Gambian producers’ group to unveil new executive members

The elections proper took place on 2 and 3 July at the Alliance Francaise, Gambia, with the proceedings presided on by the Independent Electoral Commission. As with the recently held elections for the executive committee of the Musicians Union of the Gambia, the process was supported by the National Centre for Arts and Culture.

The new offiicials and their positions are: Abdou Karim Wagan Faye, President; Dembo Jobarteh, Secretary General; Baboucarr Jeng, Treasurer; Njundou Badjie, Public Relation Officer; Gibril Faal, Vice President (Promoters); Ismaila Manneh, Vice President (Managers); Woleh Randall, (Vice President Producers); and Fatoumata Kassim (Vice President Presenters.)

Sheikh Omar Jallow, director of performing arts and literature at National Centre for Art and Culture (NCAC) explained that The Gambia Copyright Act 2004 provides for the establishment of artists associations whose representatives should comprise the Board of the Collecting Society of The Gambia.

He noted that as the draft regulations for an operational collecting society of The Gambia is under review at the Attorney General’s Chambers for eventual promulgation by the minister of Tourism and Culture, National Centre for Art and Culture (NCAC) considers it prudent to embark on the renewal of the mandates of the relevant artists association executives.

“NCAC wishes to have the artists associations executives' mandates renewed," he said, "so that a new Board for the Collecting Society could be set up to co-ordinate the work of the royalties’ collection mechanism immediately when the regulation come into force." He stressed that this activity is a key component of the Ministry of Tourism and Culture’s strategic plan from 2015 running through to 2020.

Abdou Karim Wagan Faye, the newly elected president of the GAMPP, urged all hands on deck to move the aims and aspirations of all stakeholders in the music industry.