By Binta Jaiteh
Westminster Foundation for Democracy in collaboration with the Office of the Clerk has kicked start a two-day capacity building on parliamentary proceedings and languages for the journalists to better understand assembly matters.
Speaking at the opening ceremony of the training held at NaNA Hall Bakau, Madi Jobarteh Country Representative of Westminster Foundation said the foundation came into being in 2018 following the change of dictatorial regime and setting the stage for a new democratic dispensation.
“We operate in a different part of the world and Gambia is the youngest country office since 2018 we have been working with the parliament the key pillar of democracy. We support the development of its management human and institutional capacity. Our overall aim in the Gambia is to support democracy that will include working with the assembly and we intend to bring about greater accountability and transparency.”
Muhammed S Bah, President of the Gambia Press Union, also said “Media play an important role in creating public awareness on the proceedings and procedures of the assembly. The parliament has a legislative function, oversight function, and representation functions which are all important and affect the masses directly.
“I know there are a lot of exceptional journalists who are doing well in ensuring that people are well informed as far as parliament is concern not only at the session level but extending it to the committee level as well as the oversight function of the members.”
He, therefore, urged journalists to take the training seriously and ask for more information on parliamentary reporting.
On his part, Kalifa Mbaye Deputy Clerk of the National Assembly also said this training is important because it will help to build the capacity of a journalist on parliamentary reporting.
“It is long overdue and timely as it will help the media and National Assembly to understand each other because we are all representative of people. The parliamentary proceedings and jargons used by the Assembly.”
He pointed out that it is important to be a journalist but also crucial to report accurately which will be done through understanding parliament. Adding that, their office is open for partnership as journalists stand as the intermediary in informing people about the happenings of the assembly.