By Mammy Saidykhan
The Gambia Press Union, with support from the Civic Society in Development (CISU) is conducting a three-day training on fundraising strategies, anti-corruption and bookkeeping procedures for its affiliates.
The three-day training in intended to empower journalists’ associations affiliated with the GPU to with techniques on fundraising, good financial management, and programme implementation best practices.
Held at the GPU Secretariat in Fajara from 17 to 19 May, 2022, the training covered issues related to the formulation of policies, organizational administration, financial management, concept development and proposal writing, fundraising strategies, basic bookkeeping and project implementation and management.
Fifteen (15) participants (7 males, 8 females) drawn from five affiliates of the GPU including the Young Journalists Association (YJAG), Women Journalists Association (WoJAG), National Agriculture Communicators (NAC), the Sports Journalists Association (SJAG), and the Network of Community Radios in the Gambia (NCRG) are taking part in the training.
Affiliates are expected to use the knowledge and skills gained from the trainings to effectively and efficiently implement capacity building programmes for their members with funds provided by the GPU through the CISU-funded project.
Speaking at the opening ceremony on Tuesday, the President of the Gambia Press Union, Muhammed S. Bah, said that it is important to build the capacities of affiliates to improve transparency, accountability and delivery of their mandates.
“If we are talking about transparency and accountability in institutions and holding the government accountable, we should also be seen to be transparent and accountable to our members,” he said.
“I am hoping that this training will be a stepping stone for affiliates to develop themselves. This is not the first time that the GPU is supporting its affiliates, but I hope that you will use the opportunity to ensure positive impact in the implementation of various programmes in your associations.”
The training is part of a three-year project “Trade union and advocate – for members, media and democracy” that is being implemented by the GPU and its partner the Gambia Media
Support (GAMES) with funding from the Civil Society in Development (CISU).
The overall objectives of this project are to sustain The Gambia’s fragile democracy; transform the GPU into a policy-driven organization that is effective, transparent, sustainable and accountable; to establish structures for editorial responsibility in media houses; and enhance advocacy for press freedom, freedom of expression, and the safety and welfare of Gambian journalists.
