By Momodou Jarju
The Westminster Foundation for Democracy (WFD) over the weekend provided training on report writing and digital documentation for secretaries, clerks and researchers of the National Assembly (NA).
Held at a local hotel in Bijilo, the two-day training was aimed at equipping the participants with the necessary knowledge, skills and resources to enhance their performance, productivity, and professional growth.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, WPD Country Director Tabu Sarr said her-led institution is currently implementing two programmes for their 23-24 academic year and one of them is Grant-in-Aids (GIA) which the aforesaid training was derived from.
“I have no doubt that this training will bridge the capacity gap and improve your skills and knowledge on the areas that you are working, considering the low human resources confronting most institutions, and the National Assembly is no exception. Thus, to help you better organize your work and assert documentation in both digital and manual forms, report writing, among others,” Madam Sarr said.
“In our GIA program, from 2023 to 2024, we began this process with the training of parliamentary journalists to also help them to ensure that they have the right skills and knowledge to report what happens in Parliament.”
Director Sarr noted the vital role the national assembly plays in the country, describing it as the main body that makes collective decisions that affect Gambian lives either positively or negatively. As such, she said their role in this process, as secretaries of committees and clerks, is critical.
“Even as much as you are not the parliamentarians, but your contribution is very key, because the work of the National Assembly largely depends on you, due to your responsibilities assigned, and due to the processes and procedures that national assemblies go through, or parliaments go through. You produce the outputs of the parliamentarians, as well as the National Assembly internally. The effective work of parliament depends on your capability to be effective with the right skills and knowledge to perform your duties efficiently and professionally,” she added.
NA Director of Committees Mr. Marabi Hydara informed the participants that their role is pivotal in ensuring the smooth functioning of the National Assembly and keeping the integrity of parliamentary processes.
“The accurate and efficient recording of minutes is fundamental to maintaining transparency, accountability and historical record of legislative activities. In an era where technology continues to reshape our work, proficiency in digital documentation is equally essential. It does not only streamline our workflows, but also ensures that our records are secured, accessible, and well organized,” he said.
Hydara hoped that by the end of the training, they should have a deeper understanding of the best practices in minutes writing and how to use the latest tools and technologies in digital documentation.
“This will not only enhance our individual capabilities, but also strengthen the overall efficiency and effectiveness of our services to the National Assembly,” he said while thanking WFD for its continuous support to the NA.
NA Deputy Clerk Mr. Halipha Mbaye said it is important that parliament records are done and kept well for prosperity and for public transparency. He said there has been a lot of training conducted for staff and lawmakers aimed at building their capacity in the execution of their mandate of legislation, representation, and oversight.
“In doing so, we serve the members to deliver their mandate by strengthening their capacity which means you are also strengthening the institution of Parliament which is very fundamental and as well as contributing to a sustainable democracy,” he said.
