The first-ever town hall meeting of such nature forms part of WFD’s objectives to strengthen the relationship and effective engagement between the National Assembly and citizens within the broader framework of strengthening democracy and good governance in The Gambia.
The meeting was attended by two strategic committees from the National Assembly - the Gender Children and Social Welfare Committee and the Finance and Public Accounts Committee (FPAC) together with stakeholders and students from various schools.
The meeting discussed the functions and powers of the National assembly, the work of the two committees, the state of women and children in The Gambia, the management of public finance, the economy in general, and building a more accessible and people-friendly National Assembly.
Speaking on behalf of the Gender, Children and Social Welfare Committee, Suwaibou Touray, National Assembly member for Wuli East, said he was pleased to be part of the initiative to share the work they do and pertinent national issues with different stakeholders.
“This town hall meeting could have been our own initiative to ensure that we get closer to the people of The Gambia,” he said, stressing:“The work of the parliament is done on behalf of the Gambians; therefore any attempt for them to get closer to the masses is welcome.”
Sulayman Jammeh, NAM for Bundung, who doubles as member of FPAC, thanked the organisers for the partnership that has existed between them to ensure that they promote the key issues of accountability and transparency.
Jammeh further said that as far as the National Assembly is concerned, “the hope of The Gambia lies” on them, and “the Finance Public Accounts Committee plays a crucial role to ensure” that they scrutinise all the budgets.
Cherno Ceesay, a participant and representative of young people with disabilities at the National Youth Parliament, said the meeting was very important, “because lack of proper communication and miscommunication is a big challenge to people with disabilities in The Gambia”.
After making their comments, contributions and the challenges they encounter daily, he stated, they would hope the two committees would go back to the parliament to address the issues and endeavour to work towards the effective implementation of the disability act.
