His Excellency Maitre Abdoulaye Wade, the president of the Republic of Senegal and His Excellency General Saikouba Konateh, president of the Republic of Guinea Conakry, accompanied by high-ranking delegations, yesterday attended celebrations marking The Gambia?s 45th Independence Anniversary, at the July 22nd Square in Banjul.

The two leaders joined their Gambian counterpart, His Excellency Sheikh Professor Alhaji Dr Yahya AJJ Jammeh, diplomats, dignitaries, school students, parents, the security forces and the rest of the Gambian population to celebrate the occasion.

The Senegalese leader, Maitre Abdoulaye Wade, arrived in The Gambia Wednesday evening around 6pm. Dressed in a traditional Khaftan, the Senegalese leader was received at the foot of the aircraft by his Gambian counterpart and host, President Jammeh, Her Excellency Aja Dr Isatou Njie-Saidy, vice president and minister of Women's Affairs, the Speaker of the National Assembly Elizabeth Renner, Dr Njogou Bah, secretary general and head of the Civil Service, cabinet ministers, National Assembly members, security chiefs, Gambians, as well as Senegalese nationals residing in The Gambia.

The Senegalese leader inspected a Guard of Honour mounted by the Gambia Armed Forces, and was further accorded a warm and friendly welcome as Gambians and Senegalese nationals residing in the country lined the streets on the highway from the airport to Westfield. From the airport, the presidential convoy drove through Banjulinding, Lamin, Abuko, Tabokoto, Tallinding, Westfield and on to Banjul.

The Guinean leader, His Excellency General Saikouba Konateh, arrived in The Gambia on Thursday morning around 8:30am. He was also received at the foot of the aircraft by his Gambian counterpart and host, His Excellency Sheikh Professor Alhaji Dr Yahya AJJ Jammeh.  Also present at the airport to welcome the Guinean leader, were the vice president and minister of Women's Affairs; Her Excellency Aja Dr Isatou Njie-Saidy, Hon Elizabeth Renner, the Speaker of the National Assembly, cabinet ministers, service chiefs, dignitaries, Guineans residing in The Gambia and a cross- section of the Gambian population.

Reception
As a tradition, the president of the Republic on the eve of national  events like  independence celebrations, hosts a reception at State House. Wednesday was no exception to this tradition. Dignitaries from all works of life (both public and private sector), cabinet ministers, former goverment officials, National Assembly members, managing directors, permanent secretaries, diplomats and other invited guests all attended the reception at State House. Various cultural troupes also performed at the reception to entertain the invited guests and dignitaries.

However, the reception reached its climax when the Gambian leader, His Excellency Sheikh Professor Alhaji Dr Yahya AJJ Jammeh and his Senegalese counterpart Maitre Abdoulaye Wade appeared at the venue to grace the important event. After dinner was served, the two leaders were entertained by cultural troupes.