ITC launches Gambia business coaching framework

The ultimate vision of the document is to reach and exceed goals by maximising the skills of entrepreneurs to thrive through coaching.

Speaking at Bakadaji Hotel, Modou Touray of ITC explained that ITC has been in the country for the past seven years to support the business sector. He said their mission has been to support sustainable and inclusive livelihood by boosting the competitiveness of Medium Size Enterprises (MSMEs), placing trade-led groups at the centre of public policy and building a supportive business ecosystem in developing countries. 

"We have seen how businesses have improved, especially business support organisations in both the private sector and the government. The challenge has been to have professional standardised business coaching services to support the growth of MSMEs. In order to address some of these challenges, ITC in partnership with stakeholders has come up with a coaching framework to guide professional standardised coaching services," he said.

Supported by GIZ, he added that it has been supporting not only in the business service but also providing support skills development in the country by providing some of the frameworks that will guide development. 

Sadibou Jammeh, chairman, Association of Business Coaches (ABC), said they realised that for them to continue to help the MSMEs, they need to have a document or a structure for supporting them, saying their objective is to see them grow. 

"This is the objective why ABC was founded in 2021 to be able to have all the coaches under one umbrella and look for support structures and programmes to support businesses. Working on the document, we realised how it has provided an all-inclusive attempt to support businesses." 

Basirou Secka, a representative of the Trade Ministry, applauded the initiative while reminding that they have launched employment policy aimed to create at least 150, 000 jobs in five years. 

"Looking at the framework, one objective is employability and job creation. When we see associations or businesses that are geared towards employment creation, we embrace and applaud their actions." 

Other speakers were Suwaibu Cham who gave an insight into the framework; testimonial by Ramatoulie Barry Gaye of bridging Gaps and two beneficiaries Anna Beyai and Oumie Sowe.