By Assan Bah
The Ministry of Lands, Regional Government, and Religious Affairs (MoLRGRA), and the Gambia Association of Local Government Authorities (GALGA), with support from the EU-UNDP GREAT initiative, recently validated the Capacity Needs Assessment Report to strengthen local governance and inclusive development.
The report seeks to improve service delivery, by promoting inclusivity and modernizing operational systems within local government institutions.
Speaking at the validation event, the EU Governance Officer, Ms Isatou L Touray, applauded MoLRGRA and GALGA for their dedication to improving governance for all Gambians, emphasizing that good governance is essential for sustainable development.
She underscored the EU’s commitment to supporting the Gambia on this journey, emphasizing the importance of collaboration in achieving meaningful progress.
Speaking on behalf of the Ministry of Lands, Regional Government and Religious Affairs, Permanent Secretary, Dr. Ebrima Sisawo, highlighted the need for stronger coordination in the sector to strengthen local governance and address the challenges outlined in the report. He thanked the EU and UNDP for their continuous support.
The EU-UNDP GREAT initiative project manager stressed the importance of decentralized service delivery stating, “Meaningful democracy starts in the communities because when councils and authorities have the tools and resources they need, the people benefit from improved schools, healthcare, and economic opportunities. This, direct impact on daily lives underpins The Gambia’s broader democratic transition as an enabler for inclusive growth.”
Presenting the findings, the consultant highlighted that the report offers significant potential to both MoLRGRA and GALGA by highlighting challenges and opportunities in local governance.
He expounded on how data was gathered to capture the real experiences of Gambians, revealing areas where more inclusive strategies are needed, particularly involving women, youth, and persons with disabilities in governance roles. The study shows that over 70 percent of Local Government Authorities (LGAs) do not have comprehensive strategic plans, while only 15 percent of marginalized groups currently participate in policymaking, he revealed. These gaps point to the urgency of boosting inclusive frameworks that ensure more voices are heard.
The report also recommends the review of existing legal and policy documents to reflect current realities including the Local Government Act of 2002, last reviewed in 2019, and the Local Government Finance and Audit Act of 2014 to keep pace with the changing needs of communities.
The report further recommended the amendment of GALGA’s constitution, with the development of new policies covering finance, administration, human resource, communication, and visibility, while highlighting that the last amendment was in 2002.
It said: “Taken together, these reforms aim to give citizens greater confidence in the transparency and accountability of local governance. A coasted capacity development plan, informed by feedback at the validation event, will guide these changes in the short, medium, and long term.”
“Immediate steps including the hiring of critical staff, digitizing systems, and finalizing strategic plans for LGAs. Over time, more robust monitoring and evaluation practices will be introduced, while digitalization and training initiatives will support local authorities in adapting to evolving community needs,” it stated.
“Ultimately, the plan aims to strengthen institutional sustainability and grant more autonomy to local governments, ensuring that the reforms truly benefit people on the ground,” the press release added.
The release further stated that these efforts build on the EU-UNDP Gambia’s Responsive and Accountable Democratic Transition (GREAT) initiative to help The Gambia fortify governance at all levels.
“Through policy updates and technical support, ensuring that local governments have the tools they need to serve communities more effectively. By translating the recommendations of this Capacity Needs Assessment into action, MoLRGRA and GALGA, working together with Gambian citizens, hope to create an inclusive, fair, and transparent governance system that empowers every community to thrive,” the press release concluded.
