The regional stakeholders shared their opinions during the National Council for Civic Education Regional stakeholders’ roundtable dialogue on the 2024 Draft Constitution in Basse.
Mawdo Sisawo, Sutukonding Ward Councillor said that the country does not need a new constitution to govern the Gambian people.
According to him, parts of 1997 Constitution should be amended rather than spending lot of money in the “name of drafting new a constitution.”
"They are just finding ways to misuse the public funds without any targetable reasons," he opined.
Pateh Baldeh, a participant from the Governor’s Office, also shared similar views, stating that the 1997 Constitution should have been maintained.
Yaya Ceesay from Basse Area Council (BsAC), suggested that executive should maintain the 2020 Draft Constitution because that is what Gambians preferred.
Mr. Ceesay pointed out that the presidential pardon of prisoners should be limited; pointing out crimes such as rape, murder and treason among others should not be pardoned by the president.
Ebrima Kinteh, the National Human Rights Commission’s (NHRC) regional coordinator for both URR and CRR, said that the grade 12 certificate should not qualify anybody to become the president of the Gambia.
He suggested that if only one has a degree should he become the president of The Gambia.
Dawda Wanda, another participant from Basse, said President Adama Barrow and his executive should engage Gambians on the 2024 Draft Constitution before gazetting. He added that the Gambian people need to be well informed about the Draft Constitution.
Kebba M. Sillah, the director of Wuli and Sandu Development Agency (WASDA), said that the constitution should empower the electorates to recall their representatives at the National Assembly if they are not serving the interest of the country.
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