It is sad that youth, who constitutes a significant chunk of the country’s total population, still faces significant challenges with respect to employment and other amenities, something that is forcing many to the ‘back-way’ (irregular migration) dilemma.
Since last year, thousands of the country’s youth are always on the move in their quest to reach European shores, mostly through deadly means.
Many have died along the way and those who survived the journey are faced with lifelong traumas especially in integrating into their new country.
In a country where more than half the population is under the age of 20 years, these trends are worrisome.
Off recent, the Gambia has been making headlines as a migrant producing country; something that calls for urgent intervention.
Let’s be realistic here, The Gambia has what it takes to create avenues that could empower our youth and make it here. It is only through skills development and to push them.
It is a popular adage that Rome was built by none but the Romans. No one will come from outside to develop this country for us. Thus, youth have a great role to play as future leaders in moving The Gambia to the Promised Land.
It is important to note that the President of the Republic in his ongoing ‘Meet the People’s Tour’ has pledged to roll out nationwide skills training centres, with a particular focus on rural Gambia, as part of his government’s drive to bridge the country’s widening skills gap and empower young people with practical knowledge.
Barrow was speaking on a site visit to TVET Centre at Sinchu Dembel village, which is under construction.
While describing the initiative as a skills revolution that will transform opportunities for Gambian youth, this project if supported could help change the narratives.
This is indeed a commendable move. It is important that he acknowledged that the skills gap in The Gambia remains wide.
With robust policies and pragmatic intervention, the country could easily overcome and address these shortcomings.
It is true that the government alone cannot do this. This is where genuine Public-Private Partnership (PPP) is crucial to help address these challenges.
Let’s not forget the fact that it is one thing to acquire skills, but another to utilise the skills. Youth should be ready to put into practice the skills they have learned to enable them to grow.
It makes no sense for one to acquire and fail to put into practice the acquired skills. Officials should also engage in constant monitoring and assisting participants to ensure that they acquire marketable skills.
We must remember that our youths need our guidance, support and wisdom to enable them become responsible and productive citizens. Through skills development and robust policies, we can change our challenges into opportunities.