The event held at the National Assembly premises in Banjul, was attended by National Assembly Members, development partners and Assembly staff.
At the ceremony, Fabakary Tombong Jatta, Speaker of the House, said the day is meant to bring the National Assembly closer to the people and vice-versa, so as to create the necessary connection and build strong relationships with partners and stakeholders.
"It is intended that marking of this day would serve to raise favourable public perception and enhance public participation and involvement in the work of the Legislature." he said.
With greater participation by the populace, Hon. Jatta believes the work and role of the Assembly and lawmakers would be better understood and appreciated.
This, he added, would help overcome some of the challenges the legislature faces, thereby enabling them perform their oversight function.
“The National Assembly Open Day presents an opportunity for the people of The Gambia to know more about their Legislature, how it has evolved, the leaders who guided our country before, during and after independence and to help them develop their own conceptions and interpretations of parliamentary democracy and its principles.”
Speaker Jatta expressed optimism that people will take advantage of the day to engage with NAMs and service staff, so as to learn and appreciate the importance and how it impacts the lives of people.
He thus thanked the joint efforts of the Assembly, the President of the Republic and the government, adding that several laws have been passed aimed at creating new political, economic, social and administrative systems in accordance with the provisions of the constitution.
He commended their development partners, particularly the Westminster Foundation for Democracy and the United Nations Development Program for always supporting efforts of the National Assembly to be a responsive, accountable, and a democratic legislature.
Momodou A. Sise, Clerk of The National Assembly, underscored the importance of the event, reminding that the day is designed to bring Parliament closer to the people and vice-versa.
Country Representative of Westminster Foundation for Democracy (WFD), Madi Jobateh, said the day is in line with his organisation’s support for democracy.
"It creates the understanding that what happens in the Assembly touches the lives of citizens and making the Assembly avail itself closer to the people it serves can only strengthen democracy." he said.
