Gambia hosted an African satellite communications meeting on Monday and Tuesday to review the IT development and mull its future strategy in the continent.
The 11th Ordinary Meeting of Regional African Satellite Communications Organization (RASCOM) Assembly brought together African ministers of communication and information technology.
RASCOM was established in 1993 as an intergovernmental organization with an objective to provide on a commercial basis national and international public telecommunication services, including sound and television broadcasting in Africa.
The satellite is expected to save African countries millions of dollars previously paid every year to foreign operators and provide high quality and low cost telecoms, Internet, television and radio services across the continent.
Gambia Legal Year Opened
The 2009/2010 legal year was officially opened yesterday at the high court premises along independence drive in Banjul.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, the Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Mrs. Marie -Saine Firdaus told the gathering that she would want to share with the public the developments that have taken place in the legal sector during the past legal year and particularly concerning the Attorney General's Chambers.
Madam Saine-Fridaus said her Chambers is here to offer service to the public and that one of its key functions is to advice government on legal matters and to be representing and prosecuting cases at all levels in the courts.
The Attorney General and Minister of Justice said her office is working tirelessly to ensure that the justice system in the country is improved. She said the Gambia government made some commitments to revise the revise the laws of the Gambia, including the recent laws and regulations.
"As we speak now the laws of the Gambia are being revise, printed and hopefully, before the end of the year or latest at the beginning of 2010, the revised laws of the Gambia will be launched for accessibility to the general public" said the Justice Minister and Attorney General.
Mrs. Saine-Firdaus said she is happy to inform the gathering that cases are now being prosecuted and concluded in record time. She added that murder and rape cases that have been taking years to complete are now under the newly established Special Criminal Court concluded within three months.
She reported that in the last budget speech, the minister of finance said government has provided funding for the establishment of a Legal Aid Secretariat that to be assisting those members of the Gambian public who need and cannot afford legal representation.
According to her, every lawyer in the Attorney General's Chamber is overloaded with work.
The Attorney General said they need magistrates and lawyers and that this is why law is now introduced at the University of The Gambia.
"We have sleepless nights in making sure we get the judges and lawyers that we need to be able to ensure that justice delivery is done and in record time," she said.
For his part, the Chief Justice of The Gambia, Justice Emmanuel A Agim said they will commit themselves to ensuring that the judiciary is more opened and effective in serving the public. The Chief Justice also touched on the issue of backlog of cases but was quick to attribute delays as a global problem being experienced especially in the developing countries jurisdictions. Justice Agim however said the Gambia should try and come out of this situation.
"This is why in the magistrate courts, we have introduced cases to be heard on Saturdays and within the past four months over eight hundred cases were concluded" said the Chief Justice.
Delivering her address, the vice president of the Gambia, Madam Isatou Njie Saidy said the government would always want to see an efficient and effective judiciary and justice system. She said this is what prompted the government as part of its human resource support to increase the salaries of judges as a gesture to attract more Gambians to the bench. She prayed for a massive improvement in justice delivery in The Gambia in the new legal year.
The ceremony was attended members of the Gambian bench and bar, cabinet ministers, district chiefs, Speaker and National Assembly Members, heads of diplomatic missions, other state officials and guests, the media and a cross section of the general public.
Gambia Law
Speaking at the opening ceremony, the Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Mrs. Marie -Saine Firdaus told the gathering that she would want to share with the public the developments that have taken place in the legal sector during the past legal year and particularly concerning the Attorney General's Chambers.
Madam Saine-Fridaus said her Chambers is here to offer service to the public and that one of its key functions is to advice government on legal matters and to be representing and prosecuting cases at all levels in the courts.
The Attorney General and Minister of Justice said her office is working tirelessly to ensure that the justice system in the country is improved. She said the Gambia government made some commitments to revise the revise the laws of the Gambia, including the recent laws and regulations.
"As we speak now the laws of the Gambia are being revise, printed and hopefully, before the end of the year or latest at the beginning of 2010, the revised laws of the Gambia will be launched for accessibility to the general public" said the Justice Minister and Attorney General.
Mrs. Saine-Firdaus said she is happy to inform the gathering that cases are now being prosecuted and concluded in record time. She added that murder and rape cases that have been taking years to complete are now under the newly established Special Criminal Court concluded within three months.
She reported that in the last budget speech, the minister of finance said government has provided funding for the establishment of a Legal Aid Secretariat that to be assisting those members of the Gambian public who need and cannot afford legal representation.
According to her, every lawyer in the Attorney General's Chamber is overloaded with work.
The Attorney General said they need magistrates and lawyers and that this is why law is now introduced at the University of The Gambia.
"We have sleepless nights in making sure we get the judges and lawyers that we need to be able to ensure that justice delivery is done and in record time," she said.
