About The Gambia Bar Association
The Gambia Bar Association (GBA) is one of the oldest professional bodies in The Gambia, consisting of lawyers enrolled as legal practitioners in the country. As the governing body of the Bar, the GBA’s core mandate, as provided in its Constitution, is to maintain the standards, integrity, honour, and independence of the Bar. It aims to promote, preserve, and improve the services and functions of the Bar, and to represent and act for the Bar in matters affecting the administration of justice.
Beyond these functions, the GBA is dedicated to promoting the rule of law, justice, and respect for human rights. This was notably demonstrated during the 2016 political impasse when the GBA played a crucial role in urging former President Yahya Jammeh to respect the election results and the will of the people. Following the democratic change of government in 2017, the GBA transitioned from its traditional role as a professional association focused on member welfare to becoming the premier rule of law institution in The Gambia. The GBA is now actively involved in restoring the rule of law and upholding human rights in the country.
The GBA operates through its dedicated secretariat, which serves as the administrative office ensuring the smooth functioning of the association. The Secretariat is headed by the Executive Secretary, who is responsible for the coordination and management of the day-to-day operations of the Secretariat, implementation of strategic goals, identification of areas of support and interventions on justice, governance, gender, human rights and acts as a liaison between the executive and members of the Bar.
A key component of the Secretariat is the Programs Office, responsible for managing and executing various projects aligned with the GBA’s mission. The Project Manager and Project Officer oversee project planning, implementation, and monitoring, ensuring timely and cost-effective achievement of objectives. The Secretariat also handles communications, manages members subscriptions, and provides overall essential administrative support.
In recent years, the Secretariat has implemented numerous impactful projects with support from partners and donors. From October 2023 to March 2024, funded by Democracy International and the British High Commission, the GBA supported the Ministry of Justice in drafting and passing two significant bills: the Special Prosecutor’s Office (SPO) and Special Accountability Mechanism (SAM) bills. These Laws aim to prosecute individuals guilty of the human rights violations that occurred from 1994 to 2017, as recommended in the (TRRC) white paper.
Additionally, with support from the American Bar Association, the GBA implemented a project on promoting rights and justice in The Gambia. The primary objective of this project is to build the capacity of GBA members, particularly young lawyers, junior members of the Bar, and law students at the University of The Gambia ,enhance their capabilities and interest in promoting human rights and the rule of law in The Gambia.
With a steadfast commitment to justice, human rights, and the rule of law, the GBA not only upholds the principles enshrined in its Constitution but also leads by example in fostering a fair and equitable society. Through its transformative projects and dedication to empowering the next generation of legal professionals, the GBA is paving the way towards a more just and prosperous Gambia, where the rule of law and respect for human dignity are upheld for all.