The National Youth Council (NYC) led by our deputy permanent secretary technical (DPS) at the Ministry of Youth and Sports Musa Mbye on Tuesday paid a courtesy call on President Adama Barrow at State House. The delegation comprises regional youth chairpersons, board members and staff of the NYC.
The visit was meant to update the president on the activities and programmes of the NYC.
DPS Musa Mbye representing his minister who is away at the Olympic Games, extended greetings and used opportunity to show appreciation to the president and his government for the investment rendered to the young people of the country.
Ousman Fatty, Chairman of the NYC gave a brief history of the establishment of the council and said the appointment of Minister Badjie is a sign that the government is listening to the voice of the young people.
Chairman Fatty emphasised that NYC is involved in a lot of advocacy on irregular migration, gender issues, employment and livelihood issues, and the need to have peace in this country.
He added as the election draws nearer, NYC is involved in a lot of campaigns towards maintaining peace and peaceful co-existence before, during and after the election.
The NYC chairman stated that despite the achievement registered by the council, it has challenges in transportation and solicit the personal intervention of the president.
He said over 170 youth groups are registered under the council and called for government’s budgetary allocation to the sector to be increased.
Pa Malick Ceesay, deputy director of the NYC gave a breakdown of the council’s activities and programmes.
Welcoming the delegation, President Barrow praised the initiative of the Council to update him on the activities of the Council, adding that he remains committed to the issue of young people as they form 65% of The Gambia’s population.
The president urged the youth to be committed to national development and believe in themselves.
He assured the delegation that he and his team will look into the challenges raised by the Council.
Lamin Sanneh, chairperson of West Coast Regional youth council and Mam Lissa Camara spoke at length on the importance of the youth sector in national development.
