Gambian vocalist Alieu Badara appointed UNESCO ambassador

Speaking at the event, Momodou M. Sarr, the President of the National Federation of The Gambia UNESCO Clubs and Centers, said he is pleased consultations and negotiations finally came to fruition.

He said Alieu Badara is among a breed of young talented youth who have ventured into music as source of living. This was since his days as a Red Cross Volunteer where his talent for singing and composing was spotted. In a career of 12 years, Alieu has composed and sang several theme songs for various organizations in The Gambia.

The group Humanity Starz has grown in stature since its members came together. The group was however denied visas to the US in the closing months of 2015. At the time Badara had seeing it as " a very big setback for Gambian music." Thegroup has moved on from the incident.

As a volunteer, Badara has distinguished himself in the area of maintaining peace and singing about peace related matters. This has earned him a call to perform for the delegates of UNESCO.

According to Sarr, Badara will serve the interest of The National Federation of the Gambia UNESCO Clubs and Centers (NAFGUC) at all levels and to uphold the preamble of UNESCO as in promoting the culture of peace through education, science, culture and communication.

On her part Maimuna Sidibeh Senior Program officer at the National Commission for UNESCO-GAMBIA (NATCOM) alluded that this is a great initiative and congratulated the NAFGUC executive for the foresight. She then challenged the newly appointed goodwill ambassador to create a theme song for the coming World Peace day celebration in Banjul.

In his acceptance speech, Alieu Badara said he is deeply honored to be appointed as goodwill ambassador of the National Federation for UNESCO Clubs and Centers (NAFGUC) in the Gambia and will make sure he does his utmost to deliver. "As a volunteer all my life I am excited to start and help make the world a more peaceful place to live in," he said.

First published by The Voice Gambia