The Minister of Tourism and Culture, senior government officials and UN representatives in The Gambia attended the ceremony held last Friday at the Arch in Banjul. The theme for this year’s commemoration was, ‘We want to see the creative in 2045.’
Speaking at the occasion, Hamat Bah Minister of Tourism and Culture said the coronavirus pandemic has brought pain to Gambia artists.
He highlighted that the partnership between UN and NCAC will bring UN and Gambian people closer.
Seraphine Wakana, UN System resident coordinator in The Gambia, said they’ve partnered with NCAC and the Writers’ Association of The Gambia to raise awareness among the population as well as promote the Sustainable Development Goals.
She highlighted UN’s aim to accompany the country in its journey towards implementing its vision.
She commended NCAC for their contribution to the national competition, noting that the results received by the poetry and painting is clear that everybody is a winner.
Hassoum Ceesay, director general National Center for Arts and Culture (NCAC) said in August this year, the UN System in The Gambia gave the NCAC D260,000 to cover the cost of a contest on poetry and painting to mark 75 years of UN existence.
Cherno Omar Barry, President of the Writers’ Association of The Gambia (WAG) reaffirmed their commitment to support the promotion, particularly of culture in the Gambia.
