Oko,

I extend my congratulations for being appointed Cultural Ambassador of The
Gambia although you have been acting in that capacity unofficially for as
long as I can remember.  Cheers!!

Sidi Sanneh


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From The Point, Wednesday, January 14, 2003

Article by Alhagie Mbye


The renowned Gambian international music promoter and producer based in the
Netherlands Momodou Oko Drammeh has been appointed as the new cultural
ambassador for the International Roots Foundation.  The IRF is a new
institution established by the Department of State for Tourism and Culture
in collaboration with the National Council for the arts and Culture and the
Gambia Tourism Authority with a view to promoting cultural tourism in The
Gambia and to institutionalise the international Roots calendar events.

According to the release from the Roots Foundation, the responsibility of
the IRF include inter alia: building a bridge for dross-cultural connections
between Africans in the Diaspora and Africans on the continent; offering a
programme of unique spiritual fulfilment through the experience of the
living culture in the name of the Kunta Kinteh family; celebrating the
richness and diversity of Gambian culture and promoting world peace through
cultural cooperation.

According to the letter conveying the news of Mr. Drammeh's appointment, his
role as the IRF Ambassador is very crucial in the promotion of the
Foundation and its activities, providing an extensive network of partners
and colaborators on cultural activities and events and participating in the
formulation of strategies and programmes of cultural activities especially
in this year's Heritage Festival in June.

Speaking to this reporter in an exclusive interview, Oko Drammeh said that
he was delighted to be appointed as a cultural ambassador for the IRF and
vowed that he will do his utmost best to live up to expectation, saying that
he will work tirelessly to promote cultural tourism in The Gambia.

Mr. Drammeh maintained that cultural tourism is one of the fastest growing
economic resources in tourism throughout the world.  Cultural tourism, he
said, is based on the mosaic of places and traditions, and he said art forms
the celebrations and experiences that portray a nation and its people.  "In
today's world of educated travellers, cultural tourism refers to the desire
of people to learn about and understand the culture, history and traditions
of the destinations that they are visiting' he added.

Oko Drammeh further elucidated that IRF has just developed a program for
June 26 and July 2, 2004 in partial fulfilment of its responsibilities.  The
programme, he said is one of many to be developed by IRF in a bid to provide
a spectrum of cultural events geared towards providing our guests with a
more satisfactory intellectual, moral and spiritual experience.  "In the
past, The Gambia has had a Roots Festival as a form of cultural celebration
but IRF is now introducing a Roots Cultural event with a difference starting
in year 2004' he noted.

Meanwhile a cross section of the Gambian ciommunity expressed their
satisfaction with the appointment of Oko Drammeh, stating that Mr. Drammeh
is really fit and capable od serving as a cultuarl ambassador.


Copy Right  The Point Newspaper.  All Rights reserved.
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