The Exile of Famous Young Gambian Author and Scholar, Modou Lamin Age-Almusaf Sowe

( Extracted from his End of 2018 Thanksgiving Message To His Readers' )



Dear Reader (s),
                               Apologies for not replying to your messages and e-mails on time. I am not very social media- friendly, and mostly use emails as my means of communication. Also, I am not Whatsapp- friendly and not on Messenger. I have today finished my (devoir du 1er semestre).

Strangely, ever since I started teaching English in college and high school and learning French, it takes me ten times as long to do every other task.

God has done me well. 2018 has been tough for me. Yes it has, I experienced the worst pain ever. My worst fear happened. It is well. I still give God thanks. Thank you my wonderful reader (s) like you, lovers, my family and friends for your support always. Nearly two years ago, when injuries and an imbalanced and unjust persecution threatened to end my career, I remember thinking - “I either coach myself, or I fail God and people with my gift of the pen.” I believed that if I could recapture my best, I could get back to where I belonged.

Luckily for me, before I was sent to exile by Ex- Gambian president, Yahya AJJ Jammeh, for  my film entitled; Babili-Mansa--which shows among others how Jammeh captured power in a bloody coup in 1994; I did something positive in life that is paying me now.

Before I left The Gambia in 2016, on June 2014, I participated in a Writer's Workshop organised by the African Studies Association of the UK ( ASAUK), in collaborations with the King's College and The University of The Gambia ( UTG) at the Brikama Digital Campus, The Gambia; which was funded by the British Academy. The purpose of the workshop was to provide mentoring to emerging West African scholars who were about to complete their doctorate/PhD to develop their work further with a view to publication.

I was in high school by then- and was actually the youngest at the Workshop. I felt very lucky to work with the scholars and editors from the USA and the UK, only to have my work later accepted for publication in USA in 2016. While in a painful exile and had suffered pain, inhuman threats, indignity, frustrations, trauma, lost of love ones, a breakup with my fiancée, and when my enemies thought I failed; my courage and determination, coupled with my God-given talent, granted me the good news about my book being published in USA in March 2016.

Given the lack of educational infrastructure and opportunities attendant to early study in The Gambia, I am an accomplished writer TODAY. I was very impressed both with my work which I had submitted – a play entitled  ( The Throne of the Ghost) , and also – equally as importantly in terms of my future educational attainment – with the way in which I responded to the constructive criticism which was given to me by my editors and editors. Following our meeting at Brikama with the editors of Africa; I went away to work on my text, which was subsequently accepted for publication by Malthouse Publishers in Lagos, Nigeria – one of the more prestigious and serious publishers in West Africa, which I think is testament to my literary skills, ambition, and capacity for intellectual work.

In terms of my undergraduate education knowing my poor family background and where I actually come from, this commitment follows clearly from my existing training I had received from ECOWAS, a certificate in collective management of copyright and intellectual property, and a post-secondary certificate in librarianship from The Gambia National Library Service Authority (GNLSA). I have also already worked as a teacher-librarian and playwright in The Gambia, but it is clear that for me really to develop and excel intellectually and professionally (as I am capable of doing), I require further study possibilities. As the oldest of eight children from one of the world’s poorer countries, moreover, I certainly meet any criterion for financial need where to apply for a scholarship.


My own background as a young scholar in West African studies makes me quite courageous to survive anywhere in the world. Having worked with the major intellectual and academic institutions in The Gambia, I am well aware of both the need and opportunities available for training  there. In  order  to  grow  and   develop its full potential as a postcolonial nation, The Gambia needs dedicated, trained, and ambitious intellectuals who have the potential to become the builders of our nation. I am an original writer, and I have absolutely no doubt that I would make the very best of every opportunity I have in life.


In sum, my experience for overcoming my worst of moments in life, both in The Gambia, and subsequently on my work as it went to publication, is that I am a talented writer, a hard worker, and someone with serious intellectual potential. I am a very determined young man with ambition and purpose, and I hope very much that readers' like  you have always considered me very carefully.



