#Headlines

NYP calls on gov’t to reintroduce draft constitution 

Nov 10, 2023, 11:13 AM | Article By: Jankey Ceesay

Representatives of the 9th National Youth Parliament have compiled resolutions after their national sitting, calling on the government to reintroduce the Draft Constitution and prioritise key legal and governance reforms to solidify the harnessing of the gains of transitional justice process

They conveyed this message via a press conference held on Tuesday at the NYP Secretariat in Westfield.

Giving the press statement, the Speaker of NYP, Hon Omar Cham, further called on the government to amend the 1997 Constitution to introduce a quota system aimed at enhancing women's participation in leadership and governance, promoting gender equity and dismantling gender stereotypes.

They also called on the government “to constitute an inclusive emergency response team to take urgent measures to address irregular migration”.

They tasked government to prioritise Technical and Vocational Training (TVET) programs to enhance youth employability, “starting with the implementation of the pronouncement on the establishment of multipurpose TVET centers in each region, and equipping existing TVET centers, particularly in rural areas, to combat rural-urban migration and irregular immigration”.

The NYP Speaker also called for the youth be placed at the forefront of the Recovery Focused National Development Plan (NDP) 2023-2027, including in its implementation processes.

“Empower young people by facilitating trade, skills training, and grant opportunities, fostering entrepreneurship and self-sufficiency,” he said.

He continued: “Promote agriculture as a viable commercial venture by offering financial support in the form of loans and grants to young people and ensuring the accessibility of fertilizers to enhance agricultural productivity.

“Increase the budget allocation for young people in the national budget to more efficiently address youth-related issues.

“Constitute an inclusive emergency response team to take urgent measures to address irregular migration.”

“Make Information Communication Technology (ICT) an examinable subject at all levels of our education.

“Address the learning needs of Persons with Disabilities (PWDs), particularly in teaching and learning of Maths for the visually impaired; the provision of scholarships and the exclusive provision of braille, ramps and learning aids for Persons With Disabilities at all levels of education.

“Protect and strengthen legal and institutional frameworks to provide more efficient implementation of laws and policies against FGM/C.

“Increase public awareness campaigns on the negative consequences of FGM/C and promote inter generational dialogue to find a common ground on the issue. 

“Include youth representatives in national peace structures including the peace and reconciliation commission to foster meaningful youth participation in all peace building processes.

“Strengthen civil society- security relations to foster collaboration for the maintenance of peace and security and encourage intergenerational dialogue and community policing to foster mutual understanding in peace-building processes.

“Construct and develop sports facilities in each region to enable the youth to harness their potential and promote socioeconomic development. And invest in the processing, manufacturing, and creative industries.”