In a brief interview on this preparation for the celebration, Hassoum Ceesay, the Director General of the National Centre for Arts and Culture (NCAC) said the National Organizing Committee for the country’s Diamond Jubilee celebrations has put arts and culture as a top priority in their celebration agenda.
He explained that it is in line with the President Adama Barrow government's eagerness to promote art and culture in the country, and “already, six top Gambian artists have been lined up for the musical jamboree on 18 February 2025 at the Arch 22 grounds. These six top Gambian artists will be supported by live bands, top Gambian technicians, and managers.”
More so, he disclosed, all dignitaries arriving in The Gambia will be given a befitting Gambian cultural welcome, thus the NCAC has also mobilized adequate cultural groups to welcome the dignitaries at the airport and also at the Coco Ocean Hotel and Resorts, and similar environs.
“The State Banquet and main event on the 18th, February 2025 at McCarty Square will also be marked by a very interesting cultural display, which will show the guests that the Gambia has a well-nourished culture,” he added.
DG Ceesay disclosed that the Gambia government has disbursed monies for the purchase of a new elevator for the Arch 22 to replace the elevator which has not been functioning for the past 20 years.
The Arch 22 which is the welcome symbol to the Gambian capital is being refurbished and repainted given a new bright color befitting the great occasion of the Diamond Jubilee.
The Director General of the NCAC, therefore, thanked the Gambia government for this support in preserving the Gambia's Cultural Heritage.
However, the National Centre for Arts and Culture, according to Hassoum Ceesay, is at the forefront of doing media interviews through the Director General of the NCAC to give correct historical narrative about the country’s independence to the general public.
The Director General and colleagues will conduct a series of interviews drawing from the rich archives, “we have to educate Gambians about the significance of the independent struggle of the Founding Fathers and the great steps of improvement and progress that our country has registered since independence - 60 years ago.”
However, he called on all Gambians to partake in the country’s Diamond Jubilee celebrations while noting that other sectors and activities are included in the celebration including books exhibition, an exhibition of Gambian plastic arts, and there will also be the publication of at least five books, all supported by the Diamond Jubilee Task Force.
Consequently, the Tailors Union has also been mobilized to help in the sewing of the Ashobi for the cultural performers, “with even mass mobilization of players in the creative sector to come together to celebrate this important landmark in the Gambian history.”
