A new Board of Advisers for the Young Journalists Association of the Gambia (YJAG) will be inaugurated on Thursday, July 19th, 2012, at a ceremony to be held at the new secretariat of the Gambia Press Union (GPU) in Fajara, a press release from YJAG revealed.

The six-member board, according to the release, consists of Njundu Drammeh of the Child Protection Alliance (CPA) as the chairperson, a representative of the Female Lawyers Association, Sam Sarr of Foroyaa Newspaper, Emil Touray, president of GPU, Momodou Sabally of the Ministry of Finance and Economic Affairs, Amie Bojang-Sissoho of Gamcotrap, who is also the former chairperson of the board and the YJAG President, Modou S. Joof, secretary to the board.

The board, the release went on, is designed to provide strategic guidance and a thoughtful advice for the association and also to help ensure that the association remains true to its aims, mission and vision.

The Secretary General of YJAG, Lamin Jahateh, said the board members will promote and provide strategic direction for the development of the association and will advice the association on fund raising activities, among others, which has been one of the main challenges of the association over the past few years.

YJAG, he said, wants to take this opportunity to thank all those who have served in the former board for their hard work, dedication and commitment to the association. “We really appreciate their assistance and encouragement for putting the association on the right path to achieving our worthwhile goals,” said YJAG president Modou S. Joof.

YJAG was formed on 16th September, 2007 with the objective of promoting unity among young journalists in The Gambia; providing capacity building and addressing the welfare of its members, amongst others.

Legally registered with the Attorney General’s Chambers, the association is also tasked with the responsibility to facilitate the recruitment of young journalists into the profession, and operates under the motto “Capacity Building, Duty to Inform”.  YJAG has in recent years contributed tremendously the development of the media in The Gambia, especially on capacity building and news reporting.