President Adama Barrow has warned civil servants that they will be held to account for their actions in his Eid message to celebrate the end of Ramadan. 

“If there is anything to take from the holy month of Ramadan, it is for us to remember that everyone will be held accountable for their deeds,” President Barrow said in a televised address to the nation.

The president’s stern warning came a week after Health minister Dr. Ahmadou Samateh exposed the corruption of some of the civil servants handling the country’s COVID-19 funds. 

President Barrow urged civil servants to “re-commit themselves to nation building and work together with sincerity in the service of the dear nation.”

He called on public institutions to “piously pursue” the realisation of the National Development Plan (NDP) goals of his government. 

“We have to re-prioritise our development agenda by enhancing good governance and be held accountable for our institutional responsibilities,” the president said. 

On coronavirus 

The president called for vigilance as the country’s coronavirus cases rise.

“I admit that the health challenges confronting us are enormous, but be rest assured that our health sector is on full alert to deal with any mass outbreak of COVID-19.

“We cannot determine how long it will take to restore normalcy and carry on with our usual socio-economic and political engagements. Yet, we need to plan and prepare for life after COVID-19.”