Administrative Decentralisation: A Framework to Improve Local Democratic Governance

Abstract

Due to the inadequate redistribution of authority, responsibilities and financial resources for providing public services among the Local Government Councils and other Actors in the decentralisation process, the effectiveness of administrative decentralisation is assumed not guaranteed in The Gambia even though there have being the enactment of the different legal instruments and other efforts from 2002 to date. The objective of this study is to examine the effectiveness of administrative decentralisation in The Gambia. Primary data was collected by administering questionnaires, interview guide and observation. The questionnaire used structured questions and both open-ended and close-ended questions were also utilised and the data analysed using Comparison, Statistical Package for the Social Sciences and Excel. However, secondary data was also collected to augment the studies. A non-probability sampling known as purposive sampling was used to elicit data from 38 respondents. On the effectiveness of administrative decentralisation in The Gambia, 13.2 per cent of the respondents said administrative decentralisation in The Gambia is weak, 78.9 per cent indicates moderate while only 7.9 per cent said it is effective. In order to achieve an effective administrative decentralisation, the Central Government should support the decentralised structures in terms of training and proper enforcement of local government instruments for decentralisation and adequately redistribute authority, responsibilities and financial resources for providing quality public services to the populace by the Local Government Councils and other Actors in the decentralisation process.

Keywords: Administrative, Decentralisation, Democratisation, Decision-making, Democratic Governance, Effectiveness, Good Governance, Leadership, Management, Sustainable Development.