allAfrica.com: Gambia: GPU Congress Dubbed a Success-Journalist Fatou Jaw Manneh Reports (Page 1 of 1)

The Gambia Press Union on Saturday 22nd of March has come under one room to iron out their differences and forge a way forward.

It was indeed a dirty laundry session as the GPU executive and its members from 9a.m to 10 p. m, under the help of the IEC (The Independent Electoral Commission) hammered barrages of accusations, attacks and counter attacks as they elect their new members for the executive and discuss internal and external threats and issues.

The GPU general members in emotional outbursts and amid roars of encouraging colleagues blamed their executive officers for detachment, incompetence, insensitive, unsupportive and out of touch with Gambian Journalists' predicament especially the freelancers and young and upcoming journalists. Corruption and segregation are accusations also heaped on the outgoing executive. Some call for the complete uphaul repackaging, rebranding and repositioning as the members search for more and more business terms to define GPU institution. What they call "Media Chiefs" are not spared either as the members emphasize their "cruelty and enslavement" regarding their salaries especially freelancers, and the welfare of journalists in general.

Whilst some journalists blamed the outgoing executive and the hostile environment for their woes, many also opined that the GPU is at war with itself, and unless the internal wars seize, they will lose sight of their objectives and thus render the institution useless. An observer staff, lamin Dibba pointed out that his papers staff are most of the time alienated from activities and training. He mentioned that the GPU should not forget Observer is the largest paper in the country. Momodou Sarr of Today Newspaper retorted that Observer's size or largesse gives them no privilege neither does it carry any weight in the voting process.

Nay, says Emily Touray of the Advisory committee. He warned the members that arm chair revolution will not serve any good for the members. GPU is a reflection of its membership he added. The members have to take control of the membership and be the change that they want to see. He emphasized his frustration in the complete lack of interest by the members especially when it comes to meetings and paying dues. He said he has to buy phone cards to be on the heels of members to come attend monthly meetings and wondered strongly how they can effect change if they don't meet to discus issues. It becomes very frustrating for him to mobilize his colleagues to attend meetings. Blames and counter blames will not carry the GPU anywhere as the members consider themselves dormant he added.

Maadi Ceesay and Ndey Tapha Sosseh made it clear that GPU even though for the past 3 years has enjoyed tremendous support from NGOs and embassies, in rendering training sessions to journalists They do not have the capability as a training institution neither do they single out any particular house for training opportunities. They emphasized that all media houses enjoy or equally share the training sessions as they come.

Maadi Ceesay who stepped down as President has given a summary of their financial reports,funding for journalist training and the challenges that the journalists face in the Gambia.The death of Deyda Hydara and chief Mannehs disappearance to name a few. Ebrima Jaw Manneh stated that the financial reports are very sketchy and ambiguous and added that the GPU has lost all charisma no wonder no one pays heed to calls. Kemo Cham pointed out that copies of detailed financial reports should be made available for scrutiny.

Ndey Tapha mentioned that most of the time as they solicit help, they are often asked what the media houses are doing about the journalists predicament in the country. And she emphasized the irony that she is really flabbergasted that The Observer Paper is mute over the disappearance of it's reporter , Chief Ebrima Manneh. She has never seen a report on the missing reporter at the Observer.

A minute of silence was observed for the late Babucar Gaye.

ON ELECTIONS

Ndey Tapha Sosseh who was Secretary General of the outgoing executive office has emerged the winner as President of the GPU against Ebrima Swanneh of The Point by 66 votes to 35 votes. As 1st Vice President Sarata Jaabi Dibba beat Observer's Lamin Dibba, 39 to 37 votes. For the post of 2nd Vice PresidentForoyaa's Momodou Nyang scored 43 votes against Malick Mboob , Linguere Magazine,35 votes and Sarjo Camara of Foroyaa who scored 18 votes.

Emily Touray who was member of the GPU Advisory Board Committee doubled his victory marks 66 to 31 votes against Observer's charismatic young editor Ebrima Jaw manneh for the post of Secretary General. Fatou Jaw Manneh, GPU USA assistant secretary general at large, who was there as an observer was also nominated for the secretary general post but was not on the list of those that can nominate or be nominated.

Lamin Njie of Today Newspaper won 59 to 38 votes against Abdoulie John of The Daily Observer for the Assistant Secretary General position. For the post of 2nd assistant secretary, Maadi Njie of the Human Rights Journalist Association won 51 to 39 against Momodou Justice Darboe of The Point Newspaper

Pa Modou faal of The Point went unopposed for the post of treasurer for the new executive.Out of the nomination of 2 Co-Opted members . Buya Jammeh of the observer fondly called by his peers as sweetie won 65 votes, Amie Sanneh of foroyaa 56 votes and Ida Jallow of the observer scored 38 votes. Buya Jammeh of The Daily Observer and Amie Sanneh of The Foroyaa are the selected co-opted members of the new GPU.

IEC's Sambujang Njie, Abdullah Jeng , Sidia Sillah and Mustapha Saidy oversaw the election process.The meeting was chaired by Swaebou Conateh of the News and World report.

A complete and comprehensive reports given by outgoing President Maadi Ceesay and former Secretary General Ndey Tapha Sosseh can be accessed at gampress.org.

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