The National Council for Civic Education, in partnership with UNDP with funding from the European Union GREAT Project, has organised constituency consultative dialogues on 2024 draft constitution.
The dialogue sessions were part of the NCCE ongoing awareness and consultations campaign, themed “A New Constitution for a New Republic: Get Informed, Get Involved.” This initiative, commencing in the Upper River Region (URR), facilitates direct engagement between National Assembly Members (NAMs) and their constituents.
Ansumana Ceesay, the programme manager NCCE, said it is crucial for Gambians to understand what is contained in the new draft so that they are able to participate effectively in the process.
He said the roundtable dialogue serves not only as a crucial platform for ensuring that diverse voices are heard but also to create awareness about the constitutional reform process, enabling citizens to participate actively.
He indicated that the development of a new constitution for The Gambia is a significant undertaking that requires broad-based participation and inclusivity.
According to him, these consultations aim to foster inclusive and informed discourse between National Assembly Members (NAMs) and their constituents, enhancing public awareness, deepening understanding, and soliciting valuable feedback on the proposed constitutional provisions.
Nfamara Sabally, the National Assembly Member for Wuli West, said a key takeaway from the speakers was the understanding that no constitution is without flaws. “Hence, citizens were encouraged to approach the process with openness to dialogue and compromise, prioritizing national interests above individual preferences to create a framework that best serves the common good,” he added.
Ebrima Jaiteh, NAM for Sandu, stressed the need for active participation by the citizenry in the process.
He mentioned that it is essential for the citizens to be well informed about the process of constitutional building.
A similar dialogue was held at Choya, in Central River Region (CRR) and it was attended by Honourable Samba Jallow, National Assembly Member for Niamina Dankunku and Dawda Jeng, NAM for Niamina East.
Hon Jallow for Niamina Dankunku said the dialogues are a vital platform for direct civic engagement, designed to enhance understanding of the 2024 Draft Constitution, gather feedback to inform the legislative process, and strengthen the vital connection between NAMs and the people they represent.
According him, following the democratic change of government in December 2016, the current government embarked on significant reforms, including a legal reform aimed at developing a new constitution that upholds democratic principles, protects human rights, strengthens institutions, and promotes good governance in The Gambia.
However, he said despite the initial setback of the 2020 draft, the government has revived the process with the gazetting of a controversial revised draft, which will be tabled in parliament soon.
