By: Alieu Ceesay
Gambia’s Environment Minister, Rohey John Manjang, has confirmed that the government is preparing significant amendments to the Forest Act 2018, citing inadequate penalties that fail to deter rampant illegal logging and charcoal production, threatening the nation’s forests.
Speaking before the National Assembly on Monday during discussions on a report concerning sustainable transhumance and rural livelihoods, Minister Manjang outlined intensified enforcement efforts while acknowledging the limitations of current laws.
In the past ten months, the Department of Forestry has seized 27 vehicles loaded with illegally harvested timber and dismantled over 30 illicit charcoal production sites. Offenders have faced prosecution, actions the minister described as “unprecedented” in scope. A dedicated forestry enforcement unit—bolstered by personnel from the Gambia Armed Forces and specialized prosecutors from the Gambia Police Force—has driven this aggressive campaign.
Despite these gains, Manjang admitted the penalties remain too lenient to serve as an effective deterrent. “Our assessment is that the sanctions are not strong enough to act as a meaningful deterrent,” she told lawmakers. A draft amendment to strengthen the Act has already been forwarded to the Ministry of Justice for legal scrutiny and review.
The minister firmly defended the government’s policy of issuing controlled logging permits rather than imposing a total ban. “We cannot impose a complete ban,” she explained, noting that forests are vital natural resources for rural communities. Permits undergo rigorous evaluation and can be revoked if conditions are violated, striking a balance between conservation and legitimate use.
Addressing charcoal production—a major driver of deforestation—Manjang clarified that while using charcoal is not illegal, unsustainable harvesting and production methods are. The ministry is actively promoting cleaner energy alternatives and seeking partnerships to accelerate a sustainable energy transition.
In a parallel effort to restore forest cover, the government has launched a nationwide initiative to plant 30 million trees. The campaign involves close collaboration with local communities and private-sector partners, with deliberate strategies to ensure long-term seedling survival.
Manjang said the ministry is also committed to deeper inter-ministerial cooperation, particularly with the Ministry of Agriculture, to finalize a National Transhumance Policy. The framework will incorporate pastoralist needs into broader climate adaptation measures, aiming to reduce environmental pressures from seasonal livestock movement.
The proposed Forest Act revisions, combined with ongoing enforcement and reforestation drives, signal the government’s determination to tackle deforestation while supporting rural livelihoods in an era of climate vulnerability.
