Anyone who has grown up in or around the Gambia’s electoral politics knows that when it comes to party politics, there is a dirty word that has more than four letters; that word is “patronage.” Political patronage or the spoils system (indeed, any kind of patronage) employs a system that plays favorites. In party politics, the patron is usually the leader or Secretary General of a political party who has the power to hire his or her family and friends to political appointments and other attractive jobs that pay well. The Gambia since its independence has long been known as a nation where the patronage system has held sway despite the many attempts to destroy it.
Musician Ali Cham, Killa Ace known by his stage name eloquently and brilliantly described “Political Patronage or spoils system victory” meaning in one of his masterpiece songs in Wolof, “KU BOKA C GETA GEE NAN C MEOW MEE” literary and roughly means “ all those with cattle herd deserve milk”. Those without with cattle herd don’t deserve milk.
Once, government jobs were political rewards, with workers kicking back to the political parties to which they owed their jobs. This system of chaos and intimidation in government service has become a reality— exactly the system President Adama Barrow seems to want to return to. He is following his predecessor President Jammeh in the politicization of the civil service, encouraging or inheriting the politics of political patronage. At present, in both the diplomatic service and the civil service, no organization and no system is safe from that chaos; no test of integrity is safe from that partisanship; no test of qualification is safe from that intrigue.
In the Gambia, political patronage (also known as the patronage system) is a practice in which a political party, after winning an election, gives civil service jobs to its supporters, friends and relatives as a reward for working toward victory, and as an incentive to keep working for the party. The opposite is a merit system, where offices are awarded based on some measure of merit, independent of political activity.
Julius Bing, a renowned civil service reformer, has advocated for the professionalization and depoliticization of the civil service, a system that has served nations well for many years all around the world. That reform of the civil service matters today in the New Gambia, as President Barrow plans for disruption to appear, including the wholesale undoing of the civil service itself, like his predecessor destroying the foundation of Africa’s most capable civil servants.
President Barrow must start permanent employment in the civil service and end the politicization of the civil service by firing corrupt, incompetent, and dishonest workers and by using the powers of the presidency to remove and discipline government employees who have violated the public’s trust.
The civil service seems benign at best, boringly so. There are few advocates presently speaking up for it. But if we wait too long to pay attention or speak out, it might be too late. The Gambia depends on a competent, ethical civil service for the stable functioning of our government and economy—the very foundation of our greatness. The Gambia has grown used to official and reliable statistics, forecasts, reports, and investigations to keep us informed, stable, and safe. But this stability and professionalism has been undone by Yahya Jammeh, now the government of Adama Barrow following the same path the with the stroke of a pen on a late Friday afternoon through an executive order to hire and fire civil servants.
The Gambia’s civil service system was based on the Westminster style and, after years of efforts, aimed to cure the ills of patronage and corruption that to that point had defined government employment. It aimed to professionalize and depoliticize government employees, allowing civil servants to serve the people and the country rather than petty politicians or ideologies.
Its unethical but a tradition: presidents and political parties treated government jobs as part of the patronage and spoils system. Political party loyalists were regularly rewarded with jobs, promotions, raises, or even paid leave for work on political campaigns. Political machines depended on the system, for it provided an army of hacks and bosses to run the machine. As administrations came and went, so did most of the federal workforce. This led to constant flux in employment and workers who owed their jobs solely to political connections. Their morale was low and they lived in constant fear and anxiety of losing their jobs. Besides the obvious corruption, this created a massively inefficient workforce incapable of the important work required of the federal government, with few workers qualified for their jobs.
An array of political prostitutes and opportunists engaged in politics for selfish interests and benefits. They had access to the state treasury and control over issuing remunerative licenses and contracts. Most interestingly and surprisingly in the Gambia, participation in party politics does not mean automatic rewards, as most people who enjoy the dividends are latecomers.
Then, it is beyond speculation that the rewards after victory are usually based on political loyalty, commitment, and patronage! It goes without saying that those that made heavy sacrifices are left out.
Yorro,
Come down heavy on this INEPT administration. Innately you are just disappointed at them after 8 useless months in office. But you just want to be lenient. The Gambia matters more than this bunch of useless and selfish administrators.
