Back and Next - Back and NextGambian youth react to African Youth Charter ratification -as one out of other 2008 NAYCONF resolutions is achieved
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
The recent ratification of the African Youth Charter by the National Assembly, has gained a wide spread commendation by the country’s young people.
Majority of them described it as worthy demonstration towards their interest (youths) and a show of commitment by both the government and the National Assembly, towards the empowerment and development of The Gambian youth. However, this is one achievement out of the other 2008 biennial National Youth Conference and Festival (NAYCONF) resolutions that were drawned in Farafenni, last December.
The charter was drawn in Banjul, during the 2006 African Union Summit hosted by The Gambia. Convinced of the fact that Africa’s greatest resource is its young population and that it is through their active and full participation that Africans can surmount the difficulties that are ahead, the charter guarantees young people to participate in parliament and other decision-making bodies in accordance with the prescribed laws. It also facilitates the creation or strengthening of platforms for youth participation in decision-making at local, national, regional and continental levels of governance.
Pa-Malick Ceesay, executive secretary of the National Youth Council (NYC) described the ratification of the charter as a major boost for the Gambian youth sector, as it marks another milestone in the development and empowerment process of the country’s young people. The ratification, he added, will go a long way in complementing the existing National Youth Policy, its programmes of action and the Act.
Ceesay thanked the National Assembly for ratifying the charter which according to him, addresses the rights and responsibilities of young people in Africa. He also thanked the government of The Gambia through the Department of State for Youth and Sports for providing the enabling environment for the participation of young people in the development processes of the country.
He used the platform to call on the young people to familiarise themselves with both the National Youth Policy and the charter, so as to have a full knowledge about their roles and responsibilities towards their own development. For the charter to be fully workable in the country, Ceesay requested for the government to deposit it to the African Union. The vice chairperson of Western Region Youth Committee, Lamin Gassama said, "the ratification of the charter was a perfect move and another demonstration by the government towards youth development."
According to Gassama, ratifying the charter is a step in the right direction. He thanked the government and the National Assembly for the ratification. "From now on, I hope that the implementation of the charter will be given full support" he said.
For Lamin Darboe, Youth and Child officer of Kaira Nyining CCF Federation in Kombo East said the charter will no doubt address the problems faced by young people. He described the ratification as a demonstration of the government’s unflinching commitment in the development of Gambian youth. He also urged the NYC to go extra-miles in popularising the charter and to make sure it is familiarised by all to the latter. Aminata Hydara, speaker of the National Youth Parliament (NYP), observed that ratifying the charter is one thing, but to popularise and implement it in the country is also another thing. Hydara urged young people to close ranks in the interest of their own development and also urged them to endeavour to familiarise themselves with the charter.
Lamin F Bojang, Youth and Child officer of Ding-Ding Bantaba CCF Federation in Foni Bintang also commended the National Assembly and the government of The Gambia for ratifying the charter. He noted that he was pleased with the ratification because The Gambia as the host country, was among the countries that have all the aspects requested by the charter. Like Aminata and Lamin Darboe, Bojang also observed that ratification of the charter is only one out of many things. He quickly urged the NYC to make sure that every aspect in the charter is implemented.
Majority of them described it as worthy demonstration towards their interest (youths) and a show of commitment by both the government and the National Assembly, towards the empowerment and development of The Gambian youth. However, this is one achievement out of the other 2008 biennial National Youth Conference and Festival (NAYCONF) resolutions that were drawned in Farafenni, last December.
The charter was drawn in Banjul, during the 2006 African Union Summit hosted by The Gambia. Convinced of the fact that Africa’s greatest resource is its young population and that it is through their active and full participation that Africans can surmount the difficulties that are ahead, the charter guarantees young people to participate in parliament and other decision-making bodies in accordance with the prescribed laws. It also facilitates the creation or strengthening of platforms for youth participation in decision-making at local, national, regional and continental levels of governance.
Pa-Malick Ceesay, executive secretary of the National Youth Council (NYC) described the ratification of the charter as a major boost for the Gambian youth sector, as it marks another milestone in the development and empowerment process of the country’s young people. The ratification, he added, will go a long way in complementing the existing National Youth Policy, its programmes of action and the Act.
Ceesay thanked the National Assembly for ratifying the charter which according to him, addresses the rights and responsibilities of young people in Africa. He also thanked the government of The Gambia through the Department of State for Youth and Sports for providing the enabling environment for the participation of young people in the development processes of the country.
He used the platform to call on the young people to familiarise themselves with both the National Youth Policy and the charter, so as to have a full knowledge about their roles and responsibilities towards their own development. For the charter to be fully workable in the country, Ceesay requested for the government to deposit it to the African Union. The vice chairperson of Western Region Youth Committee, Lamin Gassama said, "the ratification of the charter was a perfect move and another demonstration by the government towards youth development."
According to Gassama, ratifying the charter is a step in the right direction. He thanked the government and the National Assembly for the ratification. "From now on, I hope that the implementation of the charter will be given full support" he said.
For Lamin Darboe, Youth and Child officer of Kaira Nyining CCF Federation in Kombo East said the charter will no doubt address the problems faced by young people. He described the ratification as a demonstration of the government’s unflinching commitment in the development of Gambian youth. He also urged the NYC to go extra-miles in popularising the charter and to make sure it is familiarised by all to the latter. Aminata Hydara, speaker of the National Youth Parliament (NYP), observed that ratifying the charter is one thing, but to popularise and implement it in the country is also another thing. Hydara urged young people to close ranks in the interest of their own development and also urged them to endeavour to familiarise themselves with the charter.
Lamin F Bojang, Youth and Child officer of Ding-Ding Bantaba CCF Federation in Foni Bintang also commended the National Assembly and the government of The Gambia for ratifying the charter. He noted that he was pleased with the ratification because The Gambia as the host country, was among the countries that have all the aspects requested by the charter. Like Aminata and Lamin Darboe, Bojang also observed that ratification of the charter is only one out of many things. He quickly urged the NYC to make sure that every aspect in the charter is implemented.
Author: by Amadou Jallow
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