The International Society for Oral Literature in Africa held an International conference in The Gambia in collaboration with the University of The Gambia. It took place in June 2004. It was the first ever international conference held in The Gambia where more than eighty distinguished reserchers and writers, whose publications are a great source of information and research, gathered together. Bravo to Professor Edris Makward, the chief organiser. The then President of ISOLA, Professor Isidore Okphewho, is an accomplished writer whose works have been in the Gambian school syllabus since the early eighties.
Cherno Omar Barry presented on the topic "The Dilemma Gambian Writers face in Literary Production" on the occasion of the World Book and Copyright Day April 2008. The Presentation was organised by the University of The Gambia, moderated by Dr Pierre Gomez, Sr Lecturer and chaired by Professor Nicodemus Awasom. Present were several writers, university lecturers, students and interested participants.