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I-Media on top

Wed, 26 Nov 2008 05:08:52 GMT

Wednesday, November 26, 2008

When Fatou Camara quit her job in 2005 as newscaster at the Gambia Radio and Television Services (GRTS) for a protocol job as the US Embassy in Banjul, it was widely feared that she had turned her back on the media for good. Little was it known then that she merely retreated in order to come back with a bang. The result of the three-year stint at the American Embassy is I-Media.

I-Media is in business to offer professional services in TV and radio commercials, documentaries, magazine and brochure production, professional writing and editing. I-Media offers a composite picture of the professional career of its chief executive officer, Fatou Camara, who has worked as a journalist and a public relations officer. She therefore brings to her clientele her wealth of varied experiences in the mass communication industry.

The Fatou Camara experience ought to serve as a guide to aspiring entrepreneurs to acquire the requisite know-how before plunging into any venture. Generally, people just dabble into a venture without being well grounded in it. The result is often catastrophic. But Fatou Camara has taken her time to learn the ropes and come out in style.

If the foundation is sturdy, success is bound to come because a solid base enables you to withstand the stress and strain that go with the territory.

I-Media is evidently on the move to the next level, having already established itself as the PR/marketing communication outfit of choice in town. Experience has shown that getting to the top is usually not as difficult as remaining on top. The competition is fiercer up there, with others seeing you as the one to beat in order to win the market leadership. It is for this reason that Fatou Camara has to drive herself even harder in order to be always deserving of her reputation as a market leader. She needs a team of highly self-driven individuals who will go the extra mile to satisfy the customer. To do this, they in turn have to be amply motivated to put in their very best.

With her reputation as a compulsively high achiever, there is no doubt that Fatou Camara will in due course transform I-Media into a PR corporation that will be the pride of the country

WHATS ON: Frame Africa, “Promoting the movie and entertainment industry in africa”

Mon, 24 Nov 2008 19:02:52 GMT

Monday, November 24, 2008

Whats on FAME is a project that is aimed at developing and promoting Movie and Entertainment in Africa through a concept that will involve a...

Source: http://observer.gm/africa/gambia/article/whats-on-frame-africa-promoting-the-movie-and-entertainment-industry-in-africa

INDONESIA: TB battle hampered by geography and lack of funds

Sat, 22 Nov 2008 14:49:11 GMT

Saturday, November 22, 2008

JAKARTA Tuesday, August 12, 2008 (IRIN) - Anwar, a 32-year-old accounting professional, never thought he would contract tuberculosis (TB), a disease usually associated with poverty and urban squalour. He told IRIN he had had a persistent cough for a few weeks last year and then one day saw blood in his sputum. "I went to a hospital and had an X-ray and a Mantoux test. I was shocked when the doctor said I had contracted TB," Anwar said. The Mantoux test involves injecting 0.1ml of tuberculin...

Source: http://www.irinnews.org/report.aspx?ReportId=79766

WHATS ON: Frame Africa, “Promoting the movie and entertainment industry in africa”

Fri, 21 Nov 2008 04:23:53 GMT

Friday, November 21, 2008

Whats on

FAME is a project that is aimed at developing and promoting Movie and Entertainment in Africa through a concept that will involve a nationwide story/script writing contest with an auditioning to select potential actors/actresses who will feature along side top Nigeria Nollywood Stars in a movie authored and produced in a host country where the project is set.

The project will be organized in four phases beginning with the input of the academia and the general society in a nationwide script/story writing competition to select the best stories that will be auditioned for in the second phase “Be a Movie Star” TV Show and transformed into a movie (Third Phase) that will be premiered in the final Phase “A Film Festival”.

Phase One: Script/Story Writing Contest

• A nationwide script/story writing contest will be instituted to select the best stories that
will form the basis of the “Be a Movie Star” auditioning.
• Participation will cut across all genre of the society with more focus on the education and media sector.
• Interested participants will be expected to submit their stories as a movie script, play or in essay format.

• All entries will be evaluated by professionals and the best ten stories/scripts and the bio-data of their authors will be published and reviewed
in different national newspapers, Fame Africa website and read in different radio stations.
• Public participation will be elicited by informing them to vote for their best of the ten published stories/scripts.
• The story/script with the highest number of votes will be transformed into a movie that wil be shot in the Gambia.

• Authors of all the ten published scripts will be adequately rewarded to encourage them and others that have similar talents.
• The author of the winning script/story will go home with a cash prize and will play a lead role in the movie and also make a special appearance at the movie premiere ( Film Festival).

