The Gambia National Assembly

National Assembly Environment Committee in Kenya for Climate Governance Benchmarking and Methane Conference

Members of the National Assembly Select Committee on Environment, Sustainable Development and NGO Affairs are currently in Kenya on a benchmarking mission focused on strengthening climate governance, environmental management and climate finance oversight. The visit also includes participation in a regional conference on methane convened by the Parliament of Kenya in partnership with the Inter-Parliamentary Union.

The engagement, supported by the Climate Vulnerable Forum and V20 Secretariat, seeks to provide the Committee with practical insights from Kenya’s experience in implementing climate legislation and institutional climate governance systems, as The Gambia advances toward the enactment and operationalisation of its Climate Change Bill. The mission further provides an opportunity for participation in a regional dialogue on methane for Africa.

As part of the programme, the Committee held engagements with the National Assembly Committee on Environment, Forestry and Mining in the Parliament of Kenya to exchange experiences on legislative design, parliamentary oversight and implementation of Kenya’s Climate Change Act, 2016 as amended. The delegation also received a technical briefing from officials of the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change and Forestry on Kenya’s climate governance framework, including carbon market regulations and institutional coordination mechanisms supporting implementation of the Act.

The benchmarking mission further included a joint session with Kenya’s National Treasury and the Climate Finance and Green Economy Unit, where discussions focused on the structure and mandate of the Climate Finance Unit, climate finance mobilisation strategies, climate finance tracking and reporting systems, and implementation of the Financing Locally-Led Climate Action (FLoCCA) programme.

PRESS RELEASE TEXT

SECOND ORDINARY SESSION OF THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY IN THE 2026
LEGISLATIVE YEAR

MONDAY 08th JUNE - WEDNESDAY 08th JULY, 2026

The Office of the Clerk of the National Assembly wishes to announce for the information of the general public that the Second Ordinary Session of the National Assembly in the 2026 Legislative Year shall be convened for the period Monday 08th June - Wednesday 08th July, 2026.

During this period, Hon. Members will consider Government businesses, Questions to Hon. Ministers for Oral Answers, Reports of various Committees and Parliamentary delegations of the National Assembly, Motions and Bills.

The daily Sitting of the Assembly also commences at 10:00am prompt. All those who wish to attend the daily sittings are requested to obtain admittance from the Office of the Clerk.

The public is reminded to comply with the standard dress code (traditional or suit) required and also to observe the silence rule during proceedings of the Session.

END OF TEXT

Gambian Delegation Advocates Youth-Centred Peace and Security Agenda at Africa-EU Parliamentary Youth Forum

The Gambia Delegation to the 1st Africa-EU Parliamentary Assembly has called for stronger youth inclusion in peacebuilding, governance, and economic development across Africa, arguing that the continent’s future stability depends on whether young people are treated as partners in decision-making rather than passive beneficiaries of policy interventions.

The statement was delivered by Hon. Abdoulie Ceesay on Tuesday, 12th May 2026, during the Youth Forum of the 1st Africa-EU Parliamentary Assembly currently underway in Ezulwini Valley, Eswatini, under the framework of the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS) engagements.

The Youth Forum formed part of the official programme of the Assembly and focused on Youth Education and Mobility, bringing together parliamentarians, youth leaders, migration advocates and policy experts from Africa and Europe to discuss opportunities and challenges affecting young people across both continents.

Speaking during the session, the Gambian delegate stressed that Africa’s youth population must be viewed as a strategic asset in addressing insecurity, unemployment, migration pressures, and governance deficits across the continent.

He noted that many young Africans continue to face barriers including unemployment, irregular migration risks, limited access to quality education, and exclusion from decision-making spaces.
“Africa is the youngest continent in the world, and this should be our greatest strength—not our greatest vulnerability,” he stated.

The delegate emphasised that peace and security discussions in Africa must go beyond military interventions and political negotiations by addressing the underlying socio-economic challenges affecting young people.
“When young people are denied opportunities, excluded from governance systems, and left without hope, they become vulnerable to exploitation, radicalisation, and dangerous migration routes,” he said.

Hon. Ceesay urged African governments, international organisations, and parliamentary institutions to invest more deliberately in education, vocational training, innovation, entrepreneurship, and youth mobility programmes that create real opportunities.

