Minister Jobe disburses D1M among Banjul cultural groups

The distribution ceremony took place on Friday, 27 December 2024 at the National Centre for Arts and Culture (NCAC) in Banjul. The Banjul Cultural Festival, also known as the hunting festival, is an annual week-long cultural event that showcases traditional performances by various cultural groups. The festival, which begins on Christmas Eve and ends on the second day of the New Year, attracts over 50,000 attendees, including both Gambians and visitors from other countries. The festival's highlight is the grand parade featuring about fifty masquerade groups, including the renowned Odilleh, Ekun Baba, and Gun Shot, along with the Saul Sow Carnival, music, dance, art, and cuisine.

In his address to the cultural groups, Minister Jobe expressed his deep appreciation to His Excellency President Adama Barrow and Vice President Muhammed B.S. Jallow for their leadership and guidance in promoting the country's cultural heritage. He acknowledged that the Christmas and New Year celebrations in Banjul are significant, with New Year’s Day being the peak of the festivities.

Thousands of people from all walks of life converge in Banjul to take part in the celebrations, and the festival’s success is a testament to the city’s rich traditions.

Minister Jobe explained that following consultations with the director general of the NCAC, a taskforce was established to facilitate the festival and provide much-needed support to overcome challenges faced by organisers and attendees. The taskforce created sub-committees to handle transport, waste management, health and safety, security, traffic, and communication, among other aspects. To complement these efforts, Minister Jobe used his office to raise funds to support both the taskforce’s activities and the cultural groups involved in the festival.

The fundraising campaign received overwhelming support, with significant contributions from various donors. Among the key supporters was the Chinese Embassy, which generously donated over half a million dalasis. Minister Jobe also thanked H.E. Liu Jin, the ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to The Gambia, and his team for their support. Contributions were also received from the Central Bank of The Gambia and other individual companies and organisations, all of which played a crucial role in supporting the festival's success.

In addition to the financial contributions, Minister Jobe’s office supported the Gambia Transport Service Corporation (GTSC) to facilitate the transportation of people to the city during the festival, helping to ease traffic congestion and improve access to the event.

Sulayman, chairman of the Communications and Visibility Sub-Committee, noted that this year’s celebration was expected to draw a larger crowd than previous years as the Banjul Cultural Festival has gained recognition as one of Africa’s top festivals in terms of attendance. He thanked the Minister for his initiative, stating that it helped address challenges faced by the festival’s organisers and ensured that this year’s celebration would be marked by a new level of excitement and success.

Hassoum Ceesay, director general of NCAC, also lauded minister Jobe for his remarkable contribution, acknowledging that the funds raised were instrumental in supporting both the cultural groups and the organisational aspects of the festival. He highlighted the festival’s role in showcasing the diverse cultures of Banjul, which is a melting pot for various ethnic groups such as the Bambara, Wolof, Mandinka, Jola, Aku, Akumarabou, and Fulla, among others.

The Banjul Cultural Festival, he noted, also strengthens cultural ties between The Gambia and other African cities, including Saint Louis in Senegal, Freetown in Sierra Leone, Lagos in Nigeria, and Accra in Ghana.

Minister Jobe’s efforts have undoubtedly left a lasting memory, further cementing the Banjul Cultural Festival as an iconic celebration of The Gambia’s rich cultural heritage and the unity that binds its people together.