Banjul, 13 August 2026: The Ministry of Information, Media and Broadcasting Services has renewed its commitment to stronger collaboration, accountability and institutional performance following its regular Intra-Sectoral Retreat, which brought together senior officials, heads of departments and agencies and staff to review progress and chart priorities for the information sector.
The retreat, chaired by Honourable Minister Dr. Ismaila Ceesay, was a follow-up to the previous intra-sectoral meeting and provided an opportunity for participating institutions to report on commitments made, assess achievements and challenges, and identify areas requiring greater coordination.
The meeting brought together the Ministry, The Gambia Radio and Television Services, the Gambia Printing and Publishing Corporation, the Department of Information Services and Digital Gambia Limited. Their presentations were followed by question-and-answer sessions focused on institutional performance, outstanding commitments and opportunities for improved collaboration.
In his opening remarks, Minister Ceesay urged participants to use the retreat as a platform for honest reflection and decisive action.
“Today, we are not gathered simply to hold another meeting. We are gathered to take stock, to take responsibility, and to make decisions.”
He stressed that although the institutions within the sector have different mandates, their work contributes to a common national objective. He therefore called for greater sharing of ideas, mutual support and increased opportunities for joint initiatives.
Accountability featured prominently in the discussions, with institutions providing updates on commitments made during the previous retreat and responding to questions from participants. The discussions also examined the rapidly changing media environment, particularly the growing influence of digital platforms, artificial intelligence and social media, as well as the increasing threat posed by misinformation and disinformation.
Minister Ceesay called for continued investment in human resources, technology and institutional development, while underscoring the importance of professionalism, transparency and access to information.
He also highlighted the Mansa Kunda Ministerial Townhall Series and the National Misinformation and Disinformation Response Centre as key initiatives aimed at strengthening government communication, promoting public engagement and responding to emerging challenges in the information environment.
According to the Minister, the sector’s success should ultimately be measured by the quality of its work and the confidence it earns from the Gambian public.
“Our institutions have different mandates, but we have a shared mission: to build a modern, professional, credible, transparent, innovative and responsive information and media sector that serves the Gambian people.”
The retreat concluded with a renewed commitment to stronger cooperation, accountability and follow-through. Participants are expected to translate the discussions into clear priorities, defined responsibilities and measurable results as the information sector works towards a more coordinated and responsive approach to serving the public.
Gambia News Agency
