From commitment to action , our Hon. Bakary Y. Badjie visits Niumi Lamin as the Ministry of Youth & Sports supports the fencing of the community football field with D500,000. The Acting Executive Director of The Gambia National Sports Council – NSC Mahmoud Lamin Jawla leads discussions on strengthening grassroots sports.
Hon. Bakary Y. Badjie visits Niumi Lamin Football Field Read More »
Day three of the Ministry of Youth & Sports nationwide tour took the delegation to Kiang West, where they attended the book and project launch of the “Stories of Hope” initiative in Manduar. The initiative offers a powerful reflection on the life experience of an immigrant who risked everything through irregular migration in search of a better life, serving as both a cautionary tale and a source of inspiration for young people. The event brought together key stakeholders, including Hon. Lamin Ceesay, National Assembly Member for Kiang West; Hon. Sainey Jawara of Upper Saloum, Seedy Lamin Bah, Governor of Lower River Region; Landing Sanneh, Chairman of Mansakonko Area Council; religious leaders; and other community representatives. Participants engaged in open dialogue centered on hope, resilience, and the promotion of safer and more viable pathways for young people. As part of the visit, the delegation also conducted a site inspection of the Manduar Football Field, reaffirming government’s commitment to youth development through sports and the improvement of community infrastructure. Speaking at the ceremony, Nfamara Dabo, Founding Chairman of Children’s Foundation The Gambia, described the organization as a community-based child and youth development initiative established in August 2010. He noted that in 2012 the foundation partnered with the ASEPBODA Foundation for Children in Sweden, a collaboration that expanded its reach through structured and sustainable programmes focused on health, education, skills development, and youth empowerment. Launching the project, Hon. Bakary Y. Badjie , commended the leadership and vision of Children’s Foundation The Gambia, emphasizing that government cannot drive development alone. “When communities take the lead with initiatives like this, government is always ready to partner, support, and strengthen their impact,” the Minister said, assuring the foundation of the Ministry’s continued commitment to working together to uplift children and young people across the country. The team proceeded to Fonkoi Kunda in LRR to visit the IBSA/GSI beneficiary garden.
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.
GSI Graduates 12th Cohort, Strengthening Youth-Led Agricultural Transformation Read More »
The Ministry of Youth & Sports (MoYS) today begins a ten-day nationwide, policy-oriented town hall meetings tour, aimed at strengthening youth empowerment and sports development through inclusive, evidence-based dialogue. The nationwide engagement is being led by the Honourable Minister of Youth and Sports, Mr. Bakary Y. Badjie , with support from the Permanent Secretary, Mr. Bulli Dibba, alongside heads of satellite institutions and senior technical staff of the Ministry. Covering all regions of the country, the tour adopts a participatory and whole-of-society approach, bringing together young people, sports stakeholders, civil society organisations, private sector actors, traditional leaders, and government representatives. The objective is to collectively shape practical, responsive, and locally grounded youth and sports policies.
The National Sports Policy 2024–2034 places gender equality, safety, dignity, and safeguarding at the heart of sports development in The Gambia. Because when women and girls are empowered, sports grow stronger—and so does the nation. #WomenInSports #GenderEquality #NationalSportsPolicy #SportsForDevelopment #SafeSport #EmpoweringWomen #TheGambia
Women and girls deserve equal opportunities to participate, lead, and thrive in sports. Read More »
