Gambia Association of Local Government Authorities -GALGA'

We are having engagement with participants from Ward on day 4️⃣ of the Local Government Stakeholders consultation today.

As with the previous participants, our team of resource persons will continue the discussion with today's participants on the roles of:
➡️ Local Government Authorities (Councils)
➡️Ward Development Committees (WDCs)
➡️ Village Development Committees (VDCs) and,
➡️ How the decentralized structures are formed
➡️ General discussion and way forward

The consultations are supported by The Gambia’s Responsive and Accountable Democratic Transition (EU-UNDP GREAT Initiative)- a European Union in The Gambia and UNDP The Gambia funded project

Ministry of Lands, Regional Government & Religious Affairs
Janjanbureh AREA Council.

On day 3️⃣ of the Local Government Stakeholders consultation on Community Inclusion in Councils' Decision-making Platforms, today we commenced the engagement at Janjanbureh AREA Council. with participants from Bantang Ward.

Participants and the resource persons discussed the roles of:
➡️ Local Government Authorities (Councils)
➡️Ward Development Committees (WDCs)
➡️ Village Development Committees (VDCs) and,
➡️ How the decentralized structures are formed

The consultations are supported by The Gambia’s Responsive and Accountable Democratic Transition (EU-UNDP GREAT Initiative)- European Union in The Gambia and UNDP The Gambia funded project.
Ministry of Lands, Regional Government & Religious Affairs

On day two of the Consultation Between Local Government Stakeholders on the Best Mechanisms to Support Community Inclusion in Decision-making Platforms today at the Basse Area Council, we had engagement with participants from Julangel Ward.

Attended by diverse participants from Village and Ward Development Committees, Alkalos, persons with disability, women, youth and business community representatives, the engagement seeks to provide platform of discussion between Local Government Stakeholders to improve collective participation on decision-making platforms and create greater understanding on the roles of decentralized structires.

The engagement is supported by the The Gambia's Responsive & Accountable Democratic Transition-The GREAT project of the European Union in The Gambia and UNDP The Gambia
Ministry of Lands, Regional Government & Religious Affairs

Today at Basse Area Council, we are commencing Community Consultation Between Local Government Stakeholders on the Best Mechanisms to Support Community Inclusion in Decision-making Platforms.

Supported by the European Union in The Gambia and UNDP The Gambia The Gambia's Responsive & Accountable Democratic Transition-The GREAT project, the consultation seeks to discuss the Mandates of Local Government Authorities, VDCs and WDCs and how they are structured to enhance community participation in decision making, Concept of participation, ownership and sustainability of community programs and partnership with Actors in community development.

Today's engagement brings together participants from Gambisara Ward in Upper River Region's Jimara District.
Ministry of Lands, Regional Government & Religious Affairs

CLGF side event at CHOGM 23/10/2024

Representatives from the 56 member states of the Commonwealth have started to arrive in Samoa for the Commonwealth Heads of Government 2024. It is the biennial meeting of Commonwealth leaders and will have as its theme One Resilient Common Future: Transforming our Common Wealth.

Urban resilience must be part of this as the Commonwealth is urbanising rapidly. Nearly 50% of the projected 2.5bn additional urban dwellers expected by 2050 will be living in Commonwealth countries, with much of that growth taking place in Asia and Africa where 95% of the cities most at risk from climate impacts are. Many member states experiencing rapid and unplanned urbanisation lack the capacity to respond, and the reality for many Commonwealth citizens is high levels of informality, resulting in inequality, insecurity and vulnerability. Unplanned growth, low density development and urban sprawl are also leading to the loss of productive agricultural land and damage to ecosystems. Cities account for more than 60% of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions and 80% of global GDP, which means there has never been a more important time for us to come together to tackle, what is being recognised as a global megatrend.

Recognition of the need for a stronger focus on managing the impacts of rapid urbanisation and climate change, and the complexity of the challenge ahead, led to the establishment of a multi-disciplinary, cross-sector coalition of Commonwealth organisations comprising the Commonwealth Local Government Forum (CLGF), the Commonwealth Association of Architects (CAA), the Commonwealth Association of Planners (CAP), the Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU), and the Commonwealth Engineers Council (CEC), who in close collaboration with The King’s Foundation and the Government of Rwanda, have advocated for the Commonwealth to focus more on sustainable urban development and to leverage Commonwealth networks to support member states in tackling the challenges of urban poverty, rapid urbanisation and the climate.

In June 2022 at the previous CHOGM, Heads adopted the Declaration on Sustainable Urbanisation. On 23 October at 09.00-11.00 at CHOGM 2024 in Samoa, the CSCI partners will be hosting a side event Strengthening urban resilience for all – implementation of the Declaration on Sustainable Urbanisation, in partnership with the Kings Foundation and the Governments of Rwanda and Samoa. It will focus on implementation of the Declaration, and how we can further leverage the Commonwealth advantage to deliver transformational change especially among low income, rapidly urbanising cities which are at the forefront of climate change.

𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐈𝐑𝐌𝐀𝐍 𝐂𝐄𝐄𝐒𝐀𝐘 𝐀𝐓𝐓𝐄𝐍𝐃𝐒 𝐔𝐍𝐄𝐒𝐂𝐎 𝐄𝐕𝐄𝐍𝐓

On the invitation of the Permanent Delegation of The Gambia to UNESCO, the Honourable Chairperson of the Basse Area Council has successfully taken part in the Launch of the International Day of the Soninke Language on Wednesday, September 25, 2024, at the UNESCO headquarters in Paris, France.

