By: Haruna Kuyateh
Action Aid International the Gambia Juffureh Office on Wednesday organised the second edition of Community Bantabaon peace and security for the people of Jokadou and Lower Badibou, the forum was held at the Regional Education Directorate in Kerewan North Bank Region.
The event brings together regional security heads, young people, women, Persons With Disabilities, and local authorities (chiefs) to discuss security challenges, and how stakeholders can work together to enhance peace and security in the region.
Saikou Darboe, Programme Manager, Juffureh Office described the engagement as crucial in providing space for security to interact with communities in sharing the mandate of Gambia Police Force, Gambia Immigration Department, and Drug Law Enforcement Agency.
He thanked the Board of Directors of ActionAid for the foresight, noting that the organization lined up three Community Bantaba on Peace and Security targeted Farafenni, Kerewan, and Barra to help citizens understand the importance of peace and security in strengthening democratic governance and social accountability.
He reminded them of Action Aid International The Gambia’s core value and mandate to promote a human rights-based approach to development and, therefore, the basis of attaining that is through sustainable peace and security.
Ansumana Kinteh, Regional Police Commissioner hailed Action Aid for the foresight in complementing the Gambia Police Force bridging community participation in promoting peace and security.
Commissioner Kinteh hailed Chief Alpha Mariam Khan of Jokadou for the passion and commitment demonstrated in community policing, noting that the move has contributed to promoting peace and security in the area.
Notwithstanding, he urged the government and stakeholders to support and provide additional logistics, vehicles, and manpower to respond to the timely security needs of the population.
Sergeant Ousman Manga of Gambia Immigration Department in Farafenni called on alkalolu to ensure all non-Gambian farmers are registered with the Immigration office to ensure compliance on payment of revenue,
this he said would contribute to enhancing human security, adding that there is a need for people to acquire national documents from Immigration, as it is in the best interest of such persons.
Inspector Lamin Badgie of the Drug Law Enforcement Agency spoke at length about the significance of the fight against drugs and its negative effects on the youth.
Chief Alpha Mariam Khan of Jokadou lauded the efforts of security forces in promoting the concept of Community Policing, noting that the move contributes to safeguarding properties and human lives.
More so, he said the forum provided an opportunity to learn more about the mandate of each security department and call on citizens to be more responsive to develop positive attitudes and behavior towards security forces and desist from putting the law into their hands.
Chief Inspector and Assistant Station Officer Babucarr Njie at Barra Police Station and Demba Bah Chief Inspector of Kerewan Police Station underscored the police and other security forces’ commitment to border and community patrols meant to ensure the safety and protection of people and properties.
