The National Youth Parliament (NYP) on Saturday October 18, 2025 organized a capacity-building program ahead of the inauguration of the 10th legislature after its recently concluded elections. Veteran politician and former legislator, Halifa Sallah was invited as a facilitator on good governance, transparency and accountability. Talking of good governance, accountability and transparency, Halifa warned that it would remain a philosophical concept if society fails to build the foundation of the Republic. The Republic he said does not recognize minority. All are equal, quoting Chapter 1 section 1 subsection 2 which states:
(2) _The Sovereignty of The Gambia resides in the people of The Gambia from whom all organs of government derive their authority and in whose name and for whose welfare and prosperity the powers of government are to be exercised in accordance with this Constitution.”_
That he said is equity. Accountability therefore, cannot be exercised without having the capacity to control in knowing what, how and when the person should do it. As the supreme law of the state, the constitution establishes good governance, transparency and accountability. Anything against the constitution becomes null and void. That he explained is accountability.
Having created the constitution and its foundation on law to make government accountable, transparent and act in a manner that is good, we must know what government is. He referred the young parliamentarians to section 230 of the constitution for interpretation, which says government is the executive. Many if asked he said would say government is us, but the definition that falls in line is that government is the executive. The executive is one organ of the state responsible for rendering service through its line ministries by preparing budgets. When approved by the national assembly, the government has authority to withdraw funds from the consolidated fund to provide services such as health, education or any other services approved by law.
To examine good governance, transparency and accountability, as citizens of the country with the right to determine which authority should manage the country, section 26 of the constitution says that each citizen will have a right to elect or be elected. That is representation for service delivery which all should have access to in equal measures, Halifa stressed. His emphasis on good governance, transparency and accountability revolved around the Constitution as he continued citing provisions to clarify his narration. If something went wrong, how do we know, he asked. Government has the authority to prepare a budget, but can only spend as appropriated. That is transparency. These are checks and balances that ensure good governance if they are executed as established by law. Without political will Halifa advised, all these checks and balances will be meaningless. For the system to survive, the people must believe in it as they are the foundation.
