President Ma visits Banjulinding women garden, other locations

As part of his four-day state visit to The Gambia, ROC President Ma Ying-Jeou yesterday visited the Banjulinding women garden.

The garden is being supported by the Taiwan Technical Mission in the form of a technology transfer and other technical support as well as creating direct employment opportunities for about 100 women.

In the seven-hectare garden, they grow many crops and plants including tomatoes, lettuce, cucumbers, beans, bananas, cabbage, watermelons and pepper, just to name a few.

From their products, the women pay school fees for their children as well as support their families.

Mr. Shuh-kang Tzou, head of Taiwan Technical Mission in The Gambia informed President Ma of their relationship with the women gardners.

In the garden, President Ma was taken on a conducted tour of various parts before proceeding to the Farato Farms.

At Farato, the visiting Head of State was also made to see some animals being reared.

On day two of his visit, President Ma visited the National Agricultural Research Institute (NARI) in Brikama.

NARI works very closely with Taiwan Agriculture Technical Mission in The Gambia in research and seed multiplication.

From NARI, President Ma and entourage rushed to Kanilai where he was received by President Yahya Jammeh.

State Banquet

Just few hours after he was installed at his Coco Ocean Resort & Spa residence on Wednesday 11 April, President Ma moved to the Kairaba Beach Hotel for a state banquet.

The banquet was hosted by President Jammeh in honour of the visiting ROC leader.

During the event, Ma was honoured with the prestigious honorary Grand Commander of the Republic of The Gambia (GCRG).

The honour among other things recognises President Ma Ying-jeou’s commitment in enhancing the ties that bind Banjul and Taipei.

At the same occasion, Timothy C.T. Yang, Foreign Affairs minister of Taiwan, was also conferred with the honorary award of Commander of the Republic of The Gambia (CRG).

Speaking on the occasion, President Jammeh acknowledged the contribution of Taiwan to the socio-economic development of The Gambia.

The Gambia leader described Taiwan as a great contributor to The Gambia’s development endeavours.

The ROC’s budgetary support channelled through its Embassy in Banjul supplements the great investment they undertake in various areas of development, including education, agriculture, health, energy and infrastructure development, the Gambian leader noted, saying the support received from the government of Taiwan is realised in almost every sphere of life in the country.

President Jammeh also spoke of the need for the two nations to always stand by each other.

Jammeh reiterated the need for the ROC to participate meaningfully in all international fora, including membership to the specialised agencies of the United Nations.

“Our support for the cause of the people of Taiwan is not premised on material or financial gain, but deeply rooted in the sense of justice and uprightness that we share together as freedom-loving human beings, who want to live in absolute freedom and dignity.”

For his part, ROC President Ma said the rousing welcome he received upon arriving in The Gambia manifests the friendship and hospitality of the Gambian people.

He reaffirmed the ROC’s wiliness to share its experience and resources with the rest of mankind.