A two-week training on Information Technology (IT), organised by the Judiciary in collaboration with the UNDP office in Banjul, yesterday kicked off at the Management Development Institute (MDI), in Kanifing.

The training is aimed at enhancing the abilities and skills of the magistrates in using Information Communication Technology (ICT) in their respective fields. Speaking at the opening ceremony, Alieu K Jarju, deputy director general and head of the MDI Computer Department, noted that in this rapidly changing world, fostered largely by globalisation and increased application of technology to development and socio-political processes, it is imperative for all countries to develop adequate and efficient human resource capacity to not only deliver for their citizens, but to compete as equals in the league of nations.

According to him, it must be understood that poverty and underdevelopment are structural rather than natural conditions that can be reversed through the development of a strong human resource capacity base. Such human capital development processes would be facilitated by government policies and shouldered by a well-disciplined and technically prepared legion of public servants.

"As you are all aware, many factors are said to contribute to the poor state and poor economic performance in the West African sub-region. However, the experience of many countries across the globe support the proposition that the missing link in our development is a strong human resource base," he said.

He informed the participants that this programme came at a time when the government of The Gambia, in partnership with UNDP, is embarking on a public service reform and institutional capacity development programme, which aims to build the capacity of all the major sectors within the economy. As part of their mandate, he said, MDI will continue to organise training programmes for the public and private sector so that by the year 2020, the country will have adequate and efficient human resources to man our economy.