Youth Leaders Hit Back At President Jammeh


The Independent (Banjul)

January 8, 2001

Musa Sidibeh
Banjul

Various youth leaders from different youth organisations in the country have
reacted strongly to claims made by President Jammeh that Gambian youths are not
keen on technical jobs but prefer waiting for the government to provide them
jobs or going to Europe and America.

President Jammeh came down hard on members of the young population while
addressing Muslim religious leaders on Koriteh day. He had implied that Gambian
young men and women are affected by the "nerve" syndrome while some are only
interested in white collar jobs.

Speaking to The Independent on the issue, the programme officer of National
Youth Council Mustapha Kebbeh explained the need for youth sensitisation. He
said in order for the country to develop, the youth must be sensitised and
equipped with productive skills and financial support. He said although Gambian
youths entertain the "nerves" of going to Europe and America, this situation
does not justify critics who he said sit in their offices, saying whatever they
want to say. "You should come out either in cash or in kind to assist the
youths," he demanded.

Mr. Kebbeh further explained that there are many Gambian youths who are
currently engaged in skilled jobs like carpentry, art and craft and tailoring
among many other skills, and that many other youths already acquired their
skills. However, he said what is lacking is the financial support.

He also advanced calls for a starting capital for NYSS graduates who he said are
sitting with their skills, making little or no use of them due to lack of a
sound financial base.

He finally called on the government and individuals to help in the financial
support of these youths to utilise their skills. He also called on fellow youths
to be more aware of the importance of those skilled jobs.

Kemi Ceesay Chairman of Network of Youth on Population and Development and
Coordinator of the Bakau Youth and Children's Organisation (BAYCO) called on the
government to be more prepared to help in the development of youths if what they
are calling for is in them. He said most non-Gambians before coming to The
Gambia would have had some form of skills training in their countries of origin,
which makes them somehow relaxed in skilled jobs.

He quoted the graduates of the NYSS as a clear example who he said up to now are
not doing anything with the skills they acquired from their centre. Although he
said the present director of NYSS deserves some commendation for recalling some
of the graduates to assess their abilities, he said something very important is
lacking regarding the preparedness of the government to give financial support
to them. "Young people in other countries are in The Gambia so why can't Gambian
youths not also go outside and do the same and then help to develop the country"
he passionately inquired.

Isatou Badjan, Child Care columnist at The Independent, urged the government to
provide more equipment to schools and students. She commended the NYSS as a very
good initiative but decried its lack of adequate resources to meet the needs of
the graduates.

In respect of youths with the "nerves" for Europe and America she said "many of
the ministers, civil servants and other government functionaries got their
degrees abroad. So if it takes going abroad to be equipped for nation building
then it is not bad to go to Europe and America. Let Gambian youths be given the
time and chance to equip themselves for the task ahead of them,"she concluded.

Bakary Dampha of the Bakau Youths and Sports Development Association (BYSDA)
said the claim that Rome was not built in a day means that people's attitudes
are not easily changed overnight.

He said the GTTI, President's Award Scheme, NYSS, and other skills training
centres have shown that Gambian youths are ready to take technical jobs. "But
why are they not doing so?" he inquired. He said the government need to conduct
research and find out why Gambian youths are not being motivated to actively
participate in national development.

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