Brikama, The Gambia — March 22, 2025
The Brikama Area Council (BAC) commemorated World Water Day 2025 with a vibrant community celebration, reaffirming its commitment to ensuring clean water access across the West Coast Region. The event began with a spirited march-past through Brikama, followed by a symposium where key stakeholders highlighted the importance of sustainable water management and community involvement.
In his keynote address, BAC Chairman Yankuba Darboe emphasized that access to clean drinking water is a fundamental human right, not a privilege. “Water is life. It sustains our health, nurtures our crops, and drives our economic activities. As we celebrate today, we must also renew our commitment to ensuring every community has access to this vital resource,” he stated.
Chairman Darboe highlighted the council’s efforts over the past two years, which included drilling 85 boreholes in communities, schools, health centers, and community gardens across the region. He credited the success of these initiatives to partnerships with organizations such as Foundation 221, Gammol, BlueSand Foundation, Mama Africa Foundation and other private donors. He also announced an increase in the Ward Development Fund from 500,000 to 1 million dalasis, empowering local councilors to prioritize water provision in their wards.
Bubacarr M Kanteh, Ward Councillor of Kartong Ward, echoed the chairman’s sentiments, calling for stronger community engagement. “Sustainability is key. We need to form local water committees to oversee these projects, ensuring long-term maintenance and equitable access,” Kanteh remarked.
Representatives from the Department of Water Resources also spoke, addressing critical issues such as water treatment, the protection of water tables, and the dangers of poor environmental practices. They cautioned against the conversion of old wells into toilets or waste dumps, stressing the need for better waste management practices to prevent contamination of underground water sources.
The event concluded with a special awards ceremony recognizing the contributions of BAC’s partners and councilors in advancing water access initiatives. Certificates of appreciation were presented to partners such as Foundation 221 and Gammol for their ongoing support. Additionally, Councillors who facilitated the most water projects in their wards were honored as Brikama Area Council Water4Development Champions, celebrating their dedication to prioritizing water provision for their communities.
As the day’s events came to a close, one message stood clear: water is more than a resource — it is a right, a responsibility, and a path to a healthier, more resilient future for the people of the West Coast Region.
