The
Access to Justice project funded by the European Union recently concluded a
training of trainers session for Alkalos on access to justice and customary
laws.
The
five-day training course held at the ActionAid conference hall along MDI Road
Kanifing, was aimed at reaching out to other alkalos in the country.
Neneh
Cham, consultant and one of the trainers, said out of 1810 Alkalos only 250
have been reached for sensitization, and there is a lot of them remaining.
They
selected three from each region, so that when they go back they can conduct
similar training courses for other alkalos in their area.
The
numbers are very small, but it is better to have something than nothing, and
they have been impressed by their participation and contributions, as well as
sharing of experiences.
They
appreciated the commitment and participation of the participants, and the European
Union for funding, she went on.
Nccoletta
Bortowzzi, EURECNA project manager, said she has been following the activity
and the entire project.
The
participants are part of the bigger picture; they are part of the process, and
they are doing something bigger than a project.
“It
is a programme between the Government of The Gambia and the European Union, and
financing is for better access to justice.”
This
training course they are now witnessing has been one of the most innovative
parts of the project.
Customary
law is a fundamental pillar of justice in The Gambia and the participants are
the people behind it.
They
are to work for the most vulnerable people in the community to have access to
justice, and stand up for their rights and to find peaceful solutions; they
have a responsibility to contribute to their respective regions, the project
manager added.
Mbemba
Jabbie, Alkalo of Wulli Taibatou in Wulli West, said they were trained on
access to justice and customary laws for five days.
He
said access to Justice and customary laws are important in their lives and
livelihoods, adding that the training course was vital, and has taught them how
to solve problems among themselves without taking the matter to court,
concerning issues such as marriage and land issues.
When
they go back to their villages, they will be able to strengthen their efforts
in settling disputes among people, with the knowledge gained from the training
course.
Waa
Ceesay, the Alkalo of Jarreng village in Niamina East District, said the
training course has been a successful one, as a training of the trainers for
the Alkalolu.
The
training course had started as a sensitization programme, which was started in
Jangjangbureh sometime in July 2016.
For
their role as customary mediators, they will have to accustom themselves with
the traditions and customary laws of the country.
They
were trained on customary laws, so that when they go back to their villages
they will teach other Alkalos, he continued.
Olimatou
Colley, an Alkalo, said the training course was timely and important, because
she used to have difficulties when dealing with issues like customary laws, but
now with the knowledge gained from the access to justice programme she could do
it very well.
