THE DEPUTY GOVERNMENT SPOKEPERSON, SANKANU IS THE FIRST GAMBIAN TO PARTICIPATE IN THE AFRICAN UNION MEDIA FELLOWSHIP

Deputy Government Spokesperson, Sankanu, is first Gambian to participate in the African Union Media Fellowship
By Fatou Jonga

Prince Bubacarr Aminata Sankanu, the Deputy Government Spokesperson, Office of The President, is among t20 young professionals and the first Gambian chosen within a pool of 6000 candidates to participate in the second cohort of the African Union Media Fellowship (AUMF).
Speaking to New Global Media (NGM), Mr. Sankanu says he is glad to be part of this wonderful opportunity, “being the first Gambian to participate in African Union Media Fellowship, I am very happy because this is a platform to learn and participate in the development of Africa and the Gambia by extension.”
Sankanu explains the importance of his participation in the AU Fellowship as the first Gambian. He motivates other Gambians to come on board, revealing that there is an ‘Agenda 2063’, a 50-year programme of the AU aimed at transforming our Continent into “the Africa We Want” with prosperity, peace, unity and global relevance. Sankanu says that The Gambia shouldn’t be left behind, adding that his impact, work and reference will guide other Gambians in contributing to the advancement of Africa.
Asked about the challenges they face in the fellowship, Prince Sankanu explained that traveling from one African country to another is a big challenge to them as in many instances, they had to transit through Europe or Middle East before reaching another part of Africa.
“The fellowship is an opportunity for us to encourage our decision makers on the urgency of African integration in this 21st Century. Am glad that the AU gave us the opportunity to personally discover Africa and experience the challenges and prospects of integration and mobility so we can write and articulate it well” he adds.
Furthermore, the Deputy Government Spokesperson highlights his AUMF experience in acquiring new digital technology skills, public policy delivery, the intersection between academia and industry as well as discussions on how to shape the African narrative, the future of African media and latest trends in media development.
“What I am learning from AUMF will help me in my job as a Deputy Government Spokesperson in better articulating policies of our Barrow administration. We are implementing our Gambian Access to Information Law which is among the subjects my fellowship research. The African Union Media Fellowship will also enable me perform better in performing my duties in the areas of strategic and operational aspects of public communications.” he affirms.

In conclusion, Prince Sankanu says the AU Media Fellowship takes a year (12 months) to conclude with both online and off-line training components as well as a legacy project.
He stated that his AUMF project will be an academic article on The Gambia’s trajectories in media advancement and pluralism which will be by universities to promote research and evidence-based decisions on access to information across Africa while protecting citizens’ privacy. He will also publish popular media content for general audiences.
“We have three study tours to participate in. The first was in South Africa to understudy African Union institutions there working towards the advancement of Africa. We came to Ethiopia for our second study tour that included participation in the side events of the 37 Ordinary Session of the African Union 2024. We will be in Germany later this year for the final one ”
According to the press release from the Office of the President dated 12th October 2023, “an initiative of the African Union Commission, the AU Media Fellowship (AUMF) is supported by the German Government through the “citizens’ engagement and innovative data use for Africa’s development (data cipation) project.” The AUMF programme aims at revolutionizing African media by promoting cross-border coverage and encouraging collaboration between policy makers and journalists. It is implemented by Deutsche Gesellschaft fuer Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH and the AU Information and Communication Directorate.

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