In today’s edition of the
Youth Forum we bring you the recent sensitization forum organized by members of
the Manjai Youth Development Association, MYDA.
In their bid to establish a Village Development Committee (VDC) to steer the development of the village, the Manjia Youth Development Association recently held a day’s sensitisation activity for the community on the Local Government Act (LGA) and Structures, held at the Father Gough Sports Complex.
The forum, which attracted participants of all ages, was facilitated by the National Council for Civic Education (NCCE) and the members of Manjai Youth Development Association.
Speaking at the ceremony, Abdurrahman Bah, the president of the MYDA, underscored the significance of organizing such a forum in the community, noting that forming a VDC is not an easy task.
Bah affirmed that the committees would be established in the interest of the community, which he said is the reason they should be enlightened on the LGA and its structures, and on the committee which would be running the affairs of the Manjai community
He highlighted MYDA’s main operational areas as: sports, health, education, environment, finance and fund-raising.
With the establishment of a VDC, he said, they could easily stretch their support, overcome most challenges and as well get more youths engaged in community and national development.
The training activity, he went on, would help the VDC and all community members understand their rights and responsibilities, and help them build a cordial relationship among themselves.
“The VDC will have representatives from all the four wards of Manjai namely, Central, Darusalam, Jiddah and Sanchaba to ensure everyone participates,” he added.
Ansumana Yabo from the NCCE said having such committees in a community is very important, but knowing what the LGA covers is another thing.
While commending the MYDA for coming up with such a timely forum for their VDC, Yabo disclosed that his council, which was established in 1998, is purposely to enlighten citizens and help them familiarise themselves with the country’s laws and how to go about practicing, respecting and protecting them.
He challenged them to take ownership and responsibility so as to easily achieve their goal as a village.
He said in life anywhere one is staying, that is your destination and let everybody support the association as his/her own, he said, noting that the development of this country is entirely on the youths, and that was why our gathering would be very fruitful.
“This is not my first time having a meeting with the people of Manjai through the courtesy of my office as a partner in development,” Mr Yabo said.
Buba Camara, the vice chairperson of MYDA, and Lamin Keita, the secretary general, both made similar remarks.
