TiKA Establishes Major Vocational Training Centre at The Gambia’s Largest Prison

A handover ceremony was held for the Vocational Training Centre established by the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TiKA) at Mile II Prison, The Gambia’s largest correctional facility. The ceremony also included the presentation of certificates to the centre’s first graduates.

The ceremony was attended by Hon. Baboucarr Ousmaila Joof, Minister of Defence of the Republic of The Gambia; Hon. Prof. Pierre Gomez, Minister of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology of the Republic of The Gambia; Ali Kerim, TiKA The Gambia Coordinator; prison administration officials; representatives of relevant institutions; representatives of the project partner Insight Training; trainees; and invited guests.

Located in the capital city, Banjul, Mile II Prison is the largest correctional facility in The Gambia. The vocational training activities carried out within the institution aim to support inmates in returning to society as productive individuals after their release, increasing their employment opportunities and reducing the risk of reoffending.

According to the prison administration, earlier vocational training activities conducted with limited resources produced positive results. Building on this experience, a comprehensive vocational training centre was constructed within the prison. TiKA established and equipped the new centre by providing machinery, training equipment, tools and workshop materials.

Through the project, TiKA established a modern vocational training infrastructure at Mile II Prison to provide practical training in solar energy and electrical installation, construction, masonry and reinforced concrete foundation works, plumbing, tailoring and sewing, hairdressing and basic personal care services.

As part of the ceremony, the vocational training centre was officially handed over, while certificates were presented to the first trainees who completed their training. In addition, inmates who voluntarily worked in the establishment of the centre were granted a cash reward by H.E. Adama Barrow, President of the Republic of The Gambia.

Speaking at the ceremony, Hon. Prof. Pierre Gomez, Minister of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology, stated that everyone deserves a second chance in life and expressed his satisfaction at seeing such an opportunity being offered to inmates through vocational training. Gomez emphasized that the centre is not only a place for acquiring technical skills, but also an important initiative that supports human dignity, social rehabilitation and the determination to rebuild lives.

Hon. Baboucarr Ousmaila Joof, Minister of Defence of the Republic of The Gambia, attended the ceremony on behalf of H.E. President Adama Barrow and personally read President Barrow’s message of appreciation to TiKA. In the message, satisfaction was expressed regarding Türkiye’s support for The Gambia’s development priorities, while the importance of the Mile II Prison Vocational Training Centre was highlighted in terms of reintegrating inmates into society and preparing them for productive lives.

In his remarks, Ali Kerim, TiKA The Gambia Coordinator, stated that TiKA attaches particular importance to vocational training and skills development projects in The Gambia. Kerim noted that TiKA’s support to welding and tailoring workshops at Kanilai Vocational and Technical Education Centre, the strengthening of learning environments at Mansakonko Rural Development Institute, the establishment of a modern pastry workshop at the Gambia Tourism and Hospitality Institute, and the support provided to the welding workshop at the University of Applied Sciences, Engineering and Technology are concrete examples of this approach.