By Seedy Jobe
The National Agency Against Trafficking in Persons (NAATIP) has warned that human trafficking in The Gambia is increasingly taking new forms, with fraudulent recruitment schemes replacing more traditional methods of exploitation and leaving job seekers vulnerable to abuse.
Ahead of the World Day Against Trafficking in Persons on July 30, NAATIP officials announced a month-long nationwide awareness campaign aimed at educating the public about the growing threat of scam-based trafficking while strengthening prevention and victim support efforts.
Speaking on QTV’s This Morning programme on Monday, NAATIP Executive Director Isatou Dabo and Programme Officer Momodou Drammeh said this year’s global campaign theme, “Trapped Behind the Scams,” reflects a growing international trend in which traffickers lure victims through fake offers of employment, sports opportunities, business ventures, and other ventures abroad.
Ms. Dabo said traffickers are increasingly using fraudulent recruitment offers to exploit people seeking better opportunities. She explained that what initially appears to be a legitimate opportunity can quickly turn into exploitation, with some victims eventually compelled to recruit others as a means of survival.
She urged Gambians to remain vigilant and pay attention to emerging trafficking patterns, noting that many people still associate trafficking primarily with forced labor or sexual exploitation, despite the evolving methods used by traffickers.
Mr. Drammeh said The Gambia, as a signatory to the United Nations Protocol to Prevent, Suppress, and Punish Trafficking in Persons, continues to commemorate the World Day Against Trafficking in Persons through policy dialogue, community engagement, and public awareness initiatives.
Among this year’s activities is a policy forum that will bring together government institutions, civil society organizations, and other stakeholders to develop practical recommendations for strengthening the country’s anti-trafficking response.
To engage young people, NAATIP has also launched a football competition aimed at educating aspiring Gambian footballers about the risks associated with sports-related trafficking.
Mr. Drammeh referred to the recent case of a Senegalese footballer who lost his life in Ghana as a reminder that The Gambia should strengthen preventive efforts before a similar tragedy occurs locally. The competition was officially launched on Saturday by Ms. Dabo and the Director General of Immigration, Mr. Mboob.
The agency also plans to organize inter-community dialogues across the Brikama administrative area, bringing together community leaders, Alikalolu, ward councillors, and women’s groups to discuss the relationship between irregular migration and human trafficking.
Mr. Drammeh said irregular migration can easily expose people to trafficking and stressed the importance of community-driven solutions to address the problem.
NAATIP will also conduct outreach activities in Brikama, particularly in Drimakolong, an area recently identified as a concern for sexual exploitation following a joint patrol and raid.
Another activity planned for the month is the “Gift of Dignity” programme for trafficking survivors. Mr. Drammeh said the initiative is intended to help restore hope by providing educational support, counselling and reintegration services to victims.
On rehabilitation, Ms. Dabo said survivor support is voluntary and tailored to individual needs. Following screening and medical examinations, including tests for sexually transmitted infections in cases involving sexual exploitation, survivors are offered psychosocial counselling and other support services.
She acknowledged a shortage of specialised professionals and appealed to experts in the private sector to support NAATIP’s rehabilitation efforts.
Ms. Dabo said the agency is also shifting its reintegration strategy toward long-term sustainability. While previous programmes provided business grants ranging from D40,000 to D50,000, she said the agency is now placing greater emphasis on life-skills training and financial management to help survivors sustain and grow their businesses.
As part of this year’s commemoration on July 30, NAATIP will launch three key policy instruments: the National Trafficking in Persons Strategic Plan of Action 2026–2030, a new TIP Plus Strategy aimed at addressing legal and procedural gaps, and a training manual and curriculum for law enforcement and judicial officers.
Ms. Dabo said the new strategic plan expands the traditional anti-trafficking framework of prevention, protection, prosecution and partnership by incorporating monitoring and evaluation to measure the impact of interventions.
She said the TIP Plus strategy is designed to ensure that cases lacking one element required to establish trafficking are still referred to the appropriate authorities, including the police, immigration or social welfare, so that potential offenders are investigated and victims are not denied access to justice.
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