National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC), hosted the 21st session of the Africa 2009 from 11th-13th December, 2006, at the Baobab Lodge in Bijilo.

Mrs Ida Sallah, Permanent Secretary at Department of State for Tourism and Culture, deputising for the SoS Angela Colley, at the commencement of the meeting said, Africa 2009 is an important organisation for countries in the sub-saharan Africa with regard to conserving the continent’s immovable cultural heritage.

According to her, since the inception of the organisation in 1999 to date, it made significant and far reaching contributions not only building the capacity of African heritage professionals, but also to the conservation of most of Africa’s treasured built heritage.

Mrs Sallah added that, it has never been easy to adequately address the issues pertaining to our immovable cultural heritage or to give it the priority attention it deserves. That is why Africa 2009 is such an important organisation because of the crucial role it has played since its inception in filling the gaps that resource constraints have created when it comes to addressing the needs of sub-saharan Africa in managing its heritage treasures for the interest and value of humanity.
Noting that The Gambia is only from training the heritage professionals. “We have received assistance from the organisation to conserve some of our major historic sites such as Fort James Island and Fort Bullen, both of which now form part of the James Island and related incribed in UNESCO’s World heritage list.”

She expressed delight and appreciation on behalf of the government to the Africa 2009 members state for their invaluable contributions to make the organisation stand strong on its feet.

Momodou Joof, executive Director National Council for Art and Culture (NCAC), expressed delight over The Gambia hosting the meeting. he urged committee members to steer the course of Africa 2009 into a desirable course, especially on issue like capacity building in management of museum among others.

Mr Webber Ndoro, Programme Manager for International Centre for the Study of the Preservation and Restoration of Cultural Property (ICCROM) based in Rome and Coordinator of the Africa 2009, gave brief of over view of the organisation’s programmes.