By Mohammed Jallow
In recent weeks, a wave of publications, online commentaries and emotionally charged accusations have circulated across social platforms and online media outlets targeting the Gambia Ports Authority and more specifically the leadership of its Managing Director, Mr Ousman Jobarteh. These publications, led primarily by What’s On Gambia, Mr Madi Jobarteh of the Edward Francis Small Centre for Human Rights and Justice, and amplified by individuals who neither sought facts nor conducted any objective investigation, have generated unnecessary alarm, suspicion and public hostility. As a concerned citizen and an advocate of truth, institutional respect and national progress, I believe it is necessary to respond thoughtfully and objectively, placing the situation into perspective and defending an institution that belongs not to individuals but to the sovereign people of The Gambia.
The nature and tone of the accusations levied against the GPA leadership were not only unprofessional and irresponsible but also deeply harmful to the image of a critical national institution whose performance directly affects the country’s economic growth, import capacity, food security, job creation and international maritime standing. The claims circulated were devoid of verifiable evidence, lacked investigative depth, and failed to consider even the basic principles of public accountability and governance frameworks. In the era of digital influence and online sensationalism, misinformation travels faster than truth, and the danger lies in how easily narratives built on speculation can destroy reputations that have taken decades to build.
What has been missing in this conversation is context an understanding of how the GPA leadership has navigated some of the most challenging economic periods in modern history, including the global Covid-19 pandemic, supply chain disruptions and severe economic volatility. It is important for the Gambian public to know that during Covid-19 and in the years that followed, as global shipping collapsed and nations struggled with logistical crises, the GPA under the leadership of Managing Director Ousman Jobarteh recorded some of the highest dividend contributions to the Government of The Gambia in its history. When many institutions were shutting down operations, downsising staff, and collapsing under financial pressure, the Gambia Ports Authority not only remained stable but continued to sustain national revenue, support government taxation and maintain employment and essential public services.
This was not an accident. It was the direct outcome of careful leadership, strategic financial management, strong internal accountability, and collaborative decision making between the Board of Directors and Management. Decisions taken during and after Covid-19 were not arbitrary acts of self–interest, nor reckless moves to endanger national assets as some individuals have irresponsibly suggested. Rather, they were informed decisions rooted in the institution’s mandate to protect public interest, ensure economic activity and support the government in achieving national development priorities during one of the most difficult economic times in modern history.
To now weaponise these efforts as acts of mismanagement or corruption without evidence is both unfair and profoundly damaging. It reflects a culture that is increasingly normalising the defamation of institutions without responsibility, fact, or respect for national progress. The allegations spread online fail to meet even the minimum standard of ethical journalism, which demands verification of claims, engagement of all sides and reliance on documented facts. Instead, what we witnessed was a coordinated smear attempt aimed at eroding public trust, destabilizing the authority and sowing division where unity and support are needed.
The leadership of the GPA has repeatedly demonstrated its commitment to accountability, transparency and institutional development. The Authority operates under strict financial auditing procedures, performance evaluation mechanisms, procurement regulations, and oversight by the Board of Directors and relevant Government institutions. Every decision that is taken within the GPA is evaluated through professional, financial and legal frameworks. There is no room for unilateral decision making and certainly none for reckless misuse of national assets.
It must be emphasised that the Gambia Ports Authority is one of the most critical GDP contributing institutions in the country. Its performance affects trade, national revenue, cost of living, employment and the stability of the private sector. To attack such an institution without fact, without evidence and without national consideration is not activism. It is carelessness. It is destructive. It is an act that endangers national progress far more than it protects it.
The accusations circulated are emblematic of a growing trend where personal opinions disguised as advocacy collide with institutional governance and national responsibility. Constructive criticism is necessary and healthy. Citizens have every right to question public institutions and demand transparency. But such criticism must be grounded in truth, informed by facts, and motivated by genuine desire for progress, not clout seeking or political sensationalism.
To those who rushed to draw conclusions, insult public leaders, and incite social media outrage, I ask: What effort was made to seek clarity? Where was the due diligence? Where is the evidence? Why was an institution that has consistently delivered strong performance in service to the nation chosen as a target of careless accusations? If the individuals behind these claims possessed even the most basic understanding of the decisions in question, they would never have published what they did.
The authority and responsibility entrusted to the Gambia Ports Authority by the Government of the Republic deserves respect and serious engagement. The call today is not merely to defend the Managing Director or the Board of Directors but to defend the truth, defend our national institutions, and protect the hard earned reputation of a nation that has worked tirelessly to rebuild itself after years of institutional fragility. We cannot afford to degrade national institutions at the hands of emotional commentary or unverified journalism.
The Government and the public must understand that decisions taken by the leadership of the GPA are grounded in national interest and made in good faith. They are not designed to enrich individuals nor to expose the nation to risk. They are meant to secure the sustainability of a critical national enterprise and safeguard The Gambia’s standing in international maritime operations. That is a responsibility that goes beyond social media popularity and sensational headlines.
For this reason, I call on all arms of Government to sustain trust in the Management of Ousman Jobarteh and his administration. I call on citizens to prioritize facts over emotions, research over rumors, unity over division and patriotism over personal agendas. I call on the media to uphold the ethics of journalism and avoid becoming tools of destructive sensationalism.
The Gambia Ports Authority is stable. Its leadership is competent. Its performance speaks louder than online speculation. And the nation must continue to support those who are building, not tearing down.
We must protect our national institutions because when they fall, every citizen suffers.
In defending GPA today, we are defending our economy, our future and the integrity of The Republic of The Gambia.
