These words are not uttered for just mere fantasy, they are uttered for a purpose. In fact, in The Gambia, youth have taken up initiative and are contributing significantly in the country’s economy.
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.
Thus, it is important for the government to always consider youth in the decision making process.
In today’s edition, the youth of Niamina West have called on officials of the Janjanbureh Area Council to at least allocate 5 percent of the council’s community development budget for youth development.
This call was made at a recent high-level dialogue held in Janjanbureh and brought together local authorities, youth leaders and development stakeholders to promote greater investment in youth empowerment.
This call is not long overdue, but one that calls for careful reasoning and deeper reflection. In the recent past, The Gambia has seen remarkable changes especially in youth-related sectors.
However, there is a need for mass sensitisation to deter others from embarking on risky ventures in their attempt to reach Europe and other destinations.
In The Gambia now, most-youth are forced to embark on this dangerous sea journey due to lack of better prospects and unemployment among a host of others.
However, there exist some who are able to bring meaningful change in their respective communities and even live decent lives right here.
But it all boils down to the fact that 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.
As a matter of fact, when youth are empowered fully, the crime rate will fall drastically. Most youth engage in criminal acts because they have no option and wandering idly in streets ghettoes which can sometimes be tempting.
Thus, 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!