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Ministry of Youth & Sports” engagement tour continued in the Upper River Region, landing in Basse, where young people and community leaders came together for a day of dialogue, inspiration, and planning for the future. The delegation’s first stop was at Koba Kunda Mini Stadium, warmly received by Alagie Moya Baldeh, Regional Sports Chairman, setting the tone for a continuation of the week-long mission focused on youth development. A night stop preceded an audience with Regional Governor Mr. Samba Bah, who welcomed the team and promised a fruitful and open discussion. The townhall meeting revolved around six critical thematic areas on youth employment, skills, and entrepreneurship,youth leadership, participation, and governance, sports development and infrastructure, Inclusion of gender, disability, and rural youth, health, well-being, sports for development and Partnerships and innovation At the interface, youth leaders and stakeholders from Kantora, Wuli East Wuli West, Sandu , Jimara, Toumana and Basse Upper River Region highlighted the gaps in youth development infrastructure, calling for recreational spaces, employment opportunities, and inclusive initiatives. Many speakers stressed the need for young people in remote districts to feel equally included in regional and national programs. Permanent Secretary, Mr. Bulli Dibba emphasized the importance of participation”This is a time for mission. PS Dibba reminded the meeting that youth development is an important component of our national development trajectory. “Do not let anything stop you from taking part in accessing opportunities you may never have experienced before. Sports go beyond football—they are about inclusion, discipline, values, and building healthy communities.” Every young person, every woman, every girl deserves a chance.” Governor Samba Bah reinforced this message:”Youth development is central to national progress. This town hall meeting allows us to reflect on achievements, address challenges, and ensure that programs reach everyone. Youth-focused projects must align with broader economic priorities, and young people must be intentionally integrated into development efforts.” Honourable Minister Bakary Y. Badjie spoke directly to the young people, urging them to take ownership of their future: “Life comes with challenges. What matters is how we confront the challenged. With some of tolerance Seize opportunities and use them as stepping stones. Leadership begins now, not tomorrow. Your choices today shape the future. Migration should be a choice, not a desperate escape. Let’s invest in hope, dignity, and opportunity at home.” Young people spoke openly and freely amongst the speakers at the meeting included Momodou Salieu Jallow, Regional Youth Chairman, Omar Barry of Wuli West; Muhammad Kargbo of Basse Constituency, Nfamara Janneh of Basse Kaba Kamba, Awa Danso of Jimara; Chondi Sissoho of Kantora District Sports Committee; Amie Damba of Kantora; and Mariama Jallow, a NEDI food-processing beneficiary. They echoed concerns about unemployment, recreational facilities, sports spaces, packaging materials, irregular migration, and youth registration rights. In response, leaders from institutions mandated to implement youth and sports programs including Mahmoud Lamin Jawla, The Gambia National Sports Council – NSC, Ismaila Badjie National Youth Council – The Gambia Hon.Pa Malick Ceesay The President’s International Award,the Gambia, Mustapha Badjie NYSS – The Gambia and Abass Bah Director of Youth and Sports all under the Ministry shared updates on programs, opportunities, and pathways for young people to thrive. The day in Basse highlighted a shared vision: youth empowerment is not just a goal, it’s a mission. From sports to entrepreneurship, from skills development to inclusion, the Ministry and its partners are ensuring no young person is left behind. As the delegation continues its journey, one message resonates clearly is that the future belongs to the youth—and the time to act is now Up next will be in the Greater Banjul Areas in West Coast Region, Kanifing Municipality and Banjul administrative areas

The Ministry delegation continued its nationwide townhall engagements in the Central River Region (CRR) with a courtesy call on the Regional Governor, Hon. Ousman Bah, where discussions focused on strengthening youth and sports development. The Governor reaffirmed the region’s commitment to working closely with the Ministry in advancing the interests of young people. The Townhall meetings was centered on six thematic areas youth employment skills and entrepreneurship, Youth leadership participation and governance, sports development and infrastructure, inclusion gender disability and rural youth, health wellbeing and sports for development and partnership and innovation. At the townhall interface, youth leaders , Deputy Governor Hon . Sainey Mbye and technical advisory committee (TAC) stakeholders raised concerns over gaps in youth development infrastructure, calling for recreational facilities, especially football pitches and wrestling canters, in the northern part of the region. Challenges related to mobility during major national events, including the biennial NaYCONF, were also highlighted. Several speakers noted that young people in northern CRR often feel left out of development efforts and urged authorities to ensure balanced and inclusive interventions across the region. Addressing the forum, Ebrima P. Bah emphasized the need to empower Regional Youth Committees, describing them as vital structures for youth engagement and calling for stronger institutional support. Modou Lamin Badjie, a District Youth Chairperson and NEDI beneficiary, shared his entrepreneurial journey and highlighted challenges such as limited access to packaging materials, which continue to affect the growth of youth-led businesses despite strong demand. In response, Permanent Secretary Bulli Dibba, alongside Minister of Youth and Sports Hon. Bakary Y. Badjie, assured stakeholders and youths that their concerns have been heard, reaffirming government’s commitment to protecting the interests of young people and translating dialogue into action.

The Gambia Songhai Initiative-GSI under the Ministry of Youth & Sports , today marked a major milestone with the graduation of its 12th cohort, as 47 young Gambians successfully completed a one-year intensive training in modern and climate-smart agriculture. The Class of 2025 includes 21 men and 27 women, among them two persons with disabilities and one migrant returnee, trained under a programme implemented by the Ministry of Youth and Sports in partnership with UNDP The Gambia , and modelled on the renowned Songhai model from Benin. Delivering the keynote address, Minister of Youth and Sports, Hon. Bakary Y. Badjie , reaffirmed government’s strong commitment to GSI, describing it as a centre of excellence for agricultural training and youth employment, aligned with President Adama Barrow’s vision for self-reliance and food security. He also acknowledged the continued support of partners, including UNDP and FAO, and announced ongoing expansion efforts to increase student intake in the coming years. Permanent Secretary, Mr . Bulli Dibba applauded the graduates for their resilience, reminding them that they were selected from over 100 applicants, making their achievement both rare and commendable. Also speaking was Mbye Saine, Project Coordinator at The Gambia Songhai Initiative-GSI under Ministry of Youth and Sports, said the initiative was created to respond directly to youth unemployment, rural poverty, and the need to modernise agriculture, making it productive, sustainable, and attractive to young people. Representing the Governor of North Bank Region, Deputy Governor Dembo Samateh described agriculture as the backbone of the economy, noting that the skills acquired by the graduates are life-shaping tools that reposition farming as a dignified and profitable profession, not a last resort. Speaking on behalf of UNDP Resident Representative, Samba Jallow said the graduation goes beyond certificates, stressing that it reflects a new development narrative for The Gambia — one that places young people, innovation, and resilience at the centre of national transformation.