Gambia Parliament Commences Four-Day Strategic Training to Enhance Staff Performance

The National Assembly of The Gambia on Thursday began a four-day Senior Management Strategic Review and Planning Retreat aimed at strengthening and enhancing staff performance.

At the opening of the retreat, the Speaker of the House, Hon. Fabakary Tombong Jatta, said the training marks a critical transition point for the institution. He described it as a deliberate effort to build on the successes of a transformative year and move into a new phase defined by institutional sustainability, rigorous standardization, and systemic resilience.

He challenged legislative staff to work toward an organizational structure that eliminates duplication, rewards professional specialization, and addresses critical staffing gaps that have historically constrained efficiency.

The Clerk of the National Assembly, Khalipha MM Mbye, said the primary objective of the retreat is for management to consider, review, and validate the Functional Review Report, the revised job descriptions, and their accompanying annexures, following their completion by SMD Management Group, the consultants contracted to carry out the assignment.

Mr. Mbye highlighted several achievements recorded by the legislature, including efforts to bring the National Assembly closer to the public, the review of the Social Audit Forum, and the successful hosting of the 54th Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) Conference. He also cited the execution of 92 percent of the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) and the management of high-intensity committee inquiries that tested the institution’s technical and procedural capacity.

He added that the most critical focus of the retreat is the formulation of clear strategic targets and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for 2026, which will serve as the institution’s guiding framework and principal accountability tool throughout the year.

Founder and Chief Executive Officer of SMD Group, Mr. Sanna Darboe, urged the Assembly to go beyond developing strategic plans and place greater emphasis on effective implementation.

He reaffirmed SMD Group’s commitment to supporting governance reform, institutional resilience, and excellence in public service delivery.

The outcomes of the retreat are expected to guide institutional reforms, staffing structures, and performance benchmarks within the National Assembly ahead of the 2026 planning cycle.

Bakary Touray Jr