The training program was implemented in Jarra East and West, Upper Nuimi and Jokadou Districts. It involved district chiefs, their tribunal members, youths and women representatives.
Ansumana Ceesay, senior program officer for NCCE, speaking at LRR venues reminded the gatherings that district tribunals play a vital role in the administration of justice at the local level in The Gambia.
He emphasised that they are a crucial component of the local justice system, responsible for resolving disputes at the community level.
Mr. Ceesay said, tribunals often deal with matters such as land disputes, family issues (including sexual and gender based violence), inheritance matters, human rights and minor criminal offences.
“Their role is pivotal in ensuring justice is accessible and affordable at the grassroots level,” Mr. Ceesay highlighted, saying despite significant strides made by tribunals in promoting justice and equality, gaps remain in the ability of the traditional justice system to adequately protect citizens' and women's rights.
He therefore said that the intervention by NCCE and FIOHTG aims to bridge those gaps and equip the tribunals with the necessary knowledge and skills to uphold human rights and fair dispensation of justice at the grassroots level.
Ebrima Drammeh, program manager for the Community Development Unit of Future In Our Hands - The Gambia (FIOHTG) said many tribunal members lack formal legal training and therefore need such capacity strengthening to enhance their decision-making processes especially the representation of women in the tribunals.
He pointed out that lack of necessary training and resources to dispense justice fairly and equitably often undermines the credibility of the justice system and leads to a lack of trust among some community members.
Reacting to the importance and timeliness of the training, several district chiefs expressed appreciation to the NCCE and FIOHTG for the timely engagements and provision of the much needed information and skills useful in the conduct of their work but most importantly ensuring efficient and effective dispensation of justice and protection of human rights during judgement and conflict resolution exercises.
Top of Form Bottom of Form The sessions were also marked by honest conversations and sharing of best practices by participants and tribunal members.
The training program was organised FIOHTG, partnered by NCCE with funding from the Swedish Government and supported through ForumCiv for Future In Our Hands The Gambia Programme being implemented here in The Gambia.
