ActionAid gets New Executive Director

Omar Badji New AAITG Executive Director

Omar Badji is the new Executive Director of ActionAid International The Gambia (AAITG). Badji, who until his appointment was Head of Programmes and Policy, took over the role in January 2014 and is based in Kanifing. He succeeds Dr. Kujejatou Manneh whose term ended in December 2013. AAITG is an Affiliate member of the ActionAid International Federation, a global movement of people working together to further human rights for all and defeat poverty.

In his new role, Omar Badji will lead the work of the Affiliate, coordinating its work and strengthening its partnerships to ensure greater positive impact of programme interventions on the lives and livelihoods of people living in poverty. He has worked for ActionAid for over 20 years and has served as interim Country Director for ActionAid Senegal (AAS), Guinea Bissau (AABG) and The Gambia.


As Interim Country Director (CD) of ActionAid Senegal and Guinea Bissau, Omar was responsible for overseeing the overall management of the organisation both in terms of operational and strategic issues. He coordinated programme planning, implementation, programme review/monitoring and evaluation exercises.

Badji ensured that programme interventions are relevant to the aspirations of the poor for maximum positive impact on their lives and livelihoods. As Country Director, he was the liaison between ActionAid and other stakeholders in Senegal and Guinea Bissau.   Omar has also been the focal point for human security for AAITG since 2000.

He leads and coordinates disaster response interventions in the Country Programme. He has attended several capacity building/training exercises in disaster response organized by ActionAid. In 2002 and 2012, Omar played a critical role in the drought response exercises and also in the development of the Resilience Building Plan for both The Gambia and Senegal. He therefore has experience in management, programming and emergency and disaster response.

Amie Bensouda, chairperson of the Board of Directors of ActionAid International The Gambia, who led the recruitment said:“Omar is a long serving staff of Action Aid International dedicated to its ideals and committed to its mission of working with the poor, powerless and excluded to eradicate poverty and injustice.

He was selected through a rigorous and highly competitive international process because he is the right person for the job. We expect him to deliver and have no doubt that he will with the support of staff, partners and all other stakeholders.”

Omar attended Gambia High school where he sat to the Ordinary and Advanced level examinations in 1977 and 1979 respectively.  In 1986 he obtained a B.Sc. in General Agriculture in Sierra Leone and then a Masters degree in Rural Development in 2002 from the University of East Anglia, UK. Omar has attended many training programmes and has also represented ActionAid International The Gambia at many international meetings.

Quote from Omar:“I have been in ActionAid for over 20 years simply because of the conducive and democratic work environment of the organisation.

In ActionAid with hard work, commitment and honesty the sky is the limit” Before joining ActionAid, Omar Badji worked for the Departments of Forestry and Agriculture.