The Speaker of Lesotho’s Parliament, Hon. Tiohang Sekhamane has commended The Gambia’s efforts in accelerating the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and strengthening development financing.
Sekhamane made the remarks during a visit by a delegation from the Kingdom of Lesotho’s Parliament and representatives of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to learn from The Gambia’s experiences in development financing and community-based development programs.
The delegation held discussions with the Ministry of Public Service, which is responsible for implementing the Programme for Accelerating Community Development (PACD) under the government’s Yiriwa development blueprint, before meeting President Adama Barrow at State House.
During the meeting, Sekhamane said Lesotho considers The Gambia a model in implementing people-centred social programs aimed at improving the lives of vulnerable communities.
He highlighted areas such as access to water, electricity and increased productivity as examples of initiatives that demonstrate the impact of government-led development interventions.
President Barrow said his administration’s priority was to provide citizens with essential services, describing the government’s responsibility as a social contract with the people.
He highlighted trade, national security and domestic resource mobilization as key areas of focus, noting that domestic revenue mobilization has increased significantly over the years and is supporting the implementation of national development priorities.
The Gambian leader expressed appreciation to the United Nations and its agencies for their support and extended greetings to His Majesty the King of Lesotho.
The visit forms part of South-South cooperation efforts aimed at promoting African solidarity and the exchange of development experiences among countries.