THE REPUBLIC OF THE GAMBIA’S COMBINED REPORT ON THE AFRICAN CHARTER ON HUMAN & PEOPLES’ RIGHTS & INITIAL REPORT ON THE PROTOCOL TO THE AFRICAN CHARTER ON THE RIGHTS OF WOMEN IN AFRICA is also free and compulsory for all until grade twelve with several initiatives taken to increase access to tertiary education. In the rural communities, the Government continues to increase the availability of health facilities in these areas along with personnel to staff them. This has seen several health centres, major and minor hospitals opened in rural communities. Currently, most Government institutions have offices in the regions to ease access to public services. However most of these institutions suffer from inadequate staffing and financing; thus affecting the speed at which services are provided. In addition, the Disability Bill amongst other things, seeks to ensure that persons with disabilities are able to gain access to public property. CHAPTER TWO: ECONOMIC & CULTURAL RIGHTS ARTICLE 14: RIGHT TO PROPERTY The right to property shall be guaranteed. It may only be encroached upon in the interest of public need or in the general interest of the community and in accordance with the provisions of appropriate laws. The right to property is guaranteed by Section 22 of the Constitution. It provides that every person has a right to own property either individually or in association with others and that no person shall be compulsorily deprived of property or any interest in or right over property of any description. This is subject however to certain reasonable and justifiable conditions. The Constitution requires the payment of prompt and adequate compensation to individuals and families whose properties have been compulsorily acquired by the State. An example of this is in 2005 with the extension of the Banjul Ports, which saw residents relocated and given compensation under the Lands Acquisition and Compensations Act 1991. 63