The day-long capacity building was centred on various topic including general over view of SSHFC, SSHFC Act 2015, latest digitalisation drives introduced by SSHFC and the role of media to educate the masses on SSHFC matters.
The training aimed to equip journalists with the requisite skills and knowledge on the operational modalities of social security services.
In his welcoming remarks, Aboulie Nyockeh, president of NFTR, said the training was essential to educate journalists on the Social Security and Housing Finance Corporation regulations to ensure accurate reporting on social protection and SSHFC mandates.
“The initiative aims to enhance public awareness on SSHFC role in national development and social protection through media sensitization,” he said.
Nyokey was optimistic that the seminar would benefit both the journalists and SSHFC in promoting positive awareness and accurate dissemination of information regarding Social Security matters.
“I believe this training will greatly add value to our work as journalists and help us to report better on social protection,” he said.
The NFTR President thanked the managing director and staff of SSHFC for empowering and supporting journalists to understand the role and mandate of their institution.
Representing the Managing Director of SSHFC Fabuka Njaay, director of Corporate Affairs for SSHFC, commended the journalists for attending the training.
He said the media can play a pivotal role in enlightening the public on social protection and housing services of the corporation.
Njaay said SSHFC was fully ready to partner with the media to ensure sharing accurate information of social protection and housing services to the public.
“I would be very happy to assist you with any information you might need from the institution,” he assured journalists.
Representing the Gambia Press Union (GPU), Alieu Ceesay commended NFTR and SSHFC for their partnership in training Gambia journalists. This training, he said would help journalists to be well informed about SSHFC and report professionally.
Ceesay noted that journalists and state institutions are key development partners, adding they should work together to inform the public better.
He further urged participants to practicalise the knowledge gained and share the skills rightfully with their colleagues.
Musa Sheriff, managing director of The Voice newspaper, described SSHFC as key long-time partner to Gambian media. He said the institution has been supporting the media since its inception.
While commending NFTR for building journalists’ capacity, he challenged Gambian journalists to specialise on financial reporting. He said the area has been severely under reported over the past years.
