By: Fatou Krubally
The former council adviser to the Banjul City Council (BCC), Macoumba Sanneh, on Monday faced intense questioning at the Local Government Commission of Inquiry over the legitimacy and value of his role at the council, raising concerns about political appointments and lack of merit-based hiring in local governance.
Sanneh, who served under a series of contracts between 2019 and 2023, was repeatedly pressed by Lead Counsel Patrick Gomez based on his appointment, amid suggestions that he was hired solely because of his role as the mayor’s campaign manager.
“You were appointed because you were the campaign manager. Simple as that,” Gomez said.
Sanneh admitted he did not apply for the job and acknowledged that his first and second contracts were on a month-to-month basis. Despite holding the title “Council Adviser,” he conceded he had no formal experience or qualifications in municipal governance, nor did he consistently attend council meetings.
A 2021 consultancy agreement described Sanneh as a “qualified professional” with “technical competence,” tasked with advising the mayor, management, and council staff, and representing the mayor in both local and regional programs. However, Sanneh said the title of “consultant” was an error, claiming, “That was a mistake. I am not a consultant.”
When asked how he advised the council without attending meetings, Sanneh said he relayed suggestions through the mayor or CEO. The Lead Counsel pushed back: “The mayor cannot unilaterally decide for the council. You were not advising the council.”
Sanneh also claimed to have boosted market revenues from D6 million to D10 million in 2019, but offered no data to back the figures. He acknowledged being verbally assigned to oversee trade licensing operations but distanced himself from allegations of collecting revenues himself.
The commission continues its probe into questionable appointments and financial mismanagement across local councils.