By: Haruna Kuyateh
The National Council for Civic Education (NCCE), in collaboration with The Association of Non-Governmental Organizations (TANGO), has organized a two-day capacity-building training on Lobbying and Advocacy Skills to Demand Inclusion and Defend Rights to Participation. The initiative, held at the Governor’s Office in Kerewan, North Bank Region, was implemented under the EU–UNDP GREAT Initiative.
The training brought together 25 participants drawn from community-based organizations, civil society organizations (CSOs), the media, marginalized groups, and other local agencies. It aimed to equip participants with the necessary knowledge and tools to engage meaningfully in democratic processes and advocate for inclusive participation in governance.
According to NCCE, inclusive participation at all levels of governance is fundamental to building a just, accountable, and democratic society. The Council emphasized that for too long, the voices of marginalized groups, including women, youth, persons with disabilities, and minority communities, have been underrepresented in decision-making spaces. The training forms part of ongoing efforts to bridge that gap and strengthen grassroots democracy.
In his remarks, Deputy Governor of the North Bank Region, Dembo Samateh, commended the NCCE and its partners for complementing government efforts in promoting civic education and strengthening advocacy. He urged participants to be law-abiding and contribute to the maintenance of peace and security, noting that lobbying and advocacy skills are crucial in fostering social cohesion and community engagement.
Ansumana Ceesay, Program Manager at NCCE, explained that the training held under the theme, – Advocacy Playbook: Demand Rights and Influence Policy aims to strengthen participants’ ability to engage in strategic and effective advocacy.
He highlighted that the outreach seeks to empower citizens to become active drivers of grassroots democracy, watchdogs of accountability, and champions of inclusive development.
“The program provides an interactive platform for networking, collaboration, and collective commitment to building a Gambia where every voice matters and no one is left behind,” Ceesay added.
Other facilitators, including Momodou Bah and Mariama S. Gaye of NCCE, stressed the importance of active participation in local governance and policy processes. They noted that understanding one’s rights and the policy environment is essential for effective civic engagement and local decision-making.
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By: Haruna Kuyateh The National Council for Civic Education (NCCE), in collaboration with The Association of Non-Governmental Organizations (TANGO), has…
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