The Taiwanese embassy in The Gambia, last Tuesday, handed over a cheque for US$625,000, equivalent to D16.25M, to the President's Empowerment of Girl's Education Project (PEGEP), at a ceremony held at the Office of the Secretary General and Head of Civil Service, at State House, Banjul.

Handed over to Abdoulie Sallah, the secretary general and head of the civil service, by Ambassador Richard Shih, the money is meant  for the payment of tuition fees for students under PEGEP for the academic year 2008/2009. In total, 36, 506 female students in 126 schools in the Greater Banjul Area are benefitting from this project.

Presenting the cheque, Ambassador Shih said that as a sincere partner in the progress and development of The Gambia, the government of the Republic of China (Taiwan) has provided funding of over US$5.55 Million equivalent to D14.3 Billion since 2002 in support of the project. According to him, the project has contributed tremendously to the promotion of gender equality and female education in The Gambia. He praised the efforts of President Jammeh in establishing such a viable project, assuring  the Republic of China (Taiwan)'s continued support to the development process of The Gambia.

Receiving the cheque, SG Abdoulie Sallah saluted the Taiwanese government through its Banjul embassy for their continued support in the development in various sectors in The Gambia. He highlighted the importance of girl's education in any society, particularly The Gambia. According to him, prior to the launching of PEGEP in 2002, the enrolment of girls in schools was very low. "But since the inception of PEGEP, it has greatly encouraged female students to go to school. This is yet another positive move in the education sector," he said.

He then saluted the government of the Republic of China (Taiwan) for their continued support and assured them that the money will be put to its intended purpose. SG Sallah then handed over the cheque to Hon. Abba Sanyang, the National Assembly member for Foni Kansala and coordinator of the President's Empowerment of Girl's Education Project.