The Gambia Press Union is to launch a D19.5 million project to promote the welfare of Gambian journalists on Friday June 28.

The two and half year project is being supported by the Civil Society Organisation of Denmark (GAMES).

The project described as “biggest ever project of the Union, seeks to further strengthen GPU as an advocate for members, the media and democracy in The Gambia”.

Through this project, the GPU and GAMES would initiate policies and programmes geared towards strengthening the Gambian media to play its rightful role in the country’s fragile democracy development and the transitional justice process.

The project is deliberately designed to support the welfare of Gambian journalists by addressing issues such as the rampant lack of issuance of employment letter to journalists, low and irregular payment for staff as well as lack of standard wage rate for freelancers.

The project also has a huge component to address the issue of safety and security of Gambian journalists, particularly as the country slowly drifts to the next cycle of national elections which is usually a time for rising tension against journalists.

Also through the project, the GPU secretariat and executive board together with the six identified affiliate media organizations would be strengthen on the key areas such as formulation of policies, organizational administration, financial management, and project implementation and management.

On the democratic component, the GPU will involve counterparts and partner organizations in advocacy for freedom of expression, freedom of information and good governance in the Gambia.

The project is targeted at GPU members and secretariat as well as affiliate journalist organisations, media houses and media owners, the security sector, the government, and the civil society.

Reporting by Adama Makasuba