The newly appointed governor of Western Region has urged his people to unite for the interest of the region and The Gambia, as a whole. Governor Lamin Sanneh, 49, also reminded the people of Western Region to forget their differences and come together for national development.

Speaking in an interview with the Daily Observer, Governor Sanneh expressed gratitude for his appointment, describing it as a challenge.

"I wish for all the people of Western Region to come together as one family for the development of the region," he said, urging the people to take ownership of the region and do away with triviality.

He expessed his region's commitment to the targets of the Millennium Development Goals, poverty eradication and malnutrition, as well as social exclusion.

Governor Sanneh replaced Abdou FM Badjie, who was removed from office last Thursday. Sanneh, a seasoned sports administrator, has served in many departments of state in the country. He has worked at the National Sports Council, as a development officer and sports coordinator for Western, before his redeployment to the Department of State for Education.

Governor Sanneh also served as a councillor for Foni Bintang Karanai Ward for seven years. At the time of his new appointment, Mr Sanneh was working with the President's Empowerment of Girls Education Project (PEGEP), as the deputy manager attached to the Office of the Governor, Western Region.