Adopted following a workshop and stakeholder engagement themed “From Principles to Policy: Advancing Data Protection in The Gambia” with the participation of various stakeholders including Police investigators and prosecutors, National Assembly, Ministry of Justice, law enforcement agencies, civil society organisations, digital rights advocates, legal practitioners, and media representatives among others held on the 17th of June, 2025 in Banjul, Gambia
Preamble
We, the participants of the From Principles to Policy: Advancing Data Protection in The Gambia convening, held on the 17th of June 2025 in Banjul, The Gambia, comprising representatives from the National Assembly, Ministry of Justice, law enforcement agencies, civil society organisations, digital rights advocates, legal practitioners, and media representatives:
Acknowledging the increasing reliance on digital technologies across governance, law enforcement, and civil society in The Gambia;
Recognising the urgent need to safeguard the right to privacy as enshrined in the 1997 Constitution of The Gambia, especially in the digital age;
Welcoming the draft Data Protection Bill currently under review by the National Assembly as a critical step towards establishing a comprehensive legal framework for the protection of personal data.
Concerned by the potential risks of data misuse, privacy breaches, and unlawful surveillance in the absence of a robust data protection regime;
Affirming the importance of equipping justice sector actors, particularly police prosecutors with the legal, ethical, and operational tools to manage personal data responsibly;
Hereby agree on the following key outcomes and commitments:
Part I: Digital Rights Academy – Capacity Building for Police Prosecutors
1. Capacity Strengthening: Participants acknowledged the need for sustained capacity-building efforts to empower law enforcement officers to uphold data protection standards in their investigative and prosecutorial functions. Participants further acknowledged the need for capacity building for lawmakers, the judiciary and executive functions of government on data rights
2. Knowledge Transfer: Officers received foundational training on:
– Core principles of data protection;
– Key provisions of the draft Data Protection Bill;
– Legal and ethical responsibilities in data handling;
– International best practices in law enforcement data governance.
3. Commitment to Compliance: Law enforcement representatives expressed readiness to improve institutional safeguards against data breaches and to incorporate privacy respecting practices into daily procedures.
Part II: Digital Policy Engagement Series – Stakeholder Dialogue
4. Policy Dialogue: A constructive multi-stakeholder dialogue was held on the content, gaps, and implementation prospects of the Draft Data Protection Bill.
5. Civil Society Engagement: A presentation of the Civil Society Position Paper highlighted areas for improvement in the draft legislation and advocated for strong enforcement mechanisms, independent oversight, and public education.
6. Legislative Advocacy: Participants urged the National Assembly to:
– Expedite the passage of the draft Data Protection Bill;
– Ensure adequate consultation and alignment with international data protection standards;
– Provide for an independent data protection authority with sufficient powers and resources.
7. Digital Sovereignty: call for the establishment of data center(s) in the Gambia to ensure that Gambian data is controlled, managed and protected within the Gambia jurisdiction. There is also a call to recall Gambian data in foreign companies if their contracts permit.
- Joint Action: Participants agreed to work collaboratively in:
– Advancing public awareness on data rights;
– Monitoring the legislative process;
– Supporting implementation efforts post-enactment.
Immediate Deliverables and Follow-up:
– A Follow-Up Mechanism will be established, led by Paradigm Initiative and Give1 Project Gambia, to track progress on the bill’s passage and operationalisation.
Way Forward:
We conclude this convening by reaffirming our collective resolve to protect the digital rights and personal data of all persons in The Gambia. We call on all stakeholders including government, civil society, private sector, and international partners, to lend their support to this urgent and necessary agenda.
Adopted unanimously by all participants present in Banjul, The Gambia
On this 17th day of June, 2025
Signed:
Paradigm Initiative
GiveOne Project Gambia