Alliance for Democracy in Africa

Radio Show Update

(courtesy of Ms. Laura Sager, ADA's Civic Education Program Coordinator)

ADA hosted four radioshows in January 2010 in The Gambia. The first one was on Thursday, January 7th, and dealt with the role of women in nation building.

On Thursday, January 14th, freedom of speech was the major topic, which included not only the private sector but also the role of the media.

On Thursday, January 21st, the focus was on south-north migration, discussing the reasons and consequences of illegal migration towards Europe.

Finally, on Thursday, January 28th, the topic was democracy and ethnicicity, where the role of tribalism during elections was discussed.

For the second and third events the guest speakers invited presented their approach to and opinion on the topics. ADA believes that it is part of the idea of democracy and civic education to give a broad argumentation, even though we don't share all of them. The audience had the chance to make up their own minds, and discuss within their families and communities.

Above, guest speaker Ali talks about the dangers of illegal migration from Africa to Europe.

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!

Formation of ADA Youth Wing in The Gambia

We are pleased to announce that ADA has formed a Youth Wing in The Gambia. The members of the Executive Committee are as follows:

Ms. Rehanna Jones-Boutaleb, Youth Ambassador
Ms. Ndey Cham, National Youth Leader
Mr. Bubacarr Bah, 1st. Assistant National Youth Leader
Ms. Lucy Jandy, 2nd. Assistant National Youth Leader
Ms. Mariam Lowe, Auditor
Ms. Awa Camara, Secretary
Mr. Alpha Yahya, Jallow, Treasurer

Ms Jones is the executive head of the wing, while others are answerable to Ms. Camara who, with the support of other committee members, is in charge of running the affairs of the office located at: 67 Kombo Sillah Drive, Brikama highway, Serrekunda, The Gambia. Ms.Camara can be reached at: 220 930 3176.

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.