The Gambia
last weekend in Farafenni joined the rest of the world to commemorate the 2013
World Population Day.
The Secretariat of the National Population Commission under the Office of the Vice President spearheaded the commemoration attended by other stakeholders in the North Bank region town.
The theme for this year’s celebration, centred on adolescent pregnancy, was chosen to underscore the importance of paying attention to the sexual and reproductive health needs of the adolescents.
The colorful event brought together representatives of various ministries and the UN System in The Gambia, schoolchildren, drama groups, the chiefs in Baddibu and the security personnel in the region.
Speaking at the celebration, the Governor of North Bank Region, Lamin Queen Jammeh, thanked the staff of the Secretariat of the National Population Commission and the UNFPA for chosen his region to host the national event.
He said the World Population Day commemoration is very important in The Gambia’s development agenda because the occasion would sensitize the young ones who are the future leaders to prevent themselves from unwanted pregnancy.
He lamented the high rate of adolescent pregnancy in society, saying: “It is so rampant nowadays in our societies, especially with our school going girls under the age of 18 years.”
Eradicating the menace should be the task for all parents and teachers in the schools because it affects their education, Governor Jammeh emphasized.
The government is trying very hard to address early marriage and unwanted pregnancy in the country, he added, calling on parents to also play their part.
Speakers on the occasion included Bakary Juwara, coordinator of the event and population field officer for NBR, who expressed similar sentiments.
