Mr. Bah made the remarks during the official launch of the National Youth Service Scheme (NYSS) graduate program and swearing-in ceremony for members held at the Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara International Conference Centre.
The occasion marked the first batch of the country’s National Youth Service graduates program and the first time The Gambia government implemented the National Youth Service Graduate Program in collaboration with the University of The Gambia with financial support by the government through the Ministry of Youth and Sports and the United Nation Development Program (UNDP). The development targeted 100 University of The Gambia graduates.
He stated that the National Youth Service program will continue to seek partnership with government, development agencies and the private sector to support skills development program.
He said that the program would be further expanded and strengthened to reach all the target and potential beneficiaries.
Bah revealed that by funding these types of programs for the youth, the government is laying that foundation for building a well-trained, dependable, respectful and competent civil and public service now and in the future.
He said that “the NYSS orientation program seeks to transform our youth to become productive citizens and see themselves as Gambians first, irrespective of other affiliation.”
He thanked President Adama Barrow and the Minister of Youth and Sports for their commitment and effectively implementing the program. He further applauded their funding agencies, especially the UNDP with the leadership of Madam Aissata De for the tremendous support.
