Draft constitution offers guarantee for transparency – L.S. Camara
By SULAYMAN WAAN
Commissioner Lamin S. Camara of Constitutional Review Commission (CRC) of The Gambia has said that transparency, especial financial transparency is guaranteed in the draft constitution to avoid corruption in public institutions.
He added that this provision is in the draft constitution because no person should be allowed to loot the state economy for his or her personal interest.
The seasoned Gambian lawyer was speaking to participants in the second phase CRC of public consultation on the country’s draft constitution at Soma, Lower River Region (LRR).
Section 27 (a) of the draft constitution states: “A person who enters or proposes to enter into a relationship with an organ or agency of the State, including Statutory Body or State Owned Enterprise, whether contractual or otherwise, has a duty – (a) to act honestly, transparently and fairly; ….”
Some former senior government officials, especially head of public institutions were allegedly involved in corruption during the 22 years rule of ex-Gambian President Yahya Jammeh.
Following the change of regime in 2017 the coalition government instituted a commission of inquiry that investigated the alleged corruption.
After the investigation a government white paper imposed a life banned on some former government officials from leading public institution.
However, Commissioner Camara said the draft constitution has mandated every Gambian to reveal any person who is involved or attempts to involve in corruption in a public institution.
He added that no person can account a whistleblower for disclosing a financial fraud practiced by any government official in a government institution.
“If any whistleblower reveals his or her boss for involving in corruption nothing will happen to him or her (whistleblower),” he noted.
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