The new strategy themed: ‘Advancing Social Justice, Gender Equality, and Climate Resilience’ sets an ambitious tone for the next phase of ActionAid’s journey in The Gambia. It outlines clear priorities: climate justice, women’s leadership, youth empowerment, human rights, and sustainable livelihoods.
Vice President Muhammed B.S. Jallow, speaking on behalf of President Adama Barrow, hailed ActionAid’s 46-year partnership with The Gambia as a “story of resilience, empowerment, and shared purpose.”
“For more than four decades, ActionAid has stood as a steadfast partner in our collective journey towards empowerment, equality, and poverty eradication,” the Vice President said. “The government recognizes that achieving sustainable development requires strong partnerships between government, civil society, and development actors. ActionAid remains a vital ally in this mission.”
He commended the organiszation’s community-driven approach, which he said had “empowered rural communities, promoted women’s leadership, and strengthened local governance structures.”
The Executive Director of ActionAid International The Gambia, Ndella Faye Colley, described the event as both a celebration and a renewal of commitment.
“For nearly half a century, ActionAid has stood shoulder to shoulder with communities across The Gambia empowering women, inspiring youth, and building resilience against poverty and injustice,” she declared. “Our journey has been one of trust, partnership, and purpose.”
Faye Colley reaffirmed ActionAid’s commitment to sustainability, announcing that the new strategy would be available digitally to reduce paper use and environmental impact.
She paid special tribute to current and former staff, board members, and community partners, emphasising that “the real heroes are the people on the ground the community workers and volunteers who bring our mission to life every day.”
The European Union Ambassador to The Gambia, Her Excellency Immaculada I. Cortés, praised ActionAid’s consistency and vision.
“What we are celebrating today is not just longevity; it’s commitment, partnership, and shared purpose,” she said. “ActionAid’s priorities-social justice, gender equality, and climate resilience align closely with those of the European Union. Your advocacy and grassroots engagement are critical in shaping policies that make development inclusive and sustainable.”
She commended the organisation’s dual approach of delivering services and championing advocacy, describing civil society as “agents of change” whose proximity to communities ensures accountability and impact.
Recounting ActionAid’s early years, Board Chair Ousman Badjie, reflected on the organisation’s evolution from a small charitable initiative to a rights-based development force.
“In 1979, ActionAid started with a simple but powerful goal to improve the lives of Gambians, especially those living in poverty and exclusion,” Badjie said. “From building schools in remote villages to supporting agriculture and rural livelihoods, ActionAid’s legacy is written in the stories of those whose lives have been changed.”
He explained that the new strategy, “Bolstering Efforts for a Feminist, Just and Green Future,” will focus on three pillars: promoting human rights and equality, building climate resilience and ecological justice, and strengthening governance and accountability.
“These are not just aspirations,” he added. “They are deeply aligned with The Gambia’s Green Recovery-Focused National Development Plan and the global Sustainable Development Goals.”
Arthur Larok, Secretary General of ActionAid International, who arrived from Johannesburg, lauded the Gambian chapter as “a shining example” within the 74 countries where ActionAid operates.
“The Gambia’s story is one of transformation and leadership,” Larok said. “It mirrors the global mission of ActionAid empowering communities, amplifying the voices of women and youth, and fighting the structural causes of poverty and injustice.”
He reminded the audience that ActionAid’s global secretariat based in Africa symbolises the organization’s deep connection to the Global South, where most of its work is centered.
“Our presence in Africa is deliberate,” he said. “It reflects where the majority of our people live, work, and lead the fight for justice.”
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