By: Bakary Ceesay
ST Brikama Boyo, Multiple Awards winning Gambian artiste has stressed that Gambian artistes need proper sound system, a music theater, and intellectual property protection to thrive and catch up with the rest of the world.
He was speaking during a audience with Adama Barrow and discuss the activities of his charitable foundation -the ST foundation for community Development, and support for Gambian music industry on 16th march 2021.
During the closed -door session, the Brikama -born musician briefed the president about the development initiatives of his foundation such as sponsorship packages for students , COVID19 Relief support, community liberty support program assistance for needy patients, among others.
“My foundation is not political and nit issue -specific as we intervene and help address the most pressing challenges local communities and young people struggle with often,” he emphasis.
The Dinding mansa hitmaker told the president that his year his foundation intends to focus on raising awareness and tackling the rising trend of drugs and substances among youths of the country.
He described the issue as a potential social manace that counld be liked to the increase in petty crimes and other social delinquencies. If the drug abuse syndrome is left unchecked, he said, if could eat away the future of the young.
“There are so many creative and talented youths out there.we must be able to channel their energy into positivity to become productive citizens, ” added highlighting that music and the creative arts sector would be great entry points.
On his part, president Barrow said he was encouraged to see Gambia music going forward stressing that filling up concert venues like the independence stadium is great feat even for international superstars standard.
Agreeing with ST about youth talent and engagement, the president said that it is about time that artistes took their trades as serious business enterprise equipped with fully- fledged management structures.
He pledged to took into the issues raised while describing Arts and Culture as a priority for his administration indicating that it received an unprecedented budget allocation this year.
While pointing out that he is a voice for all Gambians, irrespective of political and ethnolinguistic affiliation, ST thanked the president for the audience and pledge to always support the country’s development agenda, especially youth matters.
According to him, the foundation will constitute influential community leaders and leading experts on the subject to lead the campaign against drug abuse.
