Trade Minister Mod K. Ceesay confirmed on 21 October 2026 that the government holds no plans to restrict the importation of bottled water. Addressing concerns regarding market regulations, the minister stated, "The Gambia Government has placed no restrictions on water bottled importation." Trade Minister Mod K. Ceesay stated on 21 October 2026 that the government has no plans to restrict the importation of bottled water.
The clarification from Trade Minister Mod K. Ceesay comes as part of a broader effort by the government to ensure transparency regarding the national trade environment. By explicitly addressing the status of bottled water, Trade Minister Mod K. Ceesay sought to provide certainty to stakeholders and the public regarding current trade policies. The statement serves as a formal confirmation of the government's stance on the matter, emphasizing that the regulatory framework for imported goods remains stable. This position, as outlined by Trade Minister Mod K. Ceesay, is intended to prevent uncertainty among those involved in the distribution and retail of bottled water products. The government maintains that its current trade policy does not include any measures to limit or impede the flow of these specific imports into the country.
Separately, the Minister for Information, Media and Broadcasting Services, Ismaila Ceesay, issued a directive to the Gambia Radio and Television Services (GRTS) to integrate sign language interpretation into its news broadcasts. The mandate aims to expand the reach of government communications to residents with hearing impairments. Explaining the policy shift, Minister for Information, Media and Broadcasting Services, Ismaila Ceesay, said, "However, guided by my vision to ensure that every Gambian, regardless of circumstances and ability, has access to public information, I directed GRTS to introduce sign language in its news bulletins to start with."
The directive from the Minister for Information, Media and Broadcasting Services, Ismaila Ceesay, represents a significant development in how the Gambia Radio and Television Services (GRTS) delivers essential information to the public. By requiring the inclusion of sign language interpretation, the Minister for Information, Media and Broadcasting Services, Ismaila Ceesay, is working to dismantle barriers that have historically prevented citizens with hearing impairments from fully engaging with news content produced by the Gambia Radio and Television Services (GRTS). The initiative is described by the Minister for Information, Media and Broadcasting Services, Ismaila Ceesay, as a foundational step toward a more inclusive media landscape. The implementation of this policy at the Gambia Radio and Television Services (GRTS) is intended to ensure that government updates, national news, and public service announcements are accessible to all members of the population. The Minister for Information, Media and Broadcasting Services, Ismaila Ceesay, emphasized that the inclusion of sign language is a priority for his office as it seeks to modernize public information dissemination. This policy change reflects the stated objective of the Minister for Information, Media and Broadcasting Services, Ismaila Ceesay, to foster an environment where information is available to every Gambian citizen without exception.
