Speaking during the debate on the national budget in the National Assembly on Wednesday, Hon. Jammeh emphasised the importance of investing in the younger generation as a way to secure the country’s future.
“If government is really committed to youth empowerment, I want to advice that at least a minimum of 10% of our budget to be allocated to the development and empowerment of our young people not otherwise,” the youth advocate lawmaker said.
The Janjanbureh parliamentarian who has dedicated his entire life to youth advocacy expressed displeasure at the situation of youths in the Gambia.
“The situation of our young people is in a dilemma, let’s look at the National Youth Council they don’t even have an office complex, where they are occupying is on rental, let’s look at PIA, let’s look at NEDI, let’s look at NYSS, what are we offering these institutions,” he asked. “All we are banking on is the youths and sports levy, either from the GSM operators or from the fuel pump and we don’t think that is enough.”
Although there is a slight increment on the 2025 budget estimate for youths and sports ministry, Jammeh believes that is not enough.
“The increment for 2025 is just 0.3. Yes, we understand that the excuse has been the youths and sports levy, fine, it is something that one could rely on but also it will be very important, very eminent for government to give focus to the Ministry of Youths and Sports considering the fact that most of our young people are migrating day in day out and most of them are losing their lives either in the desert or in the ocean. What can we do for our young people?”
The call for a larger budget allocation for youths from Hon. Jammeh comes at a time when youth unemployment is a pressing issue with many young people struggling to find jobs or opportunities for advancement. Many more risk their lives on irregular migration.
The proposed funding would Hon. Jammeh believes, support sports infrastructure, educational programs, vocational training, and youth empowerment initiatives, contributing to both social and economic growth.
The debate on the national budget continues, with lawmakers expected to vote on the final allocation in the coming days.
