The Gambia Government through the Ministry of Trade, Regional Integration and Employment (MoTIE), with the support of the European Union, on December 17th launched the maiden National Employment Forum, at the Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara International Conference Centre in Bijilo.
The historic forum, held on the theme: ‘Creating employment through strategic investment and innovation’, underscores government's dedication to sustainable development through job creation, inclusive growth and the empowerment of the people; especially the youth and women. The initiative was etched in the conviction that achieving these goals requires the active participation of all stakeholders, including job seekers, employers, workers and employment champions.
Speaking at the event, Mr Baboucarr O. Joof, Minister of Trade Industry Regional Integration and Employment, underscored the need to tackle youth unemployment by implementing public employment programmes focused on migration and job creation.
He said the theme of the forum redefines and repositions his ministry’s commitment to addressing the dynamic labour market needs amidst national and global advancements in technology. “Theme reflects the government’s collective commitment to advancing employment opportunities through creative and forward-thinking, forward-looking strategies,” he added.
He made reference to the National Employment Policy, which aims to create 150,000 decent jobs by 2026, driven by innovative strategies and strengthened partnerships. He reaffirmed the Government’s dedication to implementing the employment policy and enforcing the Labour Act 2023. “With this undertaking, we wish to focus on creating an enabling environment for job creation, promoting private-sector-led economic growth, and ensuring that our labour market adapts to the evolving global labour management trends,” Mr Joof asserted.
Speaking on behalf of the Vice President of the Republic, Prof. Pierre Gomez, Minister of Higher Education, Research Science and Technology, said the National Employment Forum was a testament to collective commitment to addressing depressing challenges of unemployment and ensuring a brighter future for all Gambians, particularly the youth.
The Higher Education Minister reported that the Government has significantly boosted technical and vocational education and training as a strategic choice to build the necessary skills for the country's economic and social transformation, with the aim to create jobs and provide youth with the skills needed to secure employment, not only in The Gambia, but also abroad.
For her part, the EU Ambassador to The Gambia, Immaculada Roca I Cortés highlighted key factors in creating more and better jobs including strong cooperation between the public and the private sector, skills development and access to markets.
Karl-Frédérick Paul, Resident Coordinator of the UN Delegation to The Gambia extended sincere appreciation to the Ministry of Trade for convening the employment forum “to advance meaningful solution for one of the most urgent priorities of the time, which is to building an inclusive, equitable and sustainable pathway for employment”.
