Gambiaj.com – (BANJUL, The Gambia) – The National Assembly of The Gambia has intensified efforts to align national development priorities with regional objectives, hosting a high-level engagement with officials from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to deepen understanding of the bloc’s long-term blueprint, Vision 2050.
The session, held as part of the ECOWAS@50 commemorations, focused on equipping lawmakers with the institutional and policy insight required to translate regional commitments into national legislation with direct impact on citizens.
Speaking on behalf of the Clerk of the Assembly, Deputy Clerk for Administration and Finance Buba M.E. Jatta described the engagement as a critical step in strengthening legislative participation in regional integration.
He noted that over the past five decades, ECOWAS has evolved beyond its original economic mandate to play a central role in peacekeeping, democratic governance, and security across West Africa.
Jatta underscored that the success of Vision 2050 will hinge on the National Assembly’s ability to bridge the gap between regional frameworks and domestic realities. He emphasized that enhancing lawmakers’ awareness and technical understanding would facilitate the effective domestication and implementation of ECOWAS protocols.
Hon. Amadou Camara, a member of the ECOWAS Parliament, highlighted The Gambia’s growing visibility within regional legislative processes. He said Gambian representatives have maintained an active presence in committee work and plenary debates, contributing to policy decisions with subregional implications.
Camara framed Vision 2050 as a strategic roadmap aimed at consolidating stability, accelerating economic growth, and improving living standards across West Africa. He urged lawmakers to assume greater ownership of the agenda to ensure its objectives are translated into measurable national outcomes.
Also addressing the session, Miatta Lily French commended the level of participation by Gambian lawmakers, describing it as indicative of the country’s sustained commitment to regional cooperation. She noted that The Gambia continues to rank among ECOWAS’ most compliant member states in meeting its obligations.
French further stressed the legislature’s pivotal role in the domestication process, ensuring that regional agreements are systematically incorporated into national laws and policy frameworks.
She added that sustained institutional collaboration between ECOWAS and the National Assembly will be essential to delivering on the long-term targets set out in Vision 2050.
The engagement reflects a broader shift toward enhanced legislative ownership of regional integration agendas, as The Gambia positions itself to play a more assertive role in shaping the future trajectory of West Africa.
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