Saamasang Federation certifies entrepreneurs

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.