Gambia National Assembly Service History, Makes Maiden Staff Awards Night, Celebrates the Unsung Architects of Lawmaking By Raymond Enoch
The National Assembly Service in Banjul, The Gambia on Saturday 20th December 2025, opens a new chapter in its institutional history with the hosting of its first-ever Staff Awards and Recognition Ceremony, a landmark initiative aimed at celebrating the dedication, professionalism, and quiet excellence of the men and women who power the nation’s Legislature behind the scenes.
Held at the Bakadaji Hotel, the ceremony unfolded as a vibrant night of pride, gratitude, and reflection, drawing together the Clerk of the National Assembly, the Honourable Speaker and Deputy Speaker, Members of the National Assembly, senior officials, and staff from across all departments of the Service.
Declaring the ceremony open, the Clerk of the National Assembly, Mr. Kalipha MM Mbye, described the event as the dawn of a new institutional culture—one that places recognition, motivation, and excellence at the heart of public service.
While elected Members carry the constitutional mandate of lawmaking, the Clerk emphasized that legislative effectiveness is sustained by administrative strength.
“Behind every successful sitting, every Bill passed, and every motion debated, there is a Hansard reporter, a table clerk, a research officer, a cleaner, a driver, and a security officer working diligently to keep the wheels of governance turning. Every role matters,” he said.
Mr. Mbye reaffirmed the Service’s commitment to human capital development, outlining priorities that include targeted capacity building, digital transformation, and improved staff welfare. He stressed that the ultimate goal is to build a National Assembly Service that is professional, credible, responsive, and respected.
Delivering the keynote address, the Honourable Speaker of the National Assembly and Chairperson of the National Assembly Authority, Fabakary Tombong Jatta, described the ceremony as a “truly historic milestone” in the evolution of the Legislature.
The Speaker paid glowing tribute to staff whose work often remains invisible to the public eye—Table Clerks, the Hansard team, Legal Officers, and a wide range of support personnel—describing them as the enduring backbone of the institution.
“Politicians come and go, but you, the staff, remain. You are the institutional memory of the National Assembly,” he said, noting that no Legislature can function effectively without a motivated and professional Service.
He further described the awards night not merely as a celebration, but as a strategic policy decision designed to strengthen institutional values, boost morale, and promote a culture of excellence across the Assembly.
Adding further insight, the Chairperson of the Organizing Committee and Deputy Clerk for Administration and Finance, Mr. Buba ME Jatta, highlighted the significance of the occasion and the rigorous nomination and selection process behind the awards. He explained that the various categories were carefully structured to ensure fairness, credibility, and broad representation of service excellence across departments.
The highlight of the night saw staff members across multiple categories honoured for exemplary service, dedication, and professionalism—an emotional moment that drew applause and standing ovations from colleagues and leadership alike.
As the curtains fell on the maiden Staff Awards Night, one message rang clear: the National Assembly is not only a house of laws, but also a house of people—and for the first time, those who work tirelessly behind the scenes took centre stage.
