Back and Next - Back and NextBai Matarr Drammeh on the PRSP
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
Bai Matarr Drammeh, President of The Gambia Chamber of Commerce and Industry(GCCI) last Wednesday officially opened the preparation workshop of the annual Poverty Reduction Strategy Programme (PRSP II) Progress Report for 2007, at the Paradise Suits Hotel in Kololi.
Organised by the National Planning Commission (NPC), the progress report is aimed at producing a high quality and objective assessment of the national progress of the PRSP II.
Speaking at the ceremony, Bai Matarr Drammeh stated that in 2005, the government of The Gambia commenced the process of the development of a Medium Term Plan (MT) to operationalise vision 2020. He added that during that period, it coincided with the development of the second PRSP for the country, and after due consultation between government authorities and policy makers, a decision was reached to combine the two, resulting in the development of PRSP II 2007/2011.
Mr Drammeh added that during the process of developing the PRSP II, it became evident that the national development programme was also needed to address the objectives and targets of the MDGs and, therefore, the need to align the PRSP objectives with the MDGs. As a result of this, Mr Drammeh went on, a comprehensive MDG needs assessment and costing was undertaken and the outcomes incorporated into the PRSP II.
He added that PRSP II represents the first phase of a nine year MDG based integrated national development policy and programme aimed at ensuring that the country is on the right track to achieving MDGs by 2015. He also noted that it was the first of a five year phase of operationalising vision 2020 and that it represents a step by step approach and commitment by government, to address the development challenges encountered in an all encompassing manner.
‘The focus of the PRSP is on results. Thus, it is a living document and will be subjected to constant review during the period of implementation, to ensure that we remain on track’” he stated.The GCCI President then added that assessment of the progress report is done at certain intervals, determined, inter-alia, by the anticipated speed of change.
He said that some assessments would be done annually whilst others would warrant longer period of time to assess progress. “These assessment will allow stakeholders to periodically review progress as well as identify bottlenecks and imbalances in PRSP implementation”, he said.
According to Mr Drammeh, these assessment which, in effect, are accountability mechanisms, form part of the overall accountability mechanisms for the national development planning process, which the National Planning Commission has the overall responsibility for.
He also added that the NPC is mandated to report on progress in implementing the national development agenda as per the provisions of the NPC Act 2006, on Section 14, which stipulates that the NPC shall periodically review the changing domestic and international economic, social, political and environmental conditions, and make recommendations for revision of existing policies and programmes, where and when necessary.
“Article 14 (J) also indicates that NPC shall report on the impact of the implementation of programmes and projects on the well-being of Gambians, and make recommendations to the president on all matters relating to national, regional and sectoral planning and on their implementation, monitoring and evaluation” he concluded.
Organised by the National Planning Commission (NPC), the progress report is aimed at producing a high quality and objective assessment of the national progress of the PRSP II.
Speaking at the ceremony, Bai Matarr Drammeh stated that in 2005, the government of The Gambia commenced the process of the development of a Medium Term Plan (MT) to operationalise vision 2020. He added that during that period, it coincided with the development of the second PRSP for the country, and after due consultation between government authorities and policy makers, a decision was reached to combine the two, resulting in the development of PRSP II 2007/2011.
Mr Drammeh added that during the process of developing the PRSP II, it became evident that the national development programme was also needed to address the objectives and targets of the MDGs and, therefore, the need to align the PRSP objectives with the MDGs. As a result of this, Mr Drammeh went on, a comprehensive MDG needs assessment and costing was undertaken and the outcomes incorporated into the PRSP II.
He added that PRSP II represents the first phase of a nine year MDG based integrated national development policy and programme aimed at ensuring that the country is on the right track to achieving MDGs by 2015. He also noted that it was the first of a five year phase of operationalising vision 2020 and that it represents a step by step approach and commitment by government, to address the development challenges encountered in an all encompassing manner.
‘The focus of the PRSP is on results. Thus, it is a living document and will be subjected to constant review during the period of implementation, to ensure that we remain on track’” he stated.The GCCI President then added that assessment of the progress report is done at certain intervals, determined, inter-alia, by the anticipated speed of change.
He said that some assessments would be done annually whilst others would warrant longer period of time to assess progress. “These assessment will allow stakeholders to periodically review progress as well as identify bottlenecks and imbalances in PRSP implementation”, he said.
According to Mr Drammeh, these assessment which, in effect, are accountability mechanisms, form part of the overall accountability mechanisms for the national development planning process, which the National Planning Commission has the overall responsibility for.
He also added that the NPC is mandated to report on progress in implementing the national development agenda as per the provisions of the NPC Act 2006, on Section 14, which stipulates that the NPC shall periodically review the changing domestic and international economic, social, political and environmental conditions, and make recommendations for revision of existing policies and programmes, where and when necessary.
“Article 14 (J) also indicates that NPC shall report on the impact of the implementation of programmes and projects on the well-being of Gambians, and make recommendations to the president on all matters relating to national, regional and sectoral planning and on their implementation, monitoring and evaluation” he concluded.
Author: by Ebrima Jatta
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