The Government of The Gambia has reaffirmed its strong commitment to regional integration, rule of law, and human rights protection through enhanced support for the ECOWAS Community Court of Justice.
Speaking at the ECOWAS Community Court of Justice Town Hall Session on Access to Justice held on Friday at the Sir Dawda Conference Centre, Trade Minister Mod K. Ceesay emphasised the critical role the Court plays in promoting accountability, protecting human rights, and strengthening democratic governance across West Africa.
Delivering remarks on behalf of the Gambian government, Minister Ceesay praised the Court for organizing the engagement, describing it as a significant step towards increasing public awareness and accessibility of one of ECOWAS’s most important legal institutions.
“The ECOWAS Court of Justice remains central to our regional integration agenda,” the Trade minister stated. “Legal institutions, no matter how robust, can only be effective if they are known, understood, and accessible to the citizens they serve.”
The address highlighted the Court’s achievements in adjudicating landmark cases, particularly in the field of human rights, while acknowledging that limited awareness of its mandate and procedures continues to hinder broader public access.
He said the Gambian government stressed that improving understanding of the Court’s role is essential to expanding justice, strengthening democratic systems, and ensuring that citizens across the region can benefit from its services.
The event brought together a wide range of stakeholders, including policymakers, members of national assemblies, judicial officers, legal practitioners, civil society organizations, academia, and security representatives. According to Minister Ceesay, such a broad participation demonstrates the inclusive approach required to strengthen the Court’s outreach and practical impact.
The Gambia, via the ministry responsible for Trade, Industry, Regional Integration, and Employment, reiterates that regional integration extends beyond economic and trade cooperation to include legal harmonization, institutional strengthening, and rights protection. “A functional ECOWAS Court of Justice is indispensable for resolving disputes, enforcing regional obligations, and fostering trust among member states,” the minister noted.
The speech also underscored the Court’s broader significance in promoting legal certainty, investor confidence, and a stable rules-based framework necessary for initiatives such as the ECOWAS Trade Liberalization Scheme and the African Continental Free Trade Area.
Minister Ceesay called on the workshop participants to generate practical outcomes, including stronger institutional partnerships, improved stakeholder understanding of the Court, and actionable recommendations to enhance its effectiveness and accessibility.
Reaffirming her support, The Gambia pledged continued collaboration with ECOWAS institutions to ensure the Court remains a pillar of justice, legal protection, and regional cooperation.
The Town Hall Session forms part of ongoing efforts by the ECOWAS Community Court of Justice to expand public engagement and strengthen access to justice throughout the sub-region.
