The site represents the work and activities of The Gambia – EC Cooperation programme. The Gambia, is a signatory to the Partnership Agreement, commonly referred to as the Cotonou Agreement which was signed on 23rd June 2000 in Cotonou, capital of the West African state of The Republic of Benin.

On behalf of all partners, stakeholders and beneficiaries engaged in our programmes I would like to take this opportunity to encourage you to provide feedback to us on any aspect of this site or its contents using our contact page. Through knowledge empowerment, we are working towards delivering a truly participatory process of relevant and beneficial information.

In The Gambia, the Permanent Secretary at the Department of State for Finance and Economic Affairs a senior government official whose responsibility is to represent the country in all EC-supported programmes is the National Authorising Officer (NAO). The NAO is assisted by a support unit enabling The Gambia as a member of the African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) Countries, to participate as an effective player in ACP-European Commission (EC) Co-operation.

Given the central role that the Partnership Agreement accords to broad based participation the NAO working through its Support Unit aims to become an effective tool for the collation and dissemination of information. We can only do this by being informed and keeping you informed through informing you of the events we organise, facilitate and/or participate. We also want you to become active partners and stakeholders through opportunities we will present to you. Please help us to do this. We are open to working with a range of partners and thereby encourage through facilitation a process of participatory engagement to attaining our development goals.  Our photo Gallery depicts some of our activities

Background to ACP-EC Co-operationIn 1975 The Lome 1 Convention formed the initial formal basis of international development co-operation between the ACP and EU countries. A series of subsequent conventions followed and were signed between 1975 to date resulting in a successor partnership agreement called the Cotonou Agreement

(A brief History).

The agreement emphasises the need for a participatory approach towards development initiatives with the objective of the involvement of civil society, economic operators and special stakeholders in the partnership.
As you navigate this site I wish you the best in seeking out the benefits our programmes offer. In particular I would like to encourage visitors to this site to seek out the opportunities offered under the ACP-EU Co-operation framework as provided for by the Cotonou Agreement.
Non State Actors, a term used under the Cotonou Agreement referring to a wide range of development actors other than governments - are specifically encouraged to work with us in partnership. Please refer to our document Opportunities for Non State Actors. For further details on ACP-EC Co-operation please also visit the following websites:
www.acpsec.org
www.ecdpm.org

The Position and Role of The National Authorising Officer (NAO)

• We have already referred to the fact that the NAO is a senior government official and in the case of The Gambia the Permanent Secretary at the Department of State for Finance and Economic Affairs represents the country in all EC-supported programmes. The National Authorising Officer System Support Unit (NAOSU) that provides support for the NAO is charged with specific responsibilities for daily operational tasks such as:
  • Putting contracts out to tender
  • Authorising expenses
  • Making adjustments to ensure that projects and programmes are properly implemented
  • Managing relations with non-state actors
    
    The NAO also works closely with the Regional Authorising Officer (RAO) who performs the same tasks for the West African region in this case. more