By Nelson Manneh
A fatal road accident has claimed the lives of three people including two former Journalists (Pa Modou Faal and Musa Ndow) along the Brikama-Soma highway around Soma.
Pa Modou Faal, a veteran Journalist who has worked in the media fraternity for over 20 years, and Musa Ndow, one-time Senior Editor of the former Daily Observer, and Kawsu Bayo, a health worker all died after the car they were travelling in somersaulted in the Jarra area on Sunday night.
Pa Modou Faal is an executive member of the Gambia Press Union. In 2019 Faal joined the Ministry of Health with Musa Ndow as communication officials.
Faal was among those executive members of the GPU sent to prison in 2009 as a result of a rejoinder by the GPU sent to media houses in defence of the honour and integrity of murdered journalist Deyda Hydara. He was also a founder member president of the Association of Health Journalists.
Salif Touray one of the survivors who were in the same vehicle with the deceased told Foroyaa that they were on a health education mission (Validation Workshop) which was supposed to take place in Soma, Lower River Region.
“We were going for a four-day workshop in Soma which was supposed to start yesterday on Monday 17th January 2022 on our way our vehicle somersaulted and both Pa Modou Faal and Musa Ndow died at the scene,” he said.
Hearing this devastating news Sanna Camara a senior Journalist said Pa Modou was one of the reporters he met at The Independent Newspaper in 2001. He said Pa Modou later moved to The Point, and subsequently to The Daily Observer.
“Faal’s steadfastness and dedication to work motivated him to surmount challenges, and enabled him to cultivate a career in the media up to what we all identify him with today,” he said.
Mr. Camara said Faal was among those executive members sent to prison in 2009 as a result of a rejoinder the GPU sent to media houses in defence of honour and integrity of murdered journalist Deyda Hydara. “Pa Modou was also a founder member of the Association of Health Journalists in the country. Through that association, he became instrumental in bridging gaps between health officials, NGOs, and the media.”
“Faal provided his shoulder as comfort to so many of us who faced troubles in the media to cry on. He was a good listener and true professional who loved this profession with everything he had,.” he said.
“Musa Ndow I came to know in late 2009 when we began undergoing two years’ Professional Reporter Program at the GPU. Although we did not work together in the same paper, I found him to be a respectful young man who was driven to learn and practice the trade in the best way possible he could,” Camara said.
Even from exile, Mr. Camara said he still stayed in touch with him among several others from The Daily Observer. “At the GPU level, we had our differences of views both professionally and politically but it’s that diversity which makes us who we all are as pen pushers.”
“Until we meet again brothers, we will ask Allah to forgive your shortcomings and grant your souls to Jannah.”
