Dear Members and Development Partners

On behalf of the Board Members, it is with great pleasure to welcome you all to our Annual General Assembly.

We are particularly pleased to have this years Annual General Assembly, as the theme for this year states “Working Together in Partnership for Sustainable Development”, and as we have seen and witnessed the change of government in 2017. The Gambia has witnessed shift in democratic governance and development trajectory. The Civil Society Landscape has also seen a significant change since the change of government in 2017. Civil Society and Non-governmental Organizations continue to play a crucial role in building and consolidating functional democracies, based on strong institutions, rule of law and an accountable and transparent duty-bearer which responds to the needs of the people.

TANGO as an Association of NGOs and CSOs as stated in its vision is “to become a dynamic, proactive, innovative, and inclusive NGO and CSO consortium, playing a key and constructive role in building a strong, vibrant, and independent civil society, in an environmentally sound, democratic, peaceful and equitable Gambia”.

Our main objectives as NGO’s and CSO’s remains the same, which is to contribute towards national poverty reduction and attainment of The Gambia’s development agenda, and just democratic  governance through effective coalition-building for advocacy and policy influencing programmes. Our strategic plan seeks to solidify the shared vision and mission of TANGO for a successful implementation of the plan it builds as manifested in the all-inclusive approach throughout our development process.  

TANGO as the umbrella organization for NGO’s and CSO’s remains committed to serving its members and the nation as a whole. TANGO as a consortium will always take the lead in bringing together CSO’s and NGO’s with development partners in working towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. As the theme for this year’s AGM states “working together in partnership for sustainable development”. Contributing towards national development remains a priority for TANGO and its members. And as we are grappling with issues of poverty, inequality and reconciliation in the post Jammeh era we remain committed more than ever as civil society organizations and non-governmental organizations continue to compliment government efforts in finding solutions to these challenges. As we believe real solutions exist to solving these challenges by working together with not only government but local and international development partners by bringing efforts and avoiding duplication of efforts in maximizing output from our various interventions in achieving sustainable development.

During this period, TANGO has not only been a recognized first point of call from international organizations but also has been the primary voice of NGOs and CSOs in the Gambia that also largely coordinated the activities of its membership. TANGO has also been noted by many as having successfully maintained its political neutrality and independence through its values of non-partisan approach.

Dear members

It is also important to note that there are many challenges that we also face as an association of NGOs or Civil Societies in general. We are constrained by limited access to resources, donor fatigue, limited productive Government partnership, which almost isolated TANGO and the CSO community amid the draconian legal environment such as the NGO Decree which limits the scope at which we as NGOs can operate especially during the span of the last strategic years. Though acknowledging that progress has been made in the Civil Society space but there is more room for improvement. As we grapple with different challenges around the world in terms of peace, economic and social justice, which we as a country also faces the same challenges. So it is therefore crucial for us as Civil Society Organizations to remain steadfast, impartial and neutral in what we do. Putting the interest of the people first in the activities that we do. Our approach should always be an open process, that calls for shared responsibilities, constructive engagement and above all collective action in addressing these challenges.

Concluding remarks

I will urge all CSOs/NGOs to abide by the professionalism, transparency and accountability we are known for and continue to advocate for the rights of the people we represent. As TANGO we will continue to advocate for peace, democracy and the respect for human and peoples rights in The Gambia. Work with national and international partners to contribute our quota in the development process for inclusive and equitable Gambia.