MECCNAR Validates First National Rainwater Harvesting Policy

WACA Group Photo © Askanwi Media

By Haddy Ceesay

The Ministry of Environment, Climate Change, and Natural Resources (MECCNAR), through the West Africa Coastal Areas Resilience Investment Project (WACCA), validated The Gambia’s first-ever National Rainwater Harvesting Policy and Strategic Implementation Plan (SIP) on Thursday, 28th August 2025.

The validation workshop was held at Ocean Bay Hotel in Bakau, bringing together consultants, government departments, local authorities, and development partners.

The new policy seeks to promote climate adaptation and build community resilience by establishing standards for safe rainwater use, conservation, and management. It aims to empower communities to adopt rainwater harvesting practices while providing clear policy direction for sustainable water management.

Speaking at the opening, WACCA Project Manager, Muhammad Lamin Sanyang, described the policy as “a framework for change towards sustainable water use and conservation.” He explained that the initiative would not only guide institutional arrangements but also provide strategies to mainstream rainwater harvesting across all sectors.

Sanyang further highlighted the urgent need for interventions to address flooding in communities along waterways.

“Every rainy season, over 200,000 people living near streams suffer from flooding. Through this policy, we aim to mitigate flooding by creating retention points that delay water flow into residential areas, thereby reducing downstream flooding,” he noted.

He added that the WACCA project remains committed to supporting collective efforts to strengthen climate resilience and secure a sustainable water future for generations.

Also speaking at the event, Bubacar Zaidi Jallow, Deputy Permanent Secretary at MECCNAR, said the policy represents a critical step towards effective water resource management in The Gambia.

“With proper rainwater harvesting, we can reduce water scarcity, enhance agricultural productivity, and improve access to clean water in our communities,” he said.

Jallow commended the consultants and technical experts who contributed to the drafting process, emphasizing that the policy is the product of broad collaboration and diverse perspectives. He called on stakeholders to provide constructive input during the validation sessions to ensure the document reflects national priorities.

The validation workshop concluded with breakout sessions where participants reviewed the draft policy and SIP, followed by a group photo to mark the historic milestone.