Gambiaj.com – (Banjul, The Gambia) – A high-level delegation from the Canary Islands government has arrived in The Gambia to strengthen bilateral cooperation in key development sectors, promising practical interventions in health, emergency response, vocational training, and tourism development that could significantly benefit the country’s socio-economic landscape.

The visiting delegation, led by the Canary Islands’ Minister of Health, Esther Monzón, along with Vice Council of the President’s Cabinet Octavio Caraballo and Deputy Minister of Social Services Francis Candil, will engage in high-level meetings and project site visits from Monday through Wednesday. Their mission: to consolidate existing ties while introducing new initiatives aimed at enhancing institutional capacity and supporting vulnerable groups.

Tangible Support in Health and Emergency Services

One of the major highlights of the visit is the donation of vital medical supplies and hospital equipment from the Canary Islands’ Ministry of Health and private health centers across the Spanish archipelago. These materials, which include contributions from the Canary Islands’ emergency coordination center CECOES-112, are destined for several Gambian health facilities, including Kanifing General Hospital, Faji Kunda Health Centre, New-Yundum Maternity Ward, the New Hospital, and Brikama Farato.

“This medical donation will be more than a symbolic gesture; it is a lifeline for hospitals struggling with limited resources,” said Minister Esther Monzón, who is expected to formally hand over the materials to her Gambian counterpart, Dr. Ahmadou Lamin Samateh, during a ceremony on Wednesday.

In addition to medical aid, the Canary Islands are supporting the implementation of an emergency communication system in The Gambia, modeled after their 112 emergency services. This initiative aims to improve real-time coordination during public health emergencies and disasters.

Vocational Training and Youth Empowerment and Engagements to Expand Opportunities

The delegation will also assess and promote projects aimed at youth empowerment, including the “Salvacosturas” initiative—a vocational workshop for producing life vests and rescue tubes. Developed in partnership with the NGO StartUp Heart Solidarity, this project is designed to provide young Gambians with practical skills that can improve employability and reduce the temptation to migrate irregularly.

This focus on training is particularly timely. The Gambia remains one of the top countries of origin for unaccompanied minors arriving in the Canary Islands via the perilous Atlantic migration route. Currently, over 640 Gambian children and youth are hosted by Spain’s Network of Resources for Unaccompanied Minors. By investing in homegrown skills and opportunities, both governments hope to address the root causes of youth migration.

Over the three-day visit, the delegation is holding talks with top Gambian officials, including Vice President H.E. Muhammed B.S. Jallow, Foreign Affairs Minister Mamadou Tangara, Interior Minister Abdoulie Sanyang, and Minister of Tourism and Culture Abdoulie Jobe. Discussions are expected to cover employment generation, cooperation in tourism, and improved public services.

Minister Monzón will also meet with representatives from the Ministry of Education, Sciences, and Technology, exploring avenues for academic and technical collaboration.

Focus on Women and Social Welfare: a Model for Regional Partnership

To round off their mission, the Canarian officials will engage with Minister of Gender, Children, and Social Welfare, Hon. Fatou Kinteh, reflecting a shared commitment to protecting vulnerable populations and promoting gender equity.

This visit signals a deepening of South-South and regional cooperation, grounded not in abstract diplomacy but in real, measurable benefits for the Gambian people. By combining material assistance with long-term capacity-building efforts in health, emergency response, vocational skills, and governance, the Canary Islands’ engagement is poised to leave a lasting impact.