Yankuba Touray, Secretary of State for Fisheries and Water Resources has revealed that President Yahya Jammeh’s government has established a youth service scheme in the country to support micro-finance and youth empowerment.

SoS Touray made this statement in Bwiam on Saturday during a two-day congress organised by the youth of Foni Kansala comprising of forty-two villages in the district.

SoS Touray said the youth are the cream of society and no nation can develop without the active participation of the youths as they are crucial to progress, noting that the government has created an enabling environment for the youth to excel in their skills and development. He said the struggle for independence and progress cannot be achieved without the active participation of the youth.

He pointed out that Africa is regarded as the poorest continent on earth and sub-Saharan Africa has the highest percentage of people living in abject poverty, malnutrition and instability, adding that this is very unfortunate of Africa.  This, he said, can be reversed by the youth through active participation to reduce poverty and build a better Africa.

The fisheries boss pointed out that the youth should take on skilled jobs which earn more than white colour jobs.  He said: “All of us cannot work in the office, so some should go in for skilled jobs.  When you look at the percentage of fishermen in this country, 80% of them are foreigners.  We need skilled youth who can take part in providing active services for the development of our country”.

He further revealed that the belief that the Western world is the land of richness is fake and it is the youth that can create a vibrant economy.  He said President Jammeh, a dynamic leader has provided an enabling environment for the youth to excel.  He commended CCF for collaborating with the youth of Foni Kansala the development of the area.

For his part, the CCF Country Director, Mr Kassel assured the youth that his office door is open to those who want positive development.  He said CCF is currently sponsoring students between the ages of 7-18 noting that in Foni Kansala, CCF is sponsoring about 750 students.

He added that the youth should not engage themselves in the use of illicit drugs, noting that every childhood development is a major concern to CCF. He further revealed that the UN convention which The Gambia has ratified entails the right to education, movement, shelter among others is a major priority to CCF.

Sheriff Abba Sanyang, the National Assembly Member for Foni Kansala urged the youth to be committed to national development and be patriotic.  He said the youth are the backbone of any nation’s development, “so we need to act positively and ready to face the challenges ahead”.

Many other dignitaries attended the programme.