How do we know we are making progress?
Measuring progress is a critical element in the quest to ensure accountability for delivery. The National Development Plan foresees the following:
A robust results
framework;
Monitoring and Evaluation mechanisms; and
Strengthening government-citizens engagement.
The Results Framework
For each strategic priority and critical enabler of the National Development Plan, key outcomes and results to be achieved have been identified to enable measurement of progress. These are presented in annex 1 and 2 respectively.
Monitoring and Evaluation Mechanisms
The monitoring and the evaluation of the National Development Plan will be done at three levels:
- Executive level;
- Sector level; and
- Citizens’ level.
Executive level Monitoring and Evaluation
- Presidential Monitoring and Evaluation System/Presidential Dashboard that will allow the Executive to monitor and track selected key results and outcomes of the plan at the highest level of government; and
- A Delivery Unit situated in the Office of the President (OP) to ensure implementation of the priorities and to manage the Presidential M&E system.
Sector level Monitoring and Evaluation processes
Key features of the plan’s Monitoring and Evaluation system are the following:
- A results matrix where each strategic priority and critical enabler has an accompanying goal(s), a set of outcomes, indicators (disaggregated to an appropriate level) with baselines and targets to facilitate the tracking and reporting progress of implementation;
- A Metadata for each indicator was also developed to provide definitions and to serve as reference;
- A system decentralized to the regional level to create and/or strengthen linkages and synergies between the central government and the regions through the Regional Technical Advisory Committees;
- To ease Government’s burden in monitoring and reporting progress of the international and regional agreements, the indicators in the National Development Plan were closely matched to those from the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Agenda 2063. The aim is to have a national Monitoring and Evaluation process that is uniform and a “one stop shop” for all information on both national and international plans and agreements;
- To meet the growing demand for information and accurately report on the progress of results on a timely basis, there will be: an annual review of progress, tools, evaluations, capacity building; and
- A web-based database will be housed and managed by the Gambia Bureau of Statistics. This will provide a common and centrally located database for the storage and easy retrieval of data on key development indicators for the country.
Strengthening Government – Citizens’ Engagement
- a.) All public institutions will be required to develop and publish service charters, which will outline the standards of service delivery that citizens can expect;
- b.) Government will take action to better articulate its messages, and will undertake public campaigns on key policy issues to mobilize public action through simple messages using social media, posters, banners, pamphlets, public education talks, radio and television
- c.) Government will set up forums for citizen engagement and create opportunities for citizens to interface with public officials at all levels through town and village hall meetings, dialogue forums, panel discussions, focus group discussions and other mechanisms such as meet the people tours.
- d.) Digitally, the government will establish a presence on social media platforms to strengthen engagement. Examples are with such platforms as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube. The government will establish a “Feedback Unit.” Its purpose will be to build social media platforms to ensure a more active and engaged public.
- e.) The government will endeavor to create a new mindset among public officials, such that they are citizen-focused and ready and willing to respond positively to public concerns.