YJAG gets new advisory board

Seated: Members of the Board. Standing: The YJAG Executive Committee

By Lamin Jahateh / YJAG member

The Young Journalists Association of The Gambia (YJAG) has recently inaugurated a new board of advisers that is to provide strategic guidance and a thoughtful advice for the association to help ensure that it remains true to its aims, mission and vision.

Held on 19^th July at the new secretariat of the Gambia Press Union in Fajara, the ceremony was graced by various media chiefs in the country, the executive director of the GPU, and a cross section of media practitioners.

The six-member board consists of Njundu Drammeh of Child Protection Alliance as the chairperson, Nguie Mboob-Janneh representative of the Female Lawyers Association, Sam Sarr of Foroyaa newspaper, Emil Touray, president of Gambia Press Union, Momodou Sabally of the Ministry of Finance and Economic Affairs, and Mrs Amie Bojang-Sissoho of Gamcotrap former chairperson of the board, and YJAG president, Modou Joof as secretary to the board.

Speaking on the occasion, YJAG President explained that the appointment of the board was based on their credibility, wisdom and their unarguable commitment to the service of humanity in their various areas of work and involvement.

“We hope their involvement with YJAG during this period will be of immense help to the executive committee’s determination to put the Association on sound footing and ensuring continuity,” said Mr. Joof.

Speaking on behalf of the board chair, Sam Sarr the managing editor of Forayaa Newspaper, pointed out that the role of YJAG is very important as far as journalism is concern in The Gambia because it gives continuity to journalism in the country.

“Without the growth and development of young journalists in The Gambia, there will no future for journalism in the country,” he said, adding:  “The role given to us as board member is very important and though it is very heavy it is not a burden because we are to help the association to grow so that journalism will have a better future in The Gambia.” 

He assured that the board will give the association all the necessary support and guidance needed in order to follow the right path.

A representative of FLAG on the board, Mrs Nguie Mboob-Janneh, said YJAG is not just an association, but an institution that is very important in the society in informing and educating the general public.

The GPU president and also a board member of YJAG, Emil Touray, said YJAG is one of the most progressive journalist associations in the country due to its organised nature and in the way it carries its duties and functions.

Touray also pledged that henceforth, the GPU under his tenure will be responsible for the printing of the proposed YJAG newsletter.

The secretary general of the Union, Gibairu Janneh, said the inauguration of the new board shows that YJAG is determined to move forward and achieve results.   Janneh assured that the GPU will continue to assist, promote, protect and encourage journalism at all levels in the country.
 

He expressed his delight with the composition of the board members saying the board consist of people of substance, initiative, foresight and vision.

The ceremony was chaired by the Daily Observer news editor, Assan Sallah, who is the ex-president of the association.

YJAG was formed on 16 September 2007 with the objective of promoting unity among young journalists in The Gambia; providing capacity building and addressing the welfare of its members, amongst others. 

The association is tasked with recruiting young journalists into the profession, and operates under the motto “capacity building, duty to inform”.  YJAG has in recent years contributed tremendously to the development of the media in The Gambia, especially on capacity building and news reportage.