CepRass launches its new project title
The Center for Policy Research and Strategic Studies, CepRass, on Thursday launched its project titled “Strengthening Citizens’ Participation in Local Governance to Improve Transparency and Accountability” with its project objectivestoenhance citizen engagement in local policy processes to improve transparency and accountability, and to incorporate citizens’ views in local policydecision-making processes to enhance accountability and service delivery.
The project launching ceremony held at the National Accreditation and Quality Assurance Authority (NAQAA) Conference Center, brought together various Councils’ Chief Executive Officers driven from different regions in the country among other stakeholders.
CepRass, an independent organization,was formed by the faculty members form the school of Business and Public Administration at the University of the Gambia set to engage in policy research and training that addresses the needs of its clientele.
Since its launch in 2016, the organization has independently conducted several research projects and training and in collaboration with national and international partners, while it has recently completed an opinion poll study on the presidential and parliamentary elections and currently doing a baseline study of the NAFA project under the National Nutrition Agency with her partner institutions in collaboration with C4ED based in Germany.
However, CepRass was last July awarded a two-year grant from the National Endowment for democracy on the project titled “Strengthening Citizens’ Participation in Local Governance to Improve Transparency and Accountability” with the goal to enhance citizen engagement in local policy processes to improve transparency and accountability, and to incorporate citizens’ views in local policy decision-making processes to enhance accountability and service delivery.
In his welcoming remarks, CepRass Executive Officer, Mr LaminDamphaSaid that the research institution is a significant pillar in inform policy and decision making that the Center is well positioned with the capacity and facility, and that CepRass has partnered with institutions both in and outside the Gambia, while he commended their fruitful relationship with the National Endowment for Democracy.
Mr Dampha, outlined that the project launched is of significance and as a research institution in the country, it is an independent organization run and managed by a constituted group which stands for Center for policy research and strategic studies which was recently launched by the faculty members form the school of Business and Public Administration at the University of the Gambia.He further confirmed that their team for any given assignment is selected based on academic proficiency, relevance experience and forming track records to be able competitively and effectively executive to all tasks demanded by their clients.
As they got to realize the vast political awareness in the country, the organization thought to organize another project that would look at people’s opinion especially on elections and related issues that gave back to the parent Opinion Pole which was funded by the National Endowment for Democracy. That CepRass has become a household name as far as research and other related activities are concerned.
He added that CepRass co-mandates includes the areas of interventions, research, trainings and consultancy service, that over the years, they have provided series of trainings and research activities in different areas.
