By Sulayman Waan
Thirty people including youth and women within the Kanifing Municipality are currently undergoing five-day entrepreneurship training at the National Nutrition Agency (NaNA) hall.
The training sponsored by the National Enterprise Development Initiative (NEDI) is meant to strengthen participants’ capacities and improve their business idea.
Speaking to trainees, Mr Abas Bah, NEDI general manager said the training intends to expose participants into areas like business plan development, financial management, negotiation, customer management and market research.
He said NEDI has been training young people in other parts of the country on entrepreneurship. But this time around he said they thought it is prudent to organise training for the first time for young people residing in the Kanifing Municipality.
“NEDI yield for entrepreneurs who are highly resource and highly capitalise to run their own businesses effectively. The government of The Gambia has created enabling environment for any youth entrepreneurs to strides with their business and contribute their quota towards national development,” he said.
He therefore called for attitudinal change to move businesses further in the country, while he promised participants that loans are already available and he would encourage participants to apply for the loans to grow their businesses.
“NEDI office is open to you all at any time to guide and help you in your business entrepreneurship needs. Prepared to be successful, we will be there to support you in your business journey,” he advised.
For his part, Sutay Jawo, deputy permanent secretary of Ministry of Youth and Sports, said the government of The Gambia has made every opportunity available to youth, specifically in the entrepreneurship sector.
He indicated that the staff of NEDI will continue to mentor and support the youth in their business development crusade.
“The Gambia needs to do a lot to compete with other countries, especially in the business front. And the young people have a part to play in this journey. “You can only live a dignify life if you can do it for yourself.Honestly, we can do this through business. Let’s us diversify our businesses and it can work,” he said.
Mr. Marcel Mendy, Executive Director, National Sports Council said the government is investing in such trainings in order to better the future of the country.
He added that future of this country solely lies in the hands of the young people, as prosperity will hold the young people responsible.
He called on the participants to use the training to change lives and they (participants) have to change themselves for good and contribute to societal development.
Musa Saidy, Finance and Administrative Manager of NEDI, Ms Isatou Secka, chairperson of KM Youth committee among others made remarks at the opening of the training.