Banjul, November 16, 2021: The Commission on Political Debates (CPD) is announcing the selection of journalists Fatoumata Ceesay and Saikou Jammeh as the Moderators of the 2021 Presidential Debate. The debate is scheduled to take place on Saturday, November 20 at the Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara International Conference Centre, beginning at 4:00 p.m.
In October 2021, the Commission on Political Debates partnered with the Gambia Press Union to identify and vet a list of credible, non-partisan and experienced media personnel to serve as the moderators for the 2021 Presidential Debate. Following this vetting process, Mr. Saikou Jammeh and Ms. Fatoumatta Ceesay was selected to moderate the debate.
Both journalists have considerable familiarity with broadcast and print media: Ms. Ceesay is a Senior News Editor and anchor at the Gambian Radio and Television Services (GRTS) while Mr. Jammeh has been the news editor of a number of Gambian newspapers and is the former Secretary General of the Gambia Press Union.
The two media professionals will pose questions to the presidential candidates over the duration of two and a half hours. These questions will be focused on 5 thematic areas: Health, Education, Agriculture, Infrastructure and the Economy.
The debate will be conducted and broadcast in English on television and simultaneously on 4 radio stations in Mandinka, Wolof, Jola and Fula. All six candidates who met the criteria to participate in the elections had been invited to take part.
The National Democratic Institute (NDI) is partnering with the CPD in the organising of the debate.
