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In conveying to you our New Year’s Greetings and wishing you many more years in returns, in peace, stability and progress, V.Jay Theatre Productions’ wishes to take you through a recap of the 2019 The Gambia tour, outcomes and intended plans. Mr. Richards- a Caribbean Descendant/British National, an Actor, a Playwright/Storyteller, Poet Shines and founder of V. Jay Theatre Productions visited The Gambia from 14 November to 5 December 2019. During his visit Mr Richards who was accompanied by Sister Angela Rose of Aga- UK Ambassadors convened press briefing, to announced a the “One Man Show”, which also featured Zenith High School students’ who made opening Poetry performance. Although attempts to meet the Gambian President and Tourism and Culture Minister during his visit proved futile, due to short notice, at a time when the duo were busy with the Nationwide Tour. A meeting was however held with the Director General (DG) of the National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC), at...

Momodou Gassama Communication Officer of the World Health Organisation (WHO) in The Gambia has said there are more than 7000 chemicals in tobacco smoke, of which at least 250 are known to be harmful and at least 69 are known to cause cancer. Mr Gassama made these remarks on 13 December 2019 , during the event making World No tobacco Day, on the Theme: “Choose Health, No Tobacco.”  The event was held at the Central Medical Store in Kotu. The 2006 Tobacco Control Act, which came into Force on 1 October 2019 is meant to ensure a Tobacco free Gambia. The Act imposed band on public smoking, tobacco advertisement and smoking in public spaces. While commending  The Gambia for championing the global crusade against tobacco, Gassama said a multi-sectoral working group committee comprising all relevant Government sectors was set up toward tobacco control, leading to the enactment of tobacco control Act. "Tobacco was responsible for the deaths in the US and in the 1980s ...

Mr Victor Richards will be performing in London - UK his popular trilogy - Streets Pave With Gold in London: Event Programme Friday 20th December Groud floor International House 18:30 Guests seated 18:45 Host Show Opening  18:55 Victor Rchards performance 20:10 Interval 20:25 Young people 21:00 Panel Discussion 22:00 Singer/Performance 22:05 Grand Finale - Victor Richards Music video + Film trailer 22:15 Networking, Merch Sales, 23:00 Close Click on the below for details, and booking: https://youtu.be/0uhxFbHH6wo Tickets are limited! Grab yours before they're gone! https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/streets-paved-with-gold-a-windrush-story-tickets-79484282629

At least two months into the Enforcement of the Tobacco Control Act 2019, Modou Njie, Director of Health Promotion at the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare has on behalf of the Health Minister declared all public places in The Gambia as non-smoking environments. Speaking during events marking World tobacco Day 2019, Mr Njie said the law bans smoking in public places, including Restaurants, Hotels, garages, among others. Adding that with effect from date all public places are declared smoke free environments, including Police Stations, Health facilities, and all institutions. He assured that the Tobacco Control laws will be fully implemented, while commending his Minister- Dr Mamadou Lamin Samateh for endorsing their proposal to facilitate effective service delivery. He said “children under 18 should not be sent to buy cigarette; shopkeepers should not sell single sticks of cigarette. They should only sell per packet of cigarette. We want all places to be smoke free and w...

Minister- Njie handing over NAQ 2017 Award to Unique Solutions  Prestige Security Company were awarded winners of the National Quality Award 2019, level 1 (Bronze). Unique Solutions 2017 level 1 winners took  Level 2  (Silver); the University of The Gambia - level 3 (Gold) and Medicine Control Agency took Level 4(Diamond).  Gambega Company was also declared winner of the 2017 Level 2 Award, which was received in Nigeria. Mambureh Njie- Gambia's Finance Minister speaking on behalf of the Trade, Industry, Regional Integration and Employment MoTIRIE) said the First National Quality Awards ceremony is organised by The Gambia Standards Bureau, in collaboration with the MoTIRIE. He said the objectives of the Award are to raise awareness on quality and thereby enhance our quality culture and to promote interest in quality management principles by our enterprises.  He added that the aim is intricately linked to the ideals of regional integration in E...

" As of mid-2019, an estimated 24.5 million of the 37.9 million people living with HIV were accessing treatment. As treatment roll-out continues, fewer people are dying of AIDS-related illnesses," UNAIDS stated in a Press Release issued in observations of World AIDS Day 2019. The statement dispatch to the media during recent press briefing at the National AIDS Secretariat along Kairaba Avenue state that progress in reducing HIV infections is mixed, and 1.7 million people were newly infected with the virus in 2018. "New HIV infections declined by 28% from 2010 to 2018 in eastern and southern Africa, the region most affected by HIV. In a promising sign, the incidence rate of HIV among adolescent girls and young women aged between 15 and 24 years in the region declined from 0.8% in 2010 to 0.5% in 2018, a 42% decline.  "However, young women and girls still bear the brunt of new HIV infections—four out of five new HIV infections among adolescents in sub-Saharan Afri...

The President of the Republic of the Gambia H.E. Adama Barrow, Dr. Isatou Touray the Vice President of the Republic of the Gambia, Secretary General and the head of civil service, the speaker of the National Assembly, my fellow Cabinet members, chief of defence staff, the Gambia Armed Forces, Inspector General Gambia police force, Director Gambia Immigration Department, Ambassadors and High commissioners of various Embassies and High commissions in the country, UN country Representative, WHO country Representative heads and representative of all international organizations and NGOs in the Gambia, the Gambia Federation of the Disabled and entire disability family and   fellow Gambians, good morning to you all. Dear Gambians as we join the rest of the world to observe the 3 rd December commonly known as World Disability Day. We should know that it is a very important day in the life of Persons with Disabilities, and we should also use the day to reflect on challenges they fa...

The Gambia today join the rest of the world to Celebrate World Aids Day. The event was held at the Paradise Hotel in Kololi The event was graced by the Minister of Health and Social Welfare, among other dignitaries, health staff, among others. I hope to provide you with further details on the developments .

A One Man Play Show encouraging Africans to stay back home and develop the continent produced by the UK based V Jay Theatre    Productions was showcased on the 29 November 2019. The event took place at the Ebunjan Theatre around the former GFA, now GFF House in Kanifing. The ‘instant success’ play written and acted by Victor Richards- a UK born citizen deals with issues about how our Caribbean ancestors suffered in their struggle to go to Europe, the sufferings youth encounter through the back way to Europe, and try to encourages youth to stay back home and develop the continent. Mr Richards during the Press briefing held at the YMCA Conference Hall on 27 November 2019 that The Gambia is the first place in Africa where the play will be showcased, adding that he choose The Gambia because of the loving and friendliness of the people. He said called on all to turn to the Friday show, which is encouraging Gambian youth to stay back home and participate...

Need to Know Tuesday, November 26, 2019 Fresh useful insights for people advancing quality, innovative and sustainable journalism OFF THE TOP You might have heard . . . Statehouse coverage is one of the beats that has  suffered most  in years of declining local news (ProPublica) . . . but did you know: The AP and Report for America are creating 14 new statehouse jobs (Poynter) Yesterday the AP and Report for America  announced a partnership  to create 14 reporting positions to cover the state governments of Colorado, Indiana, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Nevada, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, South Carolina and Utah. The positions, mostly funded by the AP and RFA, will last for 18 months and begin next June. The AP will make their coverage available for free to other media in those states. The initiative is the latest in a range of creative partnerships to cover state legislatures, including  Capitol News Illinois  an...