Youth Crime Watch The Gambia (YCWG) on 27 April 2011 concluded a four-day training for over 30 youth leaders on peace building, crime prevention and violence.
Held at the Tango Hall in Knifing, the training aimed at building the capacities of youth leaders in peace building and crime prevention as well as to nurture the culture of peace.
Speaking at the closing ceremony, Abdul Jobe, National Director of the YCWG, thanked all participants for their active participation in the training.
He challenged the participants to go back to their various organisations to implement what have learnt from the training.
"All of us here present have been equipped with more knowledge," said Mr Jobe, who used the platform to task youths to be engaged into productive activities and do away with crime.
He reaffirmed is organisation's commitment in ensuring a drug-free
Ibrahim Ceesay, board chairman of the YCWG, said young people should be empowered.
He also emphasised their commitment to curbing crime, illicit drugs and violence in communities and seeking to promote peace and stability as well as good citizenship.
The YCWG will later this year host the first ever national Youth Conference, Mr Ceesay said, adding that the association would champion and bring remedial policies on board.
"Young people should say no to drugs and also see police as their friends," Mr. Ceesay asserted.
Weak relation between the police and the community is counter-productive, he said, while challenging families to teach children and show them care and love for a better society.
"Violence can affect our health and destroy our society," he added and finally tasked the youth to disseminate the lessons learnt and propagate the culture of peace and non-violence so that "we build a great nation".
The four-day deliberations were centred on young people and violent crimes in The Gambia, illegal migration, crime reporting, peace building and its dynamics, conflict resolution strategies, community policing, youth activism and strategies and an overview of youth and drugs.
At the end of the training, the participants were awarded with certificates in peace building and crime prevention.
Fatoumatta Drammeh, a participant, thanked the YCWG and
