MoHERST Hosts Workshop to Validate Strategic Plans Aimed at Enhancing Fisheries and Agribusiness

Photo Of The Stakeholders And The Participants

By Ramatoulie Jawo

The Ministry of Higher Education, Research, Science, and Technology (MoHERST), in partnership with the World Bank and the central project coordination unit at the Ministry of Finance and Economic Affairs, held a validation workshop on Wednesday to review and validate a strategic improvement plan for the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Centers of Excellence, with a particular focus on fisheries and agribusiness.

This workshop is part of the World Bank-led Resilience, Inclusion, Skills, and Equity (RISE) project, which aims to improve the quality and relevance of TVET programs in The Gambia. As part of this initiative, a consultancy was launched to develop a comprehensive Strategic Improvement Plan (SP) for the TVET Centers of Excellence, targeting the enhancement of training programs in fisheries and agribusiness.

The strategic plan emphasizes improving training programs, governance, infrastructure, and professional development. It also seeks to strengthen industry linkages, promote entrepreneurship, and engage local communities through targeted strategies and resource planning.

In his address at the workshop, Professor Pierre Gomez, the Minister of Higher Education, Research, Science, and Technology, reiterated the government’s commitment to strengthening TVET institutions, particularly in critical sectors like fisheries and agribusiness. He emphasized that the strategic improvement plan represents a crucial step toward developing a skilled workforce that meets both national and international standards.

Professor Gomez highlighted that his ministry had already facilitated training for Gambian youth abroad, particularly in fisheries and marine sciences. Last year, 16 to 20 young Gambians were sent to Malawi and Turkey for master’s level training in these fields.“In anticipation of what Is going to unfold this year, hence our presence here today that is to work on now, the design and the different components of specialized TVET centers are two centers of excellence, one on agribusiness and one on fisheries,” he said.

He emphasized the long-term goal of advancing The Gambia toward food sovereignty, stating that with the successful completion of the project, the country will transition from food security to food sovereignty.

“Gambians should no longer rely on international conflict to determine their ability to feed themselves,” he said.

He added that the people of this country should not be waiting to place blame on Ukraine or Russia for any reason, especially when it comes to feeding themselves.

“Education must make sense to us. We did not go to school to come back and be waiting for Russia and Ukraine to have reconciliation for peace to reign. For us to be able to feed ourselves, science must be applied; we need to now buckle up,” he said

He mentioned that within the next four years, his institution plans to establish two fully operational TVET centers of excellence in Tujereng and Ndemban. He highlighted that The Gambia will become a hub for TVET excellence in the ECOWAS region, offering high-quality education specifically in fisheries and agriculture.

Fatou Janneh, the Principal Tertiary Higher Education Officer at MoHERST and TVET focal person, provided the background for the initiative, stressing their commitment to ensuring excellence in fisheries to empower Gambians as masters of their rivers.“I am sure we are aware today our seas are dominated by non Gambians. The Ministry wants to change this narrative by coming up with this initiative. So the strategic improvement plan, in short, is focusing on establishing two centers of excellence, fisheries and Agribusiness,”he said.

She stated that the goal is to enhance governance, infrastructure, and capacity. She added that they have heard the concerns of everyday Gambians, who are upset that foreign nationals are dominating the river—something they aim to make a thing of the past.

Omar Gaye, a participant, expressed high expectations, hoping that the strategy will be effectively implemented once validated.

As the validation process progresses, stakeholders remain optimistic that the final Strategy will lead to strengthened vocational training in fisheries and agribusiness, contributing to national development and economic growth.