By Yunus S Saliu
The International Organization for Migration (IOM) – Gambia, Monday, kicked-start a three-day training program for Tourism Security Unit (TSU) on Trafficking In Persons (TIP).
The ongoing TIP training at Senegambia Hotel Kololi implemented by the IOM is financially supported by the US State Department’s Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons. It is a three-year project aimed at supporting national efforts to combat trafficking. And it forms part of the IOM’s efforts in engaging the Gambian tourism sector in efforts to identify and combat trafficking.
In his opening remarks, His Excellency Richard Carlton Paschal III, Ambassador of United States to The Gambia thanked IOM for implementing the project and as well for their support and sponsoring a series of events in the country.
He said The Gambia is a hospitable tourism country that welcomes people genuinely and as well shares culture.
The Ambassador noted the importance of the organized trafficking in persons training which he said the trainees will learn about the concepts of TIP, identification and referral mechanisms among other aspects.
He emphasized on the important role of tourism in the country saying “tourism is vital in The Gambia” representing about 20% of the country’s GDP and provides livelihood income for thousands of Gambian citizens.
Addressing the participants, Abdoullie Hydara, Director General, Gambia Tourism Board described the training as a product of a strong collaboration and partnership that GTBoard has carved out with IOM.
As the training is in line with the Gambia Master Plan document, he informed participants that The Gambia’s position at Tier 3 in terms of trafficking in persons, child protection and prevention, valuable migrant children at risk among others will as well discuss adequately during the ongoing training.
For Gambia to successfully tackle the problem of TIP and child abuse, a strong collaboration and partnership with relevant stakeholders including police, government and civil society organizations must be prioritized thus “we thought it is necessary and urgent to partner and collaborate with IOM, US Embassy and Gambia Police Force to rollout this training program for officers of TSU and GTBoard,” he stated.
Representing the Department for Strategic Policy and Delivery (DSOPD) and the Office of the President, Ismaila Danso, Director of Delivery thanked all the relevant stakeholders for combating trafficking in persons in The Gambia.
He expressed delight on the training which he said has come at a better time when the country has unfortunately placed in tier 3 from tier 2 in the 2019 Human Trafficking Report.
He said trafficking in persons is a crime and human rights abuse. He therefore encouraged participants to be regular and attentive at the training as it is designed to provide them with the knowledge and skills necessary to identify and refer victims of human trafficking in line with national legislation and international instruments.
Etinne Micallef, speaking on behalf of Fumiko Nagano – Chief of Mission IOM, disclosed that tourism brings people together, expand perspectives and horizons and as well represents a powerful force for positive change.
Among other things, he said tourism help to create jobs, fuel economic growth and sustain development. He went further that the interconnectedness that brings people closer together, of which tourism and travel are integral parts, “is also extremely vulnerable to the predations of organized criminal syndicates who want to benefit from the clandestine criminal business of human trafficking.”
He therefore thanked the US government for the utmost generosity which has truly allowed for continued support in enhancing National Efforts to Combat Trafficking in Persons in The Gambia.
Tulai Jawara executive Director of National Agency Against Trafficking in Person (NAATIP) gave a detail background and as well dilated on the trafficking in persons act which established National Agency Against Trafficking in Person.
She noted that the country is not only a source for trafficking in persons but also a transit point while she gave a comprehensive meaning of TIP as there are two types of TIP known as internal and external trafficking.
The training package included counter trafficking programs in The Gambia, concept of trafficking in persons, identification and indicators of a victim of trafficking, role of NAATIP in preventing TIP in the Gambia and among other topics.