The Edward Francis Small Centre for Rights and Justice recognizes the huge investments of the Gambia Government in the construction of roads, bridges, hospitals, schools, utilities, and other public facilities. We also note several multiple million-dollar donor-funded projects across all sectors, ranging from healthcare, education, energy, sports, agriculture, and security among others. We appreciate that these infrastructure projects and services are intended to uplift the lives and livelihoods of Gambians.
Notwithstanding, we are hugely disturbed by the incidents of poor service delivery across all sectors which are usually erratic and expensive. We note with concern the growing and widespread nature of corruption as evidenced by official reports and inquiries. At the same time, we are also concerned not only at the inferior quality of some of these infrastructure projects such as the multi-billion-dalasi Banjul roads, but also the huge delays they encounter. The construction of the OIC roads as well as works at the UTG Faraba Campus just to mention a few have taken beyond their scheduled deadlines.
It is in light of these issues that the EF Small Centre wishes to advice the President of the Republic to prioritize good governance. Public goods such as roads and services, much as they are indispensable in national development, however, will not make a difference when the governance environment is weak. We need to remind the President and all Gambians that indeed former presidents had also embarked on massive infrastructure development before him.
Under Jammeh, the Gambia got its first television station, itâs first university, a new airport terminal building and several roads, bridges, schools, hospitals and facilities were constructed including the Never Again Memorial Arch in Banjul. Before him, Jawaraâs government built the Central Bank building, Kairaba Beach Hotel, our one and only stadium and the Gambia College in Brikama as well as several roads and other structures and facilities.
These capital-intensive infrastructures and facilities by themselves do not necessarily bring about sustainable development. After all, by the time Jammeh left, lot of the roads, schools, hospitals and bridges his regime built were either dilapidated or running down and unable to effectively serve the people due to poor quality construction, poor management, or poor maintenance precisely because of his poor governance posture.
Above all, national debt was shooting through the roof while poverty, unemployment and high cost of living were unbearable by the end of 2016. Today, nine years later, not only has national debt more than doubled the pre-2016 levels, but also, the provision of basic services, opportunities and the earning capacity of Gambians have become more challenging and dire. These have resulted into higher cost-of-living and unemployment leading to the growing incidence of crime, irregular migration, and substance abuse in our society.
We hold these challenges to be direct consequences of poor governance which is the missing link in the development trajectory of the country. In other words, Government institutions and officials do not generally abide by good governance principles and practices in the performance of their functions. Good governance refers to the way public institutions conduct public affairs and manage public resources in a manner that is transparent, accountable and rule based.
We have noted with deep concern that Pres. Adama Barrow has not been upholding and demanding good governance despite the plethora of laws to that effect. In the first place, the Constitution has multiple provisions that prohibit corruption, abuse of office and underperformance in the public sector. The creation of the Access to Information Act 2021, the Anti-Corruption Act 2023, the Prohibition and Prevention of Torture Act 2023 among others are critical instruments that strengthens good governance. In most cases, these laws are not fully respected and effectively enforced by public institutions and officials.
We note the general lack of transparency in the Government as contracts are not shared with the public, while reports by the National Audit Office and the National Assembly that expose corruption, abuse of office and underperformance are not followed through to ensure accountability. The disregard of court rulings and the lack of transparency of decisions by public institutions and officials undermine national development.
In light of the foregoing, EFSCRJ hereby calls on President Adama Barrow to reaffirm his commitment to good governance, transparency, and accountability in The Gambia. As the nation continues its democratic transition, EFSCRJ emphasizes the critical need for strong institutions, respect for the rule of law, and an unwavering fight against corruption as the bedrock to guarantee durable national development. We therefore urge President Barrow to:
- Strengthen Anti-Corruption Measures â Ensure the effective implementation of anti-graft provisions in the Constitution and other laws and empower oversight institutions to hold public officials accountable.
- Promote Judicial Independence â Safeguard the independence of the Judiciary by abiding by court rulings to uphold justice and fairness for all Gambians.
- Enhance Fiscal Transparency â Guarantee open and responsible management of public resources while keeping citizens informed of Government decisions accurately on time and in full to foster trust and sustainable development.
- Protect Human Rights â Uphold civil liberties, freedom of the press, and the rights of all citizens in line with The Gambiaâs constitutional and international obligations.
EFSCRJ remains committed to supporting efforts that advance democracy, economic justice, and the well-being of Gambians. We call on the President to engage citizens directly in fostering a culture of integrity and progress. The Gambiaâs future depends on leadership that prioritizes the peopleâs welfare above all else.
2025: The Year of Transparency and Accountability
