Africa-Press – Gambia. In a recent interview with Peter Gomez on West Coast Radio, Dr. Ismaila Ceesay, the Minister of Information, Media, and Broadcasting Services, asserted that President Adama Barrow’s administration is unparalleled in its efforts to combat corruption in The Gambia. According to Dr. Ceesay, no previous government has taken as extensive or effective measures in tackling corruption as the current administration.
The minister’s remarks followed a listener’s comment on the need for reforms within local governments, particularly highlighting the prevalence of corruption at the central government level. In response, Dr. Ceesay emphasized the ongoing administrative reforms spearheaded by the Ministry of Public Service. These efforts include policy coordination and streamlined service delivery, with the Public Service Management Office (PMO) recently completing the first two phases of the 2024 staff audit.
Dr. Ceesay revealed that the audit, which focused on key ministries such as Education, Health, and Agriculture, uncovered discrepancies, resulting in the suspension of salaries for 1,424 public servants who could not be accounted for. The second phase, which concluded in December 2024, expanded to include the entire civil service as well as personnel from the Gambia Armed Forces.
The government has also undertaken a pensioner audit and a verification process to identify deceased personnel. These reforms are part of a broader initiative aimed at improving efficiency, transparency, and fiscal accountability in public service delivery.“So, yes, the government is serious with reforms at the central government level, and we are doing very well on that front. When it comes to the corruption that he’s talking about, this government, the measures that this government has taken to fight corruption and graft, no previous government has done it,” he said.
He further highlighted the introduction of the Anti-Corruption Act as a groundbreaking achievement, along with the strengthening of the National Audit Office’s mandate. The government has empowered the office to conduct audits across all public departments, publish results, and ensure appropriate action is taken.
“We’ve enhanced and strengthened the powers and the promotional efficiency of the national audit office. We’ve given them the latitude to do their work in line with their mandate; we’re not involved in the business of scuttling them or frustrating them. That is why today they can go to any public department and do their audit and publish the results, and action is taken,” he said.
Dr. Ceesay further revealed that there are currently over nine ongoing cases with the Inspector General of Police, some of which have been forwarded to the Attorney General’s office for prosecution. “As we speak, there are over nine cases with the inspector general of police. Some of these cases have been forwarded to the attorney general for prosecution,” he said.
Reflecting on the broader government strategy, Dr. Ceesay emphasized the importance of legal reforms in combating corruption. “Everybody knows that, But at the same time, we have also amended and come up with new laws, particularly new procurement laws. All these things are geared towards ensuring that we fight corruption.”
Dr. Ceesay concluded by asserting the government’s commitment to transparency, claiming that no administration has been more open with the public. “This government is very serious in fighting corruption and like I said, the measures we’ve taken to fight corruption have never been taken before. On the transparent accountability front, we are the best, no government has been more transparent to the public,” he said.
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