The Governor of Banjul, Hon. Ebrima Jawo, is currently in Sierra Leone as part of an eleven-member delegation of senior government officials from The Gambia participating in a week-long study tour focused on land governance and policy implementation.
This important mission comes at a historic moment for The Gambia, following the recent adoption of the country’s first-ever National Land Policy, a landmark framework designed to guide the sustainable management, allocation, and administration of land nationwide. The policy provides clear direction on the treatment of customary land, freehold tenure—as practiced in cities such as Banjul and Janjanbureh—and leasehold systems, ensuring a more transparent and equitable approach to land ownership.
A key pillar of the National Land Policy is its commitment to inclusive access to land, particularly for women and disadvantaged groups, who have traditionally faced barriers in land ownership. The policy underscores that equitable allocation is central to national development, social stability, and long-term prosperity.
During the study tour, the Gambian delegation has engaged with key Sierra Leonean institutions, including a high-level meeting with the Deputy Minister of Lands and the Commissioner-General of the Land Commission. These engagements have provided valuable insights into Sierra Leone’s land management reforms, enabling the delegation to learn best practices in policy implementation, digitization, dispute resolution, and community engagement.
Hon. Ebrima Jawo noted that the study tour offers a critical opportunity to strengthen The Gambia’s land governance systems. The knowledge gained will support the effective rollout of the newly adopted National Land Policy and help ensure that land allocation processes are fair, accountable, and responsive to the needs of Gambians across all regions.
The Office of the Executive Coordinator reaffirms its commitment to supporting national reforms that promote sustainable land management and inclusive development.
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