By Sulayman Ceesay
The National Enterprise Development Initiative (NEDI) in partnership with GIZ a European Union trust fund project recently concluded Ten-day training for forty youth drawn from across the country.
Held at Rural Development Institute in Mansakonko, Lower River Region, aimed to trained youth on agro-food processing and entrepreneurship. Participants were divided into two badges of twenty for five days per group.
This training is also meant to encourage young people to venture into agriculture and business to reduce unemployment in The Gambia. The training is conducted by food technology service unit of the Ministry of Agriculture.
Abass Bah, General Manager, NEDI said the training is in line with his institutions mandate to provide young people with entrepreneurship skills and opportunities.
“Training youth and women in agro-food processing will also contribute to agricultural development and economic growth,” he said.
Pa Sait Ceesay, Chief Executive Officer, Mansakonko Area Council advised young people to make the best use of the conducive environment and institutions created for their empowerment.
“Institutions such as NEDI, GIZ amongst others are collaborating to empower the young people of the country through enterprise development, as well as mentorship programs and create access to financial supports,” he explained.
Momodou Lamin Fofana, Senior Youth Coordinator, LRR deputizing the the governor said such training are in line with government’s objective on youth empowerment and national development.
He urged youth to taker ownership of the training and take advantage of the opportunity provided to them by government.
“Youth empowerment and development is a key priority are of the government of the Gambia and we are very much committed to that at all times,” he assured.
Mariam Drammeh, representative of GIZ, assured the youth of the project commitment to youth empowerment through skill and enterprise development.
She called on participants to use their new skills to improve their entrepreneurship development within their community and beyond.
Ousman Sonko, Vice Principal of RDI spoke of the importance of skills training in enhancing socio-economic growth.
Mustapha Badjie, program manager, NEDI and the representative of the regional youth office Nyanya Mbye both acknowledged the importance of such trainings to youth empowerment. The duo advised participants to take the training seriously and make the best use of their new skills at the end of the program to improve their economic status.
Omar Sanneh, a participant, thanked the organizers for the initiative. He said their new skills on agro-food processing will enable them become entrepreneurs and contribute to national development through the creation of jobs while improving their lives and livelihoods with their families.
He advised his colleagues to make the best use of the knowledge gained and encourage their fellow young people in their respective communities to venture into business and agriculture.
Participants were awarded certificates at the end of the training to acknowledge their participation and the success of the NEDI-GIZ partnership training on agro food processing and entrepreneurship.
