Regional Youth Committee of Central River Region with funding from EU through Action Aid International The Gambia, recently wrapped a five-day regional youth convergence in Kudang, Niamina East in the Central River Region South.
The convergence with the theme of engaging young people in the Democratization Process of the Gambia brought together 75 young people across the country where they will discuss pertaining issues affecting youth in the region.
Fafa Cham, program officer of AAITG in Kudang reiterated his office committed to the empowerment and development of young people in the region and reassured their continuous support to the development of the cream of the nation (youth).
"Action Aid International The Gambia is youth-friendly and we have been working with youth in all our intervention areas and this is a proud moment for us all to be here in Kudang today," he said.
He added: "We wish we could bring all the young people of this region but that is practically not possible, however, I am hopeful that you the participants will share the knowledge learned here with the others in your respective districts."
He said their doors are open for more partnerships and hope this is just the beginning of a productive collaboration with the RYC.
"Youth is the citadel of any nation and peace and security can't progress without the youth.
We (youth) play a very pivotal role in the peaceful coexistence of this country and we all should weld our efforts to sustain and maintain peace at all cost," Malick Boye Camp Commander at Kunda Army barracks said.
He said almost 70% of the crimes in this country are committed by young people; you should forge ahead to more development than crimes and drugs. "
We can surely make it happen and if we do more progress will follow because we can't accomplish anything in the absence of peace and security," he stated.
Musa Jarra, Regional youth and sports coordinator urged young people of the region to focus on positive things and enhance their spirit of voluntarism and nationhood.
"It is high time we come together as strong forces to fight for our empowerment and development," he said.
Jarra sent profound gratitude to AAITG for the support despite the time frame and promise that the position paper that will be developed at the end of the program will be a great one and said he can't wait to make history as the first region that will put forward a youth position paper to the authorities.
Abdou Ceesay, vice-chairperson of RYC thanked AAITG for supporting his committee to carry out this very important activity and reaffirm his committee's readiness to engage and empower youth from the length and breadth of the region.
