The event that occurred for the pre-Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM), scheduled to take place in Apia, Samoa - from October 21 to 26 was described as a “success”.
Dr. Fatou Bensouda, Gambian High Commissioner in the UK, subsequently approved the nomination of three prominent Gambians to attend the event.
The three individuals include Michele Jarra, “an inspirational founding member of the Association of Gambian Catholics in the UK, who is also influential community leader”.
Ba Almamy Jaiteh, Gambian Ambassador-at-large “an enthusiastic and active member of the Gambian community in London who also handles religious and communal activities”.
Pa Ousman Njie, “businessman based in Coventry who co-owns a car dealership- Motonet with his wife”.
King Charles III, accordingly used the opportunity to send his "compliment and love" to The Gambia and personally inquired about President Adama Barrow’s "travel plans" to the CHOGM.
The Association which is a total of 56 independent nations including The Gambia amongst others aims to bring together members to “explore new opportunities and reinforce multilateral cooperation”.
Its objectives also include "tackling common challenges for the wellbeing of the future generation”.
However, in 2013, Yahya Jammeh, former Gambian dictator, abruptly took a unilateral decision and quit the Grouping on State television calling it a “neo-colonial institution”.
Consequently, his action caused the forfeiture of numerous opportunities including Academic, Business, Military and Social Activity previously enjoyed by hundreds of Gambians.
During the time, its Secretary General Kamalesh Sharma described Jammeh’s act as “dismay and disappointment”.
However, in February 2018, almost five years after leaving, President Barrow, finally decided to re-join which was marked by a flag-raising ceremony at its Headquarters at the Marlborough House, London.
Suntou Touray, Deputy Head of Mission, who coordinated the attendance of the Gambian delegates warmly congratulated everyone on behalf of the High Commissioner. He also thanked them for being “great Ambassadors of The Gambia in the UK”.
Separately, this correspondent was told that the Gambian High Commission has done a “fantastic job and the nominees have presented themselves very well”.
The event brought together notable members of the Commonwealth countries in the UK, with the opportunity to "share a moment" with the King and other senior government officials including Foreign Secretary, David Lammy.
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