The Constitutional Review Commission (CRC) on Monday submitted the final draft constitution to President Adama Barrow at State House in Banjul.

President Adama Barrow commended the Commission for fulfilling its mandate of drafting a new constitution for the country.  

“This exercise was to provide Gambians with the constitutional framework to enjoy their rights as citizens of the country.  This springs off from the belief that every Gambian should comfortably relate to the Constitution, and that our institutions must be structured for sustained performance,” President Barrow said. 

“The premise is that a strong and all-inclusive Constitution will provide a safe haven for all citizens to enjoy the path to peace, freedom and prosperity.”

The president added: “The draft Constitution has generated a lot of debate from different interest groups, which I have been following keenly; however, as a nation, we should be able to unite on the basic principles of human rights, institutional accountability, respect for the rule of law and the dignity of the person.” 

The Commission’s Chairperson Justice Cherno Sulayman Jallow said that the CRC has “throughout the performance of its functions and exercise of the discretionary powers vested in it under the CRC Act, adhered to the statutorily established functions and exercised its discretionary powers in a fair and balanced manner, bearing in mind at all times matters that it considered to be in the best interest and future of The Gambia.”

Justice Jallow added: “Our role as Commissioners was to facilitate public opinions, make an assessment of what was essential or fundamental for inclusion in the Draft Constitution, and ensure a properly and effectively drafted Constitution that left little to no room for interpretation or uncertainty. Personal beliefs were eschewed and kept out of the decision-making process.”

The Minister of Justice, Abubacarr Tambadou commended the CRC for their “outstanding professionalism, commitment and dedication to national duty.”