The Gambia Press Union (GPU), in collaboration with the West African Journalists Association (WAJA) and the African Capacity Building Foundation (ACBF), recently concluded a four-day capacity building training for journalists held at the TANGO conference hall, Bakau.

The training programme drew participants from both print and electronic media in The Gambia. The training programme targets young and committed reporters with at least three to four years of newspaper or broadcasting exprience.

The four-day forum was  centred on current and topical issues affecting journalists such as ethical issues of the journalism profession.

The training showcases presentations by veterant journalists touching on topical issues such as who is a journalist, what it takes to be a journalist in the 21st century, the media and laws, court reporting,interview skills, and investigative journalism, among others.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Ndey Tapha Sosseh, president of GPU, said the workshop was a unique opportunity for journalists, especially the young sprouting and committed ones.

"It will accord you the opportunity to not only learn new things but share expriences,'' she said.

Ndey Tapha Sosseh expressed optimism about the purpose and spirit of organising the workshop, which she said centred on the need to improve and build capacities of journalists.

"Many journalists want to improve on their skills and to even acquire higher training but they cannot afford to do it. So this training is a series the GPU plans to conduct in order to fill that gap," she said.

Ndey Tapha Sosseh seized the opportunity, on behalf of the GPU, to thank the sponsors for what she called their outstanding partnership.

Alpha Sall, coordinator of the West Africa Journalist Association (WAJA), described GPU as an important partner to the sub-regional journalists association of which Ms Sosseh is the second vice-president.

According to the WAJA coordinator, The Gambia continues to be a faithful partner of WAJA in all its operations. He assured the GPU of WAJA's support at all time.

Mr Karim Sonko, acting permanent secretary at the Department of State for Communication, Information and Information Technology, who deputised for his secretary of state, Fatim Badjie, congratulated the GPU and its partners for organising such an important training for Gambian media practitioners.

The  acting PS spoke at length on the role of journalists, especially on the need for balanced and impartial reporting.

Mr Karim Sonko expressed optimism that the training will prove to be rewarding for the participants.

He used the occasion to reveal plans to introduce a journalism faculty at the University of The Gambia (UTG), which he said, once established, will fill the gap for training in The Gambia.

He, however, warned journalists to desist from the culture of what he called so-called freedom of speech in the interest of sustainable development.

Emil Touray, secretary general of GPU chaired the opening ceremony.
Certificates were presented to all the participants in recognition of their active participation.