The Minister of Information, Hon Ismaila Ceesay, on July 15, announced government initiatives aimed at enhancing transparency, accountability, and civic participation in The Gambia as the country transitions to a more robust democracy. Key points include:
Public Expectations: The minister acknowledged a gap between public expectations for change and the government’s response time.
Ministry Goals: The Ministry of Information is focused on making government information more accessible and promoting open communication.
Ministerial Town Hall Series: This initiative allows ministers to engage directly with the public, with over 80% participation from ministries in the first round.
Monthly Press Conferences: These will provide media updates and facilitate accountability through interaction with journalists.
Sunu Rew Initiative: A program to extend town hall meetings into rural areas to educate residents about government services and projects.
Combatting Misinformation: The ministry is addressing the issue of online misinformation and plans to create an AI-driven center to track and counter false information.
Digital Broadcasting Transition: Efforts are underway to switch from analog to digital broadcasting, with a call for partnerships to enhance media infrastructure.
Policy Development: The ministry is developing a national communications and information policy and has initiated the Access to Information Act to clarify guidelines for public, confidential, and restricted information.