 I dare to dream about success even in the absence of helpers.  Is ALL ABOUT my life, like WHAT I've been through to get here: I had to make with all I've been through. This is my life I can't pretend to, I'll never let gossip and misfortunate ruin what I can do. I got many doubters and pretenders-
but I already made it this far, I can't lose. My struggle is something I really went through.
Things I encountered in life were meant to be. As long as I’ve served God from my wisdom, served my country and helped my family, I’ve worked to help others see our common humanity & find common ground. That’s the same approach I’ll take to representing our great country, The Gambia anywhere I live in this world.To get to the Moon, Mars and beyond: we’re going to need a bigger boat. Sometimes,  to get to where you supposed to be- you must encounter challenges such as mine. It's my worst time of the year because December 2016 and 2017 had been my years of sorrow. I still thank God for some absolutely awesome people who have helped me out alot and I appreciate you all more than you will ever know.

I’m grateful for every single painful experience that I’ve had in my life. They’ve all led to this very moment of me being so in love with who I am & everything that I embody. Loving the good experiences is easy, but loving the negative ones takes strength & for that I’m a force.
 I can't remember what day it is half the time, but I can remember the last time I ever spoke to my love ones before they died. It was 3 years ago this week. Sometimes, I want to go back in time to when common sense was fairly common. Sometimes, I feel like being silent in a world that is talkative, but sometimes I just look back and be thankful to God.


 I missed the grand event of the  2018 UN Youth Migration Forum in Marrakesh, Morocco, but however, I did send my contributions on the Global Compact for Migration. I would like to wish all that celebrate a very Merry Christmas and everyone a happy New Year.

Over the festive period, please could everyone grab a complimentary copy of my critically acclaimed book available for a limited time only. Search for The Throne of The Ghost by Modou Lamin Age-Almusaf Sowe (ISBN9789789497133)  to snag your complimentary copies.


Kindly click on the link below to watch a positive version of the trailer of my film that sent me to exile:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SozU9B93Czc

Written by West African writer and scholar,  Mr. Modou Lamin Age-Almusaf Sowe ( Modou Lamin Sowe )

SOURCE: Voice of The Pen  ( www.voiceofthepen.blogspot.com)

28 Most Coolest Quotes By Modou Lamin Age-Almusaf Sowe

1. If a mirror shows our exact image as they say, why can't man see his back. I am too kind because am one of a kind in my mind. Kindness is an attitude but not a lesson to learn.

2. A flight of a swamp of bees signify that there is no honey in town. They say I am funny, say that to my honey because I don't care about the money.


3.  The best way to succeed is to be successful in the eyes of those who don't want to see you successful.


4. I see sugar in and sugar out anytime my heart beats, because it mentions the name Lady Sowe.

5. If you go to a country where people eat in their eyes, don't use your nose to eat.

 6. Successful people don't show off, instead, they show WHAT was off when everyone's light was on.


7. Whatever didn't worked for you that you may have hoped for, meant that God has a better thing for you in the Hereafter.


8. A Whiteman asked me: " why is national news international?" I responded because it includes famous or unknown nationals who're international.

9. An American reader once asked me: "why are you handsomely talented?" I replied because an intelligent man is always as handsome as his mother is beautiful.

10. A Kenya once asked me: "if prophet Muhammad ( S .A.W) was the last prophet. Why will Jesus return?" I replied because God does anything He likes, and Jesus will not return as a prophet.


11  You may not have read any of my titles, but when I am death or still alive, you'll later discover that I wrote books that lift the voices of the unheard, that address imbalance and champion positive change.


12  Anyone who trusts that Allah is God, and God is Allah; you and your household will never have to settle for the crumbs that fall from the enemy's table.


13. It's been a minute since I trusted somebody because we're in the time of times.

14. I am whatever I am.
I don't fear death or dying,
I keep on trying.


15. Never in a million years did I ever think I would have an award named after me or join this caliber of laureates... but sooner or later, I'll be known for my profound recognition in writing.


16.  I dare to dream about success when everyone fears it.


17.  I've never seen any successful human that has never failed. Successful people have struggle and pain in common.


18.  Is ALL ABOUT my life, like WHAT I've been through to get here. I had to make it with all I've been through.
This is my life I can't pretend to. I'll never let them tell you what I can't do.
I got many doubters and pretenders; but I already made it this far, I can't lose.