He also highlighted the role of Parliaments in ensuring that youth-focused commitments are translated into actionable policies through legislation, oversight, and budgetary allocations.
“Young people must not only be discussed in conference rooms—they must be represented in those rooms where decisions are made,” he added.

The Youth Forum featured contributions from regional youth leaders and policymakers, including representatives from the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Youth Parliament, the African Union Youth Programme, the International Organization for Migration (IOM), and youth mobility advocates.

The Gambian delegation is led by Hon. Abdoulie Ceesay, Deputy Majority Leader and Member for Old Yundum, alongside Hon. Madi M.K. Ceesay, Hon. Fatou K. Jawara, Hon. Sainey Jawara, and Hon. Samba Jallow, with technical support from National Assembly staff and officials from The Gambia’s diplomatic mission in Brussels.

National Assembly Appears Before FPAC to Present 2022 Activity Report and Audited Accounts

The National Assembly on Tuesday appeared before the Finance and Public Accounts Committee (FPAC) to present its 2022 Annual Activity Report, Audited Financial Statements and Management Letter, in a move described by Assembly leaders as a demonstration of transparency, accountability and commitment to good governance.

The presentation was led by the Chairperson of the National Assembly Authority, Hon. Fabakary Tombong Jatta, who told the Committee that it was both a constitutional responsibility and an honour for the Assembly to submit itself to scrutiny. The Chairperson said the appearance underscored the principle that the same standards of transparency and accountability Parliament demands from other public institutions must first be reflected within its own operations.

Addressing the Committee, the Chairperson described the National Assembly as the apex oversight institution of the Republic, entrusted by Gambians with scrutinising public expenditure, ensuring accountability and safeguarding the prudent use of public resources. He said the Assembly’s appearance before FPAC was a clear signal that the institution is not above scrutiny, nor exempt from the standards it applies to other public institutions.

The Clerk of the National Assembly, Mr. Kalipha MM Mbye, appearing as Accounting Officer of the National Assembly Service, also briefed the Committee on the management and utilisation of resources appropriated to the institution during the 2022 fiscal year.

The Clerk said the Office of the Clerk had to manage several major activities simultaneously, including the orderly transition and wind-down of the previous legislature, the induction and orientation of 58 newly elected and nominated Members, the reconstitution and operationalisation of standing and select committees, and the provision of technical and procedural support for the prompt resumption of parliamentary business.

He told the Committee that, notwithstanding these pressures, the Office of the Clerk maintained professionalism, financial discipline and administrative efficiency, noting that the Assembly’s objective throughout 2022 was to ensure strict compliance with the Public Finance Act, the Public Procurement Act, Financial Regulations, Assembly Service Regulations and other established public financial management procedures.

The Clerk acknowledged that challenges remain, particularly rising oversight demands against the Assembly’s current budget, the growing operational responsibilities of committees, and the financial implications of the institution’s digital transformation agenda.

The consideration of the National Assembly’s reports is scheduled for Wednesday, 13 May 2026.

Agriculture Committee Commences Nationwide Oversight of Project Sites

The National Assembly Select Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development has commenced its nationwide oversight visits to agricultural project sites across the country as part of efforts to assess the implementation and impact of key interventions in the sector.

The oversight mission is taking members of the Committee to project sites in the North Bank Region, Central River Region North and other parts of the country, where they are examining initiatives supported under programmes such as the Smallholder Resilience Enhancement Project (SRPEP), the Resilience of Rural Value Chains Development Project (RRVCDP) and the GIRAV feeder roads initiative.

Among the sites visited are Community Pasture Fields in Kerr Jarga, the Sheep Breeding Facility in Chamen, the Mini Dairy and Milk Collection Centre in Dibba K***a, the Ram Fattening Scheme in Nyangen, agriculture transport services in Changai Wollof, the slaughterhouse in Wassu, and post-harvest processing infrastructure in Diabugu Batapa. The Committee is also visiting Regional Agriculture Directorates in Kerewan, Kuntaur and Basse, as well as feeder road projects linking farming communities to markets.

The visits are intended to give members first-hand information on the progress of these interventions, their impact on beneficiaries, and the challenges affecting implementation. Findings from the exercise are expected to inform recommendations to the National Assembly on strengthening service delivery, accountability and agricultural development.

