Part One: From Decoupling to Rebirth – The New Ministry of Information, Media, and Broadcasting Services
On 4th May 2022, a quiet but far-reaching shift occurred in The Gambia’s governance architecture. Through an executive proclamation, the once consolidated Ministry of Information and Communications Infrastructure (MOICI) was split into two new entities: the Ministry of Information, Media and Broadcasting Services (MoIMBS) and the Ministry of Communication and Digital Economy (MoCDE).
At first glance, such bureaucratic re-engineering might seem a matter of administrative housekeeping. But in truth, this restructuring was political, strategic, and deeply consequential. It redefined how the government would communicate with its people in a period when trust, accuracy, and transparency are not luxuries but essentials of democratic survival.
A Ministry with a Renewed Mandate
The newly created Ministry of Information, Media and Broadcasting Services inherited a mandate both delicate and demanding. Its purpose is not merely to act as the government’s megaphone, but to serve as the fulcrum for citizen empowerment through information. The Ministry’s functions go well beyond issuing press releases. They include:
· Educating the public on government policies and programmes in clear and timely ways.
· Ensuring transparency by providing citizens with access to facts rather than speculation.
· Facilitating feedback loops so that the government does not only talk, but also listens.
· Assisting ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) in developing communications strategies that make their work intelligible to ordinary Gambians.
· Overseeing the Access to Information (ATI) Act, the single most important legislative tool in strengthening accountability.
· Regulating the broadcasting sector to ensure a modern, responsible, and inclusive media environment.
· Promoting national unity through responsible media engagement and civic education.
In short, MoIMBS is expected to anchor nothing less than the information democracy of The Gambia.
The Department of Information Services (DOIS): Backbone of Public Communication
If MoIMBS is the brain of government communication, then the Department of Information Services (DOIS) is its nervous system. The department has repositioned itself to ensure communication across government is well-coordinated, effectively managed, and responsive to the diverse needs of the population.
One of its signature innovations was the creation of dedicated communication officer positions across all government ministries. For the first time, the state has established a cadre of professionals tasked with ensuring that Gambians receive information that is not only accurate but timely. These officers are also custodians of official websites and social media channels, giving each ministry a digital face that is regularly updated.
This was not cosmetic tinkering. In the past, citizens often complained that ministry websites were stagnant and outdated, projecting an image of a government detached from the speed of modern communication. Today, thanks to DOIS, Gambians can find regular updates and live social media feeds on the activities of their ministries.
But the innovation goes further. DOIS has begun training officers in digital content creation—with the goal of transforming government social media pages into professional, interactive, and even viral platforms. The skills being imparted—video production, graphic design, and social media storytelling—are designed to give The Gambia’s public service a digital pulse that keeps pace with global communication trends.
Print, Digital, and Beyond: Information in All Formats
DOIS has also rejuvenated the state’s traditional and digital publication landscape. The Gambia Daily newspaper, long derided as irregular and sluggish, has increased its publication frequency from a weekly to a twice-weekly paper, with plans to transition to a daily print edition. Alongside this, a monthly e-newsletter was launched, rounding up key stories across government institutions, from the presidency to grassroots projects.
The aim is clear: Gambians should not have to wait weeks to understand what their government is doing. They should be able to see it every day, every week, and every month in multiple formats.
In the same spirit, DOIS is reviving the Gambia News Agency (GAMNA), once a proud institution but later left dormant. When fully reactivated, GAMNA will serve as the primary source of verified government news, a bulwark against rumor, speculation, and distortion. By restoring GAMNA, the government is signaling that accuracy is no longer optional—it is an institutional commitment.
DOIS is also preparing to launch a bi-yearly magazine that will provide in-depth features on government projects, sectoral achievements, and developmental milestones. Unlike the short bursts of press releases or tweets, this magazine will offer space for reflection, analysis, and storytelling—critical elements for building a mature public communication culture.
Access to Information as a Right, Not a Privilege
A striking feature of DOIS’s transformation agenda is its focus on the Access to Information Act (ATI Act), which came into force in 2021. DOIS is actively training Information Officers, Assistant Information Officers, and Records Officers to ensure that the Act is not a dead letter but a living practice.
By equipping these officers with the skills to retrieve and release information efficiently, the government is moving towards a future where citizens do not beg for information but claim it as a right. In a society long accustomed to opacity, this represents a seismic cultural shift.
Why This Matters
For a country like The Gambia—where institutions are young, democracy is fragile, and public trust is often tentative—the establishment of a professional, modern, and responsive communication ecosystem is nothing less than a safeguard for democracy itself. When citizens are informed, rumors are deflated. When citizens are consulted, policies gain legitimacy. And when access to information is guaranteed, accountability is no longer a slogan but a practice.
The story of MoIMBS and its frontline department DOIS is not about mere modernization. It is about embedding transparency into the DNA of governance. The stakes are high. In the coming years, as the Ministry deepens these reforms, Gambians will be watching not just for more press releases, but for a lived reality where government information is as open and accessible as the air they breathe.
