The Executive Board and Staff of the Gambia Press Union (GPU) on Sunday concluded an annual review and planning retreat at the Football Hotel in Yundum.
The event, held from the 6th to 9th January, 2022, is in line with plans to strengthen the operations of the Union, introduce the new board to their mandates and those of the secretariat staff, and to plan for the implementation of programmes aimed at strengthening press freedom and freedom of expression.
The
retreat also allowed for the Board to set out a list of priority programmes
that would be implemented by the Secretariat this year.
“It was a great
platform that served as an opportunity to set out our collective priorities and
work towards achieving them,” GPU President, Muhammed S. Bah said of the
retreat. “Our leadership is committed to executing the task ahead.”
In 2021, the
GPU implemented a series of activities on membership welfare, safety of
journalists, advocacy on access to information, and trainings on thematic beats
for journalists to enhance professionalism.
Six (6)
activities were implemented in the first quarter of 2021, ten (10) activities
in the second quarter of 2021, and seven (7) activities in the third quarter,
and seven (7) in the fourth quarter of 2021.
Despite the
obstacles brought about by the coronavirus pandemic and the resultant
declaration of state of emergencies, most of the activities that required the
participation of the board and staff, and consultancies to develop certain
policies and operational documents were undertaken.
The retreat
covered key aspects like the review of board and staff roles; GPU’s human resource
and finance policy; membership benefits and legal assistance policies; and
sexual harassment policy; a review of projects and partners.
The annual
national journalism award, GPU’s subsidiaries, and fundraising strategies were
also discussed. Board level committees on programmes and welfare were also set
up during the course of the retreat.
In her closing
remarks, the GPU Vice President, Isatou Keita, said “it was important for both
the board and staff to work together to achieve our plans and programmes as set
out in the 2022 priorities.”
