By Makutu Manneh
Officials from the Ombudsman office, last week Friday, 23rd August 2024, presented its 2021 and 2022 activity reports to President Adama Barrow at the State house.
Ombudsman, Bakary K. Sanyang, after presenting the said reports to the head of state indoors, told waiting Journalists that the reports comprise complaints received from the public, as well as investigations carried out by his office (The Ombudsman) during voter registration for the 2021 Presidential and 2022 National Assembly elections.
“The other area we talked about is our mandate to be responsible for public officers’ declaration of their assets at the time of their employment, every two years, and when they leave office,” Mr Sanyang said.
He added that the reports further include their visit to detention Centres such as prisons, police stations, psychiatric Centres, Immigration Detention Centres, and Drug Law Enforcement Detention Centres.
According to Sanyang, this is to know if the detainees are accorded their rights and privileges as required by the law.
However, when asked by the press about the number of complaints the ombudsman received and how many were addressed, he replied, “The office of the ombudsman is always a confidential report. It is only the president who sees the complaints and names of the complainants. We also report to the National Assembly but even that the law prohibits us from disclosing the identity of the people.”
As the press was not present during the presentation of the report to the President, the state house media indicated on their social media page that the President has informed the Ombudsman of his government’s plan to build new prisons and rehabilitation Centres in the country.
Equally, The Gambia Commission for Refugees, also visited the President to brief him on matters of refugees and stateless individuals in the country as well as their achievements and activities.
Mr Ali Mahamat, head of the UNHCR multi-country representative based in Dakar, said over Four Thousand, Three hundred (4, 300) refugees are currently residing in The Gambia.
“We have a very important meeting with the president and the outcome is very fruitful. The issues we talked about include statelessness and their inclusion when it comes to durable solutions,” he said.
According to the state house press, President Barrow affirmed his support to promote the protection, productivity and successful integration of refugees in The Gambia.
