Africa-Press – Gambia. The Kerr Cherno Eco Zone Committee of Upper Nuimi, under ActionAid International The Gambia, is implementing the Youth Participation and Inclusion (YPI) Project with support from the United Nations Peacebuilding Fund.
As part of the initiative, the committee held a daylong consultation with the Kerewan Area Council to promote youth inclusion in local development. The event, hosted at the Governor’s Conference Room in Kerewan, was themed: “In the Spirit of Sustainable Development and Inclusive Community Participation, We Call on the Area Council to Allocate 5% to Youths from the 60% Community Development Fund.”
The forum aimed to advocate for the allocation of 5% of local development funds to youth empowerment, harnessing their potential and enhancing their contribution to community growth. Discussions focused on irregular migration, unemployment, peace and security, drug-related challenges, skills acquisition, and scholarships for youths pursuing tertiary education.
Saikou Darboe, Manager of the Local Rights Program (LRP 9), highlighted the importance of the meeting as a platform for youth to raise concerns over the 5% allocation. He said advocacy efforts began last year and reaffirmed the organization’s commitment to responding to youths’ needs. Darboe noted that while the 60% fund is intended for development initiatives, it is not explicitly mandated by the Local Government Act. He added that the North Bank Region is particularly vulnerable to irregular migration due to its proximity to wetlands, stressing the need for safe migration initiatives to preserve lives and dignity.
ActionAid’s Juffureh office has trained Village Development Committees (VDCs) in Upper Nuimi to promote proactive youth inclusion and provide a platform for raising concerns.
Governor Lamin Saidykhan commended Eco Zone management and partners for supporting government efforts to enhance youth participation. Highlighting that youths constitute 65% of the population, he said the forum fostered frank dialogue and helped address misconceptions about the Kerewan Area Council. He also praised the council’s financial support for youths during the previous National Youth Conference (NAYCONF) and announced that North Bank Region will host NAYCONF 2026.
The governor encouraged youths to participate in skills training programs at the Songhai Agricultural Centres in Chamen and Balingho, noting that most participants currently come from other regions.
Alh. Abdoulie Khan, Director of Finance at Kerewan Area Council, praised the leadership of Chairman Papa Tunkara and CEO Sainabou Martin Sonko for prudent financial management. He outlined the council’s approved development budget, including D300,000 each for youth, women, and persons with disabilities (PWDs), D1 million for scholarships, and D1 million for NAYCONF 2026.
Khan called on youths to act as goodwill ambassadors by promoting tax compliance and advised them to channel project proposals through Community Action Plans (CAPs) developed by VDCs and Ward Development Committees to ensure effective resource allocation.
Alasan Keita, Director of Planning, described the forum as key to bridging communication gaps between the council and youths. He stressed that proposals must be comprehensive and submitted through established structures to guarantee transparency. Keita noted that non-functional VDCs and overstayed members have contributed to poor performance at the grassroots level, urging youths to establish a Joint Task Force to sustain institutional support.
Pamodou Gaye, Chairperson of the North Bank Regional Youth Committee (RYC), urged youths to advocate through dialogue, citing the need for recreational centres, football fields, skills training, and scholarships. He assured that RYC will collaborate with all stakeholders to advance youth participation.
Ebrima Sarr, representing PWDs in Ndofan, welcomed the council’s scholarship package and called for inclusive consideration. He emphasized that the 5% allocation would enable PWDs to invest in productive enterprises and reduce dependency.
