By Lamarana S Jallow
The National Organising Committee of National Youth Conference and Festival (NAYCONF) 2022, Banjul has been launched by Mr Saikou K. Sanyang, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Youth and Sports at a local hotel in Kololi.
The launch of the conference gave a green light for the organising committee to kick start the organisation proper of the biggest youth convergence in the country.
The biennial event is expected to bring together over two thousand young people and other stakeholders to discuss issues of youth empowerment and development.
The discussion will focus on various thematic areas; ranging from ICT and innovation, governance, Gender-Based Violence, FGM/C, Democracy, Human Rights, entrepreneurship, sports and other youth development issues.
The theme of the event is, ‘The Role of Young People in the Maintenance of Peace and Security for Socio-Economic Development of the Country’.
PS, Sanyang described young people as the movers and shakers of any nation, and that there would be no meaningful development without their involvement.
“These sayings might be clichés, yet, the gospel truth. The youth comprises more than 61% of the population of this country. This should ring a loud bell in our ears, and my ministry is not oblivious of the fact that this comes with opportunities as well as challenges,” he said on behalf of Hon. Minister, Bakary Y. Badjie, Minister of Youth and Sports.
He added that with such a young population, it is paramount that a week is set aside to celebrate the work of the youth as well as discuss how far they have come as a nation, and to discuss the challenges and solutions to their problems.
he Permanent Secretary went on : “It is important to note that NAYCONF is not just a merry-making endeavour, but a convergence meant for the youth to discuss serious national matters. My ministry is with the strongest conviction that the problems of the youth of this country can only be identified by youths, and the solutions too should be projected by the youth”.
He said his ministry is aware of the high level of unemployment and is not oblivious of the fact that unemployment will lead to irregular migration.
He assured The Gambia government’s commitment to supporting the successful hosting of the event, saying the President of the Republic is looking forward to it. “My ministry will do all it takes to make sure that all the delegates across all the regions are taken care of, but this can be achieved through a hardworking, committed, dedicated and discipline Organising Committee,” he promised.
Deputy Executive Director, Pa Malick Ceesay said NYC is resolute in seeing the Gambia where youth matters are a priority and that they have a strong team that is committed to seeing that the welfare of the youth is a priority.
Hon. Saikou Mballow, Youth Adviser to the President assured of his office’s commitment to support the development and empowerment of young people in the country.
“The government of President Barrow puts youth empowerment and development at the centre of its development agenda. We will support you all through, to make sure that you successfully organise this event. You can knock on our doors anytime, and we will be there for you to support you along the way,” he said.
