By Haddy Touray
Minister of Information, Media, and Broadcasting Services, Dr. Ismaila Ceesay, has said public discussions in the country often focus more on shortcomings than on achievements, arguing that progress made in key sectors is frequently overlooked.
Speaking in an interview with West Coast Radio, Dr. Ceesay described Gambians as “fault finders,” saying many citizens are quick to highlight failures while paying less attention to government investments and improvements.
“I’ve realized one thing: we Gambians always like to focus on what is not working. We are fault finders,” he said.
The minister cited the health sector as an example, saying public perception is often influenced by individual experiences, such as difficulties in accessing specific medicines, rather than wider developments in the sector.
He said the government has invested in medical equipment, expanded healthcare facilities and strengthened specialist training, adding that although challenges remain, they should not overshadow progress being made.
Dr. Ceesay acknowledged that the country’s healthcare system continues to face difficulties but argued that such challenges are not unique and do not mean that improvements have not been achieved.
He also rejected claims that The Gambia is regressing, insisting that the country is continuing to move forward despite existing challenges.
“Nobody can tell me that the country is going backwards or that it is stagnant,” he said. “The country is moving. You can question the pace; you can be impatient with the pace at which we are moving, but the country is moving in a direction, and that is a fact.”
The minister’s comments come amid ongoing public debate over the government’s performance, with critics raising concerns over economic pressures, public service delivery and governance issues, while government officials maintain that reforms and investments are producing gradual improvements.