A
Gambian delegation mainly from The Gambia government and Supreme Islamic
Council are currently on a working visit to Turkey’s cities such as Ankara,
Konya and Istanbul to strengthen ties and scout out for areas of cooperation.
The
tour delegation included Mr Ebrima Ceesay, permanent secretary, Office of the
President; Mr Musa Drammeh, President’s adviser on Investment; Mr Dembo Foday
Bojang, President’s adviser on Local Government and Religious Affairs; Imam
Momodou Lamin Touray, President of The Gambia Supreme Islamic Council and his
executive members among others.
In
Ankara, the Gambian delegations were hosted by Turkish Diyanet Foundation (a
religious affairs body) to discuss on possible areas of cooperation between the
two bodies.
In
welcoming the tour delegates, Prof. Dr Mehmet Gormez, President of Diyanet
Foundation, said The Gambia as a predominantly Muslim country is a crucial
partner with their foundation.
He
further renewed commitment to working and strengthening relations between the
two nations.
During
the interface, the Gambian representatives expressed delight and appreciation
over the invitation accorded to them.
Further,
Gambian representatives requested for partnership from their counterparts in
areas such as trainings for scholars and curriculum development on religious
institutions and possible investment sectors in The Gambia among others.
The
delegation also paid visit to Turkish Co-operation and Co-ordination Agency
(TIKA) office in Ankara led by President Adama Barrow’s advisers Musa Drammeh
and Dembo Foday Bojang.
While
at TIKA office, they also discussed possible ways of collaboration with TIKA in
various development projects.
In
a separate engagement, the tour delegation also met with some Gambian students
in Ankara. The delegation was received by students and therein words of
commendations were exchanged.
Imam
Momodou Lamin Touray, president of Gambia Supreme Islamic Council, thanked
students for the warm welcome accorded to his delegations.
He
also shared words of wisdom with the students, calling on them to continue
working harder in their academic pursuit and always consider The Gambia’s interest
first in anything.
For
his part, Abdoulie Sawo, Secretary General, Association of Gambian Students’ in
Turkey (AGAST), introduced his association to the delegation and assured them
of the strong brotherly bond existing among them in Turkey as students.
Mr
Sawo was quick to call on the Gambian delegates to encourage their Turkish
government counterparts to increase scholarship awards to Gambian students as a
way of flying many Gambian students to Turkey to pursue higher learning.
“I
also think it would be of immense benefit to encourage the Turkish community to
invest in areas like agriculture in order to boost the deteriorating youth
unemployment among other potential sectors, for our common good as a nation,”
Secretary General Sawo appealed.
