By Lama Jallow
Information Officer, MoYS
In its quest to promote and empower young entrepreneurs, the National Enterprise Development Initiative (NEDI)with funding from the Government of The Gambia through the Ministry of Youth and Sports Sunday concluded a five-day training on business development plans for 25 youth oriented entrepreneurs across the country.
The event that was attended by participants from the seven regions was held at the Trans Gambia Lodge in Pakalinding Lower River Region.
In his closing remarks, Saikou K. Sanyang, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Youth and Sports said one of the key challenges facing the expansion of the youth own enterprise is the ability to develop marketable business plans to secure funding from development agencies and financial institutions.
He assured the participants that his ministry will continue to support the efforts of NEDI to stay relevant, sustainable and serve the interest of young people to create business enterprises and employment opportunities.
“I wish to assure you that the Government of His Excellency President Adama Barrow is always willing and ready to contribute in providing the necessary financial and technical resources to support the aspiring young people of this country to acquire decent employment opportunities and high standards of living,” he informed the participants.
Mr Abass Bah, General Manager of National Enterprise Development Initiative (NEDI) said the training objective was meant to build the capacities of owners of youth enterprises to understand and to be able to build their own business plans to secure funding and expand their businesses.
GM Bah said the Gambia Government through the Ministry and NEDI has drawn series of intervention to create opportunities for youth employment through entrepreneurship, and one of the cardinal pillars of successful and profitable business enterprises is having a business plan.
He informed the beneficiaries that in order to be successful, one has to think big and be innovative in creating new ideas.
Fabakary Sanneh, youth Coordinator for Lower River Region enjoined the participants to master their business ideas in order to attract investors and partners.
He added that developing the idea is a task but the implementation process is another process.
He said most youth owned businesses failed because they are running businesses without a business plan.
He therefore disclosed to them that the Government is changing the narrative that is why NEDI through funding from the Ministry organised such intensive training to ensure that youth own enterprises are run profitably and sustainably to create long term employment opportunities for young people .
Lamin K Drammeh, an entrepreneur spoke on behalf of the beneficiary and urged his colleagues to make best of the knowledge gains from the training.
He thank therefore thanked the government through NEDI for organising such training.
