By: Kebba Ansu Manneh
A group of concerned citizens and environmental activists has raised alarms about the alleged encroachment and destruction of vegetation at the historic Fajara Golf Course. These concerns follow the government’s decision to license investors to construct a hotel on one of the country’s last remaining reserve lands, which reportedly includes part of the golf course.
In response, Olimatou Saja Taal, Manager of Fajara Golf Course, refuted these allegations in an interview with The Alkamba Times. Taal clarified that the disputed land does not belong to the Fajara Golf Course Club but is instead part of the Bungalow Beach Hotel property. The land has reportedly been allocated to the Royal Hotel Group to develop a new hotel.
This development has sparked growing concern among environmentalists and activists, who have noted excavation activities around the perimeters of the Fajara Golf Course. “I think everything has been taken out of hand; no destruction is taking place at the Fajara Golf Course. There is a piece of land that has been allocated to a group of people who are not part of the Fajara Club,” Taal stated to Alkamba Times.
Adding to the discourse, Madi Jobarteh, a prominent human rights activist and head of the Banjul-based Edward Francis Small Centre for Rights and Justice, has voiced concerns. In a statement from the center, Jobarteh expressed grave concern about developments at the Fajara Golf Course and emphasized the need for vigilance and transparency in handling such environmental and community matters.
” The Edward Francis Small Centre is hereby deeply concerned and aggrieved by the decision of the Ministry of Lands to allocate part of the Fajara Golf Course to an unknown private company, the ‘Royal Hotel Group’ since April 2024. This decision, which has been hidden from the public, is tantamount to a gross assault on our environment in total contravention of the laws and international commitments of the Gambia to the environment.
We have obtained a letter in which the Ministry, in response to a GTBoard inquiry, justified its unlawful decision by claiming that the Fajara Golf Course is not part of the lease of the Fajara Golf Club, so they can encroach on the property. Furthermore, the Ministry claims that the Fajara Golf Course is not within the Tourism Development Area as per the TDA original lease! We demand that they publish the original TDA lease.
The Fajara Golf Course was established in 1959. It is located squarely within the TDA area. This area is not only ideal for golf but, more importantly, it is a sanctuary for birds and other small fauna and various types of flora. Further, the vegetation serves as an ecological lifeline for the cosmopolitan Kanifing Municipality, which has grown around it and beyond.
There is absolutely no justification for encroaching on even an inch of the sanctuary, which has already suffered numerous intrusions, especially since the Barrow Government came into being. As much as we are aggrieved by this illegal and inconsiderate decision, which prioritizes selfish interests over national and environmental interests, we are not surprised that it is coming from a ministry headed by Hamat Bah.”
Meanwhile, Ms Taal said, ” It is a little piece of land owned by the Bungalow Beach Hotel. So they are just clearing the bushes and clearing ponds within that area for whatever they plan to do there, which has nothing to do with the Fajara Golf Club.”
She emphasized that the Golf Course has not been affected, noting that the ongoing works are on a triangular piece of land that is not part of the 18-hole Fajara Club Golf Course.
The Fajara Club Golf Course manager could not confirm whether the land in question is designated for a hotel. However, she suggested that the area is expected to be developed into a facility to attract golf tourism.
“The Fajara Club is not involved in this; they are just utilizing a neighboring land. A few of the members from the Western world are not happy with what is happening because they did not inform us of what is happening until they started clearing their land,” Oli Saja Faal further clarifies.
She added, “I think the whole thing has blown out of proportion. Everyone is writing stories and communicating, but on behalf of the Fajara Club, we are doing our due diligence to find out exactly what is happening. So far, we have learned that the land they are clearing belongs to them.”
A communique obtained by The Alkamba Times reveals new details from the Ministry of Lands and Governments regarding a developing controversy over land at the Fajara Golf Course.
The document, dated April 24, 2024, is addressed to the Director General of the Gambia Tourism Board and provides official insight into the land’s status.
The letter, signed by Deputy Permanent Secretary Mr. Mamud on behalf of the Minister of Lands, states that the specified piece of land is not included in the Fajara Golf Course’s lease document.
Furthermore, Mamud clarified that the land does not fall within the Tourism Development Area (TDA) according to its original lease. The letter also noted that the Minister has approved the Gambia Tourism Board’s authorization for hotel construction on this land.
Amidst ongoing discussions, environmental and civic groups continue to express concerns. The Gambia Marine and Environmental Conservation Initiative is the latest organization to voice its apprehensions.
In a statement, the group emphasized its concern over recent developments, which reflect a broader environmental and civic unease over potential ecological impacts.
“The Fajara Club golf course, a cherished green space in our community, is undergoing alarming destruction allegedly led by a group calling itself the “Royal Hotel Group.”
Urban green spaces like the Fajara Golf Course are essential to our well-being. They provide a sanctuary for wildlife, regulate urban temperatures, and offer a place for people to connect with nature. The loss of such areas in cities has severe consequences, including increased pollution, reduced climate resilience, and diminished health benefits for communities.
Biodiversity is already under significant pressure in the Gambia, with nearly 50% of species affected by human activities. Destroying natural areas like this disrupts delicate ecosystems, reduces carbon absorption, and exacerbates climate challenges.
This is more than just the loss of a golf course—it is the loss of vital environmental resources that benefit all of us.”
Meanwhile, in December 2024, the Gambia Environmental Alliance (GEA) also strongly opposed the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change, and Natural Resources (MECCNAR) ‘s decision to grant GACH Global temporary use of part of Salagi Forest Park.
The environmental advocacy group expressed concern over GACH Global’s allocation of part of Salagi Forest Park. They described this action as a blatant disregard for key provisions of the Forest Act of 2018.
The group pointed out that the move, orchestrated by the Ministry of Environment, undermines the principles of sustainable forest management and community engagement enshrined in Gambian law.
