Directors come together to make change

The music of the Nyakoi Cultural Troupe filled the air as I neared the Jaama Hall where the Board of Directors of ActionAid International the Gambia were attending the launch of the third country strategy paper.

As I got approached, the trumpet and drums grew louder and I could see the dancers going round in circles, waving their hands in the air and singing about the work of ActionAid.

‘ActionAid is here to help eradicate poverty’, they sang. ‘Let us all unite and work help develop the country.’

The guests would stop for a moment to listen and digest the messages from Kabakel before entering the hall where the occasion was taking place - it was entertaining, informative and very colourful.

When we entered, most of the guests had already arrived, members of the high table were seated and the stage was set for what would be a milestone in the history of ActionAid International the Gambia.

Looking around the hall, I could see large posters depicting ActionAid’s work and a large cinema screen placed in front of the hall. Over 200 people comprising the Secretary to Cabinet who was there on behalf President Jammeh.

Other guests included two cabinet ministers, ActionAid partners, representatives from UN agencies, national assembly members, religious leaders and senior government officials were present.

The launch of the Board of Directors is a major milestone towards ActionAid the Gambia’s internationalization process, which aims to increase the agency’s own accountability and legitimacy at both the national and international levels in the fight against poverty and injustice at all levels.

It means more power to the people. As Mr. Tennyson Williams, ActionAid International Director for West and Central Africa puts it, ‘the board is a reflection of our connectedness with the communities, our honesty and being accountable’.

He urged board members to work together with the ActionAid management to ensure that the agency delivers on its mission and vision and eventually becomes an affiliate.

The two senior government officials expressed government’s solidarity with ActionAid International the Gambia. The Minister of Finance Abdou Colley and that of Interior, Ousman Sonko, noted The Gambia’s unrelentless efforts to achieve socio-economic advancement for all Gambians.

"It is a government that believes in genuine partnership, such as that which we have found in ActionAid, and which we believe would continue to grow", Abdou Colley said.

Ousman Sonko emphasised the importance of project sustainability in the communities well after NGO financing has elapsed, which he said, requires judicious pre-planning, effective resource mobilisation and community participation.

He solicited the continued collaboration of all NGOs especially ActionAid in complementing government’s efforts towards the fulfilment of Vision 2020.

For our partners, ActionAid remains one of their most crucial partners in the implementation of community-based programmes.

At the field level, ActionAid has supported the development of women’s horticultural gardens, the establishment of the Packaging and Marketing Centre in Banjulunding and the setting up of the Rice Mill in Jaahally Madina for rice farmers.

Soon after the launch, the Chief Executive Officer of ActionAid International Joanna Kerr made a video call to the meeting from her office in Johannesburg. She noted that this was more than creating a National Board.

It was a way of linking over fifty national organisations into a federation. The CEO urged the Board to be mindful of its legal and financial responsibilities and emphasised the need for a clear understanding of the constitution and ActionAid’s new global international strategy. 

ActionAid’s Country Director Kujejatou Manneh in her speech, challenged all development agencies and governments in both developed and developing countries to review intervention strategies and to work together in the fight against poverty and hunger.

The newly elected chairperson of the Board Mrs. Janet-Sallah Njie, on behalf of board members, expressed joy at the trust and confidence bestowed on them and promised to live up to expectation.