"Solutions to Africa’s problems will come from institutions such as ACBF," says Gambian President Adama Barrow

Banjul

Gambia

20 Jun, 2017

Banjul, 20 June 2017 (ACBF) – President Adama Barrow of the Gambia says solutions to the difficulties faced by African nations lie within the continent itself and that institutions such as the African Capacity Building Foundation (ACBF) can help make all the difference. An elated President Barrow made the remarks as he played host to a delegation from the ACBF, led by Executive Secretary Prof. Emmanuel Nnadozie, visiting the country to work out key areas of partnership in view of providing the knowledge and policy support needed to actualize the country’s current development plan.

“The recent problems of The Gambia are African problems, which require African solutions,” said the Gambian leader, who specifically mentioned the need for civil service reforms and capacity building in his country.

“I will count on African institutions such as the African Capacity Building Foundation to help move my government’s agenda forward,” President Barrow observed.

“Africa’s transformation agenda is the very leitmotiv of the African Capacity Building Foundation and there is no better place to act upon this goal than in the Gambia which is undergoing a historic wind of change both as a budding democracy and as a nation with a leadership bent on bringing development to its people,” said the visiting Prof Nnadozie, who had earlier congratulated President Barrow and his Government on their accession to power as well as on their demonstrated resolve to transform the country.

“We concur with the Government of The Gambia that a revolution in governance especially through robust reforms of the civil service and institutions as well as through the retooling and retention of human resources are the very places to start on the road to the desired transformation.

“The Gambia has a strong and highly competent diaspora community and we are committed to hitch horses with Gambian authorities to work out a strategy to attract and retain this critical mass of experts for the country’s development, moving forward,” Prof. Nnadozie added.

According to President Barrow, the visit of ACBF’s Executive Secretary has come at the right time when his government is fashioning out a national development plan, which will set a vision for the country in the coming years.

Details of how the ACBF would contribute to this plan were discussed with both the President and members of his Government, including Vice President Fatoumata Tambajang and Finance Minister and ACBF Board of Governors member – Hon. Amadou Sanneh.

The ACBF delegation also held talks with the President of the Gambia Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) – Mr. Muhamed Jagana, and the Governor of the country’s Central Bank – Mr. Bakary Jammeh. While the working session with Mr. Jagana served to figure out the crucial role that the private sector should play in supporting Gambia’s development, the discussion with Governor Jammeh centered on further developing the capacity of staff of the Bank, as ACBF has done in the past to enhance their contribution to development.

The African Capacity Building Foundation, it should be noted, is currently funding a study that will address the human and institutional capcity needs required to implement the Gambia’s revised national development plan, established by the country’s new Government.

A total of 60 public and private sector officials are expected to benefit from ACBF-funded capacity building programs in 2017.

-ENDS HERE-

For more information, please contact:

Abel Akara Ticha – Senior Communication Officer
The African Capacity Building Foundation
Harare, Zimbabwe
+263 7+263-4 304663, 304622, 332002, 332014; Ext. 279
Email: A.Ticha@acbf-pact.org

About the African Capacity Building Foundation

Established in 1991, ACBF builds human and institutional capacity for good governance and economic development in Africa. To date the Foundation has empowered people in governments, parliaments, civil society, private sector and higher education institutions in more than 45 countries and 6 regional economic communities. ACBF supports capacity development across Africa through mobilization and leveraging of resources for capacity development; grants, investments and fund management; knowledge services; promoting innovation in capacity development and capacity development advisory services. The establishment of ACBF was in response to the severity of Africa’s capacity needs, and the challenges of investing in indigenous human capital and institutions in Africa. ACBF interventions are premised on four principles: the centrality of capacity to the development process in Africa; the critical role of a partnership and demand-driven approach in tackling capacity challenges; African ownership and leadership in the capacity development process; and a systematic, sequenced and coordinated approach to the capacity development process that pays attention to capacity retention and utilization. For further information go to: www.acbf-pact.org

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Partnership Spotlight

An ICCASA Story
Advancing Climate Adaptation and Sustainable Development in Africa

“Achieving equitable and sustainable development in Africa necessitates addressing the critical challenge of climate change”
Mamadou Biteye, ACBF Executive Secretary.

