Foni Ward Councillors Trained On Participatory Budgeting, Others

The Daily Observer (Banjul)

Yusupha Bojang

30 June 2011

Foni — Education For All (EFA) net-The Gambia’s Foni chapter recently concluded a two-day training for ward councillors on participatory budgeting, gender sensitivity, and good governance.

Speaking at the training session, the EFA Foni chapter’s chairperson, Yaya Tamba noted the importance that EFA attaches to building the understanding of ward councillors on participatory budgeting, gender sensitivity and good governance; that it will help them figure out the development priority of the beneficiaries and stakeholders in planning and budgeting. He added that the training will not only raise the awareness level of the ward councillors on the concept of participatory budgeting, but that it will also build closer ties with people at the grassroots and identifying priority development needs.

Tamba further explained that participatory budgeting enhances public participation and ensures accountability and transparency in the administration of financial resources. According to him, ward councillors play vital roles in promoting the development aspiration of the people by involving them in identifying, discussing and prioritising public spending projects and giving them power to make tangible decisions about how money is being spent.

The chairman of Brikama Area Council, Sunkary Badjie, who is also the councillor of Somita Ward, noted that ward councillors serve as representatives of people at the grassroots, at the level of area councils. The training, he said, will help them sensitise their people during their ward meetings. He also noted that involving the grassroots people in the design and need assessment of development priorities goes a long way in transforming the lives of the people as their views are heard and respected.

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