On Tuesday, 12 November 2024, a 20-man Presidential delegation from the Republic of Gambia visited Sierra Leone to learn from the National Civil Registration Authority (NCRA) about Civil Registration and Vital Statistics (CRVS).
The head of the delegation is Madam Juldeh Ceesay, Deputy Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Finance and Economic Affairs. They came to Sierra Leone to gain insight into the accomplishments of NCRA and Sierra Leone.
In his statement, the Director General of NCRA, Mr. Mohamed Mubashir MASSAQUOI, welcomed the delegation on behalf of His Excellency, President Dr. Julius Maada Bio, the government and people of Sierra Leone, and the National Civil Registration Authority. He mentioned that they were particularly impressed and pleased that the delegation chose to visit Sierra Leone and NCRA to learn about their journey so far in developing or rebuilding their identity management system.
Mr. Massaquoi stated that it was an interesting journey, but what they have enjoyed most, which has helped them achieve and realise tangible gains in the identity system, is the political will they are receiving at the highest level from His Excellency the President. Mr. Massaquoi further stated that the work of the NCRA and identity management is strongly linked to public administration, governance, and accountability in Sierra Leone, as the critical intervention of the government requires their involvement. He emphasised that, because they deal with identity for both citizens and foreigners, they have structured their processes such that to access services in Sierra Leone, one’s identity must be clear and verified by the NCRA.
In her short statement, Madam Ceesay, Deputy Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Finance and Economic Affairs of Gambia, said their visit to Sierra Leone is an assignment from their government to learn about the progress of the digital ID system project, as they are in the process of procuring a concessionaire to partner with their government to develop their national digital ID system, which includes the ID card and passport. Madam Ceesay, on behalf of the government of Gambia, thanked the government and people of Sierra Leone, through the Director General of NCRA, for the warm hospitality they received since their arrival.
Mr Abraham K. Mendy, Deputy Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Interior in Gambia, said they appreciated the way they were welcomed into the country and expressed their happiness to come to Sierra Leone and learn about its identity system.
Mr. Khalilou Olie, who is the Commissioner of the Licensing Department of the Gambia Police Force, mentioned that they are in Sierra Leone for due diligence to verify the right processes and see for themselves. Mr. Khalilou further stated that they were delighted, and after hearing the presentation by the Director General of NCRA, they learned a lot and understood what they should do.
Mr Foday Gassamu, Commissioner of Processing at the Gambia Immigration Department, thanked NCRA Director General, Mr Mohamed Mubashir Massaquoi, for providing them with ample information on how he works and for approving their request to see NCRA facilities, where they were able to observe a great deal of the system they are working with. He stated that their mission in Sierra Leone is to see what has been implemented here so they can do the same in Gambia.
Mr. Gassamu further mentioned that they have seen a great deal and that NCRA has a good system, which is a lesson they have learned. Prof. Abdou Karim Jallow, Director General of the Gambia Information and Communication Technology Agency, in his statement, said they are in Sierra Leone for due diligence, as they want to award the contract to a company to build their ID systems. He expressed that they are in Sierra Leone to observe what has been done here, and from a systems perspective, they came to see what has been implemented and how it works.
The visit of Nigeria, Ethiopia, Tanzania, Zambia, and now Gambia to Sierra Leone to learn from the National Civil Registration Authority (NCRA) is a testament to the exceptional work being done under the leadership of Director General Mohamed Mubashir Massaquoi. This significant development has garnered the interest of numerous foreign embassies, international partners, and local organisations, all eager to collaborate with the NCRA in establishing reliable, transparent, and efficient civil registration and vital statistics (CRVS) and identification management systems in Sierra Leone.
