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…….Speaker Fatou Jahumpa Ceesay Assured President!!

By MB Ceesay, Banjul.

Declaring the new legislative session open Friday, Gambia’s President Yahya Jammeh warns the country’s opposition to desist from actions that might undermine the country’s peace and stability. Mr. Jammeh said the opposition is free to operate in the country, but was quick to add that they must operate within the confines and  dictates of the laws of the land. “. "We want positive opposition not destructive ones. I have nothing against the opposition, but no one should hide behind the opposition to cause havoc, we would not tolerate it." Said President Jammeh.

Mr. Jammeh uses the occasion to announce his Government’s achievements over the years. He says his Government is committed to bringing development into the West African country.

Jammeh also commented on the growing value of the dalasi. He said the dalasi has appreciated significantly in the recent times, whilst the might dollar continues to loose its value at the world market. “ Our economy is growing at a fast rate. My government will continue to strive for economic prosperity.” He said.

In a surprising move, Jammeh took his audience by surprise, when he blasted Gambia men, marrying multiple wives. He says many Gambian men married more wives in the name of religion. Jammeh said most of the time these men would lie to their old wives, in order to justify such marriages. He cited examples of how men would lie to their old wives to only convince their new ones to come in even when there is no money to maintain them.

Sadly, said Jammeh, the old wives are used and discarded by their husbands without any form of thank you. He says Gambian men should quit abusing their women in the name of marrying new wives.

The women he said, normally  take care of the children going to school, feed the family, clothe the husband and children until they are old and frail. These wicked men he said, would now abandon the women and they are the ones who contributed to their success.

He further said that the NEYCONF 2008 would take place in Farefenni this year. He talked about those who abandoned The  Gambia and “go to what they call Babylon”, that it is not a good place for them. He said some have regretted on their return asking, "Why did we go and not stay?" "If Gambia is so difficult why would foreigners come with nothing and return home rich? Citing an example, he said a Liberian refugee had lived in the Kudang camp but later came to the city and opened a saloon to treat women's nails. He opened it at Senegambia and later became a rich man and went to Babylon with lots of money. Why not Gambians?” He asked. He said the work they do overseas they can't do it here.

He commented on malaria control and its impact on children and women. Agriculture, he said,  would be a year round thing and urged women and men to participate. He said the government has formulated a policy to tackle the problems. Water harvesting also is to enhance water production instead of waiting for rain. He also commented  on mineral resources and called electricity the life blood of modern development.

Jammeh also promises to improve the lives of youths. He said his Government is committed to youth empowerment.

For her part, Speaker Fatoumatta Jahumpa Ceesay said the House would deliberate on all the issues put forward by the President. Speaker Jahumpa Ceesay said the President’s speech contains important information, especially issues affecting women’s lives in this country. She also reaffirmed the President’s statement on the need for the respect for  gender equality. She said they will thoroughly scrutinized the said document, with the view of promoting women's rights. She thanked the President and her colleagues from the sub-region for gracing such an important function.

 The President and the speaker embraced each other before and after the Parliament opening. There was no sign of animosity between the two. What’s evident though, FJC was confident looking throughout the parliament session. She and the President could be seen exchanging jokes.