Held at the Metzy Hotel, the forum created a platform for members to review the final draft to ensure that it is all inclusive, cross-cutting and multi-sectoral.
Alhagie Malang N. Fofana, Executive Director at the National Nutrition Agency (NaNA), spoke on the significance of the plan in combating food insecurity and malnutrition.
Fofana observed that malnutrition and food insecurity are unacceptably high in the country and called on all stakeholders to ensure that the plan is vigorously reviewed and validated to help in addressing food insecurity and malnutrition in The Gambia.
The plan, he added, aims to facilitate the identification, mobilisation, coordination and rapid response to Food and Nutrition Security (FNS) crises by identifying key drivers of food and nutrition insecurity with well-defined early warning systems for rapid, systemic and strategic responses.
He thus called for concerted efforts of all especially decentralised regional authorities, development partners, civil society organisations and the private sector.
Prof. Modou Sallah from the Central Project Coordinating Unit of The Gambia Resilience, Inclusive, Skills and Equity (RISE) Project under the Ministry of Finance and Economic Affairs, supporters of the initiative, assured of his office’s continued support to food and nutrition security efforts.
He spoke highly of the plan in improving the lives and living standards of the poor and vulnerable.
The document, he added is in line with the recovery focus of the National Development Plan also known as – ‘YIRIWA.’
Fanding Kinteh, Deputy Permanent Secretary at the Office of The Vice President, described the plan as a critical document which is in line with government's objectives in achieving universal food and nutrition security for all Gambians.
Dr Amadou Sowe, a lead Consultant, recalled that a nationwide consultation was conducted during the drafting of the document to ensure it is all-inclusive and relevant for effective response to food and nutrition challenges of the country.
