The authorities at The Gambia Press Union are at an advanced stage in preparations for the hosting of the first edition of the West African Journalist Association (WAJA) Excellence awards.

As indicated in a press release sent in from the executive of the Union, the Kairaba Beach Hotel will be the venue for the awards, which will be presented to the three best print, radio and TV journalists from the sub-region. The theme of the conference would be: "Conflict prevention, peace and human rights."

This ceremony will be held on the back of a three-day (October 14th-16th) sub-regional workshop on the same theme, and it will focus on, amongst other things, improving and broadening the understanding and perspectives of print and broadcast journalists on human rights, conflict prevention and peace issues.

The conference is expected to draw thirty (30) participants from the fifteen (15) ECOWAS member countries and the Republic of Mauritania.

According to the release, the steering committee of the WAJA capacity building project, based in Bamako, Mali, will also be meeting in Banjul to discuss the plan of action and budget for 2009. The activities, supported by the African Capacity Building Foundation, are organised by the Gambia Press Union in collaboration with the West African Journalists Association, the release concluded.