Who pulls the strings in the pursuit of power in The Gambia? Who supports the promises, rallies, and political party operations that are emerging across the nation? As The Gambia gears up for its 2026 elections, the ruling National People’s Party (NPP), under President Adama Barrow, and the opposition United Democratic Party (UDP) are both flexing their financial muscles. Yet, the deafening silence surrounding campaign finance regulations raises alarming concerns.
The NPP is pouring substantial resources into establishing regional political bureaus throughout the country. Meanwhile, the UDP recently amassed over $111,000 at its second Diaspora Convention in Seattle. While these activities may signal a maturing political landscape, they also expose a grave democratic flaw: The Gambia lacks a comprehensive campaign finance law.
In the complex sphere of Gambian politics, a critical question looms larger with each election cycle: Who truly finances political power, and why is this important issue left unaddressed? The absence of robust campaign finance laws creates a troubling vacuum where ambition thrives unchecked, and influence circulates without transparency.
Although these political maneuvers suggest a rise in civic engagement, they masked a disturbing truth: our democracy is fragile, lacking enforceable regulations on campaign financing. While political parties are technically required to submit audited financial accounts to the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC), compliance is erratic, and there are no penalties for non-compliance.
There is no law mandating donor disclosure, no limits on spending, and no measures to curtail foreign influence. In such a climate, campaign financing operates in the shadows—unseen, unverified, and potentially toxic. This vacuum breeds shadow financing, veiled sponsorships, and unchecked foreign meddling.
The Gambia should take lessons from other African nations that have paved the way for reform. In Ghana, the Political Parties Act (Act 574) mandates annual financial audits and explicitly prohibits foreign donations from non-citizens. Article 55 of Ghana’s Constitution requires complete transparency regarding funding sources both before and after elections. Despite its own challenges, Ghana’s framework recognizes a vital truth: elections must not only be fair in terms of votes cast but also in the funds spent.
Additionally, regional reports from International IDEA and the Westminster Foundation for Democracy illustrate a disturbing trend across Africa, where the soaring cost of politics sidelines marginalized voices, fosters vote-buying, misuses state resources, and exacerbates inequality. These studies are a clarion call for continent-wide reforms to safeguard our democratic integrity. The time for action is now. Without decisive campaign finance reform, The Gambia risks falling deeper into a cycle of opacity and corruption, further alienating its citizens and jeopardizing the very foundations of its democracy.
In The Gambia, civil society has boldly articulated the need for change. Organizations like Gambia Participates and the Election Watch Committee have called upon lawmakers to enact a robust Campaign Finance Law. This essential legislation must ensure full disclosure of donors and expenditures, limit foreign contributions, and set clear spending thresholds.
It should empower the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) and the Anti-Corruption Commission to effectively monitor and enforce compliance, safeguarding our elections from manipulation through empty promises and vote inducement. This movement for civic advocacy transcends mere procedural changes; it is fundamentally a moral imperative. It underscores that democracy cannot flourish in the shadows and that our sovereignty must not be compromised for the sake of political expediency.
While President Barrow’s commitment to strengthening our political infrastructure is commendable, we must recognize that without financial transparency, our efforts risk becoming monuments to patronage rather than pillars of principle. Additionally, the United Democratic Party’s (UDP) engagement with diaspora funding reflects community participation but raises critical questions about influence and oversight.
Campaign finance reform is no longer a luxury; it is an urgent necessity. It lays the groundwork for integrity, restores trust, and defends our democracy. Without it, politics morphs into a privilege for the affluent, and elections devolve into auctions rather than authentic choices.
Let us not wait for a scandal to ignite the flames of reform. Instead, let us act with foresight, protect our democratic values with unwavering vigilance, and establish a system where every dalasi spent honors the dignity of every vote cast. Now is the time for decisive action; the future of our democracy depends on it.
Ghana exemplifies a structured approach to political financing through its Political Parties Act (Act 574) and Article 55 of its Constitution. Under this framework, political parties are mandated to submit audited accounts annually and disclose their funding sources, while foreign donations from non-citizens are strictly prohibited. Furthermore, parties must declare their assets and liabilities both before and after elections.
