09/04/2026
COURTESY VISIT BY THE NEW CHIEF FIRE OFFICER TO THE HON. MINISTER OF INTERIOR
On Wednesday April 8, 2026, the newly appointed Chief Fire Officer, Mr. Masanneh Bah, accompanied by the Deputy Chief Fire Officer, Mr. Yaya Sonko, and members of the senior management of The Gambia Fire and Rescue Service, paid a courtesy visit to the Hon. Minister of Interior, Mr. Abdoulie Sanyang.
In his remarks, Mr. Masanneh Bah expressed profound gratitude for the confidence reposed in him by the Government and leadership of the Ministry. He reaffirmed his commitment to providing visionary leadership aimed at transforming The Gambia Fire and Rescue Service into a modern, efficient, and responsive institution.
The Chief Fire Officer in his remark highlighted his priorities, which include strengthening emergency response mechanisms, enhancing personnel capacity through continuous training, improving fire prevention and public awareness strategies, and ensuring discipline and professionalism within the Service.
He emphasized the importance of teamwork and collaboration, both internally and with other national security institutions, to effectively safeguard lives and property.
Mr. Bah further assured the Hon. Minister that under his leadership, the Service will adopt innovative approaches, leverage available technology, and promote accountability and transparency in its operations. He called for the continued support and guidance of the Ministry to enable the Service to fulfill its mandate effectively.
In his response, the Hon. Minister of Interior, Mr. Abdoulie Sanyang, congratulated Mr. Masanneh Bah and Mr. Yaya Sonko on their appointments and expressed confidence in their ability to lead the Service to greater heights.
The Hon. Minister underscored the critical role of the Fire and Rescue Service in national security and public safety, noting that the increasing complexity of fire-related incidents and disasters demands a proactive, well-coordinated, and highly professional approach.
He urged the new leadership to prioritize discipline, integrity, and efficiency in service delivery.
Hon. Sanyang emphasized the need to strengthen fire prevention strategies, particularly through community engagement and public education, while also improving rapid response capabilities across the country. He further called on the leadership to ensure proper maintenance and effective utilization of equipment and resources provided by the Government and partners.
The Hon. Minister reiterated the Ministry’s commitment to supporting the Service, while also stressing the importance of accountability and results. He encouraged the management to work as a cohesive team and to uphold the highest standards of professionalism at all times.
The Permanent Secretary, Mr. Amadou Nyang buttressed the remarks of the Hon. Minister by emphasizing the importance of strategic planning, institutional discipline, and performance-driven leadership within the Service. He highlighted the need for effective coordination, proper documentation, and adherence to established procedures in all operations.
He further encouraged the new leadership to focus on staff welfare and motivation, noting that a well-supported workforce is critical to achieving operational excellence.
The Permanent Secretary assured the delegation of the Ministry’s continued administrative support in the ex*****on of their mandate.
The meeting concluded with mutual assurances of cooperation and a shared commitment to strengthening The Gambia Fire and Rescue Service in order to effectively respond to emerging challenges and enhance public safety nationwide.