A seven member board of directors for Gambia Radio and Television Services under the stewardship of Fatou Mbye, director general of the Gambia Technical Training Institute (GTTI ) was, yesterday, inaugurated at the conference room of the Department of State for Communication and Information Technology.

The inauguration ceremony was officiated by Neneh Macdouall-Gaye, Secretary of State for Communication and Information Technology.

The board members include Fatou Mbye, director general GTTI; Marcel Thomasi; Alieu Saine; Omar AK Secka, permanent secretary, department of state for finance; Bintou Mahfus Hydara; Abdou Karim Sonko, deputy permanent secretary, Department of State for Communication and Information Technology; and Alhaji Momodou Sanyang, director general of GRTS.

Speaking at the inaugural ceremony, SoS Neneh Macdouall-Gaye thanked members for agreeing to be board members of GRTS. SoS Macdouall Gaye added that the board members have demonstrated their commitment and support to the development of The Gambia.

“GRTS, as you all know, is a very important institution in this country. However, it is important that we take it a step further. What I hope and expect from this board of directors, is to work closely with the management of GRTS to improve standards, services and capacity” she said.

Training according to her is a very important aspect of GRTS and “I want to encourage the board to ensure that we build capacity to improve service delivery and programmes of GRTS. I hope that the board will share their expertise with the management and staff of GRTS and of course with the department of state for communication to continue to make GRTS shine.”

She said the Gambian leader President Dr. Alhaji Yahya Jammeh has recognised the dedication and commitment of the members of the board and “for that reason, you are here with us to serve as a board of directors. Let us take GRTS to higher heights as your input will be of good use to us”.

For her part, Fatou Mbye, the chairperson of the board of directors, said the media is very important as it is not only meant for communication or entertainment, but has been proven to be a powerful educational tool that seeks to help increase the awareness of people on national and international issues in a rapidly changing technological world.

“It is my opinion that GRTS should be develop to its fullest potential.

As chairperson and on behalf of my colleagues, I take this opportunity to assure you that, we will live up to expectations in a way to add value to the quality delivery service of GRTS,” she said.

Also speaking at the ceremony, Alhaji Momodou Sanyang, director general of GRTS said the inauguration of the new board is very timely. The composition of the board, according to him, is no doubt second to none. “We are ready to work closely with the board to the pride and joy of the nation. We hope that our constraints will be history now,” he concluded.