U.S Embassy Announces an Essay Competition in Honour of Black History

The U.S. Embassy in Banjul is organizing an essay competition as part of their activities marking February as Black History Month.

According to a press release from the US embassy and signed by their political and economic assistant, Ebrima Manneh, this competition is open to students in all senior secondary schools (English and Arabic schools). All entries must be typed and not more than 1,000 words. The entries can be sent as an email word document attachment to fofanajs@state.gov or bethearts@state.gov.

As this year marks a turning point in the political history of the United States with the inauguration of the first African American President, Mr. Barack Obama, this essay competition will focus on the changing nature of U.S.

Politics and this defining moment for democracy in the United States.

Students are requested to submit essays on one of the following topics:

1. What can the world learn from the U.S. experience with race relations, which have come through many dark periods, but now have resulted in the election of the first African American President in the United States?

2. What hopes do you have for President Obama's administration and how do you think The Gambia can benefit from the new administration?

3. What is the importance of Education and its impact on peace, freedom, justice and prosperity?

4. Culture is an important connection between any two nations. What do you see as an important cultural connection between the peoples of The Gambia and the United States? How can we improve on the cultural link between the two people?

Essays should be submitted by February 15. The Award Ceremony will be held on February 26th. There will be cash prizes for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners as well as school supplies for winning schools.

Closing date for accepting entries is 25th February 2009.