Chris Addy-Nayo a Ghanaian Development Expert has commended the Local Authorities of the Gambian for protecting its lands, culture and traditions.
The expert made this remarks at a Memorandum of Understanding signing ceremony held at the Rural Development Institute (RDI), Mansa Konko in Lower River Region (LRR) on Tuesday.
The signing MoU of 8 plots of lands was between the Gambia Association of Local Government Authorities (GALGA), on behalf of the 8 Local Government Authorities and Chiefs to the Gambia Wrestling Association and the National Centre for Arts and Culture (NCAC)
Chris Addy-Nayo a Special Guest at the occasion made a comparison to the situation back in Ghana where Chiefs and politicians connived to make lands available for illegal mining and illegal logging which degrades and destroys the environment, the livelihoods and future of young men and women.
He said this is in contrast to the Local Government Authorities and Chiefs in the Gambia as they are collaborating to make land available for the building of traditional wrestling arenas, protecting and promoting their culture and traditions. He added that building the African identities of their young men and women, developing cultural infrastructure in local communities, protecting the environment and creating local jobs in the community – based tourism industry.
The Deputy Governor of Lower River Region, Mr. Kebba Darboe in response said Culture is one of the most powerful assets for development that Africa has. He was proud to support the Gambia Association of Local Government Authorities in collaboration with the Area Councils and Seyfolus to sign over large tracts of traditional land to this project for the Gambia’s traditional wrestlers. So they can promote the Art of Traditional Wrestling and as cultural space for social cohesion, discipline of the Youth and job creation in the community – based tourism industries.
The project is supported by the European Union for 3 years and the partners are Gambia Wrestling Association, Gaye Njorro Foundation and Gambia Chamber of Commerce and Industries (GCCI) as lead partner, will help to build a number of traditional wrestling arenas across the country. This will go alongside to support vocational handicraft industries in local communities to promote indigenous industries and compliment the local tourism industry, protect the environment and create jobs for young men and women to curb irregular migration.
The event ended up with a video message from the European Union Delegation in the Gambia after the signing of the tripartite agreement between the President of the Gambia Wrestling Association Sering Modou Faye, Director General National Centre for Arts and Culture (NCAC) Hassoum Ceesay and the host of the event, The Chairman of the Mansakonko Area Council and President of the Gambia Association of Local Government Authorities (GALGA) Mr. Landing B. Sanneh.