Members of the newly established Gambia Music Producers Association recently elected their first ever executive committee during the body’s congress at the Alliance Francaise, along the Kairaba Avenue in Kanifing.

The seven-member executive was selected among the members and is tasked with the daunting challenge of steering the affairs of the young association in the years to come, especially in ensuring that the objectives set by the association are achieved.

Speaking prior to the selection of the executive members, the NCAC board chair, Tijan Kamara, said the meeting marked another milestone in the Council’s efforts in the development and promotion of Gambia music. He noted that the occasion was an offshoot of the consultative forums the NCAC’s new management has been having with artistic groups with a view to creating understanding on how best to work together.

Kamara underscored that the meeting served as a prelude to the establishment of a national copyright collecting society, which he said is long overdue. His words: “The copyright Act of The Gambia, is a professional artistic associations of which your association is not an exception from coming together to constitute the collecting society.” He expressed hope that the occasion would accord them the opportunity to select amongst themselves those who will represent them in the copyright board of director’s level.

He assured the members that their coming together as an association would no doubt help them in safeguarding their collective interests, lobbying and applying for grants for implementation of programmes and activities. The NCAC, according to him, is the agency charged with the preservation, promotion, and development of arts and culture in the country.

“This is a very broad mandate and there is no doubt that the resources at our disposal are far from adequate to meet all expectation of our mandate,” he noted. Kamara however assured the newly formed Association of the Council’s willingness to work hand-in-glove with the association as this is the only way forward.

The selected new executive members and their positions are Saul Sowe – president; Hakim Abdul Samad – vice president, Oko Drammeh – secretary. Also, Waggan fye – assistant secretary; Aziz Willan – auditor, Ekanaye-treasurer and DJ MO, PRO.