Phase Two: “Be A Movie Star Auditioning” Reality TV Show

• The “Be a Movie Star auditioning” is a reality TV based show to select potential actors/actresses that will feature in the movie adopted from the winning story of the scriptwriting contest.

• The auditioning will be supervised by a team of professionals selected from the movie and television industry in Nigeria and the Gambia.
• Participation will be open to everyone (children, teens, youths and adults) and roles to be auditioned for will be generated from the scripts/stories received in the writing contest and categorized accordingly.

• Viewers will reserve the rights to choose their best actors/actresses by voting.
• Successful actors/actresses will be on their road to stardom as they will feature alongside top Nollywood (Nigerian Movie Stars) and international in the movie.

Phase Three: “Making (Shooting) of the Movie”

• The production and shooting of the movie will be done in the Gambia.
• The process of the movie making and behind the scenes activities will form part of a television series which will be on DSTV and syndicated to selected TV stations in Africa.

• Viewers will have the opportunity to follow the procedure of how a movie is produced.
• Movie and entertainment enthusiast will undergo training by during the making of the movie by being attached to the technical production team.

Phase Four: “Fil Festival (Premiere)”

• Theilm Festival will form the culmination of the FAME project and would be a socio-cultural event to celebrate the artistry and heritage of the Gambia.
• With the aim of placing the Gambia in a vantage position in the African movie industry, this film festival will permit movie entries from other countries within the African continent.

• It will be organized along the same concept with the Cannes and Toronto Film Festival, but with a major focus on African Films.
• One of the greatest high-points of the festival will be the premiere of the movie from the winning script of the FAME project and an appearance of all the cast as selected from the “Be a Movie Star auditioning” Reality TV Show.
• The festival will also form a tourism developmental package to open up a panorama and the rich socio-cultural heritage of the Gambia to the world.

BENEFITS OF FAME

• Fame Africa will present an opportunity to develop the Gambian countries Movie, Entertainment industry with an attendant increase in revenue generation for the country.
• The project will also impact positively on the country’s academic sector through a career-inspiring opportunity that will engage the minds of the youth and the general public.

• The project also presents an opportunity to make Gambia the hub of West African movie practice and professionalism.

• It also presents an opportunity for the country to exploit the numerous economic advantages of the entertainment industry.
• The countries media industry will also gain international recognition by leveraging on this project to promote its professionalism.

• The Film Festival will present an opportunity to promote the socio-cultural heritage of the country and expand its tourism potentials.
• The project will create youth development and build capacities for talents that have the potential of bringing worldwide acclaim to his/her country.

Author: by Sherrif Janko

190 Britons arrive for ‘Back to our Roots’ tour

Wed, 12 Nov 2008 05:50:53 GMT

Wednesday, November 12, 2008

190 black Britons the weekend arrived in the Gambia for a week-long ‘Back to our Roots’ tour. The group consists of young professionals from various walks of life and are led by Mr Erran Warden, the organizer of this tour who is also the founder of London Elite Forum (LEF).

London Elite Forum is a collection of top London promoters, social and business entrepreneurs that are working together for the benefit of others. Speaking with reporters at the airport upon arrival, Mr Warden said ‘Back to our Roots’ tour is just about coming back to the homeland to know more about the culture and visiting historical places saying "we are here to learn more about the Gambian society and culture.

We also want to have real African experiences in the Gambia." "As some of them have been away for too long, they want to discover their homeland which is Africa," Warden noted. According to Malick Mboob, Head of Media Relations at Global Properties, who are joint-organizers of this event, for this maiden edition of the tour they have put in place "modalities to make sure that the one week-long visit is interesting, educative and will also include investment opportunities for Gambia." He added that they are currently working in partnership with the Gambia Chamber of Commerce and Investment who will spearhead the seminar that starts today.

Among other activities this maiden edition are a visit to Juffureh and James Island, the birth place of Kunta Kinteh, viewing of land and properties, a fashion show, and black history quiz competition.

Author: by Yunus Salieu

SoS Badjie inspires Young Journalists

Tue, 30 Sep 2008 03:58:42 GMT

Tuesday, September 30, 2008

The Honorable Secretary of State for Communication, Information and Information Technology, Mrs. Fatim Badjie-Janneh, has called on the young and aspiring journalists in the country to take the field of journalism seriously.