For his part, the Chief Justice of The Gambia, Justice Emmanuel A Agim said they will commit themselves to ensuring that the judiciary is more opened and effective in serving the public. The Chief Justice also touched on the issue of backlog of cases but was quick to attribute delays as a global problem being experienced especially in the developing countries jurisdictions. Justice Agim however said the Gambia should try and come out of this situation.
"This is why in the magistrate courts, we have introduced cases to be heard on Saturdays and within the past four months over eight hundred cases were concluded" said the Chief Justice.
Delivering her address, the vice president of the Gambia, Madam Isatou Njie Saidy said the government would always want to see an efficient and effective judiciary and justice system. She said this is what prompted the government as part of its human resource support to increase the salaries of judges as a gesture to attract more Gambians to the bench. She prayed for a massive improvement in justice delivery in The Gambia in the new legal year.
The ceremony was attended members of the Gambian bench and bar, cabinet ministers, district chiefs, Speaker and National Assembly Members, heads of diplomatic missions, other state officials and guests, the media and a cross section of the general public.
Gambia Law
Iran and Gambia Vow Closer Cooperation
Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad on Monday vowed closer cooperation with Gambia at the end of a 24-hour visit to the west African nation and stressed the country's identical views on world issues.
"We will continue to further our cooperation in all areas for the benefit of the two countries," he told a press conference, stressing security, agriculture and education.
The leaders also discussed the issue of stability and peace as a precondition for development.
"The Gambia and Iran are two countries with identical views," Ahmadinejad said.
According to a statement, the Iranian president and his Gambian counterpart Yahya Jammeh have undertaken "to cooperate in the fight against all forms of threat to peace, security and progress in the interest of mankind."
Jammeh lauded the comprehensive relationship between Banjul and Tehran.
"There is no limit to our relationship. It is a very open and brotherly relationship and one that is here to stay," Jammeh said.He added that with the global financial crisis countries need to prioritise their bilateral relationships.
From Banjul, the Iranian leader is to continue on to Brazil, Bolivia,
Venezuela and Senegal.Prior to leaving Tehran, he said the countries he would visit on his five-day trip "have the ability to restore a new world order".
"We will continue to further our cooperation in all areas for the benefit of the two countries," he told a press conference, stressing security, agriculture and education.
The leaders also discussed the issue of stability and peace as a precondition for development.
"The Gambia and Iran are two countries with identical views," Ahmadinejad said.
According to a statement, the Iranian president and his Gambian counterpart Yahya Jammeh have undertaken "to cooperate in the fight against all forms of threat to peace, security and progress in the interest of mankind."
Jammeh lauded the comprehensive relationship between Banjul and Tehran.
"There is no limit to our relationship. It is a very open and brotherly relationship and one that is here to stay," Jammeh said.He added that with the global financial crisis countries need to prioritise their bilateral relationships.
From Banjul, the Iranian leader is to continue on to Brazil, Bolivia,
Venezuela and Senegal.Prior to leaving Tehran, he said the countries he would visit on his five-day trip "have the ability to restore a new world order".
The Mayor of St Louis Visits L'hotel de la Poste
The Mayor of St Louis Visits L'hotel de la Poste. Get the most out of your Gambian holiday with Gambia Holiday
Gambian Economy to Grow Faster Than Forecast in 2009, IMF Says
The Gambian economy will expand this year at a faster pace than previously forecast, aided by strong growth in agriculture, the International Monetary Fund said in a report dated Nov. 5.
Gross domestic product will increase about 4.5 percent to 5 percent in 2009, up from an earlier estimate of about 3.5 percent, according to a statement issued after IMF officials visited the Africa nation from Oct. 23 to Nov. 5. Real GDP growth is projected “to rise slightly” in 2010, based on a partial recovery in tourism and remittances, the IMF also said in the report e-mailed to Bloomberg News.
“Given the uncertainty of weather conditions for agriculture and prevailing weakness in some countries with economic linkages to The Gambia, there are still downside risks to the outlook for 2010,” the fund said.
“The Gambian government still faces a heavy debt burden,” the IMF said, estimating interest on government debt to consume almost 20 percent of government revenue in 2009.
Gambia Now
Gross domestic product will increase about 4.5 percent to 5 percent in 2009, up from an earlier estimate of about 3.5 percent, according to a statement issued after IMF officials visited the Africa nation from Oct. 23 to Nov. 5. Real GDP growth is projected “to rise slightly” in 2010, based on a partial recovery in tourism and remittances, the IMF also said in the report e-mailed to Bloomberg News.
“Given the uncertainty of weather conditions for agriculture and prevailing weakness in some countries with economic linkages to The Gambia, there are still downside risks to the outlook for 2010,” the fund said.
“The Gambian government still faces a heavy debt burden,” the IMF said, estimating interest on government debt to consume almost 20 percent of government revenue in 2009.
