By: Haruna Kuyateh
Young people in the North Bank Region have been urged to embrace ethical leadership, civic participation and good governance as a five-day youth convergence gets underway in Farafenni.
The North Bank Region Youth Convergence 2026, held under the theme “Good Governance Ahead: Empowering Youth for Ethical Leadership, Civic Engagement and Sustainable Development,” is taking place at the Walimang Conference Hall in Farafenni, Upper Badibou District.
The convergence seeks to enhance young people’s knowledge and skills in governance, peaceful elections, human rights, civic awareness, migration, entrepreneurship, community service, climate change and social inclusion.
The initiative is supported by ActionAid International, Kerewan Area Council and other individuals and partners.
Speaking at the convergence, Pa Modou Gaye, Chairman of the Regional Youth Committee, said the gathering provides a platform for young people to interact, network and develop values that promote inclusion, peace and sustainable development.
He described the convergence as timely, saying it would help young people understand and embrace ethical leadership and good governance in youth development and empowerment.
Gaye said the five-day programme would enable participants to share lessons and experiences that could contribute to positive change in their communities.
He added that the outcomes of the convergence would help reposition the Regional Youth Committee to respond more effectively to development needs, mobilise resources and promote accountability.
Lamin Ceesay, Acting Youth and Sports Coordinator, emphasised the role of young people in community development, saying they should take ownership of community initiatives and services.
“Young people are not only the leaders of tomorrow, but also active members of society,” he said, urging them to participate in community activities such as cleansing exercises, tree planting, community meetings, sports programmes and other initiatives.
Ceesay also encouraged young people to respect different views, obey the law and promote peace while carrying out their responsibilities.
On education and skills development, he commended the government and development partners for supporting youth empowerment, citing the University of Applied Science, Engineering and Technology (USET), Songhai Agricultural Centre at Chamen and Holistic Agribusiness Solutions at Balingho as initiatives supporting young people in agribusiness and environmental protection.
North Bank Region Governor Lamin Saidykhan commended the Regional Youth Committee for promoting youth development and participation.
He said young people were leaders of today and should make effective use of opportunities provided by the government and development partners to contribute to national development.
Governor Saidykhan said discussions on ethical leadership and good governance could promote integrity, accountability, fairness, respect for the law and responsible management of public resources.
He urged young people to develop their talents while upholding values of integrity, rejecting corruption and discrimination and contributing to sustainable development.
Guest speaker Lamin Mokendo Darboe spoke on the importance of youth empowerment and civic engagement in national development.
He said youth gatherings of this nature were important in promoting intergenerational dialogue, adding that the participation of local authorities could help communities adopt effective development practices.
Darboe encouraged young people to value intergenerational dialogue as a means of learning from the past and developing appropriate interventions to strengthen social cohesion and community participation.
He described the convergence theme as relevant to the promotion of ethical leadership, good governance, civic engagement and sustainable development.
Darboe also highlighted the construction of a youth centre in Farafenni through collaboration between the National Youth Council, the Ministry of Youth and Sports, the Regional Youth Committee and the Farafenni community as an example of youth and community participation.
He called on young people to play an active role in environmental protection, particularly through tree planting and efforts to restore forest cover in response to the effects of climate change.
Darboe further urged young people to participate peacefully in elections, including by voting and standing for election, while respecting all political parties and contributing to the maintenance of peace and stability.