Gambia to host Security Watch Africa Awards

The Gambia will next month host, for the first time, the 8th edition of the Security Watch Africa Awards, an internationally-acclaimed award meant to encourage individuals, governments and organizations that put in so much effort to secure their environment and country in general.

The choice for Gambia, according to the organizers, is a reflection of the commitment to peace and security by the government and people of the country.

“The Gambia has become a pride of the West African sub-region as it remains the most peaceful, secured and people’s friendly destination in the West African sub-region. The hosting of these events in The Gambia is in support of the good works and steadfastness to development by the government of President Yahya Jammeh,” Patrick Agbambu, International Coordinator/CEO of the awards, said at a press conference held at the Sheraton Hotel in Brufut yesterday.

Highlighting the current security issues on the continent, Patrick said the challenge of security in our continent is taking a delicate dimension, and the rate of development will continue to be retarded if concerted efforts are not taken to checkmate the trend.

“Needless to enumerate these issues because we are very familiar with the Tunisia, Egypt and Libya strife, famine in Somalia, bombings in Nigeria, etc,” he added.

According to him, the benefits of The Gambia being the host country is enormous as the country will further be added into the map of friendly and receptive destinations in Africa; will help to showcase the current development taking place in the country; and project the government as security-conscious/friendly.

He also revealed that the background for these annual awards is germane and timely, as security in Africa has become the most important factor for development among governments, organizations and individuals.

 “The need for African countries to encourage and boost the security awareness and consciousness in their citizenry cannot be overemphasized. Hence the start-up of the Security Watch Awards/Lecture in 2004,” he stated.

Patrick further stated that the Security Watch Africa Award started in Nigeria, but moved in 2009 to Accra, Ghana, then 2010 Johannesburg, South Africa, and now The Gambia in 2011.

He added that this year’s event will be attended by a confirmed list of very top dignitaries from Nigeria, Ghana, South Africa, Liberia, Kenya, Senegal, Cote d’Ivoire, Tanzania, The Gambia and Mozambique.

Patrick also stated that the second day event will kick start on 13th October with a lecture series on the theme: “Security and Infrastructure: Can Africa Get it Right?”

This will be followed the following day with the conferring of the highest security and safety African Awards on President Jammeh and Ambassador James Victor Gbeho, President of the ECOWAS Commission, for their untiring efforts in leading the way for security and peace in Africa.