Minister of Youth and Sports, Bakary Y. Badjie, recently launched a digital tool to power youth development in The Gambia.
The database tool launching ceremony was held at the President's International Award Hall in Bakau.
The launching also marked a major step forward in youth empowerment in The Gambia. It brought together youth-led civil society organisations, government representatives and development partners.
In his remarks, Minister Badjie hailed the platform as timely and transformative. “For decades, one of the major challenges in the youth sector has been the lack of reliable data on young people - including those with disabilities in sports, entrepreneurship and other fields. This new database directly addresses that gap,” he said.
Minister Badjie commended the Ministry staff and partners, including ActionAid International The Gambia and the Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy for their technical and financial support.
“This partnership between government, civil society, and the private sector shows how collaboration can drive national development,” he appreciated, saying: “With this database, we now have no excuse when it comes to accessing accurate information on youth programs, organizations and opportunities.”
Executive Director of ActionAid International The Gambia, Ms Ndelle Faye Colley, described the development as a transformative step towards data-driven youth empowerment.
“Empowering youth begins with understanding their needs, aspirations and contributions. This database will illuminate possibilities and enable informed decisions that reflect the realities of young people across The Gambia,” Ms Colley said.
She stated that the initiative supports marginalised groups, including young women, persons with disabilities and survivors of trafficking, aligning with ActionAid’s vision of a feminist, just and green future.
She also quoted UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, saying: “Peace is not built in conference rooms. Peace is built in classrooms, clinics, and communities. Peace is built when people have hope and opportunity and a stake in their future.”
ActionAid Gambia executive director said: “This database ensures youth are seen, heard, and empowered to shape their future.”
Youth and Sports Director Abass Bah welcomed the initiative, highlighting its ability to ease access to vital information, track programs and improve resource allocation.
Bah emphasised that the database is more than a digital tool; it represents innovation, strategic investment and evidence-based planning for youth empowerment.
Senior E-Government Official Alagie Chune demonstrated the platform’s design, real-time reporting and its potential to strengthen coordination, decision-making and inclusive participation among youth-led initiatives across the country.
Source: Ministry of Youth and Sports
