President Adama Barrow today received in audience the Chinese Ambassador, H.E Ma Jianchun along with a team of Chinese medical experts, who was accompanied to the Presidency by the Minister of Health Dr Ahmadou Samateh.
The team was at the Presidency to update the President on its role in consolidating The Gambia’s gains in the fight against Covid-19, and to ensure public safety in the pandemic as well present medicine and medical equipment for Epidemic Control.
For the past three months, the Chinese team trained frontline health workers in Covid-19 prevention, diagnosis, and prevention of infections in medical institutions. They also provided guidance and treatment for the patients in critical conditions.
In his remarks, President Barrow commended China for supporting his government since he assumed leadership four years ago, adding his Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinping, has fulfilled all the pledges he made to his government. He thanked Ambassador Jianchun who he described as a true friend of The Gambia, for the support provided in the fight against the pandemic. He assured the team of The Gambia’s commitment to strengthen diplomatic relations with China.
The Chinese Ambassador, H.E Ma Jianchun described The Gambia’s relation with the People’s Republic of China as ‘strong’ since the inception and has witnessed robust collaborations in different areas, including public health.
According to him, the medical team was dispatched on the request of the Ministry of health to combat the virus, and is the first time such a team stays overseas for three months in any country. He added that the People’s Republic of China stands with The Gambia in the bid to prevail over Covid19, and improve public health services.
For his part, the Minister of Health, Dr Ahmadou Samateh said the visit to the Presidency signifies the importance attached to The Gambia’s relation with The People’s Republic of China. He applauded Ambassador Jainchun for leading efforts in curbing the pandemic since it was first declared. The Gambia President noted his support in providing the country with medical supplies and personnel to ensure public safety during the pandemic.
In a separate engagement, President Adama Barrow earlier Thursday presided over the swearing-in of the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Finance, Abdoulie Jallow, the Solicitor General and Legal, Hussein Thomasi, and a member of the Public Service Commission, Mr Ganyie A. Touray. The three officials took the prescribed oaths of due execution of office, allegiance, and secrecy.
In his statement, President Barrow stated the importance of having committed, honest, and dedicated Gambians in the civil service for high performance and effective delivery, while urging the appointees to serve in the best interest of The Gambia.
The President described the appointees as highly skilled and experienced people with a wealth of knowledge about their various institutions.
Abdoulie Jallow, on behalf of the appointees, thanked the President for the confidence bestowed on them in serving the country. He seized the opportunity to give an overview of the current economic situation and the forecast for 2021.
In another engagement at the State House on Thursday afternoon, the Gambian Leader received the U20- Scorpions to celebrate their victory of the WAFU football tournament 2020. The players along with their coaches, technical team, President and officials of the Gambia Football Federation – GFF were accompanied to the State House by the Minister of Youths and Sports and his staff as well as the National Youth Council.
President Barrow presented a cheque of two million Dalasi to the U20- Scorpions while expressing joy at receiving the team who emerged as winners of the WAFU Trophy against Senegal. He urged them to continue to work hard, as hard work pays and they will be rewarded. “You made The Gambia proud. You won Senegal in Senegal. This was possible because you played as a team.”
As U20-Scorpions prepares for the AFCON game in Mauritania, President Barrow urged them to maintain the discipline and continue to play as a team to succeed, adding that he is encouraged by the Gambian Coaches training the players. The President assured them of his government‘s commitment to develop sports and to maintain the U20 team in raising the flag of The Gambia higher.
The Minister of Youth and Sports, Bakary Badjie encouraged the U20, while the President of the GFF, Lamin Bajo seized the opportunity to appreciate the government’s support and cordial relation the Federation has with the Ministry. He called on the government to further support the Federation and Sports development in the country.
