Similar scenario happened in November 2020 when Bakary Jammeh, former governor of the Central Bank declined an appointment as Trade minister, making him the first candidate a reject a ministerial post in the Barrow administration.
“Mr. Ceesay is dedicated to serving in his role as the Auditor General and in diligently executing the functions conferred on him by the Constitution of The Gambia, to improve the lives of citizens through public sector auditing,” dispatch stated.
“AG Ceesay solicits the support of all stakeholders in steering the affairs of the NAO and calls for collective efforts in strengthening our public financial management system.”
Reacting to this, Edward Francis Small Centre for Rights and Justice (EFSCRJ) sounded the alarm over President Adama Barrow’s removal of Auditor General Modou Ceesay, declaring the move illegal and a direct threat to The Gambia’s commitment to accountability and transparency.
The group warned that undermining the country’s top audit office risks eroding public trust and weakening democratic governance at a time when 2025 has been declared the Year of Transparency and Accountability.
President Barrow on Wednesday 10 September announced the removal of Modou Ceesay as Auditor General and offered him a ministerial post. But EFSCRJ insists the decision violates the National Audit Office Act of 2015, which guarantees the independence of the Auditor General and shields the office from political or administrative control.
The organisation is demanding the immediate reversal of the decision and the reinstatement of Mr Ceesay, arguing that the President’s action amounts to unconstitutional interference in the work of the National Audit Office.
“The National Audit Office serves as the Supreme Audit Institution of The Gambia, with the Auditor General at its helm. It is responsible for scrutinising the management of public funds, ensuring transparency, and safeguarding integrity in government spending. Section 3(2) and Section 14(a) of the 2015 Act clearly state that the Auditor General “shall not be subject to the direction or control of any person or authority.” According to EFSCRJ, these provisions were disregarded when the President acted unilaterally to remove Ceesay.
The law also lays out strict conditions for the dismissal of an Auditor General. Under Section 16 of the Act, removal can only occur on the grounds of incapacity, misconduct, or incompetence. In cases of health-related incapacity, a medical board must confirm the inability to perform duties.
“For misconduct or incompetence, the President is required to establish a tribunal comprising a High Court judge, the Ombudsman, a member of the Public Service Commission, and a chartered accountant. EFSCRJ has questioned whether any of these legal processes were followed before the President’s announcement.”
Ceesay, who was appointed in November 2022, has served just under three years of his nine-year term. EFSCRJ has urged him to reject the ministerial appointment and remain steadfast in defending the independence of his office, stressing that his constitutional mandate is to protect the law and resist political interference.
Without clarity from the President on the reasons and procedures behind the removal, EFSCRJ maintains that the decision must be considered unlawful.
