Neneh Macdouall-Gaye, Secretary of State for Communication and Information Technology, has disclosed that basic reluctance of parents to send girls to school can no longer presents itself as the chief obstacle. She said parents even from the most under privileged and deprived backgrounds aspire to provide basic education to their children (especially girls) in order to escape the “terrible handicap” that they had become victims.

Secretary of State Macdouall-Gaye made these remarks, while presiding over a grand fund raising dinner on behalf of the First Lady, Madam Zineb Jammeh, who is the chief patron of Fawegam, organised by the Forum for African Women Educationists Gambia Chapter (Fawegam), at the Sunbeach Hotel and Resort in Cape Point in Bakau.

Fatou Lamin Faye, Secretary of State for Education, who was the chief guest of honour, Angela Colley, Secretary of State for Tourism and Culture, senior government officials, directors and representatives of companies and institutions, spouses and individuals, also attended the dinner, which pulled a remarkable turn-out.
 
It was packed with string of entertainment featuring prolific artist, Ndey Nyang-Njie, spouse of the late multi-talented Gambian artist, Ousou Lion Njie. Gambian Lamarana provided a hilarious performance that gave the dinner its true meaning. Varieties of food were in abundance and the dignitaries and guests enjoyed themselves during the spectacular dinner, amid services by energetic and professional staff of Sunbeach Hotel and Resort.
 
Delivering a statement on behalf of the First Lady at the Saturday dinner, Secretary of State Macdouall-Gaye saluted her contemporaries and the guests, saying their attendance manifested their “keen awareness and recognition” of the unique roles and responsibilities in support of girls’ education and furtherance of the course of Gambian women.
 
Confirming that Fawegam continues to form strong links and partnerships at all levels in pursuance of “our goals for achieving access, improving performance and ensuring retention of girls in schools until they finish at a level higher than the basic cycle”, SoS Macdouall-Gaye added: “We observe that parents everywhere are willing to send their children (girls and boys) to school. Schooling is made affordable and schooling environment is safe and secure; and quality of instruction is guaranteed, which I am happy to note is a priority on President Jammeh’s development agenda. I am proud to be part of Fawegam and to be part of a movement that is contributing significantly towards the achievement of a universal goal with changes felt at the grass roots.”

She commended Fawegam and Unicef for enabling a group of “dedicated mothers” in rural Gambia to embark on a door-to-door programme to encourage other mothers to send their daughters to school.
 
The Communication and Information Technology Secretary of State thumbed-up Fawegam partners for partnership and support, including the Department of State for Basic and Secondary Education. She then thanked the government for creating the policy environment that has enable Fawegam to deliver, adding that “together as one people, all united in purpose and action, we can make our dream of a better future for our children come true.”
 
Yadicon Njie-Eribo, Coordinator of Fawegam, delivered a comprehensive speech on her organisation’s achievements, programmes and plan, while Beatrice Prom, Public Relations Officer of Fawegam, who stood in for the Chairperson, delivered the welcoming statement.

Nana Ofori Atta of Vinasha Productions ably chaired the dinner.