Gambia: National Assembly opens strategic retreat to strengthen legislative reform

The National Assembly Authority of The Gambia has launched a high-level three-day retreat aimed at strengthening the institutional capacity, professionalism, and long-term effectiveness of the country’s legislature. The gathering, which began on Thursday, is being framed as an important step in deepening administrative reform and improving how the National Assembly delivers on its constitutional responsibilities.

Bringing together the top leadership of the National Assembly, the retreat is focused on reviewing institutional performance, setting strategic priorities for upcoming legislative sessions, and monitoring implementation of the Assembly’s 2025–2029 Strategic Plan. More than a routine administrative exercise, the session reflects a growing recognition that strong democratic institutions depend not only on elected representatives, but also on the quality, structure, and efficiency of the professional service that supports them.

Opening the retreat, Speaker of the National Assembly and Chairperson of the Authority, Fabakary Tombong Jatta, described the moment as a defining one for the institution. He emphasized the Authority’s responsibility to ensure that the National Assembly Service is modern, professional, and capable of responding to the changing demands of governance in a democratic society.

That reform message was reinforced by Clerk of the National Assembly, Kalipha M.M. Mbye, who said the retreat offers a timely opportunity to validate several critical institutional tools that have been under development for months. He argued that no legislature can function effectively without a competent and well-structured administrative backbone, and stressed that durable reform must rest on sound legal and policy foundations.

According to Mr. Mbye, the Authority’s review and approval of the proposed instruments will be central to translating reform ambition into operational reality. In his remarks, he made clear that the credibility and precision of parliamentary work depend heavily on the systems and personnel that support lawmakers behind the scenes.

The retreat is expected to conclude with the formal adoption of a Functional Review and Job Analysis Report, along with revised Schemes of Service. Together, these documents are expected to reshape internal operations, clarify roles and responsibilities, and create a more accountable and efficient parliamentary service.

At a time when citizens across the region are calling for stronger institutions and more responsive governance, the National Assembly Authority’s retreat signals an encouraging investment in institutional renewal. If fully implemented, the outcomes could help position The Gambia’s legislature as a more professional, transparent, and future-ready democratic institution.