Amb. Daramy presenting his credentials to Vice President Haja Dr. Isatou N’Jie Saidy
Sierra Leone's Ambassador to the Gambia, Sullay Daramy, on Tuesday presented his credentials to the Vice President of The Gambia, Haja Dr. Isatou N’Jie Saidy before going into close-door talks with President Yahya Jammeh at State House in Banjul, according to information attaché, Ralph Ese Donnu Sawyer.
The ambassador emerged from the meeting with President Jammeh saying "the meeting with my brother centred on ways to strengthen our bilateral cooperation, trade, tourism and other issues of mutual benefits".
At the formal presentation of his credentials, Daramy spoke highly of the "warmth and hospitality my wife and I have enjoyed from the Gambian people since our arrival in this country". He said "under the leadership of President Jammeh the Gambian people are enjoying an enviable record of political stability, rapid infrastructural development and economic progress in diverse fields".
He said "as one of Africa’s elder statesmen in our sub-region, President Jammeh’s invaluable contribution towards finding solutions to the numerous socioeconomic and political problems besetting our continent has put him and The Gambia on a high pedestal within ECOWAS".
The former State Chief of Protocol said "Sierra Leone and Gambia share much in common, which has made each of the countries a second home and we both continue to collaborate in areas of mutual interest". He said he planned to "build on the strong bilateral ties and explore new avenues to further strengthen the excellent relations for the mutual benefit of the two countries".
He cited the establishment of a joint Commission between Sierra Leone and The Gambia saying he intended to revive and transform into a development agency, the Sierra Leone Alumni Association which comprises Gambians who studied in Sierra Leone. He informed the Vice President that his embassy would register Sierra Leoneans in the Gambia to enable them provide the relevant statistical information to the appropriate authorities in both countries.
Daramy expressed his thanks and appreciation to President Jammeh for allocating land to Sierra Leone for the construction of the embassy’s chancery, noting that "this will go a long way to ensure our permanent stay and the expansion of the bilateral ties between the two countries".
The Gambian Vice President said "we are watching the developmental strides President Koroma is embarking on in your country, especially roads and business which are is booming. Today peace has been given a chance and your people and the international community are happy."
Isatu Njai-Saidy thanked the government of Sierra Leone "for the education most Gambians acquired in the University of Sierra Leone.
She said in the area of tourism, for which The Gambia is known, "much could be shared and done", and looked forward to up-grading the bilateral cooperation between the two countries.
(C) Politico 11/07/14
