Young Gambian leaders have called for greater youth participation, inclusive representation and responsible use of social media to safeguard the country’s democratic future, stressing that young people must have a meaningful voice in decisions affecting their lives.
The call was made during a civic engagement forum organised by the National Council for Civic Education (NCCE), with support from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), where participants highlighted the need to address barriers preventing young people and other marginalised groups from fully participating in democratic processes.
Aji Fatou Bah, programme officer at the Edward Francis Small Centre for Rights and Justice, said elections should not be viewed merely as political events but as opportunities for citizens to exercise their rights and influence the direction of the country.
“ They are an opportunity for us citizens to exercise our rights, to make our voices heard, and to contribute to the direction of our nation,” she said.
Bah observed that although young people constitute a significant segment of the population, many continue to face challenges, including unemployment, limited opportunities and inadequate representation in decision-making.
She urged young Gambians not to remain on the sidelines of the democratic process, noting that decisions made today would directly affect their future.
According to her, meaningful participation requires young people to make informed choices, question political leaders and assess policies based on their potential impact on citizens rather than personal loyalties.
She particularly cautioned young people against spreading misinformation and engaging in intolerance or divisive exchanges on social media, especially during the electoral period.
“We may support different parties or candidates, but at the end of the day, we all share a common responsibility to safeguard peace and social cohesion in our communities and in The Gambia at large,” Bah said.
She encouraged young voters to scrutinise political commitments on youth employment, education, accountability and governance, arguing that issue-based engagement would contribute to more informed electoral decisions.
Yunusa Sambou, a member of the Kanifing Regional Youth Committee, also called for a democratic system in which every citizen has a voice and confidence in the electoral process.
“A democracy cannot exist when people are left on the margins, nor can it thrive if citizens lack confidence in the system that governs their choice,” he said.
Sambou identified participation, integrity, inclusivity and resilience as four essential pillars for strengthening democracy in The Gambia.
He stressed that electoral participation must extend beyond casting ballots to ensuring that women, young people, persons with disabilities and other marginalised communities are not excluded from the process.
“A ballot box that accesses only a few is a compromise of justice,” he warned.
He further called for expanded civic education to address structural barriers and ensure eligible citizens have the knowledge and access needed to participate meaningfully in elections.
The speakers agreed that protecting the country’s democratic future requires collective responsibility, informed citizenship and respect for differing political opinions.
They urged young Gambians to reject political intolerance, promote peaceful engagement and hold leaders accountable through constructive civic participation.
The forum concluded with a call for peaceful, inclusive and credible elections that reflect the will of the Gambian people, with participants emphasising that youth engagement remains essential to strengthening democratic governance.
