Beyond advocacy, Hon. Bah has played a key role in strengthening mental health systems. He co-initiated The Gambia’s first National Mental Health Taskforce, alongside Dr. Jainaba Jallow and nine other mental health organisations. The Taskforce went on to organise the country’s first National Mental Health Awareness Week in October 2025, marking a historic milestone in public engagement on mental wellbeing.
Hon. Bah also contributed to the validation of The Gambia’s Mental Health Policy 2025, where he emphasised the importance of anti-stigmatisation campaigns, expanded mental health services, and the establishment of regional mental healthcare centers to improve access across the country.
Among his notable contributions is his support for the Mental Health Bill 2025, a rights-based and community-focused framework aimed at strengthening mental health services while protecting the dignity and rights of persons living with mental health conditions.
At the international level, Hon. Bah continues to amplify The Gambia’s mental health agenda. As President of the Global Youth Mental Health Forum, working in partnership with the Peaceful Mind Foundation in Delhi, India, he has represented the country at regional and global platforms, advocating for youth-inclusive mental health policies and cross-border collaboration.
Accepting the recognition, Hon. Bah described the award as a motivation to deepen his commitment, reaffirming that mental health must be treated as a national development priority.
The recognition by HEMDA The Gambia underscores a growing national shift toward open dialogue, policy reform, and collective responsibility in addressing mental health and wellbeing in The Gambia.
