The Gambia Immigration Department recently ended a five-day training on Management and Leadership at the Management Development Institute (MDI) for thirty of its senior staff.
Speaking at the closing ceremony, the Director General of Immigration Department, Buba A. Sagnia, thanked the Ministry of the Interior for facilitating the training as well as the Personnel Management Office (PMO) for funding it.
Mr Sagnia said the training has been founded to be one of the most effective trainings they have been exposed to in recent years. “We really appreciate your efforts; we hope this is just going to be the beginning of a fruitful cooperation,” he added.
The Immigration boss advised the officers to make good use of the information and skills they have learnt and to also disseminate it to those that were not present at the training.
He reminded them about the adage that says ‘To whom much is given much is expected’.
He also urged other donor agencies to emulate government by sponsoring projects that develop the capacity of the armed forces and security personnel for effective service delivery.
For his part, the permanent secretary at the Ministry of the Interior and NGO Affairs, Ebrima Sama Corr, said: “The successful completion of the training programme has demonstrated the effectiveness of the admirable tenacity and willingness of both the trainees and trainers who have been involved in this programme.”
He pointed out that as senior officials it is worthy to “remind you all that good leaders are made not born but to develop through a never-ending process of self-study, education, training and experience”.
The training programme, he added, has guided them all through “this indispensable process of becoming productive and effective leaders within the immigration department”.
He said: “Your collective participation as leaders of the department of immigration in the process of implementing the necessary foundations for the department will ensure the expedite realization of both its short and long term objectives. As participants of this training programme you all have now embodied the right attributes of true leadership and I kindly crave your kind indulgence to actively engage in the process of influencing others to accomplish the objectives of your institution and also to direct it in a way that makes it more cohesive and coherent,” he said.
For his part, the acting deputy permanent secretary at the PMO, Pateh Jah, said the importance of capacity building cannot be overemphasized, adding that there are great challenges that lie ahead. “You now must not only apply the skills and knowledge acquired but you have to share with and assist those of your colleagues and subordinates who are not fortunate to attend this programme and in this way the training will have the intended multiplier effect.”
He said his ministry “is confident that such refresher courses will not only bridge the capacity gaps in the civil service but will also improve the overall performance standard of the public”.
Other speakers on the occasion included the deputy director of MDI, Alieu Jarju, and Dr Sasi Ndure, course coordinator.
The Immigration public relations officer Ensa Jawara delivered the vote of thanks.
