Dr Jacques Diouf, the Director General of United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), yesterday morning, arrived in The Gambia to pay a courtesy call on Alhaji Dr Yahya Jammeh, president of the Republic of The Gambia.

The UNFAO director general’s two day official visit will be centered on strengthening the bilateral cooperation and programmes, among others, between The Gambia and UNFAO.

Speaking to journalists shortly after his arrival at the Banjul International Airport, Dr. Diouf said he was on an official visit to meet with President Jammeh, to review the situation of Agriculture in The Gambia, in Africa and in the world at large.

He said the visit would give him the opportunity to strengthen their programmes and bilateral cooperation, as well as to strengthen the south-south cooperation.

Dr Diouf noted that his discussion with President Jammeh would also touch key areas on the global food crisis, animal production, fisheries, aquaculture, among others, all in an effort to avert the food crisis. "The global food crisis has affected Africa greatly because we do not have the elasticity supply of food in response to the soaring food prices contrary to developed countries in other parts of the world", he told reporters.

"Africa deserves a special attention and special support to avert the global food crisis. 

The prices are still 50% of what they were in 2005", the FAO boss remarked. He commended President Jammeh for his commitment to Agriculture coupled with his vast-experience in farming activities. Dr Diouf described the gambian leader as a “farmer-in-chief” and expressed hope that their discussion would be fruitful.

Dr Diouf was welcomed at the foot of the aircraft by the Permanent Secretary at the department of state for Agriculture, Seedy Jarjue, secretaries of state for Foreign Affairs, and Forestry and the Environment, Dr Omar Touray, and Momodou Kotu Cham respectively, representatives the UNDP and WHO in The Gambia, as well as staff of the department of state for agriculture.

Speaking at a meeting, Governor Lamin Sanneh assured the new Gunjur (Alkalo) village head of his office’s full support. He implored the new Alkalo to execute his functions without fear or favour.

For his part, Chief of Kombo South Sheriff Aja Sanneh thanked the new Alkalo for accepting to serve in the post. Alhagie Saiboni Cham a village elder applauded the new Alkalo for his good leadership qualities.

The Committee of Banjul Muslim Elders, alongside Imams and heads of communities across the country, on the auspicious occasion of the feast of Eid-el-Fitr, known in local parlance as Koriteh, last Wednesday paid a courtesy call on President Alhaji Dr Yahya Jammeh at State House. This meeting is an annual event dating back to 1910, when Muslim elders of the city used such occasions to renew their loyalty to the Gambian leader as well as discuss issues pertaining to Islam and their welfare.

Speaking at a colourful gathering held at the cabinet room, President Jammeh began by assuring the elders that the government will in due course embark on the reconstruction of the city’s drainage system to make it more robust, in response to an earlier appeal from them. He revealed that the government is equally concerned about the situation, adding that suggestions about the type of drainage to be put in place are already on the table, but that he [Jammeh] concurred with the view that is in favour of linking the system to Bond Road, describing it as the best.

Dr Jammeh renewed his call on Muslims to live decently and to act according to the teachings of Islam, calling on them to be true believers in God the Almighty and nothing else.  He said that Muslim states should be resolute and remain steadfast to the teachings of Islam and never allow a doctrine that contradicts their religion to take root in their societies.

The Gambian leader concluded by assuring the gathering that The Gambia under his leadership will not subscribe to ‘Western democracy’, which he said contradicts the teachings of Islam, citing homosexualism as a menace that has no place in a country as decent as The Gambia.

Speaking earlier, the vice president, Aja Dr Isatou Njie-Saidy, called on scholars to continue teaching the principles of Islam to the society.  She suggested for the Supreme Islamic Council, the main body responsible for Islamic matters in the country, to orient members of the Ummah, whose actions they think are contrary to the teachings of the religion.

For his part, Ismaila Sambou, secretary of state for Local Governments, Lands and Religious Affairs, said hypocrisy has become a ‘chronic disease’ in  "our society" as people tend to use religious houses to attain hidden agendas. This menace, he went on, needs to be addressed, and only those who meet the criteria of becoming religious heads should be given the job. Alhagi A A Faal, the chairman of the Committee of Banjul Muslim Elders, hailed President Jammeh’s leadership which, according to him, has transformed the country for the better.

He pointed to the stance taken by the Gambian leader on agriculture and illegal migration as areas which has yielded positive results in the shortest possible time.

He appealed for re-construction of the city’s drainage system, recalling the 1948 flood in the city which lasted for three days, causing problems for Banjulians.

