Significant contribution to the development of handicrafts in Senegal from Turkey

The new workshops of the Dakar Handicrafts Training Center were inaugurated with the participation of Minister of Family and Social Services Mahinur Özdemir Göktaş and Senegal’s Minister of Tourism and Handicrafts Mountaga Diao. The opening ceremony took place under the auspices of Emine Erdoğan, the wife of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, as part of the ‘African Cultural House Project’, where equipment support was provided to the Dakar Handicrafts Training Center and new workshops were opened. During the event, Minister Göktaş, speaking in French, began by conveying the greetings of Emine Erdoğan and expressing her pleasure to be in Dakar. Stating that she attended the event on behalf of Emine Erdoğan, who wholeheartedly supports the project, Göktaş said, ‘As Turkey, we are very pleased to contribute to the development of Senegal’s handicrafts and to support Senegal.’ Göktaş mentioned that thanks to the contributions of TIKA, new equipment and workshops were provided to the Dakar Handicrafts Training Center, where various training programs such as ceramics and leatherworking are offered, providing both economic support to the participants and contributing to the development of Senegal’s handicrafts. Highlighting the importance President Erdoğan’s wife Emine Erdoğan attaches to the African continent, Göktaş reminded the audience of her first book titled ‘My Travels in Africa’, where she reflects on her impressions and memories from her trips to Africa. Describing the center as an important example of Turkey’s determination to enhance its relations with Senegal, Göktaş stated that the project will significantly contribute to the economic independence of women. Stressing that the project also supports women in the field of entrepreneurship, Göktaş emphasized that in our relations with Africa, the principle of ‘win-win’ always prevails, and that Turkey will continue to develop its relations with Senegal across all fields. Göktaş concluded her speech with the local Wolof expression ‘hep birlikteyiz’ (we are all together). Minister of Tourism and Handicrafts of Senegal, Mountaga Diao, also emphasized the close relations between Senegal and Turkey. Expressing his satisfaction with Turkey’s contributions to the development of the country’s handicrafts, Diao stated, ‘The opening of this center is also a testament to Turkey’s generosity. At the same time, this project will make a significant contribution to the development of handicrafts in Senegal.’ Diao conveyed the gratitude of Senegal’s President Bassirou Diomaye Faye and Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko for the project, mentioning that they are aware of the importance Emine Erdoğan attaches to the African continent, which makes them very happy. Following the speeches, Ministers Göktaş and Diao cut the ribbon to inaugurate the new workshops and put the new equipment into service. After the opening, the two Ministers toured the Center to examine the work on site. Meanwhile, during the ceremony held outdoors in the city where the temperature approached 40 degrees Celsius, women were assigned to hold umbrellas to protect the speakers from the sun. When it was her turn to speak, Minister Göktaş thanked the women and requested that the umbrellas not be held. The event was attended by Turkey’s Ambassador to Dakar Nur Sağman, TİKA Vice President Rahman Nurdan, President of the African Cultural House Zeliha Sağlam, and other officials.