I do not know what the Daily Observer mean by illegal migration but 
makes me wonder what this showdown will bring. First, may I ask how many 
of the 20,000 "illegal migrants" in Spain are minors? and what is the 
breakdown of their educational status? Also would increase training of 
Gambians in agriculture, carpentry, fishinng, construction, electricity 
really curb this "illegal migration"?  The 2003 census figures show of 
the 689,201 Gambians aged 15 years and over, 272,762 (40%) had no 
education,  52,517 (8%) no more than primary edu, 176930 (26%) some for 
of secondary education, 13360 (under 2%) with vocational training 
including teachers, 2309 (3 tenths of 1%) with undergrad education, 2357 
(3 tenths of 1%) graduate education and 1467 (2 tenths of 1%) post 
graducate education. Please note that about about 167499(23% ) claim not 
to belong to any of the above groups.

It is interesting to note that only 6,133 Gambians living in the Gambia 
in 2003 reported having a university degree (undergrad to Post grad). 
You wonder how that figure compare to that of all Gambian-born degree 
holders? A database of health professionals emigrating from Africa 
(Michael Clemens and Gunilla Pettersson 2006) showed that there are 46 
(53%) Gambian-born physicians (Doctors in medicine) liing in nine 
countries abroad compared to 40 living  in the Gambia. The number of is 
much higher with practicing nurses with 282 living in nine countries 
abroad  compared to 144 in the Gambia. It is interesting to note is that 
none of these were said to be living in Spain.

The employment figures for the same group show only 454,682 (66%) 
reported being employed. Of these over 215,592 (47%) are crop producers 
agriculture, 63,978 (14%) in Service, Shop & Market Sales;  13% in 
crafts and related trade, 10% elementary occupation(whatever that is), 
3% professionals, 6% clerks, technicials and associate professionals. 
With the government all but abandoned buying groundnuts, you wonder how 
many of the 215,592 would stay on the land. And if they do not would be 
re-trained under the new partnership to promote social and professional 
cohesion (whatever that is)?

The truth is, someone must be kidding to believe that a 1 million Euro 
skill center will check this "illegal migration". The new partnership if 
anything is the latest in this global outsourcing project. In effect 
lets pay the Gambian government one million Euros to police our border 
for us. While the partnership may help Spain cater for her citizens, 
what does it leave the Gambian people? It would help to know that about 
665,000 (48%) of the total population are between 10 and 34 years old. 
If the government is to succeed, it must present a convincing case that 
it is not in effect and agent of the Spanish border police. And that it 
as the people's representative is representing their interest by 
accepting 1 million Euro for closing the border.

Failure to present a convincing case could leave a very significant 
proportion of the population feeling deprived of their only opportunity 
to a better life. Like a desperate herd breaking into a neigbor's 
garden, it should not surprise us to see desperate citizens doing 
desperate things to survive.


Malanding Jaiteh





Gambia: Curbing Illegal Migration


The Daily Observer <http://www.observer.gm/enews/> (Banjul)

10 August 2007
Posted to the web 13 August 2007

The Gambia and Spain, following the June 2007 Joint Committee Plan, 
agreed yesterday to strengthen the partnership agreement in order to 
check illegal immigration of minors, and to promote the social and 
professional cohesion of this category.

By financing 1M Euros Skills Training Centre, where young Gambians will 
receive and venture into several activities (agriculture, carpentry, 
fishing, construction, electricity), it calls for the setting up of a 
permanent mechanism, aimed at curbing illegal immigration through 
prevention, social-pedagogical and formation measures.

It recommends also that when young Gambians are well-trained, they will 
notably be exposed to the dangers posed by illegal migration. 
Consequently, they would act legally to Spain or other places.

As the Gambian community in Spain already attained the level of 20,000 
migrants, the way forward lies on the necessity to move towards a real 
showdown over illegal migration.

Even if the issue exposes a deep and bitter rift within the public 
opinion, there is a need to sensitise people on the dangers relating to 
illegal migration.


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