A professional artist, Tijan Kamara, has been appointed the new chairman of the Board of Directors of the National Centre for Arts and Culture (NCAC) while Baba Ceesay is the Centre’s new director general.

The two were inaugurated on Wednesday at a ceremony presided over by Fatou Mass Jobe-Njie, the minister of Tourism and Culture at her office at the Quadrangle, Banjul.

Speaking at the occasion, Minister Jobe-Njie recalled that it was almost 18 months ago that the former chairman was inaugurated and from that period till now, NCAC has undergone some significant metamorphosis. She called for concerted efforts to chart a new course that will resuscitate the institution and bring it to a level that will enhance its role in arts and culture development as well as to meet the demands and expectations of Gambians.

The Tourism and Culture minister described Tijan Kamara as a former insider of NCAC who is in a position to bring his experience and knowledge to bear on the institution and together with members of the Board can help to move things forward in terms of professionalism and resource mobilisation for the optimum benefit of the arts and culture fraternity.

She also informed the gathering that Baba Ceesay for the last one and a quarter years, held the fort during the leave of absence of the substantive director-general of NCAC, and daunting as the challenges were, he remained conscientious and diligent in the execution of his duties, never relenting in the face of the enormous challenges that confronted the institution as he worked hard and persevered to the best of his ability in addressing the myriad of problems that confronted the institution.

She disclosed that her Ministry has also approved the appointment of a new director of Literature, Performing and Fine Arts, a senior Research and Documentation Officer and a Museum and Monuments Officer. She described the appointments as timely, adding that they will go a long way in filling the gaps in NCAC’s human resource requirements.

She expressed gratitude to the members of the Board for their interest, commitment and goodwill towards NCAC. She further congratulated Tijan Kamara and Baba Ceesay on their new appointments, as well as the former chairman, Francis Litti Mboge, saying his interest and passion for the work that NCAC does was unquestionable and admirable.

Minister Jobe-Njie finally assured the Board of her Ministry’s unflinching support at all times. Her words: “My Ministry will continue to work closely with the board and management in addressing all salient issues that concern the NCAC, and I have no doubt that as a solid team, we will be able to achieve good results for the institution, results that will have a long lasting and positive impact on the art and culture landscape of The Gambia.”

In his acceptance speech, Tijan Kamara expressed his innermost delight and described his appointment as an honour. He also pledged to endeavour to execute his role as chairman of the board to the best of his ability.

The new chairman on behalf of himself and the inaugurated DG, thanked the Tourism minister for the trust and confidence bestowed on him and through her, to the president of the Republic for the approval of their appointments.