Gambia Country Coordination Mechanism holds dialogue with partners

(Thursday September 01, 2016 Issue)

The Gambia Country Coordination Mechanism (CCM) on Wednesday had a meeting with its partners to share views and strategies on policy matters that affect their work on Global Fund’s mission.

The mission of Global Fund is to make sustainable difference in the fight against HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria.

The meeting at a hotel in Kololi brought together different stakeholders, including civil society associations, to collectively identify country needs, programme designing and implementation process so as to optimise delivery of services.

CCM is a contribution fun that was put together by the private sector and governments, both local and European countries, to fight against HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria.

Speaking on the occasion, Saffie Lowe-Ceesay, permanent secretary, Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, said Global Fund recognises that only through a country-driven, coordinated and multi-sector approach involving all relevant partners will additional resources have a significant impact on the reduction of infections, illness and death from HIV/AIDS, TB and malaria.

She noted that a variety of actors must be involved in the development of proposals and decisions on the allocation and utilisation of Global Fund financial resources.

“To achieve this, the Global Fund expects grant proposals to be coordinated among a broad range of stakeholders each with unique skills, background and experience through a Country Coordinating Mechanism,” Madam Lowe-Ceesay said.

CCM monitors the implementation of approved proposals and grants in the country.

Yusupha Gomez, vice chairman of Gambia CCM, said the meeting with partners provided an overall view of the Global Fund’s work, its impact, visibility and efficiency.

“The specific objective of the meeting is to provide information about The Gambia CCM being the coordinating body of the programme in the country,” he explained.