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kobo
United Kingdom
7765 Posts |
 Posted - 25 Apr 2013 : 17:35:35
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THE BIRTH OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE GAMBIA 24 APRIL 1970
SOURCE:FOROYAA NEWS: EDITORIAL PUBLISHED ON THURSDAY 25 APRIL, 2013
WRITTEN BY: Ousman Njie
"As we go to Press Today it dawns upon us how dangerous it is for a people to exist without knowing themselves, their country and the world at large. If Gambians in general truly knew their history, if the authorities truly value the history of the country,24 April would have been the most important day in the historical calendar in the Gambia. The reader may ask why that is the case. The answer is simple. This is the day Gambia ceased to be a Constitutional Monarchy and became a Republic.
What is the difference? The fundamental difference between 1965 and 1970 is that the Gambia was a Constitutional Monarchy in 1965 and the sovereignty of the country was vested in her majesty the Queen of England. She was constitutionally the Executive power of the country exercised through a Governor General who had to take the following oath to show allegiance to the Queen:
“I, Governor General, do swear (or solemnly affirm) that I will well and truly serve Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the second, her heirs and successors, in the office of Governor General of The Gambia. So help me God.” The Governor General owed allegiance to the Queen.
Section 29 of the 1965 Constitution creates the office of Governor General. It states “There shall be a Governor General who shall be appointed by Her Majesty and shall hold office during her majesty‘s pleasure and who shall be her majesty representative in the Gambia.”
Section 62 adds that “The Executive authority in the Gambia is vested in her Majesty”
Section 32 creates a Parliament. It states that, “There shall be a Parliament which shall consist of Her Majesty and the House of Representatives.”
Section 60 empowers the Governor General to suspend or dissolve parliament. It states: “The Governor General may at any time prorogue or dissolve Parliament.”
Section 66 defines the role of the Cabinet as follows:
“The function of the Cabinet shall be to advise the Governor General in the Government of the Gambia and the Cabinet shall be collectively responsible to parliament for any advice given to the Governor General by or under the general authority of the cabinet and for all things done by or under the authority of any Minister in the execution of his office.”
The Gambian had to go through a referendum to vote for Gambia to move from a Constitutional Monarchy to a Republic. When the referendum succeeded the executive power ceased to be vested in her majesty and became vested in the President of the Country. Hence the office of Governor General disappeared. Sovereignty ceased to be vested in her majesty and was vested in the people of the Gambia who exercised it to determine who assumes office of President or members of parliament through periodic elections. Parliament comprised elected representatives from the country.
It is on 24 April 1970 that we made a complete break with our colonial past and became a sovereign Nation. Our people moved from being subjects to earn the constitutional power to be the architects and guardians of their own destiny. It is unfortunate that this important day which should have been utilised to promote a culture of the sovereign person who should not be subjected to any form of injustice or oppression but should enjoy freedom of expression and association and have equal power to determine the destiny of the country and its leadership, has passed off without any official activity to mark the day. The students of the University, College, Tertiary Institutions, Secondary Institutions and other Associations have not organised a single event as Remembrance Day and a day to take stock of the challenges of National liberation.
Foroyaa hopes that 2014 will be different. It is hoped that the awareness that is building will eventually compel every Gambian to recognise and add value to being a citizen of a sovereign Republic. Knowledge is Key to liberation. Know you self! Know your Country! Know the world! Then there will be no room for poverty and tyranny on the face of the earth. People will live in liberty dignity and prosperity."
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Edited by - kobo on 25 Apr 2013 18:06:50 |
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kobo
United Kingdom
7765 Posts |
Posted - 24 Apr 2014 : 14:52:20
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TODAY IS REPUBLIC DAY OF THE GAMBIA AND A DAY TO REMEMBER AGAIN!
  
Sir Dawda kairaba Jawara taking the oath of office in 1970, when the Gambia became a Republic.... Flag of The Gambia.....Coat of Arms
Gambian republic referendum, 1970
"A referendum on becoming a republic was held in the Gambia in April 1970. The changes resulted in the creation of the post of president to replace the Governor-General representing Elizabeth II as head of state. It was the second referendum on the issue: the first in 1965 failed because the two-thirds majority required was not reached.
