By Yunus S Saliu
In recognition of their immense contribution to the development of writing not only within the country but beyond the Gambia, the Writers Associations’ of The Gambia has announced the name of 100 Most Inflential Gambian Writers in commemoration of the 75th anniversary of the United Nations (UN) at a time of great disruption for the world.
The announced names in the list of the 100 Most Influential Gambian Writers ranged “from three generations – Dr Lenrie Peters to the generation of Nana Grey-Johnson and Momodou Sabally and the young generation of Modou Lamin Kejera and Modou Laming Age-Almusaf Sowe – first Gambian writer to be shortlisted for the Commonwealth Short Story Prize,”
According to WAG Secretariat, this unveiled names is “in commemoration of the 75th anniversary of the United Nations (UN) at a time of great disruption for the world, compounded by an unprecedented global health crisis with severe economic and social impacts.”
The global health as stated by the Secretariat led to cancellation of the Dr. Lenrie Peters Memorial Awards for Gambian Literature 2020 and the Kunta Kinteh International Book Festival (KKIBF).
Among the published names in the list include highly prolific Gambian writers and scholars who have immensely contributed to the literary development of The Gambia. Notably among them as per the list are: Dr. Lenrie Peters, Honorable Halifa Sallah, Dr. Samba Fall, Honorable Hassan Bubacarr Jallow, Prof Lamin E. Sanneh, Prof Sulayman S. Nyang, Dr Ebrima Sall, Honorable Nana Grey-Johnson, Dr.Ebrima Ceesay, Ebou Dibba, Dr.Tijan Sallah, Momodou I. Sambou, Dr. Florence Mahoney, Amie Sillah among others.
The criteria for the selection include publishing at least a book, played a significant role individually to the literary/educational development of the Gambia, contributed/and or contributing to the development of the Writers Associations’ of The Gambia (WAG), already published an internationally acclaimed work/works.
