The trainingwas held on the theme: “Promoting Investment in Culture, Creative Arts and Traditional Sports to Enhance Resilience against Climate Change in Local Communities.”
The training was held in partnership with the Gambia government, Gambia Chamber of Commerce and Industry and funded by the European Union. It seeks to enhance the capacity of craft dealers in The Gambia by exposing them to innovative methods and products from other countries, such as Ghana.
“I can see that almost everyone is a youth, and I think it is a pride that you are well represented here today,” Dr Cherno Omar Barry of International Open University stated in his welcoming remarks.
He added: “I am elated because those who are most important in our community are well represented; they are the youth. I feel that you are the benefactors of this, and also the torch bearers who will eventually carry over these knowledge and pass it over to another generation. So it is a pride that we are here.”
Siaka Fadera, deputy Director at the National Centre for Arts and Culture who deputised for the minister of Tourism and Culture (Hamat N.K. Bah) welcomed the training which he said is very timely.
He added that the training will open more doors for Gambian youth in the crafts industry as they would be able to make quality and standard products that could compete in the international market.
Mahmoud Lamin Jawla, deputy Executive Director at the National Youth Council, who represented the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Youth and Sports, also hailed the initiative, urging the promotion and acquisition of skills in The Gambia.
