The activity, themed; “A New Constitution for a New Republic: Get Informed, Get Involved,” was launched in September.
These engagement officials said, is part of an ongoing campaign that will cover URR, CRR, NBR, LRR and WCR respectively, with the aim of reaching approximately 250 participants.
Bubacarr M. Danjo, the vice chairman of Basse Area Council (BsAC) who also doubles as the Councillor for Sare Ngai Ward, spoke on the importance of the town hall meeting.
These forums, he said,have enhanced their understanding of the Draft Constitution’s articles and provisions, further claiming: “This will therefore help us to promote civic engagement in order to foster meaningful discussions within the communities on good governance and democratic values in the country.”
Danjo also calls inhabitants of the area to view the Constitution not as a distant legal document, but as a guiding framework that protects and serves their interests.
He urged the participants to disseminate the knowledge gained to their respective communities with the objectives of creating awareness on the draft constitution.
Aja Neneh Darboe, the Women Representative from Basse, underscored the importance of women participation towards national development, while urging her fellow women to take up the forum with seriousness for their own betterment.
Representing the young people of Basse, Abubacarr Ben Bass, said: “The constitution is a tool that guides the nation. Therefore, constitutional building process should be everyone's business.”
He encouraged his fellow youth to partake in the regional public information and town hall sessions on the 2024 draft Constitution and also to share the information on the youth groups in the communities.
“A better understanding of the laws in the draft Constitution will help Gambians to make informed decisions during the referendum,” Kadijatou Jallow, a youth representative in CRR said.
Ansumana Ceesay, the program manager of the National Council for Civic Education (NCCE), said: “To understand the content of the 2024 draft Constitution Bill, the civic educators have gone through the Bill’s most significant provisions, especially those that impact governance, human rights and social justice.”
While calling for active participation from the participants, Ceesay said: “The involvement of the participants at every step of the way is crucial from the gazetting of the draft Constitution to its consideration by the National Assembly, and eventually to the referendum.”
These process, he said, “is not only about the legislators and policymakers, however; it is about the citizens. Therefore, we will discuss the mechanisms for public participation, how you can engage in the process, and how we can ensure that the voices of all sectors of society are heard.”