The Gambia Joins OACPS Africa-EU Parliamentary Meetings in Eswatini

The Gambia delegation to the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS) African Region Parliamentary Group and the 1st Africa-EU Parliamentary Assembly has commenced official engagements in Ezulwini Valley, Eswatini, with participation in the West African Regional Parliamentary Group Meeting held on Friday, 8 May 2026.

The meeting forms part of the broader OACPS African Region Parliamentary Group Meetings and the 1st Session of the Africa-EU Parliamentary Assembly, taking place from 7 to 14 May 2026, bringing together parliamentarians, diplomats, regional organisations, and development partners to deliberate on Africa-Europe cooperation and key regional priorities.

The Gambian delegation is led by Hon. Abdoulie Ceesay, Deputy Majority Leader and Member for Old Yundum. Other Members of the National Assembly are:
• Hon. Madi M.K. Ceesay – Member for Serrekunda West
• Hon. Fatou K. Jawara – Nominated Member
• Hon. Sainey Jawara – Member for Lower Saloum
• Hon. Samba Jallow – Member for Niamina Dankunku

The delegation is receiving strong diplomatic support from The Gambia’s Ambassador to Brussels, Mr. Pa Musa Jobarteh, who currently serves as Chairperson of OACPS Ambassadors, as well as Mr. Musa Camara, Deputy Head of Mission at The Gambia Embassy in Brussels.

Friday’s West African Regional Parliamentary Group Meeting focused on critical regional matters, including opening remarks and official communication from the Chairperson of the West African Group, Hon. Mathew Sahr Nyuma of Sierra Leone. Delegates also exchanged views on regional priorities and emerging challenges surrounding the implementation of the Samoa Agreement, the new partnership framework between OACPS member states and the European Union.

The engagements will continue over the coming days with meetings of regional parliamentary groups, a Bureau session, a brainstorming meeting on the future of the OACPS Parliamentary Assembly, and the formal opening of the 1st Africa-EU Parliamentary Assembly on Tuesday, 12th May.

Trade Committee Holds Five-Day Retreat on GEIPA Amendment Bill 2026

The National Assembly Select Committee on Trade and Regional Integration is holding a five-day retreat to review the GEIPA Amendment Bill 2026, as part of efforts to strengthen investment promotion and improve The Gambia’s export framework.

The retreat brings together Members of the National Assembly, officials from the Ministry of Trade, Industry, Regional Integration and Employment, the Gambia Investment and Export Promotion Agency (GIEPA), and other key stakeholders to examine the proposed changes to the law and their implications for national development.

In his welcoming remarks, GIEPA Chief Executive Officer Ousainou Senghore described the retreat as an important platform for collaboration and meaningful dialogue. He said reviewing and amending the GEIPA framework was essential to strengthening investment promotion, improving exports, and ensuring that Gambians benefit more directly from economic opportunities.

For his part, the Chairperson of the National Assembly Select Committee on Trade and Regional Integration, Hon. Kebba Jallow, called for a thorough and critical review of the Bill. He reminded participants that the exercise was not routine, but a serious responsibility aimed at ensuring that the law promotes transparency, strengthens investment, and delivers real benefits to Gambians.

Speaking on behalf of the Minister of Trade, Regional Integration and Employment, Deputy Permanent Secretary Abdoulie Jammeh reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to updating the GEIPA Act to better support private sector development, job creation, and increased participation of Gambian entrepreneurs.

The retreat is expected to contribute to a more robust and forward-looking GEIPA Act that not only attracts quality investment but also empowers local businesses and positions The Gambia as a competitive destination within the region.

Speaker Jatta Calls for Stronger Regional Unity at Opening of ECOWAS Parliament Session

The Speaker of the National Assembly of The Gambia, Rt. Hon. Fabakary Tombong Jatta, has called for stronger regional unity, deeper parliamentary cooperation and accelerated economic integration at the opening of the First Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Parliament.

Addressing the opening session, Speaker Jatta said West Africa is facing major challenges, including terrorism, democratic setbacks, weak intra-regional trade and the growing impact of climate change. He said these issues require a united, strategic and sustained response from Member States and regional institutions.

Speaker Jatta said the ECOWAS Parliament remains a vital platform for democratic expression, oversight and people centred advocacy in the sub-region.

He noted that parliamentary diplomacy has an important role to play in maintaining dialogue and building consensus, especially at a time when the region is experiencing political and security pressures.

