Hamat NK Bah, Minister of Lands, Regional Government and Religious Affairs
By Makutu Manneh
Hamat N.K. Bah, Minister of Lands, Regional Government, and Religious Affairs, has cautioned that The Gambia could face a serious social crisis within the next decade if young people continue to undertake irregular migration, commonly known as the “backway.”
Addressing supporters at a National Reconciliation Party (NRP) rally in Lumen on Sunday, the minister said the persistent loss of young Gambians to the perilous journey would have far-reaching consequences for the country’s social fabric and development.
He warned that continued migration could lead to a severe demographic imbalance. “Our women will reach marriageable age but will not have husbands because many of our men have lost their lives on the ‘backway’ journey,” he said.
Minister Bah stressed that The Gambia’s development cannot be outsourced to foreign countries, arguing that progress must be driven by Gambians themselves. He noted that the country possesses sufficient human capital, skills, and knowledge to build a sustainable future if properly harnessed.
He urged young people to remain in the country and invest their energies in skills development and nation-building. “We urge you to stay. Let us learn different skills and develop our country. That is the only way forward,” he said.
The Gambia experienced a renewed surge in irregular migration in late 2025, with reports of hundreds of migrants missing at sea, raising fresh concerns about the human cost of the phenomenon.
The minister also called on opposition figures to refrain from what he described as negative portrayals of the country abroad, warning that instability would ultimately affect all citizens.
“The visa challenges with the United States are affecting everyone. When you go outside the country, speak well of it. If you have nothing good to say about the country, remain silent,” he said.
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