Demba Kandeh: Access to Information is the Disinfectant to Public Ills

Freedom House The Gambia Representative Demba Kandeh © Askanwi

By Yusef Taylor and Haddy Ceesay

Freedom House Gambia Representative highlighted that Access to Information (ATI) is the disinfectant to public ills during the validation of the National Road Map for the Implementation of the ATI Act. The validation workshop took place at the Bakadaji Hotel on Friday, 17th January 2025, where keynote speaker, Minister for Information, Media, and Broadcasting Services, Dr. Ismaila Ceesay, reiterated the government’s commitment to implementing the ATI Act.

During his welcoming remarks, ATI Vice Chairperson John Charles Njie called the roadmap their Consolidated Implementation Plan of the ATI Act and noted that the genesis of the plan started with the Gambia Press Union (GPU), which took up the initiative to create a roadmap for the implementation of the ATI Law. He added that after this, the National Democratic Institute (NDI) came in and got a consultant to look at an implementation plan. After this, a technical committee worked on consolidating the two frameworks to create an effective plan that the Commission and Partners could use.

Our budget research has revealed that the ATI Commission has been approved to spend D13.7 million this year, 2025. Out of this amount, D5 million has been allocated for operating costs, while D8.7 million has been allocated to personnel emoluments. Last year, the ATI Commission was approved to spend D7 million according to the 2025 Approved Budget. Our researchers will continue monitoring if this amount was actually dispensed in subsequent budgets.

ATI Vice Chairperson John Charles Njie © Askanwi

ATI is the Disinfectant to Public Ills

Delivering his opening remarks, Freedom House Country representative Demba Kandeh highlighted that many people in the room had worked hard to establish the ATI Act. The ATI Act was eventually passed in 2021, and the five-member commissioners were sworn in in 2024.

According to Mr. Kandeh, the Act represents an important step in building a very open and transparent society in The Gambia. He noted that Access to information “is not just a human right in The Gambia, but we should take it further to make it the lifeblood of our infant democracy.”

“For a small country like ours, it’s important to understand, especially emerging from a very dark moment, the right to know is paramount. It does a lot of things, including empowering citizens to make very informed decisions. It strengthens our ability to hold our leaders and ourselves accountable,” said Mr. Kandeh.

“Access to Information is like the sunlight, which is very often referred to as a natural disinfectant. So, providing reliable information on public issues is like a disinfectant to a lot of public ills that had been very common lately in our dear motherland”. He gave examples of people not being able to access information on why their NAWEC bills are so high, why the garbage “Mbalit” collector is not coming to collect refuse, and effective service delivery is not taking place. “The only way you can know is by the provision of timely and reliable information, and that’s what this good piece of legislation does for all of us,” added Mr. Kandeh.

He called the roadmap a critical tool that will ensure the implementation of the ATI Act and prevent it from just collecting dust. He also called for a collaborative implementation process involving government, civil society, and the media, which also requires a strong shared commitment. He concluded by urging every stakeholder to make the process as inclusive as possible.

Information Minister Dr Ismaila Ceesay © Askanwi

Information Minister Highlights ATI as a Key Priority

Speaking on behalf of the government, Minister for Information, Media, and Broadcasting Services, Dr. Ismaila Ceesay, noted that the “validation is a testament of the government’s unwavering commitment to the implementation of the ATI 2021, which, in brief, assures citizens the right of access to information that public and private bodies keep for on and behalf of the public.”

He distinguished Access to Information from being a “mere privilege” and called it a “fundamental human right enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and aligned with international human rights frameworks but also local frameworks because it is guaranteed in the Gambian Constitution.”

Minister Ceesay noted that “our key priority for 2025 is to see the full implementation of the Act by establishing the secretariat as well.” He highlighted how the ministry collaborated with donor partner NDI “to conduct a baseline assessment on the capacity and baseline assessment in implementing the act. Key findings of the assessment reveal the absence of a robust strategy or plan to implement the Act”.

In reaction to this, Minister Ceesay noted that “the document to be validated is derived from two separate documents prepared by my ministry and the Gambia Press Union, respectively, and consolidated into a single document by the Information Commission and Partners.”.

Former GPU President Muhammed MS Bah © Askanwi

Government and ATI Commission thank Partners

During his welcoming remarks, ATI Commissioner and Vice Chairperson, Mr. Njie, noted that the validation was an opportunity to add value to the Consolidated Implementation Plan. He urged partners in civil society to be positioned well to hold the Commission accountable to ensure it fulfils its tasks as dictated by the ATI law. He thanked Freedom House for supporting the Commission to hold a two-day retreat to work on their internal working documents. In addition, Mr. Njie thanked the Minister for Information, Media, and Broadcasting Services for his support towards the Commission.

Information Minister Dr. Ceesay assured stakeholders of the government’s steadfast support in implementing the ATI Act. He extended his profound gratitude to Freedom House and noted that they “will become our key partner, particularly as we navigate through this very challenging task of fully implementing the ATI Act.” He added that the government is also working with the Freedom House on other projects. “I see this year as the year of critical partnership between the Ministry of Information and Freedom House,” said Minister Ceesay. He also thanked NDI and the Information Commission.