and other speakers include Dr Mohammed Kadi of ACMAD, Dr Omar Baddour of WMO, and Dr Akbert Klein Tank, of KNMI.

The meeting, which brought together participants from the sub-region would help increase regional research synergies by sharing insight and improve analyses between neighbouring countries, whilst also availing them the opportunity to use available climate data from countries in the region to enable detailed assessments of observed climate variability and change.

RELIVING THE PERFORMING ARTS AS LUCRATIVE BUSINESS VENTURE

The once dormant industry of the performing arts has received a shot in the arm under the auspices of Gambian dynamic performing arts guru, Janet Badjan-Young, who has constructed a magnificent edifice first of its kind in The Gambia and second to none in the West African sub-region, if not Africa. Amat JENG reports the new development to be unveiled in two weeks’ time in the Smiling Coast of Africa.

The curators of artistic values and passions of the performing arts industry recently briefed the media in the country on the importance of performing arts as a lifeline enterprise and one of the fast growing ventures in the country.
At a meeting held at the Kanifing institutional area, opposite the Gambia Football Association House, newsmen were given some highlights on the opening of a multi-million complex designed to become the first-ever theatre house to be built in The Gambia.

A PANORAMA OF THE NEW THEATRE HOUSE

The meeting also availed journalists the opportunity to be exposed to some of the potential achievements of the performing arts as a promising business venture in the small West African state of The Gambia.
“The opening of the domed-shaped-structure is now a stunning landmark,” said Janet Badjan-Young, director of Ebunjan Performing Arts Association, an NGO committed to developing arts and culture in the country.
The arts association director says that while they are committed to building a professional theatre and training talented youths in all aspects of the performing arts - which include traditional and modern dance, drama, music and poetry, they don’t also lose sight of the fact that the social media plays an important role in promoting the performing arts industry, which looks up to the media for publicity and success.

The building, a state-of-the-art edifice, will be opened on 16 December to the public. It is a multimillion Gambian dalasi investment expected to bring into realisation the dream of the ‘Gollywood’ film industry. The building, when completed, is one of the best theatre houses in the sub-region if not in Africa.
“The theatre hopes to encourage the young and old to enjoy the artistic and cultural part of life in the country. We shall do our best to present the kinds of programmes that will be uplifting, educative, and enjoyable,” said Mrs Badjan-Young, the woman behind the construction of the magnificent edifice.
She said she has spent substantial amounts of her personal money, including gestures she receives from good Samaritans, in buying the land and constructing the building, to bring the dream to pass.
The construction of the building that can house over ten thousand people was started in 2009. The house, like other theatre houses in Africa, has multiple offices, a VIP lounge, an entrance and exit passageways for cast, a scene-view corner and other facilities.
The performing arts is one of the fastest ways of getting affluence in the world, Mrs Badjan-Young said, citing pop singer Beyonce, who came from Barbados, as one person who has benefited from similar arts.
She highlights the importance of investing in the industry, saying before Beyonce had to become what she is today, her country’s government had not in any way invested in the performing arts industry. But when she did become famous and started making money, the government jumped into the bandwagon and invested in the enterprise, she noted.

THE ENTRANCE TO THE THEATRE

Mrs Badjan-Young said that on 16 December when the theatre house will be opened “an international cocktail of food will be served,” and there will be delicacies for Indians, Moroccans, Italians, Sierra Leoneans, Chinese, Americans, Lebanese and other nationals in the country.

The UNESCO-funded ‘Chains of Inspiration’ will be presented by the Ebunjan Theatre Troupe, which has twenty young talented people who have mastered the skills of performing arts, revealed Mrs Badjan-Young.
Speaking on some of the modalities for the event, she said tickets will be made available at the ‘sales gate’ at the cost of D1,000 for the VIP balconies and D500 for the ordinary seats.
Dignitaries including President Yahya Jammeh, his wife, the Vice President and other personalities are expected to grace the occasion.