Do anybody have any websites I can learn about Gambia. It is in West Africa. I mainly interested in their culture, work industry, education. My cousin also interested by she want to get information by postal mail.
Part 1 of our whistle-stop tour of the Gambia… … Gambia Africa
Children singing at Joyce’s Nursery School built by the Gambian Children’s Fund in the Gambia, Africa
If you’re heading to Africa, you just must make a visit to The Gambia… … Gambia Africa slavery
Sizzla Kalonji arrives at Banjul Airport in the Gambia on his first visit ever to Africa www.gambia-holiday-news.co.uk … Sizzla “Sizzla Kalonji” Reggae Dancehall Jamaica Gambia Africa
The Gambia, an English speaking ex-British colony on the West Coast of Africa is a country with a great deal to offer – stunning scenery, amazing wildlife, great beaches and some of the most welcoming people anywhere in the world. See more here: www.gambia.co.uk … Gambia Africa Holidays culture
Gambia is a sliver in the side of Africa, one of its tiniest countries, but its attractions are just as bright as any in the region. Its capital city, Banjul, is a uniquely African experience, with a street side culture that chases away the holiday daze of glitzier cities.
The Gambia was also known, until 1994, as Africas longest running democracy. A small group of army lieutenants staged a coup that year, and the ensuing uncertainty following the uprising led to a decline in tourism, adding further stress to an already fragile economy. With the elections of 2001 and 2006, The Gambia has regained its status as a democracy, but it is a tenuous title as poverty continues to rise, freedom of the press is occasionally threatened and basic infrastructure including road conditions and electricity slides backward rather than forward.
Fajara is the oldest of a string of Atlantic coast resorts that includes Kololi, Kotu and Bakau. Along this six mile strip of beach is a line of about twenty hotels. Back from the beach are more hotels, with restaurants, bars, nightclubs, souvenir stalls and all the other paraphernalia of tourism.
This area of coastline is quite dramatic with red rock cliffs interspersed with small beaches. Care should be taken if swimming in this area.
A green tourist taxi from Banjul International Airport to any Atlantic coast resort costs about a third more than yellow taxis in either direction. There isnt any public transport to the airport, but minibuses between Brikama and Serekunda can drop you at the turn off 3km from the airport. From Fajara, you usually have to walk to the junction of Garba Jahumpa Rd and Kairaba Ave to pick up a shared taxi coming from Bakau.
It is important to always carry some form of ID, either your passport or a photocopy, on long journeys, as there are several checkpoints along the way, and the officials can be difficult if they want to be.
There are very, very few independent travellers in Gambia, like virtually none. This maybe due to very bad roads and almost no public transport.
The coolest period is from December to mid February, however, rainfall is a more significant factor than temperature in the climate here. Generally, the wet season lasts from June to October, and the dry season from November to May. The most uncomfortable time is the period of highest humidity, usually just before the wet season begins in June. However, in recent years the weather in the region has become harder to predict. Generally, rainfall levels have declined due to a combination of local deforestation and global warming. Wet seasons seem to start later and end sooner, although sometimes there are unexpected rainfalls during the normally dry.
Attritions includes the Botanical Gardens which were established during colonial times and are looking a little dilapidated now. However, its still a peaceful shady place. KololiBijilo Forest Park is a small wildlife reserve on the coast.
BakauKachikaly Crocodile Pool is a sacred site for locals, some of whom come here to pray, as the crocodiles.
When you travel to the Gambia a lot of people will ask you the same questions like Where are you from. When you answer these questions theres a little conversation and then a guy will usually walk with you. Its very hard to get rid of these guys. He presumes you need a guide even if you dont. Nevertheless he will demand money for his guiding. He may threatened to get this. The only thing to prevent this happening is to make clear, not only that you dont need a guide, but also that you dont pay anything.
