He added that with an estimated 75% of the population under the age of 35, the Gambian youth with a vibrant majority has the potential to save the future of the nation, provided they are given the right support and opportunities.
Mr. Badjie was speaking during the launching of the National Action Plan on Youth, Peace and Security. The event was held at the Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara International Conference Centre in Bijilo on Tuesday.
The minister acknowledged that it is frequently heard that young people are either perpetrators of violence or are active victims of social and economic inequalities. However, he said that the narrative is far from being a threat, citing that the young people are catalysts for positive change and active contributors to the peace building process in their communities.
He further said the youthful population also underscores their responsibility to provide meaningful opportunities for young people to participate in saving their own lives and the nation's well-being.
According to him, the action plan reinforces the emphasis by advocating for increased civic engagement, institutional reforms, job opportunities, and the efforts to remove barriers hindering the progress of young men and women in the country.
Further, he said by utilising quality tools like the National Youth Policy 2019-2028, the Children's Act, the National Gender and Environment Policy, ensures that the youth, are not just as a demographic, but a multitude of faceted individuals with diverse experience, and remain at the center of the peace and security effort of the country.
Ms. Mandisa Mashologu, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) resident representative in The Gambia, said 77% of The Gambia’s population is between 15 and 35 years, as a result of that they should increase efforts to harness the energy, creativity, and resilience of the young people to build a more inclusive and peaceful society.
She indicated that the National Action Plan on Youth, Peace and Security is a key step in the right direction.
"This action plan is a formal recognition of the important role that young Gambians continue to play towards sustainable peace. It also aligns with the Recovery-Focused National Development Plan, “Yiriwaa,” which emphasises youth empowerment and inclusive development in The Gambia," she pointed out.
Ndey Rose Sarr, the UNFPA country representative, informed the gathering that The Gambia is now part of a global movement, a growing chorus of nations recognising that sustainable peace is impossible without the active and meaningful participation of young people.
"We have witnessed the incredible leadership, innovation, and resilience of young Gambians as they build bridges, foster understanding, and drive positive change in their communities," she stated.
According to her, youth participation is not a privilege; saying it is a fundamental right, while hailing the national action plan as a crucial step towards institutionalising and protecting that right.
