By Yunus S Saliu
In recognition of the growing importance of storytelling and its impact on society, 69 Entertainment on Saturday unveiled the Franklin Storycraft Academy and launched the story booklet Beyond Goodbye at the Gambia Pastoral Institute along Kairaba Avenue.
The book, now on sale, was officially launched by Professor Cherno Omar Barry, who served as chief launcher, alongside special guests Madam Adjuah Sowe, Ms. Ama Davies, Sheikh Omar Sawaneh, and Yusuf Thullahi, among other book lovers and creatives.
The twin event was widely described as a significant milestone for storytelling and literature in The Gambia.
In his address, Prof Barry underscored the importance of nurturing storytelling as a pillar of cultural development and national identity. He praised author Franklin Chika Adim for producing Beyond Goodbye, describing it as a courageous work that blends romance with social critique while examining the emotional and moral consequences of human relationships.
According to him, the book raises thought-provoking questions about love, responsibility, cultural pressures, and the impact of personal choices. He stressed that storytelling should not be viewed merely as entertainment but as “infrastructure” that shapes identity, preserves heritage, and transmits values.
Prof Barry further noted that the unveiling of the academy represents a strategic step toward strengthening storytelling in the country. The academy, he explained, seeks to train young writers in narrative construction, character development, emotional intelligence, cinematic adaptation, and ethical representation.
“Before nations are built physically, they are imagined narratively,” he said, warning that without intentional storytelling, African societies risk allowing external narratives to define their identities.
Declaring the book officially launched, he expressed hope that Beyond Goodbye would spark meaningful conversations and contribute to the expanding body of African literature.
Madam Sowe, a retired international diplomat, commended the initiative and urged greater support for the academy. She described its establishment as new and important, noting that such an institution had not previously existed in the country. She encouraged young creatives to take advantage of the opportunity and called on the public to purchase and read the book rather than simply display it on their shelves.
Also speaking at the event, Sheikh Omar Sawaneh highlighted the critical role of storytelling in acting and filmmaking. He explained that powerful storytelling enables actors to move beyond memorising lines to embodying emotion and truth, while for filmmakers it shapes scripts, guides direction, and gives meaning to every frame.
“Technology may enhance production, but it is storytelling that creates connection,” he said, describing the academy as a timely intervention aimed at nurturing talent and building capacity within the creative industry.
In his opening remarks, Adim traced the evolution of the academy to a storytelling competition held on November 24, 2025, which attracted 11 participants and awarded cash prizes totaling D100,000. He revealed that diplomats from China and Turkey were involved in supporting the initiative and that feedback from the competition inspired the formation of the academy to better prepare emerging storytellers.
He explained that he began writing in 2018 and chose the booklet format to make reading more accessible. He noted that while storytelling was once central to African tradition, modern digital platforms now dominate narratives, often without preserving authentic values.
He said the academy aims to revive meaningful storytelling and equip writers with skills to transform stories into books, films, and other creative productions.
Other speakers, including Yusuf Thullahi and Ama Davies, also delivered remarks, congratulating the organisers and expressing optimism that the academy would become a home for bold voices and impactful stories in The Gambia.