The ten-day tour held under the theme -“involving the youth in nation-building”, is expected to cover five regions of the country namely West Coast, North Bank, Lower River, Central River, and Upper River Regions.
The initiative, supported by the ICTJ and its implementing partners, targets rural youth, women, local authorities, and the public at large. Organisers anticipate to reach at least 1000 people across the 5 regions of the country.
During their meetings at Brusubi Turntable, Tanji, and Brufut, people raised different concerns and viewpoints about justice, security, and other aspects.
Hawa Sonko, a vegetable vendor at the Tanji market, called on the government to help tackle the issue of drugs used by youth especially the new synthetic ‘kush’ which is having a devastating impact on the country’s youth.
Sellou Jallow, program assistant at ICTJ, explained that the project is here to build the relationship between the youth and the local authorities so that they could easily access their authorities.
The main component of the project, he added, is centered on enhancing the capacities of the youth and also to let people know what their rights and responsibilities are as enshrined in the AU Charter, ECOWAS Youth Policy and the National Youth Policy.
Jallow acknowledged the fact that youth form a significant portion of the country’s total population and that the local authorities are closer to the youth which was why they could not leave them out of the caravan.
When the caravan visited Brufut, few people shared their perspectives about the transitional justice system in The Gambia and the security of the country.
They all emphasised the importance of security and the need for motivation to serve the country.
One Sheriff Banora, also expressed the frustration and hardship people are going through in the country amid skyrocketing price of basic food commodities.
