Statement by YJAG Outgoing President At Association's 4th Year Aniversary

SPEECH BY ASSAN SALLAH, PRESIDENT OF YJAG ON THE 4^th ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION OF THE ASSOCIATION HELD AT THE KMC MULTI-PURPOSE HALL, KANIFING ON OCTOBER 22^ND, 2011.

Assan Sallah

Today marks an important milestone in the annals of the Young Journalists Association of The Gambia. As we celebrate our 4^th anniversary which also coincided with the association’s 2^nd Congress. I am therefore deeply honoured to give my welcome remarks in this important gathering.

Today is a moment of reflection on our achievements in the past for my executive as it marks the end of term for my executive and the beginning of a new term for the incoming executive. I also want to make it very clear that I am stepping down after serving as president of the association for two years and I will not contest for any position.

However, I would also want to assure the incoming executive that you have my support and can always count on me whenever the need arises. I will still be an honorary member and guide you in our drive to move the association forward.

Mr. Chairman

Distinguished guests,

Ladies and gentlemen

Each year when we celebrate our anniversary, we choose a theme and discuss on it. The theme for this year’s celebration is; “the role of journalists in elections.”

The theme of the 4^th anniversary is indeed timely as we are approaching the 2011 Presidential Elections by next month. May I also use the opportunity to inform this gathering that there will be a training on the role of journalists in elections for members of the association which will be held today immediately after the opening ceremony.

Mr. Chairman

Distinguished guests,

Ladies and gentlemen

You will all agree with me that elections are the cornerstone of any democracy and the media has a vital role in informing the public about what the politicians are promising and to tell the politicians what ordinary people want, or they do not want, as well as ensuring that elections are free and fair. Therefore the importance of the proposed training on election reporting is also very important.

Gambia News Online Publisher Elected YJAG Secretary General

Mr Jahateh

An association of young journalists in The Gambia had unanimously elected, Lamin Jahateh, editor and publisher of Gambia News Online, an online blog, as their secretary general.

It was the second biennial congress of the Young Journalists of The Gambia (YJAG) which also marks the 4^th year anniversary of the association and held at the Kanifing Municipal Council Multi-purpose Centre along Jimpex Road in Kanifing, on Saturday.  During the congress, members of the association elected new executive members to steer the affairs of the association for the next two years. 

The theme for this year’s anniversary was ‘the role of journalists in elections’, because the presidential election of The Gambia, slated for November 24^th this year, is fast approaching.

The publisher of the online blog, which is dedicated to providing up-to-date happenings with particular emphasis on business news, features and analysis, was elected unopposed for the position of secretary general as members of the association are aware of his dedication and commitment to the development of the association.

Mr Jahateh, also the deputy news editor of MarketPlace Magazine, was elected alongside seven other members to replace the Assan Sallah led executive who were at the helm of affairs of the association for the past two years.