(L-R) Ida Jaiteh, National Coordinator SWA; Mr Patrick Agbambu, CEO SWA; Mr Iraise Ohiahe SWA; and Fatou Kineh Jamanka, Head of Protocol SWA |
Security
Watch Africa (SWA), a Nigerian-based security watchdog organisation, has
announced that the 8th edition of its 2011 Awards and Lecture will
be held in Banjul, The Gambia on October 13-14.
The
announcement was made by the International Coordinator, SWA Awards and Lecture,
Mr Patrick Agbambu, on Monday during a press conference at a local hotel at
Brufut in Kombo north district of the West Coast region of The Gambia.
The
Awards and Lecture, initiated in 2004, is meant to motivate African countries
to encourage and boost the security awareness and consciousness in their
citizenry. It is also intended to encourage governments, individuals and
organisations that put up so much effort to secure their environment and their
country.
The
annual event has been hosted by Nigeria from 2004 to 2008 but moved to Accra,
Ghana in 2009 and Johannesburg, South Africa in 2010. Various categories are set
to be given out, among them, best Governor on security matters; best Governor
on conflict resolution; best safety
conscious Governor; most vibrant security agency; best police state command;
best security friendly legislator; and best security conscious airline.
SWA
said the awards will cut across various sections of players in security affairs
in Africa. According to Mr Agbambu, the recognition of the work of various
recipients of the Award rest largely on the impact of their policies and
actions.
“The
choice for The Gambia is a reflection of the commitment to peace and security
by the government and people of The Gambia”, said Mr Agbambu, who is also the
Chief Executive Officer of SWA. “Your country has become a pride of the West
African sub-region as it remains the most peaceful, secured and people’s
friendly destination.”
In
a continent affected by terrible suffering, security remains the bulwark
against Africa’s socio-political systems, compelling Mr Agbambu to note that “today,
the issue of security in Africa is grabbing the headlines of the mass media and
public and private discourse”.
The
challenge of security on the continent is taking a delicate dimension, and Mr
Agbambu projected that the rate of development will continue to be retarded if
concerted efforts are not taken to checkmate the trend.
According
to him, security in Africa has become the most important factor among
Governments, organisations and individuals. He noted that a country with high
security consciousness among others is rated as very stable and investment
friendly.
The
event will kick off with a series of lectures, and the theme is “Security and
Infrastructure: Can Africa Get It Right?” SWA said some heads of Africa
Governments (presidents, state governors and regional governments); heads of
parliaments; security chiefs; representatives of foreign embassies in The
Gambia; media executives; and the award recipients are expected to attend the event
in Banjul next month.
Among
them, top dignitaries from Ghana, Ivory Coast, Liberia, Mozambique, Nigeria,
Senegal, South Africa, Tanzania and The Gambia.
Author: Modou S. Joof for The Voice Newspaper
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