Africa-Press – Gambia. MC Cham Jr., Business councillor at the Kanifing Municipal Council (KMC), has issued a direct challenge to Information Minister Dr. Ismaila Ceesay, urging him to name a single relative of Mayor Talib Ahmed Bensouda employed at the council.
The challenge follows recent comments by Dr. Ceesay, who accused Mayor Bensouda of fostering a “dynastic” political culture at the municipal level—warning that if elected president, Bensouda could entrench a similar structure nationally.
“Ismaila will and can never name a single relative of Mayor Talib Bensouda working at the council because it doesn’t exist,” said Councilor Cham in a strongly worded response. “If you are worth your salt and believe so much in your lies, be bold to call things as they are.”
Cham dismissed the Minister’s remarks as “blatant lies” and accused him of deliberately attempting to mislead the public.
“Your efforts in trying to mislead an informed society are like pouring leftover water into the ocean—futile and unnoticed,” Cham said.
He further accused Dr. Ceesay of hypocrisy, claiming the Minister is turning a blind eye to alleged nepotism within President Adama Barrow’s administration. Cham cited specific government officials and institutions that, according to him, reflect a more genuine pattern of familial favoritism.
“When you speak of family dynasties, why don’t you look closer to home?” Cham asked. “Do the names of the current Inspector General of Police or the Minister of Environment mean anything to you? What about the parastatals like the Gambia Ports Authority and Central Bank of the Gambia?”
Cham also defended Mayor Bensouda’s record, describing his leadership as “visionary, transformative, transparent, impactful, and inclusive,” and pointed to Bensouda’s decision to terminate his mother’s law firm’s contract with the council as evidence of integrity.
“You [Ceesay] would never have taken such a decision because you lack what it takes,” he added.
In closing, Cham warned that just as in the last mayoral elections, he believes the Minister and his political allies are preparing to deploy “the full force of the government” against Bensouda ahead of future political contests. Still, he insisted that the mayor remains focused on public service.
“Mayor Bensouda is committed to delivering results and improving the lives of the people,” Cham said.
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