By: Sulayman Ceesay
National Enterprise Development Initiative (NEDI) has certified 25 young people and women at the end of five days entrepreneurship training in the Central River Region, South town of Bansang.
The training funded by Ministry of Youth and Sports (MOYS) seeks to transfer the essential business management skills to young people and women and link them to other partner supports within the country.
This according to organizers will enable these youth and women to acquire, among others marketable skills for self-employment through creating enterprises or employment.
Sillah Conateh, board chairman, NEDI, said the training aimed to positively engage youth and women in creating gainful and decent work which is in line with the new government National Development Plan 2018-2021 priorities.
“NEDI under my chairmanship has strategically Plan on areas of youth productive engagements through series of interventions like this entrepreneurship as a result of the recognition of the need to evolve pragmatic and workable strategies that will impact positively on the many socio-economic challenges confronting the Gambian youth and women,” he said.
He said NEDI under MOYS will continue to support and complement the efforts of the youth to stay to relevant and sustainable entrepreneurship development.
He said: “We recognized the contributions of our key partners in youth development like YEP, Ministry of Agriculture,(FASDEP,GCAV,NEMA) Department Community Development, and all the regional structures of Governor’s office, Regional Youth Committee, Department of the Ministry of Youth and Sport, others”.
Abass Bah, general manager, National Enterprise Development Initiative (NEDI said at the level of Ministry of Youth and Sports they will do all it takes to ensure that the young people’s interest is met through various partnership including the government support.
“We want to ensure that young people are provided with the opportunities to go into entrepreneurship as in line with the National Development Plan (NDP) of the Gambia government,” he said.
He said NEDI’s basic role is to ensure that young Gambians own their own businesses, create employment and employ other young people. “NEDI will always be there to support you all in your endeavors of becoming successful entrepreneurs. Continue challenges us to support you,” he said.
Omar Jammeh, chairperson, Regional Youth Committee, Central River region said Youth participation in enterprise and entrepreneurship development is very key to national development.
He calls for more investment in youth empowerment and development, saying supporting youth means supporting the future of the country.
“Youth are very important component of any development initiative that any country or society venture into, because young people have the energy and ability to change anything,” he said.
He challenged young people to take advantage of the opportunities created for them by the government and its partners.
Omar Sey, deputy governor, Central River Region, issues of young people is very high in the agenda of the government of the Gambia.
“Youth participation in national development cannot be overemphasis and it is very crucial. Take your training seriously and contribute to the county’s development,” he noted.