In a speech afterwards the Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly Honourable Fatou Mbye who also chaired the signing ceremony stated that the spirit of the MOU encapsulates broader national development aspirations for the people of the Gambia, which are also relevant to the mandate of the Budget Observatory Platform. She emphasised that the shared values of mutual respect, courage of conviction, accountability, transparency, honesty and solidarity shall form the cornerstone of this partnership as reflected in the signed MOU.
ActionAid has had a long standing relationship with the National Assembly. This was highlighted by the Clerk of the Assembly Honourable C.M Kebbeh who cited numerous support offered by ActionAid in the areas of capacity building and support to various Select- Committees and the budget process.
The Executive Director of ActionAid Omar Badji described the partnership with the National Assembly as ActionAid’s obligation towards the development of the country. He expressed the hope that there will be more fruitful collaborations with the National Assembly on issues of national development in the future.
The ceremony was witnessed by members of the Budget Observatory Platform which includes ActionAid, the Deputy Clerk of the House, Mr. Daniel Cardos and ActionAid’s Programme Specialist for Governance & Partnership, Mr. Saikou Kawsu Gassama.