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News release

Majority of Gambians voice dissatisfaction with the pace of public sector reforms

24 Mar 2023 Gambia
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News release
Key findings
  • More than half (52%) of Gambians say they are not satisfied with the pace of public sector reforms initiated by the government in 2017. Only one-third (34%) say they are satisfied
  • Dissatisfaction is more widespread among the best-educated citizens (60%), the wealthiest (57%), and men (55%) than among their respective counterparts
  • Almost a quarter (24%) of citizens who sought police assistance during the previous year say they had to pay a bribe. Fewer report having to pay a bribe to obtain identity documents (13%), medical care (9%), and public school services (5%)
  • Large majorities say the government is doing a poor job of delivering public services such as improving basic health care (79%), water and sanitation (69%), electricity (69%), road and bridge maintenance (68%), and education (67%)

More than half of Gambians say they are not satisfied with the pace of public sector reforms initiated by the government in 2017 as a way of reorganising the public service,the latest Afrobarometer survey indicates.

Survey respondents continue to highlight problems with public services, including having to pay bribes. A majority of citizens give the government negative ratings on its performance in public service delivery.

Following the change of government in 2017, President Adama Barrow initiated various reform programmes, including security-sector and civil-service reforms, as part of abroad transitional justice and democracy programme.