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Youth Minister to embark on nationwide tour

Aug 1, 2017, 3:25 PM

The Minister of Youth and Sports, Mr Henry Gomez, will be embarking on a nationwide familiarization tour of departments, offices and projects under his ministry across the country.

The tour from 2 to 12 August 2017 is meant to give the minister and entourage firsthand information on facilities and projects under his purview at all levels and to listen to the concerns of the stakeholders directly.

These will among other things enable the Ministry of Youth and Sports (MoYS) to prepare a responsive roadmap on how to address the needs and aspirations of the youth and the people in general.

At MoYS, the interest and development of Gambians youth and sports is our guiding principle.

We recognised the role of young people in the rapid development of this country. Youth economic empowerment is top most on the minister’s agenda. We have to make sure that young people are guided and supported to stem the current migration trend. It is critical to step up job creation and create more meaningful income opportunities at home.

Increasing the income opportunities available for youth, especially potential and returning migrants, is key for the future growth of the Gambian economy and inclusive of the society.

However, without the relevant investments in youth to realize their full potentials, young people can easily be exposed to vices such as forced migration, radicalization and violent extremism.

We have witnessed the massive migration of young people from the country to Europe using perilous routes. Many young lives have already been lost in the process of trying to reach Europe.

The Gambia can however reap the benefits of a bulging young population by investing in youth empowerment programs.

To harness the demographic dividend of a youthful population would require effective investments in health, empowerment, education and employment of youth through public and private sector involvement.

This tour will avail the minister the opportunity to discuss with stakeholders in the development sector of the youth and sports.

Signed by

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Mr. Sulayman Ceesay

Senior Media Assistant

For: Director