Editorial

The Ministry of Youth and Sports and the Ministry of Local Government and Lands are currently engaged in building the capacities of young people with a view to ensuring better and effective participation of young people in local governance as well as broaden their scope on their areas of operation.

The essence of such a capacity building for young people on decentralization and local governance cannot be overemphasised. Development research has shown that the adoption of appropriate development is a difficult task, yet a decisive factor in bringing about meaningful transformation of society. Therefore, the national policies, plans and strategies to be adopted must be diligently designed to bring about even and effective development that would support a decent livelihood.

The government of President Jammeh has injected this paradigm in the application of national development projects. As the Interior minister in his speech at the opening of the training rightly observed, “the government of The Gambia is providing the essential tools and structures that can support the cause of young people. 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”.

This training commissioned by the two ministries would therefore go a long way in ensuring the implementation of the aforesaid national policy documents, enhance the efficient participation of youth in national development and above all, ensure that our young people become agents of progressive change in society.By actively engaging in local governance and pushing for decentralisation of mobilised resources, the young can make a great difference.

The Ministry of Youth and Sports and the Ministry of Local Government and Lands deserve applause for the bold initiative. It shows that the two ministries are not behind in the concerted effort to transform The Gambia into a modern state as envisaged by the national development blueprint.We are optimistic that participants would put the training into good use and ensure the practicalization of the knowledge and skills gained in the wider society.

Development is for the people; hence the best development approach is one that puts the people at the forefront. Gambians should be grateful that the leadership of President Jammeh has provided the platform for us all to be involved in the determination of our destiny.