By Makutu Manneh
Dr. Ismaila Ceesay, the Minister of Information, Media, and Broadcasting Services, has said that government efforts to expand economic and skills-development opportunities are contributing to a decline in the number of Gambians attempting irregular migration.
Speaking on GRTS, Dr. Ceesay said recent migration figures indicate that fewer Gambians are embarking on dangerous journeys by sea, a trend he attributed to programs intended to give young people greater opportunities at home.
“If you look at the statistics, many Gambians are not embarking on irregular migration because the government has created opportunities for them to stay in the country and succeed,” he said.
Dr. Ceesay pointed to recent interceptions of boats carrying would-be migrants, saying Gambians have made up a smaller share of those on board. He said many of those intercepted have instead been nationals of Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Burkina Faso and Mali.
The minister also credited increased support for the country’s security services with improving efforts to combat irregular migration. He said security forces have been better equipped to detect and intercept boats attempting to leave the country, with such operations now taking place frequently.
Dr. Ceesay cautioned young people against what he described as unrealistic expectations about life abroad, saying the perception that migration leads to immediate financial success often differs sharply from the experiences migrants encounter after leaving home.
He said the government, working with international development partners, has introduced a range of programs and policies aimed at expanding opportunities for young people, including initiatives focused on skills development and employment.
Acquiring practical and professional skills, Dr. Ceesay said, remains critical for young Gambians seeking to improve their economic prospects.
He argued that sustainable success requires education, training, and skills development, and encouraged young people to take advantage of opportunities available in the country rather than risk dangerous irregular migration routes.
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