FIVE MAJaC PRODUCTS SCOOP GPU AWARDS Five MAJaC products scoop the prestigious Gambia Press Union National Journalism Awards held on the 2nd December, 2022. The award is meant to recognize the excellent work of Journalists in the Gambia, for their drive to inform and educate the public. Eleven MAJaC alumni were nominated for this year’s awards, and five emerged winners in various categories. Jarra Cham who won the Migration Reporting award, said her passion for rural development led her to report on series of rural issues. According to her, MAJaC has impacted her career. “I have the vision of impacting change in the rural Gambia, where I came from. MAJaC has helped me actualized that dream and I am proud to have contributed to the development of rural Gambia through my stories’, she said. Miss Cham currently works as an Administrative Assistant at the Media Academy for Journalism and Communication. Bai Ibrahim Cham who won the Environment and Climate change award, said his passion for Climate issues is the drive behind his extensive reports on environment and climate related stories. Cham, who works at the Gambia Radio and Television Services (GRTS), believes that MAJaC has redefined the way he writes and report on issues. Isatou Ceesay, the winner for the travel and tourism award, said the knowledge and skills she gained at MAJaC has contributed to her success. Mrs. Ceesay advised Journalists and journalism students to go for stories that will positively affect the lives and livelihood of the voiceless in society. Ebrima KB Sonko and Mustapha Ceesay won Sports reporting and human rights awards respectively. The annual GPU awards continues to recognize the work of Journalists in the Gambia, most of whom -for the recent years- are MAJaC products. During the last GPU National Journalism Award -2020/2021-, eight MAJaC alumni were nominated for the award and five won in the various categories. The school has produced students who are holding key positions in the Media and Communication sector in the Gambia.
The Media Academy for Journalism and Communication and the Gambia Press Union on Friday, 28th April 2023 sign a Memorandum Of Understanding. The MOU is intended to promote cooperation between GPU and MAJaC, so the two can complement each other’s work, avoiding duplication and competition. The areas of cooperation includes but not limited to professional training of journalists, media workers and communication practitioners. The two organisations share goals for media sector development and professionalisation of the media and communication sector.