This Partnership Spotlight highlights collaborative efforts between the ACBF and Inclusive Climate Change Adaptation for a Sustainable Africa (ICCASA), an alliance targeting climate adaptation strategies focusing on inclusivity and gender equality. The coalition aims to bridge the gap towards a more resilient future for the continent.

Beyond resource provision, the ACBF-ICCASA partnership empowers ICCASA with the knowledge and expertise to champion social inclusion and gender equality within climate change policies, strategies, and actions. This targeted approach tackles complex development challenges by prioritizing the voices of marginalized and vulnerable groups. Through collaborative efforts, ICCASA fosters the development of gender-responsive and inclusive climate policies and actions. This ensures a seat at the table for women, youth, indigenous people, those with disabilities, and vulnerable communities, paving the way for a more just and equitable focus towards a climate-resilient Africa.

The partnership's commitment extends beyond initial empowerment. ACBF's flagship program, Strengthening African Leadership for Climate Adaptation (SALCA), equips ICCASA with the tools and skills, offering a comprehensive package, including financial management, resource mobilization, and targeted capacity building to address identified institutional and personnel gaps. Baseline assessments establish benchmarks for progress while knowledge-sharing workshops foster collaboration in crafting impactful solutions. This emphasis on cooperation ensures all stakeholders have a voice, shaping effective adaptation strategies for a more resilient Africa.

ICCASA translates its mission into action through a diverse program portfolio. Initiatives like Strengthening the Voices of Women with Disabilities (STREVOW) empower women with the tools and knowledge to actively participate in policy discussions. #AllVoicesCount dialogues complement this by fostering inclusive online dialogue and broadening participation in climate action. Recognizing the importance of future generations, ICCASA's Empowering Climate and Gender Champions program mentors future leaders, especially women and young girls.

The partnership's impact extends beyond policy. Initiatives like the Inclusive Disaster Risk Reduction Project equip communities with the tools to prepare for and respond to climate-related disasters. Evidence-Based Climate Policy and Actions for All ensures climate policies are grounded in robust evidence. Further supporting their commitment, ICCASA champions the Inclusive Climate Adaptation Planning Guidelines and the Gender, Climate Change, and Nutrition (GCAN) integration initiative. This ensures social justice, gender equality, and nutrition are at the heart of climate action and funding.

ACBF's support addressed ICCASA's initial challenges, such as a need for essential institutional policies and a professional board. Their training programs significantly enhanced the effectiveness of ICCASA's interventions, evident in the STREVOW project, which empowered women with disabilities across 13 countries in Eastern Africa. ICCASA's expanding portfolio showcases the tangible impact of this strategic partnership.

Under ACBF’s multifaceted support, ICCASA has developed significantly. ACBF's investment went beyond financial resources, providing a comprehensive package starting with strengthening ICCASA's governance through board development, manuals, and leadership training programs. Capacity-building initiatives equipped ICCASA staff with the expertise needed to tackle the complex issues of gender and climate change.

ACBF secured crucial resources for ICCASA's operations, including office space, financial expertise, and communication and resource mobilization specialists to ensure long-term sustainability. A robust monitoring and evaluation system allows ICCASA to track progress and adapt strategies as needed, while a strategic plan charts a clear course in the future, transforming ICCASA into a powerful force for inclusive climate adaptation across Africa.

Building on ACBF's investment, ICCASA has developed a strong foundation since its establishment in 2017. A gender training program in 2023 led to significant changes, with staff like John Ondieki, ICCASA Procurement Officer, noting, "ACBF's training transformed my procurement approach. I now prioritize diversity, ensuring our decisions empower all."
Leadership training equipped program staff with the skills needed to secure funding, demonstrably boosting their success in proposal development. Dr. Mary Nyasimi, ICCASA Executive Director, explained, "The training empowered ICCASA to navigate complex issues and secure crucial funding. Our recent proposal success story is a testament to the transformative power of collaboration and capacity building."

ICCASA's vision is to expand its reach and champion inclusivity in climate adaptation. Future endeavors include supporting inclusivity in planning processes and capacity-building initiatives, advocating for inclusive policies, embracing technological advancements, prioritizing research and data, scaling up successful initiatives, and designing gender-specific projects. Austine Diffu, ICCASA HR and Finance Manager highlighted the impact of collaboration, stating, "ACBF's ToR training revamped our recruitment! Now, we build diverse, skilled teams for projects like STREVOW.”