By BintaJaiteh
Five members of the Gambia National Assembly Delegation to the Pan African Parliament (PAP) held a maiden press conference on the Second Ordinary Session of the Pan African Parliament.
The Second Ordinary Session of the parliament was held in Midrand, South Africa on the 21st of June 2023 and the delegation organized a press briefing to update the public on their activities.
Honorable Alagie Mbow, Head of the Delegation said PAP is the platform for African states involved in decision-making and problem-solving and the members are designated.
He added that the ultimate aim of PAP is to be a full parliament but they are making any law only consultations for the African people.
“We also review policies, and consultations and also act oversight on the budget of the African Union, advise the African Union however they have come up with the convention and we want countries to sign the convention and PAP will have a legislative body like parliament.
“So far only fifteen countries have signed seven came from West Africa including Gambia to give powers to the continental parliament to be able to make laws.”
He further said West Africa is taking the lead as 50% came from Africa every year and they have four sessions two is dedicated to committee work only and the other two sessions are ordinary session.
Maimuna Ceesay member of the delegation also said for this past year gender was one of the activities she advocate for and they have so many issues dealing with African women which PAP can be a solution to make sure that the inequality within the gender gap can be remedy.
Gilbert Borketey Boyefio, Coordinator of the African Parliamentary Press Network, said “Gambia finds itself in a high position for leading the way for this particular initiative because the PAP holds four meetings in a year and our members go to these meetings but when they come apart from the report they lay at plenary that is the only engagement.
“We think more engagement should be done because a lot of decisions have been taken which eventually affect every African citizen so they need to be aware of this.”
