The General Manager of Niumi FM, a privately-owned radio station in rural Gambia, Ousman A. Marong, has been appointed Gambia Volunteer Coordinator of The Mediterranean Foundation for the Survival of African Migrants (MFSAM). The MFSAM group is a prestigious organization representing the African Migrants, and Refugees across the length and breadth of Europe, Asia, and the USA.
Mr. Marong’s appointment took place in Germany on Tuesday, 10th September 2024, during the board of directors meeting of the organisation. Mr. Marong will serve in the role alongside, Okpalaji Kenechi, project director in Abuja, Nigeria.
Reacting to this appointment, journalist Ousman A. Marong who is also Secretary General of the Migration Reporters’ Association of the Gambia (MiRAG), a blogger at News Bite Gambia, said he is committed to supporting African Migrants through media advocacy with international partners such as the Mediterranean For the Survival of African Migrants, Journalists International Forum for Migration (JiFORM), Refugee Association helpers in Germany, among others. Marong added that he is poised to use his experience and expertise in migration reporting, advocacy, etc to serve as a voice to fight for the welfare of Gambia migrants through MFSAM.
He said : “At this crucial moments, our youths are embarking on the backway journey, dying in the mediterenean sea, etc all because of the bad governance in the continent. The challenges facing the youths, require that we remain steadfast and continue to work to ensure that migration in the continent is well organised in a much safer way and migrant activists will also feel safe to do their work.”
He added that revitalizing other countries’ associations across the continent, including in Nigeria, Ghana, Togo, Tunisia, Algeria, etc will be a top priority in his coordination activities.
“This is not an easy task, but it has to be done,” Mr. Marong asserted.
MFSAM works to fight against irregular migration and human trafficking, amongst others. “We fight for migrants and refugee rights, act as a leading voice, and we have a rescue team of migrants at sea.”
Below is Mr. Marong’s appointment letter.
