By: Kemo Kanyi
National Agency for Legal Aid (NALA), USAID, and American Bar Association Monday commenced a two-day multi-stakeholder roundtable conference on access to justice in The Gambia through effective Legal Aid Services Provision.NALA is a line agency under the Ministry of Justice that provides advice and legal representation in criminal matters in court, police stations, and prisons.
The roundtable dialogue aims to conduct an assessment of the current status of access to justice in The Gambia.
Sainabou Jahateh, senior state counsel, representing the solicitor general, deliberated on the significance of the dialogue as it will serve as an avenue for problem detection and solution-seeking.
“This conference marks significant steps in our collective journey towards ensuring that justice is not a privilege for the people, but a right for all,” she declared. “We are here with a shared vision and, of course, to examine this course and enhance the provision of legal care services in our country/ society. It is essential to ensure that every individual, regardless of their economic status, has access to legal support aiming to protect their rights and navigate the difficulties of the justice system,” she pointed out.
She says the convergence provides an invaluable opportunity to reflect on the achievements, identify the obstacles faced, and explore innovative strategies for problem-solving.
Fatou Baldeh, a representative of NALA, BasiruBah, a representative from the National Human Rights Commission, Mariama Janneh, a representative from USAID, and DembaKandeh all reiterated the importance of legal services to the vulnerable communities of Gambian society.