The Gambian leader, Professor Alhaji Dr Yahya Jammeh, last Friday afternoon received in audience Barry Wells, The United States ambassador to the Gambia, at State House.

Ambassador Wells's visit, which is said to be a routine, was meant to discuss with Professor Jammeh an array of issues that the two countries have in common as well as the cooperation that exist between Banjul and Washington DC.

Speaking to reporters shortly after his audience with the Gambian leader, Ambassador Wells said the audience accorded him the opportunity to discuss about how much they are committed to working with The Gambia, particularly in areas like education. He told reporters that they discussed issues surrounding democracy and the promotion of education through initiatives such as the Ambassador's Girls' Scholarship Programme, as well as a programme that help refugees along the Casamance  border in The Gambia.  

In addition, he noted that the Ambassador Self Help Fund Initiative, which is designed to support small projects throughout the country, provides milling machines to women, and support school infrastructure, amongst others. "Direct assistance to communities is something that we think has a great deal of impact on communities. Our Peace Corps volunteers are good examples of that, as they work directly with the Gambian communities and help them in addressing issues that they face on daily basis," he said.

The United States Ambassador concluded by indicating that that the Gambian leader was pleased with the cooperation between Banjul and Washington DC.