Madam Njie made this remark during the opening ceremony of the CSO/NGOs engagement conference organised by TANGO on Thursday.
The event brought together different CSOs across the country to discuss thematic socio-political issues in the country.
The convergence is not only a cerebration of their successes but an opportunity to look inward and critically examine the challenges they continue to face and work on resolving them, she said.
According to her, the world is rapidly changing, and civil society must adopt to meet the demands of the future. "We are called to innovate, to pull new technologies, and to deepen our engagement with communities to ensure that our work remains relevant and impactful," she said, adding: “This annual convergence is a first of its kind as we take time to reflect on our shared journey, celebrate our milestones, and renew our collective resolve to address the challenges that lie ahead.”
Siaka Marong, of the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Welfare, said that over the past years, they had witnessed inspiring examples of collaboration between the government, civil society organisations, and non-government organisations, to implement initiatives that have positively impacted lives across the country.
Through capacity-building programs for women, advocacy campaign for child protection, or community-led projects promoting social inclusion, he stated, “your contribution has been instrumental in driving the development agenda forward”.
However, he said they must acknowledge that challenges remain, issues such as gender-based violence, limited access to education for vulnerable children, and economic inequalities continue to hinder progress in achieving their goals.
"These challenges call for renewed commitment, innovative approaches, and strengthened partnerships among all stakeholders,” he said. “As we gather, let us recognize the immense opportunities that exist to transform lives and communities."
He affirmed that the implementation of policies that prioritise gender equality and social welfare, combined with the tireless efforts of civil society and NGOs, can propel them towards achieving sustainable development.
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