By Yusef Taylor, @FlexDan_YT
The Association of Non-Governmental Organisations (TANGO) launched its Journal of Development and Policy Research – Volume 1 at it’s headquarters during a forum discussion with various stakeholders from Government, Civil Society and the National Assembly. Taking place earlier today Tuesday 24th October 2023 at the TANGO Hall, the event was graced by the Chairperson of the National Assembly’s Committee on Education, the Director of Research at the Ministry of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology and representatives from the European Union amongst others.
The opening session and the discussion forum were chaired by Mr John Charles Njie, the former Chairperson of TANGO and featured statements from members of the high table including the current Chairperson of TANGO Ms Yadicon Njie-Eribo and the Executive Director of TANGO Ms Ndey Bakurin.
During her welcoming remarks, the TANGO Executive Director highlighted that “the project’s main goal is to use evidence-based approaches for advocacy on national development matters such as education, peacebuilding, environmental management, climate change and other related matters. Furthermore, the project enhances Civil Society’s capacity for increased participation in implementing the NDP in The Gambia”.
The National Development Plan (2018 to 2021) was extended for another year to the end of 2022. In order to assess the Government’s progress in achieving some of it’s objective Civil Society Organisations have launched this Journal to assess the Government’s progress in meeting its objectives.
TANGO Chairperson Ms Njie Eribo told delegates that the “forum provides an opportunity for CSOs and other partners to discuss our education sector. The overall goal of the policy dialogue is to bring key stakeholders, partners, practitioners, and beneficiaries together to share ideas in discussing the issues and concerns with a view to identifying prospects and challenges in education”.
Ms Njie Eribo asked some poignant questions when she stated: “Is the Gambia living up to its domestic and international obligations in terms of the provision of accessible, affordable, and quality education or not? What are the challenges confronting education services and institutions in the country?”
Some of these issues were discussed during the forum which came after the opening session.
In addition to this, Keynote Speaker, Mr James Gomez, the Research Director stepping in for the Minister of Higher Education Hon Pierre Gomez added more context on the importance of research in our National Development which he framed in the context of Africa’s 2063 Development Plan.
Speaking on behalf of the Minister Gomez, the Research Director highlighted the importance of considering “strong regional, continental and international scientific cooperation”. He added that researchers on development should “always think of the 17 SDGs and agenda 2063 in every research project. The AU’s Agenda 2063, as we all know, is about building the Africa we want “an integrated, prosperous and peaceful Africa, driven by its own citizens and representing a dynamic force in the global arena”.
Mr Gomez urged delegates and future researchers to “reflect on ways of creating the Gambia’s future in an Era of Global Transformation. In short, I am talking about the future of Gambia we want in the world we want.”
After the opening session, a forum featuring Hon Alhagie Mbow, the Chairperson of Parliament’s Education Committee, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education and Ms Tabu Njie Sarr, Gender Advocate and Magistrate Krubally who is the Chairperson of the Gambia Federation for the Disabled. This followed a lively question and answer session after which the curtains were drawn on the event.
More photos are in the link below.
