THE THIRD REPUBLIC OF THE GAMBIA: PRESIDENT’S TRANSITION GUIDANCE NOTES

These summarized Transition Guidance Notes are intended to help the President focus on the salient areas of his work as the President of the Third Republic of The Gambia.  The suggested notes provide Short, Medium and Long Term work that is needed for the successful conduct of the Transition.

1.         REVIEW OF THE 1997 CONSTITUTION

Establish a Constitution Review Commission

Hold Referendum on Draft Constitution and Finalize Recommendations

Implement Recommendations

National Assembly members to adopt resolutions that will nullify clauses in the constitution that were purposely adopted to suppress the will of the Gambian people and perpetuate Jammeh’s regime.

2.         PEACE AND SECURITY

            Reform the Military and the Police based on New Constitution ( National Security Advisor will be  very useful)

Urgently set in motion a process that will identify and neutralize Jammeh’s loyalist in the army

Restore Peace and Security (Develop and implement a Program)

Set up a Truth and Reconciliation Commission and implement Recommendations

Establish Relationship with Regional and International Security Systems

3.         SPECIAL REVIEW OF THE OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT

            Set up a Special Commission to Review Office of the President and its working processes with the aim of making it more efficient and effective.

President to practice a Public Servant Role Model attitude

Inventorize and Establish a listing of the of President’s Movable and Immovable Assets with the objective of ensuring that all such assets are known for the record pending any government pronouncement on how to deal with such assets

            Practice State of the Nation Address

Implement Commission’s Recommendations

4.         GOVERNMENT MACHINERY

Establish an urgent task force to review key ministries and Depts in the Govt with the aim of identifying major bottlenecks and abuses (political appointees at key positions) within the service (include CBG and Parastatals).

Review Government Machinery and Realign with New Constitution

Select Seasoned Secretary General and Head of Civil Service

Screen civil service system and establish high Sense of Professionalism and Accountability

Restore Security of Tenure

5.         GOVERNANCE STRUCTURE

Review Hiring System for the Executive based on New Constitution

Review Hiring System for the Legislature based on New Constitution

Review Hiring System for the Judiciary based on New Constitution

Reform the Governance Structure

6.         PARASTATALS AND PRIVATE SECTOR

Review Parastatals System based on New Constitution

Restore Confidence in working relations with Central Government

Review Role of Private Sector in National Development

Review Public-Private –Partnership Arrangements

7.         COMMUNICATION, INFORMATION, TECHNOLOGY (ICT)

Review ICT Systems and policy in The Gambia ( contracts with Service Providers and abuses that impede attaining the full potential of these services)

Establish working relationship with Print and Broadcast Media

Introduce E-governance for Ministries and Depts

8.         POLITICS AND POLITICAL PARTIES

Review Political System in The Gambia based on New Constitution

Establish truly Independent Electoral Commission (IEC)

Increase political awareness through civic education

Make Elections Transparent

9.         EMPOWERING THE PRESIDENT

Prepare and deliver a crash course to enhance the President’s knowledge and tools required for effective running of his office (UNDP)

Increase President’s knowledge of Government and Governance (UNDP)

Increase President’s Ability to Follow Up on Issues of National Interest (UNDP)

10.        PRESIDENT’S MANAGEMENT INFORMATION SYSTEM (MIS)

Set up a suitable MIS for Office of President

Social, Political and Economic Issues should be highlighted

Mr. Nyada Yoba Baldeh BS (Virginia State University USA), MS (University of Wisconsin Madison USA)

Management and Development Consultant

Wellingara Kombo North, PO Box 3342 Serrekunda; (220) 9940407; Email: yobamara@yahoo.com; sambasera@hotmail.com

Mr. Hassan MB Jallow. FCCA,   MA , Public Policy and Management( University of York)

Finance and Public Policy Specialist

Address : Kanifing South, P.O. Box 858 Banjul; Phone 220  9909035, Email : Jbaapa@yahoo.co.uk