The Neighborhood watch groups namely: Manjai, Kololi, Bakau, Kerr Sering, and Bijilo in collaboration with the Child protection Alliance {C P A} on Friday 21st November met at the president Awards Scheme to inaugurate and discuss the way forward in avoiding child sex tourism.

According to Bakary Badjie a programme officer at the C P A said the purpose of the establishment of these groups is to help the security officers to ease their work within the tourist development areas that are vulnerable to child abuses.
For his part the Public Relation Officer at The Gambia police force Mr.Sulayman secka deputizing the Inspector General Of police Ensa Badjie noted that this event has come to the right moment as cases of child abuse increase and stated that the police alone cannot fight it, but noted that his institution has increased it’s intelligence network around the Tourism Development Area {TDA}. He said the issue needs the concerted efforts of all stakeholders if they are to successfully fight against this dangerous vice.
He further stated that The Gambia Police Force in collaboration with the Social welfare and the C P A have been working tirelessly to fight against the abuse of Children. He said the creation of the Neighborhood watch groups around the localities will no doubt assist the police in getting the vital information that they can work on to prevent the happening of this menace and to succeed in the fight against child abuse.
He also said that they need to be proactive and not to work in isolation in order to eliminate these acts once and for all.
He finally stated that the Gambia police force will give all necessary support and corporation to these Neighborhood Watch groups in various localities, and added that the NWGs should not see themselves as competitors with other stakeholders but rather as partners in the protection of children rights who are very vulnerable.
”The key objectives of the Neighborhood watch groups are to serve as watch dogs, to raise awareness on child abuse and exploitation issues and to track down and report cases of child sexual abuse by tourist and non-tourists alike to the relevant authorities”. He also indicated that the protection of children from sexual abuse and exploitation can only be effective if communities are involved.
Mr.Ousman Kebbeh deputizing the Director General of The Gambia tourism Authority {G T A} stated that the G T A is proud to be associated with this great initiative because the G T A places much importance in the welfare of children since they are the future leaders. Therefore, he said devising mechanisms to protect the children is highly on their agenda.
Kebbeh further stated that they are also cognizant of the fact that the trend and tactics used by these unscrupulous child offenders by moving from hotels in the community have equally been noticed by their partners in tourism development such as C.P.A G.P.F and UNICEF.
He noted that as they are mandated to take charge of matters of tourism development, promotion and regulations as per GTA Act 2001. He said that the value of their triangular relationship that exist between the department of Social Welfare, the Gambia Police Force and UNICEF, but said they take note of the efficient coordination by the Child Protection Alliance( CPA) whose efforts are well manifested in that programme.
“We must therefore continue to jointly fight against these negative impacts to make the Gambia the best tourism destination second to none in Africa”
Mr. Kebbeh finally indicated that as the necessary laws are in place to protect children, they therefore need to work hard with neighbourhood watch groups to implement these laws and make a stop to these heinous acts as soon as possible.