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. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- To unsubscribe/subscribe or view archives of postings, go to the Gambia-L Web interface at: http://maelstrom.stjohns.edu/archives/gambia-l.html You may also send subscription requests to [log in to unmask] if you have problems accessing the web interface and remember to write your full name and e-mail address. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------