Confirmed reports reaching The Point indicate that Mr Hassoum Ceesay, a Historian and author, has been appointed Deputy Permanent Secretary Office of the President with effect from Wednesday 30the January 2008.

Mr. Ceesay, hitherto Director of Cultural Heritage at the National Council for Arts and Culture, is also reported to be meanwhile overseeing the Directorate of Press and Public Relations at the Office of the President. Interestingly enough Mr Ceesay is also a mentor of the former holder of Director of Press and Public Relations, Mr Ebrima JT Kujabi at the Daily Observer Company.

A graduate of History, Mr Ceesay also studied at the University of Nairobi in Kenya. Presently Mr Ceesay is pursuing a Masters degree in African History. He earlier served as Curator of the National Museum for a period of seven years. He also served as editor with the Daily Observer newspaper for a time, during which time he was also the anchorman of the paper’s history column.

It could be recalled that Mr Ceesay just published a book on the history of Gambian women.

In a separate but related development, Mambangick Njie, Deputy Permanent Secretary at the State Department for Youths and Sports, has been promoted to the position of Acting Permanent Secretary Office of the President with effect from 29th January.

When contacted, Mr. Njie confirmed his appointment and thanked the President for the promotion.

Mr Njie was appointed to the position of Deputy Permanent Secretary at the Department of State for Youths and Sports in November 2006.