Posted by By Bekai Njie
Vice President Ousainou Darboe and other Cabinet ministers are expected to be sworn-in by President Adama Barrow at State House on Monday, according to a media release.
New government spokesperson and a permanent secretary will all equally be sworn-in.
President Adama Barrow on June 2, 2018, made a surprise but major Cabinet reshuffle that showed Ousainou Darboe, the minister of Foreign Affairs International Cooperation and Gambians Abroad being appointed as Gambia’s vice president.
Four ministers including Omar Jallow, known as O.J., minister of Agriculture, Henry Gomez, minister of Youth and Sports, Saffie Lowe-Ceesay, minister of Health and Demba Ali Jawo of Information have all been relieved of their of their Cabinet posts. However, Saffie Lowe- Ceesay has been redeployed to foreign service.
Last week, VP Darboe bade farewell to his staff at Foreign Affairs Ministry where he hailed the staff for their support and expressed optimism that the same trend would continue under the watchful eye of his successor, Momodou Tangara –a seasoned diplomat and one time Gambia’s permanent rep. at the United Nations until his appointment as the new Foreign Affairs minister on July 1st, 2018.
Government’s spokesperson, Ebrima G. Sankareh, who has been recently appointed by Mr. Barrow will also take an oath of office.
Mr. Sankareh, a journalist and publisher of the American-based online journal, The Gambia Echo newspaper, was appointed on June 5, 2018.
Mr. Sankareh will be responsible for the implementation of public and media relation programmes for the government. He shall also be responsible for implementing government’s communication policies and strategies and shall in collaboration with other ministries ensure adequate coverage and exposure of the government and its policies to the people of The Gambia in line with the constitution and the aspirations of the National Development Plan.
As the spokesperson, Mr. Sankareh shall also be responsible for planning and organising news conferences, media briefings and other activities with representatives of the media and intended target groups.
Equally, he will also be coordinating the dissemination of information and press releases both in-country and external.