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Momodou
Denmark
11640 Posts |
 Posted - 13 Dec 2017 : 12:06:50
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PR/C/258/(ABS)
News Release
German President Visits The Gambia
Statehouse, Banjul 12 December 2017 – President Adama Barrow will receive the Federal President of Germany, Frank-Walter Steinmeier as his first European head of state guest, on Wednesday, 13 December 2017 at the Banjul International Airport.
The German President will be on a two day visit in The Gambia. He will have a private talk with his host, President Barrow and both Heads of state will have a Press conference with the media.
Also during his stay, President Steinmeier will meet civil society representatives, visit the German supported hospital, ASB at Dippa Kunda. His programme also includes tour of the masonry and automotive units at The Gambia Technical Training Institute – GTTI, where he will hold discussions on migration, reintegration, and perspectives for the youth at the GTTI Bantaba.
Later on Thursday afternoon, President Steinmeier will visit the Amadou Bansang Jobarteh Music School where he will witness performance by kids from the schools before his departure to the Banjul International Airport for the guard of honour ceremony by the Gambia Armed Forces.
President Steinmeier was elected the 12th Federal President of the Republic of Germany in February this year. Before his election winning the presidency, Mr Steinmeier served for years as Federal Minister for Foreign Affairs. He spent 10 years in pursuit of academic excellence in law and political science at the Justus –Liebig University in Giessen and Frankfurt am Main and Geissen. He chaired the law and Political Science Department of law at Giessen University for five years.
Mr Steinmeier had experience as desk officer for media law and policy, and headed the office of the Minister – President of Land, Lower Saxony for three years. He also led the State Chancellery as the head responsible for policy guidelines and inter-ministerial coordination and planning for 2 years before taking the position of State Secretary and head of the State Chancellery of Land, Lower Saxony.
As his political and diplomatic career developed, Mr Steinmeier became Head of the Federal Chancellery for six years in 1999. He also served as Deputy Chancellery and chaired the SPD parliamentary group for four years in 2009.
President Frank-Walter Steinmeier is married and has a daughter.
END
Contact:
Amie Bojang-Sissoho
Director of Press & Public Relations
Office of the President, State House, Banjul
Email:absissoho@op.gov.gm
dpprop2017@gmail.com
Tel: +220 9957592
Twitter: @BarrowPresident
Facebook: Barrow PORG
Website: statehouse.gov.gm
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A clear conscience fears no accusation - proverb from Sierra Leone |
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Momodou
Denmark
11640 Posts |
Posted - 18 Dec 2017 : 15:45:11
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At last, Germany is back
The Point: Monday, December 18, 2017
http://thepoint.gm/africa/gambia/article/at-last-germany-is-back
The President of Federal Republic of Germany has announced it will revive and expand bilateral cooperation with the Republic of The Gambia, following the peaceful democratic change of government a year ago.
German President, Mr. Frank-Walter Steinmeier announced this to the press at the end of his visit, saying his it came a decisive stage of the European countries’ relations with Africa. “The visit to Gambia even signals a message of respect and recognition of Gambia nation’s achievements in democracy,” he added.
Germany’s aid to Gambia stood at an average of US$7.7 million per annum, representing the highest aid Gambia ever received from any single European donor in the 1980s.
In his book, “A History of the Foreign Policy of Africa’s Smallest State, 1965-1995”, Gambian author Omar A. Touray, argued that Germany’s aid to Gambia “assumed significant proportions by 1980”. According to him, between 1981 and 85, the German aid to Gambia was inferior only to US.
This was perhaps the reason why President Adama Barrow expressed delight at the return of German to resume bilateral cooperation with The Gambia. The German President’s delegation comprised top players in agriculture, energy, business, sports, technical areas among others.
German funding to Gambia
In the 1980s, Germany funded a rural water supply of D8 million in the North Bank, and D8.6 million in Jahally-Pacharr rice development project as part of the Freedom from Hunger Campaign (FFHC).
It also provided 50 passenger buses and management assistance, estimated at D12 million, to the GPTC, and the Banjul sewerage and drainage project at D8.5 million. A German management team also helped in then GUC (national power company) in re-organising and strengthening that corporation’s management, and it had D12 million earmarked for electricity supply in the Greater Banjul Area.
In March 1981, the German aid agency Kreditanstalt fur Wiederaufbau (KFW) provided The Gambia with a loan of D7, 100, 000 for the purchase of a 300-T Hopper Dredger for The Gambia Ports Authority.
Their Minister of Foreign Affairs, who also paid a visit in 1983 with the mission of supporting Gambia as a country that it “shared” the same views with on human rights and democracy, announced D7 million technical assistance and D7 million financial assistance respectively.
A delegation of German parliamentarians and experts visited Gambia in 1981, holding talks with Gambia government and resulting to even a strengthened commitment towards Gambia. Germany also constructed the bridge barrage project on Gambia River.
New areas of cooperation
So when the German President, Mr. Frank-Walter Steinmeier announced that Germany is back, a tinge of smile was noticed on Gambian President’s face – dressed in white ‘khaftan’, standing at the podium next to his black-suited guest and listening through an earphone interpretation.
German President said steps have already been taken to look into health care support for The Gambia after a visit to German NGO clinic in Dippa Kunda; and a technical trainings programme upon a visit to the Gambia Technical Training Institute.
Germany will also provide immediate support to the generation department of the Gambia’s power company (NAWEC), through spare parts provision to broken generators and a long term sustainable energy solution for the country.
German President said he was certain there will be difficulties on the way for Gambia’s development after years of tyranny. The EU and Germany, however, will be by Gambia’s side along the way, he said.
“Gambia and Europe are closely woven, with long history of trade and cooperation in several areas,” President Walter Steinmeier said.
For example, a delegate of the German government Detley Woerman, managing partner of Detley Woerman Group, founded in 1837, said their business with West Africa and Gambia particularly was successful thanks to contacts and trade they had with Africa.
“Gambia was an important trading post and point of contact for many West African countries,” Mr. Woerman said.
Now with many decades of experience in Africa as a traditional trading company, his Group sellstechnical goods in the manufacturing industry, agriculture and the transport and construction sector; with affiliates in Ghana, Nigeria and Angola holding large storage facilities, skilled personnel, good technical equipment and the know-how.
“So when President Adama Barrow expressed delight at Germany being back, I am responding by assuring him that indeed, we are back,” German President Walter Steinmeier said.
Author: Sanna Camara |
A clear conscience fears no accusation - proverb from Sierra Leone |
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German President Visits The Gambia