The Gambia achieved independence on 18 February 1965, as a constitutional monarchy within the Commonwealth, with Elizabeth II as Queen of Gambia, represented by the Governor-General. Shortly thereafter, the national government held a referendum proposing that the country become a republic. This referendum failed to receive the two-thirds majority required to amend the constitution, but the results won widespread attention abroad as testimony to the Gambia's observance of secret balloting, honest elections, civil rights, and liberties.
On 24 April 1970, Gambia became a republic within the Commonwealth, following a second referendum. This time the referendum produced a "yes". Prime Minister Dawda Jawara was elected president by the parliament, replacing Elizabeth II (represented by Farimang Mamadi Singateh) as head of state on 24 April 1970." SOURCE: Wikipedia
Result
Choice Votes %
For 84,968 70.45%
Against 35,638 29.55%
Total 120,606 100%
Source: African Elections database
RELATED BANTABA TOPIC The 1970 Gambian Constitution
RELATED BANTABA TOPIC Jammeh Pen A Million Reasons To Leave Commonwealth |
Edited by - kobo on 24 Apr 2014 20:16:47 |
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kobo
United Kingdom
7765 Posts |
Posted - 25 Apr 2014 : 10:16:49
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THE TWO JUSTICES ON PHOTO WITH SIR DAWDA KAIRABA JAWARA TAKING OATH OF OFFICE IN 1970 ARE: Left- the then Chief Justice Sir Phillip Bridges and O. Brien Coker Right
FROM BRITISH POUND, SHILLING, PENNY, PENCE, HALF-FARTHING, QUARTER-FARTHING TO GAMBIAN POUND
  
TO DALASI NOTES & COINS (D1, D5, D10 DENOMINATIONS) AND BUTUTS COINS (B1, B5, B10, B50)
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Edited by - kobo on 25 Apr 2014 10:58:34 |
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Momodou
Denmark
11700 Posts |
Posted - 25 Apr 2014 : 10:37:53
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quote:
Originally posted by kobo
THE TWO JUSTICES ON PHOTO WITH SIR DAWDA KAIRABA JAWARA ARE: Left- Sir Eric Christensen and O. Brien Coker Right
Kobo, Eric Christensen (has Danish roots) was the secretery general and not a "Justice". The person on the photo looks like Sir Philip Bridges a former Chief Justice.
I doubt if Eric Christensen was ever Knighted. |
A clear conscience fears no accusation - proverb from Sierra Leone |
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kobo
United Kingdom
7765 Posts |
Posted - 25 Apr 2014 : 10:41:52
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Edited above because its definitely legend Sir Phillip Bridges . Thank you Momodou with this Telegraph page on him. It sums everything on him.
I hope other one identified as O. Brien Coker is ok. It could be another renown or legendary Justice Late Solomon Njie but am not sure of them  |
Edited by - kobo on 25 Apr 2014 11:19:56 |
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kobo
United Kingdom
7765 Posts |
Posted - 26 Apr 2014 : 00:00:26
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To be noted:
- £1 (Gambian pound note) = D5 (Five Dalasi) as legal tender
- Anyone who had the chance to spend a penny, farthing or quarter-farthing to buy a candy, before or at transition of The Gambia becoming full republic, is a SENIOR CITIZEN NOW! "Kilipha nga" Lol.
- Other Butut denominations are B25, B75 & (B100 = D1)
We are still awaiting someone to identify which Gambian Justice administer the Oath in office with Sir Phillip Bridges? Is it Late Lawyer Saho Former Attorney General or who can he be for historical record? Can you help
"Know yourself! Know your country! Know this World!So that you can decide your destiny!" Foroyaa/PDOIS |
Edited by - kobo on 26 Apr 2014 05:46:22 |
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kobo
United Kingdom
7765 Posts |
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kobo
United Kingdom
7765 Posts |
Posted - 27 Apr 2014 : 20:13:14
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THE BIRTH OF THE REPUBLIC - 24TH APRIL 1970
Foroyaa Editorial Published on Sunday, 27 April 2014 | Written by Ousman Njie
As of 2015, FOROYAA will start to give a 2000 dalasi award to five categories of artists, namely a musician, a photographer, a Painter, a poet and playwright who would produce the best work depicting the significance of the Republic and the sovereignty of the people. The awards would be given at a symposium to be sponsored by Foroyaa annually on 24th April, to keep the principles of the Republic and the values of the sovereignty of the people alive.
