The Gambian leader, His Excellency Sheikh Professor Alhaji Dr Yahya Jammeh was Friday conferred with the 'Pride of African Women Award' by the Women Advancement for Economic and Leadership Empowerment in Africa (WAELE) a Pan-African women organisation, in recognition of his good governance, as well as his stride in the empowerment and advancement of African women, including Gambian women.

The president was also officially decorated at the same occasion by the founder and president of WAELE, Dr Basirat Nahibi, as the 'Grand Patron' of the organisation, with a membership spread over all the regions of the continent.All these developments came hard on the heels of a visit to The Gambia by Dr Nahibi and a high-powered delegation from WAELE two months a ago to applaud the Gambian leader for his outstanding women empowerment initiatives, which prompted them to appoint him as the Grand Patron of WAELE, as well as announce their intention to award him the aforementioned prestigious accolade.

Receiving the 'Pride of African Women Award' president expressed his profound gratitude and sincere appreciation to WAELE for the prestigious award, stating that it recognises his achievements, while at the same time challenged him to do more.He reassured the women of his support to the organisation and his stance against people "who do not wish Africa well" and are outside of the continent by creating "non-existent scenarios" as to what is happening in the continent; how terrible it is; how the women are marginalised and treated in Africa, amongst others.

"In any part of the world where you go to, there are evil people that maltreat their wives and even women that also maltreat their husbands; parents that maltreat their children; and children that maltreat their parents. But whereas in other parts of the world especially the developed North it is not generalised; in Africa one incident can be generalised to mean that is the habit of Africans, which is unacceptable," the president told the women activists.

The Gambian leader also explained to the Pan African women activists how he encourages women in politics and leadership in The Gambia through nominations into the National Assembly, given their shy nature of restricting themselves to certain areas, stating that since the advent of the revolution, they have been empowering women even from day one. He reminded them that the vice president of this country is a woman, who has been serving in that capacity from 1996 to date, making her the longest serving female vice president in the world.

The president went on to assure them that the struggle of the African woman cannot be separated from the struggle of the average African - male or female. He stressed that it is not the African women that are suffering alone but all of us as Africans simply because the continent is being exploited. He further stressed that none of those people talking outside Africa want to see a developed, prosperous, dignified and independent Africa.

"During colonial era it used to be divide and rule; but now it is divide and exploit," the president pointed out, declaring that the status quo will not be accepted.

Good leadership
President Jammeh stated the need for Africans -men and women, to pull their weight together and fight for the emancipation of the continent, while also emphasising that Africans should always ensure that we have good leadership. He further stated the need to have good leadership in Africa; one that is here to protect the interest of Africans, observing that some of the leaders are not serving African interests"A leader is there because you are leading the people and if you don't serve the interest of your people, you are not a good leader and you are not fit to be a leader," the president said.

He challenged Africans to work together, rise up together, and work hand-in-glove with view to ensure that the citizens of the continent reap the wealth of resources Africa is endowed with.Reiterating commendation to WAELE for the award given to him, the president concluded by assuring them that he will be with them all along. He also commended the organisation for being independent in their operation.

The vice president and minister of Women's Affairs, Her Excellency Aja Dr Isatou Njie-Saidy, applauded the move by the women to award President Jammeh such a prestigious accolade, recalling that this is not the first time that African women are recognising the strides made by the president to the cause of advancing and empowering women.

Noting that President Jammeh has addressed all the critical issues in terms of women empowerment, VP Njie-Saidy stated that The Gambia is moving far under his leadership. She spoke at length on the achievements of the Gambian leader, reminding the women activists that he compliments the efforts of Africa in ensuring that women participated in peace reconstruction.

The minister of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Gambians Abroad, Dr Mammadou Tangara, who spoke at length on the numerous achievements including women empowerment initiatives of President Jammeh, applauded WAELE for the award given to the president, noting that the women activists have chosen the right person.

Speaking earlier, the founder and president of WAELE, Dr Basirat Nahibi commended President Jammeh for his achievements in the empowerment and advancement of women, while specifically commending his government for the implementation of the Beijing Platform of Action.

"You are the first president in the West Saharan Africa to have a female vice president for the last 15 years. The speaker of the Gambian parliament is also a woman," she stated, hailing him for the many appointments of women into high decision-making positions.She informed the president about their 3rd conference in which 35 countries participated including delegations from Europe, America, amongst others, noting that the conference deliberated on key issues affecting African women.

Giving a rundown of the achievements registered by the organisation, Dr Nahibi, a Nigerian, explained to the president with delight that today, Sudan and Chad are having a good relationship thanks to their peace negotiation efforts in 2008 when they visited the heads of states of the two countries, which heralded positive new cordial relations soon after their visits.

She also disclosed to the Grand Patron of the organisation [President Jammeh] that they have been empowering more than 10,000 women, and provided relief services to Chad, amongst others. She assured the president that WAELE is working very hard to ensure that the voice of the African women is hard across the continent.

The WAELE president also told the Gambian leader that her organisation works independently with a view to be guided by their own dictates.While soliciting more support and advice from the president, Dr Basirat Nahibi assured that her organisation is resolved to speak for African leaders.