The Francophone community in The Gambia has celebrated last Tuesday the International Francophonie Day.

The vast crowd gathered in the premises of Alliance Franco-Gambienne (AFG), located at Kairaba Avenue in Serrekunda, has the opportunity to enjoy a six-hour entertaining evening. The all program was designed with a view of providing a platform for cultural diversity.

As the Master of Ceremonies (MC), Jean Paul Kauffman, Director of AFG, professionally spaced out the events in the sense of expressing what is supposed to be the ‘celebration of common values’.

In his opening remarks, His Excellency François Morel, French Chargé-d’Affaires in The Gambia, profiled Dr Momodou Lamin Sedat Jobe, who presided over the destiny of AFG, as one of the pioneers in the field of promoting French in the country.

In acknowledging the tremendous efforts he made in participating actively in the implementation of PADEF in 1998, a project which is meant to promote the use of French language in the domains of teaching and communication, he commended him for the important role he continues to play in the Franco.

Dr Momodou Lamin Sedat Jobe was touched by the honour bestowed to him by the Francophone community, elaborated on the sense of the International Francophonie Day; He noted that The Gambia is in the right track in giving room to the French language.

According to him, it is important for Gambians to accustom themselves to French language, as other Francophone countries are trying to do the same in English language. He then re-echoed the congratulatory message sent by Her Excellency Dr Isatou Njie-Saidy, Vice-President of the Republic of The Gambia, on the occasion of the celebration of the International Francophonie Day.

The commemoration of this event was also marked by performers from the Fajara French School, the Mauritanian Cultural Group. Yusufa Ngom, a renowned Gambian singer, created a pleasant ambiance while performing on the stage.