Hadrammeh Sidibeh, Minister of Youth and Sports, has said meaningful engagement and development of young people is critical to sustainable National Development.
The Minister also assured that his Ministry will continue to prioritize youth empowerment and development, as emphasized in strategic priority seven of the National Development Plan, on harnessing the demographic dividend.
The below is the excerpt of his statement delivered at the celebration of the International Youth Day held Tuesday, 12 August 2019 under the theme “Transforming education”.
“On August 12 each year, the Gambia joins the rest of the World to Celebrate International Youth Day. Twenty years today, in its resolution 54/120, the United Nations General Assembly endorsed the recommendation, made by the 1998 World Conference of Ministers Responsible for Youth, to declared 12th August as International Youth Day.
The theme for this year’s celebration, is “Transforming education”. This theme highlights the need to make education more inclusive, accessible and relevant to today’s world and for the future of work. Transforming education requires equipping young people with skills to embrace technological revolutions. In the words of the UN Secretary General, António Guterres
[I quote] “We are facing a learning crisis. Too often, schools are not equipping young people with the skills they need to navigate the technological revolution. Students need not just to learn, but to learn how to learn.
Education today should combine knowledge, life skills and critical thinking. It should include information on sustainability and climate change. And it should advance gender equality, human rights and a culture of peace”. [End of quote]
Fellow Gambians,
World over, this day will be used to reflect on the theme and contribution of youth and stakeholders towards the attainment of SDG 4 (Quality Education), SDG 8 (Decent work and economic growth), and SDG 10 (Reducing Inequality), as well as other related Sustainable Development Goals.
In the Gambia, like other parts of world, the celebration of International Youth Day 2019 will take stock of the progress, challenges and opportunities in transforming our education system. Ministry of Youth and Sports, Satellite Institutions with stakeholders will conduct series of activities including stakeholder’s Inter-Generational dialogue on transforming education in The Gambia, social mobilizations and media outreach on the theme. We will also use the opportunity to recognized and acknowledge the contributions of youth, youth-led and youth-focused organizations, as well as other stakeholders efforts toward transforming our education system to accommodate youth and future of work.
Fellow Gambians,
It is an open secret that, youth across the continent of which Gambia is not an exception, continues to face several challenges such as unemployment, irregular migrations and return, inadequate access to opportunities, relevant technical skills, access to finance, insufficient youth safer spaces, among other challenges.
Evidently, the provision of quality and relevant education, and lifelong learning opportunities for youth especially in digital skills, vocational education, business finances as well as cultural appreciation, sustainability, gender and human rights, within a progressive policy environment, will not only accelerate socio economic transformation but could also facilitate attainment of National Development Plan, and by extension the Sustainable Development Goals. Despite these challenges, majority of Gambian youth in our communities and the Diaspora continue to demonstrate resilient and commitments to maximally utilized the opportunities provided by the new Gambia across all sectors.
The Government of the Gambia under the dynamic leadership of His Excellency President Adama Barrow, through my Ministry will continue to prioritize youth empowerment and development, as emphasized in strategic priority seven of National Development Plan, on harnessing the demographic dividend. Young people constitute more than 65% of the populations and their meaningful engagement and development is critical to sustainable National Development.
I am please to indicate that here that, my Ministry is working with the Satellite institutions and strategic partners to operationalize the National Youth Development Fund to provide access to finance to youth led initiatives and start up, refurbishment of youth centres such as Farafenni Youth Centre, Janjanbureh Youth Centre, Bansang Youth Centre and Basse Youth Centre as well as expand the Gambia Songhai Agricultural initiative to other parts of the country. These among other advocacy, skills training and sports development programmes under my ministry, coupled with the ongoing review of the National Youth Policy, are expected to give youth the much needed platforms and opportunities for innovation, employment creation, leadership and capacity to contribute towards national development.
Fellow Gambians,
It is worth noting that 2019 celebrations also coincides with the 25th Anniversary of International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD+25) and the 30th Anniversary of Convention on the Right of Children (UNCRC). These international frameworks remain to inspire protection and quality service delivery for children, youth and women especially in the Gambia in line with National Development Plan.
While I wish you all happy celebration of international youth day 2019, I further wish to invite you all to collaborate and partners with us to harness the demographic potential of our youth to transform education, economic growth, peace and prosperity in the Gambia.
Happy International Youth Day and Eid Mubarak!
Thank you