Gambia Now
Gambia Tourist Authority Woos German Tourism
The Gambian Tourism Authority (GTA), in partnership with Gambian Hotel Association and Travel Association of The Gambia, Tuesday briefed German journalists and tour operators on the Gambian tourist potentials.
Prior to the briefing, the visitors had undertaken a nine-day tour of the Gambian tourist centres, including the exotic eco-camps, trendy resorts along the coast line and the culture of the Gambian people.
The journalists are drawn from reputable media organisations in Germany.
Addressing the visitors, the Acting Director General of GTA, Fatou Beyai Raji, said that the Gambian tourism fraternity had worked tirelessly to put together a programme that specifically addressed the aspirations of the visitors.
'The German market is of great significance to us and we want to leave no stone unturned to make an impact in the German market,' she declared.
The Director of Marketing, Lamin Saho, told the visitors that the GTA was bent on redoubling its efforts in improving the tourism sector.
This will include the building of more eco-tourism centres as part of the GTA master plan, in order to benefit not only the tourism sector but also the people.
Also speaking, the Chairman of Tourism and Travel Association of The Gambia, Charbeika Hobeika, said his association was totally committed to improving standards and safety to the highest level.
The association, he said, hopes to attract what he called 'high class tourists' with more spending power, while improving services.
Gambia Now
Prior to the briefing, the visitors had undertaken a nine-day tour of the Gambian tourist centres, including the exotic eco-camps, trendy resorts along the coast line and the culture of the Gambian people.
The journalists are drawn from reputable media organisations in Germany.
Addressing the visitors, the Acting Director General of GTA, Fatou Beyai Raji, said that the Gambian tourism fraternity had worked tirelessly to put together a programme that specifically addressed the aspirations of the visitors.
'The German market is of great significance to us and we want to leave no stone unturned to make an impact in the German market,' she declared.
The Director of Marketing, Lamin Saho, told the visitors that the GTA was bent on redoubling its efforts in improving the tourism sector.
This will include the building of more eco-tourism centres as part of the GTA master plan, in order to benefit not only the tourism sector but also the people.
Also speaking, the Chairman of Tourism and Travel Association of The Gambia, Charbeika Hobeika, said his association was totally committed to improving standards and safety to the highest level.
The association, he said, hopes to attract what he called 'high class tourists' with more spending power, while improving services.
Gambia Now
UK Press on the Gambia Gets it all Wrong
A recent article I read on the Gambia commented on the ruin that has been made of the short coastline by unplanned building. I fly out in 2 weeks and cannot wait to see how much building work must have been done since May 09 to ruin the beaches and coastline I know in the Gambia!
Following a very quiet season in 2008-2009 its extraordinary to think that so much cash must have flooded in, but if the coastline is now full of ugly high rises, it will have been a great boost to the Gambian economy during the summer season.
Following a very quiet season in 2008-2009 its extraordinary to think that so much cash must have flooded in, but if the coastline is now full of ugly high rises, it will have been a great boost to the Gambian economy during the summer season.
Grand Mosque of Touba, Senegal
One of the largest and most prominent Sufi orders in Senegal, Murīdiyya (Murid), is based in the city of Touba.
Gambia Tour Guide Advert
If you are planning a holiday in the Gambia consider contacting Alex. He can show you the real Gambia at prices you will not get on hotel official tours. You can go wherever you wish, beyond the normal tourst trip, and in comfort. More importantly, your holiday money stays in The Gambia.
Gambia Holiday Apartments for Sale
Holiday aprtments for sale in Kololi with shower, living room, kitchen and verandah overlooking a central courtyard with swimming pool and bar. The apartments have 24 hour electricity, water and security.
These two bedroom holiday apartments are ideally situated behind the The Car Wash in Kololi and Maroons Supermarket at Palma Rima junction.
It is a short walk to the local mini market, pharmacy, internet cafe, and local bars and restaurants.
It is a 10 minute walk to the Palma Rima Hotel and The Palma Rima beach is a further 5 minutes. The Senegambia strip with its restaurants,clubs and supermarkets are a short walk away
These two bedroom holiday apartments are ideally situated behind the The Car Wash in Kololi and Maroons Supermarket at Palma Rima junction.
It is a short walk to the local mini market, pharmacy, internet cafe, and local bars and restaurants.
It is a 10 minute walk to the Palma Rima Hotel and The Palma Rima beach is a further 5 minutes. The Senegambia strip with its restaurants,clubs and supermarkets are a short walk away
Gambia Tourism on From Our Own Correspondent
From our own correspondant has a short piece on the Gambia tourist industry and recent changes.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programmes/from_our_own_correspondent/7929276.stm
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programmes/from_our_own_correspondent/7929276.stm
Gambia Beach Hotel Investment For Sale - Kololi
This property is located on the beach front in the main tourist area known as Palme Rima. The plot is 80 m by 212m and is fenced on all sides.
