By Sainabou Sambou
The National Council for Civic Education (NCCE) has successfully concluded a nationwide training program to empower influencers and key stakeholders to promote accurate information and peaceful participation ahead of The Gambia’s 2026 presidential elections.
Supported by the European Union (EU) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) through the GREAT Project Initiative, the intensive training ran from 30th June to 10th July 2026 across all seven administrative regions of the country. Sessions were held in the Upper River Region (URR), Central River Region (CRR), North Bank Region (NBR), Lower River Region (LRR), West Coast Region (WCR), and the Greater Banjul Area, including Kanifing Municipal and Banjul.
A total of 495 participants, including youth leaders, women’s groups, religious leaders, civil society organizations, social media influencers, and political representatives, benefited from the initiative. The program, titled “Support Civic Education, Voter Education and Dissemination of Legislation at the National, Regional and Local Levels,” operated under the theme “Strengthening Influencer Networks for Inclusive Civic Engagement and Sustainable Outreach.”
Speaking at the closing ceremony, NCCE Program Manager Ansumana Ceesay emphasized the critical role of informed citizenship in sustaining democracy. “Democracy can only flourish when citizens are well-informed, actively engaged, and committed to resolving differences through dialogue rather than conflict,” he said
Ceesay noted that election periods often see spikes in misinformation, hate speech, and political intolerance, which pose serious threats to national stability. He urged participants to champion tolerance, responsible communication, and peaceful coexistence to ensure credible and inclusive polls in 2026. The NCCE, he added, remains dedicated to preparing citizens for meaningful democratic participation by promoting civic rights and responsibilities, with special focus on women, youth, persons with disabilities, and other marginalized groups.
The Program Manager expressed gratitude to the EU and UNDP for their partnership and called on trainees to cascade the knowledge gained to their communities.
Councilor Agie Saptien Jaye of London Corner Ward described civic education as vital for helping citizens understand their electoral responsibilities. She reminded participants that while individuals have the right to support any political party, information shared publicly must remain accurate and free from distortion. “Sometimes accurate information is shared, but others add false information to it before passing it on,” she warned.
Councilor Jaye urged Gambians to accept the 2026 election results peacefully and work together for national development, regardless of the outcome. She expressed concern over the violence and heated arguments that frequently accompany election seasons, stressing that such behavior harms the nation. Bringing together diverse stakeholders and influencers, she said, would strengthen peace and unity.
Yankuba Jatta, Community Development Officer at the Kanifing Municipal Council, thanked the NCCE and its partners for the timely intervention. He highlighted social media’s power as a communication tool and encouraged participants to engage their communities in discussions on civic education, responsible digital practices, and peaceful electoral conduct.
The training marks a significant step in reinforcing democratic values and safeguarding The Gambia’s hard-won peace during the upcoming electoral cycle.
