The Gamtel/Gamcel Staff Asociation yesterday presented three cheques amounting to D650,000 to President Alhaji Dr. Yahya Jammeh for the First Lady's Opertion Save a Baby initiative, the President's Women Empowerment Programme, the President's HIV/AIDs Treatment Programme and the Royal Victoria Teaching Hospital, at a ceremony held at State House, Banjul.

D250,000 was presented to the Save a Baby initiative, D200,000 to the President's Women Empowerment Programme, D100,000 to the President's HIV/AIDs Treatment Programme. The RVTH also benefited from mattresses, bedsheets, chairs and 10 television sets valued at D100,000.

Speaking at the ceremony, President Jammeh expressed sincere gratitude to the association noting that Operation Save a Baby has been succesful thanks to the Gamte/Gamcel Staff Association's support.

He described the organisation as patriotic for the fact that, since its inception to date, they have always been complimenting government efforts in nation building. "This earns you my utmost respect because you are great contributors to the socio-economic development of the country" he said.

Supporting the Operation Save a Baby according to the Gambian leader, is important noting that he is very particular about the empowerment of women and children. " The mothers are the first school of every child and therefore empowering the women is another plus for national developmen" he said.

He then asserted his readiness to ensure a brighter Gambia and quickly saluted the Gambian women for working hard towards the development of the country. He also saluted the organisers of the fund raising event for been very honest leading to the success of the annual event.

President Jammeh then assured the association of his support and that of the government. He called on other associations to emulate the Gamtel/Gamcel Staff Association. He also called on Gambians to change their attitudes and work together for national development.

The Gambian leader then pledge a giant car for the net fund raising for the association.

Alhagie Mass Axi Gye, secretary of state for Youths and Sports urged the association to continue the good work to compliment government efforts in nation building, asserting that the Gambia has a dynamic leader. He thanked them for the initiative.

Fatim Badjie, secretary of state for Communication Information and Information Technology saluted the association for the gesture. According to her, this has again manifested the love Gambians have for life. She equally assured them of her department's support.

Fatou Lamin Faye, secretary of state for Basic and Secondary Education thanked the association for yet demonstrating their patriotism. She thanked them for the support towards the said initiatives for the past five years noting that they are valuable partners of the government in national development. She urged them to continue the gesture.

Allasan Gibba, President of the Gamtel/Gamcel Staff Association on behalf of the executive, thanked President Jammeh for the unprecedented developments The Gambia registered under his leadership. He also briefed the Gambian leader on the association's goals and aspirations and assured them that they will continue to support government.

Rein Zwolsman, Chief Executive Officer of Gamtel/Gamcel expressed delight at the entire membership of the association and assured President Jammeh of their continued support.

Ramou Nyass-Hydara, spokeperson of the association also noted that the association have been in partnership with governmnet for the past five years. She thanked President Jammeh for the support during the fund raising and for championing the course for the welfare of the Gambian people and humanity in general.

She also acknowledged the efforts of First Lady, Madam Zineb Yahya Jammeh, Vice President Njie Saidy, Speaker Jahumpa-Ceesay and SoS Malick S Njie in ensuring the success of the event. She also thanked their cooperate partners as well as GPA, Nawec, Africall, SSHFC and the other banks for their support. Abdoulie Bass, director of Power and Environment, Gamtel/Gamcel chaired the ceremony.