On the plot are 3 partially completed developments consisting of
14 x 1 bedroom apartments
14 x studios
7 x 2 bedroom apartments
There is a further strip of vacant land with space for a similar development or a number of individual properties.
Kololi is a resort town on the shore of the Atlantic Ocean in Gambia. Kololi is the main tourist area of the Gambia, with the main hotels such as the Senegambia and the Palma Rima. Kololi is monitored by the Gambia Tourist Police.
On the plot are 3 partially completed developments consisting of
14 x 1 bedroom apartments
14 x studios
7 x 2 bedroom apartments
There is a further strip of vacant land with space for a similar development or a number of individual properties.
Kololi is a resort town on the shore of the Atlantic Ocean in Gambia. Kololi is the main tourist area of the Gambia, with the main hotels such as the Senegambia and the Palma Rima. Kololi is monitored by the Gambia Tourist Police.
Gambia Beach Bar and Restaurant for Sale
Teranga Beach Bar, Kololi, The Gambia
The Teranga Beach Bar is located on the beach front in the main Gambia tourist area. The site is partially developed and is known as one of the major music venues in The Gambia, playing host to international stars such as Sizzla and Maorgan Heritage from Jamaica, Youssou Ndoour from Senegal and Emerson from Sierra Leone.
The property consists of a covered beach front verandah offering access to the main performance stage, bar and restaurant area. There is a further smaller stage area with covered seating, unfinished VIP area, other unfinished buildings and a large undeveloped court yard.
Teranga Beach Club was established in 2004 and has a guest capacity of around 1,000 people. If you are travelling from the Senegambia area turn left at the Palma Rima Junction and make your way east towards the beach.
Kololi is a resort town on the shore of the Atlantic Ocean in Gambia. Kololi is the main tourist area of the Gambia, with the main hotels such as the Senegambia and the Palma Rima. Kololi is monitored by the Gambia Tourist Police.
http://www.gambia-property-sales.co.uk/Details/night-club-for-sale-in-gambia
The Teranga Beach Bar is located on the beach front in the main Gambia tourist area. The site is partially developed and is known as one of the major music venues in The Gambia, playing host to international stars such as Sizzla and Maorgan Heritage from Jamaica, Youssou Ndoour from Senegal and Emerson from Sierra Leone.
The property consists of a covered beach front verandah offering access to the main performance stage, bar and restaurant area. There is a further smaller stage area with covered seating, unfinished VIP area, other unfinished buildings and a large undeveloped court yard.
Teranga Beach Club was established in 2004 and has a guest capacity of around 1,000 people. If you are travelling from the Senegambia area turn left at the Palma Rima Junction and make your way east towards the beach.
Kololi is a resort town on the shore of the Atlantic Ocean in Gambia. Kololi is the main tourist area of the Gambia, with the main hotels such as the Senegambia and the Palma Rima. Kololi is monitored by the Gambia Tourist Police.
http://www.gambia-property-sales.co.uk/Details/night-club-for-sale-in-gambia
Red Nose Day or Dambisa Moya?
RED NOSE OR DIAMBISA MOYO?
Dambisa Moyo is a Global Economist at Goldman Sachs in London. She previously worked at the World Bank in Washington DC. A native of Zambia, she holds a Doctorate in Economics from Oxford University and a Masters from Harvard. With the publication of her book 'DEAD AID: Destroying the Biggest Global Myth of Our Time' she appeared all over BBC radio one day in February arguing that the $300 billion received in aid since the 1960's has made the poor of Africa poorer, with wages stagnant or even fallen from their 1960's level. Her conclusion is that Aid has done nothing but slow growth in developing countries.
With Red nose day looming (Friday 13th March)the supermarkets full of red noses, red nose wine and red nose apples, and even the county council buildings sporting a giant red nose disc, should we be re thinking our approach to aid?
I thoroughly enjoy watching red nose evening with my family. We laugh and cry at all the right places. I understand why Davina Macall and not I have been chosen to tell the success story of the fight against malaria in Malawi, or Billy Connolly reuniting a family in Mozambique.I dont even feel bitter and twisted that Cheryl Cole and Gary Barlow have got to climb Mt Kilimanjaro for the cause. We buy all the produce, and ring up at about 10pm with our credit card in hand.
There have been many episodes of bad aid, corruption and economic dogma which support the 'Dead Aid' argument.It has taken many forms; guns and tanks, powdered milk, preaching against the condom, the curse of diamonds and oil, marxist agrarian revolutions and cathedrals the size of Notre Dame in the jungle
But I do believe that all of the cash from Red Nose Day does good. It is not a hand out which breeds reliance and it is not directed from the top down where it can sometimes amount to very little when it reaches its actual target. It does not always address social and economic needs and growth as would be ideal, but it does touch and save individuals; it seems easier to accept a report of a million children dying of malaria a year than it is to watch one die on a Friday night in front of Lenny Henry. I believe that if I send £10 it may be used to buy a mosquito net under which mother and children can sleep, and which may prevent further grief in a family. Life is really no cheaper in Africa and if a night in watching Comic relief makes people think a bit further than their credit crunch, born of greed, then that is OK. It for the government and the NGOs to re think their policies on aid to Africa.
