Gamcotrap programme coordinator ends testimony

The two women’s rights activists were alleged to have, in 2009, in Banjul and diverse places in The Gambia, jointly stole 30,000 Euros being money provided by the YALOCAMBA SOLIDARIDAD of Spain.

Continuing her testimony under cross-examination, Mrs Bojang-Sissoho told the court that each circumciser had thumb-printed an amount of D3,000, and they were also aware that ashobis were bought for them, and for both the alkalolus and women leaders, toward the celebration of the dropping of the knife.

She added that the fuel for the distribution of the ashobi materials also came from the money specified for Alternative Employment Opportunity (AEO).

When it was put to her that all what she said before the court was not true, because there was a budget allocated for them in that project, Mrs Sissoho told the court that she spoke the truth.

She further denied that there was anything like 30,000.00 Euros apart from the 129 Euros for the fight against FGM, for which Gamcotrap wrote the report to the donor after the phasing out of the project.

When asked by the prosecuting officer how many times they went to the NDEA main office in Kanifing, she told the court that she could not remember, but they were later asked to report every Monday.

She further told the court on a Monday they went to report at the NDEA office in Kanifing, they were told that their case file was transferred to Banjul.

She adduced that in Banjul, they were also told that their file had been taken to the police prosecution unit, and that was where they were placed in a cell without knowing what happened.

She said they made statements at the NDEA, which she recognised and it were later tendered in evidence.

When it was further put to her that her organization had no authority to spend the money on AEO, but instead on a micro-credit scheme, Mrs Bojang told the court that their stance was very clear since day one, as they are not a micro-credit organization.

“We are women’s rights activists,” she said, noting that they had no authority to carry out any micro-credit, as they had not registered Gamcotrap as a micro-credit organization.

The case was adjourned till 19 April 2012.