A five-day intensive training on mechanism of governance on Monday commenced at the Friendship Hotel in Bakau.
The training hosted by Peace Ambassadors the Gambia (PAG) with support from ActionAid International The Gambia (AAITG), focuses on how civil society organizations should pursue in a participatory, inclusive and transparent manner the aim of achieving influence and control over institutions and mechanisms of governance.
Speaking on the occasion, Aminata Hydara revealed: "It all started in March 2011 when various youth groups in the country led by AAITG went to
According to her, among the components of the training were based on empowerment, accountability, and innovation.
She said that was the reason they teach others on lessons drawn out so as to broaden the knowledge base, attitudinal reflection on the subject of governance and to provide exposure through a range of practical governance tools.
In his address to the gathering, Lamin Nyando, Head of policy and advocacy at the AAITG, revealed that the training is very crucial, adding: "It is a forum that we can deliberate on effectively and understand issues that we talk about on daily basis."
Mr Nyando implored on the participants to apply what they have learnt, noting: "The issue about what we do is not just limited to training; the need to do policy analysis is important so as to be able to articulate the issues and hold those people that are responsible.
He stressed that AAITG has, among others, started to embrace the idea of governance and policy work and to look at the human rights dimension of what people do, for the people that deserve them.
He finally challenged participants to work towards mobilizing the communities for them to able to engage and ask question about resources on people implemented by themselves.
Lamin Saidykan, President of PAG, said the forum is a step in the right direction admitting that "governance is one of the major causes of conflicts" among organizations in all parts of the world.
He revealed is organization's commitment about issues on conflicts, adding: "Capacity building is one of the ways to detect causes of conflicts."
He assured the gathering that Peace Ambassadors will always live to expectations, while urging participants to take the training seriously.