The road to Bansang for the 2012 NaYCONF was rough. The governor of Central River Region is in the know, as he was at the centre of the controversy. It was long, too, falling into 2013 and Governor Ganyi Touray knows that.
But even if he still has issues with any person in his region’s struggle to host this year’s biennial youth gathering, at least he is no longer showing it. Governor Touray did not only seem to have found solace the fact that he fought a winning battle, he was also boasting too when he describes his region as ‘the melting pot of The Gambia’ and ‘the basket of the nation’.
“The road was rough and long, but at last we have all reached the destination we fervently desired,” Governor Touray says. This sentiment was aired out before a colourful gathering of thousands of people, including the Vice President Aja Dr Isatou Njie-Saidy on Thursday 3 January, during the official opening of the 2012 NaYCONF at Bansang Senior Secondary School grounds.
He says: “On behalf of the citizens of Central River Region, I wish to thank the President of the Republic of The Gambia for making the historic day a joyous reality. We are pleased to recognise your strong and timely intervention in rescheduling the event to be hosted in this great region; the basket of the nation.
“I am pretty sure, and with great belief, that this great convergence of youth will discover that Central River Region has a lot to offer ranging from cultural exploration to the socialization with the beautiful people they will be meeting during the course of the week.”
Governor Touray paid homage and gratefulness to the President as he and his government have recently been offering numerous opportunities necessary to helping youth realize their potentials and contribute judiciously to national development.
“With strong conviction, therefore, I whole-heartedly believe that Your Excellency’s foresight in redirecting and accelerating youth empowerment already took off the ground since the inception of the revolution in 1994. I, therefore, implore on all youth of The Gambia to join the bandwagon of youth acceleration and empowerment by exploring the avenues created by His Excellency and the Government of The Gambia, so as to ensure meaningful participation in the sustainable development of our dear mother land. These avenue, as I want to name a few, the National Youth Service Scheme, GAMJOBs, countless tertiary institutions which include the University of the Gambia.”
He also took time to thank the people who played pivotal roles in ensuring that the historic event not only anchors on the shores of his region but also witnessed its successful opening.
According to Governor Touray, certain personalities worth commending, as he cannot thank all, include Hon. Minister for Justice, Lamin Jobarteh, a native of Bansang, and Minister for Youth and Sports Alieu K. Jammeh.
