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Momodou
Denmark
11512 Posts |
 Posted - 19 Jun 2021 : 12:44:03
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GAMBIA-L Digest 44
Topics covered in this issue include:
1) Fw. Zimbabwe-United Nations
by mmjeng@image.dk (Matarr M. Jeng)
2) Introduction
by Garba Diallo <GDiallo@dk-online.dk>
3) Re: Introduction
by BASS KOLLEH DRAMMEH <KOLLS567@QATAR.NET.QA>
4) Re: Swis Bank Scandal
by mmjeng@image.dk (Matarr M. Jeng)
5) The List
by Andy Lyons <alyons@nervm.nerdc.ufl.edu>
6) Re: Introduction
by momodou.camara@post3.tele.dk (Camara, Momodou)
7) Re: MY COMMENTARY ON THE EBOU JALLOW CASE
by Francis Njie <francis_njie@il.us.swissbank.com>
8) Re: The List
by YAHYAD@aol.com
9) New Members
by sarian@osmosys.incog.com (Sarian Loum)
10) Re: New Members
by BASS KOLLEH DRAMMEH <KOLLS567@QATAR.NET.QA>
11) ANDY LYONS
by BASS KOLLEH DRAMMEH <KOLLS567@QATAR.NET.QA>
12) Greetings and a comment.
by Bayard Lyons <blyons@aed.aed.org>
13) List Traffic
by Amadou Scattred Janneh <AJANNEH@pstcc.cc.tn.us>
14) The List -Reply
by Yaikah Jeng <YJENG@PHNET.SPH.JHU.EDU>
15) Re: Greetings and a comment.
by BASS KOLLEH DRAMMEH <KOLLS567@QATAR.NET.QA>
16) Africa Distance Learning - E-Mail - Internet (fwd)
by Ylva Hernlund <yher@u.washington.edu>
17) Re: [Fwd: MY COMMENTARY ON THE EBOU JALLOW CASE]
by Ylva Hernlund <yher@u.washington.edu>
18) Re: SWISS BANK SCANDAL
by TSaidy1050@aol.com
19) New member
by sarian@osmosys.incog.com (Sarian Loum)
20) Re:temporary off-line
by Kevin Connors <kconnors@igc.apc.org>
21) Re:temporary off-line
by sarian@osmosys.incog.com (Sarian Loum)
22) Re: SWISS BANK SCANDAL
by Mustafa Marong <mbmarong@students.wisc.edu>
23) Re: The List -Reply
by momodou.camara@post3.tele.dk (Camara, Momodou)
24) Re: modifying the list
by njie.1@osu.edu (N'Deye Marie Njie)
25) Re: The List
by Sulayman Nyang <nyang@cldc.howard.edu>
26) Re: modifying the list
by BASS KOLLEH DRAMMEH <KOLLS567@QATAR.NET.QA>
27) Re: The List
by BASS KOLLEH DRAMMEH <KOLLS567@QATAR.NET.QA>
28) Re: VALUE OF THE DALASI
by TSaidy1050@aol.com
29) Let's focus
by Peter da Costa <ipspdc@harare.iafrica.com>
30) Subdivisions in Gambia-l
by "A. Loum" <tloum@u.washington.edu>
31) IPS: FINANCE-AFRICA: World Bank See
by momodou@inform-bbs.dk (Momodou Camara)
32) New member
by "A. Loum" <tloum@u.washington.edu>
33) New member Introduction !!
by saidy@leed.chem.ubc.ca (Madiba Saidy)
34) test
by ABALM@aol.com
35) Introduction
by Isatou B Kaira <kaiisa@hs.nki.no>
36) Re: The List
by MJawara@aol.com
37) Re: Introduction
by momodou.camara@post3.tele.dk (Camara, Momodou)
38) Re: New member Introduction !!
by BASS KOLLEH DRAMMEH <KOLLS567@QATAR.NET.QA>
39) Re: test
by BASS KOLLEH DRAMMEH <KOLLS567@QATAR.NET.QA>
40) Re: The List
by BASS KOLLEH DRAMMEH <KOLLS567@QATAR.NET.QA>
41) [oksana@TRAVNI.PP.KIEV.UA: GREETINGS FROM RUSSIA!]
by bf299@freenet.carleton.ca (Bocar Ndiaye)
42) The List (KEEP IT REAL)
by Alieu Muhamad Ceesay <aceesay@wam.umd.edu>
43) Two new members
by "A. Loum" <tloum@u.washington.edu>
44) Re: [oksana@TRAVNI.PP.KIEV.UA: GREETINGS FROM RUSSIA!]
by sarian@osmosys.incog.com (Sarian Loum)
45) Fwd: U.N.-AFRICA: Contenders Wait for Boutros-Ghali's Exit/RELATE
by momodou@inform-bbs.dk (Momodou Camara)
46) Fwd: UNITED NATIONS: U.N. Seeks Ways to Retrieve Stolen Funds
by momodou@inform-bbs.dk (Momodou Camara)
47) NEWS FROM THE GAMBIA
by TSaidy1050@aol.com
48) Re: NEWS FROM THE GAMBIA
by BASS KOLLEH DRAMMEH <KOLLS567@QATAR.NET.QA>
49) Re: NEWS FROM THE GAMBIA + Introduction
by "Latir Downes-Thomas" <latir@earthlink.net>
50) re: test
by ABALM@aol.com
51) US State Department Travel Advisory
by Andy Lyons <alyons@nervm.nerdc.ufl.edu>
52) Subscribe Ahad
by Alieu Jawara <umjawara@cc.UManitoba.CA>
53) Fwd: SIERRA LEONE-RELIGION: A Clash Between Faiths
by momodou@inform-bbs.dk (Momodou Camara)
54) vaccination conference in Dakar
by BASS KOLLEH DRAMMEH <KOLLS567@QATAR.NET.QA>
55) Miss WORLD Controversy
by BASS KOLLEH DRAMMEH <KOLLS567@QATAR.NET.QA>
56) Re: Miss WORLD Controversy
by Francis Njie <francis_njie@il.us.swissbank.com>
57) new member
by ABALM@aol.com
58) new member
by ABALM@aol.com
59) Re: Miss WORLD Controversy
by BASS KOLLEH DRAMMEH <KOLLS567@QATAR.NET.QA>
60) RIOTS AT DAKAR'S CENTRAL PRISON
by BASS KOLLEH DRAMMEH <KOLLS567@QATAR.NET.QA>
61) "GENDER APARTHEID" IN A ZAMBIA HOTEL
by BASS KOLLEH DRAMMEH <KOLLS567@QATAR.NET.QA>
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Date: Sun, 24 Nov 96 13:39:51 GMT
From: mmjeng@image.dk (Matarr M. Jeng)
To: gambia-l@u.washington.edu (The Gambia And Related Issues Mailing List)
Subject: Fw. Zimbabwe-United Nations
Message-ID: <M.112496.143951.19@ip94.image.dk>
Copyright 1996 Panafrican News Agency and Africa News
Service. All rights reserved.
Material may not be redistributed, posted to any other
location, published or used for broadcast without written
authorization from the Panafrican News Agency. B.P. 4056,
Dakar, Senegal.
Tel: (221) 24-13-95 | Fax: (221) 24-13-90 | E-mail:
quoiset@sonatel.senet.net
22 Nov 96 - Zimbabwe-United Nations
Zimbabwe Still Supports Boutros Boutros-Ghali
HARARE, Zimbabwe (PANA) - Zimbabwe Friday accused the United States of being
undemocratic by blocking the renewal of Boutros Boutros-Ghali's bid for a
second term of office
as United Nations secretary-general.
President Robert Mugabe said his govenment continued to support the candidacy
of
Boutros-Ghali despite the U.S. position.
"We are very critical of the Americans. It is something we cannot accept. How
can one nation
dictate to the world like this?" Mugabe told journalists. "The world should
read from this
lesson...the practice is not democratic."
The United States this week voted against a second five-year term for
Boutros-Ghali. The other
14 members of the Security Council voted for him.
The American government accused the Egyptian, whose term expires on Dec. 31, of
being too
slow in pushing U.N. reforms and threatened that his candidacy would further
delay U.S.
payment of the 1.4 billion dollars it owes to the world body.
The three African members of the Security Council, Botswana, Egypt and
Guinea-Bissau, are
consulting with African states on the way forward.
Some African countries have started naming alternative candidates following a
call by U.S. that
the O.A.U. should draw up a list of the alternatives.
Ghana has already said that it would back its national, Kofi Annan, 58, current
head of U.N.
peacekeeping operations.
The leader of Mozambique's opposition, Afonso Dhlakama, has backed Graca
Machel, widow of
the country's former president Samora Machel.
The current thinking is that an African should take the second term since past
secretaries
general from Europe, Asia and Latin America each held the post for 10 years.
AFRICA NEWS Home Page | AFRICA NEWS CENTRAL | The Nando Times
----Greetings
Matarr M. Jeng mmjeng@image.dk
or
mmjeng@inform-bbs.dk
------------------------------
Date: Sun, 24 Nov 1996 15:45:07 +-100
From: Garba Diallo <GDiallo@dk-online.dk>
To: "'gambia-l@u.washington.edu'" <gambia-l@u.washington.edu>
Subject: Introduction
Message-ID: <01BBDA1E.9B516F20@ppp61.c17.dk-online.dk>
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable
Dear fellow members, sisters and brothers!
My name is Garba Diallo, from Mauritania. I was introduced to the debate =
network by Momodou Camara who is from the Gambia, but living in Denmark. =
I live and work in Denmark where I lteache African, Middle East and =
Sustainable development Studies to an international student body at the =
International People's College in Elsinore (Helsingor) near Copenhagen, =
Denmark.
In addition. I write on the ethnic, human rights, political and =
environmental crises in Mauritania where the tripple impact of state =
racism, slavery, military dictatorship and ecological catastrophes join =
hand to brutalize the indigenous black community in this last Apartheid =
country in Africa.
Until next peace be upon you all
Garba
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 24 Nov 1995 19:45:12 +0300
From: BASS KOLLEH DRAMMEH <KOLLS567@QATAR.NET.QA>
To: gambia-l@u.washington.edu
Subject: Re: Introduction
Message-ID: <30B5F697.22A5@QATAR.NET.QA>
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit
Garba Diallo wrote:
>
> Dear fellow members, sisters and brothers!
>
> My name is Garba Diallo, from Mauritania. I was introduced to the debate network by Momodou Camara who is from the Gambia, but living in Denmark. I live and work in Denmark where I lteache African, Middle East and Sustainable development Studies to an international student body at the International People's College in Elsinore (Helsingor) near Copenhagen, Denmark.
>
> In addition. I write on the ethnic, human rights, political and environmental crises in Mauritania where the tripple impact of state racism, slavery, military dictatorship and ecological catastrophes join hand to brutalize the indigenous black community in this last Apartheid country in Africa.
>
> Until next peace be upon you all
>
> Garba
>
>
GARBA!!
Welcome onboard!We can not wait to see your contributions,which I am
sure will be many and varied.I have asked our other very good
friend,MODOU SIDIBEH of stockholm to join us as well,and I am sure he
will soon do that.This is the kind of place both of you would hate not
to be part of.
My love to RULA and your little African Princess.
Once again, you are most WELCOME my dear friend!!!
Regards Basssss!!!
------------------------------
Date: Sun, 24 Nov 96 16:58:17 GMT
From: mmjeng@image.dk (Matarr M. Jeng)
To: gambia-l@u.washington.edu (The Gambia And Related Issues Mailing List)
Subject: Re: Swis Bank Scandal
Message-ID: <M.112496.175817.61@ip110.image.dk>
Tombong, You said
It is
also on record that our former Attorney General and Minister of Justice went
to give evidence in rebuttal."
Which former Attorney General and Minister of Justice?
Greetings.
----
Matarr M. Jeng mmjeng@image.dk
or
mmjeng@inform-bbs.dk
------------------------------
Date: Sun, 24 Nov 1996 13:31:55 -0500
From: Andy Lyons <alyons@nervm.nerdc.ufl.edu>
To: gambia-l@u.washington.edu
Subject: The List
Message-ID: <2.2.16.19961124183155.1c472d26@nervm.nerdc.ufl.edu>
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
Hi all,
Recently a member wrote:
>Could you please take me off your mailing list as I am no longer interested
>in receiving forwarded mail. There are far too many messages, most of which
>do not make much sense to me, and most of which I don't read anyway.
Like the member who wrote this, I enjoy following the healthy dialogue on
Gambian related issues, but find that as the list has grown the sheer
quantity of messages has become quite time-consuming read. I think that as
the membership list continues to grow and grow, and the discourse includes
more and more people, that there will be other people like the one above who
find the amount of messages overwhelming and unbearable and may ask to be
removed.
While I recognize that the primary function of GAMBIA-L is to facillitate
healthy discussion on Gambian issues, I would also put forth that there are
a number of members who find it challenging to keep up with the volume of
messages however would still like to receive news and information about
situation in The Gambia.
Hence, I would like to put forth to the group for consideration a proposal
that we create an abridged version of GAMBIA-L (perhaps called GambiaLite-L,
or GambiaNews-L) that would be a disemmination-only, moderated list of
Gambia related "news items", where "news item" can be defined pretty
loosely, but would not include member introductions or exchanges of personal
opinion. Even if such an abridged version only generated as few 2-3 messages
per week, I think there is an important audience whose information needs
would be better served.
Although I don't know the technical details, I would suspect that once it's
set up, one of our administrators would simply need to forward appropriate
postings from GAMBIA-L to the mini-list.
So I would like to ask:
-would other members be interested in an abridged news-only version of GAMBIA-L?
-is this idea technically feasible?
Andy Lyons
------------------------------
Date: Sun, 24 Nov 1996 19:38:18 +0000
From: momodou.camara@post3.tele.dk (Camara, Momodou)
To: gambia-l@u.washington.edu
Subject: Re: Introduction
Message-ID: <19961124184125.AAA15300@LOCALNAME>
Gambia-l,
I would like to welcome all the Ladies and Gentelmen who have
recently been added to the list. We look forward to your
contributions.
Peace
Momodou Camara
*** http://home3.inet.tele.dk/mcamara
"To make friends is easy, just use pure ingredients"***
------------------------------
Date: Sun, 24 Nov 96 19:48:40 -0600
From: Francis Njie <francis_njie@il.us.swissbank.com>
To: gambia-l@u.washington.edu
Subject: Re: MY COMMENTARY ON THE EBOU JALLOW CASE
Message-ID: <9611250148.AA00363@new_delhi>
Mime-Version: 1.0 (NeXT Mail 3.3risc v124.8483.5)
Content-Type: text/plain
>> I think The Gambia will remain underdeveloped until the day when
>> we as a people develop a healthy scepticism of our leaders and realise
>> that the government is nothing but a representative of the people and that
>> messiahs are but myths from the hazy days of the Medieval Ages.
Furthermore, a nation typically gets a government it deserves. For an
unquestioning people, that's apt to be a government that takes them for
granted. **ACCURATELY** believing that it can do just about anything without
censure or punishment, such a government naturally indulges in rampant
underhandedness. We saw this phenomenon under the previous regime. We certainly
would be foolish to repeat our mistakes...
I don't get a sense that political scepticism is a strong Gambian trait, which
if true makes the mental state of the Gambia as much a threat to Gambian
development as anything else. My two/three (??) cents worth is that we start to
change this by maintaining, as Abdou aptly put it, a healthy scepticism of our
leaders.
Politicians are not sports figures... An irrational, unquestioning attachment
to a sports team is probably excusable-- after all, one can choose whether or
not to place a bet on a team. An honourable individual does not choose the
effect of his/her government's underhandedness on his/her country however-- the
effect is invariably negative...
- Francis
Begin forwarded message:
Date: Sat, 23 Nov 1996 17:09:57 -0500 (EST)
Reply-To: gambia-l@u.washington.edu
Sender: GAMBIA-L-owner@u.washington.edu
From: ABDOU <at137@columbia.edu>
To: "GAMBIA-L: The Gambia and Related Issues Mailing List"
<gambia-l@u.washington.edu>
Subject: Re: MY COMMENTARY ON THE EBOU JALLOW CASE
X-Sender: at137@columbia.edu
X-Listprocessor-Version: 8.0 -- ListProcessor(tm) by CREN
Hi folks,
I think Bass's response falls short of answering the serious
questions raised by the Swiss affair namely ; " did Jammeh steal any money
from The Gambian people ?" . Instead, it is an appeal to the emotional
side of us.
To reiterate some of the questions raised by Malanding, how can
The Gambian govt not miss almost 10% of its expenditure ? How did the
government know so much about the accounts opened by Jallow given the
legendary secrecy of Swiss banking ? Why would a bank manager lie and
claim that he opened an account for Jammeh when in fact he has not ? Why
risk the inherently bad publicity ?
If you consider these questions and others, Bass's arguments
appear to be skirting the issues. Also, what does a person's character
have to do with the validity of their reasoning ???? Even a person who
suffers from CJD is likely to tell the truth from time to time albeit the
liar s/he is ! And folks, don't you think that The Gambia would be a
boring place if all everyone did was sing the praises of Our Great Leader
President Colonel (Rte) Alhagi Yaya A.J.J. Jammeh ? I thought the good
old days of 99.99% of a people supporting their government went out
with communism.
