Office of the Ombudsman Gambia

The CRR Regional Ombudsman Office continued its sensitization outreach at Brikamaba Senior Secondary School.

The team first engaged with teachers, with discussions centered on the Ombudsman’s activities in the region, including its functions, mandate, jurisdiction, and establishment.

A second session was held with students, where they were sensitized on the functions and operations of the Ombudsman Office in the region.

The school principal expressed appreciation for the visit and pledged to invite the office for future programs. Teachers also committed to reaching out whenever the need arises.

For close to a decade, the Human Rights Unit of the Office of the Ombudsman has conducted regular visits to places of detention and prisons to monitor conditions and ensure compliance with domestic legal frameworks and international human rights standards. The Office has consistently issued recommendations and collaborated with relevant stakeholders to promote improvements within these facilities.

Today, the Office of the Ombudsman was invited to witness the inauguration of a six-classroom building constructed by the MRC Holland Foundation for the Gambia Prison Service at Mile 2 Central Prison. This facility is expected to significantly enhance the delivery of educational and vocational training programmes.

The training is facilitated by the Insight Training Center, which has, over the years, worked closely with the Gambia Prison Service to provide vocational training for both inmates and prison officers. Beneficiaries of these programmes include inmates from Mile 2 Central Prison and Janjanbureh Prison.

This development forms part of broader efforts to improve the welfare of inmates and advance their right to education and rehabilitation, and it remains subject to the monitoring and oversight functions of the Office of the Ombudsman.

The LRR Regional Office held a meeting with the Police Management in the Lower River Region, led by Commissioner Ndong, to sensitize them on the work of the Office of the Ombudsman.

The session focused on the establishment, core mandates, powers, and limitations of the Gambian Ombudsman Office.

In response to an invitation dated 28th April 2026, the Brikama Regional Office conducted a presentation at Brusubi Senior Secondary School on the roles and functions of the Office of the Ombudsman.

Students were given the opportunity to ask questions, all of which were adequately addressed. The school authorities commended the initiative and expressed their commitment to making it an annual activity.

Ombudsman and SSR project partners conduct outreach, for more click the link

http://ombudsman.gm/ombudsman-and-ssr-project-partners-conduct-outreach/

The Regional Ombudsman Office in the Central River Region was invited to the YBK Police Intervention Unit (PIU) to sensitize personnel about the presence and role of the Office of the Ombudsman in the region.

During the visit, the office delivered a detailed presentation covering its establishment, functions, mandate, powers, jurisdiction, and complaint-handling procedures. The session was highly interactive, allowing for meaningful engagement with the police officers.

The Officer Commanding, Kebba Bah, welcomed the initiative and commended the office for the visit. Police personnel also raised several issues affecting them, which the Ombudsman team assured would be relayed to their superiors as soon as possible.

The Gambia Police Force

The Regional Ombudsman Office in LRR participated in the First Quarter 2025 TAC presentation and held an interface with a cross-section of community groups on the 1st and 2nd of April 2026.

During the session, the institutional head presented the office’s activities, strengths, and challenges. Community members actively engaged in the discussion, sharing their views and expressing their willingness to support regional institutions in achieving their objectives.

The session was highly interactive, insightful, and participatory.

Our mission…

Sensitization of Police Officers at Kerewan PIU Camp

Today, 17 February 2026, the Regional Ombudsman Office, North Bank Region (NBR), conducted a sensitization session for officers at the Kerewan PIU Camp in Kerewan.

Both senior and junior officers were sensitized on the mandate of the Office of the Ombudsman, including the nature of complaints handled by the Office and the principle of confidentiality in complaint management.

The session also covered the Prevention and Prohibition of Torture Act, 2023, with emphasis on the legal consequences and penalties applicable to anyone who commits torture or related offences.

The Second-in-Command of the PIU Camp welcomed the initiative and encouraged officers to remain law-abiding and execute their duties with professionalism in order to avoid all forms of human rights violations.

Participants were further encouraged not to suffer in silence, but to lodge complaints regarding injustice, abuse of power, or unfair treatment at the Regional Ombudsman Office in Kerewan.

The session was interactive and reinforced the importance of accountability, professionalism, and respect for human rights within the security sector.

The Office of the Ombudsman plays a vital role in promoting fairness, justice, and accountability in public administration across The Gambia.

✅ Our Mandate

The Ombudsman is established to investigate complaints from the public about maladministration by government ministries, departments, agencies, and public institutions. This includes:

• Unfair treatment or abuse of power
• Unreasonable delay in services
• Failure to follow procedures or laws
• Poor service delivery
• Violation of citizens’ rights
• Non-compliance with lawful directives

The Office also conducts inspections, public education, and sensitization programmes to promote ethical public service and respect for the rule of law.

Importantly, our services are free of charge, accessible to all citizens and residents, and handled with strict confidentiality.