In eight months they have only succeeded in entrenching themselves, families and buddies in key areas to steal and amass wealth. Nothing is planned and programmed for the country.
In eight months, they have been able to squander millions of dalasis on trips, vehicles, pilgrimage, festivities…
When will they declare their assets? After stealing from the taxpayer, I presume!
Write: How Democracy is being Flawed under the Illiterate Barrow Administration.
Can you tell us a single bit of improvement on our livelihood since these corrupt people came to administer our affairs? When will lawyer Darbo pay his tax arrears? This and many other issues are nooses around these VERY BAD people’s neck. Please say that, write that and stop getting short at niceties. That will be a disservice to our people and a surrender of your academic and professional integrity. Then you will equally fall prey to their INEPTITUDE.
How convenient of you Babu, to ignore the charges of patronage under Jammeh and instead, see it only where Barrow is concerned. The writer traced patronage as far back as Jawara’s administration, through Jammeh years to now, under Adama Barrow. I agree with you, the Coalition Government may have got its priorities wrong, but the problems it is grappling with today, have been inherited from the Jammeh regime.
For example, the government is grappling with rubbish today because no effective system of rubbish management (i.e. collection and disposal ) has been put in place by the APRC regime. Similarly, heavy rains are wrecking havoc because, not only are there no proper drainage systems, poor physical planning and absence of an effective building control and monitoring system means waterways are built upon at random, disrupting the natural flow of excess rain water.
You are right to be critical but you are not fair in your criticism and that’s the problem I have with you, Babu.
Brave words of truth from Alagi; Testament that he speak for a good Gambia and not the hereditary historical one. It is condemnation enough in his well chosen words, that this coalition government is not what it seems or shouts. As being for radical reform and normalisation leading to an honest and transparent and transitional future. There are many classes in Gambia. The ruling class within whose future, Gambia has been in the hands of only a few for 56 years. The working class, whose hands constantly seek work. The overseas class, who nibble away to feed the lucky ones back home. And the underclass. A life of constant want and struggle for a mattress and a bowl of rice.Never to step inside a luxury hotel. Never to ride in a taxi. Never to fly business class, or never to set sight on the Hajj.
Alagi for President.
I think it will take a very, very unique type of leader to dismantle the culture of patronage that is so entrenched in our political system, that those who refuse to indulge in it, like PDOIS, are frowned upon and sometimes, ridiculed by even supposedly educated political analysts. I also think that, though the current government is not a UDP Government, it nevertheless provides us with a glimpse of what a UDP Government would look like, and if my observation is right, it is a government will that will indulge in patronage, just as its predecessors, as recent mass appointments into the Foreign Service suggests.
And these numerous appointments into the Civil Service are in spite of the fact that we already have a bloated Civil Service under Jammeh, which many in the opposition used to criticise. I know a Civil Service audit was carried out, but apart from the Army, which suffered mass defections after the departure of Jammeh, I am not aware of any mass retrenchments, and yet, more appointments are made into the Civil Service, particularly the Foreign Service, with some questionable qualifications and suitability for the jobs.
Bax for Vice President.
But of course>>>the more sycophants beholding to their jobs, the more secure the immovable ruling class.These are the priorities of this government. ,,,and why rush to change the Laws that stifle opposition >> answer>>>.no rush advisable. Meanwhile keep paying your taxes…and the early repayment interest of all your debts.
Bax,
Whether, Yorro has sighted the past from the Jawara to Jammeh days, does not matter any more. I am referring to a bitty government that campaigned on the false platform to reform and correct whatever “evil”/ “ill” President Jammeh did as they continuously reiterated and keep reiterating. They are the “correctors”, aren’t they? How then can we accept the same errors they accused President Jammeh of, after eight months into their incompetent administration.
I am a Professor, and I believe my students will never condone my errors after correcting their work.
Let’s not refer to Jammeh or time moratorium for this IDIOTIC administration. You see how they waste public resources in going to Mecca, inauguration, parties, vehicles, horrendous lifestlye….all the replica of what they accused the past administration of!
Don’t be fooled. They are busy amassing wealth by all plausible means. Silently and shrewdly!
