Young
people in the Upper River Region (URR) have asked the government to establish
more tertiary education institutions and job opportunities in the rural areas
to help mitigate the mass movement of young people from rural to urban areas in
pursuit of education and employment.
“We
are calling for the creation of jobs and employable opportunities for youths,
especially those who graduated from schools. We also ask for the encouragement
of youth to attend tertiary institutions to acquire the requisite skills and
know how through the provision of scholarships to deserving students.” Abdoulie
Sanneh, a student of Nasir Secondary School who read a resolution that was
agreed at a Tostan organised youth forum said.
Reading
the resolution on behalf of over two hundred young people, Mr Sanneh said they
want provision of medical facilities and equipment to health facilities
throughout the region, saying that will enhance their health and wellbeing. “We
are equally calling for the construction of a regional library to reinforce the
culture of reading for young people and improve our academic performance.”
International
NGO; Tostan, that started operating in URR in 2006 to empower African communities
by bringing about sustainable development and positive social transformation
based on respect for human rights and dignity for all, organised the three-day
forum over the weekend.
The
resolution which was presented to the region’s deputy governor, Samba Bah,
Was
unanimously agreed by the participants at the forum.
During
the forum, presentations were based on the Tostan community empowerment
programme, theory of social change, youth, human rights and democracy, youth
reproductive health, gender based violence and youth and migration among others
“As
young people, there are few key areas that are of immense value to us and we
strongly believe that these are attainable when we are given the support needed
and we work together to move our dear country forward.”
According
to him, there is a need for the provision of credit and soft loan facilities or
start-up capital for unemployed youth who received skills training to establish
their own business ventures.
“We
want incentives and motivation facilities for teachers, lecturers and
professionals in youth related skills and employment institutions especially in
the rural areas. Again, there’s a need for the establishment and promotion of
agricultural related initiatives to encourage more youths to involve in farming
and agricultural related activities to enhance food self-sufficiency.”
He
said there’s need for establishing proper measures, policies and laws in place
and their enforcement to protect youths and young people from all forms of
Sexual and Gender Based Violence.
“We
are more than grateful to Tostan for organising such educative event for young
people. We will share with our fellow students and youths in our schools and
communities. We therefore appeal for the
needed support, guidance and encouragement from the government in these areas
as they significantly affect the lives and livelihoods of youths.”
Mr
Sanneh said they hope that the resolutions will be considered and implemented
as they will make the youths to be part of the decision making processes in
their region and the country as a whole. “We promise that, once the needed
support is given to youths, we will undoubtedly contribute our quota towards
National Development with pride and respect for the country that we dearly
love.”
