By Lamin B. Darboe
The Minister of Public Service, Administrative Reforms, Policy Coordination and Delivery has explained that the newly validated National Policy Formulation Handbook 2025 seeks to ensure that public policies are coherent, efficient, and aligned with the national development objectives.
Hon. Baboucarr Bouy made this statement on Monday, March 10th, 2025 as he presided over the official opening ceremony of a three-day validation workshop of the National Policy Formulation Handbook 2025 at Sindola Safari Hotel, Kanilai, in Foni Kansala District of West Coast Region.
The minister noted that the development marks an important milestone in his ministry’s efforts to strengthen policy formulation, coordination and implementation in The Gambia.
“The National Policy Formulation Handbook 2025 is a key outcome of the YIRIWAA (RF-NDP). The YIRIWAA (RF-NDP) specifically calls on us to create a standardised policy-making framework. That is exactly what we have done and the document is a critical tool for the future of policy development in The Gambia,” he elaborated.
He affirmed that the initiative is central to the reforms the ministry is pursuing in public services, policies and systems.
Minister Bouy further explained that these reforms are not only focused on how they deliver services but also on how they develop the policies that guide their governance and development.
He acknowledged the critical work of the Department of Strategic Policy and Delivery (DSPD), under his ministry, and their key partners like the Directorate of Development Planning under the Ministry of Finance and Economic Affairs, whose contributions have been vital in the development and refinement of the framework.
Further on the significance of the framework, the Public Service minister said the handbook will address the fragmentation and inefficiencies that have characterised their policy-making processes in the past.
“It will provide clear principles, guidelines, and templates for policy development, and will ensure greater coherence and coordination across all government ministries, departments, and agencies. It is also a critical instrument for ensuring that our policies are aligned with the long-term goals of our country,” Minister Bouy added.
He said this initiative reflects government’s commitment to transforming the way policies are formulated and delivered.
