Barrow decorates 1,650 young people with gold medals at PIA

The certifications and decorations award ceremony was held at the Never Again Memorial Arch in Banjul.

The awardees ranged from different categories under PIA vocational skills center. They include school dropouts, community youth, young mothers (divorcees), returnees and juveniles who have served their term, orphans and young people who cannot access the formal school system.

PIA is a non- Governmental Agency under the Ministry of Youth and Sports. It was established by an Act of the National Assembly and fully licenced by the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award Foundation to work in the interest of young people in The Gambia.

The award model is a youth achievement programme that seeks to provide young people with a sense of responsibility, instilling in them developmental and livelihood skills that are beneficial to the nation. It is also a balanced progressive programme of extra-curricular activities for young people aged 14 years and above.

While presiding over the ceremony, President Barrow stated that it is impressive and reassuring that the programme aims to instill a sense of responsibility and patriotism in the awardees, so that they could positively influence the lives of others and contribute their quota to national development.

“Over time, the award programme has continued to build livelihood, skills and influence the character and development of the young people, as the category of the population that is highly cherished and uniquely vulnerable yet eagerly look upon to participate in the transformation of the country,’’ he said.

He added: “For that reason, my government strongly believes that to guarantee a brighter future for the Gambia and Africa, we must continue to support and empower the youth through such programmes.”

President Barrow revealed that his government recognises the enormous contribution of PIA, not only enhancing youth participation in national development but also protecting and adding values to the lives of young people.

According to him, the programme is consistent in guiding the participants to become national assets who play vital roles in national development as model young citizens and exceptional leaders.

Youth and Sports Bakary Y. Badjie described the programme as unique and meant to give young people a platform and opportunity to build skills through a non-formal way that is through belonging to organisations where young people have the opportunity to interact among themselves and build skills.

As a beneficiary of the programme and a silver award holder, Badjie revealed that the president’s award has been in The Gambia for about three (3) decades, adding that it is a programme that has equipped thousands of young people both in private, economic and government sectors.

He advised awardees to harness the awards reminder to become responsible citizens and work towards the development of the country.

For his part, Malick Ceesay, the executive director of PIA, explained that the purpose of the programme is not only to boost the morale of the youth and build exceptional character but also to build opportunities to develop a skill, build a career and create a job opportunity for other young people for sustainable livelihood.