Gambiaj.com – (Banjul, The Gambia) – The National Audit Office (NAO) has announced that Mr. Cherno Amadou Sowe has officially assumed duties as Auditor General following his appointment by President Adama Barrow on September 10, 2025.
Mr. Sowe replaces Mr. Modou Ceesay, who was forcefully removed from the position on Monday by police after refusing a cabinet appointment offered by the government. Mr. Ceesay’s removal sparked public debate about the independence of the Auditor General’s office and the handling of high-level appointments within The Gambia’s public service.
Mr. Sowe steps into the role at a pivotal time for the NAO, which has been under scrutiny over delays in audit reports and calls for stronger oversight of public finances.
The Auditor General, under Section 4 of the NAO Act, 2015, is supported by two Deputy Auditors General—one responsible for technical aspects of the NAO’s work and the other for administration and finance—to ensure the smooth execution of the institution’s constitutional mandate.
According to the NAO communications team, AG Sowe has already begun engaging the two deputies to facilitate a seamless transition, particularly in the absence of a formal handover.
Orientation measures are underway to maintain the uninterrupted execution of the Auditor General’s duties, which include auditing public accounts and providing independent reports to the National Assembly.
The new Auditor General has also scheduled meetings with senior management and staff “to reinforce professionalism and teamwork in support of the NAO’s strategic vision and operations,” a statement issued by the NAO reads.
In addition, he has initiated outreach with key external stakeholders, including the Accountant General, as part of his efforts to strengthen collaboration and improve public sector financial management.
The NAO assured the public that work has returned to normal, with staff continuing their assigned duties. AG Sowe called on all stakeholders to support the Auditor General’s constitutional mandate, stressing the importance of collective action to strengthen public sector auditing and accountability in The Gambia.
Mr. Sowe succeeds a period of heightened attention to the NAO’s role in promoting transparency and efficiency in government spending—issues that have been widely debated in the National Assembly and civil society. His assumption of office is expected to bring renewed focus on delivering timely, credible audit reports to strengthen public financial management.
