The training is funded by the U.S. Department of State through the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and National Agency Against Trafficking In Persons (NAATIP).
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Chargé d’Affaires, a.i. Joseph Stafford told the audience that putting an end to trafficking in persons is a priority for the U.S. and that is why every year his government releases the annual Trafficking In Persons (TIP) Report to document the problem worldwide and examine each country’s efforts to improve the situation.
He called on all present to protect the untold numbers of lives around the world and in The Gambia, especially the most vulnerable women and children, affected by TIP.
The Chargé thanked the NAATIP and UNODC for collaborating with the U.S. Department of State to make the training a success.
The opening ceremony was attended by the NAATIP Director, Ramatoulie Jawara Ceesay, officials from the government and the diplomatic corps.
The training, administered by UNODC trainers based in Vienna, will benefit about 25 Gambians involved in preventing trafficking in persons.