Fatoumatta
Jallow-Tambajang, women’s affairs minister who also oversees the Office of the
Vice President, has said that the Barrow government is putting up strategic
plans to address the plight of young people in the country.
She
made this statement while presiding over the launching of the AU roadmap on
harnessing the demographic dividend through investment in youth on Friday at
Kairaba Beach Hotel.
“Government
is quite alarmed at the rate at which young people have been leaving the
country through the ‘back way’ when they should be here helping in the
development of their fatherland,” she said.
“Unfortunately, the lack of quality education, employment opportunity
and articulated hope for the future continues to fetter this menace. This has attracted special attention and we
are working with partners to address the problem.”
She
said in order for The Gambia to benefit from her large youth population and to
ensure economic growth, the government is committed to working on the four
pillars of the AU roadmap: employment and entrepreneurship, education and
skills development, health and well-being, and human rights, governance and
youth empowerment.
“Government
will make strategic investments in these areas to ensure that our young people
are enabled and empowered to achieve their fullest potentials,” Madam
Jallow-Tambajang said.
She
pointed out that a consultative committee comprising critical stakeholders in
government, civil society, young people, development partners and other
important stakeholders will be constituted to operationalise the AU roadmap in
The Gambia.
She
noted that the guidance of the consultative committee would be of critical
importance in ensuring that the country effectively implements the roadmap.
“I
wish to assure you our young people of the unwavering commitment of the
government to your empowerment, development and well-being,” Madam
Jallow-Tambajang said.
“This
commitments starts with working assiduously for the realisation of the
objectives of the roadmap we launched today.”
She
commended the UN system in The Gambia, particularly UNFPA, for supporting the
development of the roadmap for Africa.
She
expressed the government’s condolence to the UNFPA family for the demise of the
agency’s executive director, Dr Babatunde Osotimehin.
“Africa
has lost an illustrious son who has immensely contributed to the betterment of
the lives of women and children of the continent,” she said.
“I
am confident that his legacy will continue to live within the organisation. May
his soul rest in perfect peace, Ameen.”