By Aminata Sanneh
The study on the status of female artists in The Gambia was recently launched as part of the UNESCO Aschberg Project (Improving the Status and Condition of Female Artists) in The Gambia.
Speaking at the launching held at the National Centre for Arts and Culture in Banjul, the Minister of Tourism and Culture Hon Hamat NK Bah, recognised the efforts of Gambian artists, especially female executives in the economic upliftment and the production of works to reflect Gambian values and norms.
He informed that the government through the NCAC conducted a survey to assess the status of female artists in 2022 as part of 30,000 USD funded by UNESCO, and that 100 female artists and cultural professionals have also undergone training in some matters like copyright, networking, marketing of cultural goods from experts during a week-long training session held in December 2022.
“This important study will garner our utmost scrutiny so that we can outline correct strategies to support our female artists in line with government’s desire to support women in all sectors,’’ he said.
The Hon Minister also signed the regulation creating the National Endowment Fund for Arts and Culture for The Gambia, which has been elusive since independence. The Fund will help support artists in uplifting their status.
He thanked UNESCO Aschberg Project for the great support they have given to The Gambia; NCAC and the artists for the good work.
Director General of NCAC Mr. Hassoum Ceesay said The Gambia’s 2005 Convention Quadrennial Reporting (QPR) made it qualify to apply for this UNESCO Aschberg in a bid to improve the status of Gambian artists.
“The project,’’, Ceesay adds, “has also granted NCAC the necessary needs for the creation of the country’s first National Endowment Fund for Artists’’.
The ceremony was attended by a host of other dignitaries including the Acting National Commissioner for UNESCO, and the Aschberg Foundation, media, and the artists.
