Dr. Ismaila Ceesay, Minister Of Information
By Fatou Sillah
The Minister of Information, Media and Broadcasting Services, Dr Ismaila Ceesay, has disclosed that The Gambia is making significant strides in electricity provision and is on course to become the first country in West Africa—and potentially in sub-Saharan Africa—to achieve universal access to electricity.
Speaking in an interview with West Coast Radio, Dr Ceesay expressed optimism about the country’s progress in the energy sector. “Correct me if I am wrong, I think we are going to be the first country in West Africa, and perhaps also in sub-Saharan Africa, to reach 100 per cent universal access to electricity,” he said.
The minister noted that the government’s development efforts extend beyond electricity to include water supply, with ongoing projects serving both urban and rural communities to ensure access to safe and clean drinking water nationwide.
Dr Ceesay also highlighted major investments in road infrastructure aimed at improving connectivity across the country. He revealed that more than 1,200 kilometres of primary and secondary roads have already been constructed, with an additional 900 kilometres currently being commissioned. Furthermore, he said the government is building 274 kilometres of agricultural feeder roads designed to link farmlands to main highways and markets.
“Apart from the 1,200 kilometres of roads, we have already built both primary and secondary roads, we are now commissioning an extra 900 kilometres of roads. In addition, we are also building 274 kilometres of roads, agricultural roads, which are only for the agricultural sector, connecting main roads to farmlands, connecting farmers to markets,” He said.
According to the minister, the government’s achievements span multiple sectors, including healthcare, education, and economic growth. He described investments in healthcare as unprecedented, citing developments at the Edward Francis Small Teaching Hospital (EFSTH) and significant improvements in primary healthcare facilities across the country.
Dr Ceesay further disclosed that The Gambia’s economy is projected to grow by 5.9 per cent by the end of the year, underscoring what he described as broad-based national development taking place across the country.
“The investments in healthcare are unmatched also both at the EFSTH main hospital, but also in primary healthcare provision as well. The health centres we have built, we have renovated across the country also unmatched, our economy is growing to 5.9% by the end of this year,” he said.
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