As preparations for the annual Banjul New Year Cultural Festival draw closer, Honourable Abdoulie Jobe, Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture, on Friday, December 27th, presented over 1.8 million Dalasis to the different cultural groups in Banjul.
Speaking at the presentation ceremony held at the National Centre for Arts and Culture in Banjul, Minister Jobe said the gesture to the cultural groups in Banjul is the first of its kind since the initiation of the Banjul cultural festival so many years ago.
He reminded the gathering that the initiative was conceived when he took over as the new Tourism Minister in a move to support the festival organizers in promoting and preserving the rich cultural heritage of The Gambia.
“The money is purely for the festival. I was able to raise the funds by writing to our good partners both within and outside The Gambia,” he said.
He thanked the donors for their positive response and assured them that his Ministry would continue to collaborate and partner with them in all aspects of cultural enhancement and promotion.
This year, over one hundred thousand people are expected to attend the event, with some coming from the diaspora.
By Lamin Njie
Communications Officer
Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture