Africa-Press – Gambia. The National Council for Civic Education (NCCE), with support from the UNDP under an EU-funded project, on Monday convened a community town hall in Farafenni, North Bank Region, to sensitise residents on the Anti-Corruption Act, 2023, and the Criminal Offences Act, 2025.
Held under the theme “Strengthening Democratic Governance through Legislative Reform,” the forum brought together local authorities, community representatives, and civil society actors to discuss the relevance of the two new laws in enhancing accountability, justice, and citizen participation.
Mamadou A.H. Bah, Senior Programme Officer at the NCCE, said the Anti-Corruption Act—adopted unanimously by the National Assembly—criminalises bribery, conflict of interest, and misuse of public resources, while also mandating public awareness and civic education to promote a culture of integrity. He said The Gambia’s latest ranking on Transparency International’s 2024 Corruption Perceptions Index highlights the need for effective enforcement to rebuild public trust.
Bah added that the Criminal Offences Act, assented to in March 2025, replaces colonial-era legislation and modernises crime definitions, strengthens safeguards for vulnerable groups, and aligns criminal responsibility with international human rights standards. The law responds to challenges reflected in recent police data, including cases of rape, murder, and robbery.
Local leaders welcomed the initiative. Farafenni Ward Councillor Malick Samba praised the outreach, saying informed citizens are better positioned to protect public resources. Sabach Sanjal, Chief Samba Jallow, and Upper Badibou district tribunal member Bakary Jammeh said the training would foster accountability, curb criminal offences, and encourage active participation in governance.
Participants also underscored the need for responsible management of public resources and broader civic engagement, urging parents and caregivers to instill discipline, respect for human rights, and moral values in children.
The townhall forms part of national efforts to ensure that recent legislative reforms are understood at the community level, thereby strengthening transparency, justice, and inclusive governance.
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