(JollofNews) – State House Director of Press and Public Relations Amie Bojang Sissoho Wednesday announced that gov’t is planning to set up an anti-graft commission with the view to scaling up Gambia’s corruption battle.The Presidency spokesperson made this remark during a press conference held at State House, Banjul.
The tiny West African nation is emerging from the shadows of two-decade long dictatorship that allowed corrupt practices to be the order of the day. The new regime has vowed to right the wrongs of the past but recent donations made by ‘anonymous sources’ have ignited reactions from the public, calling on government to renew its commitment to promoting good governance and fighting corruption.
“We are not here to promote corruption, and malpractices,” she said while making it very clear that the issue of ‘anonymous donors’ has to do with confidentiality.
“Why would the government going into that if it knows it is not doing the right thing?”
Asked whether it is possible for President Adama Barrow to fight corruption if he continues to receive donation from ‘anonymous sources’, Amie Bojang Sissoho reiterated that it is all about confidentiality.
“That doesn’t mean they are doing because they want to be favoured for gov’t projects,” she added.
In recent times, Gambian authorities have received vehicles donated to the country’s lawmakers and 11 millions dalasis destined to pilgrims on the verge of performing the Hajj in Mecca, Saudi Arabia.
The names of the rich benefactors behind such decisions are yet to be divulged, prompting civil society groups to call for transparency to prevail.
She further stated that there are people in various ministries who are working day in, day out to ensure that gov’t projects go in the right way.
Amie Bojang Sissoho emphasized that public ifficials are under oath not to disclose confidential issues pertaining to their job.
“Is it everything you know about your organisation that you will reveal?”
She re-echoed President Barrow commitment to making sure that his actions are always in line with the interests of Gambians.
Setting up an anti- corruption agency would send the right signal to the world that President Barrow didn’t mince his words when he said during the AU summit held in Lagos that his government is leading the drive to stamp out corruption in Africa. No stones will be left unturned in the fight against graft. The battle should start with the presidency and cabinet ministers publishing their asset declaration forms.