By: Haruna Kuyateh
Future In Our Hand – The Gambia (FIOHTG) in partnership with the National Council on Civic Education (NCCE) recently concluded training for district tribunal members.
The training, bankrolled by FORUM CIV through Swedish Government, was held atJurunku in Upper Nuimi and Kuntair in Jokadou,North Bank Region.
The theme of the training was Strengtheningthe Capacity of District Tribunals for Fair Dispensation of Justice and Protection of Human Rights in The Gambia and the objective is to broaden the understanding of district tribunal members to be committed to themaintenance of peace and stability through advocating social cohesion.
Senior Programme Officer at FIOHTG, LaminNjie, described the training as crucial in consolidating traditional justice administration. He noted that the training provided participants the opportunity to understand their roles and responsibilities.
Mr. Njie explained that the training widened the participants’ scope of understanding of their roles in bridging the communication gaps between Village Development Committees(VDCs), women’s groups and other groups in society.
He praised Upper Nuimi and Jokadou districts’ tribunals for their ‘’outstanding performance’’ in promoting traditional justice.
Chief of Upper Niumi cum President of JokaduDistrict Tribunal, Modou Chatty Cham, thanked FIOHTG for the opportunity, noting that the training would contribute to the strengthening of traditional justice system.
District tribunal member Haddy Gaye highlighted the significance of the training and called for more training opportunities for tribunal members.
She also called on chiefs to consider women’sinclusion in district tribunals as a platform for them to present their problems and seek redress.
