Minister Hamat Bach is a Gambian politician who serves as the Minister of Tourism and Culture in the cabinet of President Adama Barrow. Born in the Central River Region of The Gambia, Minister Bach worked at the University of The Gambia and contributed to the development of the country’s tourism and hotel industries. He founded and led the National Reconciliation Party (NRP) in 1996 and served as a member of the National Assembly for the Upper Saloum Region from 1997 to 2005. He ran for president three times, including in 2001 and 2011. As one of the leaders of the opposition coalition in 2016, he was appointed Minister of Tourism and Culture in February 2017.