Ministry of Interior, The Gambia.

STARUP Foundation Continues its support to The Gambia Fire and Rescue Service with Emergency Vehicles and Equipment Donation

International Humanitarian Organization STARUP Foundation ,based in the Canary Island ,Spain continues to reinforce its commitment to strengthening emergency services in The Gambia through another donation made to The Gambia Fire and Rescue Service and other security and emergency institutions in The Gambia.

The offcial handover ceremony, held at the State House in Banjul was attended by His Excellency the President of The Republic of The Gambia, the Honorable Minister of Interior, Chief Fire Officer,President of STARUP Foundation and other Senior Government Officials.

During the ceremony ,eight operational and emergency vehicles were officially presented to The Gambia Fire and Rescue in order to significantly improve the country's firefighting and rescue capabilities.

This donation included two URO 3500L 4 by 4 fire trucks with less than 20,000 kilometres,one 12,000-litre fire water tanker trucks ,two cargo trucks ,two landover 4by4 vehicles and one Nissan 4by4 vehicle .All vehicles are manual transmission ,specifially selected to facilitate ,maintenance and ensure efficient operation under Gambian road conditions.

In addition to the vehicles ,STARUP Foundation donated a significant quantity of specialized emergency equipment, including wildlife firefighting tools ,personal protective equipment for firefighters ,high- capacity power generators, professional kenwood radio communication systems and handsets ,firefighting hoses and firefighting kits.

Members of the Gambia Fire and Rescue Service welcomed the donation with pride ,gratitude and renewed motivation .For many years ,firefighters in The Gambia have faced enormous operational challenges due to limited resources and outdated equipment. Since late 2023,STARUP Foundation has been supporting the service through the Ministry of Interior ,bringing hope ,progress and a strong commitment toward the modernization of emergency response capabilities in the country.

Sonja Arup, the president of STARUP Foundation emphasized that the donation represents far more than the handover of vehicles and equipment .It stands as a symbol of friendship ,solidarity, cooperation and shared humanity between the people of the Canary Island in Spain and the Republic of The Gambia.

The event was not only a milestone for the Fire and Rescue Service but also a reflection of international friendship, unity, and the shared mission of protecting human life.

The Gambia Launches Modern Fingerprint Identification System to Boost Security

The Government of The Gambia, through the Ministry of Interior, today commissioned the National Automated Fingerprint and Palmprint Identification System (AFIS), marking a major step forward in modernizing law enforcement and strengthening national security.

The achievement was made possible through the West Africa Police Information System (WAPIS) Programme, funded by the European Union, guided by ECOWAS, and implemented by INTERPOL. It stands as a testament to the strength of regional and international cooperation in addressing security challenges that transcend national borders.

Speaking on behalf of the Minister of Interior, Principal Assistant Secretary Mr. Kebba Nfally Darboe emphasized the importance of security in the digital era: “Government remains committed to ensuring that this system is properly maintained, continuously upgraded, and effectively utilized to deliver lasting impact. We will invest in the necessary human and technical capacity to guarantee its reliability and long-term success.”

Officials explained that AFIS will significantly improve the ability of law enforcement agencies to identify suspects, strengthen inter-agency coordination, and support justice delivery with modern, credible, and reliable systems.

Mr. Darboe added that the commissioning represents more than the unveiling of infrastructure: “It signifies a broader institutional reform agenda, one anchored on accountability, professionalism, and enhanced inter-agency coordination.”

In conclusion, the Government of The Gambia expressed appreciation to all partners involved in the project, noting that the new system will play a vital role in building a safer, more secure, and just society.

The Ministry of Interior joined residents of Kerewan in celebrating this year’s International Women’s Day under the theme ‘’Rights, Justice, Action, For All Women and Girls’’.

The event brought together government officials, community leaders, women’s groups, and youth representatives to honor the achievements and contributions of women while advocating for greater equality and inclusion.

The Ministry’s participation demonstrated its ongoing dedication to fostering an inclusive society where the rights of every woman and girl are respected, protected and advanced through meaningful action.

Honorable Minister of Interior presided over the NIGCOY 10 ECOMIG Medal Parade in Yundum

The NIGCOY 10 parade presided over by the honorable Minister of Interior, Hon. Abdoulie Sanyang is a notable moment for the Gambia’s post-crises stabilization story, highlighting both military service and civilian government support.

The medal parade honored troops of Nigerian contingent serving under the ECOMIG. The ceremony presided over by the honorable minister represents the civilian authority of the state.

Honorable Abdoulie Sanyang in his speech praised the Nigerian troops for helping maintain peace and stability ,supporting national security institutions and strengthen ties between The Gambia and Nigeria.

‘’Through medical outreaches, Nigerian contingent has provided essential healthcare services to our communities .Also they have embarked on environmental sanitation drives ,helping to clean markets thereby contributing to a healthier environment for our people and provision of learning materials to schools’’ Minister Sanyang expounded.

He concluded by reaffirming government’s appreciation for ECOWAS and its continued commitment to peacekeeping efforts in The Gambia.

As part of the continuous implementation of the ECOWAS Humanitarian Assistant Project being implemented by The Gambia Commission for Refugees and The Gambia Red Cross Society with partners, conveyed a disbursement exercise of cash allocation to Internal Displaced Persons, Stateless persons, Refugees, Asylum seekers at the GRCS headquarters in the Gambia.

This intervention, providing D7, 000 to each beneficiary, represents a critical lifeline aimed at alleviating immediate socio-economic vulnerabilities while reinforcing the dignity and resilience of the affected population.

