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Showing posts from November, 2023

Gambia Graces 3rd African Union Conference

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Author: Pa Modou Cham Representing the Gambia Government on behalf of President Adama Barrow, Her Excellency Fatoumatta Jahumpa Ceesay, Gambian Ambassador to the SADC region, presided over the 3rd African Union Conference on Positive Masculinity in leadership to end violence against women and girls.   Addressing the gathering at the event held in Pretoria, South Africa Hon. FJC stated that investing in women’s economic empowerment and gender equality yields enormous dividends for peace and prosperity, saying as countries where women are economically marginalized and shut out of the workforce are much more likely to experience sexual and gender based violence.    She continued that there is anecdotal evidence that women’s active participation in leadership roles in politics and society can help resolve domestic violence and promote stability in the homes and society at large.   “In the Gambia efforts for the promotion of positive masculinity have been promulgated in nation

Gov’t utters gratitude as GIZ ECOWAS FRSD project fades out

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  Author: Pa Modou Cham The government of the Gambia through the Minister of Finance and Economic Affairs Hon. Seedy Keita, extended gratitude to the GIZ ECOWAS FRSD Gambia Pilot projects for its support to socio-economic stability by improving income opportunities in horticulture, poultry, and fishing.   The GIZ Technical Cooperation (TC) component of the Fund for Regional Stabilization and Development in Fragile Regions within ECOWAS Member States (FRSD) on behalf of The German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) has over the past 4 years successfully implemented numerous intervention measures in The Gambia.   In a closing ceremony of the project held today at the Sir Dawda Conference Centre, Minister Keita underscored the importance of the project while reiterating that the project was timely by addressing the poor groups of youth and women. He added that since 2019, the project has successfully showcased the effectiveness of the fund and paved

GIZ ECOWAS FRSD supports Gunjur women with ‘Nopale’ Fish Smoking Oven

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Author: Pa Modou Cham The German Development Cooperation (GIZ) ECOWAS Fund for Regional Stabilization and Development (FRSD), on Monday, inaugurated the ‘Nopale’ fish smoking oven to support Gunjur women involved in the fishery sector for income generation. To enhance food safety and improve the working conditions and income for women artisanal fish processors, ECOWAS FRSD Gambia pilot TC in collaboration with EnDev Senegal introduced the Innovative Nopale Stove in the Gambia, a wood-saving technology that also contributes to climate resilience. These facilities are provided through the Micro-Enterprise Startup Support Initiative (MESSI) mini-grant scheme implemented in partnership with the National Association of Cooperative Credit Unions in The Gambia (NACCUG). The women received small equipment and appliances to enhance fish preparation, handling and hygiene. Evelin Ayadi-Krenzer, AV FRSD said the Gunjur project is to help fish smoking which is predominantly the main activit

GIZ ECOWAS FRSD inaugurates Solar Fish Dryer in Kartong

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  Author: Pa Modou Cham German Development Cooperation (GIZ) ECOWAS Fund for Regional Stabilization and Development (FRSD), on Monday, inaugurated the first-ever solar-powered fish drying rack for women fish processors at Kartong Fish Landing Site. The solar tunnel dryer was part of the GIZ Micro-Enterprise Startup Support Initiative (MESSI) mini-grant scheme implemented in partnership with the National Association of Cooperative Credit Unions in The Gambia (NACCUG). In addition to the Solar Dryer, the women received small equipment and appliances to enhance fish preparation, handling and hygiene.   Speaking during the inauguration, Ms Evelin Ayadi-Krenzer, AV FRSD explained that fishing and fish processing are part of the economic ecosystem of Kartong which also shares a nature border with Senegal. She added that Kartong is one of the coastal communities along with Gunjur, Tanji, Banjul and Barra where the ECOWAS FRSD project has supported women and youth engaged in the fishery

Port of Tanit: A Major Economic Transformation Initiative For Mauritania

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By Pa Modou Cham & Isatou Ceesay A delegation across over 15 African and Arab countries, on Tuesday, visited the new Mauritanian Port of Tanit to get first-hand information on how the wide-range site can transform the Mauritanian economy by increasing their revenue base. The Port is situated 60 Kilometers from the city of Nouakchott and 30 Kilometers from the international airport to attract more investment for the rapid economic growth of the government and people of Mauritania. The Port welcomes investors and one of its major impacts is the use of fishing as a contribution to the productive sector of their economy. On day two of the Nouakchott Business Forum, the participants held a panel discussion on entrepreneurship, and children's education before signing the declaration of Peace Cities, geared towards a more tolerant and stable world. The delegation later had an indoor meeting with the President of Nouakchott Region. The discussion was mainly centered on the mission and

Nouakchott Business Forum: Participants Discuss Economic Advancement Among Others

