The
International Republican Institute (IRI) commenced a three-day training
workshop for youth and women in civil society organisations reforms agenda in
The Gambia.
Held at the Ocean Bay Hotel conference hall,
the workshop aimed to sensitize women and youth to be given the right tools and
information to help them in strengthening civil education and democratic
culture.
Speaking
at the opening ceremony, the American Ambassador in The Gambia, Madam Alsup,
said that under the new administration of President Adama Barrow every Gambian
has the responsibility to intensity the process of self-development, which is
also a civic development.
She
stated that civic development requires strong moral character, personal
integrity and commitment to democratic ideals such as transparency,
accountability, honesty and placing the good of the whole community above
personal or family gain.
She
thanked and congratulated the International Republican Institute for their
commitment in promoting democratic ideals worldwide and particularly for their
efforts in The Gambia.
For
his part, the International Republican Institute for African Regional
Director, John G. Tomaszewski, said that
what The Gambia has achieved was not just historic for Gambia, but for Africa’s movement towards stronger and more citizen-centered democracy.
“For
22 years, the Gambian people yearned to live in a country where our diverse
tribes will be bridged by tolerance and our determination to work together for
common good,” he said.
He
said that The Gambia has changed for forever, saying the people are fully
conscious that they could put a government in office as well as remove it.
Hon.
Muhammad Ndow, Member of Parliament for Banjul Central advice the participants
to take the training seriously and to share what they have learned with the
society and to create awareness in taking part in national development.