Mr Babu Soli,I hear you and I understand your frustrations.Thank you
Babu; On balance I think you are on the right side of history. I was talking to some investors last week in and out of Gambia. They were reconsidering their business venture; They say the climate has changed from optimism and euphoria, to depression and uncertainty. Even Foroyaa are pleading with the Executive for clarity over cars for NA Members. So can we say this government is spreading the gravy to its supporters. In favour of giving relief to the poorest and mounting initiatives in policies that will change the lives of Gambians?
It looks like jobs for the boys and expenses for the top boys. In a few months time will we hear this government pleading for more aid and loans to replenish the ones they spent on Government ? I mean to say…Gambia may have a splendorous Government But a starving populace. Sounds a bit like the Egyptian pyramid building programme.
There is said to be trouble brewing amongst the army ranks. Meanwhile the top brass are on holiday. Something to do with victimisation ? I do hope the Atlantic Hotel opens soon >? Another of those many ownership disputes.
Alagi Yorro Jallow,
Thanks a lot for you educative and professional response. I sincerely respect you.
Our people do not deserve going hungry to bed, they do not deserve dying from curable diseases, our children do not deserve going bare-footed, dressed in raggged clothes from Europe’s second-hand handouts, our students deserve scholarships for quality education, our businesswomen/men don’t have to bargain for credits or business sites, our hospitals, roads, electricity and water amenities………..Our people don’t deserve being POOR!
There is a lot to be done, QUITE A LOT, INSTEAD of going to Mecca, visit Marabouts in Senegal, send their children on public scholarships, pay dividends through bogus per diems at all the NONSENSICAL “capacity building and sensitization” seminars and courses……… And a replica of all the vices they acccused President Jammeh of.
Honestly, their voters have been disappointed and they hardly bother to talk about this government every Gambian mouth now refers to as NON-FUNCTIONAL and hasty to assume power for personal aggrandizement.
The excuse is no longer President Jammeh or the moratorium of 8 months(little time as they allege) but the effective implementation of plans and programmes. The saying in Mandinka: Don’t ask a hungry man to wash his hands, just put the food on the mat. PERIOD!
Slowly but surely the banal support for this INEPT administration will soon fade, even from their die-hard diasporan supporters.
Babu, everything you say about what our people deserve is true, but the deprivation that our people have endured for so long, cannot be placed solely at the doorstep of this government alone. Unfortunately, that’s what you seem to be doing, with your attitude of ignoring the records of both Jammeh and Jawara, on the pretext that they are no longer in office. They may not be in office, but they have left their marks, which are part of the Gambian story.
You are right, and I agree with you, that the Barrow Administration had more than enough time to lay down a clear development plan and their failure to do this deserves criticism.
However, in spite of the seemingly “clueless” administration and the never ending globe trotting of officials, it has to be pointed out that the challenges they inherited cannot be fixed over night. The enormity of the challenges are such that even a magic wand may not do the job within the period they’ve been in office. Poverty, hunger, poor infrastructure, poor services, etc, are the result of years of mismanagement and mal-administration, from 1965 to date.
You shouldn’t allow your prejudices and opposition against this government cloud your judgement, if you want to be a fair critic.
Though I am not one to shout “corruption” yet against Jammeh, as a result of revelations from the commission, your dismissive attitude of the investigations is concerning to me. At least, you should acknowledge that the payment of state funds into accounts held by commercial banks, rather the Consolidated Revenue Fund, and the manner that these funds are withdrawn, constitutes abuse of authority and is in contravention of Financial Instructions.
Corruption may not have been established yet, but malpractice in public office has been adequately established against Jammeh, through these revelations, and you can’t just brush that aside, without raising questions about your motives and sincerity here.
Babu Soli or Professor In Lie? Who tell you these people performed hajj with state resource?We the Gambians are tired of reading your fictions.We want to get from these fictions and head to next level of developments.Please give us truth stories.
