By Olimatou Coker
Leadership Gambia, a development and success-coaching institute, last Monday launched its Diaspora Mentorship Programme at the YMCA Computer Training Centre and Digital Studio.
The six-month programme for 25 Gambians will be conducted in partnership with Youth Empowerment Project (Yep), YMCA and International Trade Centre, ILO.
Speaking at the launch, Jainaba Ceesay of Leadership Gambia explained that the institute was designed to shape aspiring and existing leaders to ignite their leadership potential and optimise success in area(s) that are of key interest to them.
She added that it was also designed and tailored to fit the individual participants and use innovative concepts utilised by the world’s most successful leaders and organisations.
“Leadership Gambia is committed to helping shape the emerging leadership, supporting youth development and young entrepreneurs that are the backbone of the nation and will lead The Gambia into its future”, she said.
Gheran Senghore, Yep communication consultant, used the platform to enunciate Yep’s reason for being, saying it is here to address economic root causes of irregular migration by supporting youth employment and entrepreneurship.
He reminded the gathering that The Gambia still remains among the list of least developed countries, and has a small economy that relies primarily on agriculture, tourism, and remittances.
“While about 60 per cent of the population is under the age of 25 years, there are high levels of youth unemployment and underemployment”, he regrets.
Poverty and lack of employment opportunities, he said, are among major reasons driving an increasing number of Gambians to leave the country on the perilous irregular journey.
Senghore suggested how this could be changed, saying “more jobs and opportunities need to be created at home”.
Yep aims to reduce migration pressure by improving the employability of Gambian youth, especially potential and returning migrants, Mr Senghore said.
