The Network of Journalists on Population and Development on Friday elected a new executive committee at the UNFPA Office in Cape Point, to steer the affairs of the network for 2008.

Senior Gambian journalists, notably Fatou Touray of the Gambia Daily newspaper was elected the president and Abdoulie John of the Daily Observer as the vice president while Ebrima Jaw Manneh of the Daily Observer and Alhagie Mbye of The Point were elected as the secretary general and the administrator respectively.

The network was first set up in early 1998 to create awareness especially on gender, sexual and reproductive health issues, within the framework of population and development. The network is also tasked with the responsibi1ity of advancing the UNFP A mandate in the area of advocacy. . Fatou Touray, the newly elected president of the network, expressed profound gratitude and appreciation to her colleague journalists for the confidence and trust they reposed in her to head the network. Ms Touray promised to take the network another level, adding that she needs the support of all as her new assignment is challenging and daunting.

On her plans for the network, Ms Touray revealed that they are poised to implement an array of activities during the course of next year. Top among the agenda, she said, are capacity building, creation of columns in local newspapers, publication of newsletter, e-networking as well as radio and TV talkshows
Meanwhile, other executive members include Buya Jammeh of the Daily Observer, Juldeh Sowe of’ Today.