She made this remark during the first anniversary celebration of the Young Journalists Association of The Gambia, on Tuesday, Sepember 16, at the NaNA Conference hall in Kanifing.

She re-iterated her commitment towards supporting young people, especially the young journalists, to become responsible journalists who will protect the good image of their country. “Reach out and offer community services to your people, attitude is every thing and we need a positive change, but it all depends on us. Help the aspiring journalists to understand the profession and offer recommendation letters for employment, be professional, ready and timely,” those were the inspirational words of the DoSCI & IT Secretary of State, Fatim Badjie-Janneh.

As the chief guest of honor at the occasion, SoS Badjie-Janneh implored the young journalists to always read and listen to news and invest in books, cameras and tape recorders. “Be neutral and always keep the position just to inform but not to take sides or allow your views to be taken over, let the readers decide,” she said.

She also encouraged the Young Journalists Association to extend their membership to the youngsters working in the Radio, Television and other media outlets. SoS Badjie applauded the initiative of the Young Journalists Association and encouraged YJAG to work hard while assuring them of her fullest support, noting that as young journalists they deserved support.

The theme for the celebration was; “The role of Journalists in national development.” The relevance of the theme cannot be over emphasized as it reminds journalists of their contribution to the development of the country and also enlighten the general public that journalists are partners in development.

Pa Modou Fall of The Point newspaper, who also doubles as the Treasurer of The Gambia Press Union, chaired the ceremony.

Author: by Assan Sallah

Scorpions camp in full house

Thu, 04 Sep 2008 02:54:42 GMT

Thursday, September 04, 2008

Sixteen of twenty professional players invited for Gambia’s World Cup and African Nations Cup qualifier match against Liberia have arrived.

The stars, who have been joined by three local based players in defender Ousman Koli and goalkeepers Joseph Gomez and Christopher Allen, have been training hard with their Belgian coach, Paul Put, ahead of Saturday’s do-or-die cracker at the Independence Stadium.

Paul Put is still expecting the Finland based midfielder, Dawda Bah, while Abdoule Paco Corr and Yankuba Ceesay, who were also invited, are likely to miss out.

The European coach will however be without the services of England based striker Edrissa Sonko and Abdoulie Ken Mansally of MLS giants.

Sonko’s League One club, Tranmere Rovers, refused to release him simply because they didn’t receive the player’s release request early enough, while New Revolution’s Ken Mansally is reported to be nursing an injury.

The pictorial shows the players who are currently in camp with the exception of Joseph Gomez and Christoper Allen whose photos were not available at the time of going to press last night.

Author: by Nanama Keita

A professional army ensures a safer society

Mon, 01 Sep 2008 03:38:38 GMT

Monday, September 01, 2008

The role of modern day armed and security services goes far beyond combat activities, contrary to how we, in this part of the world, tend to perceive it.

Understandably, this general misconception owes its root to the prevailing destabilising situation in the African continent, as has been the case throughout the post-independence era. However, the army, like any other fraternity, is supposed to be as instrumental in nation building as all the other sectors of society. This means that it is just as important to have the men and women in the force as equipped in terms of expertise, as it is among the civilian core.

If, as it is often said, the primary role of the armed forces is to safeguard the territorial integrity of a nation, it might as well be argued that such an uphill mission goes beyond positioning men and women in guard posts around the country. It also requires trainings on rescue missions, in the field of medicine, construction, engineering, and so on and so forth. Wherever the civil population encounters difficult times, the security apparatus of such a society would be sure to step in; this is exactly what happens in other parts of the world.

The fact that the military core of this country, prior to the July 22nd Revolution, had been seen as a pool for dropouts and people desperately seeking employment opportunities, explains the attitude of the people towards the force. And this, in a way, has reflected in the performance of some of its men and women. However, the present trend of improvement in the army is a cause for jubilation. The announcement made by the commander-in-chief of the armed forces, President Alhaji Dr Yahya Jammeh, during last Friday’s landmark passing out ceremony of the 29th intake, strongly expresses this.

Many of the landmark scientific achievements we enjoy today are the result of researches sanctioned by military institutions; institutions that have received the required expertise they rightly needed to get where they are.

This is something President Jammeh has always envisaged for the security services of this nation. Of course, the professional status of the armed forces of this country today, which has been a cause for pride for the people of this country, demonstrates how far the government has gone in changing the status quo in the army.

