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Momodou
Denmark
11780 Posts |
 Posted - 11 Sep 2025 : 12:03:41
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Media Release
President Barrow Effects Changes in Cabinet
State House, Banjul, 10th September 2025: His Excellency, Mr. Adama Barrow, President of the Republic of The Gambia, acting in accordance with sections 71 (1) and 71(3) of the Constitution of the Republic of The Gambia has, with immediate effect, reassigned Honourable Baboucar Ousmaila Joof, Minister of Trade, Industry, Regional Integration and Employment to the Ministry of Defence.
In the same vein, President Barrow has appointed Mr. Modou Ceesay, Auditor General as Minister of Trade, Industry, Regional Integration and Employment.
In a related development, Mr. Cherno Amadou Sowe, Director of Internal Audit is appointed as Auditor General and Mr. Masireh K. Drammeh Acting Director of Internal Audit.
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A clear conscience fears no accusation - proverb from Sierra Leone |
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Momodou
Denmark
11780 Posts |
Posted - 11 Sep 2025 : 16:09:34
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Auditor General Modou Ceesay Declines Cabinet Appointment, Reaffirms Commitment to Oversight Role
Gambiaj.com - (Banjul, The Gambia) – Auditor General Modou Ceesay has turned down his appointment as Minister of Trade, Industry, Regional Integration, and Employment, reaffirming his commitment to continue leading the National Audit Office (NAO).
In a statement issued Thursday, Ceesay confirmed that he had “officially responded and respectfully declined” the offer from the Office of the President. The announcement came just hours after President Adama Barrow’s minor cabinet reshuffle, which sought to bring new leadership into key ministries and oversight institutions.
Ceesay said his decision was guided by his dedication to serving as Auditor General, a constitutional role that places him at the center of public sector auditing and financial accountability.
He stressed his commitment to “diligently executing the functions conferred on him by the Constitution of The Gambia, to improve the lives of citizens through public sector auditing.”
He further appealed for support from stakeholders in strengthening the country’s public financial management system, describing collective efforts as crucial to achieving better transparency and accountability... Full Story Here#128071;#128071;
https://gambiaj.com/auditor-general-modou-ceesay-declines-cabinet-appointment-reaffirms-commitment-to-oversight-role/ |
A clear conscience fears no accusation - proverb from Sierra Leone |
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Momodou
Denmark
11780 Posts |
Posted - 12 Sep 2025 : 05:05:27
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Abuse of Office: Unconstitutional Removal of the Auditor General!
By Ndey Jobarteh
President Barrow’s attempt at removing the Auditor General from office under the blatant disguise of a move to a Ministerial portfolio is ILLEGAL and UNCONSTITUTIONAL.
The 1997 Constitution is very clear:
Section 159: The Auditor General
159(1): There shall be an Auditor General of the public accounts of The Gambia who shall be appointed by the President after consultation with the Public Service Commission.
159(2): The Auditor General shall not be removed from office except for inability to perform the functions of his or her office (whether from infirmity of body or mind or any other cause) or for misbehavior, and shall not be removed save in accordance with the provisions of this section.
159(3): The Auditor General may be removed from office by the President only after the question of his or her removal has been referred to a tribunal appointed by the President and the tribunal has recommended his or her removal.
In addition to the above there is The National Audit Office Act, 2015 – Section 5(1): “The Auditor General shall hold office for a term not exceeding nine years and shall not be eligible for re-appointment.”
National Audit Office Act, 2015 – Section 5(6): “The Auditor General shall not be removed from office except for inability to perform the functions of his or her office, misbehaviour, or incompetence — and removal shall follow the procedures laid out under this Act.”
The Auditor General can only be removed for incapacity, incompetence or misbehavior.
Even then, as per the Act the President must set up an independent tribunal to investigate and recommend removal.
The President for what ever reason cannot remove the Auditor General at whim.
In bypassing due process, President Barrow has:
Violated the Constitution!!
Undermined the independence of the National Audit Office.