24th April 1970 was the day when constitutional monarchy came to an end and the sovereignty of the country was transferred to the people.
What is constitutional monarchy? It is the system of government which existed between 1965 to 23rd April, 1970, under the 1965 Constitution.
Section 29 of the 1965 Constitution states that “there shall be a governor general who shall be appointed by her majesty and shall hold office during her majesty’s pleasure and who shall be her majesty’s representative in the Gambia.”
Section 62 of the 1965 Constitution adds: “The Executive authority in the Gambia is vested in her majesty.”
Section 32 of the 1965 constitution crowns it all by asserting that “There shall be a Parliament which shall consist of her majesty and the house of representatives.”
This is why it is affirmed that The Gambia was still a constitutional monarchy from 1965 to 1970 when the country and her people attained full sovereign status under a Republic, which put an end to the office of governor general and the executive authority of her majesty.
This is why 24th April, 1970, should be commemorated by all Gambians as a National Sovereignty day SOURCE: Foroyaa Editorial |
Edited by - kobo on 27 Apr 2014 20:14:25 |
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kobo
United Kingdom
7765 Posts |
Posted - 05 May 2014 : 06:45:26
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 1. Albert Market Bathurst (Banjul) in 60s, 70s
 2. The First Original Dalasi Note |
Edited by - kobo on 05 May 2014 08:58:00 |
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kobo
United Kingdom
7765 Posts |
Posted - 23 May 2014 : 04:33:01
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MORE MONEY MONEY MONEY!
  
  
  
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Edited by - kobo on 23 May 2014 04:37:04 |
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kobo
United Kingdom
7765 Posts |
Posted - 23 May 2014 : 22:53:16
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  1. The Point News Friday, May 23, 2014
MP wants a monarchy in Gambia
Hon. Abdoulie Saine, the member for Banjul Central constituency, has said President Yahya Jammeh should be crowned, and we have a monarchy in The Gambia.
Speaking during the debate on the adjournment motion on Thursday, when the assembly adjourned its meeting indefinitely, the ruling party MP declared:
“I’ve said it. We should have a monarch in our own way. Let’s crown him. I’ve been saying it; I’ve tasked the youths of this country and women...I have my belief. And I think it’s my right to say what I believe in. Anything that I’m saying if my conscience is clear with me, I believe it’s right”
Instead of making the President to contest elections every five years, Saine told the country’s lawmakers that, “we should have a monarch in our own way. Let’s crown him!”
He added that “these opposition parties do not understand that it’s in their interest for him (the President) to be crowned”.
It would give them a chance to run the country, as the government would be headed by a prime minister, under a monarch, who would run the country, and would go for elections. With such a system, the opposition parties NRP and the UDP will have their chance to rule, he went on....Full Report
2. Related Bantaba topic;
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Edited by - kobo on 23 May 2014 23:09:23 |
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Momodou
Denmark
11700 Posts |
Posted - 27 May 2014 : 13:18:39
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FOROYAA is right, but…
The Point Editorial: Published on Tuesday, May 27, 2014
FOROYAA expressed the opinion in the paper’s editorial on Monday that “the media should not disseminate such information…” – referring to reports such as our ‘MP wants a monarchy in Gambia’ story in Friday’s edition of The Point newspaper - and further pointed out that the media has a mandate “to uphold the principles, provisions and objectives” of the country’s constitution. FOROYAA is entirely right.
However, the same media is also mandated by the same constitution “to provide access for the expression of divergent views, including dissenting opinion”, as we also highlighted in our editorial comment on Monday.
So what MPs say in the debating chamber of the National Assembly will be fit for news, especially if allowed by the speaker.
Yes, the media must carry all sides, even the “Odd Story” type, as Reuters does every day.
This will be done, even when we risk giving respectability or lending credence to calls made by people with questionable motives or brains.