“It was an honour to witness this very important milestone in recognizing and setting aside September 25th of each year as the International Day of the Soninke Language,” the Chairman expressed.

“As the chairperson of the region where the Soninke Language is mostly spoken in the Gambia, it’s worth noting that this will go a long way in preserving the heritage and culture of the Soninke.”

“As a region, we are proud to have been associated with this important development. Language is an important cornerstone in a culture which is essential in promoting universal values of solidarity and peace.”

The Honourable Chairman will proceed to the United States of America tonight to engage in some important official matters. As usual, we will keep the public informed and updated as activities unfold.

Today in Mansakonko, in collaboration with International Trade Centre-The Gambia, we facilitated the review of the Service Level Agreement (SLA) between Mansakonko Area Council, LRR and Gambia Tourism and Hospitality Institute on the operation and management of the Mansakonko Hospitality Training Centre that was recently inaugurated.

The Mansakonko Hospitality Training Centre, and a twin facility-One-Stop Shop Entrepreneurship and Gender-Based Violence Support Centre in Farafenni were funded by the United Nations Trust Fund for Human Security though UNFPA The Gambia and the United Nations Multi-partner Trust Fund through the International Trade Centre, under the project name: Localizing SDGs- Improving the livelihoods of vulnerable women and youth around the Senegambia Bridge.

🚨ConsultancyAlert

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🗓️September 27
🔗Details: unf.pa/3BgcYoL

The Africa Global Chamber of Commerce (AGCC) and The Career Mompreneur (TCM) have appointed the Mayor of Banjul City Council BCC as Special Ambassador of Global Women in Finance Leading Summit 2025 (GWFLS2025) and beyond.

This is the Second Edition of Global Women in Finance Leading Summit 2025 (GWFLS2025) and beyond.

"We believe your continued involvement would greatly enhance our mission and further inspire the next generation of women leaders in finance, business and leadership," Chairman and CEO of the Africa Global Chamber of Commerce, Dr. Olivier Kamanzi stated in an appointment letter delivered to Rohey Malick Lowe; Banjul Mayoress.

He said Mayor Lowe's insights on personal journey, financial empowerment, and professional experiences resonated deeply with their Women Audience both Young and Adult Leaders, and her leadership and dedication to advancing women in finance and business were truly inspiring.

As Special Ambassador of Global Women in Finance Leading Summit 2025 (GWFLS2025), Mayor Lowe will receive the V.I.P treatment and free access to all venues and contacts to promote the Summit and for the success of the summit, she's expected to:
▶️ Co-Chair of all Global Women in Finance Leading Summit (GWFLS)
▶️ Help to mobilize and promote Cultural Exchanges and Tourism globally
▶️ Coordinate the organization of the Annual GWFLS2025
▶️ Mobilize and invite the participants as Keynote Speakers, Special Guest Speakers, Speakers, Exhibitors, Sponsors, and Regular Attendees and
▶️ Help to identify potential financial supporters such as sponsors, exhibitors, donors, and other philanthropists.

Today, we had the pleasure of receiving Ms. Salan Gibbs at our Secretariat in a formal introduction as the newly recruited staff of the United Nations Development Programme - UNDP- The Gambia, to support The Gambia Association of Local Government Authorities -GALGA'.

Ms. Gibbs's recruitment is consistent with the European Union in The Gambia-UNDP GREAT Project Initiative, to Support the capacity strengthening of GALGA. She was accompanied to the Secretariat by Mr James Monibah, a UNDP-The Gambia Project Specialist for the EU-UNDP GREAT project. They were received by our President Mahamadou Ceesay - Chairman Basse Area Council.

Ms. Gibbs's previous experience includes community engagement, program management, and support services such as Health Care, Community Development and working with Local Government and non-profit organizations. She will be deployed full-time under the direct supervision of GALGA.

🗞️Press release: bit.ly/3ZthV7F

A new Hospitality Training Centre launched in The aims to equip young Gambians with the relevant skills to enhance their employability while improving service delivery in the & industry.

Since the completion of the center, over 65 young people from different communities have benefited from its training programs.

The Farafenni One-Stop Shop Entrepreneurship and Gender-Based Violence Support Centre has been launched today by the Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Trade, Industry, Regional Integration and Employment.

Next we will be with our partners in Farafenni tomorrow, to launch the -Stop Shop Entrepreneurship and Gender-Based Violence Support Centre.

We are mourning the passing of our former President and one-time Mayor of Kanifing Municipal Council, Mr Yankuba Colley.

Mr Colley's passing was announced today, following an illness. He passed away in Turkey where he was receiving medical treatment.

The entire Local Government family wishes to submit their heartfelt condolences to Mr Colley's family and the Kanifing Municipal Council.

As former President of Gambia Association of Local Government Authorities -GALGA', Mr Colley has played a key role leading to the current position of the Association.

"With the passing of Mr Yankuba Colley, I wish to submit my condolences to the Colley family and we pray that Allah Subhanahu-Wats-ala be merciful to him and offer him Jannat," GALGA President Mahamadou Ceesay - Chairman Basse Area Council said.

Today, alongside our partners- UNFPA The Gambia International Trade Centre Giepa House Building Kairaba Avenue Mansakonko Area Council, LRR Gambia Tourism and Hospitality Institute and a host of others, we have launched the Mansakonko Hospitality Training Centre.