By: Haddy Touray
The UDP’s administrative secretary for media and communications Tombong Saidy has contended that President Adama Barrow has yet to fulfill his promise of creating 150,000 jobs years after making the promise.
“In The Gambia, the issue of youth unemployment has reached alarming levels, yet the government’s response has been woefully inadequate. Despite promises and pledges, the reality on the ground tells a story of neglect, broken commitments, and a lack of genuine concern for the future of the country’s young population,” Mr. Saidy maintained.
He recalled that
President Adama Barrow, during his campaign, vowed to create 150,000 jobs to address the growing unemployment crisis. “However, years into his administration, this promise remains unfulfilled. Instead of creating sustainable employment opportunities within the country, the NPP “KERENG KAFFOO”[collective of squirrels]government has resorted to sending young Gambians abroad to work in menial jobs. Many will be sent to Spain to toil on farms under harsh conditions, while others will be dispatched to Saudi Arabia to work as domestic servants, often facing exploitation and abuse,” lamented Saidy. “This approach not only fails to solve the root causes of unemployment but also exposes Gambian youths to vulnerable and precarious situations abroad,” he added.
The top UDP official argued that “the government’s inability” to address youth unemployment is a reflection of “its broader failure to prioritize the needs of its citizens”. “The state of the Gambia National Football Team, the Scorpions, is a glaring example of this neglect. For years, the team has been unable to play their home matches in the country due to the deplorable condition of the Independence Stadium. This is despite the government spending hundreds of millions of dalasi on renovations. The stadium, which should be a source of national pride, has become a symbol of mismanagement and wasted resources,” he stated.
“The plight of the Scorpions mirrors the struggles of Gambian youths. Just as the team is forced to play their matches on foreign soil, young Gambians are being pushed to seek opportunities abroad because their own country cannot provide for them. This is not just a failure of policy; it is a failure of leadership and vision,” he added.
According to Mr. Saidy, The Gambia is a nation with immense potential.
“Its youthful population is energetic, creative, and eager to contribute to the development of the country. However, without meaningful investment in education, skills training, and job creation, this potential will remain untapped. The government must move beyond empty promises and take concrete steps to address the unemployment crisis. This includes investing in sectors such as agriculture, tourism, and technology, which have the potential to create thousands of jobs,” he opined.
“Furthermore, the government must prioritize the rehabilitation of public infrastructure, such as the Independence Stadium, to restore national pride and create opportunities for young people in sports and entertainment. The current state of the stadium is a disgrace and a stark reminder of the government’s inability to deliver on its commitments.
“The youth of The Gambia deserve better. They deserve a UDP government that values their potential and is committed to creating an environment where they can thrive. Sending young people abroad to work in exploitative conditions is not a solution; it is an abdication of responsibility. A UDP government will take immediate and decisive action to address youth unemployment and invest in the future of the country,” he stated.
To Mr. Saidy, the time for empty promises is over. “The Gambia’s youth are watching, and they demand change. It is time for the government to step up and deliver,” he concluded.