By: Fatou Krubally
The National Assembly of The Gambia on Thursday held its first-ever pre-session technical press briefing, outlining an ambitious legislative and oversight agenda ahead of the First Ordinary Session of the 2026 parliamentary year.
The engagement, convened by the Office of the Clerk and supported by the Table Office, according to them forms part of a broader reform initiative aimed at strengthening transparency, improving legislative predictability and enhancing public understanding of parliamentary processes.
Officials announced that the session will run from March 2 to April 1, following approval of the agenda by the Assembly Business Committee earlier this month.
The month-long sitting is expected to balance lawmaking, executive scrutiny and administrative efficiency in line with the Assembly’s Standing Orders
.Addressing journalists, the Clerk of the National Assembly Khalipha Mbaye said the briefing marked a departure from previous practice where media received only agenda documents, noting that a modern parliament must not only legislate but also communicate and anticipate public interest.
He discloses that the legislative workload for the session is substantial, with proceedings structured around the full parliamentary process, including first and second readings, committee scrutiny and final passage of bills.
Committee reports, he added, remain critical in shaping legislation as they incorporate expert submissions and stakeholder input.
A key oversight feature of the session will be ministerial question time, with several cabinet ministers scheduled to appear for oral answers. Among those expected are the Ministers of Finance, Justice, Agriculture, Tourism, Lands, Defence and Foreign Affairs.
Additional time has also been allocated for formal ministerial replies to resolutions and committee reports adopted in previous sittings.
The session is further expected to receive several high-profile committee reports, including findings of the Special Select Committee on the sale and disposal of assets linked to former President Yahya Jammeh. Reports on agricultural performance audits, environmental compliance and infrastructure monitoring are also anticipated.
The Speaker of the National Assembly Hon Fabakary Tombong Jatta described the briefing as a cornerstone of the institution’s open parliament policy, emphasising that media engagement is vital to bridging the gap between legislators and citizens.
He outlined key priorities for the session, including scrutiny of the 2026 budget implementation, deliberation on strategic reform bills covering security, communications, climate change and civil registration, as well as motions on international relations and restitution of Gambian artefacts.
The President’s constitutionally mandated State of the Nation Address is scheduled for March 26, to be followed by debate among members.
Officials expressed optimism that the initiative would strengthen media access to parliamentary work and reinforce public confidence in the legislative process as the Assembly prepares for what it described as a significant and strategic session.