By Makutu Manneh
Foroyaa Newspaper and Radio has won two awards in the eighth edition of the National Journalism Awards organised by the Gambia Press Union.
The awardees were Samuel Sarr, the Managing Editor and Yankuba Jallow, a news editor.
Managing Editor Samuel Sarr was awarded by the Late Deyda Hydara Family for his outstanding work in the media fraternity while Yankuba Jallow won the best story for legal reporting category.
Foroyaa’s Senior Reporter, Nelson Manneh was also shortlisted in the finals in two categories – the Security Affairs Reporting Category, and the Business and Finance Reporting Category. Ndey Sowe, also a senior reporter with Foroyaa, was also shortlisted in the Health and Medical Reporting Category.
While commending the award winners, Mustapha K. Darboe, winner of the investigative reporting, human rights reporting and journalist of the year awards, advised journalists to work hard. For several years, Mustapha has been a constant awards winner both nationally and internationally. Darboe said he has a team dedicated to doing the best for the country in respect of accountability.
“Stay the course, the award whether by some structured organisation or by the people themselves, will find you,” he said.
Yankuba Jallow said the award serves as a motivation, making him more determine today than ever before to do greater than what he has been doing. He stated that his principle is inclined to the Foroyaa’s mantra on its front page that “We should serve as the Public Eye.
“I want to thank Foroyaa enormously because they made me who I am today. I am thankful for the support my paper has been giving me from day one of my journalism career. I won’t relent in my pursuit of social justice. I have the energy and the ability to do more. The award is dedicated to all young journalists who are steadfast and ready to come up with groundbreaking and impactful stories,” he said.
Kaddy Jawo, winner of the Gambia Press Union Heath and Medical Reporting Award 2023 described her win as an immense honour. She said this award equally emphasises the importance of health and medical stories in raising awareness and catalysing change within communities.
Ms Jawo advised young women in the journalism field aiming for the GPU awards to persistently chase stories that resonate with them deeply and equally seek mentorship and build networks within the industry. She said they should remain dedicated to the field and ensure accuracy and integrity in their work.
“Make sure you are pursuing journalism for a purpose and that purpose should be for the people and society-centred,” she said.
At the award ceremony, Lamin Queen Jammeh, Minister of Information said his ministry is willing to collaborate closely with the Gambia Press Union and Civil Society through a key stakeholder consultative forum to lay the groundwork for the establishment of an Access to Information Commission in 2024.
He said this will play a pivotal role in ensuring the effective implementation of the access to information law.
“Through such collaboration, we can address challenges, share insights and collectively work towards a more transparent and accountable society,” he said.
