Dear Editors,
We have been focusing on politics in this column with the objective to document the contemporary history of the Gambia and to help our readers appraise themselves with the happenings of the past. We are now covering issues that culminated during the coup period of 1994. This we hope will go a long way in helping us have a better understanding of the evolution of politics in the Gambia as well as help forge a future genuine democratic dispensation for our homeland.
In the last edition, we have covered the controversy over whether Decree No. 30 has saved or not saved Chapter 3 of the 1970 Constitution which deals with fundamental rights and freedoms.
In this edition we shall follow a debate during the transition period that culminated between one Mr. Katim Toure and the Foroyaa on whether it was Empty Democracy or Democratic Dictatorship that is feasible for our homeland.
Let us continue from where we stopped.

TheFAO Representative in The Gambia, Dr Babagana Ahmadu, said the incursion of the highly pathogenic avian influenza H1N1 in Africa in early 2006 has attracted the attention of the international community on the weaknesses of the African continent’s veterinary services and thus laid the foundation for the launching of the Network of Western and Central African Veterinary diagnostic laboratories for avian influenza named Resolab. Dr. Ahmadu made this remark at the opening ceremony of the joint FAO, USDA/APHIS and ministry of agriculture workshop held at the Kairaba Beach Hotel on the 30 of August, 2010.

On Thursday 2 September 2010, in the trial of Jonathan Okoye a Nigerian who was charged for possession of prohibited drugs, Magistrate Abeke of the Banjul Magistrates’ Court refused the application of the prosecution for the court to expunge the proceedings and to adjourn it.

Quest for Wealth
Baaba is what people called a perfect husband. He is ‘Xeejan’ (happy to do good things for people). Baa, as he is fondly called by friends and loved ones, would spend anything to make his wife Antaa look her best in terms of what she puts on like clothes, ‘taakai’ (jewelry), shoes, bags you name it.
She spoilt Antaa, aka Taa, with material things until as she is fondly called by friends and loved ones became a spoilt one and the envy of her poor neighbours.
Taa, as the only daughter of middle class parents who only have two kids, including her, is a ‘spoilt brat’. She takes her husband for granted and gives her ears and mind to Beegay, her bossom friend.
Baa works for a business outfit as an accountant, but because of his extravagant wife’s excessive demands on him, he became so much indebted that he had to resort to unauthorized loans and which, when discovered, resulted in him being fired from his job.
Taa’s brother, Ousman, was sponsored by Baa to go to the US in search of greener pastures. Ousman, however, had made it in the US and when Baa was going through difficulties, he decided to loan him $100,000 dollars to rejuvenate his business.
The money however did not reach Baa – what happened? What was Antaa’s role in the whole episode? What happened to the quest for wealth?
The story is an eye opener for all those who place wealth first and human relationship last.

Mr President .we have been informed that you have established a Commission of Inquiry to look into the unlawful allocation of land. We wanted to refer the relatives of a man resident in Serrekunda who came to our office to seek advice. We searched for the Gazette to find out whether the Commission you have established is in force but could not see any publication to that effect. We are now in a limbo and do not know what to say to this enlightened young man who wants his relatives to stay away from conflict and seek the protection of the law.

A student went to his school to collect his WAEC Grade 12 exam results. He was told that he had to go to the WAEC in Banjul to get his results. He was told that he would have to pay an extra 100 dalasis to the council to have access to his results. He had to come to the Foroyaa office to get clarity. The student indicated that he had assumed that the exam fees contain all necessary cost.

Appliances are getting destroyed, work is undermined and productivity and income are in fetters. This is most lucrative month for tailors because of the feast that comes at the end of the fast month.
However, what customers are experiencing is worse than load shedding. Sometimes light will be on for less than 30 minutes and it goes off again. Mr Minister this type of erratic supply of electricity is a fetter to National development and should be addressed. The public is entitled to an explanation. Many have cash power and do not owe NAWEC any arrears..

By Lamin Fatty and Suwaibou Touray
Passengers, commuters and residents of both Wuli West and Wuli East have expressed dismay over what they described as the worst poor road networks particularly in the Wulis.

Press Release
September 1, 2010
1. World economic output is projected at about 4.5 percent in 2010 and 4.3 percent in 2011, reflecting stronger activity during the first half of the year. Driven by robust growth in Asia and stronger-than-expected private demand, the global economy expanded by 5.0 percent in the first three months of 2010. However, financial market turbulence caused in part by worries about the Greek crisis and its possible contagion effect in other vulnerable Euro area economies, fiscal sustainability and future growth prospects have clouded the near term outlook.

Jankey Samateh a sister, to Sillaba Samateh has her case adjourned on Wednesday 1 September by Magistrate Abeke of Banjul Magistrate’s Court due to the absence of both the state counsel M.B Abubacarr and the accused persons.