A World Bank commissioned youth development and employment study was on Thursday validated by stakeholders at a day-long forum held at the Paradise Suites Hotel.
The funding was made possible through the 3rd Education Project, which seeks to improve youth employment outcomes through enhanced skills development in The Gambia.
Addressing the opening ceremony of the validation exercise, Mrs. Naffie Barry, the Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Trade, Regional Integration and Employment highlighted the numerous efforts made by the government to address the issue of youth employment. He cited the national employment policy as an example.
She however stressed that the country is grappling with poverty and rising level of unemployment, thus the need for concerted efforts to address these social problems. "Youth face significant challenges with regards to employment," she maintained.
PS Barry added that providing youth with perquisite skills and knowledge is an economic necessity.
She called on all development partners to continue supporting the government in reducing poverty and unemployment.
Deputising for the World Bank, Madam Natali Lalire stressed that youth employment continues to poise a great challenge globally and noted that failure to address the phenomenon could have serious consequences.
She welcomed the study on employment, noting that improved skills of young people are challenges for the government.
Mr. Baboucarr Bouy, the Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education, chaired the ceremony, which was followed with a presentation of the study report by Mr.Sherif Yunus Hydara of the said ministry.
