Africa-Press – Gambia. The Gambian government has signaled its readiness to foster dialogue and engagement with citizens, particularly the Gambians Against Looted Assets (GALA) movement.
Speaking at a government press conference on Friday, convened in response to a petition from GALA, Minister of Information Dr. Ismaila Ceesay and Chief of Staff and Minister at the Presidency Mod K. Ceesay emphasized the administration’s commitment to addressing citizens’ concerns collaboratively.
“Every citizen, being GALA or any citizen, if you have a concern, our offices are always open; you don’t need an appointment. Come, let us sit and engage and discuss our issues and solve them in an amicable manner, as expected in any civilized democracy. That is what we want,” Minister Ceesay stated.
He expressed hope that the initiative marks a shift towards constructive engagement rather than street protests. “I hope we are closing that chapter now and moving to engagement. I am informing GALA, every youth, and every citizen that the government is aware of your concern, and the government is ready to work with you to resolve these concerns,” he added.
Echoing these remarks, Chief of Staff Mod K. Ceesay emphasized that the government’s invitation to dialogue was genuine and not merely symbolic. While acknowledging that protest is a legitimate component of a democratic society, he urged Gambians to prioritize engagement and dialogue over street demonstrations.
“I think in a democratic setup, while protest is allowed, and it is legitimate. There is also a process, and I think protest should be the last resort because what we can win and achieve in the boardroom or around the table, we would possibly have the same outcome on the streets.
“So why don’t we start in the boardroom and have an open and transparent dialogue? The government is sincere about this call. We would have preferred a situation where the movement submitted a public petition and the government would have done exactly what we are doing today,” he stated.
He further stressed that the government’s objective is to build a peaceful, transparent, and corruption-free Gambia, emphasizing unity and shared responsibility. “We are on the same page. It is not us vs. them. We are one state, entity, and one Gambia.”
For More News And Analysis About Gambia Follow Africa-Press
