Alliance for Democracy in Africa (ADA)
​
ADA Barbering Workshop
A Barbering Workshop, sponsored by ADA, was held from 5 to 6 December, 2024 in Farato, The Gambia. It was organised by a former US Peace Corps Volunteer, Mr Myles Weiss, who is now a licensed barber in Michigan, United States.
Attendees, who committed to completing the training and making use of acquired skills, were provided with all the necessary equipment to begin practising as barbers. The excellent instruction they received should enable them to start generating income through barbering.
A second phase of Barbering Workshops will be held in 2025.
​
​
International Conference for African Women's
Participation in Politics​
​
On 28 November, 2024, the Alliance for Democracy in Africa organised an International Conference For African Women's Participation In Politics at the Paradise Suites Hotel in Serekunda, The Gambia.
This conference was deemed necessary since recent statistics indicate that most of the registered voters in Africa are women, but their representation in the National Assemblies, Municipal Councils and at the presidential level is very low.
This conference aimed at sensitising Africans and friends of Africa about the importance of African women running for leadership positions in the continent. African women need to be supported in order that they may participate equally with men in the decision-making processes of their countries at all levels, as echoed by the various speakers.
​
Of particular note was the attendance of women from villages in The Gambia (Brusubi, Busumbala, Gunjur, Farato, Sintet, Brikamaba, Kaninlai, Burent and Sabi) who spoke about the difficulties they face in making their voices heard in a male-dominated society.
.
The conference was considered successful as a first step towards achieving its goals and will be followed by sensitisation campaigns in Gambian communities in January 2025 and beyond.
​
​
​
​
​
​
Special Introduction
​
ADA would like to introduce our Spokesperson for the Women's Literacy and Economic Empowerment Programme, Ms Penda Bah. She recently addressed young people who were deported from Europe because they were considered illegal migrants, and is helping them to establish income generating projects to sustain themselves. She has also spoken about the negative impact of FGM on women and girls.
Launching Ceremony for ADA's Sensitisation Campaign for Gambian Women's Participation in Politics
Paradise Suites Hotel, Kololi, West Coast Region, The Gambia
28th December 2023
The first launching ceremony welcomed several speakers, including Professor Sidat Yaffa and the Honourable Alhagie S. Darboe (see below). They spoke about why it is important for African women to hold important leadership positions on the continent. They gave examples of leaders like the former President of Liberia, Her Excellency Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, and Her Excellency Joyce Banda, former President of Malawi.
Details of more launching ceremonies to follow.
More About ADA
Democracy through Education is the Way Forward for Africa
The Alliance for Democracy in Africa (ADA) aims to promote democracy through education and economic development, and ultimately to build an Africa free from poverty, discrimination and civil wars.
​
ADA is a nonprofit organisation based in The Gambia. It is not an affiliate of any political party, neither in The Gambia nor in other African countries.
​
In many African countries, advocates of democracy lack institutions for democratic practice. ADA allies itself with a global network of volunteer experts to provide practical assistance to civic and political leaders, thereby advancing democratic values and practices. The organisation works with those promoting democracy in African countries to build civic organisations and promote citizen participation.
​
ADA does not impose solutions nor does it advocate that one democratic system can be replicated in another country. Instead, it shares experiences and offers a range of options so that leaders can adapt practices and institutions that work best for their situations. ADA also provides citizens and their elected representatives with resource materials, consultations and training on the practical tools of democracy.
​
ADA's ongoing activities include the following:
​
-
Training women in literacy and business skills;
-
Building women's capacity for economic empowerment through income-generating activities, such as sewing, vegetable and fruit gardening, rice cultivation, tie dye and batik, soap making, leather works, and cloth weaving;
-
Training youth in various skills for economic empowerment and leadership, beginning with reading and writing in elementary school;
-
Promoting civil education programmes that focus on democracy and good governance by providing practical assistance to civic and political leaders. advancing democratic values and practices.
​
Specific Projects:
​
-
Library for students at Sheikh Mass Kah Senior Secondary School in Kanifing;
-
Soap Making, Tie, Dye and Batik for women in Tallinding;
-
Woodwork, Carpentry and Roofing for young men in Tallinding;
-
Sewing for women in Banjul North;
-
Vegetable Gardening for women in Busumbala, in Dutabulu in the North Bank Region, and in Jarumeh Koto in the Central River Region;
-
Democracy Through Soccer for youths in Burusubi.
​
ADA helps children like these attain a better life
