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Background Information:
The Ministry of Forestry and the Environment (MOFEN) was created
in 1976. Though it has a history in the Gambian forestry
sector going back to just before 1939.
 MOFEN
is a governmental institution attached to the President.
This forestry administration is in charge of any actions necessary
to ensure the sustainable use and protection of all forests
in Gambia excluding private plantations.
In addition, it shall be responsible for co-operating and liaising with
national and international organizations and bodies all over the world
on forestry matters in particular a national forest inventory which is
supposed to take place every ten years. The MOFEN is also supposed to
establish a management plan for each of the
forest parks. [FOREST ACT, 1988]
Responsibilities:
To maintain at least 30% of the total land
area of the country under forest;
To manage at least 75% of the forest lands according to scientific
principles;
To promote towards environmental protection, particularly soil erosion
and soil desiccation; and
To contribute to employment, the provision of basic necessities
such as fuelwood supply and the generation of foreign earnings
through the export of high quality forest products.
Statement and Roles:
The mission statement is summarized as follows:
The Forestry Department, a governmental institution attached to the
Presidents Office responsible for the conservation and development on
rational basis, i.e. a sustainable utilization, of an adequate forest
cover covering 30% of land area for the environment and socio-economic
development of present and future generations.
The basic environmental, social, economical and political needs and
problems.
The Forestry Ministry has a major role to play in answering basic
social, economical and political questions.
Forest policy periodically reviewed;
Rationales of the policy understood;
Ensure sufficient allocation of funds to the forestry sector;
Implement a strategic plan;
Global environmental concern addressed by the policy;
Adequate legislation in place;
Increase number of forestry personnel and trained staff;
Adequate forest management planning and implementation;
Proper supervision of forest activities;
Forestry research;
Contribute to proper replacement cost of forest produce;
Periodical forest inventory;
Reducing frequency and extent of bushfires through extension work;
Contribute to land-use planning;
Multiple use forestry promoted;
Sustainable production and use of forest produce;
Contribute to the promotion of an alternative source of energy.
The Forestry Ministry adopts the following approach: Forest and
forestry development through creative leadership of the Department,
wider public participation and rational utilization of forestry
resources in Gambia.
Mandates are important to identify and clarify the nature and meaning
of the imposed requirements from the Government, both formal and
informal, affecting the Department. The mandate of the MOFEN includes the
following:
Enforcing the Forest Act and Regulations
Promoting natural forest management in accordance to the Gambian
Forest Management Concept
Promoting community participation in forest development and
management
Promoting the development of plantations
Educating the general public on the values of the forests
Advising Government on forestry matters
Institutionalizing forestry training
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