My struggle is something I really went through.
Things I encountered were meant to be.
Help me or not; with God I'll get there.
Many have tried to stab me on the BACK, just to proof them wrong: I sold thousands of copies.
I am the only real me, no photocopy.
These haters and doubters should ask the climbers.
But I made them see success in my eyes.
This is my destiny, I can't pretend to.
I started off at the age of 14, I never cared ABOUT the fame or the MONEY.


19. Do not use your tongue to discuss people’s faults. Everyone has faults and people also have tongues.


20.  As long as I’ve served my country, I’ve worked to help others see our common humanity & find common ground. That’s the same approach I’ll take to represent our literature before and after my death.


21.  I am known for unleashing the imagination and fueling the dreams of multiple generations of Africans; for the AfriKa we want and not the AfriCa they want for us.


22. If you ever come back to your senses after realizing that what's meant to be will always be; shake off any heaviness and put your praise on! Confuse the enemy and praise God- You win!


23.  After 15 years of education, I only thought that the word beautiful,  gorgeous, elegant, comely, pretty and modest, were ONLY adjectives- not until I met the person these words are meant to describe.


24.  Sending love to those who are bravely battling whatever is hurting your heart or mind. Survival nowadays may not always be pretty, but with God; anything is possible.


25. The biggest cowards always talk the most amount of shit.


26. I can't remember what day it is half the time, but I remember the last time I ever spoke to my late fiancée ( Musu) before she died. It was 11 years ago this week.


27.  People like me until they meet one or two of my demons. But some people dislike me until they lied against me  in order to destroy my career.  But no amount of ungratefulness is worse than lying against or betraying the person who helped you discover your talent and realize your dreams in anything.


28. If I die young or unexpectedly, don't dwell on how much of a shock it is. Make Du'aa ( prayers) for me. Forgive me, pray may Allah grant me Jannah, pray for ease for my family, that is how you can prove your love for me.

SOURCE: ( The Voice of The Pen)

Young African Writer, Mr. Modou Lamin Age-Almusaf Sowe, Suggested New Words in the English Dictionary

Mission Statement: to be a legitimate and an authentic voice for African youths and their organizations capable of representing young people worldwide on the continent of Africa, to lead the development of their nations. A New World Order of African Youths!

Young African Writer, Mr. Modou Lamin Age-Almusaf Sowe, Suggested New Words in the English Dictionary

November 17, 2018

The famous young Gambian West African writer and scholar, born Modou Lamin Sowe ( 1990),  well known by his penname Modou Lamin Age- Almusaf Sowe, a former teacher-librarian and drama coordinator at Masroor Senior Secondary School,  the  founder of the Young Writers' Association of The Gambia  ( YWAG), former university-librarian and the director of academic research at the African Development University  (ADU ), an independent researcher and scholar of intellectual property and library and information studies,  has suggested

adding 16 new words, new senses and new sub-entries in the English language dictionary.

Speaking to Mr. Sowe in his library earlier this weekend to the African Youth Architects  ( AYA ), Mr. Sowe said is not about level of education, nationality,  knowledge or the degrees one has obtained, but some people are just born special to create history in this world.

 The 28-year-old unmarried Gambian scholar suggested these 16 new words, which in turn is making sense to everyone around the world:

"Had I been granted a chunk of pages in the Oxford English Dictionary,  the Cambridge English Dictionary, the Collins English Dictionary, the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, the Macmillan Dictionary and the Thesaurus, etc., unlike the 422 Words that William Shakespeare invented without questioning his maturity, affiliation, nationality, educational background, sense of belonging and capabilities, or without any White-supremacy, or discrimination as a means of looking low upon him over Africans, or by means of exercising superiority of the White race over black Africans; it will be my higher honor and distinct privilege to add these 16 new word entries, new senses and sub-entries to the dictionary."

1. Afrika, to be also spelt as AfriKa,  ( n),  a. the belief or the vision that there will be a United States of Africa ( US.Afri).

b. The philosophy that the word Africa with the letter 'c' was being coined for us, in order to disunite our continent, to be seen as the land of pest and diseases, hunger and poverty, corruption and war,  contrast to the dream of Kwame Nkrumah and Mohammad Ghaddafi to the emergence of a United States of Africa ( US.Afri), which can govern herself from her rich resources, and to be totally free from foreign rule and influence.

2  Ferciluous, ( n),  the belief that poverty is man-made and can be conquered by accepting to be part of an entity that is far more better than the generations in the past.

