GAF intensifies effort towards food self-sufficiency As State Guard battalion inaugurates fishing boat

President Jammeh’s call for food self-sufficiency has been gaining momentum from across a wider spectrum of society.

The latest group of people to have heeded the call by the president is the Gambia Armed Forces, whose State Guard battalion last Thursday inaugurated a brand new fishing boat. Constructed at the tune of over three hundred thousand dalasi, the idea behind such an initiative is meant to respond to President Jammeh’s call for food self-sufficiency in the country. The initiative, according to officials, also aims at supplementing the feeding programmes of members of the State Guard battalion.

Speaking at a ceremony held at the Banjul Fishing Coast, Lt - Col. Serign Modou Njie, officer commanding, State Guard battalion, said that they are aware of the president’s clarion call for food self-sufficiency, and that they had thought it wise to put their heads together in order to make a difference in this noble crusade. "We believe that the purpose of the president’s back-to-the-land call is for us to become food self-sufficient, and by this way, we are certain that we can achieve the ultimate goal by going to the sea and engage in fishing," he stated.

According to OC Njie, this bold step to engage in fishing activities will no doubt boost their feeding programmes. He promised that in the event a big catch is made, they will not hesitate to share with other units within the security services. Commending President Jammeh for his source of inspiration and encouragement, OC Njie also hailed other stakeholders for their vital support to the initiative. Deputising for the chief of Defence Staff of The Gambia Armed Forces, Lt. Col Yankuba Drammeh, chief of Army Staff, commended the State Guard battalion for being in the forefront of responding positively to the president’s food self-sufficiency drive.

In his perspective, tilling the land is not the only way of responding to the clarion call of back-to-the-land. Fishing, he argued, serves the most suitable way for other people who may not have the space. He stated that the idea behind the initiative is to achieve food self-sufficiency, saying whatever ways and means applied in ensuring that is worthy of commendation.

While commending President Jammeh for being a source of inspiration to Gambians in the quest for food self-sufficiency, Army Chief of Staff Drammeh called on members of the Armed Forces to be loyal and proud in serving the great nation of The Gambia.