Organised by the Gambia Association of Local Government Authorities (GALGA) with financial and technical support from the European Union and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) through the GREAT Initiative, the training brought together representatives from GALGA’s eight member councils, the Ministry of Lands, Regional Government and Religious Affairs (MoLRGRA), and the Department of Community Development.
The overall objective of the training is to strengthen local governance structures by improving councils’ financial planning and accountability mechanisms to ensure efficient and transparent resource utilisation.
Speaking at the opening on Wednesday, GALGA President Mahamadou Ceesay said the training responds to the increased demand for transparency and efficiency in decentralized governance.
“In an era where decentralization requires strong accountability standards, mastering budgeting, budget tracking, financial statements, and reporting is essential for effective administration,” he told participants.
Mr. Ceesay added that the programme goes beyond routine capacity building, describing it as “an investment in councils’ ability to allocate resources prudently, monitor expenditures responsibly, and report with integrity.” He expressed appreciation to the EU and UNDP for supporting the initiative, noting that their partnership made the training possible by providing expertise and resources.
The sessions combined theoretical learning with practical exercises, case studies, and expert-led discussions. According to organisers, the training forms part of broader efforts by GALGA and its development partners to build resilient institutions and promote transparency, with the ultimate goal of improving community-level service delivery.
Mamudou Bah, senior decentralisation officer at MoLRGRA, said the initiative is about transforming how institutions manage public funds in the interest of the communities they serve.
The training also addressed common challenges councils face, including budget variances, delayed financial reporting, and ethical concerns in resource management.
“This initiative will help us track budgets more effectively and report transparently to our communities. It’s truly a game-changer,” said Maudo Baldeh, finance director of the Janjanbureh Area Council.
As The Gambia continues to advance its decentralisation agenda, stakeholders believe such training is critical in boosting public trust and enhancing service delivery. The GREAT Initiative’s support reflects global recognition of The Gambia’s ongoing governance reforms.
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