By Arret Jatta
Vice President Muhammad BS Jallow yesterday launched The Gambia’s National Early Warning and Response Policy (2026–2035) at the Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara Conference Centre.
The policy is aimed at strengthening the country’s ability to identify emerging threats and respond before they escalate into crises.
The policy also seeks to improve coordination among government institutions, security services, local authorities, civil society organisations and communities. It will also establish clearer procedures for sharing information, assessing risks and coordinating timely responses to threats affecting peace, security and national development.
Speaking at the launch, Binta Singhateh, Director General of the National Early Warning and Response Mechanism Coordinating Centre (NCCRM), described the policy as an important milestone in the country’s efforts to strengthen prevention, preparedness and resilience.
She said the policy was developed through consultations involving government institutions, civil society organisations, community representatives, regional structures and development partners.
Singhateh said early warning was not the responsibility of one institution alone, stressing that effective prevention required cooperation among different stakeholders to identify risks, share information and take action before situations worsened.
The Ecowas Commission Vice President Anthony Ogunjimi said the policy represented a shift from reactive crisis management towards a coordinated system focused on prevention and early action.
He added that its success would depend on political commitment, institutional capacity, sustainable financing and effective coordination. Ogunjimi also reaffirmed Ecowas’s commitment to supporting The Gambia through technical assistance, training and regional information sharing.
The European Union Ambassador and Head of Delegation, Immaculada Roca i Cortés, said early warning was particularly important during an election year. She said the system could help the country prepare for risks arising from political tensions, climate-related emergencies and other potential threats.
Germany’s Head of Mission, Michael Herrmann, also stressed the importance of early action, saying lasting peace required strong institutions, reliable information and coordinated responses.
During the presentation, NCCRM officials identified governance and human rights, security, health, crime and criminality, and environmental and climate-related matters as key areas covered by the policy.
The policy will be implemented in phases through 2035, with a focus on strengthening national coordination, improving data sharing, building institutional capacity and ensuring vulnerable communities are included. Officials said implementation would require sustained government funding, support from development partners and active participation from communities and other stakeholders.