The items donated included printers, laptops, voice recorders, internet data cards, projectors and accessories, flash drives, tablets, digital cameras, cordless mic, camera stands (Tripods) and editing software (adobe) among others.
The items are meant for use by government Communication and Information Officers posted in different ministries in a bid to hone their skills, knowledge and communications on migration in The Gambia.
The project also seeks to build the capacities of government stakeholders on migration.
At the presentation, Ebrima Sillah, Minister of Information and Communication Infrastructure (MOICI), on behalf of government of The Gambia, thanked the IOM Gambia office for the generosity, which he said, is key in strengthening government efforts to effectively communicate on migration.
“This could not have come at a better time when The Gambia is still over the years having rapid increase in the number of young people leaving the country through what we called the ‘back-way syndrome’ to reach the shores of Europe,” Sallah disclosed.
He dilated on very difficult circumstances these illegal migrants went through, adding that they somehow became victims of human trafficking.
“Sahara desert has become graveyard for lots of young people who could not make it to Mediterranean countries. And even some of those who are able to make it to Libya and other places, majority of them are still without papers and they are finding it extremely difficult to stay in those countries.” he added.
Minister Sillah informed that government of The Gambia recognised the need to include everybody in its inclusive development programs and has decided to partner with the Office of the IOM- Gambia Office to enhance their collaboration to ensure that ‘we give adequate information to the young people’ about the dangers associated with unplanned migration which people called illegal migration.
Through this project and its other components, he said, they will be able to strengthen the communication initiative as part of the overall migration governance system in The Gambia.
“Therefore, we are happy that IOM answered to our call on this very important initiative. We assured The Gambia people that the government is committed to addressing the root causes of illegal migration in The Gambia by providing the necessary conducive environment for our young people to stay and work in our country to contribute meaningfully to the overall economic development of the country.”
For his part, Miko Alazas, Media and Communication Officer of IOM Gambia Office in brief recalled that they began 15-month long training program on migration for communication organised by MOICI in partnership with the IOM Gambia Office.
“This training is for all the Communication and Information Officers in the government ministries.”
The donated equipment, he added, would help a great deal in building capacity and skills of Information and Communication Officers in government of The Gambia.
