His Excellency President Adama Barrow, Word Bank Resident Representative, and others
By Fatou Sillah
The Government of The Gambia, in collaboration with the World Bank, has formally inaugurated the Public Administration Modernization for Citizen-Centric Service Delivery Program (PAMP), a landmark initiative aimed at transforming public sector performance and enhancing service delivery across the country.
The launch ceremony was held on Friday at the Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara International Conference Center in Bijilo. The event was attended by His Excellency President Adama Barrow, the Minister of Finance and Economic Affairs, Cabinet members, the World Bank Resident Representative to The Gambia, members of the diplomatic corps, senior government officials, and other distinguished guests.
Supported by a $47.7 million grant from the International Development Association (IDA) of the World Bank, this five-year program seeks to strengthen domestic resource mobilization, improve financial reporting, advance human resource management, and promote citizen engagement, with a particular emphasis on enhancing service delivery within the education sector.
In his remarks, President Barrow hailed the program as a crucial milestone in The Gambia’s pursuit of a transparent, accountable, and citizen-focused public administration. He acknowledged persistent challenges within the public service that have hindered efficient and equitable service delivery, underscoring the urgent need to modernize systems, build institutional capacity, and foster a culture of accountability and transparency throughout government.
“Ladies and gentlemen, we must realise with certainty that realising our vision of shared prosperity, adequately strengthened institutions, and social equity will never be fulfilled outside Gambian territory. It must be done from within. Supported by the innovative Programme for Results instrument of the World Bank, the PAMP is strategically designed to use in-country mechanisms and systems to achieve our national goals and objectives,” He Said.
President Barrow urged all stakeholders—including government agencies, development partners, and the Gambian public—to actively engage in and support the successful implementation of the program. “Only through collective effort can we fully realize the benefits of this transformative initiative,” he emphasized.
He highlighted the strategic inclusion of an Investment Project Financing (IPF) component within the Programme-for-Results framework, noting that it addresses the learning curve associated with such a significant endeavor. “This IPF element will deliver vital technical assistance, capacity-building support, and change management guidance, establishing a strong foundation for achieving and sustaining the desired outcomes,” he explained.
Furthermore, President Barrow underscored that the project complements existing initiatives supported by the World Bank and other development partners. “It aligns closely with our commitments under the Paris Climate Agreement and our Nationally Determined Contributions, particularly through the introduction of climate audits and the promotion of environmental awareness in schools,” he added.
Franklin Mutahakana, the World Bank Resident Representative in The Gambia, described the program as a landmark achievement in the enduring partnership between the World Bank and the Gambian Government to modernize public administration. He reaffirmed the World Bank’s commitment to supporting The Gambia’s reform agenda and advancing improved service delivery for all citizens.
The Public Administration Modernization for Citizen-Centric Service Delivery Program represents a strategic effort to build a more efficient, responsive public service capable of meeting the evolving needs of the Gambian people.