Saamasang
Federation recently awarded certificates of appreciation to over fifty young
Gambian entrepreneurs for their immense contribution towards national
development.
The
awards were conferred on them on Wednesday at a colourful ceremony held at the
Saamasang Federation main offices in Brikama in the West Coast Region.
In
his opening remarks, the regional youth coordinator, Alagie Nyang said:
“Entrepreneurship training for youths is an important step in building the
capacities of young people to make them job creators instead of job seekers.
The
focus of youth development is to build the confidence of young people so they
could benefit themselves and the community.
“When
you talk about empowering young people is to build their confidence and skills
and this recently concluded training funded by Child Fund is no exception,” Mr
Nyang said.
“During
the training the participants were exposed to skills development in business
entrepreneurship that will in turn give them the opportunity to work in
business enterprises.
“The
empowerment of youth development is not the concern of the government alone but
a concern of every individual and those who have the opportunity to attain such
trainings should seriously utilise the knowledge gained.”
While
thanking the young entrepreneurs for their cooperation during the training, he
urged them to abstain from all unwanted attitudinal behaviours and as well
continue the fight to ensure that teenage pregnancy is eradicated in the
society.
Technical
specialist youth of ChildFund The Gambia, Ousainou Sarr, noted that the
certificates that are awarded to the graduates is relevant, but utilising the
knowledge gained is of paramount importance.
“You
must have known better that this training is geared towards preparing you to be
socially and economically productive,” he said. “Youths globally are faced with
challenges, key among them are unemployment and marginalization.”
Commenting
further the ChildFund specialist said productivity is not a service one can buy
overnight; it is all about being innovative and ready to serve the course.
“Every
human has one or two potentials, but there are some potentials that need
support so they will be discovered, he said, adding that the training was part
of supporting to discover those potentials and add onto your existing skills
that you have acquired in school.”
He
called on the awardees to be innovative and stop blaming the system, saying the
system “is created by ourselves and that all we need is to fasten our belt and
venture into areas like entrepreneurship”.
“Be
assured that going through this training does not automatically qualify you to
be entrepreneurs; it is the beginning point, but the most vital thing is how to
translate that skill. Every success has a price; the price is honesty,
truthfulness, determination and hard work,” he said.
The
Chairman Brikama Area Council, Bakary Saibou Sanneh, in his remarks on the
occasion, said young people should create a positive mindset and better future,
saying entrepreneurship makes the industry more competitive, and that it
expands not only business but also the country’s economy.
The
manager of Ecobank Gambia, Brikama chapter, Sam Pierre Mendy, and the Regional
manager of ChildFund The Gambia, Momodou Jallow, called on the young
entrepreneurs to make their presence felt in their various communities.
