The National Youth Council (NYC) in collaboration with Unicef on Wednesday observed the Day of the African Child (DAC) at the Friendship Hostel in Bakau.

The theme of the celebration was; 'Planning and budgeting for children, our collective responsibility'. The Day of the African Child is meant to commemorate the massacre  of black students in Soweto who were fighting for their rights in South Africa during the apartheid era in 1976. Speaking at the occasion, Jenieri Sagnia, the Unicef  education officer, said the day was identified by the African Union (AU), then Organisation of African Unity (OAU), to honour the memory of the children killed in that massacre.

According to him, they died because they had the courage to advocate for their rights by demanding change in the  education system to benefit all South African children. He revealed that the day also provides  children and young people in general, the opportunity to fully participate in national development.He  called   on governments, NGOs, individuals and all other stakeholders to create more room for issues addressing their rights and protection of children in  their developmental  agendas, as well as their respective budgets.

Sagnia stated that UNICEF continues to call upon the government, donors, and other national and international partners to increase investment in issues affecting children such as quality  education and stronger social protection and an improvement in the health systems.

He concluded by saying that UNICEF will continue to provide  and strengthen its support to the government and  partners to ensure child survival, protection and development in The Gambia. For his part, Momodou B Touray, deputising  for   the speaker of the National Assembly, stated that it is of  concern to government and stakeholders including parents that since  young people constitute half of the Gambian population they must collaborate and make efforts in responding to the problems that  effective budgeting and planning for children.

He remarked that young people need access to information on  how to play their roles as responsible citizens, their constitutional rights and the marginalisation of children, including orphaned children and unskilled youths including those who become wayward and become  social liabilities.

For his part, Alieu K Jammeh, deputy permanent secretary, Ministry of Youth and Sports, deputising for the minister of Youth and Sports, said the commemoration intended to  send a message across to   children and young people in general to draw inspiration from and strive to know whatever is happening in their surroundings.

Abdoulie Badjie and Muhammed BS Jallow, made a presentation on ‘perspective and view of children on child friendly budgeting for effective planning of children issues’ and ‘how children are factored in the education budget’. Other speakers included Marchel Mendy and Yassin Nyang.