The Gambia had formed part of the British crown colony known as the Province of Senegambia, however this was revoked in 1821 and for legislative affairs The Gambia had to turn to Sierra Leone. In 1843, a Legislative Council in The Gambia consisting of the Governor and no less than two other public officials was created.[1] In 1866, opinion back in Britain was in favour of withdrawing from Africa, and all British West African colonies were placed under the control of Sierra Leone again, per Colonel Harry Ord's suggestion. The Legislative Council established in 1843 was abolished, and a small council, consisting of the Administrator, the Collector of Customs, and the Chief Magistrate was created in its place. It was merely advisory and important legislative decisions were made in Sierra Leone. Nevertheless, over its lifetime it was gradually expanded, and by its supersedence by the Legislative Council again, it consisted of five officials and four unofficial members, of whom two were Africans.[2]
The Gambia was detached from Sierra Leone in 1888, and the Legislative Council was re-established. It consisted of the Governor, the Treasurer, the Chief Magistrate, the Collector of Customs, and other people who held office in the colony as ex-officio members. Provision also existed for the appointment of unofficial members, who could hold office for five years and be re-appointed.[3]
The Legislative Council was established along with the Executive Council in 1901 as part of a progression towards self-government.[4] By the 1940s, the Legislative Council had three or four unofficial members who were natives of the Gambia nominated by the Governor to serve on the council, but could not vote. In 1944, it was announced that proposals allowing for the direct election of one member had been put forward and were being implemented.[5]
Structure
The Governor of the Gambia acted as the president of the Legislative Council, as well as of the Executive Council. They had the power to make law by proclamation, as well as to veto any law passed by the Legislative Council.[1] The unelected members of the Legislative Council were the Colonial Secretary, the Financial Secretary, the Attorney General, the Senior Commissioner, the Director of Medical Services and two members appointed by the Governor from a list of nine names submitted by Bathurst Town Council and the Kombo Rural Authority.
Herbert Densham Smith, Receiver General, 4 June 1925
Major John Richard Gwyther MC, Director of Public Works, 17 August 1934
John Reid Forde, Senior Medical Officer, 27 August 1934
Elections
The first direct election for a seat on the Legislative Council took place in 1947, where Edward Francis Small was elected. Three seats were up for election in 1951. John Colley Faye (Democratic Party) and Ibrahima Momodou Garba-Jahumpa (Muslim Congress Party) were elected in Bathurst, while Henry Madi (Independent) was elected in Kombo St Mary.
References
Citations
^ ab"British Gambia - 19th Century Colony". GlobalSecurity.org. Retrieved 25 June 2017.
Darboe, Ousainou (1979). Gambia's Long Journey to Republicanism: A Study in the Development of the Constitution and Government of The Gambia. University of Ottawa.
January 07, 2023
legislative, council, gambia, legislature, gambia, colony, protectorate, from, 1843, 1866, from, 1888, 1960, typetypeunicameral, gambia, colony, protectoratehistoryfounded1843, 1888disbanded1866, 1960succeeded, byhouse, representatives, gambia, contents, histo. The Legislative Council of the Gambia was the legislature of the Gambia Colony and Protectorate from 1843 to 1866 and from 1888 to 1960 Legislative Council of the GambiaTypeTypeUnicameral of Gambia Colony and ProtectorateHistoryFounded1843 1888Disbanded1866 1960Succeeded byHouse of Representatives of the Gambia Contents 1 History 2 Structure 3 Members 4 Elections 5 References 5 1 Citations 5 2 SourcesHistory EditThe Gambia had formed part of the British crown colony known as the Province of Senegambia however this was revoked in 1821 and for legislative affairs The Gambia had to turn to Sierra Leone In 1843 a Legislative Council in The Gambia consisting of the Governor and no less than two other public officials was created 1 In 1866 opinion back in Britain was in favour of withdrawing from Africa and all British West African colonies were placed under the control of Sierra Leone again per Colonel Harry Ord s suggestion The Legislative Council established in 1843 was abolished and a small council consisting of the Administrator the Collector of Customs and the Chief Magistrate was created in its place It was merely advisory and important legislative decisions were made in Sierra Leone Nevertheless over its lifetime it was gradually expanded and by its supersedence by the Legislative Council again it consisted of five officials and four unofficial members of whom two were Africans 2 The Gambia was detached from Sierra Leone in 1888 and the Legislative Council was re established It consisted of the Governor the Treasurer the Chief Magistrate the Collector of Customs and other people who held office in the colony as ex officio members Provision also existed for the appointment of unofficial members who could hold office for five years and be re appointed 3 The Legislative Council was established along with the Executive Council in 1901 as part of a progression towards self government 4 By the 1940s the Legislative Council had three or four unofficial members who were natives of the Gambia nominated by the Governor to serve on the council but could not vote In 1944 it was announced that proposals allowing for the direct election of one member had been put forward and were being implemented 5 Structure EditThe Governor of the Gambia acted as the president of the Legislative Council as well as of the Executive Council They had the power to make law by proclamation as well as to veto any law passed by the Legislative Council 1 The unelected members of the Legislative Council were the Colonial Secretary the Financial Secretary the Attorney General the Senior Commissioner the Director of Medical Services and two members appointed by the Governor from a list of nine names submitted by Bathurst Town Council and the Kombo Rural Authority Members EditGustav Helm 5 November 1874 James Topp 28 April 1876 William Richard Townsend Attorney General 26 September 1902 6 Thomas Estwick Peirce Collector of Customs 26 September 1902 6 Samuel John Forster unofficial member re appointed on 26 September 1902 6 Henry Charles Goddard unofficial member re appointed on 26 September 1902 6 Edward St John Jackson Legal Adviser 27 January 1913 Herbert Densham Smith Receiver General 4 June 1925 Major John Richard Gwyther MC Director of Public Works 17 August 1934 John Reid Forde Senior Medical Officer 27 August 1934Elections EditThe first direct election for a seat on the Legislative Council took place in 1947 where Edward Francis Small was elected Three seats were up for election in 1951 John Colley Faye Democratic Party and Ibrahima Momodou Garba Jahumpa Muslim Congress Party were elected in Bathurst while Henry Madi Independent was elected in Kombo St Mary References EditCitations Edit a b British Gambia 19th Century Colony GlobalSecurity org Retrieved 25 June 2017 Darboe pp 28 29 Darboe p 30 Gambia The US Department of State 15 November 2011 Retrieved 25 June 2017 Legislative Council African Representation Hansard 29 March 1944 Retrieved 25 June 2017 a b c d No 27478 The London Gazette 30 September 1902 p 6209 Sources Edit Darboe Ousainou 1979 Gambia s Long Journey to Republicanism A Study in the Development of the Constitution and Government of The Gambia University of Ottawa Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Legislative Council of the Gambia amp oldid 961524673, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
