Alliance for Democracy in Africa

Civic Education Programme

On Friday. December 4th, 2009 a Civic Education Programme was held by ADA in cooperation with the students' "ADA-Club" at Cheikh Maas Kah Upper Basic School. The main topic was THE ROLE OF YOUTH IN NATION BUILDING and three different approaches were developed by the students: Youth and Migration, Youth and Education, and Youth and Media.

Above, students participate in the Civic Education Program at the Cheikh Mass Kaa School

During the preparation phase, the ADA Programme Coordinator, Laura Sager, trained the students in terms of public speaking methods, modes of presentation and speech writing. As a result they were able to successfully present their speeches during the programme on December 4th in front of their fellow students and guests.

Mr. Ousman Seckan elaborated on the consequences of youth migration, which is a current problem in The Gambia. He pointed out the dangers of illegal migration to Europe, and the local possibilities that allow one to lead one's life successfully.

Miss Awa Ann Sanneh focused on the importance of education as youth will be the leaders of tomorrow. She named several areas, such as agriculture and health care, to demonstrate that education is the key to national development. She called for further development towards free education from grades 1 to 12.

Miss Binta Loum targeted the role of the media. A definition of media was given before she explained the possibilities and advantages as well as the dangers of the internet. She called for awareness in using the intenet as a source of education and serious information, although access is still too expensive for the great majority of students in The Gambia. Furthermore, Binta discussed the role of the print media and radio stations, which should focus more on young people's interests and their possibilities in terms of education.

Finally, Miss Amie Jaw summerized the main points of the three presentations before the Honourable Prof. Diop from the University of Oslo opened and led the discussion with the audience. The result was a call for the youth to gain self-confidence and take responsibility for their lifes and the development of their country, NOW!

Robert Cummings Institute for Governance launched in honor of
Dr. Robert Cummings

In recognition of the late Dr. Robert Cummings' contributions to ADA, the ADA Executive Committee in The Gambia honored him by creating a civic education program in his name, the "Robert Cummings Institute for Governance."

In collaboration with Actionaid International. the Robert Cummings Institute for Governance conducted a media program "Democracy and Good Governance in Africa" at Radio Gambia, which was broadcast every Thursday since 5th July, 2007 between 5:00PM and 6:00PM. The first phase of the program was completed on the 27th September 2007 and focused on the following topics:

Democracy and Good Governance in Africa
The Role of the Media in Promoting Good Governance
The Rule of Law and Good Governance
Decentralization and Good Governance
Effective People Participation and Good Governance
Gender and Good Governance
Human Rights, Freedoms and Good Governance in Africa

The program was very interactive, as listeners in different parts of Gambia, including Demba Kunda in Upper River Region, Saruja in Central River Region, Farafenni in North Bank Region, etc. called in and made positive comments on the usefulness of the discussions. They had the opportunity to ask questions as well as make comments about the program. The listeners commented on how the discussions increased their knowledge and understanding of the issues highlighted. The Institute also received telephone calls from listeners in Thies in Senegal, and they shared the positive impact of the program. In fact, they requested that a similar program be conducted for them in Thies.

During the evaluation exercise, it was recpmmended by numerous listeners in different parst of Gambia and Thies in Senegal that the program should continue. The final phase of this media program will begin on Thursday 11th October,2007.

ADA Youth Leader Rehanna Jones-Boutaleb Conducts Arts and Crafts Workshop at Tallinding Nursery School

Miss Rehanna Jones-Boutaleb, ADA's youth ambassador, visited The Gambia from December 16-23, 2006 and conducted an arts and crafts workshop with the students of the Tallinding Nursery School. Rehanna divided the students into groups according to age, and helped the four to six year olds to make decorative masks, and the three year olds to decorate hearts which they could pin to their uniforms or backpacks. The activity came just before the end of term for the students and was clearly a welcome break from their usual lessons.

Rehanna was very impressed with the enthusiasm and appreciation with which she was received, as well as with the good behaviour of the young students. Special thanks go to Dr. Madi Touray for facilitating the visit and the staff of the school for their support. Rehanna plans to follow up on this activity through regular communications with the students and perhaps another visit at some future date.

