On Monday, Finance Minister Seedy Keita stood before our National Assembly and painted a rosy picture of The Gambia’s finances. He spoke of “transparency,” “accountability,” and “fiscal discipline.” He claimed government revenue is substantial and spending is prudent.
However, the Auditor General’s reports, especially the originals by Modou Ceesay before he was unconstitutionally removed, tell a very different story.
Missing Billions, Not Discipline
What Keita said: “The accounts are prepared in line with international standards (IPSAS).”
The truth: All three years, 2021, 2022, 2023, received the worst possible verdict: Adverse Opinion.
• GMD6.1 billion missing in 2023.
• GMD55.8 billion uncleared balances have been sitting since 2019.
• GMD65M missing in 2021, GMD136M in 2022.
If this is “discipline,” what does corruption look like?
A Closed GRA, A Leaking Treasury
What Keita said: “Government is transparent and accountable.”
The truth: Transparency was blocked.
• Auditors were denied access to GRA’s systems (ASYCUDA, GAMTAXNET, Nick-TC Scan).
• GRA used old exchange rates, losing GMD96M.
• A USD23.1M customs scanner was signed without cost verification.
If the tax collector hides its books from the Auditor General, who is in charge?
Rice for the Hungry That Never Came
What Keita said: “Expenditures were in line with the budget.”
The truth: Budget lines became a feeding trough.
• GMD64M paid for 58,500 bags of rice.
• Only 17,096 bags arrived.
• 41,404 bags vanished.
That rice could have fed tens of thousands of Gambian families. Instead, it disappeared.
Mining Riches, Foreign Looters
What Keita said: “Non-tax revenues are growing.”
The truth: Our minerals are leaving, but the money is not entering.
• GACH Mining owed GMD43.7M in black sand royalties (2021).
• In 2022, GACH exported 659 black sand containers and delayed royalties.
• Sino Majilac and GACH defaulted on GMD3.6M surface rentals.
• By 2023, GMD79.9M quarry royalties understated; GACH failed to pay its $100,000 annual training fund.
The soil of The Gambia is sold cheaply, while our schools go without books.
Roads, Stadiums, and Banquet Halls of Corruption
What Keita said: “Expenditures aligned with the budget.”
The truth: Expenditures aligned with pockets.
• The GMD857M Kiang West Road contract was given without GPPA approval.
• Independence Stadium costs ballooned by GMD153M + GMD83M, contracts to unqualified firms.
• Banquet Hall at State House: GMD9.8M overpaid, GMD3.3M duplicate, missing air conditioner.
• GMD32.5M OIC loan diverted to suppliers outside the system.
Instead of development, we get duplication, inflation, and diversion.
The Names That Disappeared
What Keita said: “Government is committed to accountability.”
The truth: Accountability was erased.
• Mama Jabbie: GMD1M from the wrong budget line.
• National Security Advisor: Paid both pension and salary.
• Haja Jallow & Abdoulie Jallow (Central Bank): Ineligible duty waivers.
• Jah Oil: GMD28.98M unlawful waiver.
• Cuban doctors: $120,800/month in cash payments flagged as fraud risk.
Ceesay named them. Sowe deleted them.
Why This Matters
This is not about accounting terms. It is about:
• The classroom and its furniture that your child will never sit in.
• The hospital bed that your mother cannot find.
• The meal of rice your family never ate.
• The job your siblings will never secure.
Every dalasi stolen is a Gambian dream destroyed.
2026: Gambians Must Choose
Minister Keita told Parliament a bedtime story. Auditor General Ceesay told us the truth. Then he was removed.
Now we must ask:
• Do we accept the bedtime story?
• Or do we demand the truth and accountability?
The future of our nation depends on that answer.
#AuditTruth#SeedyKeita#CeesayVsSowe#StopTheCoverUp#BarrowAccountability#MissingBillions#JusticeForTaxpayers
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You can now write for the Open Gambia Platform, share information anonymously, and join the community. Please share your stories! Jallow Modou, Washington, D.C, USA, contributed to the article on 01st October 2025! Contributors’ views are strictly personal and not of The OpenGambia Platform.
Analysis by: Jallow Modou, Washington, D.C, USA!
