Tuesday, October 12, 2010

UNFPA-Supported Country Programme Review


 Banjul, The Gambia (TNBES) The United Nation Family Planning Association (UNFPA)-Supported Country Programme for the year 2007 to 2011 was reviewed recently at the Sheraton Hotel in Brufut.

The Mid-Term Review, which is in line with the Programme Cooperation Agreement with The Gambia for the sixth cycle of the UNFPA assistance in the country, is a formative evaluation of the country programme after two years of implementation.

The mid-term review provide stakeholder with the opportunity to take-stock of the report and discuss the critical areas that have not been met or need to be captured in the implementation plan of the programme.

“It also gives them the opportunity to examine the state of performance of the programme and make recommendations that could contribute to the improvement of the implementation process.”

In his welcoming address, the UNFPA Assistant Representative in The Gambia, Dr. Rueben Mboge said that a total of US$5.5 million UNFPA programme intervention areas in The Gambia for the period 2007-2011 have been
approved.

Dr. Mboge explained that the programme of assistance was developed based on the recommendations of the evaluation of the Fifth Country Population Programme, the Common Country Assistance (CCA) and United Nations
Development Assistance Framework (UNDEF) in The Gambia in conformity with the
Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and UNFPA strategic plan.

According to Dr. Mboge during the past two and half years, The Gambia has implemented eight components which are the subject of the review and the state of affairs regarding the implementation of the projects.

To a large extent, he said that this reflects our capacity for action and determination of Gambia to improve the standard of living of the population. However, he called for government’s commitment in addressing all
population-related issues, citing that his organization is committed to
continue its support by providing resources towards the successful
implementation of the programme.

On his part, the Secretary to the Cabinet, Mr. Ebrima Camara noted that half way through the country programme, both government and UNFPA are interested to know what has been achieved so far, the challenges and the
way forward.

Camara said that the formulation of the National Population Policy and Programme; the establishment of a National Population Commission and Secretarial; the Reproductive Heath Policy among other things are all, clear
testimonies of government’s resolve to address crucial population issues and achieving
sustainable development gains. VOL:2 ISSN:68

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