The Role of Youth in Nation Building

A Seminar on "The Role of Youth in Nation Building" was held on March 27, 2004. One of the outcomes of this seminar was the creation of an ADA Committee on Youth and National Building. The committee members are:

Ms. Fatou Janneh, Chairperson
Mr. Abdou Jatta, Vice-Chairperson
Ms. Huja Mbye, Executive Secretary
Ms. Jabou Suso, Treasurer

The Committee decided that the following people will be asked to serve as Advisors:

Hon. Fatoumata Jahumpa-Ceesay
Mrs.Amie Sillah

Second International Conference

The Alliance for Democracy in Africa., (ADA) hosted its 2nd annual international conference from August 5-8, 2003. The conference was held at Senegambia Beach Hotel. The theme of the conference was “Democracy and Human Development in Africa”.

Dr. Emma S. Etuk, an award-winning author of seven books and president of Emida International Publishers, Inc. (Emida1@yahoo.com), a USA-based book company, was one of the many presenters at this conference. His paper and presentation is on “Democracy Through Education in Africa”. Dr.Etuk played a key role in ADA’s first conference on demoncracy in Africa that was held at the same venue last year.

This year Dr. Etuk has arrived in Gambia with Mr. Mark Boersma, an American businessman and president of Synergy Solutions, Inc. (mboersma@synergysolutions.net), a company that assists “you to reach beyond your potential in all areas of your career and life”. Mark also brought his 13-year old son, Jonathan who is a gifted national speaker.

Mark and Jonathan were speakers at this conference. Also, they were in Gambia to explore ways of cooperation and collaboration with Gambian businessmen and women. Dr. Etuk, on his part, sponsors and helps train Gambian students in schools. Toward this end, he grants financial scholarships which he did last year and has repeated this year.

This sponsorship is part of the ADA vision and mission.

Literacy in The Gambia

The Alliance for Democracy in Africa (ADA) held an informal meeting and panel discussion on "Literacy in The Gambia" on November 5, 2002, at the Senegambia Beach Hotel in Banjul, The Gambia. Over 60 participants attended the event.

Panelists on "Literacy in The Gambia" included: Honorable Sidia Jatta, Member of Parliament and Secretary General of Wulli Adult Literacy Development Association (WALDA), Madi Touray, Secretary General, ADA, and Stephane Alrivy, Program Director, ADA.

ADA is currently funding two facilitators for women adult literacy classes in Wulli West constituency. This project is administered by the Wulli Adult Literacy Development Association (WALDA). At the meeting, ADA announced the funding of two additional facilitators for women adult literacy classes in Wulli East constituency.

ADA wishes to thank Mr. Saihou Sanyang, National Coordinator, National Governance Program, State House, Honorable Fabakary Tombong Jatta, Honorable Abdoulie Danagi Jawla, and Honorable Sidia Jatta from the National Assembly, members of the NGO community, the media, the management and staff at the Senegambia Beach Hotel, and the public for their support and contributions during the event.

International Conference on Democracy in Africa

The Alliance for Demoncracy in Africa organized an International Conference on Democracy in Africa between August 5th and 7th, 2002 at the Senegambia Beach Hotel, The Gambia.

The three-day international conference highlighted the following topics:

DEMOCRACY AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IN AFRICA
Panelists:
Mr. David Peterson, Program Director for Africa,
National Endowment for Democracy, U.S.A.
Mr. Sam M.L. Kinteh Executive Director,
National Council for Civic Education, The Gambia
Mr. Gabriel J. Roberts, Chairman,
Independent Electoral Commission, The Gambia

2. RELIGION AND DEMOCRACY IN AFRICA
Panelists:
Dr. Emma S. Etuk, President,
Emida International Publishers,
Maryland, USA
Mr. Jonathan Aderonmu,
Director of Research and Development,
African Center for Democratic Governance, Nigeria

3. THE ROLE OF THE UNITED NATIONS IN DEMOCRACY BUILDING AND SUSTAINABLE HUMAN DEVELOPMENT IN AFRICA
Panelist:
Dr. John Kalonge,
United Nations Resident Representative,
Fajara, The Gambia

4. THE ROLE OF THE UNITED STATES IN DEMOCRACY BUILDING IN AFRICA
Panelist:
The Honorable Jackson McDonald,
United States Ambassador to The Gambia

5. ILLITERACY AND DEMOCRACY IN AFRICA
Panelists:
Honorable Sidia S. Jatta,
Member, National Assembly,The Gambia
Dr. Hayib Sosseh, Professor,
Northern Virginia Community College,
Virginia, U.S.A.

Over two hundred participants attended the three day international conference.

One of the outcomes of the 2002 International Conference on Democracy in Africa was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding with the National Assembly of The Gambia to establish a national Women's Literacy Project.