The new Minister of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology, Dr Mariama Ceesay, yesterday inaugurated the National Training Authority’s (NTA) nine new board of directors.
The ceremony was held at the ministry’s building on Bartin Harding highway in Kotu.
In her inaugural speech, the minister of Higher Education, Dr Sarr Ceesay, described the NTA as a regulatory body that many people are proud of, even beyond the country.
Having gone through their CVs, she says she has no doubt about the competence of members of the board, especially with regard to carrying out their functions and duties.
“As board members, higher education will rely on you to see the successful running of the NTA,” she said.
She urged the new board members to share ideas among themselves and have the same objectives and aspirations for their institution “so that NTA can move forward for the betterment of the country”. She assured the new board of her ministry’s full support.
Speaking on behalf of the board members, the new chairman of the board, Papa Yusupha Njie, CEO of Unique Solutions, said the inauguration of the new NTA Board was a clear indication of the important relationship between the Gambian private sector and the government.
“The Gambia government describes the private sector as an engine of growth and partners in national development; so private sector plays a crucial role in the socio-economic development of the our country,” he said.
He underscored the importance of the private sector in terms of the levels of investment in the economy, job creation, transfer of skills, taxes paid and the ripple effect it has in the communities.
Mr Njie said the composition of the new board of the NTA was indeed a testimony to the importance accorded the private sector of the country.
“It is our wish to fulfil our respective mandates and contribute our quota in the national development process. The opportunity to serve one’s country in any capacity is indeed a great honour,” he said.
The importance of technical education and vocational training as part of the NTA’s mandate is indeed a catalyst in shaping economies all over the world, Mr Njie said, adding that the task given by government to the private sector is to help in making a difference in the lives of those that are trained.
The NTA’s director general Ousman G.M. Nyang, who chaired the ceremony, congratulated the new board.
