Established by an Act of Parliament to provide life-skills and technical knowledge to Gambian youth, NYSS over the years has nurtured and imparted life skills among many Gambians including the current Youth and Sport minister.
A board for this institution is responsible for providing concise policy guidelines that can increase quality, efficiency and productivity among Gambians within the framework of NYSS. Consequently, every board serves the institution for a period of three years to guide the institution’s policy and programmes.
The new board members include Alhagie Kebbeh, Board chairman; Saikou Sanyang, Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Youth and Sports; Lt. Seedy Colonel Joof, from The Gambia Armed Forces (GAF) and Anthony Mendy, from the Ministry of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology (MoHERST).
In his inaugural statement, Bakary Y. Badjie, Minister of Youth and Sports expressed optimism that the new board will render invaluable services, considering the wealth of experience of the board members.
“Your intervention should be aimed at bringing a disciplined youth folk that possess the technical and vocational skills to deliver quality services. You should also ensure professionalism and ethical standards are adhered to and maintained at all times in the secretariat.” he said.
He said part of the new board’s responsibility is drawing of detailed programmes and training that would be designed to achieve the aims of the service scheme.
“Section 292 of the NYC Act states an expenditure shall not be made of the funds of the service scheme unless the expenditure has been approved by the Board underestimate to year in which the expenditure is made or in any supplementary estimate.”
Minister Badjie assured of his office’s resolve to work closely with the board to ensure effective and efficient service delivery in the institution.
Alhagie Kebbeh, chairman assured that the board will do its best to provide support to the NYSS management to ensure they implement programmes that are beneficial for the youth population.
He also expressed optimism that if the board works closely with the Youth and Sports ministry, NYSS management, development and the private sector, it will attain the sustainable development goals for the institution.
Emmanuel D. Mendy, executive director for NYSS said the new board in collaboration with his management would work to mobilise funds to complement government in investing in youth through equipping them with skills and knowledge to contribute to nation building.
“My team and I will do everything possible to live up to expectations,” he assured.
