The nationwide outreach, which starts in Barra to Pasamass on the North Bank and Koina to Mandinaba on the South Bank, was geared towards enlightening citizens especially those in the rural communities, on the dangers of COVID19 - how it can be spread, signs and symptoms and the preventive measures per the information of the WHO and the Ministry of Health.
The move was also aimed at ensuring that all Gambians are well acquainted with vital information regarding the deadly virus.
The community outreach, which targets local markets and village centres also includes radio talks on Community FM Radio, all designed to put across key preventive messages with particular emphasis on regular hand washing with sanitisers per WHO guidelines.
“Drawing on our experience of conducting and facilitating civic-education in order to stimulate public discussion and awareness of constitutional and governance issues, NCCE throughout the sensitization reminded citizens of their civic and patriotic duty especially with regards to the declaration of the State of Public Emergency”, Yusupha Bojang NNC Program Manger explained.
Mr. Bojang added that they’ve recognized that these are extraordinary times that have dramatically upended life from what it used to be, saying there is great urgency in delivering critical and timely information to all citizens across the nation.
“Never has it been more important that accurate and reliable information is at the forefront amid an avalanche of disinformation dubbed “infodemic” by the WHO, which has the staggering potential to generate complacency, sow fear and divide people at this crucial and trying moment”, he highlighted.
“The outbreak and spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19) is without doubt the biggest challenge of our lifetimes and has thrust the world in an unchartered territory”, he further said, noting that the speed and extent to which the deadly virus is spreading is worrying.
“The scale of its social and economic impacts has come as an enormous and deeply worrying, making the pandemic not just a medical and economic emergency, but an impact that could also derail the transition process of The Gambia, after the change of government in 2016 due to its potentially devastating consequences for economic growth and political stability.
“As we navigate through this new life that we find ourselves in, NCCE’s intervention ensured that the response to the COVID-19 is not only comprehensive, equitable and inclusive, but that no community, big or small is left out. So as we get through this together we also want to emerge stronger as a nation”, he added.