The Government of The Gambia through the Ministry of Interior reaffirms its steadfast commitment to upholding the rights and protection of displaced persons, refugees, and asylum seekers, in line with national frameworks and international obligations.

COURTESY VISIT BY THE NEW CHIEF FIRE OFFICER TO THE HON. MINISTER OF INTERIOR

On Wednesday April 8, 2026, the newly appointed Chief Fire Officer, Mr. Masanneh Bah, accompanied by the Deputy Chief Fire Officer, Mr. Yaya Sonko, and members of the senior management of The Gambia Fire and Rescue Service, paid a courtesy visit to the Hon. Minister of Interior, Mr. Abdoulie Sanyang.

In his remarks, Mr. Masanneh Bah expressed profound gratitude for the confidence reposed in him by the Government and leadership of the Ministry. He reaffirmed his commitment to providing visionary leadership aimed at transforming The Gambia Fire and Rescue Service into a modern, efficient, and responsive institution.

The Chief Fire Officer in his remark highlighted his priorities, which include strengthening emergency response mechanisms, enhancing personnel capacity through continuous training, improving fire prevention and public awareness strategies, and ensuring discipline and professionalism within the Service.

He emphasized the importance of teamwork and collaboration, both internally and with other national security institutions, to effectively safeguard lives and property.

Mr. Bah further assured the Hon. Minister that under his leadership, the Service will adopt innovative approaches, leverage available technology, and promote accountability and transparency in its operations. He called for the continued support and guidance of the Ministry to enable the Service to fulfill its mandate effectively.

In his response, the Hon. Minister of Interior, Mr. Abdoulie Sanyang, congratulated Mr. Masanneh Bah and Mr. Yaya Sonko on their appointments and expressed confidence in their ability to lead the Service to greater heights.

The Hon. Minister underscored the critical role of the Fire and Rescue Service in national security and public safety, noting that the increasing complexity of fire-related incidents and disasters demands a proactive, well-coordinated, and highly professional approach.

He urged the new leadership to prioritize discipline, integrity, and efficiency in service delivery.
Hon. Sanyang emphasized the need to strengthen fire prevention strategies, particularly through community engagement and public education, while also improving rapid response capabilities across the country. He further called on the leadership to ensure proper maintenance and effective utilization of equipment and resources provided by the Government and partners.

The Hon. Minister reiterated the Ministry’s commitment to supporting the Service, while also stressing the importance of accountability and results. He encouraged the management to work as a cohesive team and to uphold the highest standards of professionalism at all times.

The Permanent Secretary, Mr. Amadou Nyang buttressed the remarks of the Hon. Minister by emphasizing the importance of strategic planning, institutional discipline, and performance-driven leadership within the Service. He highlighted the need for effective coordination, proper documentation, and adherence to established procedures in all operations.

He further encouraged the new leadership to focus on staff welfare and motivation, noting that a well-supported workforce is critical to achieving operational excellence.

The Permanent Secretary assured the delegation of the Ministry’s continued administrative support in the ex*****on of their mandate.

The meeting concluded with mutual assurances of cooperation and a shared commitment to strengthening The Gambia Fire and Rescue Service in order to effectively respond to emerging challenges and enhance public safety nationwide.

Ministry of Interior Records Highest Performance in Cybersecurity Training in Dakar

The Ministry of Interior announces the outstanding performance of one of its officers who has successfully completed a specialized cybersecurity training programme in Dakar, Senegal.

The officer nominated by the Ministry of Interior participated in the Cyber Technician Level 1 programme delivered by ENVR Cyber Dakar, under a cooperation framework supported by the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Despite the programme being conducted entirely in French, the officer demonstrated exceptional technical competence and commitment, recording the highest performance in the cohort, a distinction formally recognised by the course facilitators.

This achievement reflects the Ministry of Interior’s strong commitment to capacity building and its clear understanding that contemporary security challenges extend beyond the physical protection of life and property to include the digital domain.

As threats increasingly evolve in cyberspace, the Ministry continues to strengthen its capabilities to secure the nation’s digital frontier alongside traditional security responsibilities.

The Ministry of Interior reaffirms its commitment to continued cooperation with the French authorities in advancing skills development and institutional resilience in emerging security areas.

Ministry of Interior Holds its Annual Security Sector Retreat

The Ministry of Interior successfully concluded its annual security sector retreat, bringing together service chiefs and senior leadership of institutions under the purview of the ministry to review performance ,strengthen coordination and align priorities to improve internal security and proper service delivery.

Held in Kartong in the west coast region ,the retreat provided a platform for participants to review the ministry's performance over the past year ,asses ongoing security sector reforms and align priorities with national and governance objectives .

Discussion during the session focused on strengthening internal coordination ,improving proper service delivery and enhancing professionalism across all sectors under the ministry .

In his remarks the Minister of Interior Hon.Abdoulie Sanyang underscored the importance of the retreat in fostering team work ,accountability and forward thinking leadership .

Minister Sanyang noted that the evolving security landscape and administrative demands require officers to continuously share ideas and work collaboratively to deliver effective people –centered services.

‘’Our collective mission is to provide the best of security and safety service to the people of this country on whose behalf and for whose welfare and security we are task to serve’ ’Minister Sanyang expounded.

Participants engaged in interactive sessions ,discussions covering areas such as policy implementation ,institutional reforms and inter-agency cooperation.

The retreat also aimed at strengthening professional relationship and promoting a culture of mutual respect and collaboration .

The annual retreat forms part of the Ministry of Interior’s efforts to enhance efficiency ,responsiveness and accountability in the discharge of its mandate.

As participants return to their respective duties ,the Ministry expressed confidence that outcomes of the retreat will positively impact operations and contribute to national stability and development.