At least, 40 Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) and other stakeholders in The Gambia, last Thursday, concluded a one-day workshop on "Aid effectiveness" at the Tango Conference Hall in Bakau.

The forum, organised by The Association of Non-Governmental Organisations (TANGO) through funding from Action-Aid The Gambia, was meant to raise awareness among Gambian CSOs and other stakeholders about "Aid Effectiveness" and the Paris agenda. It was also meant to strengthen common understanding of donor practices, eg conditionalities, parallel planning, budgeting and reporting systems so as to make aid more responsible and responsive.

In his closing remarks, Ousman Yabo, director of TANGO, commended the people for their active participation to make the forum a success.

According to him, civil society groups play crucial roles in the development of any nation, noting that there is the need for advocacy programmes in order to realise their full potentials. "We need to work hand in glove to achieve our objectives and this cannot be achieved if we are not equipped," he said.

He commended Action-Aid The Gambia for their partnership.
Presenting a paper on "Aid effectiveness", Sering Fallu Njie, director of the National Planning Commission (NPC), said as a country, there are some obligations that need to be fulfilled in line with the Paris Declaration on "Aid Effectiveness". He added that there is need for more awareness on such programmes.

"There is a need to create more awareness on information sharing  by organisations so as to achieve some of these declarations on the Paris Agenda.
Lamin Nyangado, public manager, Action-Aid, The Gambia, expressed similar sentiments.
Amadou Tall of World View, The Gambia also expressed similar sentiments on the way forward.