National Bee-keeping Association of the Gambia (NBAG) over the weekend held its Annual General Meeting at a ceremony held in Foni Brefet, Western Region.

In his welcoming remarks, former Chairman of NBAG said that the meeting will provide avenue for them to revisit and measure some of the progress and weakness, thus charting the way to find solutions to some of the challenges facing the association.

He expressed the need to collaborate with other relevant stakeholders like Forestry, NEA and the Park and Wildlife Management in the management and preservation of some of the forestry resource, since most of their bee- keeping activities happened in the bush.

For his part, Mr. Ousman Joof, acting General Manager of NBAG in his annual report, highlighted the need for the association to acquire funds to be able to carry out its activities.

According to him, NBAG has successfully increased its partnership base with MONDO Challenge in UK, which he said, donated 7000 pound sterling for building capacity at the Concerned Universal, Peace Corps, NACCUG and St. Joseph Family Farm.

He stated that Concern Universal had assisted in implementing most of their activities, such as refurbishment NBAG headquarters and the construction of two processing centres for Bullock. Mr. Joof further stated that NBAG facilitated the formation of five markets (kafoos) legally and provided them with the necessary capacity to enable them work effectively.

He revealed that UNDP also donated equipment, such as honey jar bee, suits, tools, among others, which are now being used in the smooth operation of bee-keeping activities. He was quick to state that mobility is lacking, and thus solicits assistance.

Presenting his 2008 report, Mr. Ousman Gibba, A.A. and Co.’s Auditor disclosed that they have applied some basics in auditing as recommended by the UK auditing practices board.