Gambia Property Sales-We can Help
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Full page advert with your description and up to 6 photos for 12 months of great advertising. No commission - just £199 pa
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Need to sell Gambia real estate?
Need to sell Gambian land or building plots?
Need to sell a Gambian tourism development?
Full page advert with your description and up to 6 photos for 12 months of great advertising. No commission - just £199 pa
You deal with the potential tenants and answer their questions personally. You know your property best
Happy Anniversary To The Independant Gambia
On 18 February The Gambia celebrates its 44th year of Independence. The 'On This Day Page' on the BBc website gives a report on the independence celebrations in 1965: Countdown to Gambian independenceThe Duke and Duchess of Kent have celebrated the end of 300 years of colonial rule in Gambia with 35 chiefs.
At midnight Gambia will become the smallest - and 37th - sovereign state in Africa and the last of Britain's West African colonies to gain independence.
It was the first African nation conquered by the British and will become the 21st member of the Commonwealth, as well as the 116th member of the United Nations.
Representing the Queen, the royal couple was escorted to the mansa bengo - gathering of kings - by Gambian Prime Minister Dawda Jawara and Governor Sir John Paul.
All the Gambian leaders showed their respect by removing their shoes before greeting the British dignitaries.
The oldest chief, Toure Sagniang, said: "It gives us confidence to know that as a monarchy we are members of that family of which the Queen is head."
And he thanked the UK for its assistance in making the transition to independence.
The traditional ceremony - in the village of Brikama, 22 miles from the capital, Bathurst - included soothsayers and standard bearers, accompanied by drumming and string instruments.
Guests from around 30 nations were present, including the US Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs, George Mennen, and the Soviet Ambassador to Sierra Leone, Grigori Pashchenko
Gambia Holiday Forums
Last week I was looking for a flight to the Gambia and came to the Trip advisor Gambia Forum. Having read some of the posts and the solutions to travel enquiries, I thought I might join and while handing out some top tips for travelling in Africa, with all age groups, I could promote the Gambian Businesses I have found useful. I added to a couple of posts seeking opinions on Cape Point or Banjul, where to eat and whether one could risk travelling to West Africa without the suggested jabs. Then, up came a question about travelling with a 18 month old child.
Having been brought up by the Unilever Guide to bringing up children in the tropics, I offered as much info as I could, adding some useful business contacts such as a taxi with seatbelts which might accommodate the car seat they were taking.The Post was promptly removed, as it was considered to be commercial spam by the moderator.
I had a few private mails from members who had seen the original post, asking me to join an off topic forum so I presume the info must have been useful. I do think that such forums are used by people who have an interest and who want to give info to others, just as you might if you met them in a queue for check in. So if you cannot give out your personal experience, the name of a useful website or a particular local tour guide or legal advice or restaurant what use is the forum? What a forum for the Gambia should tell you is how other people got off the hotel beach to see something of the real Gambia.
Having been brought up by the Unilever Guide to bringing up children in the tropics, I offered as much info as I could, adding some useful business contacts such as a taxi with seatbelts which might accommodate the car seat they were taking.The Post was promptly removed, as it was considered to be commercial spam by the moderator.
I had a few private mails from members who had seen the original post, asking me to join an off topic forum so I presume the info must have been useful. I do think that such forums are used by people who have an interest and who want to give info to others, just as you might if you met them in a queue for check in. So if you cannot give out your personal experience, the name of a useful website or a particular local tour guide or legal advice or restaurant what use is the forum? What a forum for the Gambia should tell you is how other people got off the hotel beach to see something of the real Gambia.
Bakau Guest House for Breakfast, Fishing, Views and West African Art
On our last trip to the Gambia we were a group which held three generations of the family and therefore there were times when the trip of the day did not suit all of us. Fishing in a small local fishing boat was one that did not suit me, or Granny, but we would not want to miss the occasion altogether; Overlooking the fish market in Bakau is the Bakau Guest House. From the restaurant balcony you can watch the fishing boats going out with 2 generations of the family on board, while you and the top end of the age range have eggs on toast, a pot of tea, and a birds eye view of the fish market. The photos show the left, right and centre view from the balcony over the rooves of the market, the fishing trip, view to the guesthouse and the balcony itself .
After a second pot of tea we were invited to view the rooms available. (Foolishly I did not take a photograph) They were very big,shaded, clean and airie, with a big fan. The rooms with balconies overlooking the beach and the open public areas (bar reception and restaurant) had the added benefit of the sea breeze. I would book it tommorrow if we were a one generation trip. My generation does not insist on air conditioning or a swimming pool and the guest house would have been considered absolute luxury in my backpacking days. The menu was excellent, the quirky architecture a joy. One aspect of the Guesthouse was extremely interesting to all ages-the art work which I did feel energetic enough to snap.
