Gambia: New British High Commissioner commends President Barrow on democratic reforms
Banjul, Gambia (PANA) – The New British High Commissioner to The Gambia, David Belgrove, has commended President Adama Barrow on the progress made on the democratic reforms, saying he would like to build upon the long history of friendship between The Gambia and the UK.
Belgrove was speaking on Wednesday when he presented his Letters of Credence at the State House in Banjul.
Belgrove said: “I congratulated the President on the democratic reforms The Gambia had made to date and how we wish to be at work with The Gambia as friends and build on those reforms. In addition, we want to continue and build on the work on a good number of areas, including democracy, Human Rights, security sector reform, health, education, all of those things we want to continue to build on.’’
Belgrove also revealed that he wants to help the Gambian government with the economic recovery after COVID-19, as well as attract more investment from the UK into The Gambia.
In the area of defense, he expressed UK’s optimism to do more on training, mentoring and building the capacity of The Gambia Armed Forces.
Belgrove, until his posting to The Gambia, was the British High Commissioner to Liberia, and has served the Foreign Office in different capacities around the world.
Responding, President Barrow said both The Gambia and the UK benefitted from the historic ties between the two countries.
He also said that he values and respects the independence of institutions such as the judiciary and the National Assembly, stressing that he believes in democracy and wants the rejected draft Constitutional to be part of his legacy and will continue to engage his Cabinet and other stakeholders on the way forward.
-0- PANA MSS/VAO 30Sept2020
