Introduction:
The position of the office of the Ombudsman is an official
who holds the power to investigate allegations
of maladministration, mismanagement, corruption, discrimination
and deal with human rights and protection of fundamental
freedoms of the citizenry. There is only one Ombudsman
in the entire country; his office is located on Atlantic
Road, across from the
tourist craft market.
Authority & Scope:
The Constitution of the Second Republic of The Gambia,
which came into force on January 1997, made provision
for the setting up of an Ombudsman.
"Chapter
X: The Ombudsman
163. National Assembly to establish office of the Ombudsman
(1) Subject to the provisions of this chapter, in the
exercise of his or her functions, the Ombudsman and
a deputy Ombudsman shall not be subject to the direction
or control of any other person or authority but subject
only to the Constitution and the law.
(2) All departments, authorities and other public bodies
which are subject to investigation by the Ombudsman
shall accord such assistance as he or she may require
for the protection of the independence, dignity and
effectiveness of the Ombudsman in the performance of
his or her functions."
First Appointment:
In May 1999, the President appointed the Gambia's first
Government ombudsman as required in the Constitution.
On May 3, 1999, the National Assembly formerly approved
the appointment. The first person to hold the post was
Mr. Sam Sarr.
On the 27th February, 2002, Mr. Sarr handed over the
office's first Report to the President of the Republic,
Dr. Alhaji Yahya A.J.J. Jammeh. The report contained
over 105 cases of which 80% have been investigated and
completed. |
