The Office of the President has issued a clarification on the appointment process of embattled Auditor General Modou Ceesay, following controversy over his reassignment.

According to the statement, Mr Ceesay was invited to State House on 10 September and informed of his appointment as Minister of Trade, Industry, Regional Integration and Employment, a position he initially accepted, receiving a formal letter of appointment.

Following this, Mr Cherno Amadou Sowe was consulted and appointed as the new Auditor General.

However, Mr Ceesay later indicated his preference to remain as Auditor General and formally rejected the ministerial role in a letter dated 11 September, which was received by the presidency on 12 September.

The government stressed that the President’s decision to appoint Mr Ceesay as minister was based solely on his qualifications and public service experience, and was not intended to interfere with the operations of the National Audit Office or its audit publications.

The statement congratulated Mr Sowe on his appointment and pledged the government’s full cooperation in his new role.

It further reaffirmed President Barrow’s commitment to the rule of law, transparency, accountability, and sound management of public finances.