By Sainabou Sambou
Gambia Participates launched a two-day training program today at the Metzy Hotel. The program aims to equip civil society organizations and media professionals with tools to combat money laundering and enhance asset recovery. The initiative seeks to address the growing challenge of financial crimes in the Gambia, fostering transparency and accountability.
Annetta BV Mahoney, Programs Manager at Gambia Participants, opened the session and underscored the training’s timeliness. “This could not have come at a better time. We hope the skills learned here will reflect in your work,” she told the select group of participants.
According to Marr Nyang, Executive Director of Gambia Participates, the training, deliberately limited to a small cohort, ensures focused and effective learning.
“We chose a smaller group because tackling financial crimes like money laundering is complex and requires precision,” Nyang explained. He highlighted the difficulties authorities face in tracing illicit assets, often concealed through convoluted schemes. “Criminals register assets under others’ names, making them nearly impossible to track,” he said, emphasizing the need for specialized skills in asset recovery.
Nyang also outlined Gambia Participates’ collaboration with the ECOWAS unit, the Intergovernmental Action Group Against Money Laundering (GIABA), to raise awareness nationwide. The training includes pre- and post-assessments to measure participants’ understanding of Anti-Money Laundering strategies and evaluate the program’s impact.
The session illuminated the broader implications of financial crimes, with Nyang stressing the importance of transparent asset disposal.
“Recovered assets belong to the state and its people. The public must know how they are managed,” he said. He urged civil society and journalists to hold the government accountable, stating, “Corruption cannot police Corruption. We must be the ones to police it.”
The training continues tomorrow and is part of Gambia Participates’ ongoing efforts to empower stakeholders in the fight against financial crimes. By equipping participants with practical skills, the organization aims to strengthen the nation’s defenses against money laundering and ensure that recovered assets benefit the public.
As The Gambia grapples with the complexities of financial crime, initiatives like this signal a proactive step toward greater accountability and economic integrity. Participants are expected to apply their newfound knowledge to advocate for systemic change, contributing to a more transparent and just society.
