The event, attended by different stakeholders, was held at the Kairaba Beach Hotel.
Addressing the gathering, Dr Omar Alieu Touray, President of the ECOWAS Commission, reminded that ECOWAS and The Gambia signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on the operations of the center and handed over a cheque of $20,000 to support the initial operations of the center.
"The ECOWAS Commission is grateful to the Government of The Gambia and especially in the establishment of the mechanism."
The National Early Warning and Response Mechanism Coordinating Centre (NCCRM) of the GAMBIA, he added, was established under the authority of the ECOWAS heads of State and Government adopted framework at the 45th ordinary summit in July 2014, and established by executive order 88 signed in December 2019, positioning the Centre under the Office of the Vice President.
"The main purpose of the center is to coordinate and monitor the early warning and response units at various institutions on issues relating to human security."
Baboucarr Bouy, Minister of Public Service, Administrative Reforms, Policy Coordination and Delivery, said after discussions with the Force Commander and his deputy, a detailed presentation on the Force’s operations achievements and challenges were made by the head of operations, adding that the President of the Commission also visited the ECOWAS Representation in Banjul where he met with the Resident Representative Miatta Lilly French and staff and urged them to continue their good work with professionalism and assured them of ECOWAS management’s support.
The opening of the centre, he went on, has shown commitment of The Gambia Government in further advancing human security and to boost the country's conflict prevention as part of ECOWAS mandate.
The EU officials also recognised the leadership of the ECOWAS Commission in developing this highly sophisticated system in partnership with its member states to detect and better respond to human security across the region.
“The Government of The Gambia and the ECOWAS Commission has played a very important role by launching this center which has marked a significant milestone over the years.
Baboucarr Ousmaila Joof, minister of Trade and Employment, reminded that security is a fundamental basis especially in the area of development, and without which no meaningful development can take place.
"Therefore, the idea of setting up NCCRM deserved commitment for any nation for their foresight and their leadership."
Binta Singhateh, director for National Early Warning and Response Mechanism Coordinating Center (NCCRM), who delivered the vote of thanks, expressed gratitude to ECOWAS for adopting the strategy framework for the establishment of the National Early Warning and Response Mechanism which was signed by the Heads of State and government and committee of the 45th ordinary summit in July 2014.
"I wish to thank the Gambian leader for giving the executive order of number 88 which have led to the establishment of the National Early Warning and Response Mechanism Coordinating Center the Gambia."
