On June 10, Minister of Lands Hamat Bah highlighted how important land ownership is for the development of The Gambia. He spoke at a workshop for the country’s first National Land Policy (NLP).
He emphasized the need for strategic planning to prevent illegal land grabbing and suggested imposing heavy taxes on unlawful land fencing to discourage this behavior. With many court cases related to land disputes, Bah highlighted the urgent need to address land misuse and conflicts.
Camille Bourguignon Roger from the World Bank noted that good land management is essential for economic growth and sustainable development.
He mentioned the bank’s ongoing support for land administration in The Gambia, as well as a commitment of $10 million for implementing the NLP.
Dr. Muhammed Sanyang, WACA Project Coordinator, said that the NLP provides a clear framework for using and managing land.
He emphasized the need for cooperation among all stakeholders to ensure successful implementation.
