Honourable Fatoumatta Jahumpa-Ceesay, the speaker of the National Assembly yesterday received at her office the Ecowas Female Parliamentarian Association (ECOFEPA).

The members are currently on a pre-launch meeting of the association at the Paradsise Suites Hotel. The 10th to 14th March meeting will hopefully pave the way for the official launch of the association, scheduled to take place in The Gambia. The ECOFEPA is an association which brings together female members of parliament from the ECOWAS sub-region, initiated and pioneered by Speaker Fatoumatta Jahumpa-Ceesay.

Hon. Sulayman Joof, National Assembly member for Serrekunda Central and member of the ECOWAS parliament, who led the group to the speaker's office, said the aim of the visit was to thank the speaker for initiating and supporting the association at all levels. According to him, the association is a baby delivered by FJC. He thanked the delegates for their turnout and hoped that, at the end of the conference, the outome will be positive.

Hon. Assan Seidou, 3rd deputy speaker of the ECOWAS parliament from Benin republic, equally thanked Speaker Jahumpa-Ceesay on behalf of the ECOWAS parliament for initiating such a timely association in the sub-region. He called on her to continue the support rendered over the years. He also begged FJC to led the advocacy for sub-regional leaders to support the association which according to him is the main concern of ECOWAS. He also saluted her for the warm reception accorded them since their arrival in the country.

Senator Nkechi Nwaogu from Nigeria described Speaker Jahumpa-Ceesay as a visionary leader whom the African women are proud of. She expressed delight that the association is to be launched in The Gambia citing the tremendous support the association received from the co-founder and speaker of the Gambia's National Assembly.  Hon. Maria R. DaSilva from Cape Verde equally appreciated the efforts, commitment and support of FJC. She said "we are proud of you, being a speaker which is a first in Africa. Your position, for African women, is like Obama being the first African-American president. This is great and you are a role model."

In return, the elated and emotional Speaker Fatoumatta Jahumpa-Ceesay, saluted her fellow African parliamentarians and assured them of her continued support to the association. Regarding the words of praises from all corners, Speaker Jahumpa Ceesay attributed everything to President Professor Alhaji Dr Yahya Jammeh whom she said, is the 'Avocat de le famme'. According to her, if it was not for President Jammeh, today, African and Gambian women in particular, would not have been what they are. "It is because of President Professor Alaji Dr Yahya Jammeh that many African and world leaders are now empowering women. Here in The Gambia, women are empowered at all levels. So other countries were saying if the little Gambia can empower women in such a manner, why not them. So they are all emulating President Jammeh and we the Gambian women salute him," she said.

On ECOFEPA, she said it was a real struggle at the begining as it was not easy. She highlighted the progress registered so far saying "the constitution, aims and objectives of the association among others, are all in place". She then thanked President Jammeh for supporting the association and assured the members that she will do all she can to make the association a success. Hon. Haddy Nyang-Jagne, NAM for Jeshwang and a member of the association gave the vote of thanks.