This training was held to enhance the capacities of councillors on
their roles and functions as defined in the Local Government Act.
It further strengthened the councillors’ understanding of human
rights and human rights-based approach to development, thus increase their
accountability to the people. |
| Ward councilors of the Brikama Area Council |
The training would lead to the achievement of the objectives of decentralization in The Gambia, she said.
The country’s decentralization has generally been considered to be
a positive step towards making Local Governments more accountable to the poor
by moving decision-making as close to the scene of action as possible.
The aim of the decentralization is to redistribute power,
responsibility and resources to the local level. It also redefined the division of labour and
responsibilities between the central and the local governments.
Enormous
task ahead
For the acting-chairman of the NCCE, Alhaji Modou Joof, the tasks
ahead of the newly elected councillors are enormous and expectations are very
high.
He noted that challenges and opportunities are evident but with
self-reliant, faith and patriotism there will be light at the end of the
tunnel.
He told the ward councillors that with dedication, determination
and hard work they will triumph against all odds and detractors.
Take
risks
Mr Joof also told the councillors that they should not be afraid to
take risks or being criticized.
“If you do not want to be criticised do not say anything, do
anything or be anything,” he said. “Do
not be afraid of failing. It is through
failure you learn to do things right.”