I think The Gambia will remain underdeveloped until the day when
we as a people develop a healthy scepticism of our leaders and realise
that the government is nothing but a representative of the people and that
messiahs are but myths from the hazy days of the Medieval Ages.
Thanks and bye for now,
-Abdou.
*******************************************************************************
A. TOURAY.
at137@columbia.edu
abdou@cs.columbia.edu
abdou@touchscreen.com
(212) 749-7971
MY URL's ON THE WWW= http://www.cc.columbia.edu/~at137
http://www.psl.cs.columbia.edu/~abdou
A FINITE IN A LAND OF INFINITY.
SEEKING BUT THE REACHABLE.
I WANDER AND I WONDER.
ALL RESPITE IS FINAL.
*******************************************************************************
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 25 Nov 1996 03:37:35 -0500
From: YAHYAD@aol.com
To: gambia-l@u.washington.edu
Subject: Re: The List
Message-ID: <961125033732_1816796483@emout19.mail.aol.com>
I like this idea too. Separating news items from some of the personal
idealogies might be quite helpful. It seems like the list is growing very
rapidly and there are too many messages being sent back and forth that makes
it practicaly impossible for some of us to keep up. People continually have
to rebottle their arguements and statements that at times I feel a lot of
non-essential information is being dissiminated to people who might as well
pass-up on some of it.
Qs and Cs welcome.
Yahya N. Darboe.
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 25 Nov 1996 01:32:02 -0800
From: sarian@osmosys.incog.com (Sarian Loum)
To: gambia-l@u.washington.edu
Subject: New Members
Message-ID: <199611250932.BAA25188@thesky.incog.com>
Hi,
Ya Harr Njie & Dawada Ceesay have been added to the list while Andy Lyons taken off. Ya Harr & Dawda please send in your intros and welcome to Gambia-L.
Sarian
------------------------------
Date: Sat, 25 Nov 1995 13:42:40 +0300
From: BASS KOLLEH DRAMMEH <KOLLS567@QATAR.NET.QA>
To: gambia-l@u.washington.edu
Subject: Re: New Members
Message-ID: <30B6F320.11B3@QATAR.NET.QA>
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit
Sarian Loum wrote:
>
> Hi,
>
> Ya Harr Njie & Dawada Ceesay have been added to the list while Andy Lyons taken off. Ya Harr & Dawda please send in your intros and welcome to Gambia-L.
>
> Sarian
SARIAN!!
If ANDY LYONS is unsubscribing, why then did he bother to put forward
that proposal of his? A quitter's proposal quits with him.I would have
thought that each and everyone of us decides very quickly from the
TITLES which mails to read and which to ignore,depending on how much
time we have on any given day.
Regards Bassss!!
------------------------------
Date: Sat, 25 Nov 1995 17:25:27 +0300
From: BASS KOLLEH DRAMMEH <KOLLS567@QATAR.NET.QA>
To: GAMBIA-L@U.WASHINGTON.EDU
Subject: ANDY LYONS
Message-ID: <30B72757.4441@QATAR.NET.QA>
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit
SARIAN!!
My very best friend,Momodou Camara thinks that what I sent to you a
couple of hours ago about ANDY was somewhat an attack on you.I hope you
won't see it that way; but if you do,please accept very sincere
appology. I am very freedom oriented,but I am also very respectful of
other people,especially my Gambian sisters.So,once again,I am very
terribly sorry.
Regards Bassssss!!!
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 25 Nov 1996 09:36:01 -0500 (EST)
From: Bayard Lyons <blyons@aed.aed.org>
To: Gambia <gambia-l@u.washington.edu>
Subject: Greetings and a comment.
Message-ID: <Pine.BSD/.3.91.961125091400.19280B-100000@aed.aed.org>
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII
Hello. This is my first posting to the group. Let me start with a brief
introduction and then proceed with my comment. I am a returned peace
corps volunteer from The Gambia - 1988-1990. I lived in Pakalinding and
was given the name Momadou Manjang by Pa Ousman Manjang of Gunjur. That
was back in the day when Peace Corps used to do trainings in Gunjur. I
also worked on contract for UNICEF and lived in Bakau. I feel like I
have a couple of things in common with the subscribers to the group. I
fell in love with the The Gambia and long to return some day. Futher
felt commonalities I will share at a later date. Enough about this toubobo.
I agree with Andy that there are too many messages pouring in. And if
there is a system for organizing the emails into news versus discussion
it might make this group more attractive to more people. I have not been
current on The Gambia for quite a while. And it is only after a couple
weeks of really sifting through loads of messages that I am starting to
feel more comfortable and in a position to contribute. The group could
be more user friendly if there were somewhere to go to get a quick sumary
of what is going on in The Gambia without having to sift through a stack
of emails. I guess this is especially true for those less directly
conected to The Gambia. Bassssss's immediate attempt to squelch the
thought of change in the group concerns me.
Bayard Lyons
"Sen de haklisin!" - Nasrettin Hoca
"You are also right! - Nasrettin Hoca
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 25 Nov 1996 09:58:21 -0500 (EST)
From: Amadou Scattred Janneh <AJANNEH@pstcc.cc.tn.us>
To: gambia-l@u.washington.edu
Subject: List Traffic
Message-ID: <01IC9BVH5LXE000Q9O@PSTCC6.PSTCC.CC.TN.US>
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; CHARSET=US-ASCII
Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7BIT
Gambia-l:
I did raise the issue of traffic on our "bantaba" earlier, but the problem
apparently persists. It costs many members some money to have to go through
personal and sometimes useless messages every time they get on the "highway."
If you strongly agree or disagree with a comment but you don't have much to
add to it, send a personal message to the contributor instead of the list.
It is a nuisance to merely forward postings with comments that don't add
anything to the debate. We should use our judgment in this matter so that
we don't end up jamming traffic and bumping some folks off the road. This
will be my last contribution on the matter.
Peace!
Amadou
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 25 Nov 1996 10:46:24 -0500
From: Yaikah Jeng <YJENG@PHNET.SPH.JHU.EDU>
To: gambia-l@u.washington.edu
Subject: The List -Reply
Message-ID: <s2997916.033@PHNET.SPH.JHU.EDU>
Gambia-l,
i definitely support an abridged version of gambia-l. although
encouraging to read fellow gambians' interesting dialogues, it is
becoming somewhat time-consuming to keep up with all of it.
a member suggested a gambianews-l or similar, a good idea i think. it
should definitely be followed up.
yaikah.
------------------------------
Date: Sat, 25 Nov 1995 18:45:50 +0300
From: BASS KOLLEH DRAMMEH <KOLLS567@QATAR.NET.QA>
To: gambia-l@u.washington.edu
Subject: Re: Greetings and a comment.
Message-ID: <30B73A2D.5F67@QATAR.NET.QA>
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit
Bayard Lyons wrote:
>
> Hello. This is my first posting to the group. Let me start with a brief
> introduction and then proceed with my comment. I am a returned peace
> corps volunteer from The Gambia - 1988-1990. I lived in Pakalinding and
> was given the name Momadou Manjang by Pa Ousman Manjang of Gunjur. That
> was back in the day when Peace Corps used to do trainings in Gunjur. I
> also worked on contract for UNICEF and lived in Bakau. I feel like I
> have a couple of things in common with the subscribers to the group. I
> fell in love with the The Gambia and long to return some day. Futher
> felt commonalities I will share at a later date. Enough about this toubobo.
>
> I agree with Andy that there are too many messages pouring in. And if
> there is a system for organizing the emails into news versus discussion
> it might make this group more attractive to more people. I have not been
> current on The Gambia for quite a while. And it is only after a couple
> weeks of really sifting through loads of messages that I am starting to
> feel more comfortable and in a position to contribute. The group could
> be more user friendly if there were somewhere to go to get a quick sumary
> of what is going on in The Gambia without having to sift through a stack
> of emails. I guess this is especially true for those less directly
> conected to The Gambia. Bassssss's immediate attempt to squelch the
> thought of change in the group concerns me.
>
> Bayard Lyons
> "Sen de haklisin!" - Nasrettin Hoca
> "You are also right! - Nasrettin Hoca
Bayard (Toubabo)!!
You are most Welcome!! I am from SERE (JOBE) KUNDA,and that is a couple
of stones throw away from your adopted town BAKAU.Please, feel free and
make this place your own.I am sure your experience with the Gambia would
be very instructive ,as well as enriching for all of us here on the
LIST.
My apparent opposition was not an oppositon per se to change in the
group;it was an opposition to the fact that the guy quitted even before
any decision was made with regards to his proposal.How could he expect
us to take him seriously after giving us such contracdictory signals.
So,for the records,I am hereby withdrawing my objection!!
Regards Basssss!!
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 25 Nov 1996 08:24:08 -0800 (PST)
From: Ylva Hernlund <yher@u.washington.edu>
To: Gambia-l@u.washington.edu
Subject: Africa Distance Learning - E-Mail - Internet (fwd)
Message-ID: <Pine.A41.3.95b.961125082224.73524A-100000@homer10.u.washington.edu>
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII
This is a very long message which perhaps only a few of you will be
interested in reading in its entirety. I did, however, find it
interesting and am wondering if any Gambia-l members have information
and/or opinions about the Gambian project. Ylva
---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Tue, 19 Nov 1996 17:56:41 -0800
From: crw@loop.com
Subject: <- hi!...project profile: Ghana Distance Learning - E-Mail - Internet
hi! did this arrive? we got an error msg, so we will re-send....
[I N T'L S T U D I E S] [W O R K-T R A V E L] [I N T E R N S H I P S]
********************************************************************
Ecology & Environment..Traditional Medicine..Oral History..Folklore
Primary Care..Archaeology..Community Dev..Reforestation..Media
Distance Learning..Art..Ethnomusicology..Public Health..Construction
Wildlife..Humanities..Computer Literacy..Agriculture/Farming..Nursing
Teaching/Tutoring..Business Dev..African/Brazilian Language Study
Youth Programs..Recreation..Traditional Religion..Anthropology..Dance
********************************************************************
RE: GHANA: Distance Learning/Electronic Education Networking
Hello,
In Summer 1997, Operation Crossroads Africa Work/Travel/Study Program will
send a second team of volunteers to work with the Computer Literacy/Distance
Learning Program in Ghana, as well as a new telcom team to The Gambia to
start a similar project.
[There will be a couple dozen other teams, each with its own projects/goals,
sent to work in 15 or 20 countries strewn about the African Continent and
Brazil.]
Crossroads is now receiving applications from persons who will be
participating in the various projects. Volunteers will soon start,
individually, to raise funds for their travel and living expenses -- while
time is still ample.
If you have any questions, please **phone** LaVerne Brown:
Tel: 212-870-2106
Below, you will find a profile of the Ghana Electronic Education/Distance
Learning Program, for your perusal.
Regards,
Cecil R. Washington, Jr.
Advisory Board
Distance Learning Program
GHANA
cc: LaVerne Brown, Executive Offices
E-Mail: oca@igc.apc.org
-------
Co-Sponsors of the following project:
-OPERATION CROSSROADS AFRICA
-VOLU of GHANA
-NGO's in Africa, Europe, Asia, the Americas and elsewhere
GHANA: Electronic Education / Distance Learning
C O N T E N T S
I. Ground-breaking, pioneering work
II. Bill Owen: a rapidly expanding effort
III. Cecil Washington: Introduction
IV. Update on Program
V. Bill Owen: Objectives & Purview
VI. Dr. Osei Darkwa: Toward a working definition of "Computer Literacy"
VII. Dr. Steve Eskow: Distance Learning
VIII. Dr. Steve Eskow: Benefits of Distance Learning
IX. Gideon Chonia: Ghana SchoolNet & GhanaNet
X. Dr. Adams Bodomo (Linguist): "Ghana Literacy" in perspective
XI. Dr. Edmund Browne: Invitation to Help Build Africa's Future
XII. Bill Owen: Final Thoughts / Vision for Program
"Ideas without action don't accomplish much"
--------------------
I.
You are invited to lend a hand in ground-breaking work...
We hope to build a network, via E-Mail, of persons committed to this idea,
and who can help us brainstorm to improve and tweak aspects of the program,
from curriculum development to finding/shipping donated computer equipment,
from locating needed funds to actually...
....finding a way to C O M E T O G H A N A WITH OPERATION CROSSROADS
AFRICA, ROLLING UP THEIR SLEEVES, AND JOINING IN THE EFFORT.
-------------------------------------------------------------------
II.
Bill Owen:
The effort is expanding rapidly and I am optimistic that it will mobilize
the resources needed to make an impact here. I hope that at some point you
will be able to join us over here to make a contribution. For the time
being your ideas and concerns via email would be appreciated.
We are a small group, but we have been able to generate a number of
alternative viable initiatives here.
We have just received 20 donated computers, more are due soon, and have a
growing number of instructors from Ghana, the US and elsewhere. These
instructors are implementing a quiet organizatinal development plan for the
VOLU headquarters office and the computerization of the manual systems there.
We have received offers of teleconferencing equipment, free ISP
subscriptions and access to housing and office space--most from abroad.
USAID is monitoring our initiatives in computer mediated instruction and may
fund an expansion next year. The local telecom companies are beginning to
take an interest in our initiatives toward computer use in the primary
school grades.
The Singapore International Foundation gave us a contract to train their
volunteers coming to West Africa. They may send VOLU a training or a
computer software specialist next December.
That is our profile for the next 6 months. By December, Ghana will have a
128k uplink upgrade, but the speed of connection to areas outside
of Accra, such as Techiman (where I live), will hardly improve, as far as I
know.
We hope you will be able to participate in Operation Crossroads Africa and
help this effort.
Wilfred Owen, Jr., CEO
Reston Enterprises Ltd.
P.O. Box 252, Techiman, B/A
Ghana
.........................
III.
Classrooms WITHOUT Walls: AFRICA Moves Forward
It has been a long and difficult birth. But we are now OFFICIALLY LAUNCHED,
with the first programs already started, and the first group of
volunteers already on site.
We are excited! We want to do what we can to help similar efforts reach
fruition elsewhere on the African Continent.
The real work is that which lies ahead!
==========================================================================
D I S T A N C E L E A R N I N G - E L E C T R O N I C E D U C A T I O N
==========================================================================
We want to explore how Africans and friends of Africa can work together to
put the Internet to better use for Africa.
Here is an update on the now newly-expanded project, with the inclusion of a
"distant learning" component -- for which we express special "thanks" to Dr.
Steve Eskow, President of the Electronic University Network :
"...We are talking about an experiment in creating a new kind of educational
institution that will be able to offer high quality instruction...all
without building buildings and highways and parking lots..." (Dr. Eskow)
Regards,
Cecil Washington
Consultant
Operation Crossroads Africa
..................
Contacts for this project:
Dr. Osei Darkwa: Faculty, University of Illinois, Chicago
Director of Computer Literacy/Distance Learning [VOLU]
Address: 621 S. Maple
Oak Park, IL 60304
----------------------------
and,
Bill Owen, chief consultant & architect, along with Dr. Darkwa, for the
VOLU Program
Reston Enterprises Ltd.
P.O. Box 252, Techiman, B/A
Ghana
=========================================================================
IV. Update on Ghana's Computer Literacy/Distant Learning Project
=========================================================================
We hope to build a network of individuals and organizations via the Internet
who are interested in discourse and providing pro bono consulting, as this
project moves toward fruition.
It is being launched in Ghana as a non-profit endeavor under the aegis of a
highly-regarded NGO, VOLU of Ghana, under the directorship of Francis Donkor
(General Secretary).
This is a unique endeavor for which there is a great deal of enthusiasm, and
whose promise we hope will serve as an example for similar efforts in other
African countries.
The first volunteers (from the USA and elsewhere) have recently arrived in
Ghana and have begun working with their Ghanaian counterparts in launching
the Computer Literacy/Distance Learning Project.
======================================================================
V. General discussion of program's objectives and purview
by Bill Owen
======================================================================
OBJECTIVE: that (1) individuals and institutions in Ghana adapt on a regular
basis curricula in use in N. American community colleges, basic schools
and adult and youth education programs (via Internet access); and that
(2) "existing structures" unique to Ghana, be defined and employed, and "new
approaches" that factor in existing social, cultural and economic realities,
be utilized and expanded wherever possible
The Users in Ghana: private software training schools, teacher training
colleges, Ghana Association of Business and Communication Centers (GABCC),
Ghana Assoc. of Science Teachers, Mathematics Association of Ghana, non-
governmental organizations
The Content: software applicatios (computer literacy), computer mediated
learning in math/science for teacher training, environmental/health
sciences and nursing training (Dr. Edmund Browne), electronics-telecoms,
building trades, hotel management and tourism
HOW to reach the above objective:
1. EQUIPMENT RECYCLING
Used computers sent to Ghana via a contract with an agency like the East-
West Education Consortium, Cambridge, MA and other bulk equipment
recycling or shipping projects.