Several religious heads spoke at the ceremony, among them the Imam Ratib of Banjul, Alhaji Cherno Kah; the president of the Supreme Islamic Council, Muhamed Lamin Touray; and the Amir of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat, Baba Trawally.

Present at the ceremony were the speaker of the National Assembly, Fatoumatta Jahumpa Ceesay, secretaries of state, secretary general and head of the Civil Service, Teneng Mba Jaiteh and the secretary to cabinet, Abdoulie Sallah, amongst others.

Members of the Young Journalists Association of The Gambia (YJAG) yesterday paid a courtesy call on the Secretary of State for Communication, Information and Information Technology at her office in Kanifing.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Assan Sallah, Public Relations Officer of the association who chaired the meeting, said that the purpose of the visit is to introduce the association to the SOS and to brief her on their activities.

For his part, Demba Kandeh, Secretary General of YJAG, informed the Secretary of State that they formed the association on the 16th September 2007, (YJAG) and officially launched it on February after registering it with the Attorney General’s Chambers.

YJAG, he continued, is aimed at building the capacities of young practising and aspiring journalists in the country, complement the effort of Gambia Press Union in promoting press freedom, promote the general welfare of its members and to help recruit young school leavers into journalism profession among others.

He also informed her of the activities carried out by the association from September 2007 to September 2008.

Mr.Nfamara Jawneh, President of YJAG, used the opportunity to congratulate Secretary of State Badgie on her new appointment and wish her great success. “As you know this is the first time we are officially meeting the honourable SOS, I wish to use the opportunity to congratulate you Madam Secretary of State on behalf of all young and aspiring journalists for your appointment.” Jawneh also briefed Madam Badgie on the future plans of the association, prominent among them the forthcoming 1st anniversary of the association slated for Tuesday 16th September 2008.

According to YJAG leader, activities for the anniversary celebration will include a workshop on the Monday 15th at NusratSeniorSecondary School and the anniversary proper to be observed on the following day at Kanifing.

The workshop, he said, is in fulfilment of their mandate to build the capacities of young writers at and early stage to prepare them to become great journalists in the future.

Jawneh also delivered an invitation to the SOS to serve as their chief guest of honour on the occasion of their anniversary celebration.

Ms.Isatou Bittaye, chairperson of the forthcoming anniversary logistics committee, thanked Madam Badgie for receiving them despite her busy schedule.

In response, the Secretary of State for Communication, Information and Information Technology Mrs. Fatim Badgie Janneh, applauded the young journalists for their initiative. She encouraged YJAG to establish a youth newspaper to focus on youth issues. She also suggested to the association to organise fundraising activities to boost their income. “As journalists always have facts,” she advised.

Secretary of State Badgie assured young journalists of her office’s full support.

The new Iranian Ambassador to The Gambia, His Excellency Saeid Zare, yesterday paid a courtesy call on the offices of The Point Newspaper in Bakau.

Speaking during the visit the Iranian envoy said that the aim of his visit is to familiarise himself with the paper with a view to promoting good relations.

According to him, The Gambia and Iran have already established cordial relations as exemplified by the visit of both presidents to each other’s countries. The Iranian diplomat expressed his country’s desire to co-operate with The Gambia in the areas of fisheries, agriculture, mining and crude oil exploration.

He also told The Point that his country would also look into areas of constructing a car factory as they have already done in neighboring Senegal which is about to be inaugurated. “We are also looking at the possibility of constructing a mango factory in The Gambia so as to avoid the waste of mangoes,” he said. Ambassador Saeid also disclosed that in the near future, an Iranian delegation would visit The Gambia to look into other potential areas of economic activity that might be suitable for Iran to invest in. The Gambia, he said, has the manpower and land resource that could be exploited for the betterment of its citizens.

The head of the Iranian mission in the country cited the recent donation of a fishing trawler to The Gambia as testimony to their willingness to help The Gambia.

In his turn the Managing Editor of The Point, Pap Saine, assured Ambassador Saeid of the paper’s full support at all times.

Speaking at the occasion, the Speaker of the National Assembly, Honourable Madam Fatoumata Garba Jahumpa, said that there are 53 members in parliament out of which five are nominated members of which three are women. She asserted that there are six opposition members in parliament and also spoke about the parliamentary associations. She said the first opening of parliament was witnessed by the speaker of Nigerian Parliament.

Madam Speaker pointed out that the second opening of parliament was attended by the majority and minority leaders of the Nigerian Parliament. She said, “we are working closely with other parliamentarians in the region with a view to prevent conflict and promote peace in Africa.”

