By: Alieu Ceesay
In a bid to foster inclusive dialogue, transparency, and collaboration in governance and development, the Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) in the Lower River Region launched a two-day review meeting at the governor’s office in Manskonko on Tuesday.
The meeting brings experts from various government institutions, ministries, and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to present their activity reports for the first quarter of 2025.
Participants provide insights into their roles and responsibilities while highlighting the challenges faced and concepts developed within their institutions.
This initiative, funded by ActionAid International, The Gambia, aims to promote inclusive dialogue and enhance governance and development processes in the country.
Saikou Darboe, Manager of the Local Rights Program at ActionAid International, remarked that the meeting is an important opportunity to acknowledge contributions toward human development and active participation.
The meeting has two main components: institutional presentations and an interface between duty-bearers and rights-holders.
“Today focuses on institutional presentations that highlight progress, challenges, and plans across key sectors. Tomorrow will facilitate direct engagement between rights holders and government officials, promoting accountability and participatory governance,” he explained.
Regional security was a significant topic of discussion, with local residents expressing concerns about increasing insecurity in their communities. Police Commissioner Gomez assured participants that measures were being implemented to enhance safety and encouraged citizens to report any security incidents to the authorities.
“The information we present today helps us understand our collective identity and objectives. It highlights our accomplishments and the challenges within our institutions, providing a clear view of regional development activities,” stated Sarjo Sanneh, Secretary to the TAC, in his opening remarks. He further emphasized the notable improvement in inter-institutional collaboration, which has led to more effective partnerships among government bodies.
Mr. Mustapha Sanyang, Principal Delivery Analyst at the Ministry of Public Service, emphasized the significance of citizen engagement in public service delivery, specifically in the context of governance reforms outlined in Pillar 2. He highlighted initiatives such as the introduction of regional biometric attendance systems aimed at enhancing standards and efficiency within the public service.
During the meeting, Governor Seedy Lamin Bah of the Lower River Region underscored the importance of implementing the policy. He noted that the activity reports shared during the meeting would be submitted to the relevant ministries for further support and could be escalated to the cabinet as needed.
Additionally, agricultural development was a key topic of discussion, reflecting the heavy reliance of many communities in the region on farming. Stakeholders called for continued support to promote sustainable agricultural practices, recognizing the critical role of agriculture in regional development.