Gambian Champions Pull out of Champions League
Gambia champions Wallidan have pulled out of this year's African Champions League for financial reasons, club officials said.The club now face an automatic three-year ban for withdrawing from the competition, which the Confederation of African Football will ratify later this year.What a terrible shame that there is no one and no body to help.How much money is really needed to keep this game on and keep the Gambias top teams in the Champions league? How would we feel if Liverpool went under and were unable to take their place in the European Champions League....well, pleased I know but say it was Villa or Hull? All around the Gambia you see the premiership football shirts with names of Drogba, Essien, Toure and Adebayore, to name just a few. The English game is awash with cash. I dont begrudge anyone getting the best rate for being the best at their job. I do just wish that the support and enthusiasm in the Gambia for the Premiership be recognsed, and maybe every now and then, when its need, some small change be lobbed that way.
My Gambia Football Experience
The International Stadium
Bakau Utd at the FA Cup
In 2007 we were welcomed to the Gambia FA cup final in the Serrakunda Stadium, joining the Bakau Utd section for a real Gambian football experience.The atmosphere beat any game I have been to and the drive home through the football traffic in Serrakunda was hilarious, with the sisters of our guide heckling the Banjul fans from the back of the jeep.
Inside the theatre of dreams Bakau
For 20 delassi each we crowded into a little cinema in Bakau to watch 2 premiership games similtaneously, one on a big screen and one on a TV next to it. It was roasting hot and heaving with more spectators trying to catch some of the game through the curtained windows.The room was decorated with graffitti saying "Theatre of Dreams" "Pele" and "Beckham", and I would rather have been there than in the bar at the Senegambia where I caught a bit of the Sky Monday match. But take youselves a bottle of water each which has been half frozen in the freezer!
Every evening my sons played football on the flat hard stretch of sand at the top of Cape Point beach. They were invited to play by whoever was there playing as we walked by. All age groups, all abilities, mostly in Chelsea shirts.My youngest struck up an understanding with the boys of KP Utd and we were able to leave them a new ball and some football gear when we left and have since sent over last years kit from his Sunday league team. It doesn't take much thought or imagination really.
My Gambia Football Experience
The International Stadium
Bakau Utd at the FA CupIn 2007 we were welcomed to the Gambia FA cup final in the Serrakunda Stadium, joining the Bakau Utd section for a real Gambian football experience.The atmosphere beat any game I have been to and the drive home through the football traffic in Serrakunda was hilarious, with the sisters of our guide heckling the Banjul fans from the back of the jeep.
Inside the theatre of dreams Bakau For 20 delassi each we crowded into a little cinema in Bakau to watch 2 premiership games similtaneously, one on a big screen and one on a TV next to it. It was roasting hot and heaving with more spectators trying to catch some of the game through the curtained windows.The room was decorated with graffitti saying "Theatre of Dreams" "Pele" and "Beckham", and I would rather have been there than in the bar at the Senegambia where I caught a bit of the Sky Monday match. But take youselves a bottle of water each which has been half frozen in the freezer!
Every evening my sons played football on the flat hard stretch of sand at the top of Cape Point beach. They were invited to play by whoever was there playing as we walked by. All age groups, all abilities, mostly in Chelsea shirts.My youngest struck up an understanding with the boys of KP Utd and we were able to leave them a new ball and some football gear when we left and have since sent over last years kit from his Sunday league team. It doesn't take much thought or imagination really.
Standard Chartered Emerges from Credit Crunch A Winner
The Sunday Times financial section has made Standard Chartered Bank its top tip for share buying this year."Global banks are reeling, but there will be winners, and this conservatively run bank-heavily tied into Asia, Africa and the middle East will be one of them"
I am not one for the shares market preferring to invest any left over cash in property but I certainly feel my money is safe at Fajara SCB. It makes you feel good that your friendly, local bank in Banjul, Serrekunda, Kairaba Avenue, Senegambia and Basse can now look down on the huge over designed, overstretched and arrogant glass houses of Lehman Brothers and RBSetc.
The Standard Chartered Group website tells me the bank was formed in 1969 through a merger of two banks: The Standard Bank of British South Africa founded in 1863 and the Chartered Bank of India, Australia and China, founded in 1853.
It has its own Gambia site which tells us that Standard Chartered Bank is the oldest and, until 2002, the only international bank in The Gambia, and has had a presence in the country since 1894. Since its establishment, the Bank has remained committed to providing the highest quality of banking services to the Gambian people. Our understanding of the market, business environment and needs of our customers is unparalleled, and we provide a comprehensive range of banking products and services in both Consumer and wholesale banking.
