UNDP 2014- 2017 Strategic Plan recognises constitutional making as a key component of UNDP’s support for inclusive governance, peacebuilding, and sustainable human development. Constitutions are the overarching legal framework which sets out the basis of the social contract between a state and its people and establish the institutions of government and their powers vis-à-vis each other and the people, affecting all aspects of policy and society.

Even though the National Assembly enacted the Constitutional Review Commission (CRC) Act on 13^th  December 2017, it only entered into force on 13th January 2018 after it received the  Presidential assent.  The UNDP has since the CRC’s inception provided substantial financial and technical support to the Commission

In addition to support to the induction of CRC  staff and Commissioners in  2018, UNDP has supported the insitutional capacity of the Commisison by enabling office space and working tools for the Commission and its staff, funded the nationwide consultations, national ad regional technical expertise to support the drafting process, supported youth and women’s groups ; as well as people with disability to prepare and present position papers to the CRC on youth and women’s rights and equality and rights of perople living with disability . In October 2019, UNDP co-hosted with International IDEA and International Republican Institute (IR)I a workshop that  helped prepare the National Assembly Members for their eventual role in deliberating on the draft once received from the President.  UNDP, also with International IDEA and International Republican Institute(IRI) also co-hosted a workshop for CSOs to support their engagement in the constitutional review.

In fulfilment of its mandate, the CRC on 30^th March 2020, finalized and submitted the final draft constitution to His Excellency, President Adama Barrow at State House, consistent with by Section 21(1) of the Constitutional Review Commission Act 2017. During the handing over ceremony at State House, unanimity was observed in the expression of the Attorney General and Minister of Justice and the CRC Chairperson. Both reiterated thanks and praises to international partners, especially the UNDP for their continued support to “the CRC process from its inception up to the establishment of the CRC secretariat and continued their support all the way to the end’.

Following the handing over of the final draft constitution to His Excellency, President Adama Barrow at State House, UNDP  is supporting the National Council for Civic Education (NCCE) to embark on a nationwide media sensitization campaign  from 2nd -11th May, 2020 to popularize the final draft Constitution and increase  citizens knowledge and awareness on the content and provisions of the new constitution ahead of the referendum process.

Thirty-six (36) slots of one (1) hour each, in Twelve (12) Radio Stations across five (5) Regions in the Gambia has so far stimulated public interest for meaningful participation in the ratification of the constitution through their informed decision in the referendum.

UNDP Gambia will continue to accompany the constitutional review process through the next phase of civic education and the national referendum