The deputy editor-in-chief of the Daily Observer recently returned from the United States, alongside the president of the Youth Crime Watch of The Gambia, where they participated in the 19th National Youth Crime Prevention Conference and International Forum.

Mr Ebrima Jaw Manneh and his counterpart Mr Abdul Jobe were among more than a 1,000 delegates, both from within and outside the US soil, who gathered at the Hilton Hotel in Miami, Florida, for this year’s event.

Speaking in an interview with the Daily Observer, Mr Manneh described the conference as a success, adding that every aspect of it was relevant to a comprehensive framework for the prevention of crime and drugs in society.

"There was a web of intriguing strategies, which are youth-centred and indeed youth friendly. In some cases, there were complementarities. These strategies have working in several countries in Canada and the US, where young people are seen at the forefront; joining force with the regular police in advocacy campaign to sensitise people about crime prevention and the dangers of drugs. School children are a powerhouse in this process since the is institution entrusted with the responsibility of preparing future leaders of a country," Manneh elaborated.

Ebrima Jaw Manneh said delinquency and drugs are a vicious gangrene that are eating up "our moral values, and more importantly, eluding young people into dangerous situations. Some societies witness atrocious gun fightings, in which youth gangs crush each other for reasons based on senselessness and lack of awareness and information".

"The wide circulation of guns also contributes to this gangrene and the police in the West have realised that some gang bandits have high-powered weapons that cannot march with their side guns. In our case, we witness drug abuse among young people at a threatening scale and isolated violent incidents. These are areas where we want to direct our energies in our upcoming country programme, using advocacy as the main tool," he said.

The award winning editor observed that the conference exposed the enormous potential buried in young people, saying that there are enough indications for one to believe that young people can steer a country towards a positive change if they are empowered.  "They are beginning to understand that it only takes one person to make a difference in shaping the world for the next generation by solving problems today instead of waiting until they are adults," he added.

The Observer’s deputy editor-in-chief who is a member of Youth Crime Watch, described the conference as unique, as it took place "at the birthplace of Youth Crime Watch, where the concept of neighbour helping neighbour and youth improving their communities were organising themes for what is now one of the most extended crime-fighting concepts in the world. The event was all-round inspiring and we are happy that we have been successful in building credible contacts for future programmes".

For his part, the Youth Crime Watch Gambia president Abdul Jobe, said the conference focused on law enforcement, drugs and alcohol, asset building, economic development and crime prevention, beyond gang rhetoric, youth-led initiatives, crime prevention, unlocking youth leadership, partnership, and a lot more.

Mr Jobe amplified that the conference was successful, adding that the Gambian delegation had the opportunity to address the international forum. He said The Gambia’s citation on Terry Modglin, the outgoing Youth Crime Watch of America executive director, was selected among more than a 1,000 notes and read at a farewell ceremony organised honour of the gentleman who stirred the affairs of the organisation for more a decade.

"We shared experience and explored opportunities. It is our hope that we would replicate the lessons here in The Gambia. Most member countries are moving very fast, especially Brazil and Haiti. We want The Gambia to maintain its lead role in our collective to build a peaceful society and responsible young leaders," he noted.

Mr Jobe disclosed that the Gambian delegation had the opportunity to be invited at the meeting held at the US State Department, where pertinent issues key to the progress and promotion of Youth Crime Watch programmes were discussed. He then thanked all their partners for making their participation in this year’s event a resounding success.