QUESTION OF THE DAY
WHY WAS THE PRESIDENT NOT AT THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY?
Why was the president absent from yesterday’s very important session of the National Assembly? Many readers called last night to find out why. No explanation was given, no regret has been expressed and no national assembly member seems to know, not even the majority leader; and the Speaker does not seem to know.
The address of the president is essential and that is why it is made a constitutional requirement. In short, section 77 subsection (1) of the Constitution states: “The President shall at least once in each year attend a sitting of the National Assembly and address a session on the condition of The Gambia, the policies of the Government and the administration of the State.”
In short, this section makes the president accountable to the National Assembly and indirectly to the people. Every year the president will render account to the National Assembly and the members will then debate the pros and cons of the policies and achievements of the government.
