Abdoulie Sanyang, Minister of Interior
By Fatou Sillah
The Minister of Interior, Abdoulie Sanyang, has stated that The Gambia has the lowest crime rate in West Africa. Speaking on Tuesday at the foundation-laying ceremony for the Drug Law Enforcement Agency’s new correctional rehabilitation center in Brusubi Tranquil, he attributed the perception of rising crime to social media.
“Gambia’s crime rate is the lowest in the subregion. Maybe it’s because of social media that people believe crime is very high here, but according to our records, we have the lowest crime rate in West Africa,” he said.
Sanyang also emphasized the significance of the new rehabilitation center, aligning with the government’s plan to transition from a prison system to a correctional system nationwide by 2025.
“The Center cannot come at a better time than now because, is the government’s intention, I think before the end of 2025, we are changing from a prison system to a correctional system countrywide,” he said.
He further highlighted the initiative as a critical step in supporting individuals affected by drug abuse.
“This initiative is indeed a practical step toward catering for the needs of people who fall victim to drug abuse and a clear testament to the policy direction of the government in implementing a balanced, integrated, multisectoral approach to drug control,” he stated.
According to the minister, the National Drug Policy aims to enhance the well-being of Gambian youth by reducing drug use, trafficking, and related crimes.
“The goal of our national drug policy instrument is to improve the health, safety, security and socio-economic well-being of our people, particularly the youth, by reducing drug use, drug-related harms, illicit trafficking and associated crime,” he added.
With funding from ECOWAS, the Drug Law Enforcement Agency has commenced the construction of a correctional and rehabilitation facility at its complex in Tranquil, Bijilo. The facility, the first of its kind in the country, aims to provide treatment, rehabilitation, and reintegration support for individuals recovering from substance abuse, marking a significant step in addressing drug-related challenges in The Gambia.