What is your role in realizing the Plan, and what does it mean for you?
The National Development Plan embodies the collective aspirations of all Gambians, including those in the Diaspora. It emanated from the political manifesto of Coalition 2016 that shattered the stranglehold of 22 years of dictatorship. It was further given content and substance by the Government Compact arrived at during the Cabinet retreat of 5-7 May 2017, which outlined key government priorities.
The document also sums up the inputs from the 13 Thematic Working Groups set up to prepare the plan and comprising government ministries, civil society, the private sector and development partners. Opportunities were also provided to all stakeholders to contribute and this process culminated in a validation workshop held on 3rd October 2017 when the draft document was thoroughly reviewed. The plan is, therefore, a “home-grown” high-quality document, which must be read, understood and acted upon by all.
The plan provides many avenues for participation by citizens and stakeholders. There are mechanisms for robust citizen participation and engagement through its accountability framework, which empowers them to provide their views and feedback on government performance and effectiveness.
Each and every citizen can also capitalize on the opportunities that the plan provides:
For the country’s young people,
there are opportunities to build your skills to become better entrepreneurs, to cater for your all-round development and to strengthen your voice in decision-making;
For the farmers and the rural population,
development of irrigation systems, value chains and the introduction of modern production technologies would ensure increase in rural incomes and ensure food security and freedom from hunger;
For the private sector,
an improved business environment, reforms in the tax system, access to credit, as well as better infrastructure and energy services will provide new opportunities for growth;
For school children,
a quality education foreseen in the plan paves the way for satisfactory careers and capacity to realize your full potential;
For women,
the removal of the socio-cultural barriers, strengthening your participation in decision-making, as well as better economic opportunities will lead to improved status and well being for families;
For the poor and vulnerable,
a greater security and assistance is provided for by the plan through the proposed social protection interventions; and
For all citizens,
the restoration of good governance, respect for human rights and the rule of law means no one will be subjected to arbitrary arrests, there will be freedom of expression, and the fundamental rights of all will be respected and upheld.