By Sering Mass Jallow
The Gambia Immigration Department (GID) on Monday launched a youth-focused awareness campaign against irregular migration, as part of efforts to strengthen community engagement and curb the practice commonly known as the “Backway”.
The initiative, organised by the Kanifing Municipality Immigration Command, brought together senior security officials, community leaders and youth representatives from across the Kanifing Municipality.
Speaking at the event held at the Westfield Youth Monument in Kanifing, the Regional Commissioner for Immigration, Omar Fofana, said the campaign was not intended to prevent migration, but to discourage unsafe and illegal routes that have claimed many lives.
“We are not here to stop migration. Rather, we want to discourage the persistent use of irregular routes that have already claimed too many lives,” he said.
Fofana called for stronger collaboration between communities and security agencies, noting that timely information-sharing on suspected irregular migration activities would help prevent further tragedies.
He also condemned individuals facilitating irregular migration, describing them as part of criminal networks exploiting vulnerable youths for financial gain.
Also speaking at the event, Essa Sanneh, Deputy Chairperson of the Kanifing Municipal Youth Committee, underscored the importance of youth participation in efforts to address irregular migration.
“Youth must be at the centre of the solution. Too often, programmes are designed for young people without their involvement. If we are serious about changing attitudes towards irregular migration, young people must be engaged in both planning and implementation,” he said.
Irregular migration continues to have a significant impact on many Gambian families, with numerous cases of disappearances and deaths reported.
According to Gambian migration activist Ebrima Drammeh, at least 893 Gambians lost their lives attempting to reach Europe via irregular routes between January 1 and December 31, 2025.
The campaign forms part of the GID’s broader strategy to combat irregular migration and reduce the loss of lives associated with the dangerous journey.
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