By Makutu Manneh
A nationwide survey by Gambia Participates has revealed overwhelming public concern about corruption, with a vast majority of Gambians perceiving it as a serious and worsening challenge.
The survey, which interviewed 1,556 respondents across the country, shows that 67 percent believe corruption is “very high” in The Gambia, while another 23 percent rate it as “high.” Taken together, this means nine in ten Gambians view corruption as a pervasive problem.
By contrast, only 6 percent described corruption levels as moderate, 2 percent saw it as minimal, and another 2 percent said corruption is nonexistent.
“These results underscore the deeply entrenched public concern about corruption, suggesting that it is perceived as a systemic issue,” the report noted. It further stressed that the near-unanimous perception points to the urgent need for governance reforms, stronger accountability mechanisms, and visible anti-corruption measures to restore trust in public institutions.
The findings also suggest that Gambians believe the problem is intensifying. A striking 81 percent of respondents said corruption has increased over the past year, while only 5 percent felt it has declined.
Regional variations were also evident. In Banjul, the capital, public concern was highest, with 94 percent of respondents rating corruption as “very high.” The trend was similarly strong in Brikama and Kanifing, where 72 percent and 68 percent, respectively, shared the same view.
The survey paints a sobering picture of public sentiment and underscores a pressing demand for action to confront corruption at all levels of governance in The Gambia.