Gambia Government Closes St. Augustine School

By Demba Kandeh and Lamin Jahateh 

The Gambia government through the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education has issued a directive ordering the closure of St. Augustine Senior Secondary School in Banjul as a result of an upheaval that broke out in the school on Tuesday 26th February 2013.
In a news release aired over the state TV, Gambia Radio and Television Services, the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education said students of St. Augustine school are asked to stay away from the school premises until such a time that the school is re-opened.

Journalists Under Pressure in the Gambia Turn to Blogs

The hostile media landscape in the Gambia, marred by aggressive laws and regulatory measures that have almost crippled mainstream outlets, has some journalists in the country turning to blogs to report the news.
Advocacy groups have long criticized the Gambia's President Yahya Jammeh for his dismal record on press freedom. A self-proclaimed healer who says he has found cures to AIDS, obesity, and erectile dysfunction, Jammeh is on the 2012 list of predators to press freedom by Reporters Without Borders.
With the emergence of social media, many observers worry that Jammeh's brutal restrictions on mainstream journalists are likely to be transferred to netizens.

PYDA holds AGM, opened a four block classroom

Chairman Demba Kujabi

The Patriotic Youth Association for development (PYDA) in Kanwally, Foni Bondali District west coast region held their third annual general meeting on February, 2nd 2013 with the theme, “Unity is Strength.”
According to the reports from the chairman Demba Kujabi, said the 2012 activity has gone successful despite facing some challenges.
“The commitment and dedication of the executive committee, and members of PYDA and other promotion activities has contributed immensely to the membership growth, which was increase to 75% from 2011-2013,” said Demba.

Presidential Honour For African Sports Journalists in Dakar

By Abdoulie Bah, Secretary General Sports Journalists Association, Gambia

 

DAKAR, February 2013 - For the first time, in its 78-year history AIPS, International Sports Press Association, (AIPS­),  delegates from  its African branch AIPS Africa received a presidential welcome and honour right in the city of black consciousness.

After a brief opening ceremony attended by top Senegalese government representatives for the delegates from 15 African countries for the extra-ordinary AIPS Africa congress, the journalists were guests at the presidential palace.

COAST project capacitizes stakeholders on Responsible Tourism

By: Sheikh Alkinky Sanyang (NEA)

The principal of the Institute of Travel and Tourism in the Gambia (ITTOG) has defined tourism as activities of persons traveling to and staying in places outside their usual environment for not more than one consecutive year for leisure, business and other purposes. He called on communities who are blessed with eco-tourism facilities to professionally harness them and promote tourism while creating employment, improving livelihoods and thus fostering unity amongst the community.