Gambiaj.com – (WASHINGTON, United States) – Gambian human rights and anti-corruption activist Marr Nyang was on Monday awarded the prestigious 2024 Anti-Corruption Champions Award. Mr. Nyang, who serves as the Executive Director of Gambia Participates, received his accolade at a ceremony hosted by the U.S. State Department on International Anti-Corruption Day. The award honors 10 global champions whose work in advancing reforms and investigations has contributed to creating a more just and transparent world.

Mr. Nyang was chosen by his fellow awardees to deliver the acceptance speech on behalf of the recipients. In his address, he expressed gratitude to U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and other distinguished officials, including Speaker Emeritus Nancy Pelosi, Senators, and House Representatives. Highlighting the moral courage required to combat corruption, he declared:

“Our fight is not for personal gain but for the marginalized, the middle class, the wealthy, and generations yet unborn. We fight because we cannot bear to witness public hospitals where patients lie on floors for lack of beds, while funds meant for basic medical equipment are diverted into private pockets. We fight because we are outraged when electricity fails during life-saving surgeries, jeopardizing patients’ lives,” Marr Nyang stated.

Mr. Nyang emphasized the pivotal role anti-corruption activists play as the first line of defense against the scourge of graft, describing it as a “societal cancer” that threatens the integrity of governments and communities alike. He painted a vivid picture of inequality, decrying the juxtaposition of public officials enjoying luxury while rural citizens lack basic services:

“We stand against corruption because it is unjust to see public officials cruising in multi-million-dollar SUVs while rural citizens use donkey carts as ambulances. We envision a society where systems function and dignity is a right, not a privilege. And the only obstacles standing between us and this vision are corruption and poor leadership,” Mr. Nyang added.

The 2024 awardees represent diverse fields and regions, united by their extraordinary courage and dedication. Among them are a Colombian police chief who leveraged his authority to combat corruption and insurrection, a Lebanese judge who impartially adjudicated high-profile cases, and a Panamanian Attorney General renowned for prosecuting those implicated in the Panama Papers. Others include a Kazakh lawyer advocating for legislative reforms, an Armenian Minister of Justice working to confiscate ill-gotten assets, and activists in academia and journalism who have used their platforms to expose corruption.

The recognition of Marr Nyang places The Gambia firmly on the global stage, underscoring the critical work being done by its civil society to promote accountability and governance reform.