By Olimatou Coker
National Youth Parliament – The Gambia (NYP) on Tuesday started its nationwide capacity building training for members in Kerewan, North Bank Region.
The youth parliament is seeking to take the training to all regions of the country.
The project is being funded by UNFPA through the UN Peace-building Fund, and commenced by training 30 members of NYP in Kerewan.
The aim is to support NYP members through training in order to strengthen youth engagement mechanisms in the country.
This will avail members opportunity to understand their mandate as youth parliamentarians and governance at organisational level, leadership, youth participation and advocacy.
Speaking at the opening ceremony in Kerewan, deputy speaker of NYP Fatou M Jawo, described the initiative as “very pertinent”.
“Our members are very critical to national development initiatives hence their capacity building to understand their mandate is crucial”, says Ms Jawo.
“It is very imperative that, our members and young people of the country understand governance, leadership, youth participation and so on.
These areas are quite essential in promoting youth participation in decision making at regional and national level.”
Ada M Bojang, project coordinator of NYP Peace-building project says the project could not have come at a better time.
“This initiative really comes at the right time. In the new dispensation, promotion of youth participation and tolerance should be treasured”, she says.
She then challenged members of the Parliament in various regions to demonstrate the required commitment during the course of the training, and clapped UNFPA The Gambia for supporting the initiative.
Fatou S Ndure, a participant, posited that the session was interactive and educative.
She noted: “Today, I learned a lot of things about NYP Gambia, governance and advocacy.
I am sure these will help me a great deal to be a great member and support peace building in my community”.
Muhammed Lamin Dibba, a member of NBR regional youth parliament, equipped: “Peace is the ultimate catalyst for development and prosperity.
This training will help us to; first and foremost become good members and also champions of youth engagement and peace-building initiatives in The Gambia.”
Central River Region is next for a similar training.
