Gambiaj.com – (Kololi, The Gambia) – Members of The Gambia’s National Coordination Mechanism on Migration (NCM) have gathered for a pivotal training session on the Global Compact for Migration (GCM). The capacity-building program, organized with the support of the International Organization for Migration (IOM), aims to deepen understanding and enhance government efforts to safeguard the rights and well-being of migrants in The Gambia.
The training session was officially opened by Ndumbeh Saho, Director of Diaspora and Migration at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation, and Gambians Abroad. Delivering remarks on behalf of Permanent Secretary I, Ambassador Lang Yabou, Director Saho underscored the importance of the event, calling it “a significant step forward” in The Gambia’s ongoing commitment to the GCM.
She highlighted that the National Implementation Plan serves as both a roadmap to address migration challenges and a framework to strengthen community resilience while protecting migrant rights.
“Our government reaffirms its commitment to uphold the principles and objectives of the Global Compact, pledging to safeguard the rights, dignity, and well-being of all migrants,” said Saho. The plan, she explained, emphasizes international cooperation, safe migration pathways, and the human rights of all individuals involved in migration processes.
Programme Officer Aji Sukai Cham from the IOM introduced the workshop, marking it as the first in a series of training sessions intended for NCM members, civil society, and UN migration focal points in The Gambia.
She noted that these sessions are designed to build the capacity of officials responsible for migration reporting, equipping them with the skills needed to address migration issues effectively. Through the training, participants will engage with current migration trends and learn international best practices for creating policies and programs that prioritize the safety of migrants.
The Gambia’s reporting on migration has seen considerable progress in recent years, with the country now being forthcoming on all 23 objectives of the GCM, a notable achievement from the previous coverage of just 15 priority objectives.
