ABC-Development has conducted a one-day community engagement on the production of quarterly score cards in Madina Town, Tonko-Limba Chiefdom, Kambia District, as part of efforts to strengthen social accountability and women’s participation in governance.
The activity was implemented under the project “Supporting Gender Equality and Social Accountability through a Strengthened Civil Society in Kambia District,” which is funded by the European Union through Trócaire, the lead partner for the consortium.
The training brought together 35 participants, including 21 women and 14 men, drawn from community stakeholders, youth leaders, councillors, and young women in governance networks. The session was held at the Madina NA Court Barri at the community level.
The engagement focused on building participants’ understanding of community score cards as a social accountability tool for monitoring service delivery and governance issues within their communities. The session began with prayers, followed by a welcome address and an overview of the project delivered by the field officer of the EU–Trócaire project.
ABC-Development explained its role as a non-political civil society organisation working with communities—especially women, youth, and vulnerable groups—to promote gender equality, social inclusion, and women’s leadership in decision-making processes.
During the training, participants received presentations on data collection, types and methods of data collection, the importance of accurate data, and the consequences of poor data collection. Facilitators also introduced participants to community score cards, their administration, advantages, and use as accountability tools. Group work sessions were conducted to allow participants to practice developing sample score cards.
Participants actively engaged in discussions and group work, demonstrating improved understanding of quarterly score card production and other social accountability tools. The training also recorded good time management and strong participation, particularly from women’s network representatives.
A challenge noted during the activity was divided attention from some participants due to ongoing livelihood activities, including market days. However, the session was completed successfully.
ABC-Development said the training will be followed by evidence-based advocacy, community awareness campaigns, radio discussions, and continued support for women’s networks to carry out data collection and use score cards to engage duty bearers. Regular monitoring of project activities will also continue.