3. Xanalovic, ( n),  the state or the condition in which a man or a woman lacks the heart or the hope to fall in love again or get marry, as a result of experiencing unhealed emotional wounds or scars in their hearts for their past experiences.

4. Mankindious, ( adj), of a person having to belief that one's knowledge, number of wife( ves) or a child (children), or amount of wealth, fame or power that one has,  will actually last forever and there is no life after death.

5. Libraritanious, ( adj), highly self-learned or the process or the act of learning, or being educated in a library and being able to impact change in society.

 Example: A libraritanious librarian knows how to collect data, organize them , and to properly disseminate and manage information in a library.

6. Afrikanly,  ( adverb), of an African or Afrikan citizen acting in a way that shows experience, knowledge, and good judgement for his/her identity.

7. US.Afri, ( n) a. A United States of Afrika or United States of Africa.

b. A prosperous and integrated Afrika for the Africa we want.

8. Ramzilious, ( adj),  highly unpleasant marriage or love relationships being cursed by one's demon or demon spirits.

9. Afri-fool, ( n),  the state in which an African citizen discovers, writes, sings, invents,  or even to the extent of being very successful in their work or dreams- and then get themselves intelligently deceived or rejected by White people contrary to the benefits they can bring to Africans.

Example: The murder of Thomas Sankara and Mohammad Ghaddafi was an Afri-fool to Africans and African development.

10. Eye-to-see-one, ( v),  the action of being part of a movement that sees everything with one-eye.

11. Age-Almusaf ( n) the theory that there are four categories of human beings on earth; and that they are divided into four categories, namely:

Those who know but they don't talk.

Those who talk but they don't know.

Those who don't talk at all because they don't know, and,

Those who talk and they know: as said by Modou Lamin Age-Almusaf Sowe in his scholarly work and famous play, The Throne of The Ghost ( ISBN9789789497133).

12. Painwriting, ( n ),  the painful action or narrative or a story of connected events, real or imaginary, in which all writers' pass through before they garner fame for their works, or become successful in their writing careers.

13. Mahdirism, also Jesusism ( n),  the belief that a religious reformer who is not a prophet, neither a messenger of God, and nor an impostor is going to rule this world with the help of Jesus as an ordinary human being than ascending down as a prophet or a messenger of God.

14. Acheberian, ( n), anything having to do with the writing, speeches or the work of late Nigerian African writer, critic and professor Chinua Achebe.

15. Mandelian, (n), the belief in freedom and love for one's country as opposed to patriotism,  in a more rigid and unforgettable manner; as the memories of late African hero and freedom fighter, Nelson Mandela and his struggle against apathy in South Africa.

16. Multiversity, (n), the opposite of a university. A place of learning for Doctorate and PhD students, or anyone who has successfully completed all their various university degrees, but still wishing to learn in the future. The degree to be granted after this studies is known as Dr. Dr. Prof (DdP).

All rights reserved!  African Youth Architects  ( AYA)

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''AFRIKA'' with the letter K and Not the ''AFRICA' with the letter C

October 29, 2018

AYA Campaigns for the ''AFRIKA'' We Want, and Not the ''AFRICA'' They want for Us!




We, the African Youth Architects, are united in our conviction that the crisis currently affecting Africa is not only a migration or refugee crisis, but also a crisis of unprecedented raise of youth unemployment manefsted in abysmal trends and indicators.  The African Youth Architects (AYA) focus on empowering the African youths and their organizations by creating job opportunities for them, in order to tackle youth unemployment by 2030. The sole objective of AYA is to launch an international campaign on the attainment of a relevant and a quality education for all, the implementation of the World Programme of Action for Youth, and the AU AGENDA 2063, in partnership with international organizations, in order to create a suitable platform for coordinated actions and mass mobilization towards youth unemployment and employment creation for the youth in all sectors …

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TRYING TIMES ( Poetry)

TRYING TIMES

I am confuse!
In distress, all doors are close
The balcony of my strength got loose
I am in constant distress
My joy, agony transgress.

Sadness deface my face
Lonely in this race
All seems to be dark, the next stage
No crony around to be trace.

Poverty puts me in distress
My happiness, it transgress
My thoughts all branded senseless
Struggling alone, I am helpless
Are my people clueless?

