The Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TiKA) continues its efforts to strengthen the capacity of emergency healthcare services in The Gambia.
Within the scope of the Emergency Medicine Capacity Building Programme (ATKAP), launched by TiKA in 2021 in cooperation with the Ministry of Health of The Gambia and the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Türkiye, practical training activities for healthcare personnel in the country continued.
As part of the 2026 implementation programme, the Introduction to Emergency Response Training (ADG+) was delivered by Gambian doctors who had previously received training under the “training of trainers” model. Medical training equipment provided by TiKA also contributed to the sustainability of the programme through local capacity.
A total of 22 emergency medicine personnel were trained at Edward Francis Small Teaching Hospital in the capital, Banjul. Participants received theoretical and practical training on emergency response, basic life support, trauma management, disaster and emergency preparedness, and effective teamwork during crisis situations.
Through the activities carried out under ATKAP, the programme aims to strengthen the human resource capacity of emergency healthcare services in The Gambia, improve the case management skills of healthcare personnel, and enhance rapid, effective, and coordinated response capacities in critical situations.
TiKA continues to support the strengthening of The Gambia’s healthcare system through training programmes that prioritize local capacity, while maintaining its cooperation in the health sector.
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.
Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TiKA) has launched the “Zero Waste on Campus Project at the University of The Gambia” at a ceremony held at the university.
The event was attended by H.E. Türker Oba, Ambassador of the Republic of Türkiye to The Gambia; Mr. Ali Kerim, TiKA The Gambia Coordinator; Prof. Ousainou Sarr, Dean of the School of Education; Prof. Lamin K. M. Fatty, Dean of the School of Agriculture; Assoc. Prof. Dr. Malang Fanneh, Dean of the School of Arts and Sciences; along with academic staff, students, members of the press and invited guests.
The project has been developed under TiKA’s 2026 Zero Waste Programme in The Gambia, aiming to strengthen environmental awareness, promote a culture of recycling and support sustainable waste management practices among young people.
Within the scope of the project, recycling containers, waste separation units and waste collection equipment have been provided for use across the University of The Gambia campus. The equipment is expected to facilitate waste separation at source, contribute to a cleaner and more organized campus environment and help establish a systematic waste management culture within the university.
In his remarks, Ambassador Türker Oba noted that the Zero Waste Project was launched on 27 September 2017 under the leadership of H.E. Emine Erdoğan, First Lady of the Republic of Türkiye and has since evolved into a significant environmental movement at both national and international levels. He also emphasized that the designation of 30 March as International Zero Waste Day and the recognition by the United Nations Development Programme reflect the global acceptance of this initiative.
Speaking at the ceremony, TiKA The Gambia Coordinator Mr. Ali Kerim underlined that the project goes beyond the provision of equipment. He highlighted the critical role of universities in shaping environmental awareness and social responsibility among younger generations, adding that the initiative aims to foster a lasting zero waste culture among students.
The project at the University of The Gambia follows the recent launch of the “Zero Waste Workshop Project in Gambian Schools,” initiated by TiKA at Gunjur Senior Secondary School. Implemented at Gunjur Senior Secondary School and Türkiye Maarif Foundation School in the capital, the programme includes three-day practical training sessions for high school students covering waste separation at source, recycling processes, environmental cleanliness, sustainable consumption habits and the reuse of materials.
As the third phase of TiKA’s 2026 Zero Waste activities in The Gambia, the establishment of zero waste stations at Bijilo Nature Park is also planned. This phase will focus on environmental protection within a natural ecosystem, promoting waste separation and cleanliness practices in one of the country’s key public nature areas.
Through these three initiatives, TiKA aims to implement its 2026 Zero Waste Programme in The Gambia through complementary interventions across schools, higher education institutions and a public natural area. The projects are designed to enhance environmental awareness among students and the wider community, promote recycling practices and contribute to sustainable development.
