Dr. Ceesay Defends His Ministry’s Posting Of NPP’s Press Statement

By Makutu Manneh

Dr. Ismaila Ceesay, The Gambia’s Minister of Information, Media, and Broadcasting Services, on Tuesday defended his ministry’s decision to publish a press statement from the ruling National People’s Party responding to allegations made by an opposition group, saying the move was necessary to protect the integrity of the presidency.

Speaking on West Coast Radio, Dr. Ceesay said the ministry acted within its mandate when it amplified the statement, which sought to rebut claims that he said cast the presidency in a negative light.

“We did what we are supposed to do as a ministry,” Dr. Ceesay said. “The ministry’s role is to make sure that we defend and protect the integrity of the presidency, the highest institution of this office. In fact, we should have been the first to even write a rebuttal to that statement.”

The decision drew criticism from some observers who questioned whether a government ministry should circulate a statement issued by a political party, citing the principle of separation between party and state in a democratic system.

Dr. Ceesay acknowledged that such separation is important for democratic governance but argued that it cannot be absolute.

“It is an NPP government,” he said, referring to the ruling party. “If the government underperforms, who is punished? The NPP is punished. So you cannot have the total separation of party and government.”

He noted that although the National People’s Party has issued numerous statements in recent years, the ministry had not previously republished them. This case, he said, was different because it directly concerned the presidency.

According to Dr. Ceesay, the statement in question sought to clarify matters and counter assertions that he believed undermined the office of the president. In such circumstances, he said, it was appropriate for the Ministry of Information to amplify the party’s position.

The episode has renewed discussion about the evolving relationship between party politics and state institutions in The Gambia’s democratic landscape.