In The Gambia, the specter of corruption and bad governance continues to loom, casting a shadow over the nation’s progress and the well-being of its citizens. Despite the transition from the long-standing autocratic rule of Yahya Jammeh in 2017, the hoped-for renaissance in governance has been slow, marred by persistent allegations and evidence of corruption at various levels of government.
Since President Adama Barrow took office, there has been an initial wave of optimism marked by promises of transparency and accountability. Yet, as time has passed, the public’s faith has been tested. The National Assembly passed the Access to Information Bill, signaling a move towards greater transparency. The draft Constitution was rejected in 2020, and the much-anticipated Anti-Corruption Bill remains in limbo. This has left the country with a weak anti-corruption framework, insufficient to tackle the deep-rooted issues of graft and maladministration that have long plagued the nation.
The Gambia’s score on Transparency International’s Corruption Perceptions Index has improved, but it still ranks 98th out of 180 countries, indicating significant challenges remain. The Afrobarometer survey reveals a disheartening trend where a growing number of Gambians perceive corruption to be increasing, with an overwhelming majority feeling that the government is not doing enough to combat it. Stories of public officials implicated in financial misdeeds, often with impunity, continue to surface, echoing the sentiments of a populace increasingly frustrated with the status quo.
Corruption here isn’t just about the big scandals; it’s also embedded in citizens’ daily lives. Bribery, from traffic police to border control, has been reported as a routine part of interaction with state services. This everyday corruption erodes trust in government institutions and directly impacts the quality of life, making access to services contingent on one’s willingness to partake in corrupt practices.
The lack of effective governance is further evidenced by the ongoing issues with the justice system and the implementation of reforms. While the Barrow administration has taken steps like establishing commissions to investigate past financial crimes, accountability enforcement remains weak. The political will to prosecute high-profile corruption cases seems to wane, with some investigations leading to no substantial outcomes, thus perpetuating a cycle of impunity.
Moreover, the political landscape is shifting, with the opposition increasingly leveraging the public’s discontent with corruption, and this could sway future elections, not on policy or popularity but on the government’s failure to address these pressing governance issues. The public’s demand for change is palpable, but the response from the government often feels inadequate or misdirected.
Good governance in The Gambia involves rooting out corruption and fostering an environment where ethical practices are the norm and the rule of law applies uniformly across all echelons of society. Strengthening institutions like the judiciary, ensuring the independence of anti-corruption bodies, and more robustly involving civil society in governance processes are crucial steps forward.
As The Gambia stands at this crossroads, it is imperative that all stakeholders—from the government to civil society, from the media to individual citizens—push for a genuine overhaul of governance practices. Only then can the country move from the shadow of its corrupt past into a future where governance truly serves its people, fostering development and prosperity for all.
The Alkamba Times calls for a renewed, relentless commitment to fight corruption, not just in rhetoric but in action, ensuring that the next chapter of Gambian history is one of integrity, accountability, and growth.
