GAMYAA, NCAC held a forum to cement ties with the arts

Following the commemoration of the 50^th anniversary of World Theatre Day, The Gambia Youth Actors Association backed by the national centre for arts and culture on Wednesday 28 March held a forum on The Gambia’s theatre and drama at Alliance Franco, with the theme: Taking Theatre into the Streets. The objective of the forum is to create a platform and build a common understanding between all stakeholders in the area of theatre and drama to come together and work hand in hand with the national centre for arts and culture in their drive to build a more viable and productive artistic industry as opposed to the many years of its existence.

Speaking at the forum, the chairman of arts and culture Mr. Tijan Camara on his part commended the young actors and challenged them including the theatre groups and other stake holders to take the lead role in making drama and theatre where it suppose to be rather than waiting for the arts council to implement projects. “It is not the responsibility of the NCAC to implement programs but rather to act as facilitators” he added that, that is why different arts groups and associations come together to organize themselves as an organized body so that the arts council can come in guide them and connect them to enhance their networking in getting the funds they need to implement their own programs. “If you organize yourselves definitely you should be running your own shows and then we will just be facilitating you, but then again this can be done through unity, understanding, cooperation and allowing one to lead while the others follow”. Mr. Camara further lamented that, though the arts council was mandated to be implementing and but their strategy as a new management is to change it to being facilitators instead of implementing or executing programs, because that is the only way to push the theatre and drama in this country and the arts council don’t have all the hands to accomplish everything on their own.

The forum which has attracted many young people from schools, art communities, drama and theatre groups, producers and other walks of life, gave an opportunity to learn about the history of drama and theatre in The Gambia to the surprise of many. Alhaji Sering Secka, one of the founding fathers of Banjul Drama Society formed in the 50s and the producer of “Rebellion” gave a rundown of the history of drama and theatre in The Gambia which goes way back in the 1920s in Bathurst when the level of illiteracy was very high and the colonial pessimists were at work to discourage the African cultural expression especially in many aspects of the mode of dressing and languages which the colonialist termed as uncivilized. “If we are not careful we will go out of track” he emphasized.

He further lamented on the importance of theatre and the achievements registered in those days with the inception of the Ladies Guild of Grace Drama Group, which was officially formed in 1924 has helped promote Gambian culture, arts and trade through drama and theatre to inform, educate and entertain the masses. According to Alh. Secka, in 1938 the guild raised funds for the refurbishment and extension of the Anglican school in Banjul, and sponsored girls in school. “During colonial day, politicians used to have drama groups to create awareness”

The new director of literature and performing arts, NCAC, Sheikh Omar Jallow on his part, assured the participants from the art community that the notion of arts council not doing nothing is gone, a new management is now handling the affairs with a new strategy and portfolio and are ready to throw their weight on anyone who have a project towards the betterment of performing arts or arts in general in this country. “I was one of those sitting on the other side wanting to see to it that the Gambian arts get to another level” said Mr. Jallow. He further explained that the NCAC’s target for this year is to create a gainful way of employment and that he will use his office to make that happen. “My target is to create 500 jobs, and I want all the theatre groups to move from theatre groups’ to theatre companies”. He further praised the Gambia Youth Actors Association for this laudable initiative and went on to say that he will see to it that 27^th of every month there will be such a forum like to assess the progress of things.

Oko Drammeh, arts and entertainment connoisseur /veteran Gambian music promoter dilated on the factors affecting the country’s arts and entertainment players. Mr. Drammeh pointed out that the lack of artistic knowledge and spiritual content embedded in the Gambian works of art especially theatre and music scene, is one of the key factors drawing the artist community back. He further lamented that there should be cultural ingredients in the works suitable for the international market.