Column |Barrow’s History of Disrespecting Gambians and Wasting our Meagre Resources

By Saul Saidykhan

For a man who less than 9 years ago was a Rent Collector that most Gambians never heard of, who from TRRC and colleagues’ testimonies would run and hide under tables or behind women on seeing armed thugs of the Kansala tyrant approaching, Adama Barrow’s open utter disdain for Gambians is an outrage that should not be tolerated by anyone who fought to eject his predecessor from power. 

To doubters, here are five clear examples of how Barrow has been openly showing his contempt for Gambians:Established in 2017, The Janneh Commission, officially known as the “Commission of Inquiry into the Financial Activities of Public Bodies, Enterprises, and Offices as Regards Their Dealings with Former President Yahya Jammeh and Connected Matters,” cost Gambians around $1.8 million USD.

The commission investigated the financial dealings of Barrow’s predecessor during his 22-year tyrannical rule. It uncovered irrefutable evidence of massive corruption and mismanagement, leading to recommendations for asset recovery and legal or other sanctions against those implicated. Instead of faithfully executing its recommendations wholesome… Barrow cherry-picked what to implement in the commission’s recommendations. Barrow and his clique disposed of his predecessor’s confiscated assets opaquely.

 Despite the existence of a public agency (AMRC) set up for such loot recoveries and disposals, a relative of a senior cabinet official was paid 10% commission to do what the AMRC would have done for free as its fiduciary duty.The aim of making the commission’s findings and its consequences a critical step toward establishing a culture of accountability and transparency in The Gambia was defeated wasting millions!Established in 2018, The Truth, Reconciliation, and Reparations Commission (TRRC) in The Gambia cost approximately $12 million USD over its operational period from 2018 to 2021. 

The commission was tasked with investigating human rights violations that occurred during the 22-year Jammeh tyranny.The funding came from both the Gambian government and international donors, including the United Nations Development Program -UNDP and the European Union. In 2021, the TRRC submitted a voluminous report providing recommendations for justice and reparations.

 Despite its cost, the TRRC is considered a vital step in addressing past abuses, promoting national healing, and providing recommendations for justice and reparations.Instead of faithfully executing its recommendations wholesome…Citing “lack of funds,” most victims are yet to receive their recommended compensations from the Barrow government even as they continue to die quietly.

For political expedience, Barrow has long embraced the perpetrators of the horrendous crimes visited on countless Gambians during the dictatorship.

Ironically, the biggest financial beneficiary of the TRRC is a former business ally of the dictator who was awarded an exclusive $150K monthly deal for TV coverage of the 3-year proceedings ($5.4M USD) of the commission though there is a state broadcaster.Again, the aim of making this commission’s work useful by sending a clear message to future leaders, their associates, and security agents that abuse of the rights of others will eventually bear severe consequences was defeated by Barrow wasting millions!Also established in 2018, The Constitutional Review Commission (CRC), was tasked to draft a new constitution for Gambia to replace the military authored 1996 one.

 It cost Gambians $2.2 million USD. The process was supported by both the Gambian government and international partners, including the United Nations Development Program (UNDP). 

The Commission which was composed of a mix of legal experts, educators, civil society activists, and other stakeholders held meetings with ordinary Gambians all over the country to get their unfiltered input on the constitution they want.Because the new draft constitution reflected Gambians’ wish for a two term, ten- year maximum presidential term limit, Transparency, and other Checks and Balances clauses, Barrow had it killed in parliament in 2020.For context, the average mid-level public employee in Gambia makes less than $3,000 USD annually.Instead of faithfully executing its recommendations wholesome… 

Barrow has decided to cherry-pick what to accept in the commission’s draft constitution by creating an entirely new draft without any input from Gambians.Not surprisingly, Barrow’s draft has either completely removed or watered down over a dozen of the key provisions of the CRC version that most educated Gambians and interested outsiders believe will usher in needed probity, transparency, and accountability to strengthen public institutions, and guard against executive excesses.

Again, the aim of making the commission’s work to prevent a recurrence of the traumatic experience of the tyranny Gambians suffered for two decades under the dictatorial era constitution was defeated by Barrow wasting millions!Since 2017, The Gambia has supposedly embarked on a comprehensive Security Sector Reform (SSR) program to enhance the professional effectiveness, accountability, and operations of its security institutions. This reform process has been supported by both the Gambian government and international partners, including the United Nations Peacebuilding Fund (PBF).

The PBF has invested $30.9 million USD across 16 projects in The Gambia since 2017, supporting various aspects of the country’s transition, including SSR. Despite this huge investment, the only branch of Gambia’s security sector that has undergone genuine reform is the army where the former Chief of Defense Staff – CDS has instituted global standards for advancement within the army including clearly defined pathways through promotion exams or other notable accomplishments.

 These in addition to both de-tribalizing and depoliticizing the army.Sadly, the current CDS is busy reversing all his predecessor’s laudable reforms wasting millions of dollars!Since 2017, The Gambia has also initiated several civil service reform programs aimed at enhancing efficiency, capacity, and service delivery within the public sector.

 The primary framework guiding these efforts is the Civil Service Reform Programme (CSRP) 2018–2027, which outlines strategic initiatives over a decade. According to the Personnel Management Office data, the CSRP 2018–2027 has an estimated budget of approximately $4.96 million USD for its initial five-year phase (2018–2022). 

This budget allocation is distributed across various strategic objectives, including improving remuneration, capacity building, performance management, and enhancing public service delivery.In addition to domestic funding for the CSRP, The Gambia has received international support for its civil service reforms. For instance, the World Bank provided a grant through the Institutional Development Fund (IDF) for Civil Service Reforms. 

While specific figures for this grant are not detailed in the sources I have accessed, it is noted that such international assistance has been instrumental in supporting the country’s reform initiatives. 

The question all enquiring minds have is: where did these funds go since there has not been any genuine reforms in the Gambia’s civil service given the precipitous decline in efficiency, competence, and scrupulousness in the sector? Doubters can reference the situation at SSHFC, NAWEC, GPA and other state MD&As.Once again, Barrow and his clique collected millions of dollars in our name only to line up their pockets!

about Author

Saul Saidykhan, is a renowned author, writer and financial professional