Posted by As The Gambia prepares for the historical visit of the future head of the Commonwealth, Prince Charles and wife, Duchess the Duchess of Cornwall, His Excellency, President Adama Barrow on Thursday received in his office, the British High Commissioner to Banjul, Ms. Sharon Wardle.
Speaking to State House press corps shortly after a closed-door audience with the president, High Commissioner Wardle expressed confidence that Gambia will be prepared for this royal visit. She revealed that a lot of work is ongoing behind the scene in anticipation of the visit, as Gambia is the first Commonwealth country the Prince is visiting.
“For the U.K. and The Gambia, we have enjoyed a strong bond of friendship over many, many years. But this year is particularly significant as 2018 saw the Gambia’s re-entry into the Commonwealth family of nations,” she said.
President Barrow attended the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting in April this year, where the decision was taken by the member states to appoint His Royal Highness, Prince Charles as the Future Head of the Commonwealth.
She said the U.K. was very delighted at the outcome of the democratic elections of December 2016, which was a dawn of a new era in The Gambia. “We feel that this presents both The Gambia, your government, His Excellency President Adama Barrow, and the people of The Gambia, an opportunity to rebuild a country on a sustainable foundation for the future generations to come,” she said.
From the U.K. perspective, she said it is also about renewing and reinvigorating the strong ties with Gambia. Besides scholarships and defense engagements, they are also branching out into new activities, such as with the National Assembly, the judiciary and the Ministry of Justice; support to the TRRC and many other areas of priority in the National Development Plan of The Gambia.