By Awa Sowe
Officials of the International Republican Institution (IRI) and International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES) have recently announced the official closing of The Gambia Governance Reform Activity (GGRA) a three-year reform project.
H.E. Sharon.L. Cromer, US Ambassador to The Gambia said the United States has been proud to partner with the people of The Gambia as the country strives to strengthen its democracy in the wake of the historic political impasse 2016.
Ambassador Sharon explained that the USAID and The Gambia Government reform activity was specifically designed to help the nation’s transition from authoritarian rule to a truly free democratic society.
She however stated that over the past three years, the US Government through the USAID and its partners, IRI and IFES supported the efforts of the Gambian leader, the Government and civil Society organisations to progress in key democratic reforms.
The USAID and GGRA, she added, enabled Gambian civil society organisations to completely participate in the constitutional reform process and that despite the rejection of the proposed new constitution, the drafting process was highly inclusive.
According to her, a wide cross-section of Gambians including women and people with disabilities, as well as urban-rural communities participated, as the USAID and GGRA provided technical assistance including legal advice to the National Assembly and the CSOs on most important pieces of legislation that have shown the country’s commitment to transparency, accountability, participation and inclusion.
Hon. Abdoulie Ceesay, on behalf of the deputy speaker of the National Assembly registered profound appreciation to IRI for their immense support over the years, noting that USAID and the US Embassy in The Gambia made available the required funding for The Gambia Governance Reform Activity.
He said training of 58 National Assembly Members by IRI increased their performance of legislative responsibilities and appreciation of media freedoms, anti-corruption, budgeting, disability rights, strategic communications, bill drafting and audit reviews.
Also, he revealed, IRI trained the Committees on Defence and Security, Education, Finance and Public Accounts (FPAC), Public Enterprises (PEC), Monitoring of Government Projects, Local Government, Human Rights and Constitutional Matters, Tourism, Youth and Sports on the Standing Orders, Bill Review, Holding Hearings, Record Keeping, Citizen Engagement and Budgeting.
These trainings, he added, have led to more effective scrutinisation of bills sent from the executive and contributed to breaking the routine rubber stamp practices of the legislature.
Alieu Momar Njai, Chairman of the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) attested that the project positively impacted on the Gambia’s ongoing electoral cycle 2021 to 2023.
The Commission, he said successfully implemented various activities during the electoral cycle including the general registration of voters in 2021 Presidential Election and the National Assembly Elections in 2022.
The IEC Chairman, reiterated that whilst the Commission is committed to promoting and conducting free and fair elections, stakeholders are also expected to be aware of their roles and responsibilities.