Ghanaian and international donations for purchase of computer equipment in
Ghana for Ghana public use
2. INTRODUCTORY COMPUTER LITERACY COURSE delivered by VOLU, 1996
The course provides an orientation and basic skills with the PC: word
processing, spreadsheets, dbase management, presentation, email to VOLU
alumni, VOLU headquarters staff, GAST, MAG as well as Liberian refugees,
district assembly staff-Dodowa. The training would be residential at
Kordiabe training center and non-residential at the VOLU headquarters,
Accra, supported by Operation Crossroads Africa, NYC (whose team is led by
Darryl Anderson), Paul Barry, German Volunteer Service (GVS)
3. DEMONSTRATION PROJECTS
The general training effort by VOLU in 1996 in Accra, over time, becomes
specialized and no longer exclusively tied to PC skills:
A. Computer Literacy-Business Skills Training
B. Computer Mediated Instruction Pilot Project-MathsCRYout(h)
C. Community College Distance Learning
D. Community Computing Demonstration Project
Computer Literacy-Business Skills Training:
VOLU designs, implements and evaluates a computer literacy and
business skills program to produce teams of computer literacy
trainer/consultants as well as youth with the ability to use software to
solve business problems,i.e., computer literacy. GABCC and other
institutions involved in the delivery of business and computer software
training apply the instructional innovations developed and delivered by
VOLU trainer - consultants and the computer literacy business skill
program (supported by Operations Crossroads Africa, Paul Barry, Singapore
International Foundation, US Community Colleges)
Computer Mediated Instruction (CMI) in Maths/Science (MathsCRYout(h)
VOLU adds computer mediated instruction to the software applications being
taught. The focus would shift to lower primary to middle school students
as described in the VOLU proposal to USAID and SIF for the Maths,
Computers and Rural Youth (MathsCRYout(h) effort for the Techiman District.
The CMI demonstration uses commercial software to accelerate math skills,
but as a supplement to the national school curricula. The output is
the creation of math clubs, math whizzes and improved scores on
standarized tests and changes in career aspirations. The CMI efforts
could also be run through GABCC and the Archdioceses of Accra and a number
of private schools in the country. The overall aim of this effort would
be to inform Government about the effectiveness of computer mediated
instruction in basic education. (supported by the Ghana National Service
Secretariat, Operation Crossroads Africa, SIF, US Community Colleges,
Ministry of Education, USAID)
Community College Distance Learning
A number of software training schools in addition to the computer literacy
training within VOLU would add a distance education component. This would
assist private candidates to gain access to community college associate
degree programs in the US. Local youth would master computer literacy
skills while receiving courses via email as required by the associate
degree program. Government and donors might want to use this distance
learning system to provide in-service training to government and PVO staff.
Community Computing Demonstration Project
In the locations where the computer literacy - business skills, computer
mediated instruction (maths/science) and US Community College distance
learning efforts prove effective, these projects would be expanded to
become a demonstration of community computing. This demo would exchange
information and stimulate problem-solving within a particular town or
neighborhood. It would be based upon the principles of voluntary
social action on the part of the key community institutions that decide to
take part. Each institution would be responsible for the storage and
exchange of information. The result of the community computing
demonstration would be an assessment of how Internet and computer tools
contribute to socio - economic development. It could include the sustained
use of a local electronic bulletin board system (BBS) and listservs to
unify community activists. Successful community computing efforts would be
supported through becoming affiliates with NGhO-Net in Ghana and with
the National Pubic Telecomputing Network (NPTN) and the new Organization
for International Community Networking (Morino Institute, Reston, Va.).
5. INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON COMPUTER LITERACY IN AFRICA- 1998
Electronic and then face-to-face conferencing (Accra) would be organized
to exchange lessons learned about the use of computers in Africa, bringing
together practitioners with government, donor and corporate leaders.
(supported by HABITAT, UN agencies, donors).
................................
By 1997, there would be a number of alternative institutions in Ghana that
could be contributors and targets for the Ghana Computer Literacy Project.
......
Wilfred Owen, Jr.
Reston Enterprises Ltd.
P.O. Box 252, Techiman, B/A
Ghana
======================================================================
VI. C O M P U T E R L I T E R A C Y : Toward a Working Definition
=====================================================================
Computer literacy is defined as that level of knowledge and understanding of
the personal computer, desk-top or lap-top, beyond the mere utilization of
word processing software. Word processing utilization might be considered as
beginning computer literacy. Beyond that, for intermediate and advanced
computer literacy, one should (1) be comfortable with installing and
configuring common software, (2) be familiar and use regularly a computer
modem, (3) be able to access a computer bulletin board or on-line service,
(4) be able to send and receive messages via electronic mail (e-mail), (5)
be able to upload and download computer files with ease and (6) be able to
print from the computer.
Dr. Osei Darkwa :
Computer literacy is a means to an end. The ramifications of computer
literacy are numerous, and are geared toward creating an awareness of
computer literacy needs at the community and grassroots level; promoting
electronic networking for development; bringing Ghana onto the Information
Superhighway; exploring possibilities and barriers to developing national
goals for infusing computer literacy into primary, secondary, and tertiary
education; creating a demonstration effect on public opinion in terms of
what information technology can offer for national development; increasing
awareness of how the computer and electronic connectivity can reorient youth
groups toward the economy and labor market of the 21st century; and
strengthening the capacity of grassroots organizations and low income
communities to initiate, choose, plan and manage their own self help
projects through computer technology.
==========================================================================
VII.
D I S T A N C E L E A R N I N G-E L E C T R O N I C E D U C A T I O N
** CLASSROOMS WITHOUT WALLS **
-Dr. Steve Eskow, President-Electronic University Network
"...important is our ability to create a consortium of US schools and
colleges which will agree to offer instruction via computer and modem at a
distance, and I would like to work on that piece as well as others.
My real point is this:
If we seem to be saying to the funding agencies - church supporters,
foundations, USAID - that we are talking about an experiment in creating a
new kind of educational institution that will be able to offer high quality
instruction in the Third World while enriching education for the US - all
without building buildings and highways and parking lots - I think we can
get new and enlarged sources of funding, and that funding will include
monies for US participation in the instructional process.
======================================================================
VIII.
SUMMARY OF "W H A T D I S T A N C E L E A R N I N G" MEANS FOR GHANA
- Dr. Steve Eskow -
======================================================================
The future of Ghana depends on its ability to strengthen and grow its
economy.
To strengthen and grow the businesses and industries now in place, to create
new businesses and new jobs, to attract foreign business and investment.
It can only do these things if it is able to develop a literate and trained
work force for the global economy
Ghana needs people trained in business, in technology, in the trades, in
science, in engineering.
Ghana, however, does not have the secondary and tertiary institutions it
needs for such development: it does not have the buildings, nor the
teachers, nor the equipment.
How, then, does Ghana break through to a new level of economic strength? How
does it train people for the jobs of today and for the businesses of
tomorrow?
VOLU proposes to create a new kind of teaching institution.
A teaching institution that needs no capital for brick and mortar, for school
buildings.
A teaching institution that uses teaching talent around the world, until
Ghana has its own trained teachers.
It will use the computer, itself the key to Ghana's future, to connect the
students of Ghana to the teachers of the US: teachers in US community
colleges, for one, institutions that have the technical and vocational
programs of instruction that Ghana needs.
VOLU camps will become computer learning centers.
They will be equipped with computers, modems, VCRs, audio and videotapes,
books.
Students will get intensive instruction in the basic functions of the
computer, and then begin their technical and vocational studies.
They may study accounting, or marketing, or economics, or computer science,
or management, or manufacturing.
They will read, watch videotapes, discuss the material with each other and
onsite mentors.
They will send lessons to their instructors in the US via the international
telephone system and email.
They will take part in seminars with America students, using asynchronous
conferencing.
The VOLU plans also call for an expansion of "service learning" students
from the US who will come to Ghana, often with their professors, to help as
tutors, and to learn something of Ghanaian culture.
The VOLU program will begin with intensive skill training in the basic
functions of the computer: students will leave knowing a word processing
program, and how to use spreadsheets and relational databases. They will of
course gain experience in telecommunications, and these skills and knowledge
should help them in the job market.
Some students will also be trained in the maintenance and repair of
computers and modems, and in functioning as "sysops," system operators of
telecommunication systems.
VOLU plans also include creating a consortium of Ghanaian business,
industries, schools, and churches: organizations that have the facilities
and willingness to act as computer learning centers."
Dr. Steve Eskow, President
The Electronic University Network
288 Stone Island Road
Enterprise, FL 32725
=================================================================
IX. UPDATE: C O N N E C T I V I T Y IN GHANA
=================================================================
Gideon Hayford Chonia (University Of Zurich; founder of
GhanaNet):
A project, Ghana SchoolNET, has been initiated with the Ghana Education
Service.
To have more insight on this project, browse through our WEB:
http://rzunextbet1.unizh.ch/index.html
....We are building a computing center at Kokomlemle, where repairs and
courses will be given.
We are networking 50 School together by the end of March 1996 as a pilot
installation to an E-mail system only.
Full Internet access will be by the end of the year.....
We are still buying the neccessary networking equipments to connect to NCS
in Ghana.
I just sent 18 SUNSParc 1+ unix computers for our Academic Computing Center.
=======================================================================
X. F U N C T I O N A L L I T E R A C Y I N G H A N A
Dr. Adams Bodomo (Ghanaian Linguist)
=======================================================================
I will provide a brief outline of the functional literacy program in Ghana:
Basic formal education and adult literacy campaigns have featured quite
prominently (at least, in terms of rhetoric) in most governmental and
non-governmental programs since independence in 1957. Almost 30 years after
independence, the problem of illiteracy had so much aggravated that the
government still felt the need to embark on a massive literacy program. As
part of its Education Reform Program, the Rawlings government in 1986
initiated the National Functional Literacy Program under the auspices of
the Non-Formal Education Division of the Ministry of Education. The program
had the following objectives (NFED 1992):
i. to enable participants to better meet their personal and social needs
through enhancing their abilities to deal competently with everyday life in
a literate environment.
ii. to equip learners with the requisite knowledge, attitudes and skills
that will enable them raise the quality of life in their community.
iii. to enable learners improve upon their communication skills through
functional literacy; and
iv. to broaden the reading interests of learners and establish an attitude
of reading for pleasure through the provision of follow-up literacy
materials.
Some of the following still continue to be mentioned as problems facing
adult literacy campaigns by the government and various non-governmental
organizations such as Ghana Institute of Linguistics, Literacy and Bible
Translation (GILLBT):
i. lack of suitable primers
ii. low class attendance and participation
iii. lack of suitable post-literacy campaign
iv. ineffective supervision of classes
v. lack of promotion of development and income generating activities.
Another consideration you would have to make is take account of the
multilingual picture in Ghana. Can you deliver computer literacy in both
English and Ghanaian languages?
Each of the above choices has consequences on others. For instance, if you
choose to concentrate on the formal sector, computer literacy in English
would be no problem but if you choose to help in the non-formal sector
where adult literacy is presently mainly in the mother-tongue (the Ghanaian
langauges), then you would have to consider providing this in the
mother-tongue, especially if computers are to facilitate the rural
functional literacy projects at the beginning stages/classes.
-Dr. Adams Bodomo (Ghanaian Linguist)
.............................................................................
XI. YOU ARE INVITED TO PARTICIPATE IN BUILDING AFRICA'S FUTURE
Dr. Edmund Browne
How best can we organise a system of computers at vantage points in the
country to support our edcuation and development objectives? I am sure that
VOLU (renowned NGO in Ghana) will be pleasantly surprised it has started
something small which will grow to become bigger with time.
I am a Public Health Physician from Ghana and I am just about to complete an
additional degree, a Phd, in London. I lecture at UST School of Medical
Sciences and plan to return home by the end of the year. One of my ambitions
is to introduce computer assisted learning to medical students in an
environment where a university teacher may spend 24 hours a day just
teaching!! I am also keen on introducing distance continuing education to
health workers in rual areas; doctors, pharmacists, nurses, midwives, etc etc.
It seems to me that we will have to assemble a team of teachers who can
organise courses for electronic education as well linking up with other
courses already provided on the internet. I guess if we are able to develop
the software in our local languages then there should be no problem at all.
In fact, I share the same office with a colleague from Thailand and there is
almost a Thai language version of all the regular softwares you can think of
developed by Thai computing experts. We have some way to go but like I
always maintain ...
WE CAN DO IT!
==================================================================
XII.
F I N A L T H O U G H T S
-Bill Owen-
We envision an exchange of video and email (with schools and institutions
outside Ghana) starting next school year. Teachers who might want to visit
Ghana in support of internationalizing their curricula could gather info
from us about how to tailor a visit to Ghana to meet their particular
professional needs. Some (schools and students in the States) are using
email to link to Ghana and to establish a longer term relationship,
including the purchase of property and reincorporation into local lineages.
On the Ghana side, we are seeking out ways to access instructional resources
that are available on the Internet or via enrolling in US community colleges.
Most of the schools that I know use store and forward email at present.
When online services become more efficient, then we may shift to them,
possibly later this year. There is the divestiture of Ghana Telecom taking
place now.
1997 could be quite different from 1996.
Wilfred Owen, Jr.
Reston Enterprises Ltd.
P.O. Box 252, Techiman, B/A
Ghana
+ + + + + + + + + + +
NOTE: Donations of 386s, 486s, 586s, 14.4/28.8 modems, etc.(all
tax-deductible) are needed for this project; in working order.
Plz contact Osei or Cecil:
darkwa@tigger.cc.uic.edu (312) 996-8508
crw@loop.com (310) 632-1582 tel/fax
/ END /
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 25 Nov 1996 08:44:34 -0800 (PST)
From: Ylva Hernlund <yher@u.washington.edu>
To: BASS KOLLEH DRAMMEH <KOLLS567@QATAR.NET.QA>
Cc: The Gambia and Related Issues Mailing List <gambia-l@u.washington.edu>, ;
Subject: Re: [Fwd: MY COMMENTARY ON THE EBOU JALLOW CASE]
Message-ID: <Pine.A41.3.95b.961125084217.73524I-100000@homer10.u.washington.edu>
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII
Bassss,
With all due respect, the "anti-Jammeh Ku Klux Klan" remark is both
inappropriate and offensive. Ylva
On Thu, 23 Nov 1995, BASS KOLLEH DRAMMEH wrote:
[NON-Text Body part not included]
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 25 Nov 1996 12:21:56 -0500
From: TSaidy1050@aol.com
To: gambia-l@u.washington.edu
Subject: Re: SWISS BANK SCANDAL
Message-ID: <961125122155_1784118204@emout12.mail.aol.com>
Malanding, you have raised very vital and intriguing questions and concerns.
These concerns are shared by most members of the list and most Gambians in
general. I do not have answers to all your questions, however I will try to
give some explanations based on my knowledge of the whole issue.
One of the first thing we need to look into is the credibility of Ebou
Jallow. If everything Ebou Jallow claimed is true, then we need to ask why
did he wait until he stole $3 million dollars before coming out with his
allegations. For those who were following this case from the beginning,
should remember that Ebou Jallow’s first claim was that he left because the
AFPRC is not serious in its promise to return the country to civilian
democratic rule, and the Vice-Chairman, Captain Edward Singateh, was
responsible for killing Koro Ceesay. All of these turned out to be false.
When asked by Elizabeth Ohene of the BBC African Service about the $3 million
dollars he was alleged to have stolen, he vehemently denied taking it or
knowing any thing about. He claimed he was neither the Accountant General nor
the Governor of the Central Bank to be capable transferring such an amount.
>From an outsider’s perspective his assertions were very sound and credible.
But I knew for a fact that Ebou Jallow was lying. There some members of the
to whom I have explained what really happened at the time, in fact for some
of them I even provided documented evidence supporting the Government’s claim
that he transferred the funds in to his personal account.
The fact of the matter is that, following the July 22, 1994, military take
over, the AFPRC set up a special fund, AFPRC Development Fund with the
Central Bank. This fund was under the direct control of the AFPRC and this
was set up grants and other assistance in response to the appeal of the AFPRC
for help in funding the development projects. Please note that this fund did
not come from the budget of the Government or revenues collected by the
Government. Apart from the fund being used to finance the projects, it was
also used to buy essential commodities such as rice, vegetable oil, onion
etc. Because of the coup, the business community was stopped the importation
of these basic needs and the AFPRC had to step in to avoid unnecessary
shortages and the consequences. It was under these circumstances that Ebou
Jallow and the other Council members were empowered to transfer funds for
various needs.
The transfer of the $3 million was done by Ebou Jallow on the letter head of
the Office of the Chairman, unbeknown to Jammeh. The transfer was discovered
when the Chairman’s Office was notify of the transfer by the Central Bank. He
was called to explain the transfer on a Thursday morning, but he pretended to
by sick before giving his explanations. The following day, Friday Ebou Jallow
pretended to be sick and stayed that whole day. Then on Saturday, he fled to
Geneva on board Swiss Air.
Ebou Jallow’s letter forwarded by Yama Darboe did not hold in clarifying
things. If what he stated in the letter is true, then how does he explain the
fact that there was still $3 million in his account(currently frozen)? The
allegation of this so-called operation GREEN MEDICINE did not hold water
and that is why he does not mention it now. This was a ploy to get the
Americans interested in the matter, but after a thorough investigation by the
US authorities, the found his claims to be baseless.
The Central Bank is one of the most efficient institutions in The Gambia, and
the stability of the Dalasi is a testimony to my assertion. It was in the
early days of the coup and things were not as they should have been, and as a
result some mistakes and oversights were done. All the loopholes have been
removed since the Ebou Jallow fiasco.
Some of the issues highlighted by Malading and other members will be answered
or addressed in due time depending on the availability of more information.
