As Her Body Laid in State

Members of the National Assembly last Friday, 4th May 2007, paid their last respect to the late Hon. Belinda Bidwell, former speaker of the National Assembly of The Gambia, at a ceremony held at the National Assembly complex in Banjul.

Born on 22nd April 1936, Hon. Belinda Bidwell, the second child of the late Gabriel Julian Faal and Matilda Faal of 28 Lancaster Street, Banjul, died in the early hours of Saturday morning, 28th April 2006 at the age of 71.

In her tribute, Hon. Fatoumata Jahumpa-Ceesay, speaker of the National Assembly, described the late Belinda Bidwell as a great servant who served the country in different capacities. “During her tenure as Speaker of the National Assembly, she conducted the affairs of this august Assembly without fear or favour, affection or ill will,” Speaker Jahumpa-Ceesay noted, adding that it was through her initiative and good leadership that the National Assembly was able to embark upon a number of very useful programmes.

For his part Hon. Sulayman Joof, speaking on behalf of the Majority Leader, said during her tenure as Speaker, the late Belinda Bidwell proved to be a “woman of substance coupled with a high sense of dignity and commitment to duty.”

“As an educationist and a distinct advocator of women’s right, she touched the lives of many Gambians,” he said.

Hon. Borry Colley, who is said to be close to the late Speaker, said the ability of the late Belinda Bidwell to be upright made her a role model worthy of emulation.

According to Hon. Colley, the role of Madam Bidwell as a renowned educationist gave her unique opportunity of playing a vital role in the shaping of the lives of many Gambians.

Also speaking earlier, Mr. Kofi Green Harris, former National Assembly member for Banjul Central, described the late Belinda Bidwell as a humble and docile woman who was dedicated, devoted and determined. “As the Speaker of this august body, she upheld the dignity of the National Assembly and led by good examples. Both sides of the Assembly were equal to her and so treated,” he stated.

Prior to her appointment as Speaker of the National Assembly, the late Belinda Bidwell distinguished herself as an ardent educationist who spent most of her life in teaching.

She attended St. Joseph’s preparatory school and, upon completion, enrolled at the then newly established Yundum Teacher Training college, now Gambia College.

In 1962, she obtained a scholarship to Oxford University, UK and graduated with Bachelor of Arts degree. Upon her return home, she taught at St. Joseph’s High School and later as a lecturer at Gambia College.

In the 1970s, Madam Bidwell’s passion in the pursuit of education remained unabated. She went for further studies at Reading University, UK, University of Chicago, USA, and underwent many more short training courses in far away lands such as the former USSR, Germany and Australia where she studied Geography, Environmental studies, Linguistics, Mathematics, and English Literature.

Her love for sharing her knowledge whenever and wherever possible brought her out of retirement. She volunteered to teach Mathematics and Geography at St. Augustine’s High School free of charge.

In 2001, Madam Bidwell’s career took another direction when she accepted the call to serve her beloved country in the position of Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly in which capacity she served until her appointment as Speaker from April 2006 to January 2007.

The late Belinda Bidwell is survived by her mother, five children, three male and two female. She was laid to rest on Friday at the Christian cemetery in Jeshwang.