By Ismaila Sonko
Mr. Dembo Kambi , chairperson of the National Youth Council (NYC) has said the unemployment rate of the youth has increase from the 38% to 41.5 after the 2018 Labour Force Survey.
He said it has been reported that about 56.8% of our youth are not in employment, education and training the figures are revealing of the challenges face by our youth leading to some embarking on the Back way migration and other social vices.
He was speaking during a two days Youth Connekt Gambia Summit 2019 at Kariaba Beach Hotel, in Kololi.
The event organized by NYC is funded by United Nations Development Program, through Entrepreneurship and Private Sector Development Project under the Ministry of Trade, Industry, Regional Integration and Employment (MOTIE) is targeting 200 young people and other partners across the country.
The Summit brings together over 200 young people, policy makers, policy influencers, young innovators and entrepreneurs, and development partners to interface and network.
The initiative is meant to accelerate actions to create decent jobs for youth, support youth entrepreneurship, innovation, leadership and as well as bridge the gender gap.
He added that it is only logical and smart for all actors and stakeholders to support and empower our youth in skills development, employment opportunities and educations
‘‘We as leaders engage with and co-create policies, strategies, and opportunities with the youth, the impossible becomes possible our Young people should deserve the right to live their dreams in the Country instead of dying in the desert and in the ocean hoping to reach Europe in search of opportunities,’’ he said.
He further explain that to make this a reality, we need young people in the spaces and dialogues to contribute to designing and implementing policies and strategies that allow youth creativity and entrepreneurship to thrive and promote our Countries transformation. Our support as Government and partners can help to unleash youth creativity that is needed to reaping the youth Demographic Dividend.
‘‘Through you Mr. President, I want to solicit Governments support to providing the enabling environment and resources that will help encourage youth participation and empowerment, creation of national youth development fund, strengthen the policy and operational capacities of NEDI, NYSS, PIA, NSC and NYC, and support the implementation of the above mentioned flagship programmers,’’ he task.
He stated that the political support is an important catalyst to achieving our Youth Connekt goals and we are certain this government will deliver, to galvanized support and ensure create employment of youth in their communities.