The day's event was meant to create awareness on the proposed National Language Policy and Language Development for The Gambia. Besides, the event was a logical step towards achieving a robust and responsive Policy Document on the use, valorisation, and preservation of the country’s national languages.
Elaborating on the process, Hassoum Ceesay, Director General of the National Center for Arts and Culture (NCAC), acknowledged that the presence of some senior citizens of the Gambia and key stakeholders demonstrate the importance attached to the process of developing a national language and policy document.
He recalled that in April 2023, the cabinet designated NCAC as the National Structure for National Languages to work with the Academy of African Languages of the African Union known as ACALAN towards the elaboration of a National Language Policy.
“In July 2023, the NCAC and ACALAN signed a contract for the activities leading to a National Policy Document within one year.”
The policy on National Languages, he stated, is quite a task but they want to leave no one in doubt as the session is just the first step in what is going to be a very long and protracted journey towards elaborating the policy that is envisaged.
“But in our quiet moment we say ‘yes’ we can do it with the network of people we are having as stakeholders while also the ACALAN is convinced that we can lead the process to its successful and logical end,” he added.
DG Ceesay reminded that the history of language is quite touching if not sensitive and therefore “everybody is a stakeholder whether you are at home in The Gambia or away.
He, thus commended the Ministry of Tourism and Culture for the support and as well ACALAN for funding the entire project.
As the forum continued, Hassoum Ceesay made a comprehensive presentation on the Historical Antecedents for a National Languages Policy and the stakeholders, while Dr. Cherno O. Barry, VC of IOU, Banjul presented one on Higher Education and Search for a National Languages Policy.
Modou Lamin Age-Al-Musaf Sowe, an author presented on Gambian Writers, Literature and Youth and the Quest for a National Languages Policy, while Dr. Ousman Mamakeh Bojang, presented on the Role of Communities and Local History in Search for a National Language Policy.
Other presenters include Dr. Saiba Suso of the University of The Gambia on Community Development Issues and the Search for a National Languages Policy.
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