More Ambassadors present credentials

Four new ambassadors accredited to The Gambia last Thursday presented their letters of credence to President-elect Yahya Jammeh at State House in Banjul.

The latest ambassadors to present their letters are Samuel Chen of the Republic of China on Taiwan; Perry Calderwood, Canadian High Commissioner accredited to The Gambia but based in Dakar, Mr Hesham Mohamed Maher, Egyptian ambassador, and Mr Alhadji Mandifing Diane, ambassador of Guinea Conakry, both resident in Dakar, Senegal.

Speaking to journalists shortly after presenting his letters to the Gambian leader, ambassador Samuel Chen expressed his resolve to continue strengthening what he described as “a fruitful relationship” between The Gambia and Taiwan.

According to him, his discussion with the Gambian leader centered on key issues, among them education, health, agriculture; and they also exchanged views on bilateral relations.

He told journalists that he will work tirelessly towards consolidating the gains achieved by his predecessor, in strengthening the ties between the two countries.

Education, he said, is of paramount importance in the relationship between Banjul and Taipei, noting that, currently, a lot of Gambian students are studying in Taiwan in different fields.

Also speaking to reporters shortly after meeting with the Gambian leader was the new Canadian High Commissioner Perry Calderwood, who said he had a fruitful meeting with President Jammeh on a wide range of issues, including bilateral relations.

“We also talked about the existing cooperation in the areas of training and security for the Gambian military and police officers, and for further cooperation in the area of education,” he stated.

The Canadian High Commissioner also told journalists that, despite being based in Dakar, he will regularly visit Banjul to cement the already existing relationship between The Gambia and Canada.

Hesham Mohamed Maher, the new Egyptian Ambassador, described the relationship between The Gambia and Egypt as excellent and historic.

The Egyptian envoy told journalists that his discussion with President Jammeh centered on different areas of cooperation between the two countries.

“There are a lot of potentials and great possibilities of cooperation between the Cairo and Banjul in the areas of agriculture, tourism and trade,” he said, while assuring all that he will work towards bringing Egyptian businessmen to invest in The Gambia.

The Egyptian diplomat also spoke of his resolve to work on promoting irrigational agriculture in view of the fact that The Gambia has all the required resources, including fertile land and water.

Also speaking to journalists was Alhadji Mandifing Diane, Guinean ambassador, who said the Gambia and Guinea are two countries that cannot be separated from each other, because of the Futa Jallon highlands.

“Even the River Gambia is a true symbol of unity between our two countries and their peoples,” he said, adding that his discussion with the Gambian leader was very productive.

“President Jammeh is ready to cooperate with us for the development of the two countries, and I’m sure the two countries will work on a strong footing to alleviate poverty,” Ambassador Diane added.