Photo of The Vice President and Corps Members At The Swearing Ceremony
By Ramatoulie Jawo
The Vice President of the Republic of The Gambia, Muhammed BS Jallow, presided over the swearing-in ceremony of the 15th Batch of the Gambia National Youth Service Scheme (NYSS) 2024, marking the successful completion of their month-long orientation camp. This event was supported by the Ministry of Youth & Sports, the Gambia Armed Forces, the Gambia Police Force, and other institutions.
The NYSS has recruited 200 corps members from all administrative regions of the country for a two-year Skills Acquisition Training Program. This fully funded government initiative aims to empower young Gambians by equipping them with various skills in sectors such as information technology, hairdressing, agriculture, auto mechanics, plumbing, bricklaying, and tailoring, among others.
The training also aims to foster discipline and a sense of responsibility in the corps members. The NYSS prepares young graduates for the workforce while promoting inclusivity for individuals from diverse backgrounds, including persons with disabilities and Grade 12 graduates. Through this initiative, the scheme empowers young people to take advantage of employment opportunities and thrive in the labor market.
This is the 15th batch of the scheme since its establishment in 1996, consisting of young men and women from across the country.
Speaking at the swearing-in ceremony, VP Jallow highlighted that the implementation of this program is a clear testament to the government’s commitment to supporting the development of Gambian youth.”This is the first time under the new dispensation of The Gambia government to recruit 200 young people at once on the NYSS acquisition program, which is executed by the Ministry of Youth Sports and implemented by the National Youth Service Scheme. The implementation of this program is a clear testimony of the commitment of the Gambia government to support the development of the youth of the Gambia. With more than 70% of our population under the age of 35, the Gambia has a lot to tap into the younger generation,” he said.
He emphasized the crucial role of youth in the socioeconomic development of any country and the importance of creating strategies for employment opportunities.
“The Government has developed various youth intervention programs that are geared towards helping to create enabling environments to build the skills and character of our youth to become productive citizens. The government is aware that the youth are the backbone of any nation and the foundation for the development of this nation. This is another reason why the government of the Gambia is working tirelessly to make sure that the youth are provided with the necessary and required skills to gain meaningful empowerment opportunities in the country,” said VP Jallow.
The Minister of Youth and Sports, Bakary Y Badjie, emphasized that the government acknowledges the daily challenges faced by youth in their communities and is committed to initiatives that reduce drug abuse and criminal activities.
“The Gambia, like other countries on the continent of Africa, has mostly a youthful population. The youthful population constitutes about 60% of the 2.4 Million people living in the Gambia. It is the same category of young people that battles many social challenges, including not having access to quality education, or having to deal with social issues such as drugs, unemployment, and a lack of a social safety net, among others. The effects of these social challenges on our young people lead them to be antisocial and sometimes delinquent in our society, or end up abusing substances that are detrimental to their wellbeing,” he said.
Minister Badjie explained that the government is dedicated to addressing the challenges faced by young people and encourages them to take advantage of the programs and initiatives available to improve their lives and contribute to community development.
“The government recognizes the challenges that young people are encountered with on a daily basis in their communities. While these challenges are recognized as part of our reality, both as a nation and a continent, the government will never relent in coming up with initiatives that are meant to address these issues. It is up to the young people to make good use of these programs and initiatives to better your life, better the lives of your families, and do well in contributing towards the development of your community,” he emphasized.
Other speakers, including corps member Fatoumatta Baldeh, commended the government and the NYSS for the initiative, stating that it will enable them to contribute meaningfully to the national development of The Gambia.
The program is designed to equip young people with essential skills in leadership, community service, and discipline to contribute meaningfully to national development. All corps members are now ready to undergo a two-year skill training program in various professional areas.