The Gambia Takes the Helm of MOWCA as 19th General Assembly and 50th Anniversary Conclude in Banjul
The 19th Ordinary Session of the General Assembly of the Maritime Organisation of West and Central Africa (MOWCA) and its historic Golden Jubilee celebrations concluded on Friday, February 20, 2026, with The Gambia assuming central leadership roles within the regional body.
The closing ceremony, held at the Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara International Conference Centre, was graced by His Excellency Muhammed B.S. Jallow, the Vice President of the Republic of The Gambia, who represented the Presidency. The event marked a half-century of maritime cooperation among the 25 member states.
Ministerial Leadership and Strategic Vision
In a significant transition of authority, The Gambia’s Minister of Transport, Works and Infrastructure, Hon. Ebrima Sillah, was officially inaugurated as the Chairman of MOWCA for a two-year term (2026–2028).
In his acceptance address, Hon. Sillah emphasized a commitment to safe, secure, and cost-effective shipping, pledging to drive the establishment of the Regional Maritime Development Bank and strengthen pollution control across the sub-region. During Hon. Sillah’s term, he will push forward MOWCA’s strategic vision of transforming into an African Maritime Organisation.
The Vice President’s Vision: Ocean as a Gateway to Growth
Looking to the future, Vice President Muhammed B.S. Jallow delivered a keynote address emphasizing the maritime sector as a critical driver of economic transformation. Noting that over 80 percent of global trade is conducted by sea, the Vice President remarked that “the ocean is not a boundary but a gateway to growth, innovation, and opportunity.”
This vision, he noted, aligns seamlessly with The Gambia’s Renewed Framework for National Development (RF-NDP). The Vice President highlighted that a sustainable blue economy is central to the national agenda, which prioritizes:
• Economic Diversification and Infrastructure Modernization.
• Regional Trade Expansion and Maritime Security.
• Climate Resilience and Sustainable Resource Management.
“Our commitment to MOWCA is an extension of our national goals. By modernizing our maritime infrastructure, we are anchoring our future in a resilient and prosperous global trade network,” the Vice President stated.
Expertise at the Forefront: GMA Director General Appointed Chair of Experts Committee
Reinforcing The Gambia’s new leadership role, the Director General of the Gambia Maritime Administration (GMA), Counsel Olimatou Danso-Malang, has officially assumed the Chairpersonship of the MOWCA Committee of Experts.
As the technical engine of the organization, the committee is responsible for reviewing policies and making critical recommendations to the Council of Ministers. Counsel Danso-Malang’s appointment is seen as a testament to The Gambia’s regulatory excellence and its growing influence in shaping the “Blue Economy” of West and Central Africa.
50 Years of Regional Cooperation
The Golden Jubilee celebration served as a platform to reflect on MOWCA’s evolution since 1975. The session concluded with the adoption of the Banjul Declaration, a roadmap designed to harmonize maritime legislation and accelerate the transformation of MOWCA into a premier continental maritime authority.
About MOWCA
The Maritime Organisation of West and Central Africa (MOWCA) provides a sub-regional institutional framework for cooperation between its 25 member states, focusing on the promotion of maritime safety, security, and the protection of the marine environment.
Communication Unit
Gambia Maritime Administration