The question of foreign bank accounts held by African Government officials is
a matter needs to be addressed by all Africans. I remember some months before
the coup, the World Bank and the IMF stated that there Gambians (about 40
Gambians) who are starching millions of Dollars in foreign banks and the
authorities were informed of this. As I stated earlier in my previous
postings, I will give as much information and clarifications as possible. I
will not be able to satisfy every body’s curiosity.
As far as the $20 million is concerned, it never existed. The Consul General
in Geneva got some information indicating that there was $20 million under
Ebou’s name in some bank in Switzerland, but the information turns out to be
false. The Government acted on that information to press further charges as a
pre-emptive measure just in case the information turns out to be true.
There a lot of things that will be answered by history. I am sure in few
years to come we will know what actually transpired and who was right or
wrong.
Peace
Tombong Saidy
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 25 Nov 1996 09:40:23 -0800
From: sarian@osmosys.incog.com (Sarian Loum)
To: gambia-l@u.washington.edu
Subject: New member
Message-ID: <199611251740.JAA25313@thesky.incog.com>
Latir Downes-Thomas has been added to the list. Welcome and please send in your intro to Gambia-l.
Sarian
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 25 Nov 1996 08:53:36 -0800 (PST)
From: Kevin Connors <kconnors@igc.apc.org>
To: gambia-l@u.washington.edu,
"GAMBIA-L: The Gambia and Related Issues Mailing List" <gambia-l@u.washington.edu>
Subject: Re:temporary off-line
Message-ID: <2.2.16.19961125115432.34071d6e@pop.igc.org>
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
Please take me off the list for the remainder of November. I am going on
holiday and won't be able to access my email. I will request to be put back
on in December.
Thank you very much.
Kevin Connors
The earth does not belong to us...we belong to the earth
Peace
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 25 Nov 1996 10:31:32 -0800
From: sarian@osmosys.incog.com (Sarian Loum)
To: gambia-l@u.washington.edu
Subject: Re:temporary off-line
Message-ID: <199611251831.KAA25334@thesky.incog.com>
Hi,
request processed.
Sarian
> From kconnors@igc.apc.org Mon Nov 25 10:18:30 1996
> Date: Mon, 25 Nov 1996 08:53:36 -0800 (PST)
> From: Kevin Connors <kconnors@igc.apc.org>
> To: "GAMBIA-L: The Gambia and Related Issues Mailing List" <gambia-l@u.washington.edu>
> Subject: Re:temporary off-line
> Mime-Version: 1.0
> X-Sender: kconnors@igc.org
> X-To: gambia-l@u.washington.edu,
> "GAMBIA-L: The Gambia and Related Issues Mailing List" <gambia-l@u.washington.edu>
> X-Sender: kconnors@pop.igc.apc.org (Unverified)
> X-Listprocessor-Version: 8.0 -- ListProcessor(tm) by CREN
>
> Please take me off the list for the remainder of November. I am going on
> holiday and won't be able to access my email. I will request to be put back
> on in December.
>
> Thank you very much.
>
> Kevin Connors
> The earth does not belong to us...we belong to the earth
> Peace
>
>
>
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 25 Nov 1996 14:24:10 -0600
From: Mustafa Marong <mbmarong@students.wisc.edu>
To: "GAMBIA-L: The Gambia and Related Issues Mailing List" <gambia-l@u.washington.edu>
Subject: Re: SWISS BANK SCANDAL
Message-ID: <199611252022.OAA71776@humvee.doit.wisc.edu>
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
Malanding, you have raised very vital and intriguing questions and concerns.
These concerns are shared by most members of the list and most Gambians in
general. I do not have answers to all your questions, however I will try to
give some explanations based on my knowledge of the whole issue.
One of the first thing we need to look into is the credibility of Ebou
Jallow. If everything Ebou Jallow claimed is true, then we need to ask why
did he wait until he stole $3 million dollars before coming out with his
allegations. For those who were following this case from the beginning,
should remember that Ebou Jallow's first claim was that he left because the
AFPRC is not serious in its promise to return the country to civilian
democratic rule, and the Vice-Chairman, Captain Edward Singateh, was
responsible for killing Koro Ceesay. All of these turned out to be false.
When asked by Elizabeth Ohene of the BBC African Service about the $3 million
dollars he was alleged to have stolen, he vehemently denied taking it or
knowing any thing about. He claimed he was neither the Accountant General nor
the Governor of the Central Bank to be capable transferring such an amount.
>From an outsider's perspective his assertions were very sound and credible.
But I knew for a fact that Ebou Jallow was lying. There some members of the
to whom I have explained what really happened at the time, in fact for some
of them I even provided documented evidence supporting the Government's claim
that he transferred the funds in to his personal account.
The fact of the matter is that, following the July 22, 1994, military take
over, the AFPRC set up a special fund, AFPRC Development Fund with the
Central Bank. This fund was under the direct control of the AFPRC and this
was set up grants and other assistance in response to the appeal of the AFPRC
for help in funding the development projects. Please note that this fund did
not come from the budget of the Government or revenues collected by the
Government. Apart from the fund being used to finance the projects, it was
also used to buy essential commodities such as rice, vegetable oil, onion
etc. Because of the coup, the business community was stopped the importation
of these basic needs and the AFPRC had to step in to avoid unnecessary
shortages and the consequences. It was under these circumstances that Ebou
Jallow and the other Council members were empowered to transfer funds for
various needs.
The transfer of the $3 million was done by Ebou Jallow on the letter head of
the Office of the Chairman, unbeknown to Jammeh. The transfer was discovered
when the Chairman's Office was notify of the transfer by the Central Bank. He
was called to explain the transfer on a Thursday morning, but he pretended to
by sick before giving his explanations. The following day, Friday Ebou Jallow
pretended to be sick and stayed that whole day. Then on Saturday, he fled to
Geneva on board Swiss Air.
Ebou Jallow's letter forwarded by Yama Darboe did not hold in clarifying
things. If what he stated in the letter is true, then how does he explain the
fact that there was still $3 million in his account(currently frozen)? The
allegation of this so-called operation GREEN MEDICINE did not hold water
and that is why he does not mention it now. This was a ploy to get the
Americans interested in the matter, but after a thorough investigation by the
US authorities, the found his claims to be baseless.
The Central Bank is one of the most efficient institutions in The Gambia, and
the stability of the Dalasi is a testimony to my assertion. It was in the
early days of the coup and things were not as they should have been, and as a
result some mistakes and oversights were done. All the loopholes have been
removed since the Ebou Jallow fiasco.
Some of the issues highlighted by Malading and other members will be answered
or addressed in due time depending on the availability of more information.
The question of foreign bank accounts held by African Government officials is
a matter needs to be addressed by all Africans. I remember some months before
the coup, the World Bank and the IMF stated that there Gambians (about 40
Gambians) who are starching millions of Dollars in foreign banks and the
authorities were informed of this. As I stated earlier in my previous
postings, I will give as much information and clarifications as possible. I
will not be able to satisfy every body's curiosity.
As far as the $20 million is concerned, it never existed. The Consul General
in Geneva got some information indicating that there was $20 million under
Ebou's name in some bank in Switzerland, but the information turns out to be
false. The Government acted on that information to press further charges as a
pre-emptive measure just in case the information turns out to be true.
There a lot of things that will be answered by history. I am sure in few
years to come we will know what actually transpired and who was right or
wrong.
Peace
Tombong Saidy
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 25 Nov 1996 22:12:28 +0000
From: momodou.camara@post3.tele.dk (Camara, Momodou)
To: gambia-l@u.washington.edu
Subject: Re: The List -Reply
Message-ID: <19961125211648.AAA26850@LOCALNAME>
Gambia-l,
Perhaps we should try to find out a possibility of establishing
soc.culture.gambia newsgroup and still keep gambia-l.
I would suggest that list members start asking their
school/institution for hosting such a service.
Peace!
Momodou
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 25 Nov 1996 19:07:23 -0600
From: njie.1@osu.edu (N'Deye Marie Njie)
To: gambia-l@u.washington.edu
Subject: Re: modifying the list
Message-ID: <v02130501aebff21e1b29@[128.146.141.79]>
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
To avoid further divisions within the group, I would like to suggest that
group members modify their subject headings (keeping it brief but
informative) so that those who scan their messages by subject can get an
idea of what the message is and can then decide if they want to delete or
read the message. I think that this might be easier on the list managers,
than actually creating different subgroups within the list. Peace.
N'Deye Marie
-----------------------
>I like this idea too. Separating news items from some of the personal
>idealogies might be quite helpful. It seems like the list is growing very
>rapidly and there are too many messages being sent back and forth that makes
>it practicaly impossible for some of us to keep up. People continually have
>to rebottle their arguements and statements that at times I feel a lot of
>non-essential information is being dissiminated to people who might as well
>pass-up on some of it.
>
>Qs and Cs welcome.
>
>Yahya N. Darboe.
-----------------------
N'Deye Marie N'Jie
Graduate Associate
Dept of Food, Agricultural & Biological Engineering
The Ohio State University
614/688-3445 (W); <njie.1@osu.edu>
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 26 Nov 1996 02:50:56 -0500 (EST)
From: Sulayman Nyang <nyang@cldc.howard.edu>
To: The Gambia and Related Issues Mailing List <gambia-l@u.washington.edu>
Subject: Re: The List
Message-ID: <Pine.ULT.3.93.961126022301.4787A-100000@spock>
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII
From: Sulayman S. Nyang (nyang@cldc.howard.edu)
Dear Fellow Members:
I am writing to propose three things which I believe
would improve the quality of the discussion and at the same time add to
our greater knowledge about the Gambia.The first proposal is in line with
what someone else has proposed. Let there a steady flow of news about the
Senegambian region.This can be done in two ways. Encourage our colleagues
to report on activities of Gambians in different parts of the world.We
have read about cultural activities in Scandinavia.We need to know about
the activities of Gambians in Germany, France, United Kingdom and
Africa.This is supposed to be a bulletin board for Global Gambia.Our
colleagues such as Amadou and others have been forwarding news from the
VOA, the Panaf News Agency and Reuter.The second proposal is that members
of this list who are engaged in research on the Gambia,should be
encouraged to share thier findings with the rest of us.They can post
"Research Notes". Some members have already done so. We need to encourage
them to continue the practice.The third proposal is for Gambians who read
the Gambian press daily to contribute to our discussion by posting what I
would call "Gambia News Digest". Indeed, if our press men and women are
willing to make a deal with the list members,those of us who wish to write
for them through cyberspace can do so immediately.By working out such an
arrangement, the members of this list can receive a steady flow of news
and information about the Gambia.Fellows, we can make maximal use of
cyberspace only when we recognise that this medium is more receptive to
junk mail than any other outlet available to us.Therefore, let us dialogue
without becoming cybermail junkies.Peace and Love.
------------------------------
Date: Sun, 26 Nov 1995 13:20:09 +0300
From: BASS KOLLEH DRAMMEH <KOLLS567@QATAR.NET.QA>
To: gambia-l@u.washington.edu
Subject: Re: modifying the list
Message-ID: <30B83F59.449C@QATAR.NET.QA>
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit
N'Deye Marie Njie wrote:
>
> To avoid further divisions within the group, I would like to suggest that
> group members modify their subject headings (keeping it brief but
> informative) so that those who scan their messages by subject can get an
> idea of what the message is and can then decide if they want to delete or
> read the message. I think that this might be easier on the list managers,
> than actually creating different subgroups within the list. Peace.
>
> N'Deye Marie
>
> -----------------------
>
> >I like this idea too. Separating news items from some of the personal
> >idealogies might be quite helpful. It seems like the list is growing very
> >rapidly and there are too many messages being sent back and forth that makes
> >it practicaly impossible for some of us to keep up. People continually have
> >to rebottle their arguements and statements that at times I feel a lot of
> >non-essential information is being dissiminated to people who might as well
> >pass-up on some of it.
> >
> >Qs and Cs welcome.
> >
> >Yahya N. Darboe.
>
> -----------------------
> N'Deye Marie N'Jie
> Graduate Associate
> Dept of Food, Agricultural & Biological Engineering
> The Ohio State University
> 614/688-3445 (W); <njie.1@osu.edu>
Ndey!!!
I tend to agree more with this one.
Regards Bassss!!
------------------------------
Date: Sun, 26 Nov 1995 13:25:30 +0300
From: BASS KOLLEH DRAMMEH <KOLLS567@QATAR.NET.QA>
To: gambia-l@u.washington.edu
Subject: Re: The List
Message-ID: <30B8409A.1A7F@QATAR.NET.QA>
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit
Sulayman Nyang wrote:
>
> From: Sulayman S. Nyang (nyang@cldc.howard.edu)
> Dear Fellow Members:
> I am writing to propose three things which I believe
> would improve the quality of the discussion and at the same time add to
> our greater knowledge about the Gambia.The first proposal is in line with
> what someone else has proposed. Let there a steady flow of news about the
> Senegambian region.This can be done in two ways. Encourage our colleagues
> to report on activities of Gambians in different parts of the world.We
> have read about cultural activities in Scandinavia.We need to know about
> the activities of Gambians in Germany, France, United Kingdom and
> Africa.This is supposed to be a bulletin board for Global Gambia.Our
> colleagues such as Amadou and others have been forwarding news from the
> VOA, the Panaf News Agency and Reuter.The second proposal is that members
> of this list who are engaged in research on the Gambia,should be
> encouraged to share thier findings with the rest of us.They can post
> "Research Notes". Some members have already done so. We need to encourage
> them to continue the practice.The third proposal is for Gambians who read
> the Gambian press daily to contribute to our discussion by posting what I
> would call "Gambia News Digest". Indeed, if our press men and women are
> willing to make a deal with the list members,those of us who wish to write
> for them through cyberspace can do so immediately.By working out such an
> arrangement, the members of this list can receive a steady flow of news
> and information about the Gambia.Fellows, we can make maximal use of
> cyberspace only when we recognise that this medium is more receptive to
> junk mail than any other outlet available to us.Therefore, let us dialogue
> without becoming cybermail junkies.Peace and Love.
Prof.
That sounds interesting to me.Keep up the good work down there!
Regards Bassss!!
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 26 Nov 1996 06:31:21 -0500
From: TSaidy1050@aol.com
To: gambia-l@u.washington.edu
Subject: Re: VALUE OF THE DALASI
Message-ID: <961126063121_805902023@emout01.mail.aol.com>
Sal,
Sorry for the delay in responding to your posting pertaining to the stable
value of the Dalasi. The value of the Dalasi is determine by the reserve of
the nation, whether in the form of Gold Bars, Gold Dust or Foreign
currencies. For The Gambia, the reserves are in Foreign currencies such as
US$, £ Sterling, German Mark and French Franc.
The reason for the stability of the Dalasi is the fact that our reserves have
been maintained at a steady level for the past fifteen (15) years. Even after
the coup, the reserves were not affected. As a matter of fact our reserves
have been increased by 10% since the coup and this the main reason why the
Dalasi is stronger now than before the coup.
Contrary to many believes, the reserves are not in The Gambia Central Bank in
Banjul, but in banks in the US and UK.
Another important factor is the rate of inflation, which has been under
control for a long time now. The rate of inflation went up slightly in the
early part of 1995 due to shortage of food stuff, but has since subsided. The
annual rate of inflation has dropped from 6.2% to 4.8%(between March and June
1996). Prices of basic commodities have dropped dramatically since the
September elections as well. For instance a bag of rice now costs D155.00
from D180/D200.00.
The Central Bank should be commended for their good monetary policies.
Peace
Tombong
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 26 Nov 96 13:10 GMT+0200
From: Peter da Costa <ipspdc@harare.iafrica.com>
To: gambia-l@u.washington.edu
Subject: Let's focus
Message-ID: <m0vSLPe-0012h6C@harare.iafrica.com>
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
Fellow GAMBIA-L members
I entirely endorse Sulayman Nyang's suggestions.
Since the purpose of this list is clearly to inform and stimulate debate
about The Gambia and related issues, it makes sense that mechanisms should
be put into place to ensure that it does not degenerate into a forum for
gossip and for abuse being hurled back and forth.
- As a media person myself, I agree the list should be a forum for
information-sharing, and those who cross-post published material are doing a
service to the rest of us. The sooner we can get regular digests of what the
Gambian media is saying, the better. Our problem in The Gambia now is that
an atmosphere of fear still prevails and people in the country no longer
share information as they did. So it is important that information is
gathered and pooled on this list, and relayed to those few back home who re
on-line - and vice versa.
- In terms of debate about burning issues, this list is also a very valid
forum, and should contribute to the growth of pluralism and accountability
in our country. But more often than not, valid comment is interspersed with
personal messages which should be confined to two-way dialogue and be kept
off the list.
- The bandwidth question is also important. If you're using a dial-up
connection to your Internet Service Provider, and happen to be in somewhere
like Zimbabwe where connectivity is poor, you spend criminal amounts of time
on-line trying to download messages from GAMBIA-L, the lion's share of which
are simply polemical, or greetings, or quips.
The lady who suggested we indicate clearly in our subject lines what we are
posting about has a good point, since she clearly believes that rather than
split up the list everyone should remain together.
However discipline is not a strong feature of the Internet, and perhaps in
the interests of free debate we shouldn't seek to limit, but rather to include.
Rather, we should consider the following options:
1. Create separate lists for:
a) news/information
b) comment and dialogue
c) networking (Gambians worldwide establishing or re-establishing contact)
and have a special digest of the three lists send to all once a week or at
whatever frequency is aggreable to all.
