The Gambia leader, Professor Alhaji Dr Yahya Jammeh, yesterday afternoon received in audience the Sumpu Dukati Sarahuleh Cultural Society at State House. Led by Alhagie Chondi Touray, the vice president of the society, the association’s visit to state house was meant to renew their long standing solidarity with the Gambian leader.

Speaking at a meeting, president Jammeh commended the association for their visit, describing it as a show of solidarity. However, the Gambian leader expressed his disappointment with the society, noting that the society which he valued so much had failed to visit him for the past years, especially during festivities.

The Gambian leader also took the opportunity to praise them for their hardwork, citing their infrastructural development in their communities as a result of their industriousness. He then drew their attention to the narrow roads created in their settlements, noting that it is time for them to device ways and means in expounding them for safety precautions.

Associating himself as part and parcel of them, President Jammeh hailed the Sarahulehs for their great sense of patriotism. He reiterated his unshakable solidarity with them, reminding them that they constitute the highest of the country’s honorary consulars abroad. He described this as a manifestation of his admiration.

President Jammeh further commended Alhgie Basiru Jallow, a member of the society for his great sense of patriotism, support and loyalty to his party.While accepting their earlier plea for apology, the Gambian leader told them that his doors are always open for them.
Speaking on behalf of the president of the Sumpu Dukati Sarahuleh Cultural Society, Alhagie Chondi Touray, vice president of the association, expressed their unique love for President Jammeh, noting that he is an industrious leader working towards uniting the Gambian people.

According to him, the Sarahulehs always associate themselves with a person who is good and kind to his people, describing this as one of the reasons for their love for Professor Jammeh. He assured the president that the Sarahulehs always unite to speak one voice, saying that their love for him cannot be expressed by word.

The number two of the Sarahuleh society went on to commend President Jammeh for his physical involvement in farming activities. Touray attested to the fact that he had never before seen a president thoughout the the world who bends down to weed during cropping season.

"Your farming activities are not meant for your personal gains, but to the needy and poor,” he told the Gambian leader. For his part, Musa Drammeh, the secretary general of the society, recalled that the association was conceptualised in 1977 in the provinces, but was quick to note that it was formalised into a bigger  one in 1986.

Among their projects, he revealed, included the Imam Malick Institute of Islamic Knowledge, an institution, he said, was established to support President Jammeh’s goal in the educational sector.  He revealed that just recently, 18 students had graduated from the institution following the completion of their course.

The secretary of state for Fisheries, Water Resources and National Assembly Matters, Yankuba Touray applauded the society for cherishing hardwork, culture, and religion. He noted that these values are in line with the president quest for national development.
SoS Touray hailed the Sarahulehs for not forgetting their home, saying that they are of the few ethnic groups that develop their communities.

Acknowledging the Sarahulehs’ unshakable commitment to the course of APRC party, SoS Touray expressed the Gambian leader’s love for them. He spoke at length about the president’s unprecedented developments in the country since he took the mantle of leadership 14 years ago. Dr Musa Gibril Bala Gaye, the SoS for Finance and Economic Affairs echoed similar sentiments.