A three-day forum on youth participation for effective local governance and decentralisation in The Gambia kicked-off yesterday at the Paradise Suites Hotel in Kololi.

The Ministry of Youth and Sports and the Ministry of Local Government and Lands organised the forum with support from the Commonwealth Secretariat through the government of The Gambia. Participants are drawn from all the local government institutions in the country including youth councilors, governors and mayors, youth leaders and those working for the cause of young people.

The forum searches for a better and effective participation of young people in local governance as well as broaden their scope on their areas of operation. During the three-day forum, participants will discuss on decentralisation and local governance, the fundamental principles of decentralisation, Commonwealth Secretariat local governance as well as the role of decentralisation and local governance in the development of The Gambia.

Speaking at the ceremony, Ousman Sonko, the minister of the Interior said the government of The Gambia is providing the essential tools and structures that can support the cause of young people. He opined that the Local Government Act and the National Youth Policy are tools that can herald a new dawn of rural and local revivalism when wholeheartedly implemented.

Minister Sonko further underscored that the idea for collaborating resources and materials between institutions and departments is a smart and fresh way of conjuring up maximal impact for national programmes and activities. While expressing confidence that the ultimate goal of the forum to build the capacity of young people in local governance will be met at the end of the forum, the Interior minister also implored on youths to be ready and be partners to make an ultimate choice to acquire the necessary skills and knowledge. He commended the Commonwealth Secretariat for supporting the forum and assured them of Gambia government’s unreserved commitment to empower and harness the capacity of the young people.

Dr Munawwar Alam, the Commonwealth Secretariat adviser said his institution has many values and ethos but governance forms one of its strengths. He disclosed that they assist member countries in forming frameworks and policies for good governance. Alam further averred that it is a time-tested thesis that for governance to perform effectively, it should be brought closer to the population. “Decentralisation is therefore an essential element of the Commonwealth Secretariat’s public sector development programme,” he added. He commended the efforts of the government of The Gambia for for making decentralisation a priority in its development strategies.

Speaking earlier, the permanent secretary, Ministry of Local Government and Lands, Saihou Sanyang reiterated the relevance of the forum, saying it will broaden the capacity of young people in their routine responsibilities. He reminded young people that they are charged with major responsibilities and expressed hope that they will be able to perform well in their positions at end of the forum.

Elvis Afriyie-Ankrah, the deputy minister, Ministry of Local government and Rural Development of Ghana told the gathering that challenges that are confronting Africa’s young people are daunting. He added that effective and concerted efforts to address those challenges would be to the great betterment of all Africans.