2. Have GAMBIA-L moderated (though I have no doubt the listowners are busy
enough with their various careeers, studies etc).
Shout Outs from Harare
Peter
26.11.96
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 26 Nov 1996 09:25:48 -0800 (PST)
From: "A. Loum" <tloum@u.washington.edu>
To: Gambia-l@u.washington.edu
Subject: Subdivisions in Gambia-l
Message-ID: <Pine.OSF.3.95.961126083836.18228B-100000@saul3.u.washington.edu>
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII
Hi Everyone,
I have been following the discussion on the proposed subgroups or
divisions as suggested by some members in the last few days. I would like
to share my thoughts on them with you. Gambia-l's current host institution
( The University of Washington ) will not create any divisions with its
listservs. Even if they were to do that, I will not have the time and
energy to add on more responsibilities of managing another one and I
believe that the same thing applies to Abdou. Before I got involved with
Gambia-l, I had very little idea about the amount of work and time
necessary to devote in managing a listserv. As Abdou can attest, we
are always bombarded with error messages which comes with almost every
posting that the list is unable to deliver to particular addresses. We
have to sift through all of these to come up with solutions. We always
have to watch out for the list's configuration ensuring that it is
conforming to our designed standards. Otherwise, corrective actions will
be taken. Those are just some of the behind the scences stuff that we are
involved with and Abdou can elaborate on that further.
If for some reasons there is dissatisfaction with the status quo,
I strongly encourage anyone to negotiate with their Universities to create
another variation of Gambia-l designed to one's specification. This being
a free society, anyone can have the choice to subscribe or not to
subscribe.
Personally, I do not see anything wrong with forwarding news
about Senegambia/Africa from different news organizations. I do not have
access to PANA news agency and I appreciate the forwards from Momodou
Camara, Amadou Janneh and others. This does not fall outside the scope of
Gambia-l. The very essence of our list is to discuss, debate, exchange
ideas and disseminate information which often comes in the news forwards.
As Ndey Marie Njie pointed out if the subject headings/titles of the
postings or forwards are clearly reflective of the articles, then one can
decide to read or delete them without even looking at them.
Something that has been mentioned is the large volume of mails in
Gambia-l. I am and have been on other listservs and in comparison,
Gambia-l
is relatively slow. We have about 130 to 140 members at the moment and
only about 10 t0 25% are regular contributors. Compared to our closest
English speaking neighbor, Sierra Leone's Leonenet has about 3 to 4 times
more members and that much busier in mail traffic. My opinion is that
Gambia-l is a moderately busy list, something that I use as a selling
point to my friends whom recruit and concerned with heavy mail traffic.
The number of mails generated daily vary depending on the topic and one
can take a statistical estimate of that to come up with an approximate
figure.
This is all I can think of at the moment on this subject. I will
appreciate more comments and feedback to the list. Again, as I had stated
earlier, one can always start another Gambian listserv with your
Universities, if those institutions are willing to host it.
Thanks
Tony
========================================================================
Anthony W Loum tloum@u.washington.edu
Supervisor, Business Administration Library 206-543-4360 voice
100 Balmer Hall 206-685-9392 fax
University of Washington
Box 353200
Seattle, Wa.98195-3200
=========================================================================
------------------------------
Date: 26 Nov 1996 20:23:26 GMT
From: momodou@inform-bbs.dk (Momodou Camara)
To: gambia-l@u.washington.edu
Subject: IPS: FINANCE-AFRICA: World Bank See
Message-ID: <2776236030.131691825@inform-bbs.dk>
---forwarded mail START---
Subject: IPS: FINANCE-AFRICA: World Bank Sees Rising Business Opportunities
/* Written 3:22 PM Nov 18, 1996 by newsdesk in igc:africa.news */
/* ---------- "IPS: FINANCE-AFRICA: World Bank See" ---------- */
Copyright 1996 InterPress Service, all rights reserved.
Worldwide distribution via the APC networks.
*** 15-Nov-96 ***
Title: FINANCE-AFRICA: World Bank Sees Rising Business Opportunities
WASHINGTON, Nov 15 (IPS) - The World Bank is urging investors to
take a ''fresh look'' at Africa.
In so doing, it is looking to shore up the fortunes of
countries that have struggled to implement its structural
adjustment programmes (SAPs). And in offering to help create
improved business climates, the Bank is itself struggling to
maintain an influential niche as official development funds are
dwarfed by private financing.
Private finance accounts for around 90 percent of all financial
flows to the major emerging markets of Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin
America, and the Middle East, according to the Washington-based
Institute for International Finance, an organisation of private
financial institutions.
''It is time to take a fresh look at Africa and the new
possibilities for investment,'' Callisto Madavo, the Bank's vice
president for Africa, said Thursday. ''Good returns are now
possible as the reform programmes of African countries are put in
place and have an impact.''
Speaking at a symposium organised by the American Foreign
Service Association to promote private investment in Africa,
Madavo pointed to what he saw as signs of an improving climate for
international business. A number of countries have liberalised
their exchange rates, lifted import restrictions, reduced tariffs,
got rid of price controls on agricultural products, and begun
reforms that should take some of the stress off the banking
sector.
Economic growth has picked up to four percent per year for the
continent as a whole, he said, though in some countries it is
close to 10 percent a year.
At the same time, labour remains cheap enough to compete with
Asia, Madavo noted.
African interest is growing in areas traditionally favoured by
U.S. investors, such as mining, gas, oil, and agricultural
products and processing, and privatisation opportunities
''abound'' in primary products such as coffee, rubber, cocoa,
cotton, and palm oil, and also in state-owned utilities, he added.
For investors, he said, the ''potential rewards are high, and
there is increased interest on the part of African business
leaders to participate in joint ventures now that the environment
is more conducive to this expansion.''
''The World Bank will continue to work with governments to help
create stable economies with improved business environments, build
investors' confidence, and help in the development of a thriving
local and international business community.''
The Bank recently produced a report declaring, in its title,
that 'Africa Can Compete!'
The report touted Africa's competitive advantage in garment
production, which it said is based on low wages and, in most
cases, quota-free access to U.S. and European markets which impose
quotas on Africa's Asian competitors.
It found that a large and growing market exists for African
handicrafts, home furnishings, and ''mainstream garment,'' by
which the Bank means Western ones.
Of the five countries studied -- Zimbabwe, Kenya, Senegal, Cote
d'Ivoire, and Ghana -- ''those that have made the most progress in
policy reforms, also show the greatest promise of developing an
export garment industry,'' according to the report.
There is much at stake for these countries. ''To put the size
of African garment exports in context, as well as to give an idea
of the magnitude of the potential: a one percent rate of growth in
U.S. apparel imports would represent an increase of 275 million
dollars, more than 10 times the current exports of the five
African countries under study combined'' the report adds.
The study warns, however, that ''constraints in the regulatory
and economic environments, including obstacles to procuring inputs
from abroad at world prices, overly cumbersome bureaucratic
procedures, lingering doubts about investment security, and
potentially serious infrastructure bottlenecks need to be
addressed to create a solid base for future growth of the
industry.''
In addition to positioning itself as a lobbyist for and
watchdog over market-friendly laws and policies in these
countries, the Bank sees itself as well-placed to '''spread the
word' about the newly found competitiveness of these countries,''
fund training and technical assistance programmes.
The Bank also is touting its pilot programme with Pier One
Imports, a United States-based chain of stores selling home
furnishings. ''Pier One has expressed interest in working with the
World Bank ...on a pilot programme to facilitate craft exports
from Ghana. Pier One would guarantee a certain level of demand and
the Bank and other donors could put in place the institutional
structure to coordinate supply.'' (END/IPS/AA/96)
Origin: Washington/FINANCE-AFRICA/
----
---forwarded mail END---
--- OffRoad 1.9r registered to Momodou Camara
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 26 Nov 1996 13:31:30 -0800 (PST)
From: "A. Loum" <tloum@u.washington.edu>
To: Gambia-l@u.washington.edu
Subject: New member
Message-ID: <Pine.OSF.3.95.961126133019.29852B-100000@saul7.u.washington.edu>
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII
Madiba Saidy has been added to the list. We welcome him and will forward
to introduction and contributions.
Thanks
Tony
========================================================================
Anthony W Loum tloum@u.washington.edu
Supervisor, Business Administration Library 206-543-4360 voice
100 Balmer Hall 206-685-9392 fax
University of Washington
Box 353200
Seattle, Wa.98195-3200
=========================================================================
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 26 Nov 1996 19:33:33 -0800 (PST)
From: saidy@leed.chem.ubc.ca (Madiba Saidy)
To: gambia-l@u.washington.edu
Subject: New member Introduction !!
Message-ID: <9611270333.AA04602@leed.chem.ubc.ca>
Content-Type: text
Hi Folks,
I joined the GAMBIA-L mailing list this morning...and being the custom,
I wish to introduce myself to you all.
My name is Madiba Saidy...I am from KAUR (Saloum District) and attended
Armitage and then Gambia High School. I did my undergraduate studies at
the University of Ife (Nigeria) and graduated with a First Class
Honours.
I am currently a Ph.D candidate in Surface Science...My area of
research is determining the details of surface structure for
well-characterized systems; this will help develop fundamental
understandings of surface reactions and other properties for a wide
range of technologically significant areas (e.g. Heterogeneous
catalysis, Corrosion science, Semiconductor devices, Polymeric and
Biological materials).
Cheers,
Madiba.
__
********************************************************************
** Madiba Saidy **
** Advanced Materials and Process Engineering Laboratory **
** University of British Columbia **
** Tel :- (604) 822-4540 (Lab.) Fax :- (604) 822-2847 (lab.) **
** (604) 228-2466 (home) (604) 228-2466 (home) **
** Email :- saidy@leed.chem.ubc.ca / msaidy@unixg.ubc.ca **
********************************************************************
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 27 Nov 1996 01:35:03 -0500
From: ABALM@aol.com
To: gambia-l@u.washington.edu
Subject: test
Message-ID: <961127013503_1453320116@emout03.mail.aol.com>
hi !
anybody on-line with gambia-l, please let me know if you receive this
message, since i havent gotten any mail on gambia-l since sunday i think
something might be wrong, with either my net connection or gambia-l.
so please anybody who sees this message please reply
thank you
abba
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 27 Nov 1996 10:09:00 -0800
From: Isatou B Kaira <kaiisa@hs.nki.no>
To: gambia-l@u.washington.edu
Subject: Introduction
Message-ID: <329C83BC.2031@nw-mail.hs.nki.no>
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit
Hello everyone,
I just received an e-mail saying that I've been added to the Gambia-L
mailing list and so I have to introduce myself.
Well, My name is Isatou B Kaira and I'm from Serrekunda. I attended
St Joseph's and St Augustine's High School. I went on to Nigeria after
my A'levels. But after almost two years of strikes I stopped. Then I
moved to Norway last year. I'm studying Information Technology at the
moment with the hope of qualifying as a system analyst.
I'm looking forward to receiving mail and contributing myself.
Isatou.
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 27 Nov 1996 04:22:34 -0500
From: MJawara@aol.com
To: gambia-l@u.washington.edu
Subject: Re: The List
Message-ID: <961127042229_1453329197@emout07.mail.aol.com>
The discussion on the List traffic is back on again.A while ago, Mr. Janneh
suggested for members to cut down on unnecessary postings.I agreed with that
and offered another suggestion which wasn't contrary to Mr. Janneh's, but was
taken out of context by some.I'm happy to note that with Tony's endorsement,
my idea is helping alleviate the problem of junk mail.Since the earlier
discussion on this subject, many have been added to the List.Can you imagine
how much mail would have been sent through the List if members hadn't written
directly to Subscription Managers to request the admission of friends ?
The idea of a sub-group is not bad, but the reasons given for its creation
are not totally convincing.I think there's still room for improvement with
what we have.Perhaps making rules and enforcing them would help prevent a
possible exodus.The notion that we're all responsible adults and should be
considerate of other peoples' concern and as such we need no rules, is being
utterly naive.
Bassss made an interesting point that we can make a determination as to what
mail to read and what to ignore / delete by looking at the subject.I love
reading Bassss's postings, but his recent articles reveal a
contradiction.With subjects " Re : Modifying the List " and " Re : The List
", I was hoping to read his usual interesting postings.
In response to N'dey, Bassss wrote " I tend to agree more with this one...
Regards Basss ".Again, in his comment on Dr. Nyang's suggestion, Bassss
wrote " Prof. That sounds interesting to me.Keep up the good work down there
".While these are kind words ( I feel sure my learned friend is appreciative
), they don't spice up the discussion.
While members send in their spicy comments, I'll tend to the fire at the
bantaba.Its getting cold :)
Musa Kebba Jawara
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 27 Nov 1996 11:16:32 +0000
From: momodou.camara@post3.tele.dk (Camara, Momodou)
To: gambia-l@u.washington.edu
Subject: Re: Introduction
Message-ID: <19961127101926.AAA8052@LOCALNAME>
Gambia-l,
I would like to welcome both Madiba and Isatou to the Gambia-l, we
look forward to your contributions.
Regards
Momodou Camara
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 27 Nov 1995 14:10:49 +0300
From: BASS KOLLEH DRAMMEH <KOLLS567@QATAR.NET.QA>
To: gambia-l@u.washington.edu
Subject: Re: New member Introduction !!
Message-ID: <30B99CB9.5055@QATAR.NET.QA>
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1
Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable
Madiba Saidy wrote:
>=20
> Hi Folks,
>=20
> I joined the GAMBIA-L mailing list this morning...and being the custom,
> I wish to introduce myself to you all.
>=20
> My name is Madiba Saidy...I am from KAUR (Saloum District) and attended
> Armitage and then Gambia High School. I did my undergraduate studies at
> the University of Ife (Nigeria) and graduated with a First Class
> Honours.
>=20
> I am currently a Ph.D candidate in Surface Science...My area of
> research is determining the details of surface structure for
> well-characterized systems; this will help develop fundamental
> understandings of surface reactions and other properties for a wide
> range of technologically significant areas (e.g. Heterogeneous
> catalysis, Corrosion science, Semiconductor devices, Polymeric and
> Biological materials).
>=20
> Cheers,
> Madiba.
> __
> ********************************************************************
> ** Madiba Saidy **
> ** Advanced Materials and Process Engineering Laboratory **
> ** University of British Columbia **
> ** Tel :- (604) 822-4540 (Lab.) Fax :- (604) 822-2847 (lab.) **
> ** (604) 228-2466 (home) (604) 228-2466 (home) **
> ** Email :- saidy@leed.chem.ubc.ca / msaidy@unixg.ubc.ca **
> ********************************************************************
Dr.Saidy!!
You are most welcome!! We will need a lot of scientists in our Second
Republic and beyond. Keep up the hardwork!!
Regards Bassss!!!=20
--=20
SZDD=88=F0'3Af=A8=03
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 27 Nov 1995 14:20:30 +0300
From: BASS KOLLEH DRAMMEH <KOLLS567@QATAR.NET.QA>
To: gambia-l@u.washington.edu
Subject: Re: test
Message-ID: <30B99EFE.2314@QATAR.NET.QA>
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1
Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable
ABALM@aol.com wrote:
>=20
> hi !
>=20
> anybody on-line with gambia-l, please let me know if you receive this
> message, since i havent gotten any mail on gambia-l since sunday i thin=
k
> something might be wrong, with either my net connection or gambia-l.
>=20
> so please anybody who sees this message please reply
>=20
> thank you
>=20
> abba
=20
Well ABBA!!
I can tell you that I, for one, have received your message; and it
doesn't seem to me that anything is wrong,but you would be better off
talking to the guys behind the scenes: Loum,Abdou and others.
Regards Basssss!!
--=20
SZDD=88=F0'3Af=A8=03
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 27 Nov 1995 14:57:25 +0300
From: BASS KOLLEH DRAMMEH <KOLLS567@QATAR.NET.QA>
To: gambia-l@u.washington.edu
Subject: Re: The List
Message-ID: <30B9A7A4.14EF@QATAR.NET.QA>
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1
Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable
MJawara@aol.com wrote:
>=20
> The discussion on the List traffic is back on again.A while ago, Mr. Ja=
nneh
> suggested for members to cut down on unnecessary postings.I agreed with=
that
> and offered another suggestion which wasn't contrary to Mr. Janneh's, b=
ut was
> taken out of context by some.I'm happy to note that with Tony's endorse=
ment,
> my idea is helping alleviate the problem of junk mail.Since the earlier
> discussion on this subject, many have been added to the List.Can you im=
agine
> how much mail would have been sent through the List if members hadn't w=
ritten
> directly to Subscription Managers to request the admission of friends ?
>=20
> The idea of a sub-group is not bad, but the reasons given for its crea=
tion
> are not totally convincing.I think there's still room for improvement w=
ith
> what we have.Perhaps making rules and enforcing them would help prevent=
a
> possible exodus.The notion that we're all responsible adults and should=
be
> considerate of other peoples' concern and as such we need no rules, is =
being
> utterly naive.
> Bassss made an interesting point that we can make a determination as to=
what
> mail to read and what to ignore / delete by looking at the subject.I lo=
ve
> reading Bassss's postings, but his recent articles reveal a
> contradiction.With subjects " Re : Modifying the List " and " Re : The =
List
> ", I was hoping to read his usual interesting postings.
