Emmanuel Ochayi
Gambia’s President Adama Barrow has conferred the prestigious Grand Commander of the Order of the Republic of The Gambia on Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, President of the African Development Bank Group.
This esteemed honor was awarded in recognition of Adesina’s exemplary leadership and his profound contributions to both the development of The Gambia and Africa as a whole in a ceremony held in Soma on Monday.
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During the ceremony, President Barrow emphasized the significance of this recognition, stating, “Dr. Adesina’s tireless efforts have truly made a difference in the development landscape of our nation and the entire continent.”
In his acceptance speech, Adesina expressed his humility, saying, “Sometimes, I wonder what I have done to deserve such an award. The honor you have bestowed on me is not just personal. It reflects the long partnership that the Bank has had with The Gambia.”
Adesina also shared his commitment to supporting The Gambia’s aspirations, particularly in becoming self-sufficient in rice production. He recalled his past experience as a rice researcher in the country and pledged the African Development Bank’s support for The Gambia’s rice value chains, aiming to produce an additional 200,000 tonnes of paddy rice by 2028 and reduce rice imports to zero.
This ceremony marked a historic moment in the relationship between The Gambia and the African Development Bank, with Adesina’s visit being the first by a Bank Group President in nearly 50 years since The Gambia joined the institution. The African Development Bank has invested a total of $540 million in The Gambia since its partnership began in 1974.
Adesina’s recognition is a testament to his remarkable leadership and the enduring collaboration between the African Development Bank and The Gambia, highlighting the commitment to furthering development and prosperity in the region.
