By Modou Touray
President Adama Barrow on Tuesday P received the report of the Commission of Inquiry into Local Government Councils and vowed to implement its recommendations, promising reforms, recovery of public funds, and administrative action where warranted.
The Commission, established in 2023, investigated financial mismanagement, procurement irregularities, and administrative failures across municipalities and area councils. Its mandate: audit how councils used public funds, awarded contracts, and governed over multiple years.
Barrow’s Commitment: White Paper, reforms, recovery Speaking after receiving the report, Barrow said the inquiry was designed to “strengthen institutions and ensure public servants manage public resources in accordance with the law and in the public interest.”
“Local Government Councils are the closest administrative bodies to the people,” he said. “They collect revenue, manage community facilities, support local development, and deliver services that affect citizens directly. It is essential they operate efficiently, transparently, professionally, and within the law.”
“Government will study it carefully and responsibly. Through appropriate legal, administrative, and institutional channels, we will thoroughly and impartially review the Commission’s findings and recommendations.”
“Government will prepare and issue a White Paper outlining its position and the next steps and actions to take.” He added that the government will implement all recommendations accepted in the White Paper in accordance with the Constitution.
“This will include, but not be limited to, pursuing reforms, where required; taking administrative action, where necessary; and following legal procedures to recover public funds, if recommended.” Barrow stressed that accountability will follow due process. “Let me clearly state that no person will suffer any unjust treatment.
All persons affected by the recommendations will have their rights to a fair hearing respected, and every action taken will be within the confines of the law.” He framed the exercise as systemic, not punitive: “Accountability must be fair, objective, and guided by natural justice.
Its objective is not simply to identify misconduct and shortcomings, but also to rectify them and prevent their recurrence.” “Accountability mechanisms must work to correct weaknesses, strengthen institutions, curb systemic lapses, and build Councils that are more transparent, more efficient, and better able to serve the people.”
The inquiry covered all local councils and examined years of operations — revenue collection, contract awards, service delivery, and governance.
The Commission was also tasked with strengthening governance, improving service delivery, supporting local government reform, and reinforcing accountability at the decentralized level.
Barrow has moved the Commission’s work from investigation to execution. The White Paper is now the clock. Its contents will decide whether this becomes real reform or another shelved report.
The President’s language was deliberate: reforms “where required,” action “where necessary,” recovery “if recommended.” The caveats are there. So is the promise. Councils touch citizens daily — markets, waste, licenses, local roads. If they leak funds, communities bleed services.
Barrow just staked his government on plugging those leaks.
