The presentation held on Thursday January 2, 2025 at the Ministry`s grounds in Banjul, was witnessed by the Permanent Secretary, Pateh Jah, Deputy Chief of Staff and head of DSPD, Alieu Loum and other Directors within DSPD.
At the event, Baboucarr Bouy, Minister for Public Service, described the presentation as a significant milestone in their strategic collaboration and partnership between UNICEF and The Gambia Government in advancing the welfare of children’s development in the country.
“This donation follows the signing of an implementation plan to facilitate the implementation of the UNICEF’s Country program 2024-2028 and as a result, the collaboration yielded positive outcomes.”
Minister Bouy catalogued some of the achievements registered by his ministry through the DPSD namely; stakeholder engagements and active participation of implementing partners in the country program implementation, documenting key success stories and best lessons through the joint monitoring initiatives.
Established operational strategic and technical coordination committees, a revised framework based on the mid-year review convergence in accelerating country program implementation and improve knowledge on monitoring and evaluation of programs and projects.
Minister Bouy maintained that his ministry’s focus is to ensure that Government programs and projects are effectively and efficiently executed and are impactful to the citizenry, saying the objective, aligns with UNICEF’s efforts and focus on health, education, child protection, social inclusion, and climate action for children, which he said, is also in line with Government of The Gambia Recovery Focus NDP 2023-2027 national priorities and development objectives.
Thus, he described the donation as timely as his ministry struggles with mobility challenges and other vital equipment to enhance their productivity.
Minister Bouy equally expressed delight at receiving the equipment, which will significantly enhance the efficiency of his staffs’ work.
He commended President Borrow for the support he renders to his ministry and he also assured UNICEF of his ministry’s unflinching commitment to move children and adolescent girls’ agenda forward.
For her part, Ms. Nafisa Binte Shafique, UNICEF country Director- Gambia Office, said what is important here is the real partnership between the Ministry of Public Service and UNICEF Gambia office.
“We want to reach to every child, everywhere, whether in the urban or rural areas, so as to realize every child’s rights in The Gambia. And to realize that, MoPS is the sector who brings all sectors and actors together to have holistic approach development when it comes to child rights.”
“Presentation of these equipment signify the commencement of the partnership between UNICEF and the ministry starting from January 2025 to years ahead. They will make your work effective. We are also banking on you as a ministry to look forward for deeper partnership,” UNICEF boss concludes.
