Editor,

Please allow me space to add on to the points raised in your Thursday edition, on the issue of the Gambia Press Union and Media Agenda.

Apart from the conflict of interest that is liable to evolve out of this, the chairman of the union, Madi Ceesay, who is said to be the owner of Media Agenda might be prompted to use it to prolong his stay in office. No wonder the state of silence the GPU is in.

I have got some crazy suggestions for the media fraternity in The Gambia. Could we not revisit the idea of having a term of office for the Executive for a whole three years (this is ludicrous prolongation of term).

It is an open secret that the Gambia Press Union under Madi Ceeasy has lost its glory. His predecessor, Demba A Jawo, has left a legacy of excellent record achievements and good examples of leadership.

He was not only a leader, he was a servant and selfless veteran journalist who deserves to be emulated. But as if the GPU has been cursed, that legacy quickly eroded to the drains long before Madi Ceesay took the mantle of leadership.

The lack of transparency has compelled many concerned Gambians to question his credibility and more importantly his efficiency to stir the affairs of the national union.

His leadership is the saddest thing that has happened to the union, as a good number of Gambian journalists often complain that they are dissatisfied with the way things are being run. No wonder most of these young brilliant journalists in the country and outside no longer take the union seriously.

The upcoming congress is important for the fact it gives journalists the opportunity for change. I and some of my colleagues are considering the possibility to come to The Gambia to attend the union congress. What has been happening is unacceptable and it is high time that young journalists take charge of the affairs of union from those who have failed.

A commission of inquiry should be set up at the end of the congress to investigate the activities and dealings of the union executive for the last three years. This is very important. It is time for Gambian journalists to tell Madi Ceesay enough is enough. If we failed to remove this man from the chairmanship, the union will continue to fail and eventually disintegrate as it is currently happening.

I want to thank the Daily Observer for the editorial piece, which indeed sets the ball rolling. Lets do away with this attitude of shying away from telling each other the truth. Madi must go!

Concerned journalist

Dakar, Senegal