The National Youth Council (NYC) yesterday launched the campaign against illegal migration  at a ceremony held at the Friendship Hostel in Bakau.

Speaking at the launching, Marchel Mendy, the executive secretary of the National Youth Council, said that the rate of illegal migration among young Gambians is unprecedented and indeed quite alarming. According to him, the menace is one of the biggest concerns to government and all other stakeholders.

Mendy then observed that to remedy the situation, collaboration and partnership on the part of  the stakeholders are required. He then stated that the NYC and the entire Ministry of Youth and Sports, are  conscious of the above and with a firm knowledge that the youths who constitute about 63% of the population are the most productive age group of The Gambia, and the corner stone of our development. "Thus, we deem it overwhelmingly important to embark on this campaign, dubbed the NYC nationwide campaign against illegal migration," he said.

This initiative, he said,  is in line with his ardent desire to bring the youths to the forefront of employment creation and to stem the tide of illegal migration. The National Youth Council, he added believes strongly that youths are very important in curtailing the unemployment, and illegal migration rate among themselves. "They have right to knowledge and skills but on the other hand, it behoves them to reduce their vulnerability and to protect themselves and others against such phenomena," the NYC boss stated.

Mendy disclosed that in order to effectively carry out the campaign, two main activities have been identified, among them radio and television programmes to be done in a participatory manner and as such, will encourage listeners and viewers to contribute immensely in curbing unemployment and illegal migration.

For his part,Ousman Sonko, the minister of Interior, said that sensitisation needs to be done effectively especially among parents who are custodians of young people and who perhaps encourage the them to embark on this perilous journey. He added that youths must also be sensitised to understand that the other part of the world is not always as green as they are made to believe; that with commitment, hard work, dedication and perseverance, they can fulfil their dreams and aspiration in the country.

Minister Sonko further said that more than 250 youths were recently deported to their native countries from detention camps including a group of 150 people crammed in a small boat. He then urged youths to start discouraging potential illegal migrants at all levels and also encourage the NYC to continue the good work and the youths to make good use of the opportunities provided by the government.

Mambanjick Njie, the permanent secretary, Ministry of Youth and Sports also concord with the Interior minister and stressed his ministry's stance against this menace. He finally urged the youth to desist from embarking on such dangerous journeys.