LOCAL GOVERNMENT: A CASE STUDY OF THE GAMBIA

Local government and decentralisation in The Gambia has been part of a major public sector reform instituted by the Government of The Gambia in partnership with its relevant stakeholders to promote participatory development and the effective eradication of poverty. Local government and decentralisation have been the cornerstone of major government policies such as The Program for Accelerated Growth and Employment (PAGE), a national blueprint which aimed to promote growth and economic development. Despite some successes, there remain some major challenges which continue to impede the effective implementation of local government and decentralisation policies. In this article, we will highlight the local government structures in the Gambia, their roles and the extent of their autonomy. We will highlight some major achievements by these structures and some of the challenges they are faced with in their pursuit to ensure effective decentralisation in The Gambia