By Kumba Leigh
The Sixth Stake in the Nation Forum (SNF6) is an annual consultative event since 2017, that enables Diaspora groups engage with government ministries, departments and agencies, as well as NGOs and CSOs on a wide range of developmental matters and contribute to formal policy development, and practice. It facilitates strategic, thematic and sectoral consultations, and encourages dialogue, and networking between Diaspora, government, and non-government actors, as well as launch of relevant development policies, programmes, projects, and initiatives. In addition, it enables exploration of new approaches, concepts, and frameworks for national development.
This year’s event was held on Saturday January 14th at the Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara International Conference Centre in Bijilo.
In his keynote address on behalf of President Adama Barrow, Baboucarr O. Joof, Minister of Trade, Industry, and Regional Integration and Employment, reminded that since the change of government in 2017 government has declared Diaspora as the eighth region of The Gambia; hence the creation of a Diaspora Directorate at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. “This recognition has demonstrated our government’s commitment to our Diaspora as we consider them with immense potential to contribute to the development of our country”.
Aside remittances, Minister Joof said the Diaspora promotes trade and investment, creates businesses, and enhance entrepreneurship, and skills transfer.
The Minister noted the importance and need for collective endeavors and that it is the duty of the government, and other public sector bodies, and institutions to facilitate, support and optimise the progressive actions of private individuals, the community, and private sector, associations and businesses they create.
“Inclusive action arises out of the ongoing and continuing collaborations and partnerships between public, and private citizens, and government,” he affirmed.
He went on to emphasise the need to strengthen the foundation of peace, democracy and good governance, and reflected on the dark days of dictatorship, when some members of the Diaspora were prosecuted, jailed, and threatened and alienated from their motherland, forcing them to limit their economic input to the country.
First Deputy Governor, Central Bank of The Gambia, Dr Abdoulie Seeku Jaabi, said such gatherings help generate ideas, and solutions on how to leverage the private sector, and Diaspora towards enhancing economic development.
He acknowledged that remittances continue to make economic impact of The Gambia.
“Over the years, official statistics have recorded substantial inflow of funds providing direct economic benefits to Gambians from all walks of life,” he said, adding that remittances are a key source of foreign exchange for The Gambia and that they can serve as an important catalyst for inclusion of the unbanked into the financial system of The Gambia.
Professor Gibril Faal, Director of GK Partners and MSDG Project, affirmed that the scale of remittances in the Central Bank and encouraged more efforts.
The Ambassador of Switzerland to The Gambia, H.E Andrea Semadeni assured of her country’s continuous partnership and contribution to such yearly consultation, noting that this is an important contribution to the economy and development of The Gambia..
Other speakers included Minister of Basic and Secondary Education; Minister of Finance, and Economic Affairs, and representative of the University of Maryland.