24th April 1970 is when The Gambia became a Sovereign Republic. This is the Day when the Gambian people attained the constitutional right to self determination and Sovereignty, which is the cornerstone of genuine Independence. In 1965, The Gambia attained what should have rightly been called internal self Government under a constitutional Monarchy. This is precisely why Sir John Paul was appointed as Governor General of The Gambia by the Queen. He was later replaced by Sir Farimang Singhateh in 1966. Even though we are made to believe that we became Independent in 1965, the constitutional instrument which was handed over to the then head of the government, the Prime Minister of The Gambia, had a chapter dealing with the office of Governor General, who owed allegiance not to The Gambia by Law but to her Majesty, the Queen of the United Kingdom.
Many Gambians are still ignorant of this historical fact after 44 years since we gained nominal Independence.
Section 29 of the 1965 Constitution states that “there shall be a Governor General who shall be appointed by her Majesty and shall hold office during Her Majesty’s pleasure and who shall be Her Majesty’s representative in the Gambia”. Hence the Governor General owed allegiance, obedience and adherence to Her Majesty the Queen. This is why a Governor General had to take the following Oath of Office which reads “I do swear (or solemnly affirm) that I will well and truly serve Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the second, her heirs and successors, in the Office of Governor General of the Gambia. So help me God”.
Section 32 of the 1965 Constitution further added that “there shall be a parliament which shall consist of Her Majesty and a House of Representatives”. Where then lies the Independence of the Gambia in 1965? Hence, it should be clear to all Gambians that the country was a constitutional monarchy in 1965 and had not attained full Sovereign existence. The Gambian people were still partial subjects and had not become Sovereign Citizens of a Sovereign State. The wind of change had blown across all the British Colonies in West Africa. The Gambia, being the last Colony in 1965, did not feel the full weight of the powers of the Governor General, who even had the authority to appoint a Constituencies Boundaries Commission for the purpose of election of Members of the House of Representatives. The Governor General had powers to assent to laws on behalf of her Majesty. In short, an Executive power in the Gambia was vested in her majesty under the 1965 constitution. It was after the referendum of 1970 that the Gambia became a Republic on 24 April 1970.
It is on this date that Members of parliament and the cabinet were required by the constitution not to owe allegiance, obedience or adherence to a foreign power or state. The Sovereignty of the Gambia became vested in the people. They were to preserve and consolidate the country’s Sovereignty, territorial integrity and Independence. They become empowered by law to exercise their right to self determination by freely determining their economic, social and political development.
The Gambian people were required by law to be their own rulers. None had the right to lead without the consent of others and none had the mandate to exercise authority without promoting the liberty and general welfare of the people. It is therefore the 1970 Constitution which makes the beginning of the sovereign existence of the Gambian people. It makes every Gambian an equal owner of the country with equal powers to determine her destiny and equal rights to enjoy liberty and public services.
Every subsequent political administration should lead to further consolidation of the sovereignty of the people.
This is why 24th April should be commemorated as the most important day in our national calendar; it is unfortunate that neither the government of the first Republic nor that of the second Republic has seen the need to give Republican day its due importance.
As the media which is committed to the values of the Sovereignty of the people and Republican existence, we will continue to be relentless in our advocacy for its adoption as a National Day.
As the national media increases its coverage of ‘Mansa Bengos’, commemoration of coups d’états and other monarchical traditions, the people of Gambia shall intensify its advocacy for Republican values and the culture of sovereignty of the people. Gambians intends to collaborate with the People’s Centre for Social Science Research, Civic Awareness and Community Initiative to raise the awareness of the people. The Centre accepts to produce a book on Gambian history, focusing on our struggle for self determination and Independence and Gambians will open up a National Debate on the issue of sovereignty, self-determination and Independence. As some quarters romanticize coups to the point of calling for an anthem, those with Republican values should also provide incentives for people to think of an anthem for Republican Day, 24th April 1970.
We want it to be known that it is a historical fallacy that we became independent in 1965. It is a historical fallacy that the day of the coup d’état can be regarded as a day of national liberation. It is a historical fallacy that there is a day worthier of being commemorated than 24th April 1970.
The pages are open to any historian or party ideologue who is opposed to our assertions. However, future publications will clarify these issues to the satisfaction of our readers.