President Yahya Jammeh has urged Gambians to get involved in commercial businesses in order to stimulate economic growth in the country. He made this call yesterday when the executive council of the Foni-Kombo and Nuimi Development Association paid him a courtesy call at State House.

According to him, Gambians should explore every opportunity at their disposal to improve their economic status. He implored Gambians to rid themselves of 'The Gambia is hard' mentality and exert themselves so as to put the country on a sound footing.

President Jammeh added that though he had supported some lost causes in the past, he will never give up trying to lend a hand whenever he can. "Some are successful and some are not successful," he said.

He commended members of the association for their foresight and promised to help them realize their set goals, and advised them to work hard at all times and steer clear of detractors who try to foment disunity by playing the ethnic card.

For  his part, Mr Ebrima Tamba, the Secretary-General of the Foni-Kombo and Nuimi Development Association,  said the association was formed in 1994 and currently has 44 branches across the country with at least 8500 women and 6000 men. He disclosed that they have ben able to send 5833 girls to school through their educational programme.