The illegal migration to Europe in search of greener pasture by African youth, which doesn’t leave behind Gambian youths, should be a point of concern. It needs urgent interventions by the governments of the African continent.
Over decades now, especially those from West Africa, governments have had a great loss of their youth through this path. It should be a concern by both governments and family members of those risking their lives in the Mediterranean countries.
However, the Gambia Government under the current leadership should put in place mechanisms to redress the continuous illegal migration which has cost the lives of so many potential youths.
One of the treasures and most significant gifts one has on the surface of the earth is life. So, youth acting their lives in the Sahara desert, only perhaps not to reach the source of the Mediterranean and die or get enslaved and tortured in some
Mediterranean countries or drowning in the waters of the Mediterranean is not worth it.
There could be probably even after crossing to Europe, they are told that they are not wanted in those countries and eventually put in non-conducive camps, barbed wire, or walled out.
These are serious issues, which African governments need to look at for urgent redress, countries have over the decades continued to lose their children at their youthful ages who would have been the future leaders to move the African continent forward and higher. It is painful and expensive to lose such countless lives within a blink of an eye.
This continuously has negative impacts on the development of the African countries, as Africa continues to lose its strengths hence youths are the future leaders. The governments should build hope and confidence in their youths by investing in them through youth empowerment by creating employment. Youth are the labor force they are the most effective, and a component of the labor force that should be considered.
According to a recent concern raised by the vice president of the Gambia on migration, he reminds that, “if you act out your life in the Sahara desert, only perhaps not to reach the source of Mediterranean and die or get enslaved and tortured in some Mediterranean countries or drown in the waters of the Mediterranean and even if you are lucky to cross to Europe, you are told you are not wanted because you are put in some camps, in barbwires or walled out. That is a serious issue we have to look at and re-address, it also has a negative impact in the country because your tomorrow is the youths, and the labor force, the effective and competent of the labor force is migrating.”