A total of 14 carpenters from different regions of the country recently concluded a two-week training course at the Community Development Centre in Brikama, Western Region.

It was organised by the Community Skills Improvement Project (CSIP), within the framework of national poverty reduction efforts, through skills acquisition. All the participants are practising carpenters and as part of the training, they were equipped with new skills in the production of batik tables, soap- cutting tables and trays, sieves for Omo-making and solar dryers, with a view to boost community level women’s skill training and production activities, as well as presentation of fruits and vegetables. A total of 80 benches and fifty table were also produced for distribution to the on-going adult literacy classes sponsored CSIP.

Declaring the seminar closed, Aussainou Jobarteh, Director of Community Development, highlighted the importance of poverty reduction to the government of The Gambia, which the CSIP is all about.

According to him, under the CSIP similar capacity-building activities have been undertaken in various domains and that multi-purpose skills centres have been constructed in each of the local Government Areas, all of which will be fully activated over time. He called on youth, especially male to redouble their efforts in acquiring viable skills. He also advised the carpenters to organise themselves into registered groups/associations to enhance access to existing credit facilities.

Alhagi Dembo Santang Bojang, Head Chief of Kombo Central, acknowledged the President’s repeated calls and support for young Gambians in the skills sector which, he said, is currently dominated by non-Gambians. He, on behalf of the people of the region, thanked the organisers and trainers and reminded the participants that a lot more needs to be done to ensure effective participation of young people in the overall national development efforts.

He also commended the trainees for their time and patience, and then urged them to put the newly acquired knowledge and skills into use.

Mrs. Anna Colley, Skills Component Coordinator of the CSIP noted that this training is meant to complement other related project activities, such as the literacy classes and skills production activities at community level and therefore called on those trained to specially link up with the women skills producers in their respective regions.

Lang Suwareh, lead trainer, reflected on the outputs of the training and recognised that more carpenters need to be trained.
Ebrima Njie from Juffureh gave the vote of thanks and lamented the need for support in the form of production materials, tools and credit facilities.

Mrs. Mama J. Sawaneh, Regional Community Development officer, presided over the closing ceremony.