Badara Joof

Badara Alieu Joof is a Gambian politician and civil servant who is the Minister of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology in President Adama Barrow's cabinet.

Badara Joof
Minister of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology
Incumbent
Assumed office 22 February 2017
President	Adama Barrow
Preceded by	Aboubacar Senghore
Personal details
Born	Badara Alieu Joof
Political party	Independent
Alma mater	University of Bristol University of London University of Bath

Early life and education

Joof was a student at Armitage High School and trained as a teacher himself at Yundum Teachers' College. He holds a bachelor of education degree from the University of Bristol, a master's degree in English literature from the University of London, and a master's degree in development economics from the University of Bath.[1][2]

Professional career

Joof began his career as a qualified teacher, teaching English at The Gambia College. He was then head of the department of languages and literature at Nusrat High School. He was the permanent secretary at the Ministry of Education for many years. In March 2002, it was reported that he had been transferred to permanent secretary at the Ministry of Local Government and Lands.[3]

Joof worked as the World Bank Liaison Officer to the Gambia.[4] In this role, he assisted higher education minister Mariama Sarr-Ceesay in introducing a new education policy to the Gambia.[5] He also urged the Gambian tourism sector to "move from routine tourism and be more proactive."[6] He has led a World Bank project, Support to NGO Network Tango, which had a budget of $220,000 and lasted from 2010 to 2013, the stated purpose of which was "to enhance the efficiency and accountability of non-Governmental Organizations (NGO's) in delivering basic services to the poor in the member country."[7] In 2013, Joof visited various project sites in the Gambia along with Ministry of Agriculture officials to gain a better understanding of various challenges they faced.[8] In 2014, Joof was appointed as an Education Specialist in Dakar, Senegal to the World Bank.

Political career

On 22 February 2017, President Adama Barrow appointed Joof as his Minister of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology.[9]

References

1. Sankareh, Ebrima G. (31 August 2015). "In Memory Of My Great Teacher—A. K. Savage". The Gambia Echo. Archived from the original on 28 February 2017. Retrieved 27 February 2017.
2. Sankareh, Ebrima G. (22 February 2017). "The Echo Vindicated! Jallow Tambajang Is Women's Affairs Minister Overseeing VP; Others Name". The Gambia Echo. Retrieved 27 February 2017.
3. "Gambia: Badara Joof is New PS, Local Government & Lands". All Africa. 11 March 2002. Retrieved 27 February 2017.
4. "CPIA Forum winds up in Dakar". Daily News. 4 July 2011. Archived from the original on 28 February 2017. Retrieved 27 February 2017.
5. "MOBSE Ends Mid Term Education Policy Review". Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education. Retrieved 27 February 2017.
6. "New Tourism Logo Launched". State House. 7 October 2010. Archived from the original on 28 February 2017. Retrieved 27 February 2017.
7. "Support to NGO Network TANGO". World Bank. Retrieved 27 February 2017.
8. "World Bank Country Director visits project sites". The Point. 10 March 2013. Retrieved 27 February 2017.
9. "Barrow appoints five new ministers". The Point. 23 February 2017. Retrieved 27 February 2017.