Showcasing Africa's Best in Security
Chiemelie Ezeobi
The hall of Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara International Conference Centre, Banjul, The Gambia, was recently thrown open to showcase Africa's best in security. Organised by Africa Security Watch Awards and Conference, reports that this 17th edition offered an opportunity to honour deserving persons drawn from the military, the police and even immigration, who distinguished themselves in service to their respective nations. Also recognised were individuals, as well as governments who champion security of member states and the continent at large
To showcase the best in security in Africa, The Gambia recently hosted the 17th Africa Security Watch Awards Initiative and Conference (SWAI). Known fondly as the Smiling Coast of Africa, the nation hosted the best of Africa from November 9 to 11, 2022.
Although the earlier plan to host the event in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Dubai, was thwarted by the recent visa ban on Nigerians by the UAE authorities, it did not in anyway take the shine off the essence of the award, a fact that those who did not make it to The Gambia, were oblivious to.
Keeping Faith
Despite the odds, President / Chief
Executive Officer of Security Watch Africa (SWA), Mr. Patrick Agbambu, kept the faith to host the '17th Africa Security Watch Awards and Conferenc at the Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara International Conference Centre, Banjul, The Gambia.
On the choice of awardees, he said persons, governments and organisations that performed well in the security sector were rightfully chosen to be honoured.
Rewarding Diligence
For SWAI, the award constantly reinforces the op
portunity to reward diligence in service, and rightfully so. To the awardees, it was an honour well deserved as their excellence and hardwork finally paid off.
A total of 68 persons, including individuals, organisations, academia, clergy, media, and security agencies from across the African continent, were honoured for their exemplary performances in their various fields of endeavour, especially in the security sector.
Although the Chairman, Board of Trustees, General Jospeh Nunoo-Mensah (Rtd), the former chief of defence staff, Ghana, was unavoidably absent, he had earlier expressed his congratulations to the deserving ones.
Award Ceremony
The grand event started with a red carpet reception and cocktail but the occasion kicked off properly with the melodious national anthem of The Gambia.
This was followed by the opening virtual remarks by the chairman board of trustees, former Chief of Defence Staff, Ghana and Chairman Board of Trustees of SWAI, Gen. Joseph Nunoo-Mensah (Rtd.). In between light jokes by Eric and his co-compere, the evening witnessed the rich exhibition of The Gambian culture, especially with the talking drums by a retired