The Gambia Health and Nutrition Care (GHNC) recently held a two-day orientation and leadership training workshop for its executive members to build institutional capacity, particularly of its new leadership.
GHNC is a newly registered not-for-profit and voluntary organisation that seeks to promote health awareness and education, improve nutrition, encourage physical activity and community wellbeing.
The organisation was founded by two Gambian British citizens, Yusupha Jobarteh and Kissama Juwara, who share a vision of empowering communities through health education, nutrition advocacy, disease prevention and community engagement.
GHNC’s objectives include encouraging healthy lifestyles, consumption of good nutrition and organising community outreach programmes to contribute to building a society in which people are better informed, healthier and more empowered to take responsibility for their wellbeing.
In her welcoming remarks, Yasin Ndong Jatta, an executive member of GHNC, thanked executive members from across the country for attending.
“We are happy to have all our executive members here attending this very important capacity building training,” she said.
Speaking to participants, Mr Nfamara Jawneh, National Coordinator of GHNC, said: “Today is more than just an opportunity to meet as executive members. It is an opportunity to reflect on our purpose, understand our responsibilities, strengthen our leadership capacity and renew our commitment to the health and wellbeing of the people we serve.”
According to him, by promoting health awareness, GHNC is helping individuals and families make informed decisions about their health.
“When we advocate for better nutrition, we contribute to a healthier nation, stronger families and more productive communities,” he said.
“One of the most important purposes of this orientation workshop is to ensure that we share a common understanding of GHNC’s vision, mission, objectives, structure and operational procedures.
“As executive members, we must know what GHNC stands for, what it seeks to achieve and how our individual responsibilities contribute to its overall success,” he added.
Mr Jawneh said the GHNC has the opportunity to work with communities to strengthen nutrition education and encourage physical activity as part of everyday life.
Mr Muhammed O Keita, an executive member, chaired the opening ceremony held at the PIA Hall in Bakau.
