Information Minister Dr Ismaila Ceesay has hit back at allegations that the government deliberately timed the publication of its White Paper on the Local Government Commission of Inquiry to undermine Talib Ahmed Bensouda’s presidential ambition.

In a strong defence of the government’s decision, Dr Ceesay said the publication was driven by a constitutional deadline and had nothing to do with Bensouda’s plans to contest the December 5 presidential election.

Speaking on West Coast Radio, he said the commission was established about two and a half years ago, when Bensouda was still serving as mayor of Kanifing Municipal Council and had not declared any presidential ambition.

“The purpose of this commission is to fight corruption and bring sanity into local governance. It is not intended or established to witch-hunt anybody,” he said.

Dr Ceesay explained that the commission submitted its report to President Adama Barrow in May, after which a multisectoral committee was established to review its findings and advise the government.

The report was subsequently considered by Cabinet over three consecutive days before the Attorney General and Minister of Justice conducted a final technical review.

He said the government was required to respond to the commission’s report within six months of receiving it, making November 11, 2026, the constitutional deadline.

Rejecting claims that the timing was politically motivated, Dr Ceesay said the process had been underway long before Bensouda’s presidential ambition became a subject of public discussion.
“It did not work like that. This shows his ignorance of how government works,” he said.

The minister also dismissed suggestions that the White Paper had been secretly released, saying it was formally gazetted, published on government ministry websites and announced through a press release shortly after 8 a.m.

His comments come as the government and Bensouda’s UNITE Party remain divided over the commission’s findings and the implications of the White Paper for the mayor’s political future.

By Adama Makasuba