The Commission on Political Debates (CPD) is announcing the selection of journalists Fatoumata Ceesay, Fatoumatta Cham, and Momodou Gajaga as the Moderators of the 2022 National Assembly Debates. The debates are scheduled to take place on 19th, 26th, and 31st March 2022 at Banjul North Constituency, Bakau Constituency, and Foni Bondali Constituency respectively at 4:00 p.m.
In March 2022, the Commission on Political Debates partnered with the Gambia Press Union to identify and vet a list of credible, non-partisan and experienced media personnel to serve as the moderators for the 2022 National Assembly Debates. Following this vetting process, these three were selected to moderate the debates. All these journalists have considerable familiarity with broadcast media: Both Ms. Ceesay and Ms. Cham have served as Senior News Editor and anchor at the Gambian Radio and Television Services (GRTS) whiles Mr. Gajaga is reporter and news presenter at QTV Gambia.
The three media professionals will pose questions to the National Assembly candidates over the duration of two and a half hours. These questions will be focused on 6 thematic areas: Oversight functions of the National Assembly. Budget, Fundamental rights and freedoms, Political issues. Foreign policy and diplomacy, Social and economic issues.
The debates will be conducted and broadcasted in English & local languages on television. All the candidates who met the criteria to participate in the elections will invited to take part.
The National Democratic Institute (NDI) is partnering with the CPD in the organizing of the debates.
