The Kombo South Youth Committee (KSDYC), a replica of the National Youth Council at district level, recently established village youth committees at six villages in the district; namely: Kartong, Berending, Jambajelly, Farato, Jambur and Siffoe.

The committees will oversee all youth related issues in their various villages. The district youth committee (KSYC), came into being in 2004 as a result of the enactment of the National Youth Council Act of the Gambia in 2000, which also led to the formation of the regional youth committees across the country.

The committee according to the act, is mandated to coordinate and facilitate youth programmess and activities. In addition, the committee at the district level is responsible for the creation of community youth organisations, village youth committees as well as the provision of technical support to the district and village youth committees. Among other things, the committee aims at ensuring effective participation of young people in national development and to encourage and promote youth involvement in decision-making processes as well as to sensitise them on issues of drugs and substance abuse and the protection and promotion of the environment.

Speaking at the various congresses, Malang Fatty, chairperson of Kombo South Youth Committee said the village youth committees are formed for the easy coordination and wider involvement of the young people in the district.  According to him, over the years, the Kombo South Youth Committee has accomplished numerable programs and activities ranging from leadership trainings, community cleansing exercises, HIV/AIDs trainings and sensitisations, as well as inter-generational dialogues and tree planting exercises, among others.

According to him, the establishment of village youth communities will support the district youth committee to be more vibrant and effective and would also encourage and promote positive values and behaviors in young people. The congress was attended by a representative of the district chief, a representative of the National Assembly member, and a cross section of youths from the district and beyond.