Saamasang Youth and Children Development Association (SAYCDA) on Friday convened its 6th annual youth empowerment forum at the Brikama Area Council chambers, as part of their annual activities.
The three-day forum, which attracted youths within Kombo Central, was geared towards providing opportunity for the youth to come under a single forum to discuss issues of great concern to them for a better society.
The forum, funded by Saamasang Federation, sought to also expose the participants to topics such as youth participation in national development, the role of elected councillors in youth activities in their wards, Saamasang Federation’s role in youth activities in Kombo Central, decentralization and youth development, child-fund strategies and programmes for youth empowerment, and the National Youth Council Act and Policy.
In his welcome remarks, the public relations officer of SAYCDA, Dembo Kambi, said it is a great pleasure seeing young people of Kombo Central gathered for the “very important forum” to discuss issues of great concern and put ideas together, in the best interest of young people of the country.
The forum was geared towards finding problems and proposing solutions together with the hope that controversial issues will be put on the table for redress.
He also gave some background about SAYCDA, saying it was formed two years ago.
According to him, their aim is to bring young people together as well as promote their rights and welfare.
He further commended the previous committee for their hard work and commitment to the development of the association in the promotion of the pledge of the young people in Kombo Central.
This occasion is another milestone in the achievement of this association in Kombo Central, he said, while calling on the committee to redouble their effort in uplifting the welfare of young people in Kombo Central.
He also took the opportunity to thank the participants for responding to their invitation, which is a clear indication that young people of The Gambia are ready to take their issues serious and find solutions to them.
These types of forums will go a long way in ensuring young people of the country have their voice heard and are capable of addressing their problems diplomatically through dialogue.
The young people are the future leaders of the country, he noted, saying they should therefore do everything possible to be responsible youth in the society, through collective effort and commitment, honestly and devotion.
For his part, Alieu B. Sillah, programme officer for the development of Kabafita, representing the manager of Saamasang Federation, said the day was another important day in the history of the district.
Saamasang was formed mainly to respond to the needs and aspirations of the young and vulnerable people in the communities.
“So with this type of forums, we bring young people together to discuss issues affecting their lives as a method of adopting best practices in the society, since dialogue through forums is the best approach,” he said.
The youths are actively involved in the planning process of their programmes up to the implementation stage, he said.
For his part, Abubacarr Sisawo, acting-executive secretary of the National Youth Council, spoke on the need for young people to redouble their effort towards national development.
He also used the opportunity to advise them to desist from illegal activities, which could mislead them and destroy their future.
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