The commonwealth realm of the Gambia, known simply officially as 'the Gambia', was a predecessor to modern-day Gambia and an independent state that existed between 1965 and 1970.
When British rule ended in 1965, Ghana was given independence as a commonwealth realm, in which the state existed until the proclamation of the republic in 1970, Two referenda were held; one in 1965, with 65.85% in favour and 34.15 against, but it did not reach the two-thirds majority needed to pass the referendum, and a second in 1970 with 70.45% percent of the Gambian people voting in favour of a republic, 29.55% against. The Republic of the Gambia came into existence on 24 April 1970.the commonwealth phase, the British monarch remained head of state

Head of State

A head of state is the individual that serves as the chief public representative of a monarchy, republic, federation, commonwealth or other kind of state. His or her role generally includes legitimizing the state and exercising the political powers, functions, and duties granted to the head of...

 of the Gambia, and was represented in the Gambia by a governor-general

Governor-General

A Governor-General, is a vice-regal person of a monarch in an independent realm or a major colonial circonscription. Depending on the political arrangement of the territory, a Governor General can be a governor of high rank, or a principal governor ranking above "ordinary" governors.- Current uses...

. The following governors-generals held office in the Gambia during the dominion period:

1. John Warburton Paul
   John Warburton Paul
   Sir John Warburton Paul, GCMG, OBE, MC was a British government official, best known as a prolific administrator for 20 years of various British overseas territories around the world...
   
    (18 February 1965 - 9 February 1966)
2. Farimang Mamadi Singateh
   Farimang Mamadi Singateh
   Alhaji Sir Farimang Mamadi Singateh was the second and last Governor General of The Gambia, representing Queen Elizabeth II as head of state. Succeeding Sir John Warburton Paul, who had previously been Governor before independence, Sir Farimang was the only Gambian citizen to hold that post,...
   
    ( 9 February 1966 - 24 April 1970)

Dawda Jawara

Dawda Jawara

Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara, GCMG was the first leader of The Gambia, serving first as Prime Minister from 1962 to 1970 and then as President from 1970 to 1994....

 held office as prime minister

Prime minister

A prime minister is the most senior minister of cabinet in the executive branch of government in a parliamentary system. In many systems, the prime minister selects and may dismiss other members of the cabinet, and allocates posts to members within the government. In most systems, the prime...

 (and head of government

Head of government

Head of government is the chief officer of the executive branch of a government, often presiding over a cabinet. In a parliamentary system, the head of government is often styled prime minister, chief minister, premier, etc...

) of the Dominion of the Gambia during this period.
Following the abolition of the Commonwealth Realm, he became the first President of the Republic of the Gambia.

See also

• Governor-General of the Gambia
• Dawda Jawara
  Dawda Jawara
  Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara, GCMG was the first leader of The Gambia, serving first as Prime Minister from 1962 to 1970 and then as President from 1970 to 1994....
  
  
• Elizabeth II
• John Warburton Paul
  John Warburton Paul
  Sir John Warburton Paul, GCMG, OBE, MC was a British government official, best known as a prolific administrator for 20 years of various British overseas territories around the world...
  
  
• Farimang Mamadi Singateh
  Farimang Mamadi Singateh
  Alhaji Sir Farimang Mamadi Singateh was the second and last Governor General of The Gambia, representing Queen Elizabeth II as head of state. Succeeding Sir John Warburton Paul, who had previously been Governor before independence, Sir Farimang was the only Gambian citizen to hold that post,...