The Gambia will host the first ever major
international conference on Ebola in West Africa at the end of February.
Organised by the Sierra Leone Embassy in The Gambia, in collaboration with the
Ministry of Health, the conference will for the first time bring together a
large cadre of international personalities from different professions dealing
with the Ebola crises.
Addressing a preparatory press conference
yesterday at their new Bijilo Embassy compound, the Sierra Leonean ambassador
to The Gambia, Soulay Daramy, explained that the initiative was taken by his
office which has set up a unit called Rescue Sierra Leone and it is aimed at
complimenting efforts to fight Ebola back home.
Ambassador Daramy said the conference is by
extension a venture of the Mano River region, and it was only confirmed after
thorough consultation with the Gambia’s Ministry of Health.
“This conference which is tentatively,
slated from 26-28 February is designed to hold a soul searching discussion on
the roots and branches of the cause of Ebola, its origins, effects and other
complications; this rare disease that has caused immense havoc in the Mano
River region of West Africa,”
Ambassador Daramy further said: “We will
have scientists, journalists, politicians, biologists and other renowned
professionals from across the world to this Banjul conference. We are hopeful
that such a meeting is essential to sensitise the people both in Africa and
beyond to ensure a proper comprehension of the issues surrounding this Ebola
sickness.”
He further revealed that The Gambia has
been chosen to host this seminar because of its strategic location and the all
important reason that it is seen to be the safest and most comfortable venue
since it is Ebola free.
“In addition, the Gambian president is the
first person to have supported the Ebola-hit nations through huge financial
donations on the very onset of the crises,” Daramy said.
According to him, The Gambia plays host to
a large number of Sierra Leoneans which made it a unique and strategic place to
conveniently propagate proper education and information about Ebola to not just
Sierra Leoneans here but the world beyond.
The Ambassador said it is hoped that this
Banjul conference, with all its important and key attendants, will positively
change the misconceptions about Ebola. “The devastation caused by this, and the
often stigmatisation of the whole of West Africa needs to be halted,” he
stressed.
Ambassador Daramy said they had already
worked out with Ministry of Health as to who can come, what the topics are,
noting that all necessary information have been supplied.
Other speakers at the press conference
included Augustine Smith, a member of
the Rescue Sierra Leone Committee and Andrew Kamara, head of chancery.
By Lamin Cham & Abdoulie Nget
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