The National Council for Civic Education (NCCE) has launched the 2025 regional dialogue in Kiang Kaiaf in the the Lower River Region, ahead of Gambia’s much anticipated diamond jubilee celebration.
The theme of the dialogue is ‘the Diamond Jubilee March in Solidarity for Self-Reliance and National Development’.
The forum was attended by the Chief of Kiang East and civil society representatives, as well as religious leaders, among others.
The open forum aimed to find solutions to critical national challenges and building consensus across a raft of ideas to enhance reconciliation and to work towards creating a shared vision capable of entrenching peace and stability in the country.
Speaking at the forum, Ma Binta Colley, media officer at the Office of the President, said the forum was a follow-up to the political dialogue at State House.
Madam Colley called on participants to fully participate in the dialogue, citing efforts to encourage concerted action for national development.
Encouraging participants to share ideas for national progress, the Deputy Governor of LRR, Momodou Lamin Camara, hailed the Gambian leader for the unprecedented initiative, saying peace is the only way to achieve development.
The National Centre for Civic Education’s Chief Education Officer, Yusupha Bojang, reminded delegates about the various issues and ideas outlined during last year’s national dialogue, which include the empowerment of rural farmers, access to education and migration matters, among others.
Officials also discussed the new draft constitution and some of the recommendations put in place by the Government.
They also spoke about the opportunity created for the participation of women and youths in politics in the country.
Mr Bojang further noted that all 19 political parties in the country will be obligated to adhering to the youth participation quotas, which calls for at least 10 percent representation in their respective parties.
The introduction of civic education in the school curriculum was another issue extended to participants, amid high level preparations to transform education across the country.
Other recommendations outlined at the dialogue included media education to aid affective access to creditable information.
Source: GTRS
