Migration and Sustainable Development in The Gambia

THIRD STAKE IN THE NATION FORUM (SNF3)

‘Development Practice and Institution Building’
Kairaba Beach Hotel, Kololi, The Gambia | Satturday, 18 January 2020 | 09.00 to 19.00

Gallery

From Left: SNF3 Opening Panel (18/1/20): Alh. Alieu Momarr Njai, Chairman, Independent Electoral Commission; Prof. Gibril Faal, Director of GK Partners & MSDG Project; H.E. Dr. Isatou Touray, Vice President; Ms. Fatou Jagne Senghore, Regional Director, ARTICLE 19 West Africa; H.E. Dr. Marion Weichelt Krupski, Swiss Ambassador to The Gambia
‘’Diaspora as the Eighth Region is not just symbolism, it is the principle and mechanism through which we can embed diaspora contributions, interests, needs and expectations within the very workings of the Ministries, Departments and Agencies of government.’’…‘’A major challenge of development practice is the operational failures that lead to non-implementation…Operational vigilance is needed for us to deliver practical results that improve and transform the lives of citizens..’’
‘’there are three core elements that you must have in order to build an institution…First is constancy; the things that need to be done, must be done and should always be done. Second is consistency; the manner in which it is done should be kept, time and time again even when it becomes boring and not exciting. Thirdly there needs to be continuity; in that people moving and been promoted does not mean that the program has disappeared.’’
‘’As we prepare for the imminent Referendum, October/November, may I take this opportunity to inform all Gambians that the Commission is contemplating on conducting a General Registration of voters of all Gambians; those in country and out of country in phases. Firstly, those resident in the country before the referendum and those in the diaspora after the referendum since according to the current laws, they cannot take part in the referendum.’’
‘’I am of the conviction that the Gambia is rich in terms of human capital. Despite being small both in terms of geography and demography, The Gambia is blessed with a big community of Gambians in the diaspora, most of whom are highly educated with the right experiences across the globe…..It will be important to take advantage of that capacity for the sustainable development of our country.’’
‘’Switzerland views the Stake in The Nation Forum as a strategic event. Not only because it enables the diaspora to participate in the development debate, but also because it provides political impetus for the implementation of The Gambia National Development Plan which designates the diaspora as a critical enabler.’’
Master of Ceremony, Mr. James Bahoum, MSDG Project
‘’…remittance figures received in The Gambia in 2019 reached USD318.5Mn. This is equivalent to GM16.4Bn….from a level of USD277.8Mn in 2018, registering a growth of USD40.7Mn or 14.7% during the period.’’