Madam speaker assured the Nigerian High Commissioner of Gambian parliamentarians’ readiness to collaborate with their counterparts to work towards the common good\goals.

For her part, the new Nigerian High Commissioner to The Gambia H.E. Mrs Esther John Audu commended the Gambian parliamentarians for their united stance and called them true representatives in their work. She said they should frequently visit their constituencies.

The High Commissioner promised to work with the parliament for the common goal. She pointed out the pivotal role parliament can play in national development.

The occasion was graced by minority leader Honourable Modou Sanneh, Honourable Babanding K. K. Daffeh NAM for Kiang Central, Honourable Sainey Jaiteh Serekunda Central all of whom expressed similar sentiments.

The Spanish Ambassador to Senegal with accreditation to The Gambia, His Excellency Fernando Moran Calvo-Sotelo, yesterday presided over the laying of the foundation stone for the construction of two new workshops at The Gambia Technical Training Institute (GTTI) main campus in Kanifing.

Out of the total € 1, 274,000 in grant aid pledged by the Spanish Government to The Gambia, a total package of € 840,000, equivalent to some D26,460.000, is being allocated to GTTI for the provision of state of the art machinery, equipment and tools.

GTTI is one of the several other training institutions to benefit from a National Fund supported by the Spanish government aimed at stemming the risky journeys undertaken by Gambian youths to Europe in particular Spain.

Speaking at the occasion, Ambassador Fernando Moran Calvo-Sotelo reassured those gathered of his country’s support to The Gambia. He described the relationship between the two countries as cordial.

For his part, Hon. Crispin Grey-Johnson, Secretary of State for Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology described the relationship between Spain and The Gambia as having always been strong. He said that Spain is coming with a new blueprint for development co-operation between developed and the developing countries. “It’s a blueprint that is based on the expressed needs of the beneficiary, not those of the donor. This is a welcome departure from the traditional practice of development co-operation.” He recommended the approach for adoption by both the bilateral and multi-lateral donor communities.

The workshops, he said, are part of the grant to The Gambia for the improvement of structures and quality delivery systems of our skills training institutions. “Ultimately, the Spanish grant will significantly enhance our capacity for skills development and the empowerment of our youths, and will certainly also contribute towards meeting our MDGs as well as our Silicon Valley and Science Park objectives,” he stated.

He said that expectations are high and urged all those involved to avoid unnecessary delays and not to lose momentum.

Mr. Ousman Nyang, Director General National Training Authority whose office co-ordinates the Spanish-Gambia project, thanked all those who contributed to the success of the partnership.

Mrs. Fatou Mbye said the two workshops, one for electrical and electronic the other for Masonry/ plumbing and Gas fitting, will go a long way in addressing the challenges of inadequate infrastructure that the institute is faced with.

The project is been contacted to Transga Group a Spanish construction company with 30 years of experience in implementing all kinds of infrastructure projects both in Spain and abroad.

The students of Ardingly College, Sussex England yesterday paid a courtesy call to The Point Newspaper at its office in

The students were led by the teachers Father Ian Colsou and Ms Judy Vatcher.

Speaking to this Reporter after their audience with the Managing Director of The Point Mr. Pap Saine who welcome them to the company, the visitors informed me of the purpose of their visit to The Gambia.

According to Father Ian, they came with 22 students between the ages of 16 and 17 years. He revealed that they have been coming to The Gambia for eight years now. He said that they would be staying in the country for ten days. During this time their students will be teaching science in Gambian schools. So far he said, they have been teaching at Katong and Old Jeshwang Lower Basic schools as well as at the St. Johns School for the Deaf.

For her part, Madam Judy acknowledged the welcome accorded to them by Gambian schools. “ We are really humbled by the kindness shown to us by students and their teachers,” she said.

“We are very excited, most of us have not been to Africa before, what we see on television about Africa is always negative but the story is completely different with what we have seen,” were the words of the students.

They described their trip as very interesting as they also learn new things from their Gambian counterparts. “We learn things like sign language, story telling and enjoy the hospitality of the Gambian people,” said one of the students. The students also noticed that their teaching methods in UK are different to what they have seen in The Gambia. “Students here are much more willing to learn,” said another student.

Ten out of the 22 student in the country visited The Point with their teachers. They are Chrishau Emmench, Chris Preston Bell, Charlie Dumeresque, Hugo Goddle, Tsmis Woodgate, Caittin Forbes, Lucy Coombs, Poppy Robathan, Luzern Chan and Millie Willeins.