GIRAV Project Awards Scholarships to Six Lands Ministry Staff for MSc Programmes Abroad
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By Omar Cham
The Gambia Inclusive and Resilient Agricultural Value Chain Development Project (GIRAV), in partnership with the Ministry of Lands, Regional Government and Religious Affairs (MoLRG&RA), has awarded scholarships to six ministry staff to pursue Master’s degree programmes abroad in technical areas related to the lands sector.
The scholarships form part of GIRAV’s continued support towards strengthening the capacity of lands institutions and improving land administration in The Gambia.
The six beneficiaries, four women and two men, will undertake their studies in different countries. Two will study in Scotland, two in the Netherlands, while the remaining two will pursue their programmes in Ghana and Tanzania.
The scholarship awardees were officially oriented during a brief session hosted by the GIRAV Project Management and senior officials of the MoLRG&RA at the CPCU Conference Room in Banjul on June 14, 2026.
The latest scholarship support builds on an earlier initiative by GIRAV. Last year, 10 staff members of the Ministry received scholarships to pursue programmes abroad, comprising nine Master’s degrees and one Bachelor’s degree.
According to GIRAV, four additional ministry staff are expected to receive scholarships before the end of 2026 to pursue Bachelor’s degree programmes in Ghana.
Speaking at the orientation session, Mr. Mamour Alieu Jagne, Coordinator of the GIRAV Project and the CPCU, congratulated the beneficiaries and reminded them of the responsibility that comes with the opportunity.
“The message is clear. You are being sent to study to come and reinforce the capacity of the ministry,” he said.
Mr. Jagne described the scholarships as a major investment by the Government of The Gambia and the World Bank, urging the beneficiaries to remain focused on their studies and return to contribute meaningfully to national development.
“Do your best. Serve as good ambassadors of The Gambia in comportment. The donors are helping us for us to develop the country. We expect you to focus on your education and contribute your quota to national development,” he added.
On behalf of the Ministry and the Government of The Gambia, Deputy Permanent Secretary Mr. Momodou Taal expressed appreciation to GIRAV for the support, saying the initiative demonstrates the World Bank’s commitment to strengthening human capacity and supporting the country’s development.
He also congratulated the scholarship beneficiaries and wished them success in their respective programmes.
Another Deputy Permanent Secretary at the MoLRG&RA, Mr. Mamudou Manjang, underscored the importance the Ministry attaches to the scholarship initiative.
He reminded the beneficiaries that expectations from them are high and challenged them to make good use of the opportunity by acquiring the necessary skills and knowledge to help improve land management in The Gambia.
The scholarship programme is expected to contribute to the development of a stronger and more technically equipped workforce within the lands sector, ultimately supporting improved land administration and sustainable national development.