> In response to N'dey, Bassss wrote " I tend to agree more with this one=
....
> Regards Basss ".Again, in his comment on Dr. Nyang's suggestion, Basss=
s
> wrote " Prof. That sounds interesting to me.Keep up the good work down =
there
> ".While these are kind words ( I feel sure my learned friend is appreci=
ative
> ), they don't spice up the discussion.
> While members send in their spicy comments, I'll tend to the fire at th=
e
> bantaba.Its getting cold :)
>=20
> Musa Kebba Jawara
Mr.JAWARA!!
Thanks for the careful observation.The chinese master,LAO-TSE wrote a
very long time ago the following:"True words always seem paradoxical but
no other form of teaching can take its place".I am not at all in my
fighting spirit today,Mr. Jawara,but I can still say that I could see
only complementarity,and not mutual exclusivity between the two
proposals you referred to.So,the apparent contradiction is contradiction
only in so far as TRUTH itself is self contradictry.
Regards Bassss!!=20
--=20
SZDD=88=F0'3Af=A8=03
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 27 Nov 1996 10:09:30 -0500
From: bf299@freenet.carleton.ca (Bocar Ndiaye)
To: gambia-l@u.washington.edu
Subject: [oksana@TRAVNI.PP.KIEV.UA: GREETINGS FROM RUSSIA!]
Message-ID: <199611271509.KAA29433@freenet2.carleton.ca>
================= Begin forwarded message =================
From: oksana@TRAVNI.PP.KIEV.UA ("Oksana A.Travnikova")
To: SUNUGAAL@GWUVM.GWU.EDU (Multiple recipients of list SUNUGAAL)
Subject: GREETINGS FROM RUSSIA!
Date: Wed, 27 Nov
-
Sender: owner-ahad
Precedence: bulk
Reply-To: owner-ahad@pobox.com
Bismillah Walhamdulillah Was Salaatu Was Salaam 'ala Rasulillah
As-Salaam Alaikum Wa-Rahmatullahi Wa-Barakatuhu
Eemaan - 15th Rajab 1417 (27 Nov. 1996)
Narrated 'Umar bin Al-Khattab:
Once a Jew said to me, "O the chief of believers! There is a
verse in your Holy Book Which is read by all of you (Muslims),
and had it been revealed to us, we would have taken that day
(on which it was revealed as a day of celebration." 'Umar
bin Al-Khattab asked, "Which is that verse?" The Jew replied,
"This day I have perfected your religion For you, completed
My favor upon you, And have chosen for you Islam as your
religion." (5:3) 'Umar replied, "No doubt, we know when and
where this verse was revealed to the Prophet. It was Friday
and the Prophet was standing at 'Arafat (i.e. the Day of
Hajj)"
Bukhari Vol. 1 : No. 43
Tell others about AHAD - A Hadith A Day!
To subscribe to AHAD, send 'subscribe ahad' (in the body)
to majordomo@pobox.com. To unsubscribe, send 'unsubscribe
ahad' (in the body) to majordomo@pobox.com
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 27 Nov 1996 10:43:33 -0500 (EST)
From: Alieu Muhamad Ceesay <aceesay@wam.umd.edu>
To: gambia-l@u.washington.edu
Subject: The List (KEEP IT REAL)
Message-ID: <Pine.SOL.3.95.961127101129.10066A-100000@rac4.wam.umd.edu>
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII
Hi Everyone,
My apologies,for this is kind of an overdue introduction but, as
the saying goes "it's better late than never". My name is Alieu Ceesay,
I'm 23, and currently attending the University of Maryland at College
Park, Md.
I have been a member of the List for quite a while, checking in
when ever I can, to some of the most interesting discussions concerning
issues that I can relate to.It's very refreshing.I felt obliged to
introduce myself, after repeatedly coming accross reminders to new members
from Amadou.
I'm sincerely honored to be a part of such an enlightening forum
of "natives". Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
On a more serious note, I think the list is getting kind of sour
from the constant lashings out to each other.Correct me if I'm wrong, but
I thought the main idea behind the creation of this list is to bring
together peoples takes on issues that concern the Gambia. So to avoid
further cluttering of the list, if anyone has a "beef" with anybody, try
not to convey it through the list. Instead, send it directly to the person
it is intended for.
Thanks and KEEP IT REAL.
Alieu.
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 27 Nov 1996 09:33:06 -0800 (PST)
From: "A. Loum" <tloum@u.washington.edu>
To: Gambia-l@u.washington.edu
Subject: Two new members
Message-ID: <Pine.OSF.3.95.961127092857.24816C-100000@saul6.u.washington.edu>
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII
Jorn and Torstein Grotnes, both of Norway are have been added to
Gambia-l. We welcome them and will be looking forward to their
introductions and contributions.
I want to take this opportunity to wish everyone a happy
Thanksgiving especially to those in The United States where it is a major
holiday.
Thanks
Tony
========================================================================
Anthony W Loum tloum@u.washington.edu
Supervisor, Business Administration Library 206-543-4360 voice
100 Balmer Hall 206-685-9392 fax
University of Washington
Box 353200
Seattle, Wa.98195-3200
=========================================================================
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 27 Nov 1996 09:52:13 -0800
From: sarian@osmosys.incog.com (Sarian Loum)
To: gambia-l@u.washington.edu
Cc: bf299@freenet.carleton.ca
Subject: Re: [oksana@TRAVNI.PP.KIEV.UA: GREETINGS FROM RUSSIA!]
Message-ID: <199611271752.JAA02177@thesky.incog.com>
Hi,
Talking about list traffic, this certainly is one. Why not use the list for what it was intended for? not everyone is interested in this subject. It'll be nice if interested muslims create an Islamic newsgroup where it'll be more appropriate to post these messages. Lets be considerate to the non-muslims on this list.
Good day to all!
Sarian
> From bf299@freenet.carleton.ca Wed Nov 27 07:10:43 1996
> Date: Wed, 27 Nov 1996 10:09:30 -0500
> From: bf299@freenet.carleton.ca (Bocar Ndiaye)
> To: "GAMBIA-L: The Gambia and Related Issues Mailing List" <gambia-l@u.washington.edu>
> Subject: [oksana@TRAVNI.PP.KIEV.UA: GREETINGS FROM RUSSIA!]
> X-Listprocessor-Version: 8.0 -- ListProcessor(tm) by CREN
>
> ================= Begin forwarded message =================
>
> From: oksana@TRAVNI.PP.KIEV.UA ("Oksana A.Travnikova")
> To: SUNUGAAL@GWUVM.GWU.EDU (Multiple recipients of list SUNUGAAL)
> Subject: GREETINGS FROM RUSSIA!
> Date: Wed, 27 Nov
>
>
> -
> Sender: owner-ahad
> Precedence: bulk
> Reply-To: owner-ahad@pobox.com
>
> Bismillah Walhamdulillah Was Salaatu Was Salaam 'ala Rasulillah
>
> As-Salaam Alaikum Wa-Rahmatullahi Wa-Barakatuhu
>
> Eemaan - 15th Rajab 1417 (27 Nov. 1996)
>
> Narrated 'Umar bin Al-Khattab:
> Once a Jew said to me, "O the chief of believers! There is a
> verse in your Holy Book Which is read by all of you (Muslims),
> and had it been revealed to us, we would have taken that day
> (on which it was revealed as a day of celebration." 'Umar
> bin Al-Khattab asked, "Which is that verse?" The Jew replied,
> "This day I have perfected your religion For you, completed
> My favor upon you, And have chosen for you Islam as your
> religion." (5:3) 'Umar replied, "No doubt, we know when and
> where this verse was revealed to the Prophet. It was Friday
> and the Prophet was standing at 'Arafat (i.e. the Day of
> Hajj)"
>
> Bukhari Vol. 1 : No. 43
>
>
>
> Tell others about AHAD - A Hadith A Day!
> To subscribe to AHAD, send 'subscribe ahad' (in the body)
> to majordomo@pobox.com. To unsubscribe, send 'unsubscribe
> ahad' (in the body) to majordomo@pobox.com
>
>
>
------------------------------
Date: 27 Nov 1996 21:48:55 GMT
From: momodou@inform-bbs.dk (Momodou Camara)
To: gambia-l@u.washington.edu
Subject: Fwd: U.N.-AFRICA: Contenders Wait for Boutros-Ghali's Exit/RELATE
Message-ID: <1989603294.137168609@inform-bbs.dk>
Copyright 1996 Inter Press Service.
All rights reserved. Distribution via MISANET.
*** 26-Nov-96 ***
U.N.-AFRICA: Contenders Wait for Boutros-Ghali's Exit/RELATE
/AT EDS: Pls relate the following item to one run earlier from
the United Nations entitled 'UNITED NATIONS: U.S. Criticised for
Veto Again U.N. Head/
by Farhan Haq
UNITED NATIONS, Nov 25 (IPS) - The contest for U.N. secretary-
general in recent days has resembled a vaudeville act, where the
spotlight is focused on the incumbent, Boutros Boutros-Ghali,
but dozens of other people are waiting just behind the curtain
for when he is yanked from the stage.
Last week's veto by the United States of Boutros-Ghali's bid
for a second term virtually ensures that the Egyptian will not
continue in office after Dec 31. U.S. diplomats told IPS this
week that their position had not changed, and that Washington
was waiting for other names to be submitted to the 15-member
U.N. Security Council for consideration.
No other names have yet materialised, however. In deference
to Africa, the Council has been prodding for the Organisation
of African Unity (OAU) and African delegations here, to suggest
new contenders from their region. But Africa has so far
remained silent.
''Our preferred candidate, the sitting secretary-general, has
been vetoed,'' British Ambassador John Weston, whose nation
joined 13 others to vote for Boutros-Ghali last week, said
Monday. ''Now we need to have other names to work on if there is
to be an African secretary-general.''
But many African diplomats resent the idea that they must
choose again after the OAU already selected Boutros-Ghali as its
candidate this summer. ''Why do they insist that Africa must
submit a candidate?'' one diplomat, who asked to remain
unidentified, asked. ''Africa has already submitted its
candidate. It has no other.''
Behind those words, however, lies a fact known to all U.N.
diplomats: There are already many Africans who have been
campaigning quietly for the top spot, and who may grab Africa's
attention if, as expected, Washington does not bend.
In recent days, speculation has focused on Under-Secretary-
General Kofi Annan, a Ghanaian; Cote d'Ivoire's Foreign
Minister, Amara Essy; OAU Secretary-General Salim Ahmed Salim
of Tanzania; Islamic Conference Secretary-General Hamid Algabid
of Niger; former Mozambican Education Minister Graca Machel;
and Gertrude Mongella, the former Secretary-General of the 1995
Women's Conference in Beijing and a Tanzanian.
Diplomats here confirm that all are being considered as
candidates, and that African nations may turn to them to ensure
that diplomats from the region hold the U.N.'s top spot for two
five-year terms. If he is rejected, Boutros-Ghali, an Egyptian,
will be the first secretary-general not to serve two terms.
Within the short list, however, there is still much
infighting, especially between Anglophone and Francophone
Africa, and among the various sub-regions. As one African
analyst said of the situation, ''Africa will not unite behind
one candidate if Boutros-Ghali steps down. They will name all of
them.''
Among the current list of contenders, Annan, the head of the
U.N. peacekeeping office, enjoys the most respect in Washington.
He is regarded favourably for his work in handling crises in
central Africa and the former Yugoslavia and for re-shaping U.N.
peacekeeping to respond most effectively to crises.
The problem, however, is that Washington's tacit support for
Annan has hurt him at a time when the U.S. veto of Boutros-Ghali
has only bolstered the incumbent's standing. ''The United States
has managed to unite 184 nations in support of someone most of
them don't even like,'' Jessica Mathews, a senior fellow at the
Council on Foreign Relations, argued in The Washington Post on
Monday.
As such, Salim is enjoying greater support, particularly for
his leadership of the OAU in recent years. China has always
approved of Salim, who helped the People's Republic obtain its
seat in the United Nations -- at the expense of Taiwan -- in
1971.
China proposed Salim as its candidate for secretary-general
in 1981, but the U.S. vetoed him repeatedly, as it still seems
inclined to do.
Another problem for Salim is that his organisation, the OAU,
has already endorsed Boutros-Ghali.
Amara Essy has been popular at the United Nations, where he
served as president of the General Assembly in 1994. He is also
respected in France, which has been a strong supporter of
Boutros-Ghali so far, and in Francophone Africa. Those
credentials could make him a strong candidate if he runs, while
Washington reportedly was satisfied with his term as Assembly
president.
The recent push by international women's groups to place a
woman in the top spot would appear to help Mongella and Machel,
both of whom have credentials in the United Nations for work on
women's and children's concerns.
But Mongella, as one U.N. staffer conceded, ''would be a
terrible choice. She was completely ineffective at (the Fourth
World Conference on Women in) Beijing.''
Machel has been in the public eye here following the release
of a report on the consequences of war on children which was
published by the U.N. Children's Fund but written by a special
commission she headed. She has since taken on such thorny issues
as child prostitution resulting from war, the use of child
soldiers and the land mines crisis.
But Machel, the former Mozambican first lady, is not a career
diplomat, and reportedly does not seek to be secretary-general.
Other African candidates are even longer shots. Senegalese
President Abdou Diouf is reportedly interested, and could gain
France's support, but has a poor human rights record in
Senegal's Casamance region. Algabid has support in the Muslim
world, but may be considered too connected with Islamic
movements for the West's comfort. (Five of the six secretaries-
general, including Boutros-Ghali, have been Christian; none have
been Muslim.)
More to the point, both Diouf and Algabid come from countries --
Senegal and Niger respectively -- which have diplomatic
relations with Taiwan, ensuring that China will find them
unacceptable.
Ultimately, the one African with the most going for him in
the region itself is still Boutros-Ghali. That position is a
highly ironic one: the Egyptian diplomat was the only choice of
six submitted by Africa in 1991 not to come from sub-Saharan
Africa, and his performance during crises in Somalia and Rwanda
has come in for much criticism.
Boutros-Ghali's supporters are hoping that, as with the first
U.N. secretary-general, Trygve Lie, in 1951, the current
standoff at the Security Council will lead to a compromise in
which his tenure is extended for up to two more years. If that
compromise is brokered, Boutros-Ghali will have Africa to thank --
and Washington may have Africa to blame. (end/ips/fah/jl/96)
------------------------------
Date: 27 Nov 1996 21:55:11 GMT
From: momodou@inform-bbs.dk (Momodou Camara)
To: gambia-l@u.washington.edu
Subject: Fwd: UNITED NATIONS: U.N. Seeks Ways to Retrieve Stolen Funds
Message-ID: <1174728670.137168773@inform-bbs.dk>
Copyright 1996 Inter Press Service.
All rights reserved. Distribution via MISANET.
*** 27-Nov-96 ***
UNITED NATIONS: U.N. Seeks Ways to Retrieve Stolen Funds
by Thalif Deen
UNITED NATIONS, Nov 27 (IPS) - The United Nations is seeking
ways to recover more than 3.2 million dollars in funds from
outside contractors, vendors, and staffers who are accused of
defrauding the organisation.
Ghana is urging the world body to create a new mechanism that
is charged with retrieving stolen U.N. funds and even
confiscating properties purchased with ill-gotten gains.
The ''rampant embezzlement and mismanagement that goes on in
the U.N. system impugns on the credibility of the world body,''
says Ambassador Jack Wilmot of Ghana. ''The hands of the
Secretary-General (Boutros Boutros-Ghali) should be strengthened
to deal with such adverse findings.''
Between 1994 and 1995, there were 148 cases of fraud and
presumptive fraud in the United Nations, involving some 3.2
million dollars. But the world body has recovered only 612,544
dollars.
''The recovery of just over 612,000 dollars out of millions
of dollars lost in fraud and presumptive fraud is a laughable
percentage of recovery,'' Ambassador Ahmad Kamal of Pakistan
told U.N. delegates here Tuesday.
''A transparent and effective system of accountability should
be established,'' Kamal pointed out.
The Secretariat is still investigating a Geneva-based U.N.
staffer who was accused early this year of defrauding the
organisation to the tune of nearly half a million dollars.
The alleged fraud is said to have taken place at the U.N.
Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) whose closure has
been demanded by the United States as part of a restructuring of
the United Nations.
Besides the 3.2 million dollars in losses during the last two
years, the United Nations also continues to investigate the loss
of about 3.9 million dollars from a compound that housed the
offices of the U.N. peacekeeping operations in Somalia in 1993.
Although Scotland Yard was called in to investigate the loss,
investigators have drawn a blank. But the case has not been
closed.
The United Nations' regular budget which finances the day-to-
day operations of the world body is made up of set contributions
from the 185 member-states, while agencies such as the U.N.
Development Programme (UNDP), the U.N. Population Fund, and the
U.N. Children's Fund are financed by voluntary contributions.
Ukraine is concerned about the millions of dollars lost
through waste, overpayments, and the purchase of junk.
''Since the General Assembly had called for personal
accountability in staff performance, the Secretariat should
ensure that staff involved in losses and mismanagement were made
personally accountable,'' said Ambassador Volodymr Kosyi.
Canada singled out the 844,000 dollars in overpayments made
last year to staff at the U.N. Iraq-Kuwait Observation Mission
(UNIKOM) and the 300,000 dollars in overpayments to the U.N.
Mission of Observers in Tajikistan.