In December 1998, Standard Chartered Bank Gambia launched the first 24-hour Automated Teller Machines with VISA connectivity. The setting up of ATMs in the Gambian financial market heralded the advent of the 21st century by introducing the hitherto unknown concept of 24-hour banking in The Gambia.
The Bank employs over 100 people, and has five branches in Banjul, Serrekunda, Kairaba Avenue, Senegambia and Basse.
Standard Chartered Bank Gambia provides a comprehensive range of products in both consumer and wholesale banking.
The consumer banking products include wealth management products like current, savings and foreign currency accounts as well as Linksave and Fixed Deposit Accounts. We also provide personal installment loans and overdrafts, mortgage housing finance, ATM facilities and Western Union money transfer services. For our Small and Medium-sized Enterprises, we also provide lending, cash management, and trade finance services.
Our wholesale banking products and services include Trade Finance, Cash Management, Foreign Exchange and a wide range of Corporate Finance solutions.
SCB Gambia is leading the way in the Gambian Financial services market and aims to be the right partner for its stakeholders. The bank combines deep local knowledge with global capability. We are appreciated across the network for our standard of governance and commitment to making a difference in the community.
We are a major player in the country’s forex market through our Global markets business. We are a registered Primary Dealer, which means that customers with amounts lower than 1 million dalasi can invest in treasury bills through us.
We have devised a comprehensive cash management service that serves as a one-stop shop for our customers, called Premium Service Banking. This service brings together an outstanding range of payment, collection and investment services and products.
Points of interest
SCB Gambia was the first banking institution to be established in The Gambia
SCB Gambia is the only Bank in the market that has introduced and operates state of the art ATMS.
SCB Gambia provides web banking facilities for customers to monitor their accounts on a near real-time basis.
I am not one for the shares market preferring to invest any left over cash in property but I certainly feel my money is safe at Fajara SCB. It makes you feel good that your friendly, local bank in Banjul, Serrekunda, Kairaba Avenue, Senegambia and Basse can now look down on the huge over designed, overstretched and arrogant glass houses of Lehman Brothers and RBSetc.
The Standard Chartered Group website tells me the bank was formed in 1969 through a merger of two banks: The Standard Bank of British South Africa founded in 1863 and the Chartered Bank of India, Australia and China, founded in 1853.
It has its own Gambia site which tells us that Standard Chartered Bank is the oldest and, until 2002, the only international bank in The Gambia, and has had a presence in the country since 1894. Since its establishment, the Bank has remained committed to providing the highest quality of banking services to the Gambian people. Our understanding of the market, business environment and needs of our customers is unparalleled, and we provide a comprehensive range of banking products and services in both Consumer and wholesale banking.
In December 1998, Standard Chartered Bank Gambia launched the first 24-hour Automated Teller Machines with VISA connectivity. The setting up of ATMs in the Gambian financial market heralded the advent of the 21st century by introducing the hitherto unknown concept of 24-hour banking in The Gambia.
The Bank employs over 100 people, and has five branches in Banjul, Serrekunda, Kairaba Avenue, Senegambia and Basse.
Standard Chartered Bank Gambia provides a comprehensive range of products in both consumer and wholesale banking.
The consumer banking products include wealth management products like current, savings and foreign currency accounts as well as Linksave and Fixed Deposit Accounts. We also provide personal installment loans and overdrafts, mortgage housing finance, ATM facilities and Western Union money transfer services. For our Small and Medium-sized Enterprises, we also provide lending, cash management, and trade finance services.
Our wholesale banking products and services include Trade Finance, Cash Management, Foreign Exchange and a wide range of Corporate Finance solutions.
SCB Gambia is leading the way in the Gambian Financial services market and aims to be the right partner for its stakeholders. The bank combines deep local knowledge with global capability. We are appreciated across the network for our standard of governance and commitment to making a difference in the community.
We are a major player in the country’s forex market through our Global markets business. We are a registered Primary Dealer, which means that customers with amounts lower than 1 million dalasi can invest in treasury bills through us.
We have devised a comprehensive cash management service that serves as a one-stop shop for our customers, called Premium Service Banking. This service brings together an outstanding range of payment, collection and investment services and products.
Points of interest
SCB Gambia was the first banking institution to be established in The Gambia
SCB Gambia is the only Bank in the market that has introduced and operates state of the art ATMS.
SCB Gambia provides web banking facilities for customers to monitor their accounts on a near real-time basis.
Gambia Local Tourist Guide
The Gambian tourist industry is dominated by the big boys. Even the ex pats running the fishing trips are beholden to the big tour operators for their bookings, and they get paid a fraction of the fee you might pay having booked it in the hotel. It is only recently that you could find a flight with an airline that was not booked through Gambia Experience or Thompsons. Those tourists wishing to go it alone, or local guides who wanted to provde a more local tour find it more problematic.