If further development plans raised by the Gambian leader are implemented, it will certainly further boost the performance of our men and women all the more, in terms of their already celebrated performance in regional and international peacekeeping missions.

For the men and women of the security services though, the ball is now in your court. This government is unique on the African continent, in terms of its encouragement for the security services. It is up to you to take advantage of the numerous opportunities being offered.

Author: DO

Paul Put: I Want to Bring Gambian Football to Professional Standard

Tue, 12 Aug 2008 06:54:29 GMT

Tuesday, August 12, 2008

Following a few weeks break after the senior national team match against Algeria, the Head Coach of the senior national team, Paul Put, has express his desire to bring Gambian football to a professional level.

He made these remarks in an exclusive interview with Pointsports at the Sea View Garden Hotel. Coach Put, who was on holiday in his native land Belgium and is finally back in The Gambia to take charge as the head coach of the senior national team said, “ I am very proud to work with the Gambian team and the FA too. I am really happy with the team’s performances within the short period we spent together. We have a very young team and a long future ahead of us.” He said that he has a lot of plans for Gambian football. “I have The Gambia at heart and want to bring Gambian football to the highest level,” he said. He added that after the game against Senegal, “I will have a project for the coaches in
The Gambia which is also part of my job in the Gambia.” He explained that all he needs to do is to focus on his upcoming games. “I am looking forward, with the help of the FA, to have an international test game before our game with Liberia in Banjul. We were supposed to have a test game with Iran but it has been cancelled and I am going to meet the FA to see what we can do to have a test game even if its going to be a first Division team in Holland or some were else. It is very important for us to play before our game with Liberia.” He further stated, “I am very happy with my players and their commitment. They have shown me that we have a team that is willing to play with unity and oneness in the team.”

Meanwhile Paul Put was supposed to meet the FA yesterday afternoon to discuss the issue regarding the test game and get prepared for The Gambia Liberia game on September 20.

Author: By Ebou Manneh

Source: Picture: Paul Put

Star Profile: Germany hero Michael Ballack

Fri, 27 Jun 2008 04:34:27 GMT

Friday, June 27, 2008

Particulars

Name: Michael Ballack

DoB: 26 September 1976, Görlitz, DDR

Height: 188cm (6'2")

Weight: 85kg (13st 5lbs)

Position: Midfielder

Little Kaiser

The man dubbed “Little Kaiser” as an 18 year old has always been in the spotlight, even before his teenage years. As early as age 7 he joined local club Chemnitzer in East Germany and began to shine. His talent was obvious early on as young Ballack was showing equal ability with both feet.

He continued to excel and rise through the system and made his professional debut in 1995 in the Bundesliga 2 with his beloved Chemnitz.

One professional season was enough for the youngster to make his mark, and despite his side's being relegated to the country's third division Ballack was selected for the German U-21 side. The season 1996-1997 saw Ballack run out with Chemnitz in a huge bid to regain promotion. Now a first team regular, playing every game and amassing 10 goals in total, and as valiant as his efforts were, Chemnitz were unable to gain promotion and as a result Ballack was forced to move on to ultimately recognize his true potential.

Early Years

It was in the summer of 1997 when now Greek legend Otto Rehhagel signed the “Little Kaiser” to his newly promoted Kaiserslautern. His transition to the Bundesliga was gradual and he was warranted his first starting appearance against a Leverkusen club that he was later to make his name with.

His Kaiserslautern season was one of dreams and one of the most historic and memorable in German Bundesliga history as the Red Devils went on to become the first newly-promoted team to win the championship in their return season. Ballack made a total of 30 appearances the following year and would help guide Kaiserslautern to the Champions League quarter-finals where they were truly punching above their weight: they came up against Bayern Munich and went out 6-0 on aggregate.

Neverkusen

Realising that Kaiserslautern couldn't hold him. In 1999 Michael Ballack agreed personal terms with Bayer Leverkusen and it is here where his potential, and big break through as one of the world’s leading players came to fruition. At Leverkusen Michael Ballack was at the heart of everything, and over his 3 years he bossed the midfield, scored almost 30 goals, and led his team to the 2002 Champions League final before they where undone by the brilliance of Zidane and some spectacular play from Iker Casillas.

That this small club had come so close, yet fallen at the last hurdle, was all but impossible to take. The 2002 season was enough to scar any professional player, even more so the driven and ambitious Ballack, and the events of that year would earn Bayer the title of “Neverkusen”.

