Issues and Options for Improved Land Sector Governance in the Gambia Results of the Application of the Land Governance Assessment Framework Synthesis Report August 2013 AMIE BENSOUDA & CO LP OFF BERTIL HARDING HIGHWAY NO. SSHFC CRESCENT KANIFING INSTITUTIONAL AREA KANIFING MUNICIPALITY E-mail:
[email protected] Telephone Nos. 4495381 / 4496453 ACRONYMS DLS - Department of Lands and Surveys DPPH - Department of Physical Planning and Housing KMA - Kanifing Municipal Area KMC - Kanifing Municipal Council LGAF - Land Governance Assessment Framework MOL - Minister of Lands MOA - Minister of Agriculture MOFE - Minister of Forestry and the Environment MoLRG - Ministry of Lands and Regional Government NGO - Non- Governmental Organizations TDA - Tourism Development Area 2 2 Page Table of Contents 1. Introduction 5 2. LGAF Methodology 5 3. Overview of Land Policy Issues in the Gambia 6 3.1 The Gambia: Background Information 6 3.1.1 Economy and geography 6 3.1.2 Governance system 7 3.2 Land Issues and Land Policy 7 3.2.1 Tenure Typology 7 3.2.2 History and current status of land policies 8 3.2.3 Land management institutions 9 4. Assessment of Land Governance in the Gambia 9 4.1 Legal and institutional framework 9 4.1.1 Continuum of rights 9 4.1.2 Enforcement of rights 11 4.1.3 Mechanisms for recognition of rights 12 4.1.4 Restrictions on rights 13 4.1.5 Clarity of institutional mandates 13 4.1.6 Equity and nondiscrimination 14 4.2 Land use planning, taxation, and management 14 4.2.1 Transparency of restrictions 14 4.2.2 Efficiency in the planning