''Overpayments of mission subsistence allowance must be
recovered and managers held accountable for losses incurred due
to their mismanagement,'' Ambassador Sam Hanson of Canada told
U.N. delegates.
The 'Group of 77' developing countries says the 132-member
grouping is concerned about the irregularities and mismanagement
in the U.N. system and the impact on the credibility of the
organisation.
''At a time when the organisation is the object of
criticisms, the existence and dissemination of these affairs
damage the image and undermines the confidence of world public
opinion,'' Ambassador Nazareth Incera of Costa Rica said on
behalf of the Group of 77.
She referred to the acquisition of some 650 generators,
valued at 7.2 million dollars for U.N. forces in Zagreb. The
generators were either not used or sent to other missions.
She also questioned the transfer -- without a proper
accounting -- of equipment worth more than 35 million dollars,
and the lack of internal control over 50 million dollars in
reimbursements to troop-contributing countries, of which at
least 185,000 dollars were based on fraudulent claims.
(end/td/jl/jm/96)
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 28 Nov 1996 01:56:57 -0500
From: TSaidy1050@aol.com
To: gambia-l@u.washington.edu
Subject: NEWS FROM THE GAMBIA
Message-ID: <961128015657_2082747561@emout12.mail.aol.com>
BANJUL, Nov 27 (Reuter) - The head of Gambia's main legal opposition party,
the United Democratic Party (UDP), said on Wednesday it would take part in
the January 2 parliamentary election.
Party leader Ousainou Darboe, defeated by Yahya Jammeh in September's
disputed presidential election, said the decision followed assurances from
the independent electoral commission on the conduct of the campaign and the
poll.
The assurances included release of all political detainees, full access to
state media and no interference by security services in politics.
"I am optimistic that my party will win a majority of the seats," he told
reporters, saying it would contest all 45 constituencies on January 2.
Jammeh, who ousted civilian independence president Sir Dawda Jawara in July
1994 on grounds of corruption, quit the army to stand in September's poll. He
was sworn in as president on October 18.
(c) Reuters Limited 1996
REUTER NEWS SERVICE
Source: Central News Agency, Taipei, in English 1103 gmt 25 Nov 96
Text of report by Taiwan Central News Agency (via Internet)
Taipei, 25th November: ROC [Republic of China] President Li Teng-hui and
visiting Gambian President Yahya Jammeh signed a joint communique on Monday
[25th November] with the two leaders pledging to work for strengthened
bilateral ties.
Li and Jammeh signed the joint statement at the Presidential Office, with
Vice-President Lien Chan, Gambian Foreign Minister Baboucar Blaise Jagne and
other senior government officials witnessing the ceremony.
In the communique, the two leaders expressed satisfaction over the existing
state of friendly and close cooperative relations between the two countries
and promised to promote mutual interests among their respective governments
and peoples.
Accordingly, President Li has accepted an invitation to visit the Western
African nation, with details of the trip to be arranged through diplomatic
channels, the communique said.
The two leaders also agreed that nations should resolve their disputes
through dialogue, negotiations or other peaceful means based on the
principles of independent sovereignty and equality.
Jammeh reaffirmed Gambia's firm stance in support of the ROC's bid to enter
the United Nations and other international organizations, adding that active
ROC participation in such organizations and related activities would be
conducive to world peace and prosperity and would promote the economic
advancement of developing nations.
Jammeh lauded the achievements of the ROC in democratization and economic
development over recent years. He also expressed appreciation for the ROC in
helping to upgrade Gambia's agricultural technology and in providing medical
and other forms of assistance.
After signing the joint communique, Jammeh and his entourage again thanked Li
for the warm hospitality extended during their stay in Taiwan.
The Gambian delegation, which also included Agriculture and Natural Resources
Minister Musa B. Mbenga, arrived here Wednesday [20th November] for a six-day
visit.
Before his departure, Jammeh said in a morning press conference that the ROC
should provide more information about Taiwan to African nations to counter
the "money diplomacy" campaign launched by mainland China in Africa.
Jammeh said that money does not buy friendship and nations cannot be bought
with cash, stating that "friendship comes from the bottom of the heart and
not from the pocket. Friendship based on money will be short-lived."
Jammeh made the remarks when asked how the ROC should respond to Beijing's
recent financial overtures to African nations that maintain official ties
with the ROC.
This is the first overseas visit by Jammeh since assuming the presidency last
September. He said he was glad to witness firsthand the ROC's development in
the political, economic, social and industrial fields during his trip here,
and that the Taiwan experience serves as a suitable model for Gambia.
Jammeh stressed that he would continue to speak for the ROC in the
international community to minimize misconceptions by other nations towards
the ROC.
During his stay in Taiwan, Jammeh has called on several government officials
and visited the Hsinchu Science-Based Industrial Park, Taiwan Fisheries
Research Institute, China Steel Corp and other economic establishments.
Jammeh said that agricultural and fishery products of Gambia are similar to
those of the ROC, and he welcomed Taiwan businessmen to invest in his
country.
Jammeh also attended a luncheon hosted by Vice-President Lien. In the
afternoon, President Li bade official farewell to the visiting delegation in
a ceremony held at the Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall. The group departs
Taiwan on Monday night.
(c) BBC Monitoring Summary of World Broadcasts.
BBC MONITORING SERVICE
BBC MONITORING SERVICE: ASIA-PACIFIC 27/11/96
PEACE
TOMBONG SAIDY
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 28 Nov 1995 13:48:45 +0300
From: BASS KOLLEH DRAMMEH <KOLLS567@QATAR.NET.QA>
To: gambia-l@u.washington.edu
Subject: Re: NEWS FROM THE GAMBIA
Message-ID: <30BAE90C.21BE@QATAR.NET.QA>
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1
Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable
TSaidy1050@aol.com wrote:
>=20
> BANJUL, Nov 27 (Reuter) - The head of Gambia's main legal opposition pa=
rty,
> the United Democratic Party (UDP), said on Wednesday it would take part=
in
> the January 2 parliamentary election.
> Party leader Ousainou Darboe, defeated by Yahya Jammeh in September's
> disputed presidential election, said the decision followed assurances f=
rom
> the independent electoral commission on the conduct of the campaign and=
the
> poll.
> The assurances included release of all political detainees, full access=
to
> state media and no interference by security services in politics.
> "I am optimistic that my party will win a majority of the seats," he to=
ld
> reporters, saying it would contest all 45 constituencies on January 2.
> Jammeh, who ousted civilian independence president Sir Dawda Jawara in =
July
> 1994 on grounds of corruption, quit the army to stand in September's po=
ll. He
> was sworn in as president on October 18.
> (c) Reuters Limited 1996
> REUTER NEWS SERVICE
>=20
> Source: Central News Agency, Taipei, in English 1103 gmt 25 Nov 96
> Text of report by Taiwan Central News Agency (via Internet)
> Taipei, 25th November: ROC [Republic of China] President Li Teng-hui an=
d
> visiting Gambian President Yahya Jammeh signed a joint communique on Mo=
nday
> [25th November] with the two leaders pledging to work for strengthened
> bilateral ties.
> Li and Jammeh signed the joint statement at the Presidential Office, wi=
th
> Vice-President Lien Chan, Gambian Foreign Minister Baboucar Blaise Jagn=
e and
> other senior government officials witnessing the ceremony.
> In the communique, the two leaders expressed satisfaction over the exis=
ting
> state of friendly and close cooperative relations between the two count=
ries
> and promised to promote mutual interests among their respective governm=
ents
> and peoples.
> Accordingly, President Li has accepted an invitation to visit the Weste=
rn
> African nation, with details of the trip to be arranged through diploma=
tic
> channels, the communique said.
> The two leaders also agreed that nations should resolve their disputes
> through dialogue, negotiations or other peaceful means based on the
> principles of independent sovereignty and equality.
> Jammeh reaffirmed Gambia's firm stance in support of the ROC's bid to e=
nter
> the United Nations and other international organizations, adding that a=
ctive
> ROC participation in such organizations and related activities would be
> conducive to world peace and prosperity and would promote the economic
> advancement of developing nations.
> Jammeh lauded the achievements of the ROC in democratization and econom=
ic
> development over recent years. He also expressed appreciation for the R=
OC in
> helping to upgrade Gambia's agricultural technology and in providing me=
dical
> and other forms of assistance.
> After signing the joint communique, Jammeh and his entourage again than=
ked Li
> for the warm hospitality extended during their stay in Taiwan.
> The Gambian delegation, which also included Agriculture and Natural Res=
ources
> Minister Musa B. Mbenga, arrived here Wednesday [20th November] for a s=
ix-day
> visit.
> Before his departure, Jammeh said in a morning press conference that th=
e ROC
> should provide more information about Taiwan to African nations to coun=
ter
> the "money diplomacy" campaign launched by mainland China in Africa.
> =11Jammeh said that money does not buy friendship and nations cannot be=
bought
> with cash, stating that "friendship comes from the bottom of the heart =
and
> not from the pocket. Friendship based on money will be short-lived."
> Jammeh made the remarks when asked how the ROC should respond to Beijin=
g's
> recent financial overtures to African nations that maintain official ti=
es
> with the ROC.
> This is the first overseas visit by Jammeh since assuming the presidenc=
y last
> September. He said he was glad to witness firsthand the ROC's developme=
nt in
> the political, economic, social and industrial fields during his trip h=
ere,
> and that the Taiwan experience serves as a suitable model for Gambia.
> Jammeh stressed that he would continue to speak for the ROC in the
> international community to minimize misconceptions by other nations tow=
ards
> the ROC.
> During his stay in Taiwan, Jammeh has called on several government offi=
cials
> and visited the Hsinchu Science-Based Industrial Park, Taiwan Fisheries
> Research Institute, China Steel Corp and other economic establishments.
> Jammeh said that agricultural and fishery products of Gambia are simila=
r to
> those of the ROC, and he welcomed Taiwan businessmen to invest in his
> country.
> Jammeh also attended a luncheon hosted by Vice-President Lien. In the
> afternoon, President Li bade official farewell to the visiting delegati=
on in
> a ceremony held at the Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall. The group departs
> Taiwan on Monday night.
> (c) BBC Monitoring Summary of World Broadcasts.
> BBC MONITORING SERVICE
> BBC MONITORING SERVICE: ASIA-PACIFIC 27/11/96
>=20
> PEACE
> TOMBONG SAIDY
HEllO!!
I think its relly great to learn that Mr.Darboe & Co. have decided that
they would take part in the coming elections afterall.As the party
supported by 36% of the Gambian people,their participation is crucial if
we are to be able to enter the next phase of our this very shy and
sluggish democratic experiment.So even though there is no love lust
between myself and the UDP,I still must congratulate Mr.DARBOE & Co. for
ariving at a good decision not only for the people who entrusted them
with their votes in the past elections,but also for the future of
parliamentary democracy in our country.So THANK YOU Mr. Darboe for
finally maturing and behaving like the leader of a major political
party.
Regards Basss!!
--=20
SZDD=88=F0'3Af=A8=03
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 28 Nov 1996 18:17:34 -0500
From: "Latir Downes-Thomas" <latir@earthlink.net>
To: <gambia-l@u.washington.edu>
Subject: Re: NEWS FROM THE GAMBIA + Introduction
Message-ID: <199611282318.PAA25496@cyprus.it.earthlink.net>
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1
Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit
As this is my first posting on this mailing list I think it would be
appropriate for me to introduce myself.
My name is Latir Downes-Thomas. Although I was born and have lived in New
York City, USA most of my life I am Gambian by descent with my family
residence in Faraja, KSMD.
I am currently studying film and video production in New York and I am also
an intern with Inter-Press Service.
Mr. Saidy's posting ''NEWS FROM THE GAMBIA'' included a Reuters News
Service report that said the UDP's decision to contest in the upcoming
elections '' followed assurances from the independent electoral commission
on the conduct of the campaign and the poll.
"The assurances included release of all political detainees, full access to
state media and no interference by security services in politics.''
If this is all true, does anyone know how the PIEC intends on enforcing
their ''assurances''? In the last election when both the UDP and the APRC
brought their complaints to the attention of PIEC members, the commission
seemed somewhat powerless in trying to enforce their own rules.
For example, exactly what will the PIEC do to assure equal access to the
state media, especially if one party isn't receiving equal access as the
UDP claimed during the presidential elections?
The fact that the UDP will contest as a party is also quite interesting. I
think it would be fair to characterize the UDP as a party whose members
were basically and genuinely disenchanted with the rule of the former AFPRC
and thus the aligning of the strangest of bedfellows to prevent the
regime's continued rule.
That coalition of former political foes held up because of their common
goal, i.e. to unseat the AFPRC regime and considering all the constraints
they had to deal with they did quite well. Can this same coalition hold
for the upcoming elections? I'm not sure they can.
It was easy then to rally around one candidate who quite frankly was and
still is a political newcomer and whose only known allegiance was to a
party that no longer exists. Ousainou Darboe was a good candidate for such
a coalition because he was, well, neutral. I have yet to see any evidence
of him having any affiliation to the PPP, NCP or GPP. Indeed his UP
background including his father's problems with Jawara regime as a staunch
UP member and Sherrif Dibba's historical and complete disdain for the UP
should show evidence to the contrary.
In the January 1997 elections however, the situation will be different.
The UDP will have to chose among members who were previously political
enemies and in some cases ran against each other.
A case in point is Bakau, a constituency that the UDP won in the September
elections. The two candidates who ran against each other in the 1992
elections followed it with a bitter dispute over the very close results and
conduct of the elections. They are now both members the UDP and are free
to run in January. Who do you think the party will choose as its
candidate? Will the other still support the party? I'm sure the party
will find itself having to deal with issues like this all over the country.
My Saidy also included a press clipping detailing President Jammeh's visit
to Taiwan that I also found interesting. According to the report Jammeh
said " in a morning press conference that the ROC
should provide more information about Taiwan to African nations to counter
the "money diplomacy" campaign launched by mainland China in Africa.
"Jammeh said that money does not buy friendship and nations cannot be
bought with cash, stating that 'friendship comes from the bottom of the
heart and not from the pocket. Friendship based on money will be
short-lived.' "
"Jammeh made the remarks when asked how the ROC should respond to Beijing's
recent financial overtures to African nations that maintain official ties
with the ROC.''
I wonder then why the AFPRC decided after 'undemocratically' seizing power
in 1994 to establish diplomatic relations with the democratic Taipei
government.
I would love to read what others on GAMBIA-L have to say.
Peace.
Lat
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 28 Nov 1996 22:59:46 -0500
From: ABALM@aol.com
To: gambia-l@u.washington.edu
Subject: re: test
Message-ID: <961128225945_1421701037@emout08.mail.aol.com>
hello
thanks everybody for acknowledging my message, we are back online again, the
mistake was on my computer
thanks again
abba
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 28 Nov 1996 23:44:41 -0500
From: Andy Lyons <alyons@nervm.nerdc.ufl.edu>
To: gambia-l@u.washington.edu
Subject: US State Department Travel Advisory
Message-ID: <2.2.16.19961129044441.2d97f456@nervm.nerdc.ufl.edu>
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
The Gambia - Public Announcement
November 12, 1996
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Office of the Spokesman
For Immediate Release
On November 12 the U.S. Embassy in Banjul issued the following Public
Announcement:
"American citizens traveling in the Gambia should be aware that numerous
acts of armed violence
have occurred in areas outside the greater Banjul area during the past
weekend. There are reports
of several deaths and injuries among security personnel. The Gambia is
scheduled for National
Assembly elections on January 2, 1997. The American Embassy in Banjul
advises Americans
traveling to The Gambia that there is an increased risk of instability in
The Gambia during the pre-
and post- election period, November 12 - January 15. The Embassy recommends
that all
Americans maintain a low profile and avoid large crowds. There is an
increased number of military
checkpoints throughout the country, including the greater Banjul area.
Travelers should be
prepared to stop for all checkpoints and be searched. In the event of
trouble, please stay in your
residences and do not go out. U.S. citizens traveling in The Gambia are
strongly encouraged to
register at the Consular Section of the U.S. Embassy immediately upon
arrival, at which time they
can receive updated information on travel and security in The Gambia."
For further information on travel to The Gambia, consult the Department of
State's latest Consular
Information Sheet for The Gambia.
This Public Announcement will expire on January 30, 1997.
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 28 Nov 1996 23:37:36 -0600 (CST)
From: Alieu Jawara <umjawara@cc.UManitoba.CA>
To: Gambia-l <Gambia-l@u.washington.edu>
Subject: Subscribe Ahad
Message-ID: <Pine.SOL.3.91.961128232843.18772B-100000@merak.cc.umanitoba.ca>
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII
I would like to ask the brother who posted the e-mail address for
subscribing to a "hadith a day" to please send it to me (directly to my
mail box) again. Please keep up the good work (fi sabeelillah). I see
nothing wrong with sending such an address for interested list members
to join.
On a completely different note I would like to welcome new members
especially Madiba Saidy, Musa Sohna, etc. I will mail you guys directly
pretty soon.
Tanks very much, bye for now.
Alieu
------------------------------
Date: 29 Nov 1996 17:09:04 GMT
From: momodou@inform-bbs.dk (Momodou Camara)
To: gambia-l@u.washington.edu
Subject: Fwd: SIERRA LEONE-RELIGION: A Clash Between Faiths
Message-ID: <3021668318.146457292@inform-bbs.dk>
Forwarded by Momodou Camara.
