President Alhaji Dr Yahya Jammeh, yesterday, received in his office a top official of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Mr Tsidi M Tsidikata. Mr Tsidikata is the Deputy Division Chief at the Africa Department of the IMF.

He was accompanied to State House by Mousa Gibriel Bala Gaye, the Secretary of State for Finance and Economic Affairs.

Meanwhile, a group of Gambian women, drawn from diverse sectors of society, called on the vice president, Aja Dr Isatou Njie Saidy, in her office, at State House in Banjul.

The vice president received the women on behalf of President Yahya Jammeh, as they sought to renew their "solidarity with the First Family, donating the sum of over D250,000 to  Muhammed Yahya Jammeh, son of President Jammeh. The presentation of the donation was done at a colorful ceremony held at the conference room, Office of the Vice President, at State House. Members of the delegation described themselves as sisters of Muhammed Yahya Jammeh.

Speaking at the occasion, Dr Njie-Saidy hailed them for their positive move, describing the gesture as laudable. She noted that their donation was highly appreciated bearing in mind the fact that it came from "willing hearts."

The vice president spoke at length about the importance the Jammeh administration attaches to the advancement of Gambian women, saying that the women folk were not left behind by him. She hailed the immense contribution of the women folk to the socio economic development of the country, urging them to "keep up the momentum."

While calling on them to nurture unity amongst themselves, the vice president assured them that the President Jammeh put the issue of women with high on his development agenda.

The speaker of the National Assembly, Hon. Fatoumatta Jahumpa-Ceesay, who was said to have initiated the move, disclosed that they felt it necessary to please their younger brother, arguing that that was in line with the Gambian tradition. According to her, the women of the Gambia owed a debt of gratitude to President Jammeh who, she said, have always championed the course their empowerment and advancement.

Speaker Jahumpa-Ceesay used the platform to suggest for the Gambian women to be given the opportunity to celebrate the 15-year anniversary of the July 22nd in a grand style. 

She noted that such a unique celebration would mean a great deal for the women as it would offer them the opportunity to show their unshakable solidarity, as well as renew their allegiance with the president.
 
While emphasizing the need for networking within their rank, Speaker Jahumpa-Ceesay commended the women for their support to Muhammed Yahya Jammeh.

Nyimasata Sanneh-Bojang, a veteran politician, noted that although the First Family could afford their the amount of money they donated, their move was significant in that it was meant to show solidarity to the family.

The veteran politician, who last served as the Administrative Secretary of the APRC Party, spoke at length about the numerous interventions made by the Gambian leader to the course of women. She pointed out that the president’s declaration on free maternal service for Gambian women was among many interventions geared towards improving their status.

Madam Sanneh-Bojang expressed, unbehalf of her colleagues, their sincere love for the First Family, and assured that they would ever remain loyal to President Jammeh.

Aji Ndey Conteh, a prominent business woman, described the gesture as their little way of showing solidarity to the First Family, and added that their love for the Gambian leader would ever remain strong.

Many other women who spoke at the occasion expressed similar sentiments and commended Vice President Njie-Saidy and Speaker Jahumpa-Ceesay for their commitment to the Jammeh administration.