By Alagie Manneh
The Kanifing Municipality Youth Committee, KMYC yesterday organised a constituency stakeholder dialogue in Bakau, discussing some of the important roles young people must tap-in for national development in new Gambia.
The dialogue held at the Bakau Information Centre, also discussed the mandate and responsibilities of KMYC/NYC, youth irregular migration, youth drug and alcohol abuse and post-election violence and reconciliation.
Speaking to The Standard on the sidelines, Amie Mbaye Jammeh, constituency chairperson of KMYC, talked at length on the importance of young people coming together and sharing ideas on how best to move the new Gambia forward.
She called for unison and reconciliation, especially among the people of Bakau, reiterating the common saying that it is only through unity one can achieve his or her goals.
“I urge my people to join hands and together we can build the new Gambia,” she said.
The public relations officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Ousman Saidybah, who spoke briefly on drug abuse among young people, warned people against turning blind eye to the menace.
“We are all affected either directly or indirectly. There is nobody in this Gambia that will say ‘I am not affected by it’,” he stressed.
Mr Saidybah said it is sad today, especially in the Gambia, one cannot discuss any issue on young people without correlating it with drugs.
Therefore, he said the menace is a huge task and calls for concerted efforts to eradicate it.
The National Assembly member for Bakau Mr Assan Touray said he was elated to be a part of discussions of this nature.
Honorable Touray said young people are the movers and shakers of the Gambia’s future.
“Our relationship with young people must be jealously guarded to register success in them and for a better Gambia for all.“
Babucarr kebbeh, the KMYC chairperson spoke about his concil’s plan for young people in the new Gambia, while Pa Demba Njie gave the vote of thanks.
The convergence was also attended by Mr Abdou Jallow, the Area Councilor for Baku, Alkalo Luntang Jaiteh and a cross section of young people and Bakau residents.