Actually, the media must be mindful of being accused of irresponsibility in conveying dumb remarks; however, it must allow all views to be aired – not suppress them unless they are seditious, defamatory or in the nature of committing “contempt of court” or “contempt of parliament”, etc.
So let the debate go on; let all views be heard; and let the media facilitate this debate, which the constitution has enjoined on the media - especially the public media.
Let’s give the people (whose intelligence we trust) a chance to hear all views and decide – who is making foolish remarks and who is speaking soberly with his brains intact.
In fact, we have always wondered why MPs who make certain remarks are not publicly rebuked by our national authorities, who have sworn to protect and defend the constitution.
The debate on the adjournment motion is one time in the assembly, when MPs are free to comment on any issue - of course, within the bounds of the Standing Orders.
That means they have a platform to speak their mind. But does that include making remarks tantamount to undermining the Republican constitution?
Indeed, we have always asked ourselves whether making such a call is not tantamount to undermining the constitution – the supreme law of this nation – and therefore akin to committing treason.
Is calling for anything other than propping up the existing system in place not the same as advocating for changing the very basis of our government?
In our view, just as nobody in his right mind would call for a rebellion, so also nobody in his right mind should call for changing the republic for a monarchy – as FOROYAA rightly pointed out, that would be a most retrograde step, in this 21st century when all progressive nations are making all efforts to attain genuine democracy.
To us, for MPs to use the platform of the assembly debating chamber to advocate reactionary ideas is a misuse of their right to free unhindered speech in the assembly’s debating chamber – a right which is also guaranteed by the constitution.
What we can safely add is that there is, at this point in our history and national advancement, no right thinking Gambian who wants this country to revert to a monarchical government.
FOROYAA is right, but let us clarify that for the purposes of news reports, it is in order to report such news.
However, for the purposes of the newspaper editorial, one can choose to comment (as FOROYAA did) on the contents of news and to go on to enlighten the reader.
That would be in order, and newspaper editors definitely have that responsibility to the society.
But it’s OK to highlight all news, including – as for example Reuters does daily – the “Odd Story”.
"The media’s the most powerful entity on earth. They have the power to make the innocent guilty and to make the guilty innocent, and that’s power. Because they control the minds of the masses."
Malcolm X
Source: The Point |
A clear conscience fears no accusation - proverb from Sierra Leone |
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kobo
United Kingdom
7765 Posts |
Posted - 28 May 2014 : 05:24:41
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Glamorous Gambian Women at an Independence Day Celebrations in Banjul 70s then Mccarthy Square now July 22nd Square
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Edited by - kobo on 28 May 2014 15:39:38 |
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kobo
United Kingdom
7765 Posts |
Posted - 25 Jun 2014 : 09:22:47
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THE PERPETUATION OF UNDEMOCRATIC VALUES AND THE IMPLICATIONS THE PRESIDENT SHOULD TAKE NOTE
Source: Foroyaa Editorial June 18, 2014
24th April 1970 is the birth of the first Republic, but there is no official commemoration of the day.
16 January is the birth of the Second Republic, but there is no commemoration of the day. 22 July was a coup against Jawara but instead of calling for a National Conference to put in place a transitional administration that would have overseen the restoration of an elected government which would preside over constitutional and institutional reform to create a more democratic society, the coup makers decided to establish a quasi monarchy which abolished the Republic and democratic institutions for two years. This was marked by abrogation of the supremacy of the constitution and the assertion of the supremacy of decrees.
Now, school children and their teachers are being asked to contribute to hold the commemoration of a coup d’état. Could the government explain what type of values it is trying to teach the students of the country?
The donations from schools should be halted and monies already collected should be returned to be used to buy school materials or pay the fees of disadvantaged children. This is the way to teach the values of caring and sharing to children. |
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toubab1020
12306 Posts |
Posted - 25 Jun 2014 : 14:10:31
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| Great Kobo, well done excellent informative presentation. |
"Simple is good" & I strongly dislike politics. You cannot defend the indefensible.
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| Bantaba in Cyberspace |
© 2005-2024 Nijii |
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24 APRIL 1970 BIRTH OF GAMBIA REPUBLIC
