Awa S Jallow
In a landmark event for West African journalism, The Gambia hosted the Maiden Edition of the ECOWAS Journalists Prize of Excellence Awards.
The awards ceremony, held at the Coco Ocean on Friday, underscored the critical role of a free and vibrant press in fostering democracy and regional integration.
Isatou Keita, President of the Gambia Press Union (GPU), in her opening address, expressed immense pride that The Gambia was chosen as the host nation for this momentous occasion.
. “This evening marks a powerful moment in the journey of journalism across West Africa,” stated.
She emphasized that the awards send a clear message from ECOWAS: press freedom, truth-telling, and responsible journalism are essential to the democratic development and integration of our region.
Keita acknowledged the significant challenges faced by journalists in West Africa, including threats to their safety, restrictions on information access, economic pressures, and attacks on their credibility.
Despite these hurdles, she lauded their “exceptional commitment to serve, to expose injustice, to give voice to the voiceless, and to foster transparency and good governance.”.
The GPU President stressed that the ECOWAS Journalists Prize of Excellence Awards transcend mere recognition. “it is an affirmation of journalism’s role as a cornerstone of democracy and a catalyst for regional development,” she asserted.
She called on governments institutions, and citizens to support and protect journalists “not only in times of celebration like today, but every single day.”.