Members of the ECOWAS parliament joint committee on gender, who were on a five-day meeting in The Gambia, last Friday paid a courtesy call on the Speaker of the National Assembly, Hon. Abdoulie Bojang, and the minister of Trade, Industry and Employment, Kebba Touray.
Speaking at a meeting with the speaker, the chairman of joint committee on gender, Hon. Habia Ayao Nicolure, commended The Gambia for her hospitality to members of the ECOWAS delegation.
The Gambia could be described as a very small country but the most peaceful country in the sub-region, he said, adding that the ECOWAS delegation is very much appreciative of the opportunity and facilities provided to them in The Gambia.
“We are grateful to the President of The Gambia and his government for their hospitality,” he said.
For his part, J.S.B Theodore Momo Jr, Senator from Liberia and a member of the joint committee, said the meeting was an opportunity for some of the delegates to visit The Gambia for the first time, adding that he is proud to be part of the ECOWAS family.
He also hailed the Speaker of the National Assembly of The Gambia for ensuring that the ECOWAS meeting was realised successfully in the country.
Fa Bakary Tombong Jatta, majority leader of the National Assembly, expressed similar sentiments and appreciation for the courtesy call paid to the assembly by the ECOWAS delegation.
It is worthy to pay a courtesy call on the speaker of The Gambia, he said, adding: “We also appreciate that out of the fifteen West African countries, we chose to do your localizing meeting in The Gambia.
“We understand that none of our members in ECOWAS is a member of this committee yet you decided to hold the meeting in The Gambia, which is indicating what you have said about The Gambia’s hospitality.
He also used the opportunity to express his appreciation to Hon. Suku Singhateh as the ECOWAS delegation in The Gambia, who spearheaded the activity in ensuring that it became a successful.
“We are all parliamentarians and it is important when we have forum like this, we go beyond the confines of the protocol and see what we can do as a sub-region. We have a lot of challenges and it is us the representatives to ensure most of the challenges that confront our people and leadership they desire to come together and list impact positively on the lives of your people”.
Hon. Abdoulie Bojang, the speaker of the National Assembly, said ECOWAS has admitted that there are many challenges, which can be ironed out in the ECOWAS forums held across the sub-region.
He thanked the delegation for the visit and for choosing The Gambia for the meeting.
