As the campaign for achieving comprehensive and successful poverty alleviation and awareness creation intensifies, the PRO-PAG group is holding a three-day regional course for successful implementation of the Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper (PRSP) II for the years 2007 – 2011 at the Paradise Suites.
 
The course aims at raising awareness and generating a sense of ownership of MDG/PRSP related programmes.

Delivering the opening remarks at the seminar, the Chairman of the PRO-PAG advocacy group, Mrs. Adelaide Sosseh, called on stake holders and private partners at the meeting to take a broader spectrum of views of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and PRSP by considering them as national development strategies and not just aspirations.

Mrs. Sosseh noted that the attainment of the objectives requires major efforts from all actors to create an enhanced environment and awareness, enhanced dialogue and public participation.

She noted the efforts made by the UNDP in complimenting Government and civil society organisations in the fight against poverty and meeting the MDGs. “This capacity building campaign will address the areas where national or local capacities could be strengthened and also the optimisation of existing capacities that are strong and well placed,” she said.

She posited that the role of PRO-PAG in this process could not be overemphasised as it is the institution that facilitates government efforts in bringing aspirations to people’s doorsteps.

The Interim Chairman of KMC, Mr. Jibou Jagne, said that PRSP II is, in the context of Vision 2020, the overriding national development Strategy articulated by the government for 2007-2011.

Mr Jagne said that poverty eradication is one of the cardinal principles of the MDGs. He added that the MDGs and PRSPs provide a framework to build participation in The Gambia and bring about the full participation of the poor and the Gambian people in the policy making process.