505 44 CJ Agim wants magistrates to live up to expectations

The chief justice of The Gambia, His Worship, Mr. Emmanuel Agim has hailed the UNDP for their support in training magistrates on leadership skills, as he called on Gambian magistrates to live up to standards expected of them. The chief justice said this at the closing ceremony of a week-long training in leadership skills for magistrates organized by the UNDP and coordinated by the Management Development Institute.
Mr. Agim noted the strong bond of relations between his office and the UNDP office in Banjul, revealing that the UNDP has always come out with the much needed support his office required. He also said that UNDP has always been a reliable partner in the government’s quest to empower the judiciary with the requisite skills and knowledge in order to effectively carry out their mandate.
The CJ disclosed that the leadership skills training package is among series of benefits derived from the UNDP partners. He spoke about the various IT materials his office received from the global organization, and that the judiciary is cognizant of the enormous support rendered to them and will endeavor to utilize them effectively.
CJ Agim also told magistrates to always emphasize what they could do to contribute towards the improvement of humanity, noting that they could do this irrespective of their academic qualification or the office they occupy. He said that those who contribute sincerely towards the advancement of humanity need no propaganda as their contributions will be seen and heard without undertaking any media campaign. He then praised Justice Mama Singhateh for her contribution towards the improvement of manpower in the judiciary.
He also urged the magistrates to make best use of the training, noting that great tasks lie ahead, among which the speedy dispensation of justice to the populace is. He said that there is no doubt that the training will enhance them in their daily activities to see that justice is delivered more effectively and timely.
The CJ went further to applaud the Management Development Institute (MDI) for coordinating the leadership skills training package offered to the magistrates and thanked the Institute’s director and her team for such a remarkable gesture. He said that this is not the first time MDI is rendering support to the judiciary.
Earlier in her keynote address, Mrs. Jainaba Kah, the director general of MDI said that the leadership skills training accorded to the magistrates is to aid them with the requisite skills to carry out their duties effectively and also to enhance their capabilities to be able to deliver to the fullest.
Madam Kah revealed that the MDI has now built up strong bond of relationships with the UTG, UNDP and other partners in development to come out with new courses which are designed to meet the future challenges which lie ahead in the area of training, adding that the UTG’s law program is designed to equip nationals with an adequate understanding of the law. She said that its first batch of 20 students will graduate very soon.
The managing director went further to assert that her institution and the UTG will work with the judiciary in relevant areas such as offering the judiciary the much needed training.
Madam Kah finally advised the magistrates to make best use of the leadership skills training accorded to them by the UNDP and her institution and urged them to apply the knowledge gained from the training to improve on their service delivery.
Magistrate Fatou Lili Drammeh gave the vote of thanks on behalf of her colleagues. She thanked the UNDP, MDI and her office for availing them such an opportunity and promised that the knowledge gained from this training will be fully utilized.
Present at the ceremony were senior officials from the judiciary, UNDP, MDI as well the press.