The Gambia Bureau of Statistics on Friday ended a five-day training on national database, dubbed Gaminfo, for National Assembly Members (NAMs).
The training was meant to equip the skills of NAMs for easy accessibility of data and enhancing knowledge on key development indicators for effective and efficient planning and decision-making.
According to officials, Gaminfo is a human development monitoring tool launched last month by Gambia Bureau of Statistics (GBoS) in collaboration with the UN system. It will also be used for data dissemination across all partners in development.
Speaking on the occasion, Hon. Fatou Mbye, Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly, said the training was not only worthwhile but timely.
“The training will enhance our knowledge on certain sectors as well as [beef up] information on the country,” she said.
“It will help us in our planning”, she added, while commending GBoS for giving them the opportunity to receive such a training on database on The Gambia.
Moreover, Hon. Mbye tasked the organisers that the knowledge gained from the training would trickle down to other partners, as data is very important in any planning and decision-making process.
The National Assembly will support GBoS if such training is incorporated in their agenda, she remarked.
Statistician General Alieu S.M. Ndow, in his remarks, revealed that the UN Systems have been supportive of their initiative, adding that the statistical bureau works closely with other sectors including the ministries and agencies in data collection.
“There is an Act upon which GBoS was established that makes clear their responsibilities,” said Mr Ndow.
According to him, since the inception of GBoS, they have come to realise that there is need to further collaborate and strengthen the Act, calling for long-term training for statisticians and personnel in the planning sectors.
The statistician general outlined their census plan of 2011-2014 with various sectors across the country.
He appealed to the NAMs to assist them in sensitising institutions for the planning of the census, noting that the official launching marking the census plan will be held next week.
The National Assembly Member for Serrekunda West, Hon. Sulayman Joof, in delivering the vote of thanks, applauded GBoS for the training opportunity.
Hon. Joof described the training as one of the best so far they have had in terms of relevance and importance.
