By Binta Jaiteh
A senior officer of main opposition United Democratic Party (UDP) has criticized President Adama Barrow’s recent Christmas address, saying his government has failed to address rising youth unemployment and deaths linked to irregular migration.
Hagi Suwaneh, the National Youth President of the UDP, said the presidential address showed a lack of urgency and empathy at a time when many young Gambians were risking their lives in search of better economic opportunities abroad.
In an interview with The Voice newspaper, Suwaneh said the President’s failure to acknowledge youth unemployment and migration challenges reflected what he described as a growing disconnect between the government and the realities faced by young people.
He cited recent unemployment figures to support his claims, saying national unemployment rate had risen from about 4.13 percent in 2018 to more than 6.5 percent, while youth unemployment rate now exceeds 10.9 percent.
According to him, the situation has left thousands of young people unemployed, frustrated and uncertain about their future.
Suwaneh also pointed to the structure of the Gambian economy, noting that over 70 percent of the workforce operated in the informal sector, including transport services, petty trading and subsistence agriculture. He said these activities provided limited income, job security and long-term prospects, particularly for young people.
He described agriculture as a key source of employment but criticized government’s groundnut pricing policies, saying farmers were paid about GMD 38,000 per metric tonne despite higher prices on the international market. Such policies, he argued, discourage youth participation in farming and worsen rural poverty.
The youth leader also expressed concern over the country’s population growth rate, estimated at 2.8 percent annually, saying many graduates are unable to find jobs after completing their studies.
Suwaneh further highlighted the human cost of irregular migration, claiming that more than 1,500 Gambians died in 2024 while attempting to reach Europe. He added that over 190 people, including women and children, were recently reported missing on a single migration route.
He criticized the government for what he described as a focus on securing international loans and credit facilities while remaining silent on deaths at sea.
Suwaneh called for policies centered on sustainable job creation, fair agricultural pricing and skills development, stressing that Gambian youth deserve opportunities and a future within the country.