Ghancoy 8's Generous Gift Fuels Ngonjon Mosque's Community Spirit

Photo: Members of Ghancoy 8 together with the Ngonjon Mosque Commitee 

By Ousman A. Marong

In a heartwarming display of generosity, the Ghanaian Ecomig Forces (Ghancoy 8), stationed in Barra in the North Bank Region (NBR), has made a substantial contribution to the Ngonjon Mosque, igniting a renewed sense of unity and purpose within the community. This generous gift not only supports the mosque's ongoing initiatives but also strengthens bonds among residents, showcasing the power of collective goodwill in uplifting local spirits.

The donated items include bags of rice, oil, praying mats, portable drinking water bottles, canteens of tamarins, etc, to list a few.

The presentation ceremony was over the weekend held at Ngonjon village in the lower Niumi District of the North Bank Region (NBR).

Speaking on behalf of the contingent commander was Captain Christle Monday Odame of the Barra base camp, who outlined the contingent's good rapport with the people of the North Bank Region.

She said: "We had a good rapport with the people of the North Bank Region, so, at every point in time, their consent is in our hearts. While they were fasting we thought it wise that once they were done we would be able to give them some items to relieve them of their fast, so they enjoy not only with the civilians but the community as well and that's why our contingent commander, as well as the civic team, thought it wise to come and do this donation. We will try as much as possible to reach the four (4), corners of the North Bank Region (NBA). We may not be able to reach all of them within our timeframe. Yesterday, we went to Banjul to commission the Banjul ferry terminal's mosque, and hopefully, our contribution, support and donations should reach everywhere 'In Shaa Allah," she concluded.

On his part, the Imam Ratib of Ngonjon village, Mamadou Sowe, prayed for the continuous blessings of the Ghanaian Economic Forces in the Gambia, particularly the ones stationed in Barra. He said the donation was timely while describing it as big.

"The gesture may be seen as small to you (the Ghancoy 8 group), but it is a big thing to us," he asserted.

On How The ECOWAS Forces Came Into The Gambia

The ECOWAS military intervention was installed in the Gambia amidst its constitutional crisis. Several member states' military intervenes in the country militarily at the request of President Adama Barrow to restore democracy in the country without resistance from pro-Jammeh forces.

Former President Jammeh leaves the country as forces approach Banjul, and Barrow arrives as President days later.

According to report 2,500 ECOWAS troops remain in The Gambia.

PHOTO: President Barrow

It Is Hypocritical For Me to Be Describe as a Lame President- Barrow tells the Sheriff’s

By Ousman A. Marong

The president of the Republic of The Gambia, Adama Barrow has referred to some Gambians as hypocritical in describing him as a lame president.

"I am not a lame president. I became the president of this country through the prayers from the sheriff’s. Before I became president there was a funeral in my home village in Mamkamang-Kunda and there was this Sheriff in attendance; who happened to offer us prayers and identifies a certain amount of charities to us to be taking out. We gave out the identified charities and within 6 years’ time I become the president of the country,” he explained.

He made the disclosure on Friday 8^th November, 2019 during his meeting with a cross-section of Sheriff’s from Ecowas.

“It is hypocritical for Gambians to describe me as a lame president. I am not a lame president. People went to an extent labeling me as a president. some even said I am afraid to talk to my own people. If I were afraid how able am I talking to the masses in canvassing them to vote for during my campaign,” he quizzed.

He retorted that there cannot be two presidents in the country, adding that there is only one legitimate president in the county and that is him.

“I know the oppositions are after my seat, but whosoever is interested in succeeding me should wait tell 2021 presidential election. The country at this crucial time needs more prayers as we face growing political rifts,” he remarked.

In his part, Buneneh Sadi Hydara in his opening remarks said their visit to the country is part of efforts to offer “National Prayers” to the country and the needy. He urged President Barrow to be more proactive in leadership.

“You are the president today and tomorrow. Ignored all opposition talks and concentrate on your good works,” he advised.

 

He revealed that there are bad elements within the borders with all ears waiting for trouble to occur where they will sneak in to do whatsoever bad they wanted.

“I demand from you to appoint me as your defense minister. Mr. President if you happen to appoint me as your Defense Minister I will make sure I safeguard the peace and stability of the country. If I am appointed as defense minister I will correct many wrongdoings, in which I will punish, jail, and imprison many bad people,” he said.

  

Sheikh Ibn Saida Hydara, on the other hand, requests a diplomatic passport from President Barrow, which he said will help ease their traveling as Sheriff's.

Musa Drammeh, Minister of Local Government and Lands, described the visit as timely.

He thanked the Sheriff’s in their efforts in ensuring here is peace and stability in the country.

He further described President Barrow as a man of peace.

“President Barrow is a man with luck simply because normally it is the people who will go after the Sheriff's, but here we are witnessing the Sheriff’s meeting the president by themselves and praying for him," he said.

PHOTO: Members of the security sector reform.

By Ousman A. Marong

The government of The Gambia in collaboration with the Economic Community of West Africa States supported by the European Union National Development Program Africa Union and other partners today launched the National Security Sector Reform (SSR).

The event was funded by the EU support to Ecowas peace security, security and stability mandate project.

Following a horrific 22-years authoritative rule under ex-president Yahya Jammeh, which led to the disintegration of the security sector, The Gambia on Mond

ay 17^th June 2019 embarked on its first Security sector reform (SSR).

The event was held in “Sindola” Kanilia the birth place of ex-president Yahya Jammeh.

Delivering a keynote speech on security sector reform (SSR) Mr. Mai Ahmed Fatty special adviser to the president challenged the drafted to come up with a robust and comprehensive report at the end of the validation. He reaffirms government’s commitment in ensuring a fruitful security sector reform. “It is obligatory to government in providing protection and safety to its citizenry’s,” he remarks.

He demonstrated that the greater obligation on government is to protect its citizens, he noted. He highlighted that Security threats and public safety not to be problems facing to The Gambia alone,” he confirmed. He stated countries such as Burkina-Faso, Mali, Ghana, etc. to be faced with similar threats.

In his part Modou Badjie National security adviser to the president said government has put a lot of preparation in providing enabling environment with all-inclusiveness in order to see a free, fair, national security sector reform in the country.

“The draft document will help to identify malfunctions and loopholes in the security service,” he asserted. He emphasized that a good draft on security sector reform will give a good formulation and standardizes a good security sector for all.

Mr. Gen Tijani Golau special representative from Economic Community of West Africa State (Ecowas)revealed that the drafting must not only focus on the technical process alone.

“The drafting must be implemented by a forum of political dynamic with relevant stakeholder’s participation,” he said. He outlined the comprehensive sector report will help in the transformation of the country’s security. He added this will help the security service to be more oriented, more accountable, more responsive, etc. He concluded that this will enable the security apparatus to work accordance with the Ecowas and international standard.