Contributions of the Writers’ Association of The Gambia (WAG) to The Gambia

By Honoring Dr. Cherno Omar Barry

The Writers’ Association of The Gambia (WAG) has played a crucial role in promoting Gambian literature, fostering literacy, and engaging in national development through education, advocacy, and cultural preservation. Established in 2009, WAG has consistently worked towards creating a vibrant literary culture in The Gambia by supporting authors, promoting reading and writing, and engaging in national and international literary events.

1. Promotion of Gambian Literature and Recognition of Writers

WAG has actively celebrated, recognized, and awarded Gambian authors for their contributions to literature. Some key initiatives include:

1. Dr. Lenrie Peters Memorial Prize for Literature

In 2019, WAG introduced the Dr. Lenrie Peters Memorial Prize for Literature in honor of the legendary Gambian writer. The inaugural event took place at Ebunjan Theatre, where 22 Gambian writers were awarded in various categories, including:

• Exile Authors: Honoring Gambian writers in the diaspora, such as Demba Ali Jawo (Non-fiction) and Baba Galleh Jallow (Fiction).
• WAG Male and Female Writers of the Year: Recognizing accomplished poets, novelists, and playwrights.
• WAG Laureates for Gambian Literature: Honoring Dr. Cherno Omar Barry, Prof. Pierre Gomez, and Mr. Hassoum Ceesay for their outstanding contributions.
• National Book Award: Awarded to Abdou W. Mbye for his impact on Gambian literature​.

These awards have inspired a new generation of writers, encouraging literary excellence in The Gambia.

1. Literary Awards and Support for Emerging Writers

• WAG launched a Young Writers’ Initiative, supporting young Gambian authors through mentorship, training, and recognition.
• The Book Promotion Office, established within WAG, continues to facilitate book sales and promotion for Gambian writers​.

2. Book and Reading Promotion Initiatives

WAG is actively engaged in making books accessible and promoting a reading culture across the country:

1. Book Donations and Literary Access

• Over 144 books were donated to school children and libraries nationwide to promote Gambian literature.
• WAG initiated the “Book-A-Child” program, providing books to underprivileged children and encouraging reading at a young age​.

1. Book Launches and Reading Sessions

• WAG co-organized 22 book launches across The Gambia in a single year, offering authors a platform to showcase their work and interact with readers.
• Through collaborations with Alliance Française and Pencum Taakusaan, WAG organized book reading sessions for notable Gambian authors, including:
  • When The Monkey Talks by Baaba Sillah
  • A Date with Destiny by Hon. Demba Ali Jawo
  • The Risky Paths to Success by Ramatoulie O. Othman
  • This Way from America by Wuyeh Drammeh​.

1. World Book and Copyright Day Celebrations

WAG has annually organized World Book and Copyright Day (WBCD), in partnership with the National Centre for Arts and Culture (NCAC) and Alliance Française. These events feature:

• Interschool poetry and drama competitions.
• Book exhibitions showcasing works of Gambian authors.
• Symposiums on Gambian literature and cultural identity​​.

3. Advocacy for National Book Policy and Literacy Development
4. Development of The Gambia’s National Book Policy

• WAG collaborated with the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education (MoBSE) to draft the National Book Policy 2020-2025, ensuring the inclusion of Gambian books in schools and libraries​.
• An MoU was signed with MoBSE to:
  • Lobby for funding for Gambian authors and book development.
  • Organize a National Spelling Bee competition for students.
  • Facilitate reading and writing programs in schools​.

4. Capacity Building and Training of Writers
5. Training of Young Writers and Aspiring Authors

• WAG trained over 150 young Gambian writers in creative writing, book publishing, and information literacy.
• 100 students at The Gambia College participated in a creative writing workshop, gaining practical knowledge on storytelling and book writing​.

1. Training of Authors at Siffoe in Collaboration with Catalyst Academy

• In partnership with Catalyst Academy, WAG organized a specialized training program for aspiring authors in Siffoe.
• The training focused on:
  • Developing writing skills for storytelling and fiction writing.
  • Publishing processes for Gambian writers.
  • Book marketing strategies to help authors promote their work.

This collaboration was a major step in empowering grassroots authors, equipping them with skills to enter the literary market.

5. Engagement in National and International Literary Events

WAG has actively represented The Gambia at regional and global literary events, including:

• The African Writers Conference (Kenya, 2019)
• The African Regional Meeting on Indigenous Languages (Ethiopia, 2019)
• Nigeria Writers’ Residency (2019)
• The Senegalese Writers Conference (2019), where WAG members Dr. Cherno Omar Barry and The Gambia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs were honored​.

6. Response to National Issues: COVID-19 Sensitization and Awareness Campaign

WAG played a crucial role in the national COVID-19 campaign, using literature to educate the public:

1. COVID-19 Sensitization through Poetry and Storytelling

• Three prominent slam poets—Omar the Champion Cham, Cherno Gaye, and Harry Bah—performed poetic pieces on COVID-19 awareness and vaccination​​.
• The campaign featured:
  • Radio broadcasts and social media promotions.
  • Poetry competitions on COVID-19 awareness.

1. COVID-19 Relief Fund for Writers

• WAG received D250,000 from the Ministry of Tourism and Culture to support Gambian writers during the pandemic​.
• A $1,000 grant from Dr. Tijan Sallah was donated to help develop the WAG website and provide resources for members​.

7. Promotion of Indigenous Languages and Cultural Heritage
8. Indigenous Language Advocacy

• The 2023 World Book and Copyright Day focused on preserving indigenous languages.
• WAG organized a conference featuring lectures on endangered languages, such as the Krio and Oku Marabout communities​​.
• Topics presented included:

• “The Socio-cultural Evolution of the Saloum-Saloum” by Abdoulie Saine.
• “Writing in Our National Languages – Benefits and Challenges” by Musa Bah.
• “Indigenous Knowledge Production to Preserve Our Language” by Cherno Omar Barry​.

Conclusion

The Writers’ Association of The Gambia has significantly impacted the country’s literary and cultural landscape through book promotions, capacity-building, policy advocacy, national engagement, and international representation. By empowering authors, promoting literacy, and preserving cultural heritage, WAG continues to shape The Gambia’s literary future.

With its youth-focused programs, indigenous language advocacy, and writer support initiatives, WAG stands as a pillar of literary development in The Gambia.