Africa-Press – Gambia. Gambia Association of Local Government Authorities (GALGA) has kick-started a 16-day empowerment training for local government officials in, Basse Area Council (BAC) on Monday, 27th October 2025.
The empowerment training on transparency and accountability targets 240 staff members from the eight local government councils in a bid to promote transparency and accountability in local governance circles, funded by the European Union (EU) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) via the jointly funded GREAT Initiative.
The training sessions are expected to focus on hands-on activities on open budgeting, citizen engagement, and ethical decision-making approaches in fostering meaningful public service delivery to gain public trust and confidence in local governance of the country, as a catalyst for beneficial local councils’ reforms and sustainable transparency and accountability administration.
In his statement to the participants, GALGA’s President Mahamadou Ceesay pinpointed that transparency is not an option but a solid foundation for effective governance and that reform is necessary, “by holding ourselves accountable and making decisions in the best interest of the people”, he declared.
He went on to say that the empowerment training is not only about transparency and accountability in local councils’ administration, but also creates a platform for unity and cooperation within local councils. He also reaffirmed their continued commitment to promoting transparency and accountability in public service delivery operations, “local government in The Gambia plays a vital role in connecting national policies with the realities faced by citizens, directly impacting their lives through essential services and development initiatives”, he stated.
GALGA boss added that transparency in governance involves making information accessible, transparent processes and responsible decision-making, equity, citizen participation in the democratization processes, and proper management of state resources to ensure public trust and confidence.
GALGA Programme Manager, Amodou Jallow, said that participants would be exposed to the usage of digital technology to aid contemporary transparency and accountability operations in local government administration.
“This initiative will prepare local councils’ staff to build resilient communities and minimize corruption”, Mr. Jallow expressed optimism.
Sharing her thoughts on the training, a participant, Ejatou Jallow, who also doubles as Councilor for Basse Ward, expressed joy to be part of such empowerment and educative training for local councils’ officials on transparency and accountability.
“As someone representing a local council ward in Basse, I have now realized how transparency can change lives. This training will equip us in Basse in rendering better services with community inclusive decision-making engagements, respectively”, councilor Jallow expressed satisfaction.
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