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By Isatou Ceesay & Pa Modou Cham During the first session of Nouakchott Business Forum, participants from Arab and African countries dwelled on the importance of democracy, security, climate change and access to finance for Small and Medium Size Enterprises (SMEs) for sustainable economics. The event held at the Former Convention Center, brought together, professors from different Universities, regional heads, Business individuals and journalists. Among other participants include Arab, African, and European political decision-makers, public sector agencies, embassies and consulates accredited in Mauritania. Throughout the forum, participants will work towards the economic empowerment of women and youth in the Arab-African world relying on their potential in the business and trade sectors by tapping into present opportunities including various regional markets, to contribute to the economic growth of our countries. The forum supported by the Arab Bank for Economic Development in Afr

Nouakchott International Business Confab Underway

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Author: Isatou Ceesay & Pa Modou Cham Under the patronage of His Excellency the President of the Republic, Mr. Mohamed Ould Cheikh Ghazouani, scores of international participants have converged today in the city of Nouakchott, Mauritania to grace the first high-level international economic conference.   The three-day activity is organized by RIJAA (RĂ©seau Internaional des Journalistes Arabes et Africains) in collaboration with CIPINA (Centre d'information et de Promotion de l'image d'une Nouvelle Afrique), based in Lausanne, Switzerland will end on Wednesday, 23 November, 2023.   With support from BADEA (Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa) and the Nouakchott Region,  this major economic forum's agenda would include several sessions addressing important economic issues arising at national, regional, and international levels.   The first session of the forum will be devoted to the relationship between democracy, security, and climate change. Th

Gambian Diplomat Wins Royalty Diplomat Award

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  Author: Pa Modou Cham Ambassador Essa Bokarr Sey, a Gambian diplomat, analyst and security professional has been announced the winner of this year’s Royalty Diplomat of the Year award by the African Royalty Awards (ARA). Ambassador Sey is being celebrated among exceptional African leaders. The award ceremony is on December 10, 2023, at Blake’s Resort Garki2 in Abuja, Nigeria. Speaking to this medium, Ambassador Sey expressed delight, saying it’s an honour and dignity that he will be receiving his African Royalty Award - 23 through Jif Afrik, an organization of young Pan-African Entrepreneurs and professionals in various fields in the West Africa Sub-region. He said: “The award is an outcome of mentorship, conferences, lectures and analysis as services I have rendered to over 1000 young African entrepreneurs and professionals within The Gambia, Senegal, Nigeria, and others in the USA, Asia and Europe. It was a big pleasant surprise for me.  

NGBV Validates Graphic Referral Pathway Document

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Author: Pa Modou Cham The Network Against Gender-Based Violence (NGBV) recently converged at the Bakadaji Hotel to review and provide feedback on the document prepared to update and simplify the referral pathway for easy use and understanding.   The document that was validated after a thorough review embodies collective dedication to advancing gender equality, fortifying the rights of women, and strengthening mechanisms for social welfare.   Baboucar Gaye, a representative from the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Welfare explained that in a world where equitable opportunities and unwavering respect for all individuals, irrespective of gender, remain pivotal, the establishment of a comprehensive Referral Pathway Handbook is paramount.   He added that this invaluable resource serves not only as a structured guide but as a beacon of hope and guidance for the facilitation of assistance, support, and empowerment for women facing various challenges and vulnerabilities.

Peace Corps Gambia Concludes Youth Convergent on Employment Opportunities

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Author: Pa Modou Cham Peace Corps The Gambia, on Monday, concluded a three-day youth convergent in their quest to contribute to the Gambia’s youth employability and development initiative and the fight against irregular migration. The event held at the GPI exposed participants to different domains of youth employability and empowerment such as Gender and Youth, sexual reproductive health rights and first aid, workplace norms, and behaviours, orientation on CV development, job searching and matching, care guidance and interview techniques, migration and survival skill, peace-building, and social cohesion and conflict. Siiri Morley Peace Corps The Gambia Country Director explained that Peace Corps is a US agency working in partnership with countries around the world. She added that they are in the country through the invitation of the Gambia government to provide American skills and to partner on locally prioritizing projects working with counterparts in the communities. She hig

Announcement of the launch of the first edition of the Nouakchott Economic Forum

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  Press release Nouakchott, 17.11.2023,  Under the high patronage of His Excellency the President of the Republic, Mr. Mohamed Ould Cheikh Ghazouani, the activities of the first edition of the Nouakchott Economic Forum will be organized in Nouakchott on November 20-21-22, 2023, with the support of BADEA (Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa) and the Nouakchott Region. This major economic event - which Mauritania is hosting for the first time - is organized by RIJAA (RĂ©seau Internaional des Journalistes Arabes et Africains) in collaboration with CIPINA (Centre d'information et de Promotion de l'image d'une Nouvelle Afrique), based in Lausanne, Switzerland. The forum's agenda includes several sessions addressing important economic issues arising at national, regional, and international levels. The first session of the forum will be devoted to the relationship between democracy, security, and climate change. The forum will also address bank financing issues, as wel