By: Fatou Krubally
Several senior officials across the Gambian public service have been dismissed, demoted, or disciplined following investigations by the Public Service Commission (PSC), the Minister of Justice confirmed.
Addressing a press conference on Friday, the Justice Minister Dawda Jallow, says the action comes as part of the government’s response to petitions raised by the Gambia Against Looted Assets (GALA), addressing alleged misconduct and corruption in multiple sectors.
According to him, Mr. Muntaga Sallah, Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Petroleum and Energy, was dismissed for impersonating a government adviser and attempting to facilitate fraudulent travel visas. Similarly, Mr. Saidou AM Bah Assistant Superintendent of Immigration at the Gambia Immigration Department was removed for his involvement in a forged diplomatic passport scheme and issuing non-biometric passports to fugitives, respectively.
In the Ministry of Youth and Sports, the Minister noted that former Director Sutey Jawo was demoted after admitting responsibility for missing funds totaling D937,500 from a training camp impress fund. Lamin Bajo, regional forestry officer at the Ministry of Environment, was also dismissed for permitting the disappearance of illegally felled mahogany trees, resulting in an economic loss of D40,000.
The Minister highlighted the government’s ongoing response to the 2022 Acute Kidney Injury (AKI) tragedy caused by contaminated syrup imports, which resulted in several child fatalities. Measures taken, the Ministry said, included suspension of the importer’s license, blacklisting the responsible pharmaceutical company, and launching reforms of the Medicines Control Agency (MCA), including pre-shipment inspections, full-time inspectors at key entry points, and the establishment of a National Medicine Quality Control Laboratory.
Further institutional reforms, the Minister explained, include the creation of a School of Pharmacy at the University of the Gambia, the introduction of a digital track-and-trace system for medicines, and legislative amendments to ensure independent oversight of health and regulatory bodies.
To conclude the briefing, Minister Jallow emphasized the government’s commitment to transparency, citizen engagement, and strict enforcement of anti-corruption measures. “We are determined to uphold justice, restore trust, and ensure that misconduct at all levels is addressed decisively,” the Minister reiterated.
He noted that these actions reflected a broader effort to modernize the public service, safeguard public resources, and reinforce a culture of accountability and integrity throughout the Gambian administration.
