Twenty Gambian journalists drawn from both electronic and print media have commenced a ten day training on investigation in Banjul aimed at equipping the trainees on investigating corruption and malfeasance.

The training which marked the third phase of its kind is being organised by The Gambia Press Union and funded by the United Nations Democracy Fund.

Speaking at the opening ceremony at Jama Hall on Monday, president of the Gambia Press Union, Sheriff Bojang jr, described the training as important in the country and urged the participants to see the training as “a game changer for the whole country in the area of probity, accountability and transparency”.

“We are at a stage in which the level of accountability and transparency from the government and within the government is facing a lot of challenge and which is obvious people will always talk about suspicion of corruption and issues like that but whose responsibility is it to authoritatively to put this out without rumors, without speculation, without insinuation this our job,” he said.

Mr. Bojang also urged the participants to see the training as a key spec that will propel Gambian journalists to hold the power holders and institutions to account.

Sang Mendy, managing director of Media Academy for Journalism and Communication also urged the trainees to judiciously take the training seriously and endeavour to learn from the lead trainer.

“We are not saying to go out there to trap yourself but go out there and get things done because if you are trained and you don’t apply that knowledge, that skill, that experience just remained with you. We want you go out there and do stories that would add value to the citizens of this country,” he said.

Mr. Mendy added: “as The Gambia is open to business, it is likely to open to corruption and must also be open to investigation.”

Hamadou Tidiane Sy, lead trainer, described the trainees as journalists with merits while urging them to exchange their experiences throughout the ten day training.