By Makutu Manneh
The Gambia government on Tuesday responded to a new public opinion survey indicating widespread dissatisfaction with its efforts to combat corruption, acknowledging public concern while insisting that substantial institutional reforms are underway.
The survey, conducted by the Center for Policy, Research, and Strategic Studies (CepRass), found that 66 percent of respondents rated the government’s fight against corruption as poor, underscoring persistent skepticism about accountability in public life.
In a statement issued by the Ministry of Information, Media, and Broadcasting Services, the government said it recognized the perception that its anti-corruption efforts have fallen short, but emphasized that concrete steps had been taken to address the problem.
Among those measures, the statement cited the establishment of a dedicated Anti-Corruption Agency, describing it as a significant institutional reform that did not previously exist in the country.
“The Government of The Gambia has established a dedicated Anti-Corruption Agency, a major institutional reform that did not exist previously,” the statement said that efforts were also underway to strengthen accountability frameworks, audit systems, and legal oversight mechanisms.
The government further stressed that anti-corruption efforts in a democratic system must adhere to the rule of law, noting that allegations require professional investigation, credible evidence, and prosecutions carried out through lawful procedures.
“Fighting corruption cannot and will not be reduced to political slogans or mob justice,” the statement said, reaffirming the government’s commitment to what it described as institutional, lawful, and sustainable approaches to addressing corruption.
The CepRass findings add to a growing body of public feedback highlighting concerns about governance and transparency, issues that remain central to political debate in The Gambia.
Comments are closed.