By Kaddy Jawo
The newly-elected president of the Gambia Press Union, Sheriff Bojang Jnr, has promised to improve the standard of journalism in the country.
Speaking to journalists shortly after his election victory at the triennial congress Saturday afternoon, Bojang said he is ready to work with other elected members to take the union to the next level.
He said: “We will listen to every journalist that has a say in the union and we will run the union the way you want it to be run because we are here for you,”
He urged journalists to tell them when they are going wrong in handling the affairs of the union.
Bojang succeeded Emil Touray who completed a two terms in office.
The other new members of the press union leadership are: Mustapha Darboe as vice president, Mariatou Ngum as treasurer, Pa Modou Faal, Fatou Sowe, Sarjo Camara, Kebba Jeffang and Mustapha Mbye.
Bojang and Modou Kanteh contested the presidency after Fatou Jaw Manneh was disqualified and the other contestant Pa Modou Faal withdrew shortly before the polls.
Bojang got 46 votes against Kanteh’s 16. Darboe defeated Sainey Marenah, Halimatou Ceesay and while Mariatou Ngum defeated Musa Sanneh. The position of secretary is now non-elective.
Sheriff Bojang Jnr, born in Brikama Suma Kunda, cut his teeth a journalist at the Daily Observer in the late 1990s. He left for England in 2002 and returned to settle in Senegal in 2006. He worked for West African Democracy Radio, The Guardian newspaper of the UK, RFI and several other media outfits.
He finally returned to settle in The Gambia exactly a week before clinching the GPU presidency.
During the congress held at the Baha’i centre, Bakau, activity and financial reports were presented and the new constitution was adopted.
