As the world quickly embraces the era of tech and innovation, there is a need for Africa’s teeming youth population to embrace higher education and skills training to contribute meaningfully to national development.
Studies have shown that Africa is home to about 420 million young people aged 15 to 35 and by 2063, they are expected to comprise approximately 46% of the continent’s labour force.
Evidently, the more educated and highly skilled the population is, the easier and more productive they stand in terms of decision-making process.
It is a fact that the West and other developed countries were able to lead in terms of development, thanks to the high level of education and other highly regarded skill among the population.
Therefore, for Africa to catch up with other developed societies, there is a need for its teeming youth population to actively participate in higher education and skill labour development.
Last weekend, the president of The Gambia, His Excellency Adama Barrow, who doubles as the Chancellor of the University of The Gambia presided over the 16th convocation, which witnessed the graduation of over 1300 students.
The latest convocation, graduating students from various fields of studies, forms an important milestone in the country’s quest to educate and train its youths on life skills to partake in national development.
The event is important in many spheres in the sense it symbolises the dedication and determination of the youths to uplift themselves and their families from abject poverty by carving out careers and building on their past glories through academic pursuits.
To that end, we commend the Gambian leader for acknowledging the fact that sustainable development implies working progressively to persistently meet the current and emerging needs of society, without compromises on the optimal advancement of future generations.
The Gambia and youth of Africa must come to the reality that development is gradual and doesn’t come overnight. People have worked towards achieving it.
We all have a stake in the development of this great country of ours. In this regard, we cannot sit idly by and become a burden to society.
To the authorities, let’s bear in mind that ‘if young people are unemployed and out of school,’ they will be unable to contribute meaningfully to the development and decision-making process, thus isolating the youth politically and civically even more.
Therefore, the government should involve youth in any decision-making process to enable them to render their expertise to national development.
As alluded to by the VC of the University of The Gambia, applying research through knowledge transfer and innovation is an important part of development since it entails formulating policies based on research to meet societal needs in sectors like health, education, and agriculture.
To the graduating class, much is invested in them and also much is expected from them. Their expertise would help in positioning this country from one angle to another. So let them serve the country and be part of those ready to make change.
We wish you all the best of luck!