The Daily Observer (Banjul)
Sheriff Janko
3 June 2011
The minister of Tourism and Cultural Affairs of the Republic of Sierra Leone Thursday met the vice president and minister of Women’s Affairs, Aja Dr Isatou Njie-Saidy at State House.
Her Excellency Victoria Silvia Saidou Kamara is in Banjul to seek technical assistance from the government of The Gambia in the area of tourism.
Speaking to reporters shortly after a closed-door meeting with the vice president, the visiting Sierra Leonean Tourism minister disclosed that during their meeting, VP Njie-Saidy assured her of Gambia government’s support at all times. Commenting on Sierra Leone’s tourism sector, Camara said the industry is coming up. She recalled the civil war that destroyed her country and said that the current president is working hard to improve the sector by putting infrastructure and other necessary needs in the tourism sector to make it more productive. She added: “The Gambia is doing well in the area of tourism and this is why we choose to come to The Gambia so that we can learn from The Gambia’s expertise, since the two countries are enjoying excellent relations.”
Also speaking to reporters, the Gambia minister of Tourism and Culture, Fatou Mass Jobe-Njie, who accompanied her Sierra-Leonean counterpart to State House, thanked the Gambian leader for his visionary leadership and for improving the sector. Minister Jobe-Njie assured her visiting counterpart of The Gambia government’s continuous support, as the two countries enjoy excellent relations.
Ecobank Group
In a similar engagement, the vice president also received in audience officials of the Ecobank Group at State House. Accompanied by Aki Allen, the chairman of Ecobank Gambia, the delegation also included the chief executive officer (CEO) of Ecobank Group, Mr Arnold Ekpe; and Mareme Mbaye Ndiaye, the bank’s managing director.
Speaking to reporters shortly after meeting VP Njie-Saidy, Ekpe disclosed that they had very exciting and positive discussion with the vice president. He said they informed her that Ecobank currently operates in 35 countries across Africa and is the leading financial market in the world. He added: “We informed her that the bank is a local bank in The Gambia that is committed to supporting the government’s development and economic efforts. We also introduced ourselves and she (VP) was extremely kind to us and gave us words of wisdom as she was pleased that the bank has shown commitment as they have been here for the past four years.”
The Ecobank CEO disclosed that they have invested over US$15 million in The Gambia and employed over 100 people with seven branches across the country. He said the VP was appreciative and advised them to work with the authorities in areas where there is need for financing for businesses and other infrastructures in a bid to support the economic development of the country. “So we came away with a very positive impression and we assured her we had taken on board her words of wisdom and will be addressing those areas with the authorities in due course,” he concluded.
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Sierra Leone Tourism Minister, Others Meet VP