Gambiaj.com – (BANJUL) – For the government and the OIC Gambia Secretariat, getting excellent television coverage of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) summit has always been a challenge. Both organizations were aware right away that the Gambia Radio Television Services (GRTS) lacked the resources and apparatus necessary to cover a summit of this size.

Therefore, in order to improve its broadcasting and streaming capabilities in advance of the upcoming OIC Heads of State Summit, which was then planned for 2022, the OICGambia management convened a consultation and needs assessment meeting with its GRTS leadership in December 2020.  During the meeting, it was discussed how to provide the national broadcaster, which is naturally the primary broadcast partner for this crucial international event, with comprehensive media support, including equipment and capacity development.

Despite the publicly expressed wish to help GRTS get ready for the event and having two additional years to prepare, due to the adjournment of the summit, GRTS found itself lacking the necessary resources and capacities for the event.

In response, the Director General of GRTS, Abdoulie Sey, sought support from the Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to The Gambia, H.E. Liu Jin, who provided a cheque for over two million dalasi for the purchase of cameras.

To further bolster its capabilities, GRTS reached out to Radio Télévision Sénégalaise (RTS) for technical assistance. Serigne Mass Senghore, GRTS’s Technical Director, traveled to Dakar ten days ago to finalize the agreement and technical specifics with Radio Télévision Sénégalaise (RTS).

Following the meeting, which marked Racine Talla’s final engagement as RTS managing director, Mr. Senghore stated why GRTS needs the cooperation of Senegal’s official broadcaster, stating, “To assure the success of the event, the staff from the two television networks will coordinate closely. GRTS lacks the critical technical system required for this event. We therefore contacted our sister public broadcaster, RTS, for this purpose. Our collaborative ventures have typically delivered excellent outcomes. We are confident in the RTS’s experience covering such situations.”

Mame Ndèye Ndiaye, RTS’s technical inspector, confirmed that the OIC coverage collaboration will mostly be technological in nature. It will allow for close support between GRTS and RTS to improve public broadcasting quality throughout the summit.

According to Mame Ndèye Ndiaye, “The Gambians needed RTS’s large HD vehicles with all of their accessories, including the mobile control center, transmission equipment, energy source, and other production set items.” The most qualified RTS personnel will need to fly to Gambia for a temporary stay to assist our GRTS colleagues.”

As a result of the collaboration, the first group of RTS staff left Dakar on April 25th, while the second group came on Monday to get things started.

With Senegalese TV crews seen coming into The Gambia, rumors rapidly circulated that the government is paying Senegalese state broadcaster RTS to cover the OIC Summit.

Dr. Ismaila Ceesay, the minister of information, has, however, disputed this claim.

Responding to rumors that the government was paying RTS to cover the summit, Information Minister Dr. Ismaila Ceesay clarified that RTS was providing technical assistance to GRTS, along with other local broadcasters, to ensure comprehensive coverage of the event. He emphasized that the collaboration between RTS and GRTS was based on mutual cooperation and support.

RTS and GRTS have already established the foundation for a working partnership, including training sessions and shadowing opportunities for GRTS staff to learn from RTS’s experience.

With the support of RTS and other partners, GRTS is now gearing up to provide extensive coverage of the OIC summit on the global stage.