admin

The Honourable Minister of Youth and Sports, Bakary Y. Badjie , this morning, chaired the Senior Staff meeting at his office in Banjul. The meeting brought together directors of satellite institutions under the Ministry who shared updates on their ongoing activities, challenges, and institutional progress. Discussions also covered audit reports of some of the institutions, pending assignments, and key administrative and communication matters. In his opening remarks, Minister Badjie welcomed the heads of institutions and emphasized the importance of collaboration and timely reporting to ensure effective service delivery within the youth and sports sector.

The Honourable Minister of Youth and Sports, Bakary Y. Badjie, on Tuesday led a delegation to The Gambia National Assembly where they appeared before the Select Committee on Youth and Sports on an invitation Accompanied by Deputy Permanent Secretaries for Administration & Finance and Technical, along with heads of satellite institutions under the Ministry, the delegation was present to clarify concerns regarding the Ministry’s operational performance and provide a detailed report on the execution of its quarterly budget for the period 1st January to 31st March 2025. During the session, Minister Badjie emphasized the pressing need for greater involvement and coordination across government institutions in implementing youth-related projects. He noted that while youth development initiatives exist across various sectors, the Ministry’s limited inclusion in the planning and execution phases continues to hinder optimal impact and alignment. Deputy Permanent Secretary for Administration and Finance, Mr. Lamin A. Camara, provided a comprehensive breakdown of the Ministry’s 2025 budget allocation. Out of the approved D118,612,952, he revealed that only D19,600,000—just 16.6% of the quarterly allocation—have been received . He lamented the delay in disbursements, citing bottlenecks at the Ministry of Finance, which oversees the central government’s budget. Heads of satellite institutions also presented updates on their respective programs. Mr. Pa Malick Ceesay, Executive Director of the President’s International Award (PIA), and Mr. Mustapha Badjie, Deputy Director of the National Youth Service Scheme (NYSS), briefed the committee on progress and challenges. They highlighted key concerns such as the condition of the Janjanbureh Youth Centre, perimeter fencing at the football fields, infrastructure at the NYSS farm in Nyani berry , and ongoing needs at the Gambia Songhai Initiative (GSI). In response, Minister Badjie and his team reassured the committee that once adequate funding is secured, the Ministry is committed to addressing these issues and upgrading the facilities as necessary. Mr. Mbye Saine, Coordinator of GSI, spotlighted the initiative’s transformative impact on youth in the surrounding communities, while the PIA team also reported on ongoing refurbishment projects—including a modern conference hall, bakery, tailoring showroom, and shoemaking centre. NYC Executive Director Alagie Jarju raised the issue of improving leadership and commitment in managing the Janjanbureh Youth Centre, stressing the need for a more proactive approach. In conclusion, Minister Badjie appealed to members of the Select Committee for their continued support and advocacy in securing increased funding for the sector. He reiterated the Ministry’s commitment to empowering youth and advancing sports development across the country. The session was chaired by Honourable Alieu Baldeh, National Assembly Member for Jarra West.

The Gambia Vovinam Viet Vo Dao Association today paid a courtesy call on the Honourable Minister of Youth and Sports at his office in Banjul, where they presented certificates and medals in recognition of the Ministry’s continued support to the growth of martial arts in the country. The visiting delegation, which included their American counterparts, joined Gambian master Mamut Njie in presenting a certificate of appreciation for the President of The Gambia. The certificate was received by the Minister for onward transmission to the Head of State. The visit came on the heels of the successful hosting of the first Vovinam overseas tournament in Africa, held in The Gambia from April 25 to 27, 2025. The event drew participants from the USA, Belgium, Italy, Benin, Senegal, and Mauritania. Introduced in The Gambia in 2008, Vovinam Viet Vo Dao is a traditional Vietnamese martial art that continues to gain ground in the country, promoting discipline, cultural exchange, and youth empowerment through sport.

The Action Aid International the Gambia (AAITG) in collaboration with the Department of Youth and Sports (DoYS), Ministry of Youth and Sports (MoYS) has conducted the distribution and installation of equipment earmarked for the establishment and operationalization of the database; to be administered and controlled under the auspices of the DoYS. The database will be established and hosted by the Ministry of Communication and Digital Economy (MoCDE); and while the implementation aspect will be in the purview of the Department of Youth and Sports (DoYS), Ministry of Youth and Sports (MoYS). The equipment procured includes – 7 internet routers; 7 laptops with bags; and 7 Printers, under the auspices of the “Empowering marginalized youth inclusion in civic space and local infrastructures for peace” project of which the DoYS is a partner as the only and main government institutions.

