The Gambia
 Keyfacts
POPULATION (Census 2003): 134,507
AREA: 11,295 sq km
CAPITAL: Banjul
LOCAL GOVERNMENT CONTRIBUTION TO GDP: 0.8%
CURRENCY: dalasi (GMD)
HEAD OF STATE AND GOVERNMENT: President Yahya Jammeh
FORM OF GOVERNMENT: republic
PARLIAMENTARY SYSTEM: unicameral
STATE STRUCTURE: unitary
LANGUAGES: English (official) Gambian (recognised)
NATIONAL ELECTIONS: presidential: 2006;
national: 2007 turnout: - next: 2011
LOCAL ELECTIONS: last: 2008; turnout: - next: 2012
Summary
The Gambia is a republic with both central and local government. Local government is enshrined within Chapter XV of the constitution and is governed by the Local Government Act 2002. The Ministry of Local Government and Lands oversees local government affairs. There are three tiers of local government: eight councils, 144 ward development committees and 1,500 village development committees. Local government is responsible for setting and collecting taxes and rates and there is very little revenue-sharing or transfer from central to local government despite the devolution of core services such as health, education and roads. The Local Government Act 2002 makes provision to ensure the representation of women on councils, young people and representatives of civil society and community-based organisations.
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