Financial Crime World

The Gambia Takes on Corruption: Enacting Anti-Corruption Bill

Strengthening Anti-Corruption Efforts in The Gambia

In an effort to combat corruption, The Gambia has brought together key stakeholders from various sectors to discuss ways of tackling the scourge of corruption. A forum held at the Ocean Bay Hotel in Bakau was aimed at galvanizing the enactment of the Anti-Corruption Bill 2019 and enhancing the country’s ability to address corruption.

Accelerating Enactment of Anti-Corruption Bill

During panel discussions on accelerating the enactment of the Anti-Corruption Bill, participants focused on key provisions, challenges in its enactment, and what could be done to speed up the process by the National Assembly. The panel also explored ways to empower citizens to prevent corruption and human rights abuses, enhance public accountability, and address the challenges faced by anti-corruption advocates.

Key Provisions and Challenges

  • The Anti-Corruption Bill 2019 aims to establish concrete measures to tackle acts of corruption in The Gambia.
  • Participants emphasized the need for a collective effort to address the challenges faced by the country in its fight against corruption.
  • The Bill requires the establishment of an effective anti-corruption body.

Importance of International Conventions

Jainaba Johm, Vice Chairperson of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), emphasized that The Gambia’s adoption of the United Nations Convention Against Corruption in 2003 and the AU Convention on Preventing and Combating Corruption, which it ratified in 2009, places an obligation on the country to establish systems and processes to vigorously fight corruption.

Call to Action

The forum was seen as an important step towards strengthening anti-corruption efforts in The Gambia, with participants calling for a collective effort to address the challenges faced by the country in its fight against corruption. By working together, stakeholders can help ensure that The Gambia makes progress in combating corruption and promoting good governance.

References

  • United Nations Convention Against Corruption
  • AU Convention on Preventing and Combating Corruption