The speaker of the National Assembly, Hon Fatoumatta Jahumpa-Ceesay, on Thursday, received the executive members of the Public Relations Association of The Gambia (PRAG), in her office at the National Assembly building in Banjul.

Speaking at the meeting, Alex DaCosta, the senior communication officer of the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (Pura), who is also the secretary general of PRAG, said the purpose of the meeting was to  officially inform the speaker of the association's decision to adopt her as their honorary president and adviser, and President Jammeh as their chief patron for their annual continental association conference to be held in The Gambia in 2009.

For his part, Raymond AK Njai, the president of PRAG, congratulated the speaker on her new appointment as the president of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) Africa Region and told her of their desire to revitalise the association.

"PRAG is a member of the Africa Public Relations Association (APRA), a continental association which is composed of national associations or individual practitioners. Every year, APRA organises conferences on topical public relations issues. The paper presentations and exchanges at these conferences provide a learning platform and an opportunity for networking among public relations groups. APRA is currently studying the South African model of accreditation with a view to adopt it for its members," Mr Njai explained.

The PRAG boss also informed the speaker that the annual continental association conference will be held in The Gambia in 2009, precisely around 25th May 2009, which would coincide with President Jammeh's birthday.

Mr Njai also highlighted some of the objectives of his association, saying that PRAG has a lot of ideas to share with the tourism sector to ensure vibrant tourism, among other issues.
He called on the government, NGOs, the media and the general public to support the association in order to successfully host the 2009 annual continental association conference.

In her response, Hon Jahumpa-Ceesay expressed delight to receive the executive and assured them of her full support at all times.

"I will support you morally and financially. I will tell all the National Assembly members to contribute towards the success of the 2009 annual continental conference scheduled to take place in this country," Speaker Jahumpa-Ceesay told the PRAG executive members.
As a pioneer member of PRAG, the speaker advised the PRAG executive to network among themselves and also cooperate with the press, adding that the National Assembly is press-friendly.

Hon Fabakary Tombong Jatta, the majority leader and NAM for Serrekunda East and Hon Netty Baldeh, NAM for Tumana, told the PRAG executive that they have done the right thing by choosing the speaker as their honorary president and adviser, considering her leadership qualities, among other issues. They also assured the PRAG executive of the National Assembly's support at all times.