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Treaty of Banjul clocks 208 years today

Apr 23, 2024, 11:17 AM

The Office of The Executive Coordinator of Banjul has joined others in marking the 208th Anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of Banjul (Bathurst) between the King of Kombo and the British.

This Island was leased to the British by the then custodian of the Island, Tumani Bojang, the then King of Kombo on 23 April 1816. 

The Office of The Executive Coordinator, Banjul wishes to observe a celebration marking this great milestone, disclosing "its 200th Anniversary which would have been celebrated in 2016 couldn’t have taken place due to tight schedules in the run up to the Presidential Elections held in that year.

"The celebration will not only attract Gambians home and abroad but also would be a good initiative to boost tourism."

Thus, according to the Office of The Executive Coordinator of Banjul, a planned celebration hopes to bring an array of cultural displays and other festivities in Banjul, and is geared towards promotion of a rich ethnic, cultural and traditional diversity across the country and Banjul in particular as it is planned to use the festival as a platform for cultural exchange and unification mechanism amongst diverse communities.

The maiden event will serve as the genesis of what shall be called “Banjul Week” celebration of the 208th anniversary.