A high powered delegation from the University of Shaw in North Carolina, USA paid a courtesy call on the President Sheikh Professor Alhaji Dr. Yahya Jammeh in Kanilai on Thursday.

During the visit, the delegation proposed to the Gambian leader the possibility of starting an African programme initiative on education in The Gambia, as well as the establishment of a communications centre.

The delegation also conferred on President Jammeh Distinguished Service Award in recognition of his achievements in the education sector.

Speaking on the occasion, President Jammeh thanked the University officials from Shaw for what he called a wonderful and surprise award. He described the African programme initiative and the establishment of a communications centre in The Gambia as a laudable idea. He said the initiative is trying to connect not only African Americans and Gambians but also people of African decent.

The Gambian leader stressed the need for Africans to work towards the realization of the Millennium Development Goal in education by the year 2015. He also spoke of the importance his government attaches to the education sector.

Speaking earlier Dr. Lee Monroe from Shaw University commended President Jammeh for his leadership qualities and the achievements registered in the education sector.

The Ministers of Information and Communication Infrastructure and Fisheries, Messrs Alhaji Cham and Lamin Kaba Bajo respectively, commended the delegation for choosing The Gambia as the venue of their programme. They said the initiative will go a long way in complementing government's effort in the realization of the Millennium Development Goals and Vision 2020.

Courtesy of GRTS