The National Council for Civic Education (NCCE), in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) under the INSPIRE Project, has intensified its drive to inspire youth in the North Bank Region (NBR) on inclusive participation and peaceful political engagement.
The advocacy, held under the theme “Breaking the Barriers: Enhancing Meaningful Youth Participation,” gave participants the opportunity to reflect on what meaningful participation entails and how they can actively engage in civic life — before, during, and beyond elections.
Discussions centered on access to civic information, opportunities for youth leadership, inclusive participation, peaceful political engagement, and building confidence to speak up in democratic processes.
A participant, Hayib Gaye, emphasized the importance of responsible political involvement, noting that while attending political rallies is a form of participation, it must be done responsibly.
“Young people should organise themselves and attend rallies peacefully. When politicians give gifts such as football jerseys, it does not mean we should blindly vote for them. We must vote for leaders based on their ability to contribute to national development,” he said.
Mamadou M. Jallow, a disability rights advocate, stressed the need for inclusivity in democratic processes.
“Persons with disabilities have the right to participate fully and equally in political and electoral processes,” he said, adding that barriers such as inaccessible polling centres continue to limit their participation.
“It is vital to ensure that electoral processes are inclusive and accessible, so that PWDs can exercise their rights and help shape the future of our country,” he noted.
The Farafenni engagement reaffirmed that youth voices are essential for building an inclusive democracy. By breaking barriers and fostering meaningful participation, young people can move from symbolic involvement to genuine influence in shaping the nation’s democratic journey.
