Africa-Press – Gambia. The Coalition of Progressive Gambians (CoPG) has called on The Gambia’s Anti-Corruption Commission to clarify its position on critical reforms and to demonstrate concrete action in the fight against graft.
In a strongly worded statement, the civic movement stressed that corruption has long undermined governance and development across Africa, with The Gambia being no exception. CoPG underscored the need for governments to fully support anti-corruption efforts by working in tandem with civil society, the media, and international partners.
As part of its demand for greater accountability, CoPG posed nine key questions to the commission, pressing for commitments on issues central to transparency and integrity. Among them are:
1. Will the commission push for public asset declarations by public officials before and after office?
2. Will they implement lifestyle audits for those whose wealth doesn’t match their salaries?
3. What measures are in place to protect whistleblowers who expose corruption inside government?
4. Are they empowered to investigate high-profile individuals, regardless of their political or military rank?
5. Will they regularly publish reports of investigations, outcomes, and challenges for public scrutiny?
6. Can they guarantee prosecutions without political interference or selective justice?
7. What reforms will they propose to fix systemic weaknesses in procurement, public finance, and hiring?
8. Are they open to collaborating with civil society groups, activists, and citizens in monitoring and reporting corruption?
9. Will they work with the Independent Electoral Commission to ensure candidates declare their sources of income and assets?
The coalition emphasized that an effective anti-corruption body must be fearless, independent, and transparent. “CoPG position is that any anti-corruption commission that cannot speak truth to power, prosecute without fear, and engage transparently with the public has failed its mission,” it stated.
Reiterating its demand for decisive action, the group concluded: “We want action, we want results, and we want them now. We will not settle for commissions in name only.”
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