The second batch of Cabinet ministers in the new government of President Adama Barrow were on Thursday sworn-in at a ceremony held at the Kairaba Beach Hotel.
Administered by Alima Tambedou, Permanent Secretary, Office of the First Lady, all the six ministers and the Secretary General, the Secretary to Cabinet and Permanent Secretaries took the oaths of Allegiance, Office and Secrecy to execute their functions without fear, favour, affection or ill will.
The ministers are Fatoumatta Jallow-Tambajang, minister of Women’s Affairs; Badara Alieu Joof, Minister of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology; Claudiana A Cole, Minister of Basic and Secondary Education; Saffie Lowe-Ceesay, Minister of Health and Social Welfare; Demba A. Jawo, Minister of Information, Communication and Infrastructure and Bai Lamin Jobe, Minister of Transport, Works and Infrastructure.
Speaking at the ceremony, President Barrow described the ceremony as part of another important step in consolidating the change desired for the country under his administration. He said the appointments have been informed by wide consultation, vetting and other assessment tools and consideration.
According to him, his government pledged to engage in institutional and legal reforms, thus, need politicians and technicians to make it possible.
“I urge you to work hard as professionals to support the political agenda of my administration for us to achieve our goal. I want us to leave a legacy of institutions, laws and procedures that will enhance our democracy, social, economic and political development for our people” he urged them.
He expressed confidence in all the appointees and renewed hope that they will work together to make this country a shining example of development, democracy, rule of law and peaceful co-existence in the sub-region and beyond.
President Barrow thanked them for accepting this noble job of serving the country and the citizens and urged them to serve the people without fear or favour.
Fatoumatta Jallow-Tambajang, the Minister of Women’s Affairs on behalf of the newly sworn-in ministers, expressed delight to see more women in the Cabinet.
According to her, women still need freedom, participation in decision affecting their lives and lives affecting their families. She said her passion and commitment under President Barrow’s leadership will be to facilitate these processes.
She assured that the women sworn-in in Cabinet will not let the President down saying “ If they fail, I fail, if they decrease, I fail. My passion and success is to have more women in every sector of the economy and have more resources for women work, to have more financial and moral support for women. I am happy we have a leader who is gender sensitive. I have observed that women in this country are in the forefront of your agenda and we will not let you down” she assured.
Dawda Fadera, the new Secretary General and Head of the Civil Service on behalf of the Permanent Secretaries, expressed gratitude to President Barrow for the appointments. He said it is a heavy responsibility and they are aware of the task but assured that they will overcome them.
