Barrow made these remarks recently as he held a site visit to the GTTI campus in Mansakonko in the Central River Region as part of this year's Meet the People tour currently in progress under the theme: "Together we can accelerate socio-economic growth and maintain peace and stability."
He took a look at various practicals exhibited by the centre’s management from practicals by students for which marks would be awarded, followed by other developments registered in the technical centre.
Barrow assured of establishing TVET centres in all the regions to empower youth through skills development for self employment and independence.
He stated that to achieve the decentralisation pursuit, there is the need to create the conducive environment, adding that he has seen great improvement in infrastructural development at Mansakonko where students are trained for nine months, and that students now have their destiny in their hands.
"The skill gap in The Gambia is very huge, so we have to move faster and be more committed and train our people who will be ready for the market. The government is there to give support and we have good partners who will erect the buildings, but in line with government policy, because it's the policy that dictates and we have to build strong institutions," he noted.
President Barrow advanced that in the recent presidential election, 89% of Gambians voted which he said to be the highest in the world, adding that there has been awareness among the people about what's happening around them, that they as a government have to do more as they have a long way to go.
He thanked all his partners for partaking in the national development pursuit. "It was a dream, but it's becoming a reality because skill is power. If you want to be independent you have to be skilful and knowledgeable and be committed to your country," he said.