Despite playing an attractive quick brand of football that saw Leverkusen reach the heights of Europe and Germany, with players like Oliver Neuville, Carsten Ramelow, Bernd Schneider, Lucio and Ze Roberto, Leverkusen would blow a five point lead in the last 3 games of the season to give Dortmund the title, lose the aforementioned Champions League to Madrid and then fall in the German Cup to Schalke. And, if this, were not enough a Michael Ballack-led Germany would lose to Brazil in the World Cup in Asia.

From Bavaria To London

That year Michael Ballack would sign a contract with Bayern Munich as his thirst for silverware went unquenched. He spent a total of four years with the Bavarian giants and along the way would finally once again get his hands on the Bundesliga title. He won a total of 3 league and cup doubles and would score 47 goals for Bayern in 135 matches.

But after his four seasons, Ballack yearned to test himself abroad and despite interests from Europe’s elite he finally signed for Chelsea on a free transfer after the World Cup in 2006. At Chelsea, Ballack has yet to achieve the one true club trophy that has eluded him over the years: he joined the Blues solely with the Champions League in mind and in his first season in London, Chelsea would fall at the semi-final stage in a penalty shoot out with Liverpool.

This season Chelsea powered through the knock out rounds on the back of some impressive displays from the German and went one further than the previous year, but still came up short as John Terry’s miss in the final kick of the penalty shoot out against Man United handed the initiative back to United and they went on to complete a Premiership and Champions League double over the London club.

Big In (Korea And) Japan

With Germany, Michael Ballack has without doubt been the banner player. Since his debut for the national team against Scotland in 1999 Ballack has since earned 85 caps and has scored 38 goals up to the quarter final in the 2008 Euros over Portugal. Under Erich Ribeck in 2000, Ballack was a bit part player at the Euros, where Germany lost to England and Portugal and where held by Romania. This result signaled the emergence of former great Rudi Voller, who Ballack would flourish under. It was a tough qualifying campaign for Germany to reach the 2002 World Cup, as they fell quite embarrassingly at home to a Michael Owen inspired England 5-1.

This result helped to condemn the Germans into a play-off with Ukraine with the winner over two legs advancing to the Finals. It was Ballack’s stage, he would score in the first leg in Kiev to take a 1-1 back home to Dortmund, here he would score a further 2 goals to give Germany their tickets to the World Cup.

At the 2002 World Cup Ballack would lead his team by example to the finals, later scoring the winning goal in the Semi-final against Korea but would miss the big show itself as a result of a brave challenge to prevent a Korean goal scoring opportunity, he would receive a yellow card and thus earn a suspension for amassing two many yellow cards and would go on to miss the final against the favourites Brazil. Germany would fall 2-0 to Brazil.

Klinsmann Influence

Germany would qualify reasonably well for the Euros in Portugal, but again its short comings were easily exposed and despite scoring a spectacular goal against the Czechs they where to ultimately fall 2-1, combined with a 0-0 against Latvia and a 1-1 with Holland, Germany would timidly limp out of the Euro 2004. This result was in retrospect seen as a blessing as it heralded the appointment of one Jurgen Klinsmann as the new German coach, tasked with leading the national team to success in the World Cup on German soil.

Under the Klinsmann era, Ballack was made National Team captain and thrived in his new role. He would score in every game in the 2005 Confederations Cup as they fell short in the semis against Brazil. But the National team’s new confidence echoed the drive and ambition being displayed by Ballack as he thrived in the new attacking style of football being played by Klinsmann. In the 2006 World Cup in Germany, Ballack would led his team to the Semi-finals once again but will fall at the feet of the wily Italians in the second period of extra time 2-0.

After easily negotiating the qualifying phase to reach the 2008 Euros in Austria and Switzerland Germany came in as heavy favourties to win it all. A poor display in their second game saw the doubters and critics come running to the forefront, but it was Ballack’s goal-scoring captains display against Austria that sent the Germans into a Quarterfinal against new favourties Portugal. Here once again at their time of need, Michael Ballack delivered. He scores the third German and game-winning goal to send the Portuguese packing and Germany into a Semi-final against the Turks.

His rise to stardom has been hard and difficult but as is often the case with Germans, Michael Ballack has thrived under these circumstances. He remains the only player to reach a Champions League quarterfinal with 4 different teams. His drive and ambition have led him to one international final and various semis, and he is more driven than ever before as he is undoubtedly playing the best football of his life to finally land international honours in the white and black of Germany.

Author: DO