By Wally Bah
The Publisher and Managing Editor of the Gambian online media called Mansa Banko Online, on Wednesday, 2nd October, 2019, left Banjul International Airport to attend a seminar on Health and Safety standards for persons employed in fishing operations.
To be held from 3rd – 4th October, 2019 in Tangier, Morocco, the seminar is being organised by the Ministerial Conference on Fisheries Cooperation Among African States Bordering the Atlantic Ocean
(ATLAFCO).
The seminar with the topic: “For access to decent and secure jobs in fisheries in West Africa’‘ is expected to be a platform that gathers stakeholders in the fisheries sector, among them a regional Network of Journalists and Communicators Reporting on Fisheries, in short- MOSFA.
In an interview, shortly before his departure for the North African nation, Njie, who doubles as the head of the Global Youth Innovation Network (GYIN Gambia Chapter), said ATLAFCO invited four journalists that are actively reporting on fisheries on the African continent.
“I’m so much excited to be selected among four journalists to be part of this important seminar because it will expose me to new techniques on fisheries reporting, as well as give me the opportunity to interact experts in the fisheries sector,” he averred,
According to Mansa Banko Online Publisher, for the Tangier seminar, four MOSFA members would be in attendance, namely Andre Naoussi, Coordinator of MOSFA; Estelle Diane BENGA AMVANE from Gabon- Matin Equatorial Newspaper; Mamadou Edrisa Njie, The Gambia- Publisher and Managing Editor of Mansa Banko Online;and Leonce Aissoun, who is designated to represent the Ministry of Fisheries of the Republic of Benin.
“Inviting me to represent my medium and MOSFA, clearly indicated that my work has been recognized not only nationally, but regionally and globally,” the journalist-cum-youth activist stated.
Njie is hopeful that the seminar would be a platform to network and share experiences with others from other countries.
The Publisher added that the participation of MOSFA members in the seminar would help them better understand the latest reports in the fisheries sector, while hoping that it would also aid ATLAFCO in its aim of promoting an effective and active cooperation between Member States for conservation and sustainable development of fisheries in the region.
Mr. Njie saluted his Editorial Team for the “tremendous job” they are doing in reporting agricultural issues in the country and beyond.
Mansa Banko Online is a Gambia-based online newspaper focusing on agricultural reporting. Mansa Banko Online publish divergent views and are in support of Press Freedom and Freedom of Expression.
Mansa Banko covers news and in-depth analysis of stories and agriculture-related issues including crop and livestock production, trade and access to markets, fisheries, ICT, youth and agribusiness etc.
