By Aja Beyai
The Ministry of Lands, Regional Government and Religious Affairs today inaugurated two key committees, the National Land Policy Implementation Steering Committee and the National Organising Committee for the Mansa Bengho, describing both as critical national assignments.
On Land Policy: From Policy to Implementation
In his statement the Honourable Minister of Lands, Regional Government and Religious Affairs Ahmad NK Bah, said land is fundamental to The Gambia’s development, central to agriculture, housing, infrastructure, investment and livelihoods.
He said Government developed the National Land Policy 2026–2035 through extensive stakeholder consultations to address challenges in land governance, administration and access.
“The Policy was developed through extensive stakeholder consultations and reflects the experiences and concerns of communities across the country. Its implementation is therefore a national responsibility and not the responsibility of the Ministry of Lands alone,” the He said.
The Steering Committee brings together Permanent Secretaries, traditional leadership, the private sector, civil society, community representatives and development partners to provide strategic direction, policy oversight and high-level coordination.
The Minister tasked the Committee to guide implementation priorities, review work programmes, support resource mobilisation and resolve inter-sectoral bottlenecks.
“The success of the National Land Policy will not be measured by the number of meetings held or reports produced. It will be measured by the improvements that people experience in our land administration systems,” he added, before formally inaugurating the Committee.
He stressed that reforms must respond to the needs of women, young people, persons with disabilities and customary land users.
On Mansa Bengho: Government Moves to Revive Cultural Conference
At the ceremony the Minister also inaugurated the National Organising Committee for the Mansa Bengho Conference.
Addressing members including Regional Governors, the Paramount Chief, the Inspector General of Police, the Director General of State Intelligence and executive coordinators, the Minister thanked them for responding at short notice, noting the urgency of the task.
“The Government wants to revive and organize the Mansa Bengho for this year. Hosting this conference successfully is not just a Ministry task, it is a critical national assignment. It is an opportunity to showcase our rich cultural heritage, our traditional governance structures, and our national unity,” the Minister said.
He said the multi-sectoral composition~Office of the President, State Intelligence, Police Force, Lands, NGO Affairs, Governance, Religious Affairs and Regional Governors — was deliberate to avoid working in silos.
“I expect everyone to drop their departmental hats and wear the hat of this National Committee. Success will only come through inter-agency collaboration,” he said.
The Minister issued immediate directives: Security chiefs are to begin preliminary security assessments and threat analyses; Governors and Executive Coordinators are to mobilize regional support and cultural groups; the Paramount Chief is to guide traditional protocols; while Governance and NGO Affairs are to lead resource mobilisation and stakeholder engagement.
He set a strict deadline of Wednesday, 30th September 2026 for all outstanding nominations of representatives to be submitted in writing, and directed his Ministry to draft a master timeline and comprehensive budget proposal immediately.
“This is a national assignment. I have full confidence in the caliber of the individuals in this room. Let us work together to make the 2026 Mansa Bengho Conference a resounding success,” the Minister concluded.
Both Committees are now expected to commence work immediately. The ceremonies were held at the Ministry’s Lands in Banjul.
