Gambia’s McCarthy Square faces controversy as the central government moves to take control, prompting public resistance and debates over local governance.
The announcement from the Office of the President occurred without seeking any input from the Banjul City Council (BCC) or the local community which resulted in strong opposition.
The takeover violates the Local Government Act because this law gives councils full control over their public infrastructure.
The Banjul community holds McCarthy Square as an essential space for national celebrations alongside public gatherings and cultural events which support its social identity.
The single-handed move by the government damages the heritage of the community.
The local population together with officials demand that the government maintain respect for the decentralized governance system described in Gambian law through actions.
The BCC plans to take legal action towards the central government because it wants to defend local authority combined with community rights.
Several parties now work to find a compromise that maintains both the legal systems and the local connection to McCarthy Square.
