By Haruna Kuyateh
ActionAid International, The Gambia, Juffureh Office, in collaboration with Kerr Cherno, Albreda, and Jimbana Eco Zones of Upper Niumi, has organized a series of community outreach activities under the Youths Participation and Inclusion (YPI) Project, funded by the United Nations Peacebuilding Fund. The initiative, dubbed “Support Youth-Led Advocacy and Lobbying for Youth Inclusion into Ward Development, Village Committees, and District Tribunals”, aims to promote youth engagement and inclusivity in local governance.
The campaign encouraged all stakeholders, particularly youths, to take up leadership positions and lead sustainable development initiatives. The outreach programs were conducted across all seven districts, with local chiefs commending ActionAid and its partners for fostering inclusivity in governance.
Saikou Darboe, Program Manager of the Local Rights Program, emphasized the importance of youth participation in decentralized structures, noting it as crucial for the effective implementation of development projects. He stated that the project values inclusivity and encourages youths to embrace dialogue as a tool for demanding services. The initiative aims to harness youths’ potential, contribute meaningfully to community development, and enable them to realize their aspirations.
Recent data indicate that youths, women, and persons with disabilities (PWDs) are often excluded from selecting or electing representatives to Village and Ward Development Committees. Darboe called on youth structures to engage regional and district authorities through formal briefings and dialogue rather than using social media to criticize officials. He stressed that failure to interact constructively with authorities continues to undermine youth inclusion and participation.
Chiefs Alpha Mariam Khan, George L. Sonko, and Momodou Chatty Cham of Jokadou, Lower Niumi, and Upper Niumi praised ActionAid International for its contributions to human development and poverty reduction through a human rights-based approach. District authorities noted that the inclusion of women in district tribunal courts has improved family relations, fostered mutual respect among spouses, and encouraged reporting of cases, thereby promoting social harmony through fair dispensation of justice.
Ward councilors Kala Gaye (Medina Ward), Bakary Gassama (Dasilami Ward), and Mamat Jammeh (Kerr Jarga Ward) described the advocacy campaign as important and urged full youth representation in Village and Ward Development Committees. They also acknowledged ActionAid’s efforts in raising awareness about the roles and mandates of ward councilors as enshrined in the Local Government Act.
Salifu Jallow and Alpho Marong, District Youth Committee Chairpersons of Lower Niumi and Jokadou, expressed youths’ readiness to assume leadership positions. They highlighted that development initiatives without youth participation are often ineffective and commended ActionAid Juffureh Office for building the capacity of 20 VDCs, which now include youths, women, and persons with disabilities. They noted the longstanding stagnation of some VDCs, with members serving for over two to three decades, as a concern that requires restructuring and capacity-building to enhance local governance and transparency.
Fatou Manneh, Women Representative at Lower Niumi District Tribunal, underscored the importance of women’s inclusion in tribunals. She noted that their participation increases confidence in traditional justice systems and contributes to addressing gender-based violence. She added that many cases are resolved amicably outside the court, helping to keep families together.
