The forum was held at the Ocean Bay Hotel in Bakau. It gathered various stakeholders to discuss ways to fight corruption, to galvanize the enactment of the Anti – Corruption Bill 2019 and enhance addressing of corruption in the country.
The forum witnessed panel discussions on accelerating enactment of the Anti-Corruption Bill on key provisions, challenges in its enactment, what could be done to accelerate enactment by the National Assembly.
The panel further discussed the perception of corruption and challenges in addressing corruption; on empowering citizens to prevent corruption and human rights abuses, enhancing public accountability and the challenges facing anti-corruption advocates.
Speaking at the forum, Ms. Jainaba Johm, Vice Chairperson, National Human Rights Commission, said the adoption of the United Nations Convention Against Corruption in 2003 and the AU Convention on Preventing and Combating Corruption which the Gambia ratified in 2009 automatically placed an obligation on The Gambia to put in place systems and processes to vigorously fight corruption.
She continued that these conventions also placed a duty on The Gambia to protect right holders against human rights abuses, including those caused by corruption.
She noted that the conventions require The Gambia to take appropriate steps to prevent, investigate, punish and provide redress for such abuses. She added that the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights also obliges The Gambia to ensure businesses comply with human rights standards and laws, including respect for and protection of human rights.
“With the growth in corruption allegations and the absence of an effective framework to tackle corruption in The Gambia, the NHRC in line with its mandate to promote and protect human rights in the country has today brought together Stakeholders to discuss and propel the relevant actors to fast track the enactment of the Anti - Corruption Bill 2019 and to have open and frank discussions on the way forward in putting an end to allegations of corruption in the country,” she said.
“The Bill, when adopted will set out concrete measures to tackle acts of corruption in the country and set up an effective anti-corruption body for the first time in the country.”
Alieu Jallow, who spoke on behalf of the Attorney General, revealed that the devastating nature of corruption exacerbates poverty and widens the gap between the rich and the poor which often leads to the concentration of wealth and power in a few, while the majority of a population remains marginalised and deprived of basic services and opportunities.
He said The Gambia has undertaken several efforts to fight corruption and promote good governance.
