Director Urges Transformation of Gambia’s Heritage into National Prosperity
By Sanna Camara
Heritage Management Project (HerMaP), having been honored with the celebrations of The Gambia’s 60th independence anniversary in Banjul, has urged the government to work together with civil society and private sector and ensure the safeguarding of national heritage for prosperity of the nation.
“The future of HerMaP Gambia is for all of you to shape. Government, civil society, and the private sector must work together to safeguard The Gambia’s cultural heritage and transform it into a pillar of national pride and prosperity,” said Dr. Evangelos Kyriakidis, HERITΛGE Director.
The Greece based Heritage Management Organization was established in 2008 to enable key heritage managers to independently transform heritage assets into dynamic sources of learning, community identity, and economic development through targeted training.
A Lasting Legacy: The Impact of HerMaP Gambia
Since its launch in 2020, HerMaP Gambia has: empowered over 250 individuals through capacity-building initiatives in 18 workshops, trained more than 30 trainers and supported 10 key cultural heritage initiatives, including the enhancement of the Fort Bullen Visitor Center, the creation of the Fulani Mud House Museum, and the revitalization of Juffureh Village Museum. An office has been established in Barra North Bank and a Study Tour was organized for the National Assembly’s Committee on Tourism, Culture and Sports in the framework of the program.
In a press release from its project office in Banjul, HerMaP Gambia stated is also playing a crucial role in documenting and promoting The Gambia’s Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH).
“As the project concludes, its impact will continue to inspire future generations of heritage managers and cultural entrepreneurs, ensuring The Gambia’s rich heritage is preserved and serves as a catalyst for sustainable growth,” it further stated.
Read below the full text of the release:
Press Release
HerMaP Gambia celebrates: The Gambia at 60, a Certificate Ceremony, an Art Exhibition, and a Stakeholder Lunch
Banjul, 17th March 2025 – The Heritage Management Organization (HERITΛGE) and its partners recently organised two events to mark the 60th anniversary of The Gambia’s Independence and the conclusion of HerMaP Gambia, an initiative co-funded by the European Union. Realised in partnership with the National Centre for Arts and Culture (NCAC), the program has played a pivotal role in supporting and promoting The Gambia’s heritage sector.
Two key events were organized: a Certificate Ceremony and Art Exhibition, part of The Gambia’s Diamond Jubilee Celebrations, and a Stakeholder Lunch and Discussion, which marked the official closure of the HerMaP Gambia program.
Empowering Heritage Professionals: Celebrating HerMaP Gambia Trainees
On 17 February 2025, the first closing event took place at Ocean Bay Hotel in Banjul, where over 100 Gambian trainees were honored at a Certificate Award Ceremony. The event gathered key stakeholders, including Honourable Members of the National Assembly, representatives from the NCAC and the European Union, and cultural professionals.
Among the keynote speakers were His Excellency Seedy NK Njie, Deputy Chairman of the National Assembly, Lumana Kamashi, Representative of the European Union in The Gambia, Hassoum Ceesay, Director of the NCAC. Stakeholder Lunch & Closing Event: Reflecting on the HerMaP Gambia Legacy
On 24 February 2025, HerMaP Gambia officially concluded with a Stakeholder Lunch and Closing Event at Ocean Bay Hotel. This gathering provided a platform for stakeholders to reflect on the project’s successes and discuss opportunities for future collaboration in heritage management.
Attendees included representatives from the EU, the National Assembly, local communities, and heritage organizations. Discussions focused on the role of heritage in economic growth, sustainable tourism, and community development.
The Honourable Abdoulie Jobe, Minister for Tourism & Culture, attended the lunch and pointed out that “The Gambia’s cultural heritage is a cornerstone of our identity and an important driver of our national development. As a government, we are committed to integrating cultural heritage in our broader agenda for economic and tourism development.”
While Enrica Pellacani, Head of Co-operation for the Representation of the EU in The Gambia said that “By protecting cultural heritage sites and museums, the government will be able to attract more tourists to these sites and this will encourage growth other related areas such as the production of local artisanal souvenirs, the hospitality industry, the tour guide sector, a whole ecosystem that can benefit from culture.”
A Lasting Legacy: The Impact of HerMaP Gambia
“The future of HerMaP Gambia is for all of you to shape. Government, civil society, and the private sector must work together to safeguard The Gambia’s cultural heritage and transform it into a pillar of national pride and prosperity,” said Dr. Evangelos Kyriakidis, HERITΛGE Director.
Since its launch in 2020, HerMaP Gambia has: empowered over 250 individuals through capacity-building initiatives in 18 workshops, trained more than 30 trainers and supported 10 key cultural heritage initiatives, including the enhancement of the Fort Bullen Visitor Center, the creation of the Fulani Mud House Museum, and the revitalization of Juffureh Village Museum. An office has been established in Barra North Bank and a Study Tour was organized for the National Assembly’s Committee on Tourism, Culture and Sports in the framework of the program.
HerMaP Gambia is also playing a crucial role in documenting and promoting The Gambia’s Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH).
As the project concludes, its impact will continue to inspire future generations of heritage managers and cultural entrepreneurs, ensuring The Gambia’s rich heritage is preserved and serves as a catalyst for sustainable growth.
More information on HerMaP Gambia: https://shorturl.at/vGT08
