Ceesay Appointed New Trade Minister as President Announces Key Cabinet, Senior Public Service Changes

The Office of the President has announced a series of high-level appointments, headlined by the appointment of Honourable Mod K. Ceesay as the new Minister for Trade, Regional Integration and Employment, effective 2nd December 2025. The decision was made by President Adama Barrow in accordance with Section 71(1) of the Constitution.

Hon. Ceesay is no stranger to national service. He became the first holder of the position of Chief of Staff in 2021, a role that was later elevated to ministerial rank in 2024. His extensive public service career includes serving as Permanent Secretary in several ministries, most notably the Ministry of Trade. He also brings a wealth of international experience from his time as a senior official at WAIFEM, along with consultancy work with global development partners.

In a related development, Mr. Alieu Loum, the current Deputy Chief of Staff at the Office of the President, has been promoted to Chief of Staff. Mr. Loum has held several strategic leadership roles, ranging from Director of Delivery under the former Department of Strategic Policy and Delivery to Permanent Secretary overseeing delivery reforms at the Ministry of Public Service.

Similarly, Mr. Momodou K. Dibba, Executive Director of the National Social Protection Agency, has been appointed as Deputy Chief of Staff at the Office of the President. Mr. Dibba, an economist by profession, previously served as Director at the Department of Strategic Policy and Delivery and has contributed significantly to national development planning.

The Office of the President congratulated the appointees and expressed confidence in their ability to deliver on their new mandates.