By: Haruna Kuyateh
Future In Our Hands The Gambia (FIOHTG), dedicated to advancing good governance and social transformation, recently organized a retreat to review its activities and financial reports for 2024. The primary aim was to assess achievements, identify challenges, and map out strategies for 2025.
The retreat, which took place at Tendaba Camp in the Lower River Region, also included the planning of annual programs for the coming year.
Jainaba T. Sarr, the Country Director of FIOHTG, expressed gratitude to the government for fostering a conducive environment that allows non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to complement the country’s development needs. She highlighted the organization’s focus on bringing about social change and empowerment, particularly through education and social protection initiatives that aim to improve the social well-being of the population.
Sarr emphasized that the retreat was a step toward fulfilling the organization’s constitutional requirement to promote transparency, accountability, and trust, especially in terms of how donor funds are used. She further stressed the importance of partnerships and collaborations, citing the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education as a key partner in improving the quality of education in The Gambia. She called on the government to provide necessary resources and to monitor the use of these resources to create an optimal learning environment at all levels.
In her remarks, Sarr also extended appreciation to the Board of Directors for their ongoing moral and technical support, which has helped guide the organization’s governance. She praised the efforts of beneficiary communities, institutions, and other NGOs that have contributed to the successful implementation of FIOHTG’s development programs.
Ebrima Drammeh, Manager of Community Development at FIOHTG, explained that the retreat offered a valuable opportunity for various units and departments within the organization to reflect on their progress and challenges. He noted that the outcomes of the retreat would guide effective project implementation through participatory planning and monitoring processes.
Aminata Jatta, the Admin and Human Resource Officer at FIOHTG, said that the retreat’s outcomes would strengthen teamwork, communication, and networking, leading to the timely implementation of development projects. She also mentioned that the upcoming Annual General Meeting (AGM) would provide an opportunity to foster team spirit and address the challenges faced by the organization in its daily activities.
Overall, the retreat was seen as an essential step in preparing for another year of impactful work, focused on development, governance, and community empowerment.