CJID trains Gambian youths on digital transparency ahead of 2026 elections

The workshop focused on practical frameworks for civic engagement and accountability. The DTP is designed to share verified electoral and governance information, publish key legal provisions including updates to the Elections Act, provide fact-checking and public awareness content, and promote transparency and democratic participation.

Opening the session, Mboho Eno, Deputy Director of the Accountability Programme at CJID, said the engagement comes at a critical time for the region.

Speaking on behalf of the Executive Director, she described it as an honour to be in The Gambia and to engage directly with youth-focused organisations.

Eno highlighted what she termed “democratic regression” in parts of West Africa, citing coups and attempted coups. She stressed that democracy depends on active citizens, responsible media, and the effective use of available data. Elections, she noted, must be free, fair, and transparent.

She urged participants to look beyond voting day and consistently question how public resources are managed. “As citizens, we need to ask questions. We need to follow the money. Better use of financial resources leads to better governance,” she said.

Eno explained that CJID, founded in 2014 and later rebranded to reflect a broader regional mandate, has worked in about 13 African countries to strengthen media and democratic resilience. With The Gambia’s elections approaching, she encouraged participants to use the Digital Transparency Platform to engage their communities more effectively.

Marr Nyang, Executive Director of Gambia Participate, welcomed CJID to The Gambia and described the training as both timely and reflective. He said advocacy work often requires reminders of core democratic principles, especially during election periods. The training, he added, is expected to refresh participants’ focus and strengthen their approach.

Amina Miango, Project Manager of the Media in National Elections project under CJID’s accountability programme, underscored the role of the media in educating voters and countering misinformation. She explained that CJID has deployed young observers during elections and built media coalitions to report using real-time data.

Participant Momodou Janneh described the initiative as timely, stressing the importance of engaging young people in civic education. “Young people are the majority of the population and most of them fall prey to violence by politicians. Engagements like this help us build our capacity, advocate, and make informed choices,” he said.