Back and Next - Back and NextMulti-purpose cultural complex for the Gambia soon
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Madam Nancy Njie, secretary of state for Tourism and Culture has revealed plans of the Government of the Gambia (GG) under the dynamic and visionary leadership of Professor Alhaji Dr Yahya AJJ Jammeh, to construct a multi-purpose cultural complex in the Gambia.
As part of efforts geared towards promoting,developing and preserving the spirit of arts and culture in the country,the government has initiated the following actions such as the allocation of land for the construction of a multi-purpose cultural complex, mobilization of funds for construction of the complex this year 2009,work towards strengthening of the National Centre for Arts and Culture (NCAC) with all the required legal instruments and implementation of the Copyrights Act for protection of Intellectual property.
SOS Madam Nancy,who deputised for the Gambian leader President Jammeh, who also doubled as the grand patron of Arts and Culture in the Gambia, made these remarks at the start of the day long congress organised by the Gambia Association of Theatre (GAMAT),held last saturday at the Paradise Suites Hotel in Kololi.
The congress was meant to review and adopt the constitution of the association and to brainstorm on issues confronting development and preservation of arts and culture in the country so as to pave the way forward for the world of arts and other related industries. The congress was also meant to elect new executive,which will steer the affairs of the association for the next two years.
“MY brothers and sisters, I am totally convinced that your presence here is an indication of your understanding and appreciation of the urgent need for all to unite in search of common goal for the management of theatre and other related artistic works in the Gambia. The discipline must involve actors, actresses, script writers, story tellers, ballet groups among others.”
He pointed out that It is regrettable to learn that watching theatre arts and films from the sub-region oder than the country’s has become the order of the day. “Despite this trend, the Gambia is endowned with theatrical skills and talents. Example is the production of the famous Banjul Cops which was made both local and international. It is only through the spirit of unity and collaborative work that we can achieve our goal in management of arts and theatre related activities in the country”, she said.
The tourism and culture SOS added that,the new cultural policy of the Gambia has recognised the importance of education and youth development through culture.She described the GAMAT congress and creation of the association as a step in the right direction and a clear demonstration of the association’s awareness about the need for Gambians to play their role in the development of the country”s cultural heritage.
Madam Njie urged the participants to take the congress serious and come up with sound decision,especially to an executive that steer the affairs of the association for the interest and development of the country. She thanked the out-going task force and initiators of the association for job well done. She assured her department’s support to the association whenever the need arises.
Momodou Joof, Director General (DG) of National Centre for Arts and Culture (NCAC) also joined the tourism SOS in extending gratitude and appreciation to the Gambia Association of Theatre (GAMAT), for what he called brilliant and wonderful initiative geared towards developing and preserving the spirit of arts and culture in the Gambia, Africa and the world at large.
Mr Joof spoke at length on the role of traditional and cultural norms and values in our society, especially in typical African village and other community settings. He said culture has played and occupied important role in both Africa and the world at large.” It is the duty and responsibility of all to work towards the promotion and preservation of our rich traditions and cultural norm and values, despite western influence in our midst.
The NCAC DG also did not hesitate to assure the association of his institution’s support at all times. He advised them to develop the spirit of cooperation, peace, unity and network among members of the association and outside, especially to seek opinions of elders and custodians of arts and culture in the country where the need arises.
Saul Njie, out-going chairman of the interim task force of GAMAT, gave detailed historical overview of the association since its inception leading to the congress. He seized the opportunity to extend deep sense of appreciation to SOS Nancy Njie, the Permanent Secretary, Department of State for Tourism and Culture, DG NCAC and other invited guests for honouring their invitation.
As part of efforts geared towards promoting,developing and preserving the spirit of arts and culture in the country,the government has initiated the following actions such as the allocation of land for the construction of a multi-purpose cultural complex, mobilization of funds for construction of the complex this year 2009,work towards strengthening of the National Centre for Arts and Culture (NCAC) with all the required legal instruments and implementation of the Copyrights Act for protection of Intellectual property.
SOS Madam Nancy,who deputised for the Gambian leader President Jammeh, who also doubled as the grand patron of Arts and Culture in the Gambia, made these remarks at the start of the day long congress organised by the Gambia Association of Theatre (GAMAT),held last saturday at the Paradise Suites Hotel in Kololi.
The congress was meant to review and adopt the constitution of the association and to brainstorm on issues confronting development and preservation of arts and culture in the country so as to pave the way forward for the world of arts and other related industries. The congress was also meant to elect new executive,which will steer the affairs of the association for the next two years.
“MY brothers and sisters, I am totally convinced that your presence here is an indication of your understanding and appreciation of the urgent need for all to unite in search of common goal for the management of theatre and other related artistic works in the Gambia. The discipline must involve actors, actresses, script writers, story tellers, ballet groups among others.”
He pointed out that It is regrettable to learn that watching theatre arts and films from the sub-region oder than the country’s has become the order of the day. “Despite this trend, the Gambia is endowned with theatrical skills and talents. Example is the production of the famous Banjul Cops which was made both local and international. It is only through the spirit of unity and collaborative work that we can achieve our goal in management of arts and theatre related activities in the country”, she said.
The tourism and culture SOS added that,the new cultural policy of the Gambia has recognised the importance of education and youth development through culture.She described the GAMAT congress and creation of the association as a step in the right direction and a clear demonstration of the association’s awareness about the need for Gambians to play their role in the development of the country”s cultural heritage.
Madam Njie urged the participants to take the congress serious and come up with sound decision,especially to an executive that steer the affairs of the association for the interest and development of the country. She thanked the out-going task force and initiators of the association for job well done. She assured her department’s support to the association whenever the need arises.
Momodou Joof, Director General (DG) of National Centre for Arts and Culture (NCAC) also joined the tourism SOS in extending gratitude and appreciation to the Gambia Association of Theatre (GAMAT), for what he called brilliant and wonderful initiative geared towards developing and preserving the spirit of arts and culture in the Gambia, Africa and the world at large.
Mr Joof spoke at length on the role of traditional and cultural norms and values in our society, especially in typical African village and other community settings. He said culture has played and occupied important role in both Africa and the world at large.” It is the duty and responsibility of all to work towards the promotion and preservation of our rich traditions and cultural norm and values, despite western influence in our midst.
The NCAC DG also did not hesitate to assure the association of his institution’s support at all times. He advised them to develop the spirit of cooperation, peace, unity and network among members of the association and outside, especially to seek opinions of elders and custodians of arts and culture in the country where the need arises.
Saul Njie, out-going chairman of the interim task force of GAMAT, gave detailed historical overview of the association since its inception leading to the congress. He seized the opportunity to extend deep sense of appreciation to SOS Nancy Njie, the Permanent Secretary, Department of State for Tourism and Culture, DG NCAC and other invited guests for honouring their invitation.
Author: By Sanna Jawara
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