The Minister of Interior, Seyaka Sonko recently presided over a reception ceremony for 19 security personnel from the Ministry of Interior and its line departments, who attended a 3-week bilateral capacity building seminar for law enforcement personnel on safety and security, held in the People’s Republic of China from 5th to 25th May, 2023.
The reception was organised by the Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to The Gambia, H.E Lui Jin.
Speaking at the ceremony, the Minister of Interior, Seyaka Sonko, on behalf of the President of the Republic of the Gambia, His Excellency Adama Barrow, expressed his heartfelt appreciation to the government of the People’s Republic of China through the Ambassador, for successfully organising this capacity building programme. The gesture, he said, is a clear manifestation of China’s commitment to partnering with the Government of The Gambia in enhancing The Gambia’s national development efforts.
Minister Sonko noted that the successful organisation of the seminar would further strengthen ties between his ministry and the government of the People’s Republic of China for the mutual benefit of both countries. “At this juncture, I would like to reaffirm the government of The Gambia’s commitment to supporting the One China Policy through enhanced diplomacy,’’ he said.
He further said that his Ministry would like to continue working cordially with the Chinese Ambassador. “As part of the ongoing security sector programme in The Gambia, we hope that more capacity building opportunities will be accorded to our security personnel especially on long term trainings in specialised area’’, he said.
The Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China, H.E Lui Jin went on to announce that this year his embassy plans to make sure at least 300 Gambians travel to China for the exchange programme.
About the training outcome, he said the feedback got from Shandong Police College in Jinan is that “you are very friendly, cooperative, energetic, disciplined and humorous. I am not surprise to hear this kind of feedback because I know that humor is in your blood, because you are from the Smiling Coast”.
He expressed optimism that participants will implement the knowledge and experience gained from the training.
Ensa Jawara, Commissioner of The Gambia Immigration Department, Head of Gambian delegation, said the training will go a long way towards complementing government’s efforts in improving the security sector and in enforcing their mandate to combat crime.
He acknowledged that all the courses offered to them during the training were very relevant to their responsibilities. He said it will increase their capacity in due execution of their functions as law enforcement officers.
Commissioner Jawara extended gratitude to the facilitators and entire team in China for their professionalism, kindness and generosity during the course of the training. He thanked the Government of China through the Ambassador for facilitating such a timely and significant training.
