By Ismaila Sonko
Mr. Dembo Kambi, the Chairman of the National Youth Council (NYC) has said the unemployment rate of the Youth has increased from the 38% to 41.5 after the 2018 Labor Force Survey.
He then 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 faced by our Youth which has led to some of the Youth embarking on the Back Way migration and other social vices.
He made the remarks during the opening ceremony of the Youth Connekt Gambia Summit on 16th -17th January, 2018 at a Local Hotel.
It was held under the theme: “Youth & Innovation Harnessing Talents for Economic Transformation”
The Youth Connekt Gambia Summit brought together relevant Government Ministries and all Stakeholders to discuss and strategies on how to achieve Youth Connekt Gambia goals of creating 100,000 jobs by 2021 in Sustainable Job Environment in emerging industries.
He noted that the Summit brings together over 200 policy makers and policy influencers including young people to discuss on wide ranging issues that affects them and find innovative and sustainable solutions to addressing them including issues like employment creation, access to ICT, closing the gender gap and nurturing young leaders for the present and the future.
The Summit will equally provide a platform for young people to pitch their business ideas; thus, creating the opportunity for partnership and attracting investment.
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 education.
‘‘We as leaders engaged with co-create policies, strategies, and opportunities with the youth, the impossible becomes possible, when our young people are giving the right to live their dreams in the Country instead of dying in the desert and in the ocean with the hope of reaching the shores of Europe for greener pastures,’’ he said.
He further explained that to make this a reality, we need young people in the vacant spaces available and dialogues to contribute in designing and implementing of policies and strategies that allow youth creativity and entrepreneurship to thrive and promote our Country’s transformation. Our support as Government and Partners can help to unleash youth creativity that is needed to reaping the Youth Demographic Dividend.
‘‘Through the President, I want to solicit Government’s support in 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, as well as to 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 Gambia goals and we are certain that this government will deliver, to galvanize support and ensured to create employment of youth in their communities.