By Yunus S Saliu
The Minister of Tourism and Culture has described the relationship between The Gambia and Senegal as an exceptional one in Africa.
Honorable Minister Abdoulie Jobe, speaking on his visit to a group of students from Senegal who were on a summer holiday camping called Colonies de Vacances at the Bakadaji Hotel, Kotu, on Wednesday, emphasized that the relationship should be cherished by people of the two countries forever.
He reiterated that the students were in The Gambia for an exchange visit between the two countries under this year’s theme – Educational Communities and New Approach to Digital Citizenship: Let’s Protect Children and Young People from the Dangers of Digital Technology
Minister Jobe disclosed that the student exchange visit between the two countries has been happening over the years and is meant to forge good relationships between the Gambia and Senegal, also it is a learning point for the students.
On behalf of the government and the people of The Gamba, he welcomed the students and their teachers/guidance to The Smiling Coast of Africa while expressing gladness for them choosing the destination Gambia as a place to spend their holiday.
“My Ministry and other stakeholders will continue to work together for the development of the tourism sector at all levels,” he assured them.
Abubacarr S. Camara, the Director General of the Gambia Tourism Board (GTBoard), Samba Faye, Chairman of the Board of Directors of GTBoard, and officials accompanied the students from Senegal to the Gambia also made remarkable speeches during the visit.
Meanwhile, Ma’am Hayat Blell, Chairperson for the Gambia Hotel Association, Marion Nyang of the GHA, Dauda Niang, and senior officials of Bakadaji Hotel among others were in attendance.
Consequently, at the end of the Minister’s visit, some foodstuffs including bags of rice, gallons of cooking oil, and bags of onions were presented to the visiting students by the Gambia Ministerof Tourism and Culture.