By Binta Jaiteh
The National Youth Parliament (NYP) over the weekend commemorated International Youth Day aimed at promoting youth involvement in sustainable green jobs.
Speaking during the ceremony held at NYC’s office in KanifingMunicipal Council, Ndegen Jobe, Deputy Speaker of NYP elaborated on the themes of the celebration – Green Skills for Youth: saying it is a clarion call in this era of unprecedented environmental challenges.
Noting that the mantle of responsibility falls heavily upon the youth’s shoulders, “We stand on the precipice of a world fraught with uncertainties, where the very essence of our existence is threatened by ecological imbalances.”
However, she said the journey as they celebrate seeks to empower the youth with a formidable arsenal of knowledge, skills, and innovations. “Green skills – they’re not just tools; they’re the embodiment of hope, the embodiment of resilience in the face of adversity,” she added.
Aissata De, the UNDP Country Representative said Climate change is unarguably the biggest environmental challenge of the time; it portends serious challenges for The Gambia to achieve its development targets.
She noted that The Gambia continues to face food security challenges, including low agricultural productivity and high cost of production due to climate change. “Other reasons for low agricultural productivity are lack of materials like seeds, tree seedlings and lack of capacity on modern techniques are all factors that are hindering bountiful agricultural productivity,” she outlined.
“In collaboration with the Gambia Red Cross and the National Youth Parliament, we are commemorating International Youth Day by not only raising awareness but also embarking on a journey of capacity building. The commitment to training 25 youth in organic fertilizer production stands as a testament to our dedication,” she added.