As we continue to closely follow and monitor the unfolding developments at the new cabinet, which is being staffed, we will continue to accompany our news stories with editorial opinions about some of the key issues we deem necessary to analyse and comment on.

As a conscientious and authoritative newspaper, it is behoves us to offer suggestions on such an issue of public interest. Cabinet appointments ought to be subjected to public discourse, more so in a country like The Gambia where assignees of such important portfolios are not screened by any oversight or independent body nor are their appointments subjected to confirmation by the National Assembly.

Therefore, in the absence of even a semblance of such a standard practice that would probe into the background of appointees; unearth their capabilities, moral and professional responsibilities, thereby avoiding among others, the risk of putting square pegs in round holes, the Press is more especially called upon to play their watchdog role.

We owe that to the public and hope and expect that the powers that be would not see that as a challenge to their authority. This series of our editorial commentary started last week Monday through Friday.

Picking up the discussion from last week Friday’s editorial, which calls on the head of state to focus squarely on the presidency and assign all ministries to qualified Gambians, we must commend president Jammeh for filling a greater number of vacancies in his new cabinet, even though it took him longer than reasonable.

Nonetheless, as we await their swearing in, we believe that those appointed to help the chief executive in working towards attaining both his new promises as well as his renewed ones to the electorate, will do so diligently, professionally, honestly and without fear or favour.

However, while commending once again president Jammeh for appointing such people with impressive credentials, we still have a point of observation as far the appointments are concerned. That is, the appointment of deputy ministers.

If the constitution has made provision for the position of deputy ministers, it would be undoubtedly welcomed. For the public service still needs to absorb more qualified Gambians in order to cut down the unemployment rate. Moreover, the government certainly needs more hands to move faster in its journey towards attaining the lofty goals set out in the recently launched mid-term national development blueprint, PAGE, as well as Vision 2020, the Jammeh administration’s long term development blueprint.

However, we are afraid that the constitution makes no provision for the position of deputy ministers. And as a government, our actions and omissions should run in line with the supreme law of the land, not otherwise.

Besides, appointing a deputy minister to a ministry is not a solution to the problems that could be created when a ministry lacks a minister. We have seen instances, in the recent past, when a deputy minister appeared before the National Assembly only to be challenged by a parliamentarian that he has no authority to address the National Assembly. The said deputy minister was allowed to continue with his address but not without a controversy. This is a serious constitutional issue. A government that cares about the rule of law, and respects the constitution it vowed to protect, would surely not ignore it.