By: Nyima Silla
The Gambia government and partners have set the ball rolling for the operationalization of the National Youth Development Fund.
This revelation was made by the Minister of Youth, Bakary Y. Badjie, as he delivered a statement on the occasion of International Youth Day last weekend.
Last week, The Gambia joined the global community to commemorate the day themed Towards A Sustainable World.
In his statement, minister Badjie revealed that the Gambia government, through the youth ministry, its satellite institutions, and strategic partners, has operationalized the National Youth Development Fund.
The fund, according to the youth minister, will provide access to finance for youth-led initiatives and startups. He said startups in the agriculture value chain with a special focus on environmentally-friendly practices will as well benefit from this initiative.
He disclosed that young Gambians will, through The Gambia Songhai Initiative, continue to receive training at Chamen in innovative agricultural practices for high yield and the protection of environmental diversity.
“These among other advocacy, skills training and sports development programmes under my ministry, are expected to give youth the much-needed platforms and opportunities for innovation, employment creation, leadership and capacity to contribute towards national development,” Minister Badjie said.
He emphasized the “crucial role” young people can play in determining the processes of sustainable development of organizations, institutions, and communities.
The youth minister noted that if empowered, youth will be able to unleash their potential and act as agents of positive change and sustainable growth.
On the theme of this year’s commemorations, Badjie explained that it highlighted the need to focus on green transition and a shift towards an environmentally-sustainable and climate-friendly world. He continued: “Transforming education requires equipping young people with skills to understand green skills and embrace the effective use of green technologies and processes in occupational settings, as well as transversal skills that draw on a range of knowledge, values and attitudes to facilitate environmentally-sustainable decisions in work and in life.”
According to him, one of the most persistent crises the society is facing is climate change and environmental disruptions.
“To gain resilience and act with knowledge and power, in light of these challenges, youths should be provided with opportunities and spaces that support them in skill-building for a sustainable economy,” he stressed.
“Despite these challenges, the majority of Gambian youth in our communities and the Diaspora continue to demonstrate resilience and commitments to maximally utilize the opportunities provided by the government and partners across all sectors,” he added.
