Dr. Ceesay Hails Barrow Administration as Gambia’s Most Transparent and Receptive to Public Criticism 

By Fatou Sillah 

Dr. Ismaila Ceesay, Minister of Information, Media, and Broadcasting Services, has described President Adama Barrow’s administration as the most transparent government in The Gambia since independence. He emphasized that the current administration is committed to open governance, accessible communication, and public accountability.

“There are claims that we are not being transparent, and we have to put emphasis on being transparent because the evidence suggests that we are; since independence, this government has been most transparent in so far as sharing information is concerned,” he said. 

He highlighted several initiatives launched by the Ministry of Information aimed at promoting open governance and improving communication between the state and its citizens. 

“We have taken up initiatives where we ensure that the public is aware of what the government is doing. The records show that, since independence, this government has been the most transparent,” he said. 

Dr. Ceesay also underscored the importance of constructive criticism in democratic governance, stating that the government not only tolerates dissent but views it as vital to progress.

“All over the world, even in the most mature democracies, there are people who question what the government does. That is democracy; you cannot expect everybody to fall in line and praise the government. I think it is good for the government to be criticized because it is only through criticism that we can know our flaws and our weaknesses and the things we need to improve on,” he said. 

The Minister further affirmed the administration’s commitment to fostering open dialogue and civic engagement. Stating, “That is why in a democracy, we encourage public debate because it is key; it is the lifeblood of democracy; the government needs to know what the public is thinking,” he said. 

Dr. Ceesay concluded by reiterating the government’s readiness to listen and respond to citizens’ concerns. “We cannot expect everybody to praise us on a daily basis; we want people to tell us what is not going right so we can make it right; that is our role as a government,” he said.