The Senior Program Manager at the National Council for Civic Education (NCCE), Mr. Ansumana Ceesay, has called on citizens to promote peaceful coexistence as The Gambia approaches the 2026 electoral cycle.
He made the call on Friday, 11th July 2026, at the climax of an intensive 11-day engagement with influencers and stakeholders on civic education, voter education, and the dissemination of legislation at the national, regional, and local levels.
Funded by the EU-UNDP GREAT Project Initiative, the training aimed to build the capacities of influencers and stakeholders on how to disseminate accurate information and combat misinformation during the 2026 electoral cycle.
The training, themed “Strengthening Influencer Networks for Inclusive Civic Engagement and Sustainable Outreach”, was designed to equip youth leaders, women’s groups, religious leaders, civil society organizations, social media influencers, political representatives, and other influential voices with the skills “to promote and disseminate accurate information while countering misinformation throughout the 2026 electoral cycle.”
By doing so, Mr. Ceesay stated, the aim is to build a long-term civic culture that empowers citizens to hold duty-bearers accountable. He reiterated: “Democracy thrives when citizens are informed, engaged, and committed to resolving differences through dialogue rather than division.”
He disclosed that the activities were held in all seven administrative regions of The Gambia, with two training sessions each in URR, CRR, NBR, LRR, and WCR, and one session in GBA (KM and BJL).
“A total of 495 participants benefited from this training, drawn from influential voices, youth leaders, women’s groups, religious leaders, CSOs, social media influencers, representatives of political parties, and politicians,” he said.
Mr. Ceesay indicated that the broad coverage reflects the NCCE’s commitment to inclusivity and nationwide engagement. He emphasized that the NCCE remains steadfast in conducting trainings of this nature as part of its mandate to prepare citizens for meaningful participation in the 2026 elections and beyond.
He assured: “We will continue to enlighten citizens about their civic rights and responsibilities, ensuring that marginalized groups—youth, women, persons with disabilities, and others—are empowered to contribute meaningfully to credible and peaceful electoral participation.”
As The Gambia approaches the 2026 presidential elections, the timing of this training is crucial. He noted that “elections are moments of heightened public engagement, but also times when misinformation, intolerance, and hate speech can spread rapidly.” He warned that these pose real dangers to peace, stability, and democratic progress.
The training emphasized tolerance, respectful dialogue, and responsible communication. Mr. Ceesay urged: “Together, let us strengthen social cohesion, promote peaceful coexistence, protect the rights of all citizens, and ensure that our electoral processes remain peaceful, credible, and inclusive.”
He added that building democratic resilience demands collective responsibility, continuous dialogue, and a shared commitment to upholding the rule of law and democratic values.
Mr. Ceesay extended sincere gratitude to their partner, the EU-UNDP GREAT Project Initiative, for its generous support, which made the initiative possible. He assured: “Together, we will strengthen influencer networks for inclusive civic engagement and sustainable outreach across all seven administrative regions of The Gambia.”
“Your role as influencers is vital in ensuring that accurate information reaches citizens, fostering inclusive civic engagement, and safeguarding our democracy,” he challenged the participants.
He also urged the gathering to collectively strengthen “our networks, promote civic responsibility, and build a culture of peace and accountability.”
