By Lamin Njie
Mr. Musa Foon, Museum and Site Attendant at the NCAC, recently attended a training in underwater cultural heritage archaeology in Turkiye and Cape Verde, organised by UNESCO.
In an interview with Gambia Daily, Mr Foon affirmed that the training was organised by UNESCO and Akdeniz University of Turkey, and that it lasted for 10 days.
According to him, the programmes included theoretical sessions, practical diving experiences, photogrammetry dives, and underwater photography practices.
He described the training as very interactive and useful. “I was able to share with my colleagues my own experience as an active diver in McCarthy, which has a long history of trade along River Gambia,” he said.
Mr Foon intends to organise seminars and training for other NCAC staff and also the tour guides on the island to share his expertise and experience in underwater cultural heritage.
He finally thanked the UNESCO 2001 Convention Secretariat and the Turkish authorities for supporting his participation in the course.
“My sincere thanks go to Moussa Weleof UNESCO, Dakar Regional Office for West Africa for actively supporting my participation,” he concluded.
In February 2024, The Gambia formally became a State Party to the UNESCO 2001 Convention on Underwater Cultural Heritage. This convention seeks to protect the rich cultural heritage of underwater bodies such as rivers, seas, lakes, wells, and oceans.
Accordingly, the National Centre for Arts and Culture, the implementing agency for this Convention, has wasted no time in reaping the benefits of membership from the Convention.
