By Buba Gagigo
Bakary Y. Badjie, the Minister of Youth and Sports, has been chosen to represent the African group as a member of the Commonwealth Youth Ministerial Taskforce. This nomination took place during the recent Commonwealth Youth Minister’s meeting in London.
“The Honorable Minister of Youth and Sports, Mr. Bakary Y. Badjie has been nominated to serve as a member of the Commonwealth Youth Ministerial Taskforce on behalf of the Africa group. His nomination and confirmation was done at the recently concluded 10th Commonwealth Youth Ministers Meeting held in London from 11th – 15th September 2023. The summit brought together nearly 400 delegates representing a range of national, international, and cultural contexts. These included government ministers, senior officials, youth leaders, and representatives from development organisations and civil society,” the Ministry of Youth and Sports announced on their Facebook page.
The Ministry of Youth and Sports states that the Commonwealth Youth Ministers Taskforce (CYMTF) is responsible for advising Commonwealth Youth Ministers and the Secretariat regarding the implementation of mandates and resolutions originating from Commonwealth Youth Ministers Meetings. Additionally, it offers strategic guidance, particularly to the Board of Governors of the Commonwealth, in the following areas:
i. the manner in which regional and pan-Commonwealth priorities are being addressed against the stated objectives and priorities;
ii. programme implementation and related budgetary issues;
iii. any other matters concerning CYP programmes.
iv. Facilitate monitoring of progress against resolutions and commitments agreed in CYMMs and youth-related commitments arising from Commonwealth Heads of Government Meetings (CHOGMs) and other related Commonwealth forums and ministerial meetings.
“The 10th CYMM Ministerial Outcome Statement announced the membership of the task force as thus;
Africa: Rwanda (Co-Chair); The Gambia, Sierra Leone, Kenya
Caribbean: The Bahamas; Jamaica
Asia: Pakistan (Co-Chair); India
Pacific: Papua New Guinea; Samoa
Europe: Cyprus,” the statement concluded.