Tomorrow, nobody can forecast
Why should I be outcast?
Is the society changing so fast?

Poverty is a nature
That I never wished to nurture
Because in it, there's no pleasure
And my life needs a treasure.


I am equally a human, your partner
Not like a worm and a flower
But like a sister and a brother
Embrace me and stop giving me a trauma.

Cogitate, tomorrow I can behest
Vagaries of life, do not be aghast..
My life seems to be in gloomy
Tomorrow, it can change, this is not funny.

 If today is  Monday
Tomorrow will be Tuesday
Nothing stays forever
And never say never!

I am living in poverty
Outcast in the society
Agony deface my face
When will I be in felicity? Having value in the society?


Written by:
©ML DRAMMEH CSAY
#YWAG
#THELIGHT

Call for Application ( Gambian Literature ANTHOLOGY 2018-2019)

The Drumbeats of The Gambia for Gambian literature ANTHOLOGY 2018 - 2019 (to publish all young Gambian writers' in an anthology, + more)

Deadline: November 30th, 2018

The Young Writers' Association of The Gambia ( YWAG) is seeking for poems, short stories, and articles that resonate, reverbrate and reflect Gambian literature, arts, and culture. The subjects of taboo are widely explored in this ANTHOLOGY to defining us as a people. The emerging Gambian authors of this generation are not afraid to go further afield for the literary fodder.

YWAG under the dynamic leadership of Kebba Mamburay ( Chairperson) and Lala Touray ( Vice President) aim at empowering young Gambian writers of Gambian citizenship who lacked some successes in their work as aspiring writers. The Call is open to both published and unpublished young writers' living in and outside The Gambia.


The writers can be living anywhere in the world- but must be a Gambian citizen by birth and must be willing to be a MEMBER of The Young Writers' Association of The Gambia ( YWAG).  In honor of the YWAG’s vision of promoting Gambian literature and celebrating its 7th Year Anniversary on January 7  2019,  upcoming writers of genuine talent will be honored at the National Writers' Festival and the Night of Spoken Word 2019. The Night of Spoken Word will feature a public lecture, an award ceremony and outstanding performances from The Gambia's best and emerging poets and spoken words artists. THE DRUMBEATS OF THE GAMBIA aim to promote and support Gambian literature, writing and publishing by young people. This ANTHOLOGY will be donated to the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education ( MoBSE), The Gambia National Library, the US Embassy Banjul, UNESCO, The University of The Gambia ( UTG),  various junior and secondary schools in The Gambia,  public and private libraries in the world.

ABOUT THE ANTHOLOGY:

* Will be available in all online stores,  libraries and bookshops.
* Will be launched by the Online Launch Team
* Include a Video Trailer
* Reviews
* Copyright and Royalties are owned by the authors and the publishers
* Will feature renowned young writers of The Gambia
* Book Website and Media Outreach



Eligibility

1. Submissions will only be accepted from young Gambian citizens home and abroad.

2. All entries should be an original work of the authors and never to have been published anywhere in any form.


3. Writers should be aged between 15-35 years old at the time of submission to this Anthology.

4. The Anthology accepts entries for fiction and non-fiction of the genre: prose and poetry ONLY.

5.  Each writer will be allowed to enter a maximum of one (1) poem or a short story per author.

6. The submissions should depitch Gambian culture and tradition

7. The poems should be themed-based and must not be more than 20 lines; articles should be less thab 1000 words, and the short stories must not be more than 1000 words.

8. Strictly note that the Call will be closed when we receive 25 submissions. So it's first come first serve.

Each entry will be required to be accompanied by:


* A Short Biography of  the author of about 50-100 words exactly.

* Send along with Proofs of Ownership of the WORK ( i.e, ID copy, passport, a snapshot of the handwritten manuscript, etc)

Please see the plan for the ANTHOLOGY:

Application

(Please click on the link below to summit your application online )


www.ebrimasawaneh.com/survey

TO SAVE GAMBIA, BARROW ADMINISTRATION HAS TO BE AWARE OF CHINA'S 'DEBT TRAP DIPLOMCAY'.

