Ten National Assembly members and representatives of the civil society, last Thursday, participated in a one-day seminar on budget analysis and advocacy skills, at the Baobab Resort in Bijilo.

The seminar, which was organised by the National Youth Association for Food Security (NaYAF), in collaboration with Action Aid The Gambia, sought to build the capacity of the participants on public budget analysis and advocacy.

During the course of the seminar, several pertinent issues, including the allocation of adequate resources for Gambian youths, diversification of agriculture and food-processing, protection of the local production industry, among others, were the issues discussed.

Participants also brainstormed on the arithmetic of various aspects of public budget, including nominal growth, real growth, price index, as well as budget terminologies and the preparation of public budget.

Speaking at the closing ceremony, Hon Abdoulie Bojang, Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly, commended NaYAF for placing the National Assembly at the centre of its programmes, saying that this was not the first time that they were invited by the organisation. Hon Bojang described the seminar as resourceful, assuring that they will do everything possible to ensure that justice is done to the national budget.

Alagie Kebbeh, Director of NaYAF and Chairperson of the Gambia National Youth Council, elaborated on the importance of the training, saying that his organisation will organise a one-day intensive training, covering various aspects of public budgeting. Mr Kebbeh, who is also the President of the African Youth Coalition Against Hunger, expressed hope that the training will strengthen the capacity of the participants to ensure budget tracking and effective spending of public funds.

Omar Jobe, Policy and Budget Analyst of Pro-poor Advocacy Group, expressed the need for the demystification of the national budget towards rapid poverty reduction. Mr Jobe assured his preparedness to strengthen the capacity of the NAMs and the civil society at all times.

Ms Fatou Samba Njie, one of the participants at the seminar, delivered the vote of thanks.