The Early Childhood Development Schools (Nursery Schools) in Western Region, last Saturday celebrated the country's 44th year of nationhood at a colourful ceremony held at the Canaan Technical Institute football grounds in Brikama.

The celebration is annually organised by the Early Childhood Development Association in the region. Over ninety Early Childhood Development (ECD) schools in the region took part in the celebration, which was attended by the secretary of state for Trade and Employment, the deputy governor of Western Region, the chairman of the Brikama Area Council and the paramount chief.

During the celebration, the ECD children represented government officials. Haruna Jabang, a student from Kinderdorf Bottrop Kindergarten who represented the governor of Western Region gave the independence message on behalf of President Jammeh after inspecting the guard of honour. In his statement, Jabang called on the people to take new resolves towards the development of the country. The attainment of peace and development, he reminded the gathering, calls for total commitment of time and resources.

The young Jabang further used the platform to add weight to President Jammeh's warning about Operation No Compromise, saying "my government will never compromise with people who will attempt to destabilise the development of this country."