Tourism Ministry Hosts Preparatory Meeting for Banjul New Year Festival   

By Lamin Njie

As the year winds down preparations are in high gear for the upcoming annual Banjul New Year Cultural Festival, usually held from December into the New Year in Banjul. The event attracts thousands of people from all walks of life both within and outside the country.
Last week stakeholders under the umbrella of the National Centre for Arts and Culture held the second preparatory meeting at the Ministry of Tourism and Culture in Banjul.
During the meeting, different committees were established for the smooth hosting of the event; such as the traffic and parking committee, transport committee, safety committee, waste management committee, and security committee. 
Abdoulie Jobe, Minister of Tourism and Culture described the annual Banjul New Year Festival as a very huge economic activity for The Gambia.
“This is very good for the country and all hands should be on deck to have a successful festival,” he urged.
The Minister then challenged the different committees to work hard and ensure that all the necessary logistics are in place for the event.
He finally thanked them for their enthusiasm and reassured the stakeholders of the government’s commitment to the promotion of culture and empowerment of youths of the country in all sectors of the economy.