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Our Honourable Minister of Youth & Sports Bakary Y. Badjie accompanied by the DPS technical Mr . Musa Mbye held bilateral meetings with his counterparts from Senegal and Ghana, Madama Khady Diéne and Kofi Iddie Adams, respectively, on the sidelines of the 𝟖𝐭𝐡 AIPS Africa Congress – Banjul 2026. The meetings provided the three Ministers with the opportunity to discuss areas of collaboration to advance sports within the bloc, particularly exchange programmes, school sports, athlete development and training camps, while sharing best practice. AIPS Media 1924 AIPS Africa

The nationwide tour and townhall engagements on youth and sports development have officially come to an end with a well-attended meeting held Tuesday at the Wesleyan School Hall on Dobson Street, Banjul. The final engagement brought together young people, religious leaders, the council of elders, community members, sports administrators, youth committees, athletics officials, and other key regional stakeholders to openly discuss issues affecting Banjul and the wider youth population. Discussions centered on major concerns including the state of sporting infrastructures, the challenges surrounding the Banjul Mini Stadium, the need for indoor sports facilities, and calls for stronger collaboration between the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education, The Gambia and the Ministry of Youth & Sports to partners for sporting structures such as Gambia High School and others schools. Other issues raised included the status of the Manneh Sillah basketball Lounge, the creation for sports department at the University of The Gambia, lack of ICT labs, the need for a volleyball court, and Banjul’s representation on the The Gambia National Sports Council – NSC. Dodou Oley Janko, Secretary General of the Regional Sports Committee, highlighted Banjul’s absence from the National Sports Council board, while Modou Lamin Sawo of the Banjul Youth Committee raised concerns over limited access to ICT facilities. Ebrima Jaiteh called for improved volleyball infrastructure, and Musa K. Ceesay, Commissioner of the Drug Law Enforcement Agency of The Gambia (DLEAG) in Banjul, spoke on the growing threat of drug abuse among young people. The town hall revolved around six key thematic areas: youth employment, skills and entrepreneurship; youth leadership, participation and governance, sports development and infrastructure; inclusion of women, persons with disabilities and rural youth, health and well-being; sports for development, partnerships and innovation. Representing the Banjul City Council, Sandigie Njie commended the Honourable Minister of Youth and Sports and his team for successfully touring the country and closing the engagement in Banjul. He expressed confidence that the outcomes of the consultations would be consolidated into actionable reports to guide future interventions. Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Youth and Sports, Bulli Dibba , emphasized that youth employment remains a top priority, noting that government alone cannot create all the jobs. He stressed the importance of private sector partnerships and entrepreneurship, explaining that skills development empowers young people to become self-reliant and even employers themselves. Executive Coordinator of Banjul, Ebrima Jawo, welcomed the delegation and described the visit as a strong demonstration of the Ministry’s commitment to grassroots engagement. He noted that while Banjul boasts a vibrant and talented youth population with a rich sporting culture, sustained investment and collaboration are needed to fully harness this potential. Honourable Minister of Youth and Sports, Bakary Y. Badjie , reaffirmed that the nationwide tour was not only about town hall meetings but also about witnessing firsthand the impact of youth programmes across the regions. He described Banjul as a strategic location, noting that decisions made in the capital shape the direction of the entire country. Also speaking was Isatou Jallow Banjul Regional youth chaired Aji Ndey jagne Banjul council of elders amongst others. Responding to concerns about Banjul’s representation on the National Sports Council, Acting Executive Director of the National Sports Council, Mahmoud Lamin Jawla, assured participants that the matter is being addressed in line with existing regulations and urged patience as steps are taken to resolve it. Other contributions came from Papia Badjie, Director of Urban Agriculture at the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock & Food Security , who explained youth and women support schemes and value-based grants, and called for inclusive participation in upcoming community food production initiatives. The Executive Director of the NYSS – The Gambia Mustapha Badjie, highlighted how the scheme equips young people with practical skills for self-employment, while Pa Malick Ceesay spoke on the The President’s International Award,the Gambia programme and its benefits for youth development. Immediately after the town hall engagement, the delegation paid a visit to the Banjul Youth Centre in Tobacco Road before proceeding to Lamin CDC, where land has been allocated for the construction of a second stadium. The town hall series is a strong conclusion to the nationwide engagement, reinforcing the importance of dialogue, partnership, and collective action in addressing youth challenges and advancing sports and development in the country.

Tuesday’s engagement was in Banjul, where the Minister Bakary Y. Badjie and entourage met with the youth and sports sectors of the capital city. It could be recalled that the nationwide town hall interface with the young people and stakeholders focus on 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. Follow us more for the full details of the engagement in our next edition.