He further urged the Parliament to position itself as a driver of economic transformation by supporting the removal of non-tariff barriers, facilitating cross-border trade and promoting regulatory harmonisation across the region. According to him, regional integration must move beyond aspiration to practical implementation that improves the lives of citizens.

He also called for stronger action on climate resilience, describing climate change as not only an environmental issue, but also a security, economic and humanitarian concern.

He said ECOWAS must speak with one voice in addressing environmental threats and supporting adaptation efforts across the region.
Speaker Jatta further commended the Gambian delegation to the ECOWAS Parliament for its active role and described the institution as central to advancing peace, solidarity and shared prosperity in West Africa.

Hon. Fatoumata Njai, Member of the National Assembly for Banjul South, has been elected as the 2nd Vice President for West Africa of the Women’s Caucus of the Pan-African Parliament.

Her election took place during the renewal of leadership structures of the Seventh Legislature of the continental Parliament, where members elected a new Bureau based on the principle of regional rotation.

The newly elected Bureau will be led by Hon. Rehab Mukami Wachira of Kenya as President, representing Eastern Africa.

Other members of the new Bureau include Hon. Aisha Adams of Malawi as 1st Vice President for Southern Africa, Hon. Awatef Cheniti of Tunisia as 3rd Vice President for North Africa, and Hon. Leocadie Ndacayizaba of Burundi as 4th Vice President for Central Africa.

Hon. Njai’s election marks another significant milestone for The Gambia’s parliamentary representation at the continental level and reinforces the country’s growing role in advancing women’s leadership in regional and international parliamentary institutions.

A member of the National Assembly of The Gambia and representative for Banjul South, Hon. Njai has consistently championed women’s political participation, youth empowerment, and inclusive governance both nationally and internationally. She has also represented The Gambia in regional parliamentary platforms, including the ECOWAS Parliament.

Photos by Pan African Parliament

National Assembly Partners with ECOWAS to Shape "Vision 2050" Road Map

As part of the milestone ECOWAS@50 celebrations, the National Assembly hosted a high-level engagement session on to sensitize lawmakers on ECOWAS Vision 2050, the regional bloc’s ambitious blueprint for the next quarter-century.

Speaking on behalf of the Clerk of the National Assembly, Buba M.E. Jatta, Deputy Clerk for Administration and Finance, hailed the gathering as a pivotal moment in the history of the regional body. He noted that over the last five decades, ECOWAS has evolved far beyond simple economic cooperation to become central to peace, security, democratic governance, and the daily lives of citizens.

He emphasized that popularizing Vision 2050 is essential for lawmakers, as it provides the tools necessary to align regional goals with the immediate needs and aspirations of the Gambian electorate.

Hon. Amadou Camara, a member of the ECOWAS Parliament, highlighted that Gambian representatives remain vocal and influential in committee work and regional debates.Camara noted that Vision 2050 is not merely a bureaucratic document but a promise of peace, economic opportunity, and dignity for every West African citizen.

Miatta Lily French, the ECOWAS Resident Representative and Head of Mission in The Gambia, expressed her gratitude for the strong legislative turnout, viewing it as a clear signal of The Gambia’s commitment to the community.

"The Gambia remains one of the strongest members of ECOWAS," French remarked, commending the country for consistently meeting its obligations. She stressed that the support of the National Assembly advancing ECOWAS goals on a local level, ensuring that regional policies are successfully domesticated.

ADVERTISEMENT OF JOB VACANCIES

The Office of the Clerk is pleased to invite applications from suitably qualified Gambians to fill the following vacant positions in the National Assembly Service.

1. PRINCIPAL ENGINEERING OFFICER

2. RESEARCH OFFICER (2)

3. ASSISTANT COMMITTEE CLERK (2)

Interested applicants must submit the following documents in a sealed envelope to the National Assembly Records Office on or before Friday 15th May 2026 at 12:00 noon.

1. An application letter addressed to the Clerk;

2. Copies of academic and professional certificates;

3. A birth certificate or a valid identity document;

4. Names and contact details of two professional referees; and

5. Any other supporting document.

Addressed to:
The Clerk
National Assembly
New Assembly Building
Reg. Pye Lane
Banjul

• Only Shortlisted Applicants will be contacted.
• Female candidates are highly encouraged to apply.