By Mariama Marong
Foroyaa Workers Association (FoWA), held its annual general meeting on Saturday 15th January 2022, to review the year just ended, in order to address any challenges for the year that has just begun.
The Association which was formed in 2014 by workers of Foroyaa Newspaper, aims to build the spirit of camaraderie and unity among Foroyaa workers and to serve as a platform to support members’ capacity building process and financial capacity as well.
Speaking at the meeting held at Foroyaa headquarters, Yankuba Jallow Secretary General of FoWA, said the association was formed and funded by Foroyaa workers in order for members to support each other when the need arises.
SG Jallow said the association engages in raising funds through fund raising activities, and seeks funding for capacity building for members who want to be radio journalists. He said the association works with the management of Foroyaa to achieve what was promised to them during their last annual meeting regarding staff personal loans; that all this is geared towards expanding the muscles of association through the support of the management.
Jallow called on members of FoWA to maintain the unification that exists between them and to continue setting this as an example for other media houses to follow.
Amie Sanneh, the Chairperson of FoWA said, the AGM is a paramount event in the association’s calendar as a stock period on members’ achievements, challenges and the way forward. She said the association which started small, has existed for seven years now because of the commitment of its members.
”We have a committed membership and this is worth celebrating,” she said; that the association supports members with loans, to address their personal problems, and said this should be emulated by other media houses since is not happening anywhere but at Foroyaa. She urged the membership of the association to strengthen the unity that exists between them, and used the moment to expressed profound gratitude to the management of Foroyaa for their support and response to the need of workers at all times.
She congratulated the president of Gambia Press Union, Muhammed M.S. Bah, a member of the association for his recent victory at the GPU congress, and applauded the general membership for their commitment towards the development of the association, and to the executive for their transparency and accountability.
For his part MS Bah expressed appreciation to the leadership of Foroyaa and commended the general membership for creating the space in advancing the association to greater heights.
Bah who is the current GPU President said there is need for media workers to create such an association to boost their strength and to avoid exploitation. He urged journalists to emulate what FoWA does and called on media houses to come together and form associations to ensure togetherness and unity.
Samuel Sarr, managing director and chief editor of Foroyaa Newspaper expressed delight by the progress made by FoWA, despite the challenges faced by the Association.
Mr. Sarr told members that media work is all about commitment and professionalism to ensure that their work is done timely and accurately. He advised members not to be carried away by money but to consider the objectives of what the work requires. He called on FoWA members to fight for their rights as media workers, and for them to work together as one to address some of the issues of the association.
In observance of some minutes of silence, members of the association paid homage to the late Abdoulie Dibba for his commitment and support to Foroyaa during his life time.
