Alhaji Dr Yahya Jammeh, the Gambian leader, on Wednesday received in his office at State House in Banjul  Madam Leticia Moratti, Lady Mayoress of Milan, Italy.

Speaking at the occassion, President Jammeh described Italy as a true friend of The Gambia. He recalled that Italy stood by The Gambia government during the difficult days (the transition period).  "Italy has assisted us in the areas of health and agriculture," he said. President Jammeh also told the Milan mayoress that his government has prioritised key sectors in national development, namely education, agriculture, health, infrastructure etc.  "Among all these sectors, education is my first priority because today, Africa's most dangerous disease is ignorance.

Ignorance kills more Africans than HIV/Aids, malaria and other diseases. Can you imagine, in some countries, children at the age of 9 are trained to kill and most children, instead of going to school, will be sleeping in refugee camps.  What type of leaders will such children become in the future?  That is why education is my priority. The only way to ensure a vibrant future for Africa is to educate our children. Education is indispensable," President Jammeh explained.

Dilating on agricultural issues, President Jammeh said more than 350,000 hectares of land are expected to be set aside for rice cultivation by 2015, to enable Gambians to become food self-sufficient, as well as to export rice out of the country.

On health, President Jammeh said as part of the pledge to fulfil the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) by 2015, government will ensure that enough health facilities are provided in the rural and urban areas.

He thanked the mayoress of Milan for her pledge to support the agricultural, health and educational sectors of The Gambia.
President Jammeh finally reminded Gambians to go back to the land in order to easily attain the food self-sufficiency dream.
 
The Milan mayoress, who was accompanied by a high powered delegation led by Wilson Shyngle, the deputy mayor of Banjul, and Yankuba Colley, mayor of Kanifing Municipal Council, said her visit to The Gambia is facilitate a partnership with the country for development, especially in the areas of agriculture, health, education, infrastructure, and environment.

She expressed profound gratitude and appreciation to the people of the Gambia for the warm reception accorded to her and her delegation.
Other speakers included Dr Malick Njie, secretary of state for Health and Social Welfare; Dr Omar Touray, the Foreign Affairs secretary of state; and Mayor Yankuba Colley of the Kanifing municipal council.

While still at State House, Mayoress Moratti presented a brand new Ambulance (Land Cruiser) to the SoS for Health and Social Welfare, Dr Malick Njie at State House.  Mayoress Moratti said the ambulance was a gift to the Royal Victoria Teaching Hospital (RVTH), the country's main referral hospital.
President Jammeh also presented some gifts to the Milan mayoress at the end of the ceremony.