๐๐๐๐๐๐, ๐๐๐ญ๐ก ๐๐ฎ๐ฅ๐ฒ ๐๐๐๐: On Thursday 23rd July 2026, Ambassador Lang Yabou, Permanent Secretary I, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Gambians Abroad of the Republic of The Gambia, on behalf of H.E. Sering Modou Njie, Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Gambians Abroad, received a high-level delegation from the African Union Africa Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC).
The delegation was in the country from 21 to 23 July 2026, on an advocacy mission to engage stakeholders as part of AU CDCโs engagement to support the Government of The Gambia in its efforts for the enactment of the Mental Health Bill into law. It was led by Dr. Mohammed Abdulaziz, Head of Division, Disease Control and Prevention at AU CDC. The AU delegation comprises of staff of the African Union CDC, Senators and Parliamentarians from African Union Member States, Representatives of Civil Society Organizations in Africa and, the Ministry of Health of The Gambia.
In welcoming the delegation, Ambassador Yabou thanked them on behalf of the Government of The Gambia for the great initiative, noting the importance of working together to address mental health issues. He pointed out that, mental health affect mainly the critical core of our society, the young people with direct negative impacts on the labour force, safety, as well as huge social and economic consequences for the society, hence, the importance of working together to address the issue.
For their part, Members of the delegation expressed appreciation to Ambassador Lang Yabou for receiving them at the Ministry and conveyed AU CDCโs gratitude to H.E Adama Barrow, President of the Republic of The Gambia for joining fellow leaders in advancing efforts to prevent and control non-communicable diseases in Africa.
The delegation conveyed its assurance to work with stakeholders to support the efforts of the Government of The Gambia in ensuring that, the Mental Health Bill pass through to become an Act, emphasizing that no one should be left behind in addressing mental health challenges. The delegation further noted that, mental health is a critical issue affecting many societies across Africa, with far-reaching social and economic implications, including its impact on productivity and community stability. Consequently, the delegation sought the Ministryโs support in facilitating the enactment of The Gambiaโs Mental Health Bill and ensuring that it becomes a reality.
Ambassador Lang Yabou in response, expressed his appreciation and gratitude to members of the delegation for the commitment to support The Gambia on this important issue pointing out that, The Gambia has important lessons to learn from countriesโ that have successfully done it.
He assured the delegation of the Government of The Gambiaโs willingness to learn from their experiences to facilitate the passage of the Mental Health Bill as soon as possible. Ambassador Yabou stressed that, addressing mental health challenges would yield significant social and economic benefits for The Gambia and hence, reaffirmed the Government of The Gambiaโs commitment to work with African Union Centre for Disease Control and Prevention and other partners in advancing mental health initiatives in The Gambia and across the African continent.
Ambassador Yabou concluded by thanking the Ministry of Health, particularly Ms. Mam Jarra Marega for spearheading this important issue in the country and for building partnership and consensus around it. He conveyed the continuous support and partnership of the Foreign Ministry to work with all stakeholders to realize the passage of the Mental Health Bill into law in The Gambia.