Very sad this endless blame game; I think those presently in government must look forward to ruin. I cannot see any future for them or Gambia, in this undisclosed term of temporary office. They are singularly unelectable. Better they should make hay while this cloudy sun is shining. Meanwhile, the tourists and the remittances will just about keep starvation at bay….So where has all the billions in aid grants and loans been banked ? Who is overseeing and accounting for all disbursements ? Will the next government also enter the blame game against its predecessors. Just like the unlicenced drivers, the unlicenced government, does not know where the first gear is.
Education Education Education. Where in Gambia can the school of government be found ? who in this government would pass the entrance exam ? God knows. But only God.
Bax,
“the deprivation that our people have endured for so long, cannot be placed solely at the doorstep of this government alone. Unfortunately, that’s what you seem to be doing, with your attitude of ignoring the records of both Jammeh and Jawara, on the pretext that they are no longer in office. They may not be in office, but they have left their marks, which are part of the Gambian story”.
I’m not ignoring the records of Jammeh-Jawara and the British colonialists per se. I have always harped hard on the records of all, though, a little biased on the President Jammeh records. To me, I have seen double an achievement record with President Jammeh than the Jawara and British administrations put together. That’s why I have deep grudges for the wasteful Jawara and British colonial administrations.
Bax, we have NEVER lived above the poverty line since time immemorable. Can we continue like that? Deep rooted poverty has made our people to believe that poverty is Allah’s endowment. They fail to understand that not all that Allah gives is a blessing. Aren’t the White people children/creation of Allah? How did they gradually erradicate poverty and illiteracy? Let me cite Holland, the country I know well. How did she improve/create wealth for her people? A tiny country built on virtually no natural resources except for her colonial exploits and her endowed human resources. They did it simply by putting public resources/properties into public services/affairs. NOTHING ELSE.
Bax, with the hundreds of years of poverty and degradation we can no longer honour an administration that will always excuse itself on the legacies it inherited while immersing into futile and non-beneficial activities.
What collective benefits are we gaining from their trip to the Mecca? If the Saudi corrupt/egocentric government provided the package (which I don’t believe), the selfish government could simply give the package to the poor or just convert the Hajj package into a better social and/or economic priority need for our people.
Why can’t they wait until they leave government (when they have presumably amassed enough money) to go on the pilgrimage from their own money/resources.
Let them remember that whatever comes to the Gambia from the outside world belongs to the Gambians not to selfish/corrupt Barrow, Ousainou Darbo, Mai Fatty, Hamat Bah, the corrupt and useless Chief Justice Hassan Jallow (who has already surrendered his impartiality by accepting the Hajj offer). I now understand why the Europeans were dissatisfied with this sly Chief Justice and eventually removed him from his international job at Tanzania.
I couldn’t stand their horrendous appearance in that Hajj dress/outfit, with a sigh of pomposity and patriachic personality as “important” figures. What a disgraceful sight, at the expense of our money! Calling themselves ALHAGIEs. Corrupt ALHAGIEs, of course. May ALLAH the ALMIGHTY (SWT) refuse to accept their Hajj, which was corruptly funded from the poor Gambian people’s money.
After all, see how selfish they are. They took along all their family members and close buddies on the Hajj package while the heavy rains were destroying the poor people’s homes especially in Kuntaur, the hardest hit. I was there at the time and gave a close analogue to the Coalition supporters (some of my friends) who came to my house.
I told my friends that religious beliefs WILL NEVER interfere with state obligations in Europe. Here in Holland the Royal family or the Head of government will NEVER get drunken to leave the country on a religious trip while there are social and economic engagements. That’s how the White man made his society prosperous.
On allegations about what President Jammeh owned/got, there is a Commission of Inquiry which is looking into the matter, isn’t it? It will finally give its report. Then President Jammeh has to defend himself, hasn’t he? What comes next is our guess. With the ongoing inquiries, there is little you and I have to say, Bax. After all, if you believe in the incriminations, I am telling you that I deny them. The composition of the commission is to my belief, a corrupted move by the Barrow administration to alter the criticisms of the people about his USELESS government. Gambians are no longer bother about waht the INEPT government does. Everyone has visibly seen that they are power hunger to gain the exploits.
I was in The Gambia and closely followed the deliberations of the Commission which reflected their anger at the scholarships given to Gambian students. They have been so strict and incensed about those scholarship allocations that it appeared the only issue to address.