By Kebba A.F. Touray
The Gambia Government has no plans to restrict the importation of bottled water, Trade Minister Mod K. Ceesay has told the National Assembly, while encouraging local producers to expand their production capacity and explore markets across the region.
Mr Ceesay made the statement on Wednesday, 21 October 2026, in response to a question from the Member for Upper Saloum, Alhagie Mbowe, who asked whether the government planned to limit bottled water imports to support domestic manufacturers.
The minister replied that the government had not introduced any restrictions on imported bottled water. He said the Ministry of Trade continued to encourage local water-bottling companies to increase production and take advantage of regional trade opportunities.
“The Gambia Government has placed no restrictions on water bottled importation,” Mr Ceesay told the Assembly.
He said the ministry was encouraging local manufacturers to expand their operations and improve their access to regional markets, including through instruments such as the ECOWAS Trade Liberalisation Scheme.
The scheme provides a framework for promoting trade among eligible businesses and products within the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
The minister’s response comes as local manufacturers seek opportunities to grow their businesses and reach markets beyond The Gambia. However, he did not announce any new measures to restrict bottled water imports, instead highlighting the need to strengthen local production and regional market access.
In a separate matter before the National Assembly on Wednesday, the Minister for Information, Media and Broadcasting Services, Ismaila Ceesay, said he had directed the Gambia Radio and Television Services (GRTS) to introduce sign language interpretation in its news bulletins.
Mr Ceesay was responding to a question from the Member for Wuli East, Suwaibou Touray, who raised concerns about access to public information for people with disabilities, particularly those who are hard of hearing.
Mr Touray said people with hearing difficulties did not sufficiently benefit from public media, especially GRTS television news and other announcements.
He asked the minister: “Could the Hon. Minister for Information, Media & Broadcasting Services inform this august Assembly why the National broadcaster does not cater for Sign Language interpretation in the news and other broadcasts?”
In his response, Mr Ceesay said sign language interpretation had not been part of GRTS’s programming before his appointment.
He said he had since directed the national broadcaster to introduce the service, beginning with its news bulletins.
“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,” he said.
The minister said the initiative reflected the government’s commitment to making public information accessible to all citizens.
He described the move as part of efforts to promote “inclusive communication, equal access to information in ensuring that no Gambian is left behind”.
The proposed introduction of sign language interpretation is intended to improve access to news and public announcements for people who are hard of hearing.
Mr Ceesay did not provide a specific date for the introduction of the service.