Gambians have reacted to the appointment of Ousman Sowe, the director general of the State Intelligence Service (SIS) as the new minister of Lands, Regional Governments and Religious Affairs, with many welcoming.
Many who spoke to The Point including some senior government officials have claimed that Ousman Sowe, is the "right person to transform the Lands Ministry given his zero tolerance to maladministration, corruption, nepotism and his desire for reforms and repositioning."
Until his appointment on Friday by the President as the new Lands minister replacing Abba Sanyang, Ousman Sowe, served as the SIS DG for more than six years. He has equally been credited by many for transforming the SIS to be the premiere intelligence service in the country.
Sowe, who holds double masters in Diplomacy and in International Politics and Security at the Bradford University, U.K., once served as permanent secretary at the ministries of Interior, Foreign Affairs, Environment, Fisheries and deputy permanent secretary, Office of the President during the former regime.
"To me, this is the best appointment President Barrow has made since he came into power in 2017. Ousman Sowe is not only experienced, but the guy is intelligent and he is a development oriented leader. Despite the many problems confronting that ministry, I am quite optimistic that he will drastically change and reform that ministry. This is the kind of appointment that we expect the president to make," Lamin Camara, a senior government official said.
Camara added: "Appointing the right people at the right place will pay dividend which will translate into productivity. For those that don't know much about Ousman Sowe, and his style of leadership, should look at the SIS now. I can tell you that SIS is not only one of the most reformed institutions within the country's security services, but other government institutions and departments since the coming of the current government. Just give him some months at the ministry and many land problems in the country will be arrested," he posited.
A student of MDI studying International Relations, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said: "Ousman Sowe is one of the most educated and experienced ministers currently in the Barrow government. He (Ousman Sowe) has been teaching us at the school and we have seen and know what he can offer. If we really want to develop and move this country, then we need the right people to take the mantle of leadership. At first, I was thinking that he only had experience in security. However, the entire class was surprised due to his outstanding performance and understanding of the subject."
"For me, I would have loved him to continue as the DG of SIS because we have seen the changes he made in that place. Now, you don't hear people being arrested by the SIS agents. It used to be one of the most fearful institutions during the former regime. But all that has now been in the past thanks to the reformation. Again, I am confident that if he is given the support at the Lands Ministry, we will see changes in that ministry, Bakary Njie, a native of Serrekunda stated.
Alieu Jallow, who was reacting to Sowe's appointment, also congratulated him on his appointment as the country's new Lands minister, saying: "This is among the best appointments President Barrow has made. I therefore hope that the new minister will safeguard the country's resources for the future generation of this country."
Alagi E. Darboe wrote: "Congratulations Ousman Sowe on your appointment as the new Lands minister. I trust that his reform mentality at the SIS will come up again at the Ministry of Lands. We really need reform at that Ministry and I am confident that he will implement that," he posited.
Biography
Expertise and Skills:
National Peace Affairs, Problem Solving, Analysis, Threat Assessment, Institutional reforms & strengthening, Resources Mobilisation, Regional security/International Relations Affairs, Foreign Policy, Diplomacy, Regional Security/Peace Architectures, National Security Policy/Management, Regional /International Organization, Conflict Prevention, Management, Resolution, Negotiations, Mediation, Representation, Natural Resources & Human Resources Management.
Permanent Secretary Positions Served: Ministry of Interior, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Environment, Ministry of Fisheries, Deputy Permanent Secretary Office of the President
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Academic Qualifications
Masters in Diplomacy (Distinction), Sept 2013- June 6th 2014 (University of Malta)
MA, International Politics and Security Studies (Bradford University, U.K 2001)
BA, Development Studies and English (St. Mary's University, Canada,1999)
Conflict Prevention, Management & Resolution. (UK, 2001)
Academic and Conference Papers Written and Dissertations (Masters Thesis)
An Analysis of Conflict Prevention in Africa - The Africa Union's Peace and Security Architecture (2014)
The Challenges to Mediating in Africa's Complex Conflicts - The cases of OAU, Mozambique and the Gambia (Cassamance Conflict) - M.A. Dissertation 2001
