Gambia Press Union President at the Media, Press Freedom & Democratic Governance in Accra, Ghana on 18th October 2022
(Photo: Muhammed S. Bah)
The Gambia Press Union (GPU) President has said Media Freedom is “key” in fighting against the ongoing Democratic recession in West Africa.
Muhammed S. Bah made the remarks on Tuesday in a telephone interview with this medium while attending the annual forum on media, press freedom and democratic governance in West Africa.
“It a great forum for the development of media in West Africa. Media Freedom is key in the fight against the current Democratic Recession in West Africa. We have a role to play, it is important to have better media laws that will enhance the work of the media. The media should use a knowledge-based approach,” he said.
The 18th-19th October forum was organised by the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA) with the Centre for Democratic Development in Ghana, at a local hotel in Accra.
The event that constitutes activities of the MFWA Regional Coalition seeking ECOWAS to streamline media in its interventions brought together media, governance and human rights actors.
The participants discussed trending issues on the media, freedom of expression and the recent democratic recession in West Africa; as well as proffered solutions to those issues.
The forum has availed the GPU President and colleagues the opportunity to look into the problems the media faces and how to make it proactive towards strengthening democracy within the sub-region.
“This event will help to expose us to our West African colleagues; as to what Gambian media is doing towards the consolidation of our democracy, and our fight against democratic recession. I was part of the media actors who proffered resolutions that will be considered by ECOWAS in their democratic and governance programmes. The Forum has also given me the opportunity as to the challenges the media is facing within other countries,” President Bah said.
The GPU President has proceeded to attend the annual West Africa Media Excellence Conference and Awards (WAMECA) that began in Ghana today, ending 22nd October.