VP Muhammed B.S. Jallow was speaking on Wednesday while presiding over the start of a two-day high-level stakeholder session on the United States Department 2023/24 Trafficking-In Persons Questionnaire at Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara International Conference Centre in Bijilo.
He described the occasion as not merely a formality but a call to action, a call to unity, and a call to protect the inherent dignity of every human being.
“Our commitment must be unyielding, our strategies innovative, and our collective will unbreakable,” he affirms, saying: “This fight against trafficking in persons requires a united front, transcending political affiliations and societal divisions. Our commitment must be unyielding, our strategies innovative, and our collective will unbreakable.”
VP Jallow expressed government’s resolve to fight against trafficking in persons by providing resources for anti-trafficking efforts and support policy formulation and development in this area.
“The ultimate goal is to have The Gambia ranked at tier 1,” he said. “This is a work in progress and this government is committed to the journey. This goal is attainable.”
In receiving the 2023/24 Trafficking in Persons (TIP) reporting questionnaire from the U.S. Department of State, he said they recognise the weight of responsibility it carries.
“The eyes of the world are upon us as we articulate our comprehensive response, outlining the strategic road map that will guide our nation's efforts in the coming year,” he said thoughtfully. “We acknowledge the collective intelligence and collaboration required, not just from within the government but from our valued non-state actors as well.”
Over the past years, he recalled, The Gambia has made significant strides in combating Trafficking in Persons.
VP Jallow reminded that through the dedicated and unprecedented efforts of NAATIP and The Gambia’s law enforcement agencies, the government successfully prosecuted and convicted perpetrators of human trafficking, sending a resounding message that such heinous crimes will not be tolerated within the borders of the country.
“Our commitment to protecting the vulnerable and ensuring justice remains unwavering,” he reiterated, saying: “Furthermore, comprehensive awareness campaigns have been implemented to educate our citizens about the signs of trafficking, fostering a vigilant society that actively contributes to our fight against this grave issue.”
