Ambassador Daramy also met with His Excellency President Jammeh in closed doors after presenting his letters of Instruments to the Vice President.
The Ambassador was accompanied by Deputy Ambassador Haja Saidata Sesay, Mrs Afiju Daramy, Head of Chancery Andrew Kamara, Wotey, and Protocol Officer Husainatu Stack- Davies.
Presenting his credentials, AMB Daramy referred to The Gambia, as ‘the smiling coast of West Africa’ and conveyedto President Jammeh, his government and the people of The Gambia, President Ernest Bai Koroma’s continued wish and prosperity for his personal wellbeing and that of The Gambian government and people.
He expressed the warmth and hospitality he and his wife have been enjoying from the Gambian people since their arrival in the country, saying that under the leadership of President Jammeh the Gambian people are enjoying an enviable record of political stability, rapid infrastructural development and economic progress in diverse fields.
“Similarly as one of Africa’s elder statesmen, more particularly in our sub-region, President Jammeh’s invaluable contribution towards finding solutions to the numerous socio-economic and political problems besetting our continent has put him and The Gambia on a high pedestal within ECOWAS,” he observed.
According to AMB Daramy, both Sierra Leone and The Gambia share much in common, which has made each of the countries a second home and both continue to collaborate in areas of mutual interest.
He commended The Gambia for being one of the leading tourist destinations in Africa.
As part of his plans, Ambassador Daramy said it is his desire and determination to build on the strong bilateral ties and explore new avenues to further strengthen the excellent relations for the benefit of both countries.
He cited as example the establishment of a joint Commission between Sierra Leone and The Gambia, saying he desired to revive and transform the Sierra Leone Alumni Association into a development agency.
He also informed the Vice President that the Embassy is preparing to register Sierra Leoneans in The Gambia to enable it provide the relevant statistical information to the appropriate authorities in both countries.
As regards achieving this, AMB Daramy said he counted on President Jammeh, his government and the people of The Gambia, in the discharge of his duties.
He took the opportunity to express his thanks and appreciation to President Jammeh for approving the allocation of a piece of land for the construction of the Embassy’s Chancery. This, he observed, will go a long way to further cementing the Embassy’s permanent stay and expanding on the bilateral ties between the two countries.
In response, Vice President Njie-Saidy congratulated AMB Daramy on his appointment, saying his appointment is an indication of the high regards President Ernest Bai Koroma has for President Jammeh.
“We are watching the developmental strides President Koroma is embarking on in your country, especially on roads, and business is booming. Today, peace has been given a chance and your people and the International Community are happy,” she noted.
The Gambian vice president also said both President Jammeh and Koroma have two homes, while expressing her thanks and that of her government for the education many Gambians acquired at the University of Sierra Leone. On tourism, for which The Gambia is also known, VP Njie-Saidy said that much could be shared and done in this domain.
According to her, both countries share much in common and she therefore looks forward to enhancing the bilateral cooperation between the two countries.
In another engagement at State House yesterday, President Jammeh invited Ambassador Daramy for a one-to-one (tête-à-tête) talk, in which they discussed issues bordering on bilateral relations and related matters.
After the meeting with President Jammeh, Ambassador Daramy had this to say to journalists: “The meeting with my brother was centred on ways to strengthen our bilateral cooperation, inter-trade, tourism and other issues of mutual benefits.”
By Ralph Ese’Donnu Sawyerr, Information Attaché, Embassy of Sierra Leone, The Gambia and Senegal