What is ombudsman?
Ombudsman is high level public officer, appointed by president in consultation with the Public Service commission subject to confirmation by National Assembly. He/she receives complaints from aggrieved members the public against unfair or unjust actions of public officers in course of official duties. He/she investigates such complaints and issues recommendations.
How can I complain to Ombudsman’s Office?
It’s easy to lodge your complaints with the Office. You can write your complaints yourself and bring it headquarters or our regional offices. You may choose to give verbal complaint and the complaints officer will reduce your complaint into writing. Your complaints should be submitted alongside all relevant documents such as appointment letters, contract documents, dismissal and any piece of evidence to support your complaint.
When should I complain to Ombudsman?
Lodging complaints with the Office of Ombudsman should always last resort. First, try to resolve your complaint at level of institution you want to complaint against. If all efforts fail, then come to Ombudsman with your complaint.
How much do I pay for Ombudsman services?
Ombudsman services are completely free.
Will the Office reveal my identity to general public?
The Office of Ombudsman treats complaints with confidentiality. The Ombudsman Act requires the office keep confidential identities of complainants and the persons whose actions or dealings are being investigated.
The Ombudsman’s Annual Report to National Assembly, which is public document, does not include the names of persons as mentioned above.
It is noted the Ombudsman’s Annual Report to President contains names of complainants and the institutions complained against. This report is not made public.
Why does the Ombudsman not investigate complaints against the private sector?
Both Constitution of Republic the Gambia 1997 and the Ombudsman Act 1997 provide for Ombudsman to investigate only government departments and other public bodies. Private sector employees can therefore not complain against their employers, but the against any category of public officers except those clearly excluded from Ombudsman’s remit.
What is Ombudsman about the issue of private sector?
The private sector issue has been frequently raised by Gambian people. It is hardly meeting organized by Ombudsman which participants not raise the private sector issue.
Even the members of parliament have repeatedly spoken about the inclusion of private sector with the Ombudsman’s jurisdiction
The Office has therefore planned to seek amendment of the Ombudsman Act in order to include the private sector within it remit. Necessary steps will soon taken, and hopefully before long, the jurisdiction of Office will broadened to include the private sector since are no private ombudsman schemes in The Gambia.
What does the Office when it receives complaints over whichhas no jurisdiction?
The Office of Ombudsman receives all complaints however only those complaints within jurisdiction of Office are investigated.
When receive Complainants with grievances are not within jurisdiction of Ombudsman register the complaints, and refer to Department of Labour, the Alternative Dispute Resolution Secretariat (ADRs), the Industrial Tribunal, the Cadi court or other courts/tribunals, depending on nature of complaints.
When complaint is criminal in nature, the Office refers it police.
The Office also been giving professional advice to people who come purposely to seek advice on matters of concern to them.