Ade Adefye, the governance and democracy adviser to the president of the Ecowas Commission has praised the progress made by The Gambia on governance and democracy.

Speaking in an interciew with GRTS  shortly after their audience with the vice-president, Mr Adefye, however, noted that there is still room for more to be done, adding that they discussed matters of common concern - both political and developmental, during a courtesy call on the vice-president, Aja Dr Isatou Njie-Saidy, on Tuesday, at State House, by officials of Ecowas and the Commonwealth Secretariat.

He said the discussions revolved around economic and political governance, the Ecowas country programme, as well as decisions reached at the summit meetings and how they should be implemented.

Ayo Oke, the special adviser and head of Africa Section at the Commonwealth Secretariat, London, said The Gambia is an important country, holding a special place besides playing a key role in the organisation’s activities.

The outcome of their meeting, Oke indicated, is a resolve to continue to engage in making a difference in the lives of the people of The Gambia.

Following the Ecowas and Commonwealth team was a joint FAO, World Bank and World Food Programme mission.

Their visit, according to the World Bank mission leader, Emmanuel Saine, was at the request of The Gambia government to assess the situation of food crises in the country as a way of helping to prepare an action plan. This, he said, is expected to be submitted to the international community for further assistance. Mr Saine was optimistic about positive results.

In what could be described as a flurry of engagements, Dr Njie-Saidy also received the Fashion Designers Association of The Gambia. Ndey Awa Khan-Ceesay, the president of the association, said their visit was meant to introduce their newly elected executive, as well as brief the vice-president on their activities.

With funding from Muslim Aid, the members of the Gambia Fashion Designers Association said they also intend to train at least 30 girls in their various workshops as a start.

The Sierra Leonean Women Association in The Gambia also called on Dr Njie-Saidy, on Tuesday. Fatoumatta Koromah, the president of the association, said their visit was born out of their appreciation of the manner in which the country’s leadership and the entire Gambian population have received and treated them since the decade-long infamous civil war broke out in Sierra Leone.

Formed in 2004, the Sierra Leonean Women’s Association singled out national cleansing exercise as one of the social activities they are involved in. They also expressed their willingness to respond to any national development call.

Another group of women, comprising traders in oyster, shrimps and cake, also called on Dr Isatou Njie-Saidy. The coordinator of the group, Fatou Janha-Mboob, said they were at State House to inform Dr Njie-Saidy about their achievements and projects, as well as their constraints.

The vice-president, according to Madam Mboob, was very supportive to them, as she linked them to the relevant state departments, including Trade and Fisheries.