Over 50 Media, CSO Personnel Certified

Fifty-four media practitioners and other members of civil society were on Friday 29th May 2009, awarded certificates after successfully completing four weeks of intensive training.

The certificate ceremony was held at the Management Development Institute (MDI) in Kanifing, where most of the participants were trained.

The training covered areas such as management, financial management accounting, gender, communication, monitoring and evaluation, as well as computer skills.

The training was funded by the United Nations Democracy Fund (UNDEF) and was implemented by Action Aid The Gambia.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Nyakassi Jarju, Governance Manager ActionAid, revealed that the overall objective of the project is to raise the level of awareness of the participants on gender, decision making, and governance as well as advocacy and reporting skills. He hoped that the training would increase the number of local government strategies that include civil society inputs.

Jarju commended UNDP for their trust and confidence in his organization by asking them to co-implement the project. He said that his organizations' constituents are the poor, the marginalised, and the voiceless.

He advised participants that now that they are trained a lot is expected from them to more effectively deliver in their work.

Basiru Jahumpa, a representative of the UNDP said that his organization is aware of the constraint and challenges facing the media and CSOs, and this motivated them to initiate the capacity building project.

He stressed that the role of the media in any society cannot be over emphasized and commended the implementing agency for a job well done.

For his part, the course coordinator Dr. Sassi Ndur of MDI, applauded the trainees for their high level of participation during the course. He expressed hope that the skills and knowledge acquired by the participants, when fully put into practice can effect change in the society.

Amie Sillah a beneficiary delivered the vote of thanks. She thanked all the partners involved in the project for upgrading their knowledge and skills. The certificates were presented by Mr. Alieu Jarju, Deputy Director of MDI.