Ramesh Singh, the chief executive officer of ActionAid International and Dr Kujejatou Manneh, the ActionAid country representative Wednesday met the vice president and minister of Women's Affairs, Her Excellency, Aja Dr Isatou Njie-Saidy, at her office at State House, Banjul.

The two ActionAid officials were accompanied to State House by the directors of TANGO and the NGO Affairs Agency in The Gambia. Shortly after their audience with the vice president, Singh told reporters that his mission to State House was to pay respect and express his gratitude to the government of The Gambia for its support to ActionAid operations in the country during the past years. "Having been existing in The Gambia for decades now, we believe the Gambia government has done a lot for us and has given us all the support," he stated.

He also acknowledged that ActionAid was able to do excellent work in this country over the years due to the support of the government. "I had the opportunity to discuss with the vice president on various issues of interest. We raised issues about Beijing +15, of which I hope that the vice president will support and bring on the issues of possibility of implementing the UN General Assembly resolution of establishing a baseline for women in The Gambia" he said.

He further disclosed they would like ActionAid The Gambia to develop its own governance system, have a board made up of credible, reputable, competent and wise Gambian citizens themselves. He said he had already met with several members of the board and was opportune to put to them that they must develop accountability and deepen it in the country.

This board, he explained will also provide greater support to the country director and her team.  Among the targets of the board, Singh added, is to have a seat at the international assembly. He then highlighted some of the achievements registered by the Gambian branch such as the construction of schools, cooperatives, supporting women's gardeners and capacity building among others.