By SulaymanWaan
The Minister of Youth and Sports has echoed that the Gambia government places young people at the center of national development.
This was disclosed Wednesday by the Ousman Fatty, chairman of National Youth Council.
Speaking on behalf of Honorable Bakary Badjie, Minister of Youth and Sports, Ousman Fatty said “under the leadership of H.E President Adama Barrow, the government of The Gambia has placed young people at the centre of national development.”
He stated that “as enshrined in the strategic priority seven (7) of the National Development Plan 2018-2021 ‘reaping the demographic dividend through an empowered youth’ and also in the ongoing reforms including the revision of the Gambia’s Elections Act, young people have always played their part in the civic and electoral processes of our country.”
While noticing that the that The Gambia’s youth Act is 20 years old, he said the concerns and needs evolve rapidly overtime and therefore, after 20 years of the current youth Act, now time has arisen for another Act to be put in place to address the needs of Gambian youth.
“Indeed, youth engagement in peaceful pre, during, and post elections, and participation in politics are key factors not only for democratic consolidation processes, but also for everlasting peace and stability of the country.”
“More so, elections in many African countries including The Gambia have been marred by violence and although the popular stereotypes depict youth as both perpetrators and victims to the conflict, this trend poses a serious threat to peace and security of the country,” he said.
He went on to described the national youth dialogue on electoral as timely, saying The Gambia is heading to a highly competitive election. Therefore, the role of youth in the successful conduct of peaceful campaigning and elections remains a key for many Gambians particularly the younger generation.
However, democracy and development are very critical phenomena in any progressive society, and “the 2nd National Youth Retreat is equally therefore an important convergence, especially for our youth to understand democracy, appreciate it and operate within its confined principles.”
Mr Fatty later commended NYC and all youth organizations for their commitment to national services while thanked UNFPA for supporting NYC in implementing the event.
Alagie Jarju, Executive Director for NYC said “in the absence of systemic communication and interface between youth and their structures, it will be difficult to hold each other mutually and accountable.”
He said the two- day meeting is created to bridge that gap and to ensure effective coordination, build synergy and encourage cross-sectorial collaboration amongst youth.
Mr Jarju called on youth leaders to embrace one another and work as a team to achieve their collective goals.
With the right mindsets, he said, no doubt the youth will achieve a peaceful and developed The Gambia for all.