Attacked accountability and strengthened corruption.
This is not just bad Governance, this is abuse of power laced with total disregard for the Constitution and an Act of Parliament. We must collectively reject this blatant abuse of power and demand the reinstatement of the Auditor General in line with the Constitution.
Mr President, you cannot violate the Constitution and not risk impeachment.
Mr President these reckless actions are a recipe for impeachment. Actions have consequencies.
The Gambia National Assembly
Attorney General's Chambers & Ministry of Justice ,the Gambia
National Human Rights Commission, The Gambia
Edward Francis Small Centre for Rights and Justice |
A clear conscience fears no accusation - proverb from Sierra Leone |
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Momodou
Denmark
11780 Posts |
Posted - 15 Sep 2025 : 18:30:47
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Importance and Protection of Independent Bodies in Democracy: Risks and Challenges for The Gambia
By Madi Jobarteh
Independent bodies such as the Judiciary, electoral commissions, anti-corruption agencies, human rights commissions, procurement oversight bodies, and ombuds offices are critical pillars of democratic governance. They serve to uphold checks and balances, prevent abuse of power, safeguard citizens’ rights, ensure government accountability, and sustain public trust. In The Gambia, the removal of dictatorship and the ushering in of democratic dispensation in 2017 brought hope for strengthened institutions. However, that hope is fragile unless we protect these institutions from erosion, political interference, or capture.
The independent institutions of the country are the Judiciary, NAO, PURA, FSQA, GCCPC, IEC, Ombudsman, NCCE, FIU, GRA, GPPA, NHRC and the Information Commission, among others.
Independent bodies matter. They matter because they limit excessive concentration of power. They act as counterweights to the Executive and Legislature, ensuring that actions by those in power are subject to oversight. When independent bodies function properly, government actors can be held accountable for misconduct, corruption, neglect, or abuse of power. This helps deter wrongdoing and promotes good governance. Independent bodies are the guardians of civil and political rights such as freedom of expression, assembly, due process, fair trial, free and fair elections, non#8208;discrimination. Without independent bodies, rights are exposed to violation.
Citizens are more likely to respect laws, pay taxes, and participate in elections, if they believe institutions serve the public interest rather than private or political interests. Transitions to democracy are often fragile but independent institutions help ensure that democratic gains are not reversed or hollowed out over time.
Based on recent developments, there are several threats and obstacles to the independence of key democratic institutions of the country which must concern all citizens. For example, we have seen how through amendments, exemptions, or legal loopholes, the Executive and the Legislature reduce the oversight powers of institutions. We saw this happen last year when the National Assembly approved procurement exemptions granted to nine institutions, including the IEC.
While the Gambia has several independent bodies, it is sad to note that all of them are severely constrained by law in performing their functions more effectively. This is because the laws establishing these bodies usually deny them prosecutorial or enforcement powers or place them under the control and direction of ministers, among other barriers. Even when they are protected by law, the Executive willfully violates, interferes, or undermines them, including disregarding the recommendations of these independent bodies with impunity.
The current case of the National Audit Office is the new low. We know that the Executive does not only ignore and suppress audit reports but has now gone further to use force and violence to unconstitutionally remove the Auditor General. The health and security of public funds lie with the Auditor General. Hence anyone who interferes with, controls, directs or removes the Auditor General illegally, then such a person or authority is practically removing all the fences and breaking all the locks to public funds.
Independent bodies are not luxuries; they are foundational to democracy. Without their protection and strengthening, democratic gains can be reversed, and citizens’ rights compromised. Therefore, I call on all citizens, civil society organizations, and political parties as well as the media to be vigilant and stand up to demand the reinstatement of the Auditor General with immediate effect, and perpetrators punished severely.
Defend the Auditor General Modou Ceesay. This is a Coup. Stand against Executive Overreach!
For The Gambia Our Homeland |
A clear conscience fears no accusation - proverb from Sierra Leone |
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Media Release: cabinet changes
