By Lamin Kujabi
His Excellency President Adama Barrow recently received letters of credence from four Ambassadors designated to The Gambia at State House in Banjul.
The four ambassadors who presented their letters of credence to the President are Mrs. Camelina Ramirez Rodriguez, Ambassador of Republic of Cuba; Christine Fages Ambassador of the Republic of France; Marcel Lebleu, Ambassador of Canada; Domenic Giani, Ambassador Order of Malta.
After presenting their letters of credence the four ambassadors spoke to the press. Mrs. Camelina Ramirez Rodriguez, ambassador of Republic of Cuba said that The Gambia and Cuba have a lot in common. “Cuba and The Gambia cooperation has existed for over 30 years. We have cooperation in health sector, having about 100 Cuban Doctors in The Gambia in all the regions,” he noted.
She said the idea is to enhance the cooperation and expand it to other sectors for the benefit of the people of the two countries.
Ambassador Christine Fages of the Republic of France expressed honour to have presented her letter of credence to the President, adding that it is always a big step for diplomats to meet the head of state and to also officially present the credential.
She added that The Gambia and France has close relationship, making reference to the Alliance Francaise in existence since 1948. “France is doing and providing lot of support in the areas of entrepreneurship and innovation to women. We also implemented a drinking water project with The Gambia government, and the WASH project will also be inaugurated by the President on May 17th 2025”.
Ambassador Fages mentioned that the international French school in Banjul is also a symbol of cultural relation between the two countries.
“This relation is very diverse and tackle a lot of issues. Gambian Foreign Affairs Minister will travel to France on the 23rd of May and will meet his counterpart in France to discuss the relation and how we can improve for the benefit of the people of the two countries,” she concluded.
Ambassador Marcel Lebleu of Canada expressed great privilege to meet the President and to present her letter of credence. Canada and The Gambia’s diplomatic relations has existed since 1965 with solid cooperation but also through people to people,” she said.
She informed that she would be visiting some of the projects that Canada is funding in the country, as well as visit the civil society organisations, with women and girls’ projects.
Ambassador Domenic Giani of Order of Malta said as the first ambassador of Malta to The Gambia, he is privileged and happy to serve the people of The Gambia as well as assist the needy and support the developmental aspirations of the country.
The ambassadors were accompanied to State House by Babucarr Bouy, Minister for Public Service.
