Mr. Abdoulie Jammeh, Deputy Director of Gambia Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), has said that The Gambia will never fail to live up to its reputation as the country of friendly people.

Mr. Jammeh was speaking in an opening ceremony of 7th steering committee meeting of the COSCAP-BAG and 10th plenary meeting of the Banjul Accord Group, held last Monday at Kairaba Beach Hotel. He added that a little over a decade ago industry leaders, including directors general and airlines executives from countries who now constitute the membership of the Banjul Accord Group, converged on Banjul in a consultative meeting to chart a positive course for the future of the aviation industry in our region.

He pointed out that Banjul Accord Group, as it is known today, was the outcome of the Yamoussoukro Declaration.

“Since then the group has enjoyed sustained support from its membership, from industry partners such as ICAO, FAA, Air bus. Boeing as well as from ECOWAS, ADB French co-operation and has become recognised as a reliable vehicle for bringing about positive changes in civil aviation within the region.

Speaking at the ceremony, the Secretary of State for Works Construction & Infrastructure, Mr. Lamin Bojang, said, “This meeting is testimony to the positive efforts being made in addressing the endemic safety challenges that have been know to confront our region and Africa as a whole.” He said there is increased awareness of the enormity and seriousness of the problem at the highest level. “We have seen such awareness being translated into strong commitment and resolve for positive action, and concrete action in the implementation of projects (such as the COSCAP-BAG) is advancing and being replicated in other regions,” he said.