The Gambian leader, His Excellency Sheikh Professor Alhaji Dr. Yahya AJJ Jammeh has expressed his profound gratitude and appreciation to Gambian women from across the country, following their massive show of support and solidarity for his farming activities geared towards making The Gambia a food self-sufficient nation. This was contained in a press release from State House.

The president also extended his heartfelt condolences to the family of the Late Mrs. Mary Catherine Mendy Johnson, who passed away in an unfortunate motor traffic accident on her way to Kanilai last weekend.

Below is the full text of the release.

In recognition of the massive show of support and solidarity from the women folk of The Gambia to His Excellency the President’s farming activities geared towards making The Gambia self-sufficient in food production by"growing what we eat, eating what we grow", as amply demonstrated over the past weekend, His Excellency the President of the Republic of The Gambia, Sheikh Professor Alhaji Dr. Yahya A.J.J. Jammeh, GMRG, would like to convey the profound gratitude and sincere appreciation of his family and his humble self, to Her Excellency, the Vice-President and the Women of The Gambia.

In the same vein, His Excellency the President is extending his most fervent prayers and best wishes to all those who in one way or the other participated directly and indirectly and in this weekend's exercise for their unique show of solidarity and support, especially by The Gambian Women including those from the business community that have generously contributed large quantities of food items among others.  Special thanks and appreciation go the Vice-President and the organising committee, institutions, the Mauritanian community, and the armed and security forces.

His Excellency the President would like to seize this opportunity to hereby convey heartfelt condolences and sympathy to the Gambian women in general, and the family of the Late Mrs Mary Catherine Mendy Johnson, in particular, who passed away in an unfortunate motor traffic accident on her way to Kanilai.  As we mourn this tragic and irreplaceable loss, we pray that Allah grant her soul with eternal blessings in the hereafter as well as pray for speedy recovery for those injured and hospitalized as a result of this unfortunate accident.