Africa-Press – Gambia. The National Council for Civic Education has embarked on a mission to transform how ordinary Gambians engage with their government, launching a comprehensive advocacy training program that promises to reach every corner of the country.
The two-week initiative, which began Monday under the theme “Advocacy Playbook: Demand Rights and Influence Policy,” represents one of the most extensive civic education efforts undertaken in recent years.
Program Manager Ansumana Ceesay emphasized that this training goes beyond traditional classroom learning.
“This is not just about learning, it’s about preparing to act,” Ceesay declared during the opening ceremony. “The Advocacy Playbook we are building together is not theoretical; it is practical. It is rooted in your communities, your causes, and your courage.”
The program will traverse all seven regions of The Gambia, including Upper River Region, Central River Region, Lower River Region, North Bank Region, West Coast Region, Banjul, and Kanifing Municipal Council. Each location will host intensive two-day sessions targeting approximately 150 participants drawn from community-based organizations, civil society groups, media houses, marginalized communities, and local agencies.
According to officials, what sets this initiative apart is its focus on practical skills rather than abstract concepts. Participants will learn strategic advocacy planning, effective lobbying techniques, coalition building, and how to engage policymakers respectfully yet persistently. The training addresses a critical gap where many Gambians, particularly women, youth, persons with disabilities, and minority communities, feel excluded from decision-making processes.
Local leaders have already expressed strong support for the initiative. Ward Councilor Musukoi Badjie of Kusamai acknowledged the importance of listening to constituents, stating that elected officials must stand on behalf of those who voted them into office.
Chief Lamin Mondo Jatta of Brikama North praised NCCE’s nationwide impact, noting how civic education has contributed to peace in communities while emphasizing the balance between individual rights and collective responsibility.
The program receives funding through the EU-UNDP GREAT Initiative in partnership with TANGO, demonstrating international confidence in grassroots democracy strengthening efforts. Training venues include Basse, Janjanbureh, Kerewan, Mansakonko, Brikama, and Kanifing, ensuring geographic representation across the country.
NCCE officials believe this training will create a new generation of informed advocates who can effectively bridge the gap between grassroots communities and policy tables. The ultimate goal is building a more inclusive democracy where every voice contributes meaningfully to national development.
As participants prepare to return to their communities with newly acquired skills, organizers hope this initiative will spark a nationwide movement of active citizenship, ensuring that no Gambian voice goes unheard in the country’s democratic journey.
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