Last Month massive GALA Anti-Corruption Protest
Photo Credit: GALA
A controversial cabinet reshuffle by President Adama Barrow, reassigning Auditor General Modou Ceesay to the Ministry of Trade, Industry, Regional Integration, and Employment as the new Minister, has ignited widespread criticism. Activists accuse the government of undermining accountability.
Gambians Against Looted Assets (GALA), a prominent advocacy group, issued a scathing statement, alleging the move is a calculated effort to shield key institutions, including the Gambia Revenue Authority (GRA), from scrutiny. GALA claims credible intelligence suggests the redeployment aims to stifle oversight of public funds. The group argues that by transitioning Ceesay from Auditor General to a ministerial role, where he can be dismissed at the President’s discretion, the government risks compromising the independence of the auditing process.
“This abrupt redeployment raises serious concerns about the government’s commitment to transparency,” GALA stated. “The Auditor General’s role is critical to ensuring accountability, and this move appears designed to weaken that function.”
The reshuffle comes amid growing unease over the government’s handling of financial oversight. Since 2021, the Barrow administration has faced criticism for failing to release Auditor General reports on government institutions, fueling suspicions of efforts to conceal mismanagement or corruption. GALA condemned the reassignment as a potential attempt to “silence oversight and accountability,” vowing to intensify its monitoring of public asset management.
Ceesay’s new role places him in a politically vulnerable position. Ministers serve at the President’s pleasure, unlike the Auditor General, whose independence is constitutionally protected to ensure impartial audits. Critics argue this shift could deter rigorous investigations into government spending, particularly when public trust in financial governance is strained.
The government has yet to respond to GALA’s allegations or clarify the rationale behind the reshuffle. However, the decision has sparked debate across The Gambia, with civic groups and opposition figures calling for the reinstatement of Ceesay to his former role to preserve the integrity of the auditing process.
GALA reiterated its commitment to advocating for transparency, stating, “We will not relent in our pursuit of accountability and the protection of The Gambia’s public assets.”
