Facts and Figures
- DDF Project Title
- Multimedia Internship for Employability
- DDF Fellow Reference Number
- DDF 34
- Partner in The Gambia
- Gambian Talents Promotion
- Geographical Coverage
- Urban-Rural
- Period
- 2022 – 2023
- DDF Grant
- D300,000
- Cash Contribution
- D3,500
- In-kind Contribution
- D310,600
Challenges and Opportunities
Consequently, the thousands of students who graduate every year, from high schools and the tertiary education system cannot find jobs. Many among these are either interested in multimedia related professions, as he was during his younger days, or have employment opportunities waiting for them in the rapidly growing media market of The Gambia; terrestrial and digital television broadcasting outlets, citizen journalism, and social media.
Pa Ousman Joof (USA)
DDF 34
As a young man in the town of Farafenni, in the northern region of the country, Pa Ousman Joof developed a great passion for media studies and aspired to become a journalist. His mother’s and father’s incomes from selling palm oil and farming, respectively, were not enough to support his ambition. He had to chart his own path to realise his dream, later in life.
Pa Ousman believes the current school curriculum is a great contributor to the troubling youth unemployment, due to the fact that the learning institutions do not equip students with practical skills to be employable.
‘‘There are several institutions in The Gambia offering journalism and multimedia but they only teach theory. Since 2018, GTP has developed and produced a new breed of young career ready media professionals through practical trainings including multimedia gear and equipment handling, knowledge on communication ethics and values, internships, etcetera.’’
~ explained Pa Ousman Joof, CEO.
‘’The DDF grant will help in scaling up GTP’s operations and create realistic employment opportunities for newly trained students, sponsored by the programme.’’
~ said Pa Ousman Joof
About The Project
Gambian Talent Promotion (GTP) already delivers multimedia training to migrant returnees, school dropouts, students of local Islamic schools (madarasas) and University of The Gambia (UTG) graduates who want to pursue a career in the media industry.
Most of GTP’s students either lack academic requirements to enroll elsewhere or cannot afford to get into the tertiary institutions. Some of GTP’s graduates are presently working in established media houses including the Eye Africa TV and the national broadcaster, Gambia Radio and Television Services (GRTS).
DDF Results and Impact
Trained xx (number) students to be career ready by way of functional courses and internships.
Students acquired competencies in information gathering techniques; completing news assignments using different types of media including photos, audio and video; shoot, edit and produce stories using standard industry software.
During the training period, students benefitted from guest lectures and short-term mentorship under seasoned journalists and senior staff of GTP.