The Honorable Minister of Youth and Sports, Bakary Y. Badjie, officially opened a two-day capacity-building training on Financial Reporting and Budget Analysis for 20 sports journalists. This initiative, organized by the Sports Journalists’ Association of The Gambia (SJAG) and fully sponsored by the Ministry of Youth & Sports, aims to empower sports journalists with essential financial reporting skills to enhance transparency and accountability in sports journalism. The training, scheduled for March 15th – 16th, 2025, will equip participants with the necessary knowledge to effectively analyze budgets and report on financial matters within the sports sector. The Ministry remains committed to supporting the growth and professionalism of sports journalism in The Gambia.  

Female staff of Ministry of Youth & Sports Friday joined the Ministry of Gender, Children & Social Welfare to celebrate International Women’s Day 2025 under the theme “For All Women and Girls: Rights, Equity, Empowerment.” The local theme, “Champion the Rights of Women with Disabilities,” emphasized the need for inclusion and equal opportunities for all women. Hon. Bakary Y. Badjie , Minister of Youth and Sports, along with Permanent Secretary Saffie Sankareh-Farage , reaffirmed the government’s dedication to gender equality. The celebration highlighted that empowering women benefits the entire nation. With joint efforts, a future of equal rights and opportunities can be achieved.

Our Permanent Secretary, Saffie Sankareh-Farage, participated in the International Women’s Day celebration organized by World Bank Gambia, where she emphasized the vital role of women and girls in driving sustainable development. As a lawyer and career civil servant, she highlighted the importance of policy, community engagement, and sports in creating opportunities for young women to lead, innovate, and shape The Gambia’s future. She also stressed the need for strong legal protections and multi-sector collaboration between government, civil society, the private sector, and development partners to ensure that every woman and girl has the opportunity to succeed. The journey may be challenging, but through collective efforts, we can build an inclusive future where women and girls flourish.

The Honourable Minister of Youth and Sports, Bakary Y. Badjie, today welcomed a high-level delegation of seven Executive Directors from the African Development Bank Group African Development Bank (AfDB) as part of their mission to gain a first-hand understanding of The Gambia’s macroeconomic landscape in relations to the National development priorities. During the meeting, attended by PS Saffie Sankareh-Farage, Deputy Permanent Secretaries and Directors under the ministries discussions focused on:  Youth Employment & Entrepreneurship – Creating sustainable job opportunities through skills training and financial support.  Sports Development & Investment – Enhancing sports infrastructure and funding programs to empower young athletes.  Financial Inclusion for Young Entrepreneurs – Expanding access to funding and resources to boost youth-led businesses.  AfDB’s Role in Supporting Youth Programs – Strengthening partnerships to ensure development projects align with national priorities. Minister Badjie highlighted the critical role of AfDB in empowering Gambian youth, emphasizing the need for targeted investments in job creation, sports, and entrepreneurship. The AfDB delegation reaffirmed their commitment to supporting youth-focused initiatives that drive economic growth and social development. This visit marks a significant step in deepening collaboration between the Ministry of Youth and Sports and AfDB, ensuring that future programs are impactful, sustainable, and aligned with national priorities.

The Secretary General of the Islamic Solidarity Sports Association (ISSA), Nasser Ayman Majali, paid a courtesy visit on the Minister of Youth and Sports, Hon. Bakary Y. Badjie , as part of his official visit to The Gambia. The visit aimed to strengthen collaboration between ISSA and the Gambia National Olympic Committee (GNOC) while promoting sports as a unifying force within the Islamic community. Majali was accompanied by officials from ISSA and the GNOC. The delegation was received by Minister Badjie and his team, highlighting the commitment to fostering international sports cooperation.

“Currently in Kartong as I witness their 2024 / 2025 Senior League Football Final being played at the village’s football field. The final is between Sotobakto FC Vs. United Brothers. We are proud to be the sponsors of the trophy and cash prizes for the winner and runner-up teams”