The training was organised by UNESCO.
It would be recalled that in February 2024, The Gambia formally became a State Party to the UNESCO 2001 Convention on Underwater Cultural Heritage. This Convention seeks to valorise and protect the rich cultural heritage, which is underwater bodies such as rivers, seas, lakes, wells, and oceans.
Accordingly, the National Centre for Arts and Culture (NCAC), which is the implementing agency for this Convention, lost no time in starting to reap the benefits of membership in the Convention, as the staff benefitted from the UNESCO-organised training of underwater cultural heritage archaeology in Turkey and Cabo Verde.
Reacting to the development, Musa Foon, said that the Turkey training held at Antalya was organised by UNESCO and Akdeniz University of Turkey and lasted for 10 days.
The ten-day event, he added, included theoretical sessions, practical diving experience, photogrammetry dives, and underwater photography practices.
He described the training as very interactive and useful. "Above all, as an active diver from McCarthy with a long history of trade along the River Gambia in The Gambia, I was able to share my personal experiences with my colleagues."
About the future, he said that his institution will continue to support him to have step-down seminars for other NCAC staff and also tour guides on the island so as to share his expertise and experience in Underwater Cultural Heritage.
Mr. Foon thanked the UNESCO 2001 Convention Secretariat and the Turkish authorities for supporting his participation in the course.
"My sincere thanks go to Moussa Wele of UNESCO Dakar Regional Office for West Africa for actively supporting my participation."
