Financial Crime World

GAMBIA TAKES AIM AT CORRUPTION WITH NEW LAWS

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Banjul, Gambia - In a bid to combat corruption, which has long plagued the country’s lucrative sectors, the Gambian government is pushing forward with new legislation aimed at tackling bribery, money-laundering, and other forms of financial corruption.

THE GAMBIAN ANTI-CORRUPTION BILL

The Gambia Anti-Corruption Bill, 2019, currently before the National Assembly, seeks to strengthen and reinforce the fight against corruption by penalizing those guilty of corrupt practices. The bill repeals the Gambia Anti-Corruption Commission Act 2012 and introduces new provisions to prohibit and punish corruption and related offenses.

KEY PROVISIONS

  • Bribery and public officers found guilty of accepting bribes face up to five years imprisonment or a fine of D200,000 (approximately $4,000).
  • Section 31 criminalizes bribery in awarding public contracts.
  • Section 38 punishes bribery in the private sector.
  • The Anti-Corruption Commission is vested with statutory authority to investigate and prosecute corruption cases.

ESTABLISHMENT OF ANTI-CORRUPTION COMMISSION

The government has also established an Anti-Corruption Commission, which will be tasked with adopting strategies such as investigation, prosecution, prevention, and recovering assets to combat economic crimes.

PROTECTING WHISTLEBLOWERS

The new law is seen as a significant step forward in protecting whistleblowers, who have long been vulnerable to reprisal for reporting corruption. The legislation incorporates provisions from the UN Convention Against Corruption and the African Union Convention on Preventing and Combating Corruption, which require state parties to establish independent national anti-corruption institutions.

ACCESS TO INFORMATION BILL

In another development, the National Assembly has adopted the Access to Information Bill 2019, which aims to promote transparency and accountability by allowing citizens, journalists, and civil society organizations to access government data. When enacted, the law is expected to bolster the fight against corruption by holding government accountable for its actions.

EXPERT OPINION

Experts say that while the new laws are a step in the right direction, more needs to be done to address the root causes of corruption in The Gambia’s economy. “Corruption is deeply ingrained in our society, and it will take sustained efforts to eradicate it,” said a local anti-corruption activist.

KEY AREAS OF STRENGTH AND WEAKNESS

  • Strength: The new anti-corruption law is a significant step forward in addressing corruption in The Gambia.
  • Weakness: The law only applies to public officers, leaving private sector corruption unchecked.
  • Strength: The establishment of an Anti-Corruption Commission demonstrates the government’s commitment to tackling corruption.
  • Weakness: The commission’s resources and independence remain unclear.

CALL TO ACTION

As the Gambian government continues its efforts to combat corruption, it is crucial that civil society organizations, the private sector, and ordinary citizens join forces to support these initiatives. By working together, we can build a more transparent and accountable society that serves the people of The Gambia.