Dawda A. Jallow, The Attorney General and Minister Of Justice
By Ramatoulie Jawo
Honorable Dawda A. Jallow the Attorney General and Minister of Justice, on Monday 24 June 2024, presented the vetting Bill 2024, before the lawmakers.
The proposed legislation is a key element of the government’s security sector reform initiatives in The Gambia, aimed at bolstering trust and upholding integrity within the security apparatus.
The bill acknowledges the necessity of security vetting for personnel within the security sector and other government roles that necessitate access to classified information. This measure aligns with the government’s objective to cultivate institutions that uphold high ethical standards and maintain accountability and transparency for the Gambian populace.
Furthermore, the bill proposes the creation of an autonomous agency responsible for overseeing the security vetting process in The Gambia, including the management and distribution of security clearances.
“In addition to the above, this Bill will also seek to unify the approach to security vetting in The Gambia with the establishment of an independent government body in the form of an Agency to administer, perform, and control the process of security vetting in The Gambia and the issuance and depository of security clearances,” The Bill reads.
The intent of the bill is to enhance trust, both within the government and with the public, in individuals who have access to sensitive information and to reduce the risks inherent in such access.
The next discussion of the bill is slated for July 15, 2024, when it will undergo its second reading.