---forwarded mail START---
Date: 29/11/96 16:11
Subject: SIERRA LEONE-RELIGION: A Clash Between Faiths
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Copyright 1996 Inter Press Service.
All rights reserved. Distribution via MISANET.
*** 29-Nov-96 ***
SIERRA LEONE-RELIGION: A Clash Between Faiths
By Lansana Fofana
FREETOWN, Nov 29 (IPS) - Followers of a new indigenous religion
in the poorer areas of the city here have encountered st
iff resistance from Christians and Muslims, who have dismissed
the new religion as a haven for the country's outcasts.
Clashes between followers of the Dina Bayisor (which means No
King Like God) religion and Christians and Muslims have
been reported on more than 10 occasions in the poorer areas of
Mabayla, Goverment Wharf and King Jimmy Wharf in the cap
ital's eastern area.
''Sometimes, when we get together to pray, our enemies come
around and start hauling insults at us. They even pelt us
with stones and physically attack us,'' explained Lubiyor, a
follower of the religion whose former name was Hassan Kama
ra.
''Some of our followers sustained injuries when we were
attacked on our way to the national stadium where different r
eligious believers recently converged to pray for peace in the
country,'' Lubiyor added.
The Dina Bayisor religion was founded by Issa Turay, who says
he is about 33 years old. He is now known as Prophet Ma
hdissa. The son of a farmer, who is also a Muslim cleric,
Mahdissa, who comes from Kambia district in northern Sierra Le
one, claims to be self-taught.
The religion seeks to promote peace and harmony and it has
two commandments: ''Do unto others as you would want them
to do unto you; and Eat, drink and smoke whatever you think is
good for you''.
Worshippers meet twice a day for prayers at their place of
worship called Yorkrafi, which is sandwiched among run-dow
n shacks in the Mabayla ghetto here.
According to Prophet Mahdissa, he received a vision when he
was a child. He says the religion started in 1971. ''I h
ad a vision that I am God's messenger. I will spread the message
in spite of persecution from non-believers,'' Mahdissa
said.
''The last time I was brutalised right in front of the law
courts. I was preaching to a group of potential converts w
hen a mob of thugs descended on me and started beating me up,''
the controversial prophet explained.
But persecution, Mahdissa said, is part of a prophet's
profile. ''A prophet is never honoured in his home country. Ev
en Jesus Christ was rejected by his people and persecuted,''
Mahdissa said. ''I know I will face all of this and I am th
oroughly prepared.''
The new religion has attracted mainly the poor and youth, and
other religious leaders have accused Mahdissa of leadin
g them astray. ''That man is a criminal and a child of Satan,''
said Sheik Umar Sesay, a senior Imam at one of Freetown'
s mosques.
The Sheik likened Mahdissa to the false prophets written
about in Christian scriptures. ''These are the last days. Th
e scriptures said it and it is prophecy fulfilled. We are going
to see the emergence of several false prophets like Mahd
issa. I don't think he should be taken seriously,'' the Muslim
cleric said.
But not everyone dismisses Mahdissa and his religion. Members
claim the religious sect has thousands of followers in
Freetown and in northern Sierra Leone, where it originated. The
two dominant religions in the country are Islam (40 perc
ent) and Christianity (30 percent).
The religion has adopted the Temne language, spoken by 40
percent of the about 4.3 million people in this West Africa
n nation, as its medium of communication and worship. Its Holy
Book, called the Furkan (which means the Goodness of God)
is also written in Temne.
While the tenets of the religion call for prayer and fasting,
it also allows its followers to indulge in drugs and ot
her practices, which are the main bone of contention with
Christian and Islamic religious leaders here.
''Our religion does not stop anyone from smoking
weed(marijuana) or drinking,'' Mahdissa said. ''We believe a man
is
best fit to determine what to eat, smoke or drink...'', he
added.
A sociologist at the University of Sierra Leone, Ismail
Conteh, believes that the Bayisor religion needs to be carefu
lly studied as a phenomenon among the poor in the society.
''I think this is a growing religion. It is catching up
quickly in the slums and ghettos. No amount of harassment can
stop it,'' Conteh said. (end/ips/lf/pm96)
---forwarded mail END---
--- OffRoad 1.9r registered to Momodou Camara
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 29 Nov 1995 23:19:23 +0300
From: BASS KOLLEH DRAMMEH <KOLLS567@QATAR.NET.QA>
To: Gambia-l@u.washington.edu
Subject: vaccination conference in Dakar
Message-ID: <30BCC04A.2D2C@QATAR.NET.QA>
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1
Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable
--=20
Senegal To Host Vaccination Conference
DAKAR, Senegal - The Senegalese capital, Dakar, will host a major
conference
on vaccines from December 9 to 10.=20
Announcing the conference, an official from the World Health
Organization's Children's
Vaccine Initiative (CVI) said the meeting will be "the major annual
event of the year in the
field of global vaccines and immunization activities."=20
It will group the resources of the five CVI partners - WHO, the United
nations Children's
fund, UNDP, the World bank and the Rockfeller Foundation -- for a wide
range of
discussions regarding the current state of vaccines and immunization "
with a special focus on
immunization activities in Africa."=20
The gathering will be the first of its kind in Africa to bring hundreds
of vaccination and
immunization experts since the CVI was inaugurated at the World Summit
for children in
New York in 1990.=20
It will coincide with the 200th anniversary of the discovery of the
first vaccine, against
smallpox.=20
According to the CVI, the welcome address will be made by the Senegalese
minister of
health and social action, Ousmane Ngom.=20
The meeting will also see the announcement of the largest donation ever
to be made by
pharmaceutical companies in support of the African polio eradication
initiative.=20
On Dec. 10, the CVI will present its first annual awards for exellence
in science and social
mobilization to four key players in the vaccine/immunization field.=20
SZDD=88=F0'3Af=A8=03
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 29 Nov 1995 23:26:57 +0300
From: BASS KOLLEH DRAMMEH <KOLLS567@QATAR.NET.QA>
To: Gambia-l@u.washington.edu
Subject: Miss WORLD Controversy
Message-ID: <30BCC210.6182@QATAR.NET.QA>
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1
Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable
-- Miss World Is For Whites Only=20
HARARE, Zimbabwe - The Swazi-based Pan-African Consultancy and
Productivity Institute said Thursday it was impossible for African women
to win the annual
Miss World Beauty contest because of racist biases.=20
In a statement released to the Zimbabwe Inter-African News Agency, the
registrar-general
of the institute, Nyimpa-Benyaw, said allegations of racial
discrimination in the coverage of
the beauty pageant by the international media showed that the event was
meant for whites.=20
This year's Miss World contest was held in India on Sunday, and won by
Miss Greece,
Irene Skliva. The first runner up was Miss Colombia, Carolina Arango
while Miss Brazil,
Aunska Prado, was the second runner up.=20
"The white stereotype of the black has not changed since the time of
colonialism. For black
women to fit into the strait jacket of non-black beauty, they have to
starve to become slim so
as to meet non-black beauty standards," Nyimpa-Benyaw said.=20
Miss Zambia and Miss Tanzania who participated in the 18-day event, were
reported as
saying the African contingent among the 88 competitors was shunned by
the press because
they were black.=20
Miss Zimbabwe, Nomsa Ndiweni, was also among the 88 world contestants.=20
SZDD=88=F0'3Af=A8=03
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 29 Nov 96 15:25:33 -0600
From: Francis Njie <francis_njie@il.us.swissbank.com>
To: gambia-l@u.washington.edu
Subject: Re: Miss WORLD Controversy
Message-ID: <9611292125.AA04129@new_delhi>
Mime-Version: 1.0 (NeXT Mail 3.3risc v124.8483.5)
Content-Type: text/plain
The "Miss World" contest is based on a premise that is at best false. The
premise of the contest is necessarily that women all over the planet can be
judged on one set of standards. (By the way, one set of standards is absolutely
necessary for the contest to be a contest.)
I am not sure why sub-Saharan African countries keep sending their beauty
contestants to the "Miss World" and "Miss Universe" contests. Whatever the
agreed-upon standards at these contests, they are NOT sub-Saharan African.
I wish sub-Saharan Africans would note the false premise inherent in these
contests and realize that we have nothing to complain about if we actually send
our beauty representatives to compete in them. If the "Miss World" contest
originated in sub-Saharan Africa, the standards of the contest would naturally
be skewed towards sub-Saharan Africa.
The long and short of it is that I think the Swazi-based Pan-African
Consultancy and Productivity Institute should shut up...
- Francis
PS: Contrary to the subject title, this is hardly a controversy... just a case
of bad logic...
------------------------------
Date: Sat, 30 Nov 1996 01:29:14 -0500
From: ABALM@aol.com
To: gambia-l@u.washington.edu
Subject: new member
Message-ID: <961130012913_806426120@emout20.mail.aol.com>
hello abdou or tony !
a friend of mine, Yankuba Saidy, would like to join gambia-l, could you
please sign him on.
thank you
abba
------------------------------
Date: Sat, 30 Nov 1996 01:34:50 -0500
From: ABALM@aol.com
To: gambia-l@u.washington.edu
Cc: GAMBIA-L-owner@u.washington.edu
Subject: new member
Message-ID: <961130013449_1218945424@emout04.mail.aol.com>
hello abdou, tony
the e-mail address of the new member i introduced to you is:
ykuba@aol.com
yankuba saidy
thanks again
abba
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 30 Nov 1995 15:01:11 +0300
From: BASS KOLLEH DRAMMEH <KOLLS567@QATAR.NET.QA>
To: gambia-l@u.washington.edu
Subject: Re: Miss WORLD Controversy
Message-ID: <30BD9D07.50E4@QATAR.NET.QA>
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1
Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable
Francis Njie wrote:
>=20
> The "Miss World" contest is based on a premise that is at best false. T=
he
> premise of the contest is necessarily that women all over the planet ca=
n be
> judged on one set of standards. (By the way, one set of standards is ab=
solutely
> necessary for the contest to be a contest.)
>=20
> I am not sure why sub-Saharan African countries keep sending their beau=
ty
> contestants to the "Miss World" and "Miss Universe" contests. Whatever =
the
> agreed-upon standards at these contests, they are NOT sub-Saharan Afric=
an.
>=20
> I wish sub-Saharan Africans would note the false premise inherent in th=
ese
> contests and realize that we have nothing to complain about if we actua=
lly send
> our beauty representatives to compete in them. If the "Miss World" cont=
est
> originated in sub-Saharan Africa, the standards of the contest would na=
turally
> be skewed towards sub-Saharan Africa.
>=20
> The long and short of it is that I think the Swazi-based Pan-African
> Consultancy and Productivity Institute should shut up...
>=20
> - Francis
> PS: Contrary to the subject title, this is hardly a controversy... just=
a case
> of bad logic...
Mr.NJIE!
I don't know how you arrived at your definition of CONTROVERSY,but the
last time I consulted my dictionary the meaning was as follows:-
"prolonged argument esp. over social,political or moral matters" As for
the meaning of beauty,it was a "combination of qualities that give
pleasure to the senses or to the moral sense or intellect" And if we add
one more thing, namely the title the occasion,MISS WORLD PAGEANT,the
entire picture becomes much more apparent.
Now,I do agree with you that there must be one set of standard inorder
to run a contest,but it cannot follow from that that the components that
go into the configuration of that SET OF STANDARD must necessarily
biased.So,since the pronouced title is MISS WORLD and not MISS
CAUCASIAN,it should be the duty of anyone interested in it to put enough
pressure on the organizers ,so that the mechanism that decides who wins
and who loses be configured in such a way that it would be reflective
not only of the qualities of beauty of one human tribe, but of the
international community as a whole.And that can easily be done by,
first,choosing various judges from various cultures; and,two,by training
those multi-ethnic,multi-cultural judges to look for those qualities
that constitute female beauty in most cultures.
So, the scream you heard from the Zimbabwean lady, is a scream of a
person who wanted the rules be changed so that her people also would one
day stand the chance of winning this grande aesthetics contest.And your
attempt to silence such an important protest,such a petition for justice
and fairness on the international stage is disturbing ,to say the
least.That is why I want you to listen to the master,AIMER CESAIRE :-
"But the work of man is just begining, and it remain to man to conquer
all the violence entrenched in the recess of his passion.And no race
possesses the monopoly of beauty,of intelligence,of force,and there is a
place for all at the Rendez Vous Of Victory" And what more could I add
to that except that the struggle for justice,equal and fair treatment
for all
continues!!! =20
Regards Basssss!!!!
--=20
SZDD=88=F0'3Af=A8=03
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 30 Nov 1995 23:19:06 +0300
From: BASS KOLLEH DRAMMEH <KOLLS567@QATAR.NET.QA>
To: Gambia-l@u.washington.edu
Subject: RIOTS AT DAKAR'S CENTRAL PRISON
Message-ID: <30BE11B9.CED@QATAR.NET.QA>
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1
Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable
30 Nov 96 - Senegal-Prisoners
Prisoners Riots At Dakar's Main Prison
Dakar, SENEGAL - Four inmates and a warder sustained injuries during a
riot by
prisoners at Dakar's main prison Friday evening, the Senegalese news
agency reported
Saturday.=20
The incident, according to the director of prisons, Col. Djiby Diop and
the prison's warden,
Lamine Thior, was sparked by a squabble between a senior officer and a
prisoner who
refused to go back to his cell after his day's duty.=20
The two officials alleged that the prisoner rushed towards a window in
the visiting room and
hurt himself in the process. As he was being taken to hospital, other
inmates got the false
impression that he had been beaten by the warders.=20
The inmates then rushed towards the offices of the prison guards,
throwing stones.=20
According to the warden, about 50 prisoners scaled the correctional
house's walls and threw
stones to the house of the warden and his deputy.=20
Riot police were called in but by the time they arrived, order had been
restored although four
prisoners ignored an order to return to their cells. In the confusion
situation, the riot police
fire in the air. A guard and four guards were injured and had to be
taken to hospital.=20
Col. Diop and warden Thior conceded in an interview with the Senegalese
news agency that
security problems existed at the prison, which was overcrowded with 968
inmates, including
835 people who are awaiting trial.=20
--=20
SZDD=88=F0'3Af=A8=03
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 30 Nov 1995 23:30:10 +0300
From: BASS KOLLEH DRAMMEH <KOLLS567@QATAR.NET.QA>
To: GAMBIA-L@U.WASHINGTON.EDU
Subject: "GENDER APARTHEID" IN A ZAMBIA HOTEL
Message-ID: <30BE1452.1D12@QATAR.NET.QA>
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1
Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable
Zambia-Sexism
Zambian Women Protest Against "Sexist" Hotel
>From Mildred Mulenga; PANA Staff Correspondent
LUSAKA, Zambia - Women delegates attending a sub-regional meeting here
on
Saturday joined hundreds of their colleagues protesting against sexist
practices at the
"Holiday Inn Garden Court", one of Zambia's leading hotels.=20
The demonstrators accused the inn of discriminating women who went to
the hotel when
unaccompanied by men.=20
The militant women stopped some of vehicles and advised passengers to
stay away from the
hotel, arguing that it had breached the Zambian constitution, which
recognises the 1979
United Nations convention on the elimination of all forms of
discrimination against women.=20
The Zambian women were supported in their demonstration by their
colleagues from
Botswana, Lesotho, Malawi, South Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania and
Zimbabwe, who are
currently attending the African Women's Development and Communication
Network
(Femnet) conference.=20
Saturday's demonstration was inspired by an incident which occured early
this month when
the winner of the 1994 Miss Zambia beauty contest, Elizabeth Mwanza, who
was prevented
from entering the hotel because she was not in company of a man.=20
Under the guise of preventing prostitution, the inn's management has put
up a policy that
prevents women from patronising their hotel if not accompanied by men.=20
But Mwanza told PANA that she intends to institute legal actions against
the hotel because it
has been denying women their rights of freedom and movement.=20
"The fact is you will still find prostitutes in the hotel and the hotel
knows how those prostitutes
find their way in the rooms. Why should it only be women to be refused
to enter the hotel
and not men as well. what criteria does the hotel use to distinguish who
is a prostitute and
who is not?," Mwanza questioned.=20
Stlankie Chipeya, South Africa's women's national coalition project
manager who is
attending the Femnet conference, expressed her "disgust" at the hotel
for promoting gender
apartheid.=20
" I was really shocked to note that Holiday Inn Hotel here in Zambia
refuses women who are
unaccompanied to enter the hotel. Why should apartheid be practised
against women? We
have Holiday Inns in South Africa which don't deny entrance to women.
How do they know
this is a prostitute, is it written on their heads, ?" wondered Chipeya.=20
Some of the demonstrators at the hotel carried placards, including some
which read :
"Holiday Inn Garden of Adam," "Expose Holiday Inn sexism Horrors,"
"Holiday Inn
Breaches Constitution" and "Keep Out Sexist Hotels."=20
In 1992, a Zambian woman activist, Sara Longwe, filed and won her case
in the Lusaka high
court against Hotel Intercontinental, which had barred her from entering
a hotel room in the
company of her white husband.=20
--=20
SZDD=88=F0'3Af=A8=03
------------------------------
End of GAMBIA-L Digest 44
*************************
|
A clear conscience fears no accusation - proverb from Sierra Leone |
|
gambia-l: LOG9612A - Digest 44
