By: Haruna Kuyateh
The National Enterprise Development Initiative (NEDI) rolled out five days capacity development for 25 youths on Enterpreneurship training programme.
The training program is to enhance them human resource in Youth Business Incubation Hub.
The training is currently underway in Kerewan North Bank Region. The training is fully funded by the Government of The Gambia to boost skills in entrepreneurship development.
The training focuses on business concept, characteristics of entrepreneur, marketing, market research and segmentation, business environment, internal control and risk management in business. And also, customer management and relationship building, record keeping and book keeping, financial literacy and business plan development, mentoring.
The program would link youths to access finance through SDF loan scheme and Tekki grant.
Abbas Bah, General Manager of NEDI thanks President Adama Barrow for the appointment of the new Youth Minister Bakary Y Badjie. He said this has demonstrated government commitment to youth development.
He noted the objectives behind it saying it is to support and nurture youth entrepreneurs and starts up enterprises and assists youth and youth enterprises in developing bankable business plans and effectively utilizes the available opportunities online and offline.
He challenged youths to support the development of the country as the future lies in the hand of youths and noted that capacity development would help to bridge capacity gaps. He disclosed that plans are in advance gear as government has taken the initiative to ensure young people’s have access to financial support.
Deputy Governor Musa Kanteh noted that Governor’s office would work with Kerewan Area Council to ensure youths are given canteens to exploit their potential and contribute to economy development. He called on youths to register their businesses and pay tax to ensure security and development. Deputy Governor Kanteh assured of their fullest support development.
Malamin IL Bojang Chairman of Kerewan Area Council thanked NEDI for undertaken the development of youths. He noted that the training would harness the skills of youth and expressed concerned that some people’s are in the habit of letting canteen to foreigners rather than Gambian.
He therefore called on people to desist from giving stall to non-Gambians while emphasized that council would ensure proper allocation of stalls and canteens are transparent and would ensure youths would be given priority.
Sherifo Mboge, NYC Program Officer in NBR thanked NEDI for the foresight in training youths in entrepreneurship to ensure youths participate effectively in the development of Small businesses.
He as well challenged youths to make best use of the opportunity provided by NEDI to strengthen youth’s capacity to assess financial support to Tekki Fii Agro grant and SDF loan scheme.
He said entrepreneurship training with access to finance would help to address irregular migration and empower youths to exploit their potentials.