Gambiaj.com – (BANJUL, The Gambia) – The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Commission has successfully concluded a monitoring mission to The Gambia, assessing the progress of ongoing infrastructure investments under the Fund for Regional Stabilization and Development (FRSD) Pilot Program. The mission aimed to ensure the timely handover of these projects to their intended beneficiaries, primarily women and youth.

The delegation comprised representatives from the ECOWAS Commission, the ECOWAS Representation Office, National Implementing Partners, and a technical support team from the KfW Development Bank. Their itinerary included visits to multiple project sites across various regions of The Gambia to evaluate the effectiveness of initiatives aimed at socio-economic empowerment for women and youth.

Key sites visited included the Taibatu Youth in Taibatu, Wuli West (Poultry House), Mansajang Youth Development in Basse (Poultry House), Nyakoi Medina Horticultural Garden in Nyakoi Medina, and Tesito Women’s Garden in Mansajang (Horticultural Garden).

Additionally, the delegation assessed the newly completed GTTI student dormitories in Julangel (40 beds) and Mansakonko (80 beds), the Center for Learning, Research, and Self Improvement in Kiang Jattaba (Poultry House), and the Berekonku Youth Association in Pakalinding (Poultry House).

Visits also included Poultry Houses and Fish Ponds at Kundam Youth Garden and the Brufut Fish Landing site, where new infrastructure is being constructed to support women involved in fish smoking.

The mission has made significant progress in infrastructure activities, with the Agro-processing Training Centre, Student Dormitories, Fish Ponds, Fish Smoking Houses, Poultry Houses, and Horticultural Gardens all reaching between 50 and 98% completion. These projects aim to train 200 youth annually, provide housing, and support youth and women-led projects.

The mission concluded with a debriefing session where all partners discussed the findings and committed to increasing technical support for the beneficiaries to ensure the continued success of the FRSD initiatives in The Gambia.

This mission underscores ECOWAS’s dedication to fostering socio-economic development and stability in the region, reflecting the collaborative efforts of various stakeholders in advancing the well-being of women and youth in The Gambia.