Local Councillors should ensure effective relationships with their communities and central government

Local Governments must effectively manage relationships with their communities and the central government in order to run smoothly. It is also important that the internal relationships between elected representatives and the administrative staff are strong.

Building on these key relationships as well as improving other key areas was discussed at a workshop organised by the Government of Gambia and the Commonwealth Secretariat. Local Government Council Members from across the country attended between 23 and 25 February.

“The reorientation of local government systems towards decentralisation has been at centre stage in many developing countries in Commonwealth Africa, including The Gambia, over the past few decades,” said Jacqueline Wilson, Director of Governance and Institutional Development at the Secretariat.

“The Gambia is a small state and one of the least developed countries. Its challenges are myriad and multifaceted. The Secretariat has a special focus on small states, as 32 of the 53 Commonwealth member countries are small states, six of them in Africa.”

The workshop addressed the roles and responsibilities of Council members with regard to the Government, the electorate, financial institutions and also governments in other countries.

By disseminating information on good practices and sharing experiences the workshop aimed to improve the performances of Councillors working in local governments throughout The Gambia.

“’Local’ governments manage ‘local’ affairs which include virtually every problem and issue that citizens encounter in their daily lives,” explained Dr Munawwar Alam, the Commonwealth Secretariat's Adviser for Sub-National Government and Administration, who led the workshop.

At the workshop a Commonwealth publication ‘Decentralisation in The Gambia’ was launched. Edited by Dr Alam, the book is a report of a high-level workshop on ‘Managing Change in Local Governance’ which was held in the capital city, Banjul between 7 and 9 April 2008.

Key Links:

• Governance
• Country Profile: The Gambia