Ambassador Oba, who is proceeding to his next posting in Sudan, praised the strong bilateral relations between Ankara and Banjul, describing defense and security cooperation as the bedrock of the partnership.
Speaking to journalists, he commended The Gambia for its peace and stability and reflected on the longstanding friendship between the two countries, with particular emphasis on Türkiye’s support to the Gambia Armed Forces, including assistance to the Military Training School.
“The vision of Türkiye towards The Gambia has not changed,” he said.
“The Gambia is a gem given its peace and tranquility, compared to other neighboring countries. All countries have challenges, and Türkiye will continue to support The Gambia in its development endeavors.”
“Ever since we started these diplomatic ties, we have always consulted authorities on areas they need support and worked together to address them,” Ambassador Oba added.
“Yes, Gambians have learnt from Türkiye, but my country also learnt a lot from The Gambia. This is because we worked in different environments, diverse cultures and languages.”
Capacity Building and Development
On capacity building, the envoy said Turkish support for The Gambia’s security sector was one of the most visible aspects of his tenure. He noted that Turkish institutions provided training for both the Gambia Police Force and the military, and pledged that the cooperation will continue.
Beyond training, he said Türkiye also provided equipment support to Gambian security institutions. Through the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TIKA), Türkiye has implemented development projects aimed at improving the lives of local communities.
“Every year we try to do a different project designed to have an impact on the local population,” he said.
Education, Culture and Economy
Ambassador Oba also cited progress in education and culture. He noted that Turkish is now part of foreign language courses at the University of The Gambia following a partnership with the Turkish government and the Yunus Emre Institute — “something I am always proud of.”
He highlighted exchange visits between Gambian and Turkish businesses, Gambian students pursuing degrees in Turkish universities, and growing cultural diplomacy projects.
On fashion, he commended the talent in The Gambia’s fashion industry, noting that Türkiye is also a global hub for fashion and jewelry.
Speaking on the economy, the envoy expressed Türkiye’s resolve to support The Gambia’s energy sector amid the current crisis. He also spoke of Turkish support for boosting the country’s economy, export trade, and managing migration.
He also observed the growing scam by third party in their visa application process, further calling on intending Gambians planning to travel to Turkey to always visit their embassy and follow the right channels before falling into scammer’s web.
Ambassador Oba concluded by expressing appreciation for the hospitality of Gambians and reaffirmed Türkiye’s commitment to deepening cooperation in defense, development, education and culture
