By: Binta Jaiteh
Dr. Momodou Tangara, Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Gambians Abroad said Cybercrime has emerged as a grave concern, affecting nations worldwide and transcending boundaries.
He made this remark at the opening ceremony of a 4-day Training on Cyber security and Cybercrime for Public Officials organized by the Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption Center (ROLACC) in The Gambia. It was held at Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara International Conference Centre, Bijilo.
Minister Tangara said cybercrime does not discriminate, it affects individuals, businesses, and governments alike and its impact extends far beyond financial losses, undermining the trust and confidence they place in the digital systems and impeding socio-economic development.
“This training programme holds immense importance in our collective efforts to achieve the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, the African Union Agenda 2063, and the ECOWAS cyber security strategy. As we strive to create a prosperous and inclusive future for our nations, it is vital that we address the challenges posed by cybercrime and strengthen our cyber security capabilities,” he stated.
He pointed out that it is widely recognized that Cybercrime has become a global epidemic, with rapidly evolving threats that transcend borders, geography, and national jurisdictions. Meanwhile, the drivers behind cybercrime are diverse, ranging from financial gain to political motivations, espionage, and even terrorism, he noted.
“As public officials, we bear a significant responsibility in safeguarding our nations from cyber threats. Our governments rely heavily on digital infrastructure to deliver services, manage critical systems, and communicate with citizens. Therefore, it is paramount that we equip ourselves,” he stressed.
Mr. Youssef Buhindi of ROLACC – Qatar – Doha, Rule of Law and Anticorruption Centre speaking on behalf of His Excellency Dr. Al Bin Fetais Al Marri who doubles as the chairman of United Nations Special Advocate for Prevention of Corruption and Chairman of ROLACC, added that Cybercrime is one of the most dangerous threats to governments today, and if countries do not take steps to protect themselves, this threat can stop governments from being able to function and serve their citizens.
“Through working together, we have delivered two previous training programmes in Doha for Gambian public officials on cybercrime topics, and now we are very happy to deliver this important workshop here in the beautiful city of Banjul, with world-class experts from ROLACC, UNITAR, the CIFAL network, and of course the Gambia’s Ministry of Communication and Digital Economy,” he said.