A three-day sub-regional training workshop for journalists on the ‘role of journalists in conflict prevention , peacekeeping and the promotion of human rights’ wrapped-up last Thursday at the Kairaba Beach Hotel.

The sub-regional training was organized by The Gambia Press Union (GPU) in collaboration with the Capacity Building Project of the West African Journalists Association (CBP-WAJA) with the support of the African Capacity Building Foundation (ACBF).

The training program brought together 30 journalists from the fifteen ECOWAS member countries and the Republic of Mauritania.

Declaring the training closed, Abdou Karim Sonko, deputy permanent secretary, Department of State for Communication, Information and Information Technology, thanked the Gambia Press Union and the West African Journalist Association (WAJA) for organizing the training. He expressed his belief that the training will greatly build up the capacities of the trainees to be able to execute their responsibilities in a very responsible manner.

He then reiterated that the government of The Gambia through the Department of State for Communication, Information and Information Technology and under the able leadership of President Jammeh, recognises the importance and relevance of journalists to nation building as well as the role the media play in nurturing peace, security and stability and their contribution to the socio-economic advancement of the country

He called on the trainees to share the knowledge gained with their colleagues and assured the GPU and WAJA of The Gambia government’s continued support and collaboration.

For his part, Ibrahim Famakan Coulibally, president of the West African Journalists Association (WAJA), lauded the great improvements registered in the relations between the government and the media in The Gambia.

He then advised journalists to be courageous, respect the code of conduct of press freedom, and avoid attacking authorities without evidence. "Don’t use your pens and microphones to bring about terror," he urged. He then urged journalist to work hand in hand with their various governments.

Ndey Tapha Sosseh, president of the Gambia Press Union thanked WAJA for the training and lauded the current open door policy of the Department of State for Communication, Information and Information Technology towards the Gambia Press Union. She then suggested more national trainings for local journalist. She also saluted the International Federation of journalist (IFJ) for their support to the GPU.

Alpha Sall, coordinator of the WAJA-Capacity Building Programme also spoke at the closing ceremony.