GAMWRITERS

Writers Association of The Gambia Launched

Author: Musa Barrow | Date: 14-06-10 | Topic: National News

Writers Association of The Gambia was on 12th June 2010 launched at a ceremony held at the TANGO Conference Hall in Fajara.
In launching the association, Mr. Pa Hassan Jagne said the setting up of the association would do a lot to revive, promote and enhance the reading culture in The Gambia.
He deplored the existing poor reading culture saying, “We live in an age where the reading culture, if not dead, is dying.”

Mr Jagne urged the writers to work on the readership, adding that failure to do so would create obstacles to progress and continuity.
“Reading makes one an informed man and writing makes one an exact man,” he said.
He called for the sensitisation of the public with the view to promote the culture of reading.
Mr. Jagne observed that students hardly read their books now because of modern technologies such as the television and the internet which are diverting their attention.
He urged the members for continuity, saying Gambians are good starters but keeping the momentum has always been their problem and that they should fight against this ‘good-starter-bad-sustainer’ syndrome.
In her remarks, Mrs .Ralphina D’ Almeida, the Interim President of the association said it is the duty of Writers of The Gambia to enhance the cultural development of the national community by enriching the treasury of their literary heritage .
She said, “We have an obligation to create awareness among the Gambian public and the international community about the growing rich national pantheon of creative and scholarly literature.”
She added that Gambian society has a cultural right to know as well as the expectation of having its reading pleasure heightened,while it is being replenished with a continual out flowing of local writings.
Mrs. D’Almeida enumerated the various constrains facing the writers’ association, including the lack of funds and office space among other problems.
She however reported that the Vice Chancellor of University of The Gambia (UTG) has allocated a place for them at the university where they can hold their meetings.
She called on all writers to join the association and adding that membership is opened to all those residing in the country .
The ceremony was chaired by Crispin Grey Johnson who also commented on the role of writers in society, noting that writing is indispensable to the intellectual development of every society.
Marcel Thomasi recited Dr Peters’ famous poem ‘Homecoming’; Mathilda Johnson recited ‘The Power of The Pen’; Musa Bah recited ‘Manifa Musu’ and ‘The Library’ by Hassum Ceesay Sr on behalf of the family. Justice Almami Taal read four poems.
Bai Madi Ceesay came a little late due to unavoidable family engagements if not he was nominated by the family to read the poems by his father, the late Hassoum Ceesay.
When the session proper resumes, following the short reception after the opening, the election of a new executive was differed to a later date when there is better attendance.
Attending were some of notable writers such as Hassan Jagne, Gabriel Roberts, Swaebou Conateh, Janet Badjan Young, Fodeh Baldeh, Nana Grey-Johnson, Mathilda Johnson, Justice Almami Taal, Amie Sillah, Baaba Sillah, Momodou Sabally, Sally Sadie Singhateh, and several other emerging writers such as Musa Bah, Jainaba Sarr and Ajola Jallow but to name a few.


Source: Foroyaa Newspaper