By: Haruna Kuyateh
The Kerewan Area Council (KAC) has called for stronger partnerships and support from development partners to facilitate the implementation of its five-year strategic plan aimed at promoting inclusive and sustainable local development.
The strategic plan, covering the period 2026–2029, was developed with support from ActionAid International The Gambia under the Youth Participation and Inclusion (YPI) Project through the United Nations Peacebuilding Fund.
The council on Tuesday held a day-long popularisation event of the plan at its conference hall in the North Bank Region, bringing together representatives of district youth committees, regional youth committees, councillors and persons with disabilities.
The plan, which is fully costed, is expected to guide the council’s development priorities, resource mobilisation efforts, partnership building and delivery of improved services to communities.
Speaking at the event, Kerewan Area Council Chairman Alhaji Papa Tunkara described the initiative as a major step towards strengthening the council’s commitment to inclusive and sustainable development.
He thanked ActionAid International The Gambia for supporting the council’s capacity-building efforts and improving responsiveness to the needs of taxpayers.
Tunkara called for greater collaboration, networking and resource mobilisation to support the implementation of the 2026–2029 strategic plan.
He also highlighted the importance of improving waste management services, noting that the availability of waste collection trucks in Barra and Farafenni would enhance community capacity in maintaining a clean environment.
Meanwhile, Saikou Darboe, Manager of ActionAid International’s Juffureh Office, reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to promoting local governance, social accountability and inclusive participation, particularly for young people and persons with disabilities.
Darboe commended stakeholders for their active participation in the development and validation of the strategic plan and urged young people to continue advocating for inclusion within decentralised governance structures.
Alasan Keita, Director of Planning and Development at Kerewan Area Council, presented an overview of the strategic pillars, monitoring and evaluation framework, communication plan and key activities outlined in the document.
He said the plan would serve as a roadmap for resource mobilisation, strengthen partnerships with development partners and government institutions, and improve service delivery.
The strategic priorities include youth empowerment, gender-sensitive development, improved service delivery, financial transparency, community engagement, inclusive governance and resilient infrastructure.
Chief Alpha Mariam Khan of Jokadou, who also serves as the chiefs’ representative at the council, called for increased resource mobilisation, consultation and stakeholder engagement to ensure successful implementation of the plan.
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