Dr Patrick Chang, the Taiwanese Ambassador to The Gambia is due to leave Banjul on the 1st May, 2008, after a successful three-year tour of duty in The Gambia as the head of Taiwan's diplomatic mission.

Speaking to Journalist at his office in Kanifing, Dr Chang thanked the government of The Gambia and the Gambian people under President Jammeh's leadership for the hospitality accorded him during his stay in The Gambia.

He spoke on the various projects and support undertaken by the government of Taiwan to the people of The Gambia during his three-year mission in The Gambia.

He recalled the numerous Taiwanese interventions like the construction of Siffoe Senior Secondary School, Mayork Senior School, a conference center and a recording studio and the Science and Technology academy in Kanilai.

He then noted that, during his stay in The Gambia, the government of Taiwan through its embassy in Banjul also awarded scholarship for undergraduate, MA and PhD programmes in Taiwan and also constructed feeder roads, renovated the Yundum and Basse military barracks, installation of street lights and also a sum of US$700,000 presented to support President Jammeh's Empowerment of Girls Education Program (PEGEP) which is a yearly pledge. He also highlighted the support rendered to the University of The Gambia and also the 221 motorbikes the government of Taiwan donated to the Gambia Police Force.

On Agriculture  

Ambassador Chang reiterated the major successes registered by the Taiwan's Technical Mission over the years.

On Health

He added that his embassy also provided funds for the Polio Vaccination, Meningitis, Avian Flu and supply of ICT Scanners and Haemodialisis Machine for the Royal Victoria Teaching Hospital(RVTH), as well as in the area of humanitarian crisis such as disaster and flooding. He expressed optimistic that his successor, Dr Richard Shih, who is due in Banjul on the 15th of May 2008, will continue from were he stop, and even do more than what he did. He then declared his intention to retire after serving his country for ten years in Africa.