Despite these measures, Ghana grapples with significant challenges. A 2021 study by CDD-Ghana highlighted the troubling influence of “dirty money” and vote-buying, which distort the landscape of political competition. The Westminster Foundation for Democracy also uncovered that the exorbitant costs associated with politics in Ghana marginalize women, youth, and other underrepresented voices.
Across the African continent, the International IDEA report raises urgent alarms about the consequences of unregulated campaign financing. It notes that such practices undermine electoral integrity, fuel corruption, and favor incumbents. The report calls for continent-wide coalitions to enhance oversight, promote civic education, and ensure media accountability. Organizations like Gambia Participates and the Election Watch Committee have emphatically urged the National Assembly to implement a robust Campaign Financing Law.
This law should mandate detailed donor disclosures, enforce spending limits, and empower the Anti-Corruption Commission to regulate and ensure compliance. It must also require public audits and the disclosure of campaign financial statements, outlaw vote-buying, and control community development projects tied to elections.
Their joint statement after the Massembeh by-election made it abundantly clear: “The absence of regulation creates an uneven playing field and undermines electoral credibility.” Support from the diaspora reflects a commendable sense of patriotism, yet without stringent legal frameworks, foreign money risks becoming a Trojan horse.
Should Gambian sovereignty be dictated by offshore donors? Are we willing to let party platforms echo voices from across the oceans instead of reflecting the will of our people at home? While the NPP’s establishment of regional bureaus may be revolutionary, the lack of financial transparency threatens to erode its foundation. Expressions of gratitude towards “sponsors” can hardly suffice as a measure of democratic integrity.
We must confront the questions: Who are these sponsors, and what are they expecting in return? This is the moment for reform. The Gambia must enact campaign finance laws that demand thorough disclosure of all political donations, set firm spending limits for parties and candidates, and prohibit or cap foreign contributions. Annual audits and public access to financial records should be non-negotiable. Without these critical safeguards in place, our democracy is not advancing; it is in danger of collapse.
President Barrow’s call to strengthen our political infrastructure deserves recognition; however, without robust financial transparency, these efforts risk becoming mere symbols of patronage rather than champions of principled governance.
Similarly, while the UDP’s reliance on diaspora funding signals engagement, it also raises pressing concerns about external influence and the necessity for oversight. Campaign finance reform is not just an option—it is an urgent necessity. It is the very bedrock upon which integrity is built, trust is restored, and democracy is championed. Without it, politics devolves into an arena for the affluent, and elections transform into mere auctions rather than authentic choices.
Years ago, I submitted a memorandum to the Constitutional Review Commission, passionately advocating for urgent and robust campaign finance laws. Today, this call has never been more critical. The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) must transform from a mere passive referee into a proactive regulator, empowered alongside the Anti-Corruption Commission to audit political finances and enforce true transparency. Support from the diaspora reflects our shared patriotism, yet without legal safeguards, foreign money risks becoming a Trojan horse, undermining our sovereignty.
Should we allow our national integrity to be influenced by foreign donors? Should party platforms prioritize the interests of those from abroad rather than faithfully representing the votes of Gambians at home? The National People’s Party (NPP) may herald its network of regional bureaus as revolutionary, but without genuine financial transparency, that foundation is precariously vulnerable. Simply thanking “sponsors” falls short of democratic accountability.
We must demand clarity: Who are these sponsors, and what expectations do they attach to their contributions? The path forward is clear and undeniable. The Gambia must enact stringent campaign finance laws that mandate full disclosure of all political donations, impose strict spending limits on parties and candidates, and prohibit or cap foreign contributions.
Furthermore, we must enforce annual audits and ensure public access to financial records. Without these essential safeguards, our democracy is not evolving; it is perilously eroding. Now is the time for decisive action. Let us not wait for a scandal to catalyze reform. We must legislate with foresight, safeguard with vigilance, and construct a system where every dalasi spent honors the dignity of every vote cast. The time for action is now.
