Hon Fatoumatta Jahumpa-Ceesay, the speaker of the National Assembly, yesterday received a five-member delegation from the ActionAid International Office in Nairobi, Kenya, in her office at the National Assembly buinding, Banjul.

The purpose of the visit, according to the officials, was to brief the speaker about ActionAid International's plans to support its country office, as well as explore ways and means of further collaborating with the National Assembly.

Speaking at the occasion, Dr Kujaijatou Manneh, the country director of ActionAid, informed the speaker that the team's visit was geared towards supporting them in the implementation of some of their projects and strategies. Dr Manneh stressed the importance of the visit, adding that working with the National Assembly will enable them to achieve most of their objectives in the country. She used the opportunity to inform the speaker that ActionAid The Gambia has completed a study on the current food crisis.

The Actionaid country director praised the speaker for according them the visit, noting that it is a step in the right direction.

For her part, Bibian Mbaye, the policy director for West and Central Africa, who led the delegation, said the purpose of the visit was to learn about some policies, as well as to give any kind of support that will impact meaningful on the development of the country.

She then solicited the support of the National Assembly in the implementation of some policies on trade and HIV/AIDs, among others. According to Madam Mbye, the National Assembly has been instrumental in the realisation of some of their objectives.

"Meaningful development cannot be attained without the active involvement of the National Assembly. The National Assembly are the people. We believe that they are the right partners to work with since they are the peoples' representatives," she noted, adding that her organisation will work hand-in-glove with the Assembly for the realisation of their development objectives.

For his Bahon Kagoro, the Pan-African policy manager for ActionAid, Africa Region, solicited the support of the Assembly in the implementation of some of their policies, such as trade, the Economic Partnership Agreements, as well as democratic governance. He noted that his organisation is on the verge of organising a Pan-African Conference on Good Governance, which is geared towards strengthening democracy in various countries in the continent.

Reacting to the comments, Speaker Jahumpa-Ceesay said The Gambia has gone far in most of the issues raised, noting that the country is working tirelessly to ensure greater achievements. She told the delegation that the Assembly plays a vital role in the implementation of development issues, saying that capacity building on some of ActionAid's policies for the NAMS is crucial to the attainment of the objectives.

While recalling some of the benefits enjoyed by the Assembly from ActionAid The Gambia, Speaker Jahumpa-Ceesay assured the delegation of the Assembly's support at all times.

Fabakary Tombong Jatta, the majority leader and NAM for Serrekunda East, stressed the need for commitment to the implementation of ActionAid policies and programmes. On the Economic Partnership Agreement, the majority leader noted that it will be difficult to partner with the West considering the nature of the document.

Momodou LK Sanneh, the minority leader and NAM for Kiang West, described the visit as timely.

The occasion was attended by members of various select-committees of the National Assembly.