National Assembly and Westminster Foundation Unite for 3rd Open Day, Strengthening Public Engagement with Parliament
By Mariama Dem
The National Assembly, in collaboration with the Westminster Foundation for Democracy, organised its third open day edition on Saturday, February 24th, 2024, with the aim of fostering closer ties between the legislature and the people of The Gambia.
The event brought together members of the National Assembly, representatives from civil society, students, and individuals from various sectors to engage in discussions concerning parliamentary matters.
The open day provided a platform for Gambians to gain insight into their legislature and its role in shaping ideas on parliamentary democracy and its principles.
Buba M Jatta, the Deputy Clerk of Admin and Finance of the National Assembly, welcomed attendees and underscored the event’s objective of celebrating the legislature’s work and contributions in The Gambia.
Jatta highlighted the importance of establishing a connection between Parliament and the people to foster strong relationships with partners and stakeholders. Attendees were encouraged to explore the Parliament Building and gain understanding of how the institution fulfills its fundamental mandates of legislation, oversight, and representation.
Ousman Jallow from the Westminster Foundation for Democracy emphasised the significance of the open day, highlighting democracy’s role in addressing major challenges through principles of inclusion, transparency, and accountability.
Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly, Hon. Seedy Njie, stressed the importance of public participation in parliamentary work, echoing the 6th Legislature’s vision to ensure openness, accessibility, representation, inclusivity, transparency, and accountability to the citizens of The Gambia.
Reflecting on the current parliament’s achievements, Hon. Njie cited the passing of several laws, including the Anti-Corruption Bill and the Mutual Legal Assistance Bill, aimed at enhancing the wellbeing of all Gambians. He also commended the successful oversight conducted by various parliamentary committees.
This year’s event featured conducted tours of the Assembly, thematic group discussions on administrative and financial matters, legislative business and programs, and legal and procedural issues, along with question and answer sessions in order to provide participants with deeper insights into parliamentary processes and operations.