The Barrow administration had another shakeup on Friday, with President Adama Barrow sacking his Secretary General and Head of the Civil Service Habib Drammeh and replaced him with Ebrima O. Camara.

But who is Ebrima O. Camara?

Personal life

Ebrima was born in Tankular in Kiang West, but was brought up in Brikama, where he still lives. Like his boss, President Barrow, he is also a polygamist with two wives.

His closest friend is the Registrar at the Gambia College, Mr Demba Yabo.

Ebrima is said to be an incredibly driven man, with an impressively keen intellect. In a Facebook post, the Chairperson at The Gambia National Youth Council, Dembo Kambi, who is also from Kiang, wrote: “The president of the Republic made no mistake in appointing you as the SG. Our prayers will always be with you for Allah's guidance and support in the execution of your duties and services to our country.”

Positions in government

He is not well known among Gambians, but Ebrima has held several senior positions in the Civil Service, including Foreign Service assignments.

He once served as Secretary General and Head of the Civil Service under former President Jammeh before his redeployment to Brussels to serve as the country’s deputy chief of mission at the European Union.

Before his appointment on Friday, he was the permanent secretary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.