The Gambia Radio and Television Services (GRTS), emerged as the final winner of the West and Central African Regional competition on the International  Childrens' Day of Broadcasting (ICDB). The United Nations International Children's Fund (UNICEF), and the International Academy of Television Arts and Sciences conferred this title to GRTS for its immense contribution to the development of childrens' rights. 

The final stage, which was contested between the GRTS and NTA of Nigeria, provided an opportunity for our national medium to showcase the prominent role GRTS continues to play in the communication industry, more particularly in promoting childrens' affairs in the world.

Indeed, GRTS really deserves this award, the announcement by the United Nations International Childrens'  Funds (Unicef) in declaring the institution as winner of the coveted award comes at a time when the sector is becoming more and more competitive.

It is also important to highlight that, The ICDB regional prizes awarded to The Gambia Radio and Television Services (GRTS) came as a result of the successful programmes that have been featured by the GRTS on the ICDB 2006: 'Unite for children, Unite Against AIDS' leading them to be top in the various countries nominated in the competition.

The competition brought together countries like Bangladesh, Brazil, Germany, Kenya, Syria, Thailand and The Gambia.  Each country presented its best work produced for the 2006 ICDB. That is to say, it was an easy task for GRTS to emerge as the winner in the West and Central Region after defeating the NTA of Nigeria in the finals.

It is also very important to note that, the major sponsors of this competition are one of the leading advocates of childrens' rights and promoters of the communication industry in the world.

The International Childrens' Day of Broadcasting (ICDB) was launched in 1991 to encourage broadcasters worldwide to create awareness on childrens' issues. The International Academy of Television Arts and Sciences founded in 1969, is the largest organisation of global broadcasters, with over 500 members from nearly 70 countries and over 400 companies.

To round it up, all these achievements could not have been possible without the visionary leadership of President Yahya AJJ Jammeh in bringing a television station to the doorstep of Gambians.  The positive participation of the First Lady Madam Zainab  Jammeh who has been very instrumental in the programmes of the International Children's Day of Broadcasting last December, which led to the victory of GRTS in the competition.

The Gambian leader deserves commendation for his vision, as it is under his administration that The Gambia enjoys such a national pride.

The GRTS has been contributing immensely to the development of the nation in all sectors. They promote economic, social, health, agriculture, sports among other sectors and other programmes on children and women affairs.

It is also worth mentioning that, the GRTS over the years under the purview of the able Managing Director, Alhagie Momodou Sanyang under the Department of State for Communicatioin and Informnation Technology headed by Mrs Neneh Macdouall-Gaye, has registered tremendous succcesses, which are clear for all to see. It is within this period that, television viewers are put on the spotlight and kept  abreast with world affairs as required and expected by all and sundry.

Therefore, the tremedxous efforts of the SoS, the Managing Director with the support of the entire staff at GRTS needs to be lauded by all partriotic Gambians. We should encourage and support them to keep up the momentum.  

Gambians should therefore, pray that GRTS also wins the global award competition, which will be held during  the special ceremony to honour winners of the just concluded ICDB competition at the UNICEF House in New York, USA.