The ECOWAS Commission has concluded a monitoring mission to The Gambia as part of the Fund for Regional Stabilization and Development (FRSD) Pilot Program. Conducted from June 24 to June 29, 2024, the mission aimed to assess and monitor ongoing infrastructural investments to ensure their timely handover to women and youth beneficiaries.
The delegation included representatives from the ECOWAS Commission, ECOWAS Representation Office, National Implementing Partners, and a technical support team from KfW Development Bank. They visited several project sites across various regions of The Gambia to evaluate initiatives focused on socio-economic empowerment for women and youth.
During the mission, key sites visited included the Taibatu Youth in Taibatu, Wuli West (Poultry House), Mansajang Youth Development in Basse (Poultry House), Nyakoi Medina Horticultural Garden in Nyakoi Medina, and Tesito Women’s Garden in Mansajang (Horticultural Garden). The delegation also assessed newly completed GTTI student dormitories in Julangel (40 beds) and Mansakonko (80 beds), the Center for Learning, Research and Self Improvement in Kiang Jattaba (Poultry House), and the Berekonku Youth Association in Pakalinding (Poultry House). Additionally, they visited Poultry Houses and Fish Ponds at Kundam Youth Garden. The Brufut Fish Landing site was also examined to ascertain the status of additional infrastructure being constructed to create opportunities for women involved in fish smoking.
Mission findings on the overall status of infrastructure activities are as follows:
- Agro-processing Training Centre: 98% completed; designed to train at least 200 youth yearly.
- Student Dormitories: 97% completed; one with 40 beds and another with 80 beds.
- Fish Ponds: 95% completed; seven ponds constructed.
- Fish Smoking Houses: 90% completed; two new smoking houses at Brufut fish landing site with supporting infrastructure including changing rooms, washing and boiling rooms, selling area, water tower, fence wall, and boreholes.
- Poultry Houses: 50% completed; with 34 houses being developed.
- Horticultural Gardens with solar-powered irrigation: 50% completed; with 47 gardens established for youth and women-led projects.
The mission concluded with a debriefing session where all partners discussed findings and committed to exploring opportunities for increased technical support for beneficiaries. This is aimed at ensuring the continued success of FRSD initiatives in The Gambia.
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