Which authorities handle public services and local matters in The Gambia's state system?

The responsible ministry, department, agency or local council handles the service, depending on its subject and location. Local councils manage local services, development activities, by-laws and local finances, while national bodies handle functions assigned to the central government.

How can a person challenge maladministration by a public body in The Gambia's state system?

The person can first use the responsible body's internal complaint or appeal process where one exists. Depending on the issue, the person may then contact the Ombudsman, the National Human Rights Commission or a court.

How are public funds audited and overseen in The Gambia's state system?

The Ministry of Finance and Economic Affairs coordinates budgeting and public-finance management, while the Internal Audit Directorate supports internal controls. The autonomous National Audit Office audits public resources, and the National Assembly scrutinises appropriations, budgets and government action.

State in Gambia

Q: Which institutions provide security functions in The Gambia's state system?

The Gambia Armed Forces provide military functions, the Gambia Police Force handles law enforcement and public safety, and the State Intelligence Service collects and analyses intelligence. The Gambia Immigration Department, Gambia Fire and Rescue Service, Gambia Prison Service and Drug Law Enforcement Agency perform additional border, emergency, custodial and drug-enforcement functions.

The Gambia is a presidential republic governed under the 1997 Constitution, its supreme law. President Adama Barrow serves as Head of State, Head of Government and Commander-in-Chief, while the National Assembly and the courts provide legislative and judicial functions. State responsibilities are shared between national institutions, regional administration, local councils and public bodies.

Tip

Treat a public matter in The Gambia as a service-specific responsibility question: identify the correct ministry, department, agency or local council before submitting documents or paying a charge. Keep proof of every request and use internal review before escalating to the Ombudsman, National Human Rights Commission or a court. Confirm fees, timing and paper or digital requirements for the exact service because they vary by authority and location.

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The executive branch operates through the Office of the President, the Cabinet and ministries, departments and agencies. The Vice President is Muhammed B.S. Jallow. The Secretary General and Head of the Civil Service coordinates the public service, while the Personnel Management Office and the Public Service Commission deal with public-service administration, including recruitment, training, promotion and discipline. The National Assembly is a unicameral parliament. It makes laws, approves annual appropriations, examines government action through committees, considers petitions and questions officials. The judiciary includes the Supreme Court, Court of Appeal, High Court, Special Criminal Court, Magistrates' Courts, Cadi Court and District Tribunals. The Constitution provides for judicial independence. The country has five administrative regions and two municipalities, divided into eight local government areas: Banjul City Council, Kanifing Municipal Council, Brikama Area Council, Kerewan Area Council, Mansakonko Area Council, Janjanbureh Area Council, Basse Area Council and Kuntaur Area Council. Regional governors represent and coordinate central government administration. Local councils provide local services, support development, make by-laws and manage local revenue and finances. Village Development Committees and Ward Development Committees support participatory planning. Decentralisation remains affected by differences in local capacity and finances. Government services are accessed through the responsible ministry, department, agency or local council. The Government Directory and Digital Gambia portal provide access to services such as identity documents, passports, birth registration, business services and vehicle services. The responsible body depends on the service and location, and some areas still experience gaps between paper-based and digital procedures. Seyfo and Alkalo may play roles in local identity, land or community practice, but their formal legal authority depends on the relevant law and responsibility. The Ministry of Finance and Economic Affairs leads public-finance management through its budget and public-finance directorates. The Gambia Revenue Authority collects taxes and customs duties, while the Gambia Public Procurement Authority oversees public procurement. The Internal Audit Directorate supports internal controls. The National Audit Office is the autonomous supreme audit institution established under the National Audit Office Act 2015. The financial year runs from 1 January to 31 December, and the approved appropriation should be checked when an exact budget figure is needed because 2026 materials contain different totals for different stages or scopes. Local councils finance their work through local revenue and transfers. Oversight includes National Assembly committees, parliamentary questions, inquiries and budget scrutiny. The Ombudsman receives and investigates complaints about injustice, maladministration, abuse of power, discrimination and corruption and normally issues recommendations. The National Human Rights Commission monitors rights, receives and investigates complaints against public and private actors and makes reports or remedial recommendations. Courts provide judicial remedies. The Access to Information Act 2021 creates a formal process for requesting information from a public body. The Ministry of Information, the Government portal, the Gambia Radio and Television Services, the Department of Information Services and GAMNA form part of the public information system. Public participation can take place through National Assembly petitions, local councils, Village Development Committees and Ward Development Committees. Public bodies are expected to administer lawfully, respect due process and equality, and remain accountable. Taxes, service charges and local levies arise according to the applicable law, document, service or council decision. The President and the National Security Council provide strategic security authority. The Office of National Security serves as the executive secretariat of the National Security Council and coordinates policy, inter-ministerial work and security-sector reform. The Gambia Armed Forces include the Army, Navy and Air Force. The Gambia Police Force protects life and property, maintains law and order, prevents and investigates crime and enforces the law. The State Intelligence Service collects and analyses intelligence. The Gambia Immigration Department, Gambia Fire and Rescue Service, Gambia Prison Service and Drug Law Enforcement Agency also perform border, emergency, custodial and drug-enforcement functions. Access, fees and processing times depend on the specific service, document, licence, tax or local charge. An administrative process usually starts with the responsible ministry, department, agency or local council, followed by an internal complaint or appeal where available, and then an Ombudsman complaint, National Human Rights Commission complaint or court case when the matter falls within that body's authority. Overlapping responsibilities, uneven regional capacity, financial and audit weaknesses, and incomplete digital coverage can affect how the formal system works in practice.