In less than a week, members of the Young Journalists Association of The Gambia (YJAG) will assemble at the GPU for their 1st biennial congress.

To that effect, this reporter sounded the opinions of some members of the association.

Mr. Nfamara Jawneh-The President.

First of all, I would like to thank God for making it possible for us to witness yet another anniversary.

I would like to thank my team and the entire membership of YJAG for given me the mandate to lead.

This is a happy moment for me. Despite our constraints, we are still progressing significantly. The success registered during the past two years was as a result of our collective work.

I would like to thank all those who in one way or the other support us, including some key government ministries by opening us their doors, the Gambia Press Union for their continuous support, media houses and our very own board for their valuable advice.

My special thanks go to my wife for her understanding and support.

Finally, I wish every young journalist a successful anniversary.

Momodou Edrisa Njie-News and Report

Really YJAG has done a lot for its members by building our capacities.

The knowledge I acquired from YJAG-organised training session is definitely helping me in my work.

I must commend the executive for the hard work, particularly the President for his sacrifice for the young journalists in the country.

Bakary Samateh-The Point

I am very much delighted with the way and manner in which the executive is running the affairs of the association. For the congress, I think it’s also timely for the fact that it’s a constitutional requirement. However, I must emphasise that we need more capacity-building programmes as young journalists.

Modou Baldeh-Today

Am with the firm conviction that YJAG has achieved a lot despite all the odds.

The various sensitisation programmes and events at the level of press clubs in schools are all clear testimonies of the achievements registered by the association.

I just want to appeal to NGOs and institutions to come to our aid, as this will enable us register more success stories.

As a national organisation, I believe a lot have been registered.

Assan Sallah-Daily Observer

YJAG was formed to build capacity of young journalists and actually YJAG has achieved great success. Notwithstanding, we need more training programmes.

For the past 24 months YJAG has successfully recruited young writers into journalism profession across the country. He cited capacity-building workshops, seminars, and radio sensitisation campaigns on the role of youths in nation-building, among others.

Fatoumatta Drammeh-Gambia High School, KWT Radio

Through YJAG many young people are exposed to the practice of journalism. YJAG serves as a pathfinder for young people in the country, and as result young people are taking part in nation-building.

Sainey Marenah-The Point

Am very much pleased to see the young journalists association of The Gambia organising a congress. I believe democracy should be nurtured at grassroots level.

First of all, I would like to commend the executive members for the success registered during the past two years. Definitely, YJAG has registered success stories, including capacity-building for its members.

I must also commend Mr.Nfamara Jawneh, the President of YJAG for his leadership competence to see the association flourish.

Madiba Singhateh-Foroyaa

YJAG is progressing, we need to redouble our efforts. We must be prepared to work hard in order to achieve our desired goals. We need to work hard to promote our welfare.

Let organisations help us with funds to organise more training programmes.

Njundu Drammeh-Board Member

YJAG is a dynamic organization and really needs to be supported to realised its full target goals.

YJAG has potential to transform young and aspiring journalists in the country thus contribute to national development.