The long-awaited dream and yearning for a journalist association that would serve as a formidable front for championing the cause of young Gambian journalists have finally come to fruition.

Founded over the weekend following a series of consultations among the young practicing journalists in the country, Young Journalists’ Association of The Gambia (YJAG) is a young professional body that seeks to, inter alia, foster unity and mutual understanding among young media practitioners in the country, address issues of common concern to young journalists, to provide training opportunities for young reporters and to foster excellent media-government relationship.

The association has elected the following people as executive members following a keenly-contested election:

Nfamara Jawneh of The Point  newspaper as President, Musa Ndow and Isatou Baldeh of Daily Observer as 1st and 2nd vice presidents respectively, Demba Kandeh of Today  as Secretary General, Assan Sallah of Daily Observer as Public Relations Officer, Aminata Sanneh Today  newspaper as Treasurer, Saikou Ceesay of Media Agenda as Assistant Secretary General, Abdou Rahman Sallah of The Point  as Auditor and Babucarr Senghore of the same newspaper as co-opted member.

The election, which was held at the Media Agenda Offices in Churchill’s Town and attended by several young journalists from almost all the print media houses in the country and some radio stations, was seen as a landmark development in the Gambian media with many describing the formation of the association as long overdue.

Speaking shortly after the election, President-elect, Mr. Nfamara Jawneh, thanked members for the trust and confidence reposed in the new executive while encouraging them to support and cooperate with them in the execution of their duties.

“I am aware that it’s not easy to run an association, especially a professional body of this kind but with your full support and cooperation, I’m confident that we would be able to live up to expectations,” said Mr. Jawneh.
YJAG Prexy also thanked all those who contributed in one way or the other to ensure the formation of the association. He used the occasion to appeal to institutions, NGOs and the general public to render the association the necessary courage and support.

Meanwhile, the formal launching of the association is expected to be held in a grand magnitude before the end of the year. In the meantime, the YJAG executives are expected to meet senior government officials, media chiefs, media associations, diplomats, non-governmental organizations and individuals.

In the same vein, all those interested in knowing more about the association can contact (220) 9868882 or better-still email to yjag@yahoo.com