The Director's Awards and Family Fun Day was celebrated in conjunction with the successful Quinquennial 2016-2021 achievement, on Saturday 5th December 2015. This fantastic achievement was celebrated as part of the MRC and Me Wellbeing Programme, which aims to promote the health and wellbeing of all MRC Unit The Gambia staff and their families in and outside the workplace. In recognition of exceptional contributions, staffs were awarded according to six categories. The ‘Long Service’ was awarded to 31 staffs for their continuous service to The Unit for more than thirty years. The ‘Research Leader of Tomorrow’, was awarded to Dr Toyin Togun for his exceptional promise in independent thinking and execution. Mr Apollo Twijuke received the ‘Science Support’ award for facilitating the efficient and timely delivery of The Unit’s Science.

Dr Davis Nwakanma won the ‘Inspirational Leader’ award for being a leader who inspires and motivates his team. The High Field team in Soma, received the ‘Outstanding Team’ award, for being role models. The Basse Laboratory Staff received the ‘GEM Award’ for Going the Extra Mile. Runner-ups from the various categories also received prizes, and the recipients are Dr Joseph Okebe, Ms Amie Ceesay, Mr Bai Lamin Dondeh, Ms Marie Rose Thorpe and PCV10 Team.

The day also featured presentations of prizes for winners with the best quote for World Quality Month. In November, The Unit joined quality professionals around the world to celebrate World Quality Month (WQM) by submitting original quality quotes which were subjected to votes. The winner of the best quote was Muhammed Camara, seconded by Ms Fatoumatta Krubally and in 3rd place Dr Usman Nurudeen Ikamapayi and Mr Ebrima Bah.

The family fun day was a resounding success as it brought colleagues together for a wonderful day of celebration with their families. The wellbeing activities included 100m race, wrestling, karaoke, face painting for kids, and a lot more.

“I would like to express gratitude to the Wellbeing committee led by Sarah Sarpong, all those who submitted nominations and special thanks to the selection panel - Dr Jane Achan (Fajara), Pa Cheboh Saine (Basse) and Pierre Coulin (Keneba), as they had the difficult task of reaching a consensus on the winners”, said Professor Umberto D’Alessandro (Unit Director).