The
National Youth Council in collaboration with its partners, Wednesday hosted a
two-day West Africa youth leaders forum on population and development.
Held
on theme: ‘ICPD25, the contributions of west African youth to accelerating the
promise’, the forum is said to be the first West Africa youth leaders forum on
population and development and seeks to engage youth on the implementation of
their role to the Nairobi summit.
Deputising
for the Director General of West African Health Organization (WAHO), Mr. Mongbo
Medessi Yves Armand, public officer for maternal and child health at WAHO, said
issues concerning young people should be given main concern in all development
policies.
He
said an estimated 60% of the population of the region is young people less than
35 years. This, he said, clearly suggests that young people are the future of
the nation.
He
indicated that much progress has been made since the 1994 international
conference for population development (ICPD).
‘But
the road to achieving universal access to sexual and quality reproductive health
services for young people remains long.’
He
noted that the West African Health Organization as part of its mandate
advocates for governments and development partners to increase investment on
youth education and health.
To
also encourage partnership and networking amongst young people within the
ECOWAS Region, it is important to strategically position young people in other
to attain the agenda for the upcoming Nairobi summit” he added.
Hassan
Jallow, the representative of the Minister of Youths and Sports said the
government of The Gambia under the leadership of H.E President Adama Barrow has
recognized young people as a significant factor in national development.
‘The
Gambia has always been at the forefront in championing and promoting youth
development at all levels.’
He
noted that the National Youth Council is a public agency established in year
2000 by an Act of Parliament, saying council seeks to mobilize and enhance the
participation of young people in national development efforts.