The vice president and minister of Women's Affairs, Her Excellency Aja Dr. Isatou Njie-Saidy, Wednesday afternoon bade farewell to the outgoing Cuban ambassador to The Gambia at her office at State House in Banjul.

Ambassador Ines Fors Fernandez has completed a four-year diplomatic mission in The Gambia, and will be returning to Havana next month to pick-up new responsibilities at the Cuban Foreign Affairs Ministry. Speaking during the brief ceremony, Vice President Njie-Saidy said President Jammeh, who is a good friend of Cuba, has always been advocating for a greater sense of justice the world should direct to the South American nation. The Gambia, she said, appreciates in no small measure, the support it has been receiving from the government of Cuba, ranging from health to sports and other development areas. "We wish you well in your new responsibility back home in Cuba," the VP remarked, while acknowledging the great contributions to the country's health sector by the Cuban doctors.

The VP also acknowledged that the medical assistance through the Cuban doctors has resulted in drastic reduction of the rate of malaria in the country. While noting that many Gambians and other Africans were trained in Cuba in many fields of discipline, she indicated that many still continue to pursue their education there. "This is why Africa will never ignore Cuba," she concluded.

Ambassador Ines Fors Fernandez, for her part, described The Gambia as her second home and that of many other Cuban nationals.

She said her country has had a rich historical relationship with The Gambia with a cooperation focused mainly in the areas of health and sports. "We believe that our presence in The Gambia is contributing to the country's economy," she added.