"Nothing is required, and nothing will avail, but a little clear thinking".- John Maynard Keyness

It's crucial to note that there's no permanent friend in international relations, but permanent interest.
China has a dream; the elusive quest for the greatest untapped market on earth- this dream has maintained extraordinary potency in the expense of "developing countries".
The China dream is too resilient, and the "developing world" determination to see it come true too great.

President Barrow has to use his position as a moral fulcrum to understand that, the Chinese can milk even an ant to get a liquid, and that they're eyeing our fish resource and other deliverables to turn their dream into a reality. And given us loans that we can not service, so as to strangle our economy.
Our fish resource is getting depleted every waking minute by the Chinese investors. The Gambia has high rate of unemployment. Unemployment Rate in Gambia increased to 9.50 percent in 2017 from 9.40 percent in 2016. It's high time for the Gambia government to stop China's scramble for our resources, and invest in this fishing sector to create employment for the youth and boast our economy.

The idea of Chain's 'debt trap diplomacy' is giving alluring loans to developing countries, when these countries ossify to pay then they demand concession.
Zambia has provided a shining example recently, they defaulted on a couple of loans, and apparently lost the Zambia's Power Utility (zesco) and Zambia's broadcasting corporation to China. By all indications, Zambia is becoming the Chinese property and colony. Heaven forbid! This is a prime lesson for the Barrow Administration.

The news of Gambia's strengthened bilateral relation with The People's Republic of China has raised fundamental issues. What is the Gambia's bargaining power in term of comparative advantage? It's important to note that, like farmers quest for agricultural productivity, Chinese investors press unending forward to be the largest economy in the world, as any means necessary.

To raise the economic positions of Gambians, President Barrow must be inclined to believe that, as a sovereign state we must depend on what we can do. So we can distance our great nation from China's 'debt trap diplomacy'.
This is not to say that we don’t need help, but help coming from outside is secondary. We must primarily depend on ourselves for our survival.

As the Socialist Proponent Hon. Sedia Jatta, said, “We have fresh water in the country, which can be used 12 months of the year, so we should think about what we should do to change our agriculture, not only rain fed, but means to make it all year around agriculture".
The Gambia needs a strategic plan to get the agriculture and fishing sector booming. The survival of our great nation hunches on the agriculture and fishing sector, and not loans from China or any outside power.

Kwameh Nkrumah sums it up: The less developed world will not become developed through the goodwill or generosity of the developed powers. It can only become developed through a struggle against the external forces which have a vested interest in keeping it underdeveloped.

By, Buba S. Njie
Political Science student.

Commonwealth Youth Award 2019 Nominee for The Gambia

Having learned of the call for nominations for this year's Nominations for 2019 Commonwealth Young Person of the Year.


The Young Writers' Association of The Gambia ( YWAG) is writing to endorse a highly suitable individual, (Miss. Satang Dumbuya) as the NOMINEE for The Gambia 2019.

In many ways exceeding the challenging requirements and expectations for the award, Satang Dumbuya's ambitions, intelligence, and accomplishments complement precisely the stellar community of past recipients and make her highly deserving of the honor and opportunity bestowed by the (Nominations for 2019 Commonwealth Young Person of the Year).

To further support this nomination, we would be pleased to have you visit the link below; register and nominate Miss. Dumbuya for the Commonwealth Youth Award 2019.

 We need your nominations to bring the prize to The Gambia Our Homeland.

https://commonwealth-youthexcellence.awardsplatform.com/


ABOUT THE NOMINEE FOR THE GAMBIA

"Hello everyone, my name is Satang Dumbuya, I am 24 years old and an enthusiastic young lady passionate about seeking solutions to various issues in our communities and country at large. I have been in activism for more than a dozen years. I have led and still leading organizations that are doing extremely well aiming at achieving the SDGs.

I am currently studying Law at the University of The Gambia ( UTG) as I aspire to become a Peace and Conflict Resolution Expert, working with and for people.
I have led series of life changing events and has successfully contributed in mentoring, teaching, sensitizing and educating people in addressing issues such as Women, Youth and children empowerment and involvement in decision making processes which happened to be my platform through which I won The Face of Beauty Gambia 2018.

Through my dedication and commitment in youth work as an activist, and my efforts in achieving the SDGs, I have also won the award of the Best Participant for the Voice Of The Youth Competition 1st Edition recently held in The Gambia, in 2018.


I seek your support in nominating me for this life changing award."