By Ramatoulie Jawo
Rohey John Manjang, Gambia’s Minister of Environment, has issued a formal response to the National Assembly’s select committee on Environment, Sustainable Development, and NGOs following its oversight visit to forests, parks, and borehole projects across the country in February 2024.
The minister’s statement addressed the committee’s key findings and recommendations, which included calls for stronger community participation in forest management and increased private investment in forestry.
Manjang emphasized her ministry’s commitment to the community forest initiative, noting that 29 newly established community forests are set to be transferred to local communities by June 2025.
On the committee’s recommendation for The University of The Gambia to introduce undergraduate and graduate courses in forestry management, parks and wildlife conservation, and natural resource management, Manjang revealed that the ministry, through the Ecosystem-based Adaptation (EbA) Project, is collaborating with the university to develop relevant degree programs.
“Example the degree of B.Sc. Natural Resource Management includes courses in the following Vegetation of W. Africa, forest ecology, soil science, aquatic systems, land measurements GPS, wildlife habitat, forest health, beekeeping and apiary management, outdoor recreation and tourism environmental, biogeochemistry ethics of conservation and sustainability, forest resource management integrated natural resource assessment, botany, zoology, wood anatomy and Properties and forest genetics and genomics,” she explained.
One of the committee’s more ambitious recommendations was the introduction of large wildlife species, such as lions, giraffes, and elephants, into Gambian parks as a means of generating revenue. In response, Manjang noted that wildlife reintroduction requires significant investment and expertise. She said the ministry is exploring partnerships with investors to rehabilitate key national parks, including Kiang West and Abuko.
To address illegal logging and deforestation, the committee urged the ministry to collaborate with the Ministries of Interior and Defense to strengthen forest security. Manjang confirmed that in July 2024, the ministry submitted a concept note advocating for a military officer to lead the Department of Forestry.
“This was shared with the head of the civil service and also the attorney general’s chambers to ensure no law or regulation was violated on 21st February 2025, Lieutenant Colonel Salifu Corr of the Gambia Armed Forces was appointed and redesignated by the Public service commission to the position of director, Department of Forestry. He will be supported initially by a complement of 1 officer and 11 other ranks,” she said.
She added that the restructuring follows models adopted in neighboring Senegal and other nations, with the goal of enhancing discipline in the forestry sector and curbing illegal activities.