From Banjul to Koina, we’ve seen youth engaging in meaningful development from skills development, tech and innovation to other sectors.
In addition, in any developed country today, youth form a significant portion in attaining the change desired. In that they are the most energetic and abled-bodied category, and therefore have the skills and innovation to bring about such changes.
We commend the government for its efforts to support young people to harness and exploit the existing opportunities available in the country.
This reminds us about The Gambia Songhai Initiative (GSI) a Chamen-based, government-led agricultural project designed to empower youth through 6-to-12-months training programs in eco-friendly farming, agribusiness, and sustainable livestock management.
This project aims to reduce youth unemployment, enhance food security, and promote zero-waste sustainable agriculture.
And there exist other projects that youth could tap and exploit their potential rather than risking their lives in the high seas in their attempt to reach Europe.
It is high time youth understand that rapid socio-economic development doesn’t just come overnight. Mostly, it is hard working patriots, who endeavoured despite sleepless nights to ensure that such development takes places.
However, there is also a need for mass sensitisation to reason and understand that Europe is not what most perceive it to be. In essence, it is ‘All that glitters is not gold". There are countless youths without good housing and some even died especially during the peak of winter season.
Most-youth embark on this dangerous sea journey due to lack of better prospects and unemployment among a host of others. However, there exist some opportunities when fully harnessed and exploited, one can make it here or succeed right here.
It all boils down to courage and developing the courage to look beyond the horizon.
Yes, youth are the cream and backbone of any progressive society. The Gambia just like most countries in the sub-region, youth constitute a significant chunk of the country’s total population. And that is the reason why you should stay and contribute to the country’s socio-economic development.
Also, let’s empower them and create avenues to help them contribute to national development. Remember that we all have a stake in it. National development is not an individual task, but one that calls for collective efforts.
Together we can build a nation to the envy of the sub-region and even beyond. Each one, lift one!