The round table discussion is being supported by the EU-UNDP Great Initiative Project being implemented jointly by the Ministry of Lands and Regional Government and Gambia Association of Local Government Authorities (GALGA).
Welcoming the gathering, Yahya T.B. Ceesay, director of Planning at Basse Area Council, commended both EU and UNDP for coming up with such an important event.
Ceesay thus encouraged participants to interact and discuss with each other in order to come up with recommendations geared towards enhancing decentralization frameworks in The Gambia.
Local governance analyst at UNDP Banjul Office, Mr. George Nyouki, said UNDP roundtable discussion on decentralization was not only to discuss decentralization, but a platform to actively shape a future where power and responsibility are equally distributed among women, youth and Persons with Disabilities.
The initiative, he added, would also foster more inclusive and responsive local governance.
Mr. Nyouki also reminded that the EU-UNDP Great Initiative Project continues to support the decentralization journey to address gender dynamics, enhancing community engagement and promoting fiscal discipline.
He pointed out that his institution views decentralization as a transformative process that can lead to more inclusive, equitable and sustainable development, provided that it is implemented thoughtfully and with a focus on empowering local communities and ensuring the effective delivery of services.
He expressed optimism that the next 16-day discussion will enhance learning from diverse experiences, identifying best practices, and fostering collaborative problem-solving.
Also speaking, Mamudo Bah, decentralization officer at the Ministry of Lands and Regional Government, encouraged participants to take the forum seriously and not to shy away from speaking out against those barriers that bar women, youth and Persons With Disabilities from actively participating in local decision making and come up with best solutions.
Diabugu Batapa Ward councillor, Salieu Bah, who deputized for the Chairman, Basse Area Council, Momodou Ceesay, said decentralization cannot be completed if women, youth and PWDs are not part of local decision making.
Alagie Jatta, a representative from Department of Community Development (DCD) office in URR, who doubles as the secretary to the Technical Advisory Committee of URR, also expressed similar sentiments.
