The Secretary of State for Local Government and Lands, Ismaila Sambou, has commended the Foundation for Research on Women’s Health, Productivity and Environment (BAFROW), for their exemplary service to the people in The Gambia.

Bafrow is a country-based NGO that caters for the welfare and development of the Gambian people, especially women. 

Secy Sambou made these remarks yesterday at the official opening of a two-day workshop for Governors, Chiefs, and community heads organised by Bafrow at the Wadner Beach Hotel in Banjul.

He commended the organisation for bringing together various local authorities across the country to discuss issues of great importance to government and the nation.

The theme of the workshop was Vision 2020 and the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

Hon. Sambou urged the participants to take the forum seriously, adding that the government is committed to the attainment of Vision 2020 and the MDGs.

Speaking earlier, the Director of Bafrow, Mrs. Fatoumata Waggeh, said that since the inception of her NGO some seventeen years ago, they had been complementing government’s efforts in various sectors of development such as health and women empowerment.

She stressed the need for everyone to know their roles towards the attainment of both vision 2020 and the MDGs. 

She also applauded the Gambia government for creating an enabling environment for the NGO to operate.

Other Speakers on the occasion included Alkalo Luntang Jaiteh of Bakau and Mrs. Fatou Jah, both are board members of Bafrow.

Mr. Lamin Dibba, Director of NGO Affairs in The Gambia, chaired the ceremony.

The second day of the programme – which is today - would be characterised by a field visit to Bafrow project sites in Mandinaba.