Gambiaj.com – (BANJUL, The Gambia) – The National Assembly of The Gambia on Thursday held its first-ever technical press engagement, signaling a significant shift toward greater transparency and public engagement ahead of a major legislative session scheduled to begin next week.
The landmark briefing, held at the Assembly’s auditorium in Banjul, outlined extensive preparations for the First Ordinary Session of the 2026 Legislative Year, which will run from March 2 to April 1.
Clerk of the National Assembly Kalipha Mbaye described the engagement as a deliberate effort to strengthen transparency, improve predictability in legislative programming, and enhance public understanding of parliamentary processes.
He characterized the initiative as a key milestone in the institution’s ongoing modernization drive.
Mbaye said the upcoming session has been carefully structured to balance legislative scrutiny, executive oversight, and administrative efficiency, noting that the Assembly faces a “substantial and consequential” workload.
He explained that deliberations on bills will follow the full parliamentary process, with committee reports presented ahead of debates to ensure informed decision-making.
Major legislative reforms are expected in areas including national security governance, investment regulation, intellectual property, digital communications, climate policy, and civil registration.
In addition to legislative business, several critical oversight reports will be tabled, covering audits in agriculture, environmental compliance, infrastructure spending, and land management.
“These reports are instruments of accountability, not mere procedural formalities,” Mbaye emphasized.
Ministers responsible for key portfolios such as finance, justice, agriculture, tourism, and foreign affairs are also scheduled to appear before lawmakers to answer oral questions. The Assembly will enforce Standing Order 100, which requires ministers to provide written responses to adopted committee recommendations, reinforcing its oversight role.
Speaker Fabakary Tombong Jatta, who presided over the engagement, described the briefing as a landmark development under the Assembly’s “Open Parliament” agenda.
He said the session will prioritize fiscal accountability, legislative reforms, and matters relating to national sovereignty and international cooperation.
Proceedings will open with an oral ministerial statement by the Finance Minister on the implementation of the 2026 national budget, aimed at enabling early scrutiny of government spending.
One of the most closely watched items on the agenda will be the presentation of the Special Select Committee’s report on the sale and disposal of assets identified by the Commission of Inquiry. The Speaker said the report marks a major step in parliamentary investigative work and demonstrates the Assembly’s role in protecting public interest.
Lawmakers will also debate motions on the restitution of Gambian artifacts taken during the colonial era, the country’s membership in the Africa Mineral Strategy Group, and the reaffirmation of the One-China Policy, issues officials say carry significant national and international implications.
The President is expected to deliver the annual State of the Nation Address on March 26, followed by a parliamentary debate evaluating the government’s performance and future policy direction.
The National Assembly Service confirmed that all administrative and logistical preparations, including Order Papers, ministerial schedules, and legislative tracking systems, have been completed.
The session is scheduled to conclude on April 1 with the traditional Motion on Adjournment.
Both the Speaker and the Clerk reaffirmed the legislature’s commitment to openness and professionalism, urging the media to ensure objective coverage.
“This first technical engagement marks a new era of transparency and public inclusion,” Speaker Jatta said. “The National Assembly remains the sanctuary of our democracy.”
