By Ramatoulie Jawo
The Millennium Challenge Account – Gambia (MCA-G) conducted a comprehensive training session on Monday, June 10, 2024, focusing on the Reform Operations Manual (ROM) for members of the Reform Operations Project Team.
The training, held at the Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara Conference Center in Bijilo, this training is a crucial step in supporting the implementation of a $25 million grant under the Millennium Challenge Threshold Program, provided by the US Government through the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC).
The Threshold Program, which targets the enhancement of governance and operations within the power sector, relies on a Power Sector Threshold Service Contractor (PSTSC), managed by the Gesellschaft fur Agrarprojekte (GFA) Consulting Group.
The Reform Operations Manual serves as a roadmap for change, employing the Problem Driven Iterative Adaptation (PDIA) approach to assign clear roles and responsibilities to all stakeholders involved. It underscores key issues such as gender equality, environmental preservation, and robust monitoring and evaluation frameworks.
To facilitate the workflow of Project Teams, MCA-Gambia, through the Threshold Program, has supplied 68 laptop computers, valued at GMD7 million. These laptops will be distributed in two phases, with 21 already delivered during the training session, and the remaining 47 scheduled for delivery upon procurement completion.
During the event, Saffie Dambelleh, CEO of Millennium Challenge Account – Gambia (MCA-G), emphasized the importance of fundamental change and commitment building within the Program’s initial phase. He highlighted the significant role of the Reform and Project Teams in identifying root causes of power sector issues and proposing viable solutions.
“This gives a critical role to the Reform and Project Teams to identify root causes of problems in the power sector and explore possible solutions. Thus, the ROM provides guidance to the Reform and Project Team members on the Problem Driven Iterative Adaptation methodology to ensure a smooth program implementation. The Reform Operations Manual (ROM) is a tool for change based on the PDIA approach with assignment of clear roles and responsibilities to each and every stakeholder for the Program, It emphasizes cross-cutting issues like gender equality, environmental protection, and robust monitoring and evaluation frameworks. It also streamlines workflows by outlining clear procedures for raising action requests,” he said.
Dambelleh stressed the need for local ownership and commitment to the Program, with the Millennium Challenge Corporation providing oversight roles. He reiterated that the success of the program hinges on stakeholders’ dedication and collaboration, as outlined in the ROM.
Omar Sompo Ceesay, Director of the Power Sector at MCA-Gambia (MCA-G), outlined various projects within the MCC Program, including those focused on accountability, governance, and the NAWEC Reform Team. He encouraged all project teams to seek assistance from the GFA consulting group to ensure timely project delivery.