The Gambia
Our programmes
Grant-in-Aid (GIA) programme (April 2022 – March 2025)
Background
In December 2016, Gambians went to the polls and voted out the former President Yahya Jammeh who had been in power for 22 years. In April 2017, legislative elections took place which saw the most diverse parliament ever elected. Over the prolonged period of 22 years of authoritarian rule, public institutions became weak in the Gambia, especially the parliament – the National Assembly.
With a vision to support the transition to democracy, WFD was invited by the British High Commission to provide induction training to the newly elected National Assembly members. This led to other engagements including assessments of the communication needs as well as the human resource capacity of the parliament. All these culminated into a partnership between WFD, Commonwealth Parliamentary Association UK (CPA UK), and the National Assembly in 2018. Since then, WFD has been actively engaged in building the human and institutional capacities of the institution.
Programme objectives
Through FCDO's funding, WFD in The Gambia is continuing to develop our relationship with the National Assembly Finance and Public Accounts (FPAC) and the Gender committees. This is through a series of interactive and public facing activities designed to drive accountability and inclusion while bringing the voices of citizens closer to parliamentarians.
To strengthen the oversight functions of the Assembly and strengthen its relationship with stakeholders, we support engagement between the media, civil society, and the National Assembly. Additional activities such as our annual National Assembly Open Day and the launching of a weekly parliamentary radio show will continue to help connect Gambians to the people and the laws that make up their parliament.
To strengthen administration, efficiency, performance, and delivery, WFD continues to partner with the National Assembly Inter-Departmental Research and Information Group (NAIDRIG). We are also working with a selected group of women councillors to expand democratic space and more effectively champion the rights of marginalised groups.
Completed programmes
Strengthening civic and political participation of women in The Gambia project (Nov 2020 to Mar 2021)
In The Gambia, women represent more than half of the population (50.5%). Women also comprise a majority of all Gambian registered voters by about 58%. Despite this, the political arena in the country is largely dominated by men. The barriers to women’s equal participation in politics are structural, socio-cultural, and institutional. WFD in The Gambia worked on a project to strengthen women leadership by supporting women leaders navigate the challenges they face and bring about more inclusive democracy. Through the project, which was in partnership with the Community of Democracies (CoD), participants become more emboldened and focused on their career as political leaders. Several of them got elected in their party executives and other structures. The training further served to enhance better relationships across parties and to remove most of the misconceptions and unhealthy rivalry these participants share.
Inclusive and Accountable Politics (Nov 2018 to Mar 2022)
Strong and democratic institutions promote transparency, inclusion, and public participation. Though the FCDO-funded Inclusive and Accountable Politics (IAP) programme, WFD in The Gambia worked to strengthen the internal capability of the National Assembly of the Gambia as well as bringing public awareness to its work. This was through three major streams of activities. First, by supporting the operations of the Inter-Departmental Research and Information Group (IDRIG) – which serves to bring about effective coordination, strengthen communications, and provide guidance and monitor performance and delivery of the National Assembly. Second, working with the Finance and Public Accounts Committee (FPAC) to promote opportunities for public involvement in the formulation, implementation, and monitoring of the budget process. And third, through supporting the Petitions Committee of the National Assembly to provide redress to citizens’ grievances.
More completed programmes
Key results
53 directly elected and 5 appointed National Assembly Members have benefited from an induction
First phase of Hansard team training completed and digital transformation begun
Data and research interns recruited to the National Assembly
Research tools and templates developed which are now used by the National Assembly
Communications Unit established within the National Assembly

National Assembly website and social media accounts developed and launched

Committee Secretariat training on reporting writing, documentation, use of ICT as well as other technical aspects of their work
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Contact us
Address: Assembly Building, Reverend Pye Lane
Banjul
Gambia