Aki Bayo is new Lands minister

Barely 24 hours after relieving Ms Fatim Badjie of her cabinet portfolio as minister of Health and Social Welfare, President Yahya Jammeh has appointed Momodou Aki Bayo as the new minister of Lands, Regional Administration and Traditional Rulers.

Mr Bayo, who served as permanent secretary in various ministries in both the first and second republics, replaced Lamin Waa Juwara, who was removed last month.

A release from the presidency last evening further announced that President Jammeh has re-assigned Bala Garba Jahumpa, to the ministry of Health and Social Welfare as minister.

Two weeks ago, Bala Garba Jahumpa was appointed as minister of Information and Communication Infrastructure.

The press release from the Office of the President announcing these changes, also went on to urge all civil servants to work with diligence, and to be reporting for work and closing on time.

After graduating at the Gambia High School in the early days of the school, Bayo joined the then Gambia Teacher Training College in Yundum and became a qualified teacher and taught in various schools in the Gambia.

He holds a Masters Degree in International Law from the Friendship University in Moscow, Russia. From the Friendship University, Bayo proceeded to Manchester University, where he obtained a diploma in Public Administration and later a Masters Degree in development studies also at Manchester University.

From the UK, Bayo pursued a short program at George Washington University in the United States of America.

During the first republic, Bayo worked in various places including ministries of health, works and construction, Secretary for Public Service Commission, Commissioner for North Bank and Upper River Regions. He also worked in the then Ministry of Economic Planning and Industrial Development.

In the second republic, Bayo was among the first people to be appointed as Permanent Secretary serving under then vice chairman as PS, and the Ministry of Interior as PS. He also worked with the University of the Gambia as Principal Assistant Registrar and served as Secretary to the then National Consultative Committee.

Shortly after, Bayo obtained an international appointment with the then Regional Maritime Academy in Ghana, where he played a crucial role in the transformation of the Academy to a University.

At the end of his contract in Ghana, Bayo came back to the Gambia and through competitive recruitment, he became the Director General of the Gambia Maritime Administration.

While at the Gambia Maritime Administration, Bayo was appointed as Permanent Secretary No. 1 and head of the diplomatic service at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, a post he held up to the time of his appointment.