The Deputy Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Youth and Sports has disclosed that the incidence of drug abuse by young people and criminal activities do not help the development of young people, or the country.
DPS Alieu K. Jammeh made this remark last Sunday at Elephant House Lodge in Brufut during the 1st edition of a one-day youth forum, organised by the Brufut Youth and Sports Development Committee (BYSDC) on the theme "Role of Youths in National Development."
DPS Jammeh lamented that a good number of Gambian youths suffer from the much-talked about Babylon syndrome, adding that poverty and the lack of employment opportunities are normally cited as responsible for the scourges affecting the young people.
He expressed hope that the forum would bring out the necessary information on what’s required of young people in this country and by extension instill in them the need to acquire the necessary knowledge, skills, attitude, commitment and high level of patriotism.
He called on the youths of Brufut and other youths in the country to continue to sound the bell for young people to take ownership of their destiny and that of their country for development.
According to DPS Jammeh, youths have two major responsibilities on their shoulders: "First is to cooperate and assist in the fulfilment of the vision of their parents, their local and community leaders and their national leaders. Secondly is to prepare themselves for the mission of assuming the roles of leadership in the future when the baton is passed on to them."
In his keynote address, the Treasure of BYSDC Mr. Famara Drammeh said the youths of Brufut and the country, in particular have significant roles to play in national development and the development of Brufut, in particular. He said the objectives of the gathering is to foster cooperation and understanding among the youths of Brufut, encourage collaboration and networking among them so that they would fully participate in development initiatives, and most importantly identify issues affecting the development of youths in Brufut.
Mr. Drammeh said presently Brufut have 20 youth groups operating in various areas, ranging from football fan clubs, environment, youth empowerment, women, red cross, health and social groups. All this youth groups, he noted, have different functions but one common objective that is to develop Brufut and complement the efforts of The Gambia government in its drive to attain Vision 2020 and MDGs.
Present at the forum were the Executive Director of the National Sports Council, Besenty Gomez, a representatives from the National Drug Enforcement Agency, the Executive Director ONBE, Mr. Sarja Suwareh, Adul Bouye of the Youth Ambassadors of Peace and a cross section of the elders of Brufut.
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