Gambia Online Media Association Interim Committee Established

GOMA Interim Committee

Banjul, The Gambia, 20th February 2026

The Gambia Online Media Association (GOMA) has elected an Interim Committee (IC) with a one-year mandate to steer the affairs of the Association and engage various stakeholders, including the public, government, sister institutions, and partners.

GOMA was encouraged to establish itself by the Gambia Press Union (GPU), similar to other sister associations, with the elections taking place on 20th February 2026 at the Press Union Office. The elections were conducted by Presiding Officers Mr Emil Touray of the Media Council of The Gambia (MCG) and Mr Nelson Manneh from the GPU.

At the end of the elections, the following persons were voted into the positions listed below:

1.      President – Yusef Taylor (Askanwi Media)

2.      Vice President – Sallah Njie (Voice Out Digital)

3.      Secretary General – Isatu Mbakeh (Lamdor)

4.      Assistant Secretary General – Ida Sowe (Voice Out Digital)

5.      Treasurer – Suaibou Sanneh (SS Media)

6.      Organizing Secretary – Modou Njie (Inside Gambia)

7.      Public Relations Officer – Binta S. Jawo (Besel Media)

8.      Ordinary Member – Haddy Jatta (Direct Africa)

9.      Ordinary Member – Mariam Camara (Jungle Entertainment Universe)

After announcing the results, Presiding Officer Mr Emil Touray offered words of advice and encouragement. Mr Touray described the elections as “a challenging exercise in view of the fact that the voters were keen on getting their representatives into office.”

He noted that “to whom much is given, much is expected. This is not a position of prestige; it is a position of service.”

He explained that “one problem we have in The Gambia is assuming positions and not measuring up to expectations. Nobody is perfect, but what is important is to always try to deliver what is expected of you and always try to do your utmost best.”

He encouraged members “to embrace the team spirit because no one individual can run an organisation.” He reminded members that GOMA belongs to them and not the Executive alone. “If you don’t organise yourselves, government will organise you, and that will not be pleasant,” he said. He concluded by encouraging GOMA to organise itself and work as a team to achieve the Association’s objectives.

The President of the Gambia Press Union (GPU), Ms Isatou Keita, issued a statement welcoming the establishment. She informed members that “the media is so saturated in terms of online media.”

Highlighting some of the challenges facing the online media space, the media chief noted that “there have been so many things going on in terms of misinformation, disinformation, and mal-information, and most of the questions go back to online media. But then how do we collectively engage each other and hold ourselves accountable?” she asked.

She reminded media practitioners that “we hold people accountable, but how do we hold ourselves accountable when it comes to the stories we tell, because we have a duty to the public?” She stressed that every piece of information put out should be credible, accurate, and fit for purpose because that is the duty owed to the people.

“Now our formula as media is accuracy over speed, but when you look at the current trend, it is speed over accuracy, and we’re causing more harm than good. The question is always raised: Who are the ones peddling this misinformation?”

She galvanised support among members when she said, "You came together to form yourselves, so the responsibility and the onus lie on all of you to make sure that whatever is done is done collectively and for the greater good of everyone within this organisation.”

Newly elected GOMA Interim President, Yusef Taylor, thanked the members for voting and everyone who attended the successful event. He reminded members of GOMA’s motto, “ethics, freedom and responsibility online", and that media practitioners “have a contract with the Gambian people, which means that we are also accountable."

He encouraged everyone to enhance the freedom of the online media space by avoiding the spread of false and misleading information which could threaten the peace. He seized the opportunity to call on all online media platforms and media practitioners to reach out and join GOMA.

Noting the importance of 2026, Taylor highlighted that the association cannot be all about subvention from the government and called for a convention soon where all online media practitioners can meet as one family to chart the way forward.

Signed
GOMA President
Yusef Taylor