Gambia has taken a strategic step toward more sustainable and responsible development through an intensive technical training on the implementation of the Integrated Safeguards System (ISS). Facilitated by experts from the African Development Bank, the training brought together officials from the National Environment Agency, the Ministry of Lands, and other key institutions, with the goal of improving the preparation and implementation of environmental and social instruments in development projects.
Over five days, participants explored key tools to identify risks, design effective management plans, and establish robust grievance and monitoring mechanisms. The hierarchical mitigation approach helped technical teams better understand how to prevent, minimize, or compensate for negative impacts on the environment and communities, thereby enhancing the quality of public management.
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The workshop opened with a call for empathy and responsibility. Ms. Fatou Jagne, Lead Economist at the Aid Coordination Department, emphasized the importance of people-centered decision-making: “What if it were me, my mother, or my sister?” This human-centered perspective became a guiding principle throughout the training.
One of the key outcomes of the workshop was the strengthening of institutional capacities to detect weaknesses in environmental and social impact assessments from the early stages of project planning. This improvement is expected to lead to more responsible and sustainable interventions that prioritize community well-being.
Although part of a broader regional program that includes countries such as Madagascar, Malawi, and Morocco, Gambia’s experience stood out for its strong local organization and inter-institutional commitment. The training not only enhanced technical knowledge but also promoted a new culture of public governance—one that is more transparent, preventive, and aligned with global sustainable development goals.
