Omar Mbacke Gassama, a 26-year old carpenter residing in Bakau Newtown, recently presented a wooden African map bearing the inscription of 22 July, to President Yahya Jammeh, in recognition of the Gambian leader’s commitment to the cause of youth
empowerment over the last 14 years.

The map, a result of woodwork by Mr Gassama himself, has the president’s picture at the heart of it, and functioning clock, was also meant to expressed to the president how skillful the Gambian youth can be when engaged in meaningful skill ventures.

In an exclusive interview with this reporter, Mr Gassama said he was inspired by the president to venture into skill acquisition, noting that the Gambian leader had always advised the youths to develop skills that would earn them benefit, which would also contribute to the socio-economic development of the country.

The young carpenter who couldn’t pursue his education to higher level due to financial constraints, said that he took up this ventures to earn his living.

“I decided to go to Darboe and Brothers carpentry workshop, from where I enrolled as a trainee at the SOS training and production centre in Bakoteh to further develop on my skills. After three years at the centre, I graduated and became self employed,” he said, adding that he now owned his carpentry workshop at Bakau newtown.

“Since I started operating my workshop, I was able to produce 20 set of wordrobes, 5 sets of chairs, 4 sets of dressing tables, and I set of dining table, he said, disclosing that 53 people directly benefit from his carpentry work.

Mr Gassama promised to use the money he recieved from the president (D10,000 ), as a gesture of appreaciation for the gift, in buying carpentry tools.

The young carpenter used the opportunity to advice young people, especially drop-outs, to venture into skills acquisition ventures, noting that not being previleged to complete one’s education is not an excuse to become idle.

While showering praises on President Jammeh for being source of inspiration to the Gambian youth, Omar Mbacke Gassama hailed the SOS training and production centre for the support accorded to him.