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5 NAMS, deputy clerk in London on Commonwealth Parliamentary Association exchange programme

Jan 18, 2023, 12:18 PM

Five Honourable Members of The Gambia National Assembly and the Deputy Clerk arrived in London yesterday on a Commonwealth Parliamentary Association exchange program.

The esteemed NAMS were welcomed at the Heathrow airport by Mrs Sainey Barrow, the Counselor at The Gambia High Commission in London and later hosted to a dinner. 

The Deputy Head of Mission, Mr Suntou Touray welcomed the delegation and encouraged them to learn the best parliamentary practices at both Chambers the U.K. law making bodies have on offer. 

He further states, “parliamentarians are the peoples’ representative and they should always maintain a Honourable disposition, and decorum wherever they are and help government utilise the national resources efficiently and productively with their oversight functions.” 

DHM Touray further extolled the Deputy Clerk that “The Westminster parliament is a colossus in terms of law making and taking on government Ministers in their policy implementations. The Gambia NAMS which currently comprises a high number of first term members will be exposed to vigorous methods of parliamentary scrutiny of government policy directives. And the visiting NAMS should seize the opportunity and make the best use of their time in London.” 

The Parliamentary delegation includes Hon Touma Njie, Hon Gibbi Mballow,   Hon Kebba Lang Fofana, Hon Camara and Hon Fatoumatta Jawara. They will undergo an intensive exchange study on how the U.K. Parliament Select Committees function and how such shared processes can be aligned to have a more effective oversight functions. 

The parliamentarians and the Deputy Clerk, Hon Kalipha Mbye will visit important parliamentary institutions and meet with heads of vital select committee leaders in the U.K House of Lords and House of Commons. Learning aims - Parliament to:

 - support and strength parliamentary democracy with the help of CPA

 - Build stronger parliament and advance democracy 

 - Strengthen Gender Sensitive legislations 

 - Create a greater understanding of Select Committees and Its oversight functions

Among others.

We wish the NAMS a fruitful time in London.

On Thursday the 19 January 2023, the NAMS are invited to grace an event where renowned Gambian Musician Mr Jaliba Kuyateh will be honoured by Goldsmith University with an honorary doctorate for his service to music.