The Clerk of the National Assembly, Mr. Kalipha M.M. Mbye, on Wednesday delivered a statement before the Association of Secretaries-General of Parliaments (ASGP) in Geneva, Switzerland. Addressing Secretaries-General from across the world, Mr. Mbye highlighted the growing demand for openness, accountability, and innovation in modern governance, noting that The Gambia’s National Assembly has embraced this challenge by introducing reforms aimed at transforming Parliament into a people-centred institution.
Mr. Mbye cited several key innovations driving this transformation, including the introduction of a commission-style approach to parliamentary inquiries, where counsels now lead witness examinations before Members intervene. This method, he explained, has enhanced the credibility and effectiveness of investigations, as seen during the Special Select Committee of Inquiry into the assets of former President Yahya Jammeh and his associates. He also underscored the success of the annual Outreach Programme, which relocates parliamentary sittings to various constituencies, enabling direct engagement between Members and citizens in open, participatory forums.
The Clerk further outlined reforms aimed at strengthening institutional cohesion and long-term development, including annual Senior Management–Members interface sessions and a Strategic Plan that aligns donor support with national priorities.
Concluding his presentation, Mr. Mbye affirmed that innovation in parliamentary practice is not a luxury but a necessity, emphasizing The Gambia’s commitment to building a responsive, transparent, and resilient legislature capable of meeting citizens’ aspirations in the twenty-first century.
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