According to the MDG Status Report 2007 of The Gambia which was issued by the National Planning Commission (NPC), The Gambia is committed to the attainment of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and has put in place a monitoring mechanism to measure progress.

It has also stated that the MDGs became the global development framework following the Millennium Conference and Declaration in 2000. A total of 8 goals, 18 targets and 48 indicators were identified to measure progress from 1990-2015. It noted that the implementation of the MDGs began in earnest by most developing countries in Africa, Asia and Latin America in 2001.

In addition to integrating the MDGs on all aspects of national development, countries are obliged to monitor progress towards achieving the MDGs. Using data from the 2003 Integrated Household Survey, the round three of the Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS III), 2005/2006, the 2003 Census as well s sector specific data on education and health, the report presents an assessment of The Gambia's progress towards achieving the MDGs.

According to the report, with Goal 1's target, it is likely that the nutrition targets will be realized by 2015. For Goal 2, which targets on proportion of pupils starting grade 1 who reach last grade of primary education has been attained. It also states that the country is on track to attaining net enrolment in primary and secondary education as literacy among 15-24 years olds. "With respect to Goal 3, gender parity in primary and lower basic education has been attained and parity at senior secondary is within reach.

For Goal 4 target for the proportion of 1-year-old children immunized against measles has been attained but the country is unlikely to meet the targets for reducing both infant and maternal mortality rates. With respect to Goal 5, targets of proportion of births attained by trained health workers are likely to be achieved but targets for maternal mortality are unlikely to be met.

It also stated that Goal 6's progress on proportion of under-fives sleeping under Insecticide Treated Nets (ITNs) is on track and the country is on course to meeting both the Abuja and MDG targets of 80% of children sleeping under ITNs. For Goal 7 , the targets of proportion of population using improved drinking water source and improved sanitation facilities have been trained.

For Goal 8, progress on partnership for development, completion point under the enhanced Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) Initiative has been reached and the country is eligible for debt relief under the HIPC to the tune of US$66.6 million and under Multilateral Donor Relief Initiative (MDRI) to tune of approximately US$3373.5 million in nominal terms over the next 43 years (IMF Press Release No. 07/302, December 20, 2007.

According to the report, although The Gambia has made significant strides, much more needs to be done to achieve the MDGs in its entirety but given the political commitment and leadership, there is no doubt that there will be further success in attaining the MDGs. The report has identified some major challenges in terms of data resources, policy orientation and priorities for development co-operation and appropriate recommendations on all these issues made.

It is hoped that the report, in addition to stimulating further discussions on the MDGs with development partners, will also serve as a useful tool for resource mobilization for The Gambia's development.