Held at the African Princess Hotel, the event organized with support from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the European Union (EU), brought together council chairpersons, Chief Executive Officers, government officials, and development partners.
It seeks to build a solid and sustainable financial base for local governance in The Gambia.
Ceesay called for bold and innovative financing models to overcome the long-standing funding gaps that hinder council operations.
“We are here today not just to reflect but to act. The success of local governance depends on our ability to think beyond traditional funding streams and embrace community partnerships, private sector collaboration, and international engagement”, he said.
He highlighted GALGA’s commitment to transformation, capacity building, and community engagement as key pillars of its strategy.
Managers Prescription Consultancy Services, Ousman Sonko, described the launch of the resource mobilization strategy as a major step for local governance.
Sonko revealed that councils are engaging in this process for the first time, noting that understanding and using the strategy is essential for its success.
He thus highlighted the need for strong institutional capacity, given that resources are limited while human needs continue to grow.
“Resources will never be adequate, and human needs are unlimited, proactive efforts from all councils and a deeper understanding of the strategy is a means of mobilisation itself”, he added.
EU-UNDP Great Project Rep, James P. Monibah in his addressed urged councils to treat these strategies as living documents and take full advantage of the exclusive support opportunities available to them.
The strategy, he added, is meant to support councils in becoming more self-reliant, with the aim of helping councils plan and manage development with greater autonomy and transparency.
This, he said, will foster citizen trust for greater development.
