The National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC), under the auspices of UNESCO and The Gambia National Commission for UNESCO, last Saturday hosted a sub-regional youth music festival at the July 22nd Square in Banjul.

This sub-regional youth festival, the first of its kind in West Africa, attracted youth musicians from The Gambia, Sierra Leone, Mali Guinea Bissau and neighbouring Senegal. This grand musical jamboree has as one of its objectives to foster unity, peace and integration in the sub-region. It was also meant to serve to engender inter-cultural dialogue and promote cultural diversity, which are tenets on which the ideals and principles of UNESCO are hinged on.

According to a message from NCAC, cultural diversity is a driving force of development not only in respect of economic growth, but also as a means of leading a more fulfilling intellectual, emotional, moral and spiritual life. This is captured in the seven culture conventions, which provide a solid basis for the promotion of cultural diversity. Therefore, cultural diversity is thus an asset that is indispensable for poverty reduction and the achievement of sustainable development.

Hon. Nancy Njie, the minister for Tourism and Culture, said this international activity falls within the framework of UNESCO's participation programme. She added that the festival is also a manifestation of the NCAC's drive to recognise excellence while promoting efforts among hard working and determined musicians whose invisible skills and talents must be exposed in order to give them the encouragement and credits they deserve. "I sincerely hope that this event will also provide the opportunity to increase awareness and gather public support for the efforts of young musicians of The Gambia in particular and West Africa in general," she stated.

The Tourism and Culture minister thanked the Gambian leader, whom she said is undoubtedly the patron of Gambian Arts, for not only moral, material and financial support to Gambian artists, but for providing the congenial atmosphere necessary for the advancement of arts and culture in the country. She also thanked UNESCO, through the National Commission, for funding this programme, and Gamcel for their generous support.

The Gambian artists who played included Modou Lamin Bah a.k.a Egalitarian, Melody M, Five Star Band, Oumie Ngum Maisa, Tapha Artist, Mass Lowe, and the Gambia Armed Forces Band. Those from outside The Gambia included Omar Konate, from Mali; Lady Felicia, from Sierra Leone; Anastasio Alain Kandety, from Guinea Bissau; and the Senegalese rapper, Pacotille.