The
European Union-funded Access to Justice and Legal Education Project commenced
on Monday a 10-day tour to the rural areas in the North Bank Region to raise
awareness on access to Justice.
The
project is being implemented through its partners such as the National Council
for Civic Education (NCCE), NALA, ADRS and FLAG.
It
aims to foster better democratic and economic governance in The Gambia, through
improving access to justice and legal education.
The
project is out to improve access to legal services/remedial justice, especially
for vulnerable groups; legal education, training and research skills.
The
project focuses on a civic awareness campaign geared towards ensuring that
local communities are aware of their basic legal rights and obligations and
how, and where, to seek redress.
The
overall goal of the campaign is to enhance access to justice through civic and
legal education and the provision of information on available justice
mechanisms.
The
specific objectives are to promote public awareness on civic rights and duties;
promote awareness of the obligations of law enforcement agencies as well as
disseminate knowledge and enhance confidence in the tripartite justice system.
Speaking
at the opening ceremony at Kinteh Kunda, Janet R. Sallah-Njie, a key expert in
modern law, said that through the campaign they would be able to address civic
rights, the duties of communities, raise their awareness to enable them seek
redress and appreciate their roles and responsibilities in a democratic nation.
The
project was successfully completed in West Coast Region, Lower River Region and
Upper River Region and she said a six-month extension was benefitting the North
Bank and Central River regions.
Yusupha
Bojang, NCCE Programme Officer, said the project came as a result of a study
conducted in 2012.
The
findings of the study revealed that many Gambian people, especially rural
communities, lack knowledge on access to justice, he said, adding that this is
largely due to low literacy rates, inadequate information on existing laws and
also poor dissemination of information.
“The
project wants to address those challenges,” he said.
Fa
Balla Kinteh, Chief of Lower Badibu District, said they were blessed and
fortunate to host the project in the North Bank Region.
He
said the project would help them to know how and where to access justice when
the need arises, as he thanked the funders and implementers.
Lamin
Ceesay of Kerewan Area Council Chairman, in his remarks, said there was nothing
more important than being within a gathering that would bring peace and
development to the nation.
He
urged communities to make best use of the knowledge gained as well as share it
with others.
Ebrima
Dampha, Governor of the North Bank Region, urged villagers to live together as
one people, saying if they know their rights and responsibilities they would
live together in peace and harmony.
