ActionAid International The Gambia last week hosted two back-to-back activities in Kerewan: a Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) meeting on Wednesday, followed by a stakeholder–right holder interface on Thursday.
Both sessions were designed to strengthen transparency and improve service delivery in the region, bringing together government institutions, civil society actors, and community representatives.
The Wednesday TAC meeting set the stage for the engagement. Representatives from various government institutions presented their quarterly achievements, discussed persistent challenges, and proposed practical solutions. The forum also allowed institutions to question one another, compare responsibilities, and identify areas for collaboration.
Opening the session, Hon. Lamin Saidykhan, Governor of North Bank Region, emphasised the importance of bringing institutions together under one roof. He said the dialogue helps stakeholders understand how each sector functions and highlight urgent gaps.
“If we are going to present our challenges to the central government, we must first understand them clearly among ourselves,” Governor Saidykhan stated. He urged stakeholders to take TAC meetings seriously and respond promptly when called upon, stressing that regional development requires full cooperation.
While the TAC meeting focused on institutional dialogue, Thursday’s interface shifted the spotlight to ordinary residents. Right holders from across the region faced their public officials directly, voicing frustrations, highlighting long-standing problems, and demanding clarity on neglected issues.
Officials explained their mandates, outlined limitations, and responded to community concerns. Governor Saidykhan described the interface as “an important moment for accountability,” reminding residents that they have every right to question officials and assess whether they are fulfilling their duties.
Miss Fatoumata Kanyi, ActionAid’s Local Rights Programme Coordinator, expressed satisfaction with the turnout, saying the engagement demonstrated communities’ eagerness to understand how their region is being managed. She reaffirmed ActionAid’s commitment to supporting the quarterly sessions, noting that the organisation has funded the initiative for the past three years.
“Public officials are servants of the people,” she said, encouraging residents to continue holding them accountable.
Ismaila Drammeh, a participant, said the gatherings reduce speculation and misunderstanding. “Without communication, everyone starts assuming things,” he explained, adding that the sessions exposed participants to new ideas and shared experiences.
Alpha Omar Jallow echoed similar sentiments, describing the interface as a bridge that has filled an information gap. “We have been sitting without knowing what our stakeholders are doing in the region,” he said. He added that the initiative has already led to solutions in several sectors and described its impact as “something that cannot be overstated.”
Both events concluded with renewed calls for deeper collaboration, consistent communication, and stronger accountability between public officials and the communities they serve.
