Statement by His Excellency, the President, Mr. Adama Barrow at the Swearing-in Ceremony of the Secretary General and
Head of the Civil Service, Deputy Secretary General and Permanent Secretary

Date: 4th June 2020

Venue: State House, Banjul

Your Excellency, the Vice President,

Honourable Cabinet Ministers,                            

Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen,

Members of the Media,

Appointments and swearing-in ceremonies, such as this one, continue to feature as necessary procedures in our quest to engage competent and committed personnel to serve the Gambian nation sincerely and efficiently.

In line with this, the appointment and swearing-in of the new Secretary General and Head of the Civil Service, the Deputy Secretary General and Permanent Secretary in our midst are a result of the desire to strengthen the Civil Service and the sectors for the attainment of our noble national goals and aspirations. These are important portfolios, especially in relation to the Office of the President and the Civil Service.

I am hopeful that the appointments will contribute significantly to improving Government machinery and operations in accordance with the legal and governance frameworks that guide service delivery in the country.

The appointment of the new Secretary General follows the statutory retirement from the Civil Service of his predecessor, Mr. Muhammed B.S. Jallow. This is a noble achievement, working to retirement with honour and dignity. While I seize this opportunity to thank Mr. Jallow for his service to the nation, I call upon you, Mr. Secretary General, to work with honesty, dedication and commitment to the country and the Office of the President in particular.

Similarly, I urge the Deputy Secretary General to work as a member of a unified team with the common goal of making the Civil Service respectable, trustworthy and the envy of those who have regard for professionalism, efficiency and dedication to national development.  

To the Permanent Secretary, like your colleagues, you are the cardinal professional pillar of your Ministry.  Your ability to draw together your team, recognizing the strength in each member and supporting one another is the surest path to success in your institution. Work towards building the systems and subsystems we so desire to institute. Be professional and serve the country without fear or favour; but, be tactful, strategic and devoted to duty in the interest of the Gambian nation.  

I thank you all for accepting these appointments. Congratulations! On behalf of every Gambian, I wish you success in your assignments.  

Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen,

My government continues to strive for enhanced institutional and legal reforms to achieve our National Development goals. We are also committed to leaving a legacy of sustained institutions with the required systems, laws and mechanisms to guide and solidify the workforce, and develop the right attitude to work. 

I am confident that, working together, we will realise the objectives of our National Development Plan, 2018-2021. I ask all Gambians to come onboard and join us in this noble venture.

Thank you for your kind attention.