By Makutu Manneh
A nationwide survey by Gambia Participates has revealed that although corruption remains a common experience for many Gambians, the vast majority of citizens refrain from reporting it. According to the study, 92 percent of respondents said they did not report corruption incidents, while only 8 percent took action.
The survey, which engaged 1,556 respondents across the country, found that this silence is not due to a lack of corruption but rather deep-seated barriers such as distrust in institutions, lack of information, and fear of retaliation.
“The combination of distrust, lack of information, fear, and power dynamics prevents corruption from being exposed and addressed,” the report indicated.
The most significant obstacle identified is distrust in reporting mechanisms: 58 percent of respondents believe complaints will not result in action. Another 37 percent said they do not know where or how to report corruption, while 18 percent fear retaliation. Meanwhile, 10 percent said corruption typically involves powerful individuals who are unlikely to be held accountable.
The survey also revealed a critical awareness gap—only 35 percent of respondents knew how or where to report corruption in their communities, leaving 65 percent uninformed.
“This pattern highlights a serious challenge in the fight against corruption, as most cases remain hidden and unresolved,” the study stated.
The survey found widespread skepticism about institutional responsiveness to corruption complaints. Half of the respondents (50%) said they do not trust institutions to take action, while only 18% expressed confidence, underscoring the limited public faith in institutional accountability.
The study also revealed stark regional disparities in awareness of reporting mechanisms. In Banjul, the capital, just 30% of respondents knew where to file corruption complaints, while the majority (70%) lacked such knowledge—even though most anti-corruption bodies are based in the city.
“This is striking given that most anti-corruption institutions and offices are concentrated in the capital,” the survey found.
The study found significant regional disparities in citizens’ awareness of corruption reporting channels. In Basse, awareness was described as “very low,” with only 34 percent of respondents indicating they knew where to report corruption, compared to 66 percent who did not. A similar pattern emerged in Janjanbureh, where just 32 percent of respondents were aware of reporting mechanisms, leaving 68 percent uninformed.
By contrast, the Kuntaur Local Government Area recorded the highest level of awareness, with 52 percent of respondents familiar with reporting procedures. Meanwhile, Kanifing (26%) and Kerewan (23%) reported some of the lowest levels nationwide. The report noted this was “particularly surprising given Kanifing’s proximity to the capital and its role as a major urban center.”
In Mansakonko, awareness levels were more evenly distributed: 64 percent of respondents knew where to report corruption, while 36 percent did not.
Among those aware of reporting channels, the police were the most frequently cited option, chosen by 72 percent of respondents. However, specialized anti-corruption bodies attracted far fewer mentions—only 14 percent identified the Anti-Corruption Commission, 18 percent the Ombudsman, and 3 percent the National Assembly’s Public Petitions Committee. At the local level, 23 percent of respondents pointed to local government authorities as a reporting channel. Non-state actors were acknowledged but underutilized, with 15 percent citing the media and 7 percent identifying civil society organizations (CSOs).
The report concluded that the primary deterrent to reporting corruption is the widespread belief that complaints will not result in meaningful action. This perception, it noted, is compounded by concerns over confidentiality, limited awareness of reporting mechanisms, and fears of retaliation or social conflict.
“Addressing these challenges requires stronger enforcement of anti-corruption measures, robust whistleblower protections, greater transparency in handling cases, and widespread public awareness campaigns,” the study recommended.