Members of the National Assembly have undergone an orientation and induction seminar on Saturday, at the Palm Grove Hotel in Banjul.

The seminar focused on the 1997 Constitution, ethics and Codes of Conduct for NAMs, parliamentary terminologies, and the role of the National Assembly.

The seminar aimed at preparing the NAMs for their responsibilities as law makers and representatives of the Gambian populace.

Opening the seminar, Bala Garba Jahumpa, Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs and National Assembly Matters, said the induction will enable the NAMs to function as law-makers. SoS Garba Jahumpa hinted the gathering about a bill on pensions and other gratitude for NAMs to support their constituencies and themselves, which would be presented for debate during the Assembly sittings.

He emphasised the need for NAMs to address the needs and aspirations of the Gambians people, saying “the problem in the world today is about leadership. It is therefore a moral responsibility and social duty for NAMs to contribute to the improvement of the status of Gambian people”.

He then urged NAMs to push forward the country’s interest and the welfare of it’s people, imploring them to bury “political differences, personal conflicts and tribalism”. According to him, national concerns and challenges will be addressed with the collaboration of various arms of the government, comprising the legislature, executive and Judiciary.

Delivering a keynote address at the seminar, Hon Fatoumatta Jahumpa-Ceesay, Speaker of the National Assembly, said the activity will help the NAMs to effectively carry out their duties as representatives of the people. Speaker Jahumpa-Ceesay expressed her gratitude to PRO-PAG for funding the seminar.

Dr Siga Jagne, Executive Director of PRO-PAG, expressed optimism that the NAMs will put the knowledge gained from the seminar into good use, thereby elevating The Gambia to a level, where the rights of Gambians would adequately protected and respected.

Vitale Muntino, acting UNDP Representative to The Gambia, said that the UNDP was proud to be associated with the seminar, adding that it would go a long way towards addressing the challenges of good governance. He added that good governance is a necessary condition for meeting the Millennium Development Goals.

He then commended the National Assembly and the government for their partnership with the UNDP, and then reaffirmed: “This collaboration will continue to be strengthened, so as to set the stage for more intervention for the development of the National Assembly”.

The seminar was characterised by presentations and interactive discussions by the participants.