The call was made in an open letter addressed to key stakeholders including the Association of Licensed Foreign Exchange Bureau (ALFOB), Gambia Police Force, the Department of Labour, the Ministry of Interior, the National Assembly of The Gambia, the Office of the President and the Gambian public.
Titled “Lives on the Line,” the letter strongly condemns the rising incidents of violence targeting forex bureau workers and businesses, warning that such attacks create fear and insecurity among citizens.
According to the institute, recent violent incidents have shaken public confidence and highlighted the vulnerability of employees working in foreign exchange bureaus, many of whom are women.
The organisation recalled the tragic murder of Fatoumatta Kargbo, a forex bureau employee at HM Bureau de Change in Westfield, who was killed at her workplace on January 19, 2024.
It also referenced the killing of Isatou Fatty, a 21-year-old employee of Heewal Bureau de Change, who was murdered near her workplace on December 20, 2025.
More recently, the institute noted that an attempted armed robbery at a forex bureau in Manjai on February 10, 2026, nearly claimed the life of another female worker who sustained injuries before members of the public intervened.
“These incidents are stark reminders of the vulnerability faced by ordinary citizens, particularly women, who remain among the most exposed to such attacks,” the statement noted.
The institute further expressed concern that many forex bureaus operate in extremely small spaces with little or no security presence, surveillance systems, or emergency escape routes.
According to the organisation, these conditions expose workers to serious danger, especially given that many employees receive low wages that barely sustain their livelihoods.
In response, the institute has called for immediate reforms, including the deployment of trained security personnel at forex bureaus nationwide, installation of surveillance cameras and monitoring systems, and improvements to the physical infrastructure of bureau facilities to allow emergency exits.
It also urged authorities to review occupational safety standards for bureau employees and strengthen preventive and protective security measures across the sector.
Beyond workplace reforms, the institute called for nationwide security audits of high-risk commercial operations, improved border security to prevent the entry of foreign criminals, and the swift prosecution of individuals responsible for violent crimes.
The organisation stressed that restoring public confidence in national security institutions is crucial to ensuring the safety of citizens.
“Public safety is a collective responsibility. No Gambian should live in fear of going to school, going to work, or walking freely within their communities,” the statement emphasised.
The institute extended condolences to the families of the victims and prayed for peace, stability and safety for all Gambians.
It reaffirmed its commitment to advocacy, research, and dialogue aimed at promoting justice, strengthening national security and protecting human dignity in The Gambia.
