By Madi S. Njie
The EU Delegate’s reminder of The Gambia international standards obligations, underpin by the disturbing aflatoxin – groundnut infection – causing liver cancer, among related diseases caused by infected groundnuts- such as asthma; and the absence of lab testing facilities for our local products bound for export were, major topics that dominated the information sharing session organized for National Assembly Members by The Gambia Standard Bureau.
Mr. Papa Secka, Director General of The Gambia Standard Bureau alluded to the above mentioned matters while sharing the objectives, activities and challenges of the Bureau with National Assembly Members (NAMs) who enacted the Bill, at a day’s session in celebration of International Standards Days.
Secka, among others, acknowledged the declining groundnut yield (The Gambia’s main cash crop) while trying to compete in the international market due to lack of Testing facilities in the country, noting that the European Union (EU) in June 2019 reminded The Gambia of its international Standards obligations.
TGSB was established through an Act of Parliament in 2010 called The Gambia Standards Bureau Act, and it began operations in October 2011.
DG Secka admitted that The Gambia is facing a lot of challenges, and there’s need for the Bureau to harness challenges, particularly on groundnut, promote and make the sector more efficient- which remains a major challenge.
The Standards Bureau chief speaking at the opening ceremony of the information sharing session on the role of the Bureau and National Quality Infrastructure with all the National Assembly Members, held at the Senegambia Beach Hotel, recently. The session was part of commemoration of World Standards Day 2019.
“After knowing the challenges, we should know how to address challenges by harnessing the role of the Bureau,” Secka said. He highlighted training and sensitisation needs, hence prompting the event to sensitise National Assembly Members to remind them about the role of the Bureau, works done and identify areas to contribute to national development, in order to enable the people’s Representatives to in turn, enlighten their respective Constituencies.
The Majority Leader of the National Assembly, Hon. Kebba K. Barrow, reiterated that GBS was established …, to take care of health of the Nation, by enhancing standards.
The lawmaker also alluded to concerns on threats posed by aflatoxin (groundnut infections) which are human transferable infections, and therefore advised the Bureau to collaborate with the Ministry of Agriculture to tackle the epidemic, as means of enhancing standards.
Describing the workshop as timely, Hon Barrow stressed the importance of sensitising the public, adding that this is the beginning of their collaboration with the Bureau, to enhance standards.
Mr. Hassan Gaye, a representative from the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Employment expressed the need for The Gambia to adapt to international standards, noting that their products need to compete internationally, as he assured of his Ministry’s support. Gaye urged that the country’s agriculture sector needs to compete at international level by adapting to globally accepted standards; disclosing that currently, The Gambia is working to have food safety testing standards.
Presentations on Standardisation, conformity assessment, and metrology were done by Mr, Amadou G. Jallow, Awa Jeng, and Mr, Papa Secka, all staffers of the Standards Bureau.
Participants highlighted challenges, including lack of resources, training, and food testing machine, and came up with recommendations.
Mr Sambujang Drammeh – Marketing and communication Officer at the Standard Bureau Chaired the opening ceremony.
GBS Vision is to be the leading standardisation institution in promoting industrial growth and consumer welfare.
GBS’ Mission is to standardise goods, services and systems in accordance with internationally-recognised procedures to enhance industrial growth and efficiency, facilitate trade, promote health, safety and environmental protection.
Global drives to enhance standards dated back to 20 May 1875 by 17 States, with the establishment of BIPM- Bureau International des Poids et Mesures set up by the Metre Convention, in Paris, France. It maintains scientific laboratories in areas of mass, time, electricity, ionising, radiation and chemistry.
Functions of BIPM includes; establish fundamental standards and scales for the measurement of the principal physical quantities and maintain the international phototypes.
