While giving an update on the status of the process at the National Assembly he stated: “The fact-finding missions for the proposed embassies in Berlin, Stockholm, and Tokyo have been successfully conducted. Reports from these missions have been compiled and approved by my Ministry and subsequently submitted to the Office of the President for further directives.
“The composition of the delegations for the missions for Berlin and Stockholm Delegation are the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation, and Gambians Abroad, Office of the President, Ministry of Finance and the Accountant General's Department,” he said.
For Tokyo, it is the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Gambians Abroad, and the Office of the President.
He said as a ministry they would do their part and work to ensure work is done in earnest with availability of the necessary funding.
“Germany will be our priority: most of the challenges we face are from that country which is why there will be our priority, and also based on the fact that they have also opened an embassy in The Gambia - there will be our priority as soon as funds are released.”
Speaking on the ongoing review/formulation of relevant policy documents, the minister said the review or formulation process is being done by staff of the Ministry.
”A two- prong approach has been adopted, where a smaller drafting team generates the first content; and a larger body comprising of the senior management team, led by the permanent secretary, reviews, edits and ultimately endorses the content presented.
“The Ministry's staff on posting are also engaged periodically to make inputs in all the documents being worked on. Both teams met periodically during working hours to execute their mandate.”
