Information Minister Dr Ismaila Ceesay has challenged United Democratic Party (UDP) leader Ousainu Darboe to provide a detailed policy programme explaining how a government led by him would differ from the current administration.

Responding to Darboe’s appearance on Coffee Time a day earlier, Dr Ceesay said the opposition leader had failed to articulate specific reforms and development plans during the interview.

Speaking on the same programme on Tuesday, October 13, 2026, the minister argued that Darboe had focused more on his personal qualities than on presenting concrete policy alternatives.

“I was expecting him to tell us exactly and articulately a policy, a programme of reforms, of a development blueprint that will replace the current government’s blueprint,” Dr Ceesay said.

He questioned how the UDP would implement its proposed changes, particularly in areas such as agriculture, healthcare, youth employment, tourism and the cost of living.

The minister also defended President Adama Barrow’s leadership, arguing that the personal qualities Darboe had highlighted, including honesty, humility and accountability, were also evident in the president.

On the government’s constitutional reform efforts, Dr Ceesay said the process involved the executive, legislature and judiciary, limiting the president’s direct control over its outcome.

He also addressed criticism over the government’s promise to acquire two ferries, saying a timeline had been given for the first ferry but not the second.

“The plans are still there, but there was no timeline given for a second ferry,” he said.

Dr Ceesay maintained that the opposition should explain how its proposals would be financed, what resources would be redirected and what practical results Gambians could expect.

He argued that offering broad promises without explaining their implementation would not provide a clear alternative to the government’s existing programmes.

Darboe’s proposals, as outlined during his interview, included expanding local food production, reducing government waste, introducing rent controls and delivering a new constitution within his first year if elected.

Dr Ceesay’s response forms part of the political debate over competing policy proposals ahead of the 2028 presidential election.

By Adama Makasuba