ECOWAS Female Parliamentarians yesterday paid a courtesy call on the President Professor Alhaji Dr. Yahya Jammeh at the State House. Professor Jammeh thanked them for selecting The Gambia for the establishment of their head office.

The Gambian Leader said he was greatly honoured for the trust and confidence the ECOWAS Female Parliamentarians had in him in choosing him as their prime advocate and supporter. He assured the Parliamentarians of his continued support.

Also speaking on the occasion, Vice President Aja Dr. Isatou Njie-Saidy prevailed on the MPs to promote peace in the sub-region. The Vice President called for greater participation by both men and women in national development. Madam Njie-Saidy hailed President Jammeh for putting women in the forefront of all development programs.

The Speaker of the National Assembly, Honourable Fatoumatta Jahumpa-Ceesay applauded President Jammeh for championing the cause of women of the sub-region. The Speaker also spoke of the confidence ECOWAS Female Parliamentarians have in the Gambian Leader.

Hasan Seibou of the ECOWAS Parliament described Professor Jammeh as the protector of women rights. He noted that the Gambian Leader has inspired many men to support women. A Parliamentarian from Sierra Leone, Victoria Camara cited the appointed of women to senior government positions as testimony of the importance Professor Jammeh attaches to women empowerment. Saram Sarami Sere of Burkina Faso and Senator Kewenchi of Nigeria made similar remarks.

The Secretary of State for Trade, Industry and Employment, Abdou Colley called on the MPs to work towards ensuring that their governments adhere to sub-regional treaties. The Secretary of State for Environment Momodou Kotu Cham noted that women empowerment is a key priority of the government. The Secretary of State for Basic and Secondary Education Fatou Lamin Faye praised President Jammeh for his personal commitment to girls' education.