By Amadou Manjang
The Association of Non- Non-Governmental Organisations (TANGO) yesterday, 19 December 2024, organised a day-long engagement conference for Civil Society Organizations across the country to review and reflect on 2024 activity and better prepare for 2025.
The conference is organised for Civil Society Organizations to review this year’s work and find ways to address their challenges to prepare for next year’s activities.
The conference is titled CSOs/NGOs End of Year Engagement Conference. It is the first of its kind in the Gambia. The theme of the conference is ‘strengthening partnership for sustainable development; empowering civil society to address poverty and build a unified future.’
Speaking at the opening event of the conference, the Chairperson of TANGO, Madam Yadicon Njie Eribo, said it is time for CSOs to reflect, celebrate, and renew their commitment to their works.
She said there was a need to explain the challenges and work to address them, adding that they have tackled pressing issues from climate change, human rights and inequalities etc.
She further added that CSOs have been unwavering support to communities despite the challenges they face.
Vice Chairperson of the Access to Information Commission (ATI), John Charles Njie, cum former TANGO Chairperson, called on CSOs to work as a team to hold the government accountable.
He said CSOs should work together to overcome their challenges, especially internal challenges. He informed them that they will face challenges from people who do not want to be held accountable, but they can overcome it when they collaborate.
The Executive Director of TANGO, Ndey Sireng Bakurin, said it is always good to reflect on how far they have gone, the things they have done, and the challenges they faced and how to address them to move forward.
‘We continue to face more challenges,’ she said.
She said Civil Society Organizations faced a lot of challenges in the drafting of the new constitution, attempted repeal of the FGM law, free media, rising cost of living, and irregular migration.
She further added that despite these challenges, CSOs still work to contribute to the development of the country. She urged all CSOs to continue their partnership and collaboration in the years to come.
UN Resident Coordinator Karl Frederick Paul said CSOs are the heartbeat of the trans-formative agenda. He said there should be collaboration and dialogue between the CSOs, the government, the Private sector and the United Nations system for the achievement of sustainable development goals.
He said the collaboration has shown positive results on education and others, but a lot more has to be done. Meanwhile, he called for the inclusion of youth, women and children.
He said CSOs need to have an action plan for coordination and the action needs to be clear and linked to the country’s development goals.
He finally stated that CSOs need to coordinate information and contribute to their parent body, TANGO.
