Group Photo Media Agenda in collaboration with the Network of Community radio-The Gambia organized a 2 days Voters Education workshop at the Trans Gambia Lodge in Pakalinding Lower River Region on Tuesday 30th and Wednesday 31st August, 2016.
In his welcome remarks, Mr. Madi MK Ceesay Director of Media Agenda explained that the workshop is possible through funding from the American Embassy at the tune of $9816.03 targeting over 100 journalists in the Gambia at the various community radios, print and some private media outlets.
He highlighted that, the essence of this workshop which is the second orientation is to enlighten the community radio journalists on the importance of voting especially during election as most of the community are ignorant on their civic right to vote.
Mr. Ceesay stressed partnering with community radios especially the network will help members of the community to understand their right to vote both at presidential, Local government and National Assembly elections; likewise under the understand the whole voting procedures.
Madi finally donated D5000 to the network to facilitate the opening of a new bank account for them.
For her part, Mama Jaye Vice chairperson Media Agenda board of directors who double as the resource person, expressed gratitude to the network for leaving their busy schedule to attend such an important workshop. She said the community radios are closer to the community than any other outlets and dealing with them in raising their awareness on one of their basic rights as Gambians.
She said orienting, sensitizing and enlightening the media to help cope with this ill menace of not going to vote during elections. She urged participants to utilize the training seriously as handout, presentations and other useful information’s will be share.
Mama continued, effective voter education programs are key parts of the political process and a possible tool to provide a smooth electoral environment which are designed to ensure that voters are motivated to participate in elections.
Madam Jaye noted that voter education programs help understand voters priority through given target groups such as voters with disabilities, elderly voters, and pregnant women,provide information and guidance and support to literates, displaying candidate photos or party symbols on the ballot boxes and finally allowing and encouraging young voters to participate through the social media such as Facebook, whatsApp, viber, IMO etc.
She emphasized the importance for citizens to be familiar with the electoral process, as lack such familiarity causes the result to low voter turnout/ She said due to lack of confidence in the election integrity and legitimacy of the results too is a cause factor . She went on“overcoming voter appetite has proven to be a difficult challenge in recent years. Therefore, effective voter programs help to raise awareness of citizens in the country’s democratization process”.
Mr. Yusupha Bojang coordinator Network of Community Radios the Gambia expressed satisfaction about the cordial relationship that exist between to two organization noting that is great a significant day in the annals of the network. According to him the MOU signed between the two institutions has greatly benefited the community radios.
He underlined the importance of the voter orientation saying voter education is essential in development process of any nation. “Most community members did not know that is their out most right to decide for the future leadership choices” he added. He urged the network members to utilized the knowledge gained to help raised more awareness on their respective communities on the electoral system.
Yusupha hailed Media Agenda for funding the entire registration process of the network to the Attorney General’s chambers as well as the TIN Certificate with the Gambia Revenue Authority.
Mr. Bojang revealed that some community radios are facing challenges in executing their duties due to the lack of mixers, microphones, computers, headphones and other equipment, while calling on Media Agenda and other organizations to support them achieved their desired goals.
BY: Biram S Jobe BB
In Pakalinding, LRR
In his welcome remarks, Mr. Madi MK Ceesay Director of Media Agenda explained that the workshop is possible through funding from the American Embassy at the tune of $9816.03 targeting over 100 journalists in the Gambia at the various community radios, print and some private media outlets.
He highlighted that, the essence of this workshop which is the second orientation is to enlighten the community radio journalists on the importance of voting especially during election as most of the community are ignorant on their civic right to vote.
Mr. Ceesay stressed partnering with community radios especially the network will help members of the community to understand their right to vote both at presidential, Local government and National Assembly elections; likewise under the understand the whole voting procedures.
Madi finally donated D5000 to the network to facilitate the opening of a new bank account for them.
For her part, Mama Jaye Vice chairperson Media Agenda board of directors who double as the resource person, expressed gratitude to the network for leaving their busy schedule to attend such an important workshop. She said the community radios are closer to the community than any other outlets and dealing with them in raising their awareness on one of their basic rights as Gambians.
She said orienting, sensitizing and enlightening the media to help cope with this ill menace of not going to vote during elections. She urged participants to utilize the training seriously as handout, presentations and other useful information’s will be share.
Mama continued, effective voter education programs are key parts of the political process and a possible tool to provide a smooth electoral environment which are designed to ensure that voters are motivated to participate in elections.
Madam Jaye noted that voter education programs help understand voters priority through given target groups such as voters with disabilities, elderly voters, and pregnant women,provide information and guidance and support to literates, displaying candidate photos or party symbols on the ballot boxes and finally allowing and encouraging young voters to participate through the social media such as Facebook, whatsApp, viber, IMO etc.
She emphasized the importance for citizens to be familiar with the electoral process, as lack such familiarity causes the result to low voter turnout/ She said due to lack of confidence in the election integrity and legitimacy of the results too is a cause factor . She went on“overcoming voter appetite has proven to be a difficult challenge in recent years. Therefore, effective voter programs help to raise awareness of citizens in the country’s democratization process”.
Mr. Yusupha Bojang coordinator Network of Community Radios the Gambia expressed satisfaction about the cordial relationship that exist between to two organization noting that is great a significant day in the annals of the network. According to him the MOU signed between the two institutions has greatly benefited the community radios.
He underlined the importance of the voter orientation saying voter education is essential in development process of any nation. “Most community members did not know that is their out most right to decide for the future leadership choices” he added. He urged the network members to utilized the knowledge gained to help raised more awareness on their respective communities on the electoral system.
Yusupha hailed Media Agenda for funding the entire registration process of the network to the Attorney General’s chambers as well as the TIN Certificate with the Gambia Revenue Authority.
Mr. Bojang revealed that some community radios are facing challenges in executing their duties due to the lack of mixers, microphones, computers, headphones and other equipment, while calling on Media Agenda and other organizations to support them achieved their desired goals.
BY: Biram S Jobe BB
In Pakalinding, LRR