The Gambian leader, His Excellency Sheikh Professor Alhaji Dr. Yahya Jammeh is organsiing an Essay competition for secondary and tertiary schools and also for teachers and lecturers in secondary and tertiary schools. A press release from State House revealed that the competition is part of activities marking The Gambia's 48th Independence anniversary.

The release reads;

The general public is hereby informed that as part of the activities marking The Gambia's 48th Independence anniversary celebrations, the President of the Republic of The Gambia, His Excellency Sheikh Professor Aljahi Dr. YAhya AJJ Jammeh is organising an Essay Competition for Schools (Secondary and Tertiary) and Teachers/Lecturers (Secondary and Tertiary) on The Gambia's development projects implemented during the Colonial Era, the First Republic and the Second Republic.

For the Schools, the author of the best essay in each category (Secondary and Tertiary) will be awarded D1,000,000 (One million dalasis). For the Teachers/ Lecturers (Secondary and Tertiary) the author of the best essay in each category will be given D200,000 (Two hundred thousand dalasis) each.

Prizes would be given in April or May 2013 on a date to be decided. A Task Force is being set up to review the submissions and to select the best based on consensus. All interested persons are to submit their entries to the Secretary General, Office of the President on or before 25th April, 2013.