The three young Gambians who attended the recently concluded US President Barrack Obama's forum with African young leaders, Tuesday explained their audience with the first US black president, at a news briefing held at the hall of the American Corner at Comium headquarters along Kairaba Avenue.

The forum, which took place from the 3-5 August 2010 at the White House, Washington DC, brought together 115 young leaders from civil society and the private sector from more than 46 African countries. Each of these countries was represented by three people.
The forum was intended to foster unity among Africans, particularly the young people, and to cultivate in their minds the consciousness that African problems require African solutions. The meeting also sought to promote development in the African continent through education and technology, among others things.

The Gambia was represented by Thomas Kojo Quayson Adamper, head of Corporate Banking at Oceanic Bank; Sanna Sarr, a staff of Unique Solutions; and Isatou Dumbuya, a first year student at the University of The Gambia (UTG) and a columnist with The Point newspaper. Addressing the young people at the opening of the forum, President Obama explained why he called them. He said: "I called this forum for a simple reason. As I said when I was in Accra last year, I don't see Africa as a world apart; I see Africa as a fundamental part of our interconnected world.

Whether it's creating jobs in a global economy, or delivering education and health care, combating climate change, standing up to violent extremists who offer nothing but destruction, or promoting successful models of democracy and development. For all these we have to have a strong, self-reliant and prosperous Africa. So the world needs your talents and your creativity. "We need young Africans who are standing up and making things happen not only in their own countries but around the world. And so when you go back and you talk to your friends and you say, what was the main message the President had; we are rooting for your success, and we want to work with you to achieve that success, but ultimately success is going to be in your hands."

It could be recalled that during his visit to Ghana in July 11, last year, President Obama said Africa?s future is up to Africans and the people of Africa are ready to claim that future. Narrating his experience at the forum, Sanna Sarr said their meeting with President Obama was an opportunity that improved their hope for African unity. He disclosed that their discussion with the US President was based on how young Africans will be taking the mantle of leadership in the not too distant future, and unite and develop the continent.

Sarr said the forum also offered them the opportunity to interact with other African youths and discuss in detail issues relating to the continent's development. According to Sarr, President Obama is well acquainted with Africa's activities, and also has passion for the continent. He further disclosed that during their stay in the US, they were also opportune to meet with important people like  senators. For his part, Thomas Kojo Quayson Adamper said: "It was indeed an excellent opportunity for us to meet with President Obama." He added that the meeting gave them a sense of hope to contribute their quota to the sustainable socio-economic development of the African continent.

Isatou Dumbuya stated that the forum will help to cement strong relationship between America and the African continent. She told the gathering that one crucial discussion with Obama during the forum was that African problems definitely require African solutions. The three young Gambians,vowed that they would do their best to contribute to the development of The Gambia. They thanked the government of the United States through its? Banjul Embassy for offering them the opportunity to attend the forum. They also thanked the government of The Gambia for the conducive environment created in the country.  

Objectives of the Young Leaders Forum
The Obama Young Leaders Forum has number of objectives which include highlighting for global audiences a new generation of Africans who will shape sub-Saharan Africa's next 50 years and to emphasise the administration's priority of mutual responsibility as the foundation of the US-Africa partnership; to reinforce the US commitment to supporting African solutions to Africa's challenges as well as to help build networks between young American and African leaders that will lead to lasting partnerships.