By Fatou Sillah
The Minister of Information, Media and Broadcasting Services, Dr. Ismaila Ceesay, has defended President Adama Barrow amid public debate over a gathering held at State House to celebrate Arsenal Football Club’s Premier League title triumph, insisting that the event was privately funded and did not involve public resources.
Speaking in an interview with West Coast Radio, Dr. Ceesay dismissed claims that taxpayers’ money was used to finance the celebration, describing such assertions as inaccurate.
“I think it is misinformation to say it is funded by public funds, which is false,” he said.
According to the minister, the gathering was a private event organized by the First Family and attended by relatives, friends, and football enthusiasts who share an interest in Arsenal Football Club.
He argued that the event should not be treated as a matter of national concern, stressing that it was neither an official government function nor financed by the state.
“If the First Family has a private event in their private space with private friends and family using their private funds, why should that be a national debate?” Ceesay said.
He maintained that there was nothing inappropriate about the President hosting guests at State House to celebrate a sporting achievement.
“They will not use public funds to fund such an event. It is a private event in their private space, inviting family and friends and some citizens who are aficionados of Arsenal and football,” he said.
Responding to questions about why a similar celebration was not held when The Gambia qualified for the Africa Cup of Nations for the first time in its history, Dr. Ceesay said the President’s personal activities are a matter of individual discretion.
“The president decides what he wants to do with his private time, and nobody can dictate that to him,” he said.
The minister also criticized opposition figures who have questioned the event, accusing them of attempting to politicize the issue rather than engaging the government on policy matters.
“They have no policies; they have nothing to say; all they do is engage in public propaganda online, thinking that kind of thing will take them to the State House. They are making a mistake,” he said.
Dr. Ceesay further expressed confidence in President Barrow’s political standing ahead of the 2026 presidential election, arguing that the administration’s development agenda continues to enjoy public support.
“The Gambian people appreciate and love the president, and they appreciate the work he’s doing for this country. His investments in multiple sectors concurrently will win him the elections in 2026,” he said.
The State House gathering has generated discussion on social media, with critics questioning the appropriateness of hosting a football celebration at the seat of government. Government officials, however, maintain that the event was a private affair funded by the First Family and did not involve public expenditure.
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