Ebrima Jaw Manneh, News Editor of the Daily Observer, yesterday left for the Taiwanese capital of Taipei, to attend the first edition of the Taiwan-Africa Summit commencing on September 9.

Mr Manneh will also attend the Taiwan-Africa Progressive Partnership Forum, which will also be attended by politicians, business leaders, think-tanks, media and NGO representatives from Taiwan and African countries.

Speaking to the Daily Observer shortly before his departure, Mr Manneh described the summit as an important milestone in the history of diplomatic relations between Taipei and its African allies, including The Gambia. He said the summit will place Taiwan under the spotlight, saying that the agenda of the international gathering could not have come at a better time.

The Daily Observer’s News Editor noted that the participation of journalists, especially those from the Gambian print media establishments will strengthen partnership with development partners of The Gambia government.

He added that it is only through a “two-way” partnership that “our common aspirations to building a better world can realised. This is fundamental and I think it’s high time we begin to regard each other if we are serious about partnership”.

He then commended the management of the Observer Company for its “unparalleled and unequivocal” support in ensuring that its staff are given required exposure internationally. He also thanked the Taiwan Embassy in Banjul for its support and partnership.