There is room for all levels of organisation in the holiday industry and thank god that the internet has enabled us all to chose the type of holiday we want. With that in mind let me direct you to Abdul Ramon Conteh who runs Abduls Safari tours Mr Conteh has been able to get his ground operator license through working in partnership with a Dutch company to form the Arch Tours, specialising in the sorts of trips you would want to go on if you really wanted to see Gambia. The best thing about it is that you will not feel like you are part of a herd; these are small trips in jeeps or a mini bus at its biggest, led by local drivers and guides, and with the flexibility to change the time of the toilet stop, and not waste time getting 40 people their chosen drink in the cafe. You wont be sitting on the bus waiting for evryone taking their time on the toilet break. I know we are all tourists, but just as with everything else in life, we like to do things in different ways.
The tours themselves are very well thought out and just the sort of trips you would take guests on if they were visiting you; the ferry trip to Barra and then Senegal for another stamp in your passport, the slavery tour and the river trips.
If you dont do anything else with your trip to the Gambia, please do the "4 tours in 1 day" Its all possible because you are not part if a big group, trouping on and off coaches and waiting for other people. You will see so much of the Gambia as well as taking in all the local sites of interest, ending with a couple of hours on the beautiful, no-one for miles, Paradise Beach. Really, you need never leave the hotel again once you've done this trip. Although once you've got the tatse for it?
There is room for all levels of organisation in the holiday industry and thank god that the internet has enabled us all to chose the type of holiday we want. With that in mind let me direct you to Abdul Ramon Conteh who runs Abduls Safari tours Mr Conteh has been able to get his ground operator license through working in partnership with a Dutch company to form the Arch Tours, specialising in the sorts of trips you would want to go on if you really wanted to see Gambia. The best thing about it is that you will not feel like you are part of a herd; these are small trips in jeeps or a mini bus at its biggest, led by local drivers and guides, and with the flexibility to change the time of the toilet stop, and not waste time getting 40 people their chosen drink in the cafe. You wont be sitting on the bus waiting for evryone taking their time on the toilet break. I know we are all tourists, but just as with everything else in life, we like to do things in different ways.
The tours themselves are very well thought out and just the sort of trips you would take guests on if they were visiting you; the ferry trip to Barra and then Senegal for another stamp in your passport, the slavery tour and the river trips.
If you dont do anything else with your trip to the Gambia, please do the "4 tours in 1 day" Its all possible because you are not part if a big group, trouping on and off coaches and waiting for other people. You will see so much of the Gambia as well as taking in all the local sites of interest, ending with a couple of hours on the beautiful, no-one for miles, Paradise Beach. Really, you need never leave the hotel again once you've done this trip. Although once you've got the tatse for it?
GAMBIA TRIPS OUT Bakau Fish Market
This is the view from the end of the beach looking back at the market. There are big rocks to sit on while you wait for the boats to come in, then go pick your fish and watch the experts filletFor those of you who know, this is a beautiful view of Bakau Fish Market and Bakau Lodge isn't it? Bakau Fish Market is not necessarily the first trip out I would recommend. When you first leave the air conditioning and waiter service you want something like the monkey park, or a taxi to Sanyang beach, where someone else can wait on you and you dont need aircon. But at some stage you must go there.
Please dont go to the Gambia and stay in, even if your tour operator says you should. They only want to keep you spending in their shops and at their bar. I prefer to spread my holiday a bit further than Thompsons bank account, especially when in Africa.Someone said that money is like manure; spread it around and it does a wonderful job, but leave it all in a pile and it will stink. Well a small amount goes a long way in Africa and if you cant spread a few quid every day while youre there you may as well go to Blackpool. But you have chosen the Gambia so go and have a look at it. You could be on that beach anywhere, why go all that way and stay in the hotel?
Bakau is one of my favourite places. I do self catering just so that I can go to the fish market and chose tea for the family. Be it barracuda, mackeral or butterfish or a massive bag of prawns, its like being Nigella or Jamie in my Cape Point kitchen, with all the different types of fresh fish and vegetables. One day it may be Bouillebaise, another thai prawns, and have you ever tried barracuda curry. You could never justify buying such produce in the UK. Someone would say "How Much? imagine what that could buy in Africa"
We like fishing too. My family fishes from a small local boat, with life jackets, and I wait on the beach or having a coffee in the Bakau Ldge balcony overlooking the market.The big freezers you can see at the start of the pier have every sort of fish you may want to try but butterfish is our favourite.
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You may feel a little hassled at the market if you go there on your first trip out. The fishermen and the filletters are all eager to help. Just be certain of what you want. If they are offering a tour of the market, definitely go because you will learn so much; which bits of the fish are sent to Japan, which type to Ghana, even a couple of recipes. They will need a tip, just like anywhere else in the world. Be fair. What was that hours private tour worth to you, and how much would you pay in Sainsbury's? Be careful with your video cameras. This is a working place and people dont necessarily want to be filmed at length. Once you have been there once, you will be known and feel well looked after.......
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