The voices of Kanifing’s young people took center stage today at The President’s International Award,the Gambia (PIA) as the nationwide town hall interface and site visit tour reached the Kanifing Municipality. The engagement brought together youth leaders, sports administrators, women advocates, persons with disabilities, entrepreneurs, and government officials for an open and frank conversation on the future of youth and sports development in KM. From calls for stronger women leadership by Isatou Secka former KMYC first female chaired , to concerns over ownership and management of community parks raised by Aja Kaddy Jaiteh of the sectretary of Manjai Sports Committee, the dialogue reflected real issues on the ground. Youth leaders including Elizabeth Kinta Gomez (KM), Modou Mo Njie (KM Sports President), Modou Yusupha Cham (Serekunda East), and representatives from basketball, paralympic sports, and combat sports all stressed the urgent need for inclusive facilities, discipline through sports, and equal opportunities for all especially women and persons with disabilities. Irregular migration, unemployment, and drug abuse featured prominently in the discussions. Abdoulie Gaye of KMYC IPRO warned of the risks driving young people away, while Simon A. Gomez, an NYSS beneficiary now progressing to USET, shared how targeted support can change lives. Entrepreneur Kawsu Koita of KK & Brothers also appealed for fair access to contracts, highlighting the need to empower local businesses and skills. Speaking on behalf of the Kanifing Municipal Council, Deputy CEO Abdoulie T.M. Nyang reaffirmed KM’s commitment to youth development, describing sports as a powerful tool for discipline, unity, and economic growth. The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Youth and Sports, Bulli Dibba, urged young people to believe in opportunities at home, reflect on their life goals, and actively take part in governance and nation-building. The Kanifing town hall once again proved that when young people are given the space to speak—and leaders are ready to listen—solutions become clearer, hope grows stronger, and the future feels more achievable. In his response to concerns raise the Honourable Minister of Youth & Sports, Bakary Y. Badjie assured the young people that government is committed to the plight of the young people and their concerns will be resolved amicable

As part of the nationwide town hall interface and site visit tour, the Minister of Ministry of Youth & Sports and delegation yesterday began their Greater Banjul Area engagements in the West Coast Region, where they were warmly received by the Regional Governor, Hon. Ousman Bojang, alongside members of the Regional Youth and Sports Committee. In his welcoming remarks, the Governor described the town hall as a vital platform for listening directly to young people. He encouraged youth to speak up on issues affecting their lives and challenged them to reflect on their personal growth and responsibilities. Addressing participants, the Honourable Minister of Youth and Sports Bakary Y. Badjie, highlighted ongoing skills development and entrepreneurship programmes, as well as the transformation of GTTI into USET to strengthen TVET training nationwide initiatives aimed at reducing youth unemployment. During the interactive session, young people raised key concerns, including the promotion of martial arts, women’s representation, sexual and gender-based violence, limited employment opportunities, sports infrastructure development, and support for persons with disabilities.

From the football field to farmlands, the Minister and entourage, continued their tour with a stop at Fonkoi Kunda in Jarra West, where hope is being cultivated one harvest at a time. The Minister visited the IBSA/GSI Graduate Garden, a thriving initiative established by Alieu Bah a former student of The Gambia Songhai Initiative-GSIGambia Songhai Initiative-GSI who has successfully reinvented himself as a professional gardener after graduating from the center few years ago with support from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) FAO Gambia Office. What began as a personal journey has now grown into a community-driven effort, as several women from Fonkoi Kunda have joined the garden, turning it into a source of livelihoods, empowerment, and sustainable food production. Commending the dedication and resilience displayed, Hon. Badjie described the garden as a shining example of how youth-focused agricultural training can translate into real economic opportunities. He reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to supporting initiatives that promote self-reliance, food security, and inclusive development across communities. He also thank FAO Gambia office for such initiatives saying government can’t do it alone. In Fonkoi Kunda, the seeds of opportunity are not just being planted they are flourishing.

The national youth and sports engagement tour continued in the Lower River Region with a courtesy call on the Governor, Hon. Seedy Lamin Chapato Bah , followed by a town hall meeting at the Governor’s Bantaba. The interface brought together regional authorities, youth leaders, sports administrators, development partners, and community stakeholders to openly discuss challenges, opportunities, and practical solutions for youth development. Governor Seedy Lamin Bah reminded young people that while the times are challenging, they also present opportunities. He urged youths to see such engagements not only as platforms to raise concerns but as spaces to offer solutions, adding that youthful energy must be guided with focus and responsibility. He also disclosed that steps have been taken by relevant authorities to address tariff-related challenges. Minister of Youth & Sports , Hon. Bakary Y. Badjie, emphasized collective responsibility, encouraging young people to complement government efforts rather than dwell on blame. Governor Bah highlighted existing opportunities in sports and youth development, noting that many positive interventions often go unnoticed despite the dedication behind them. The Minister described the town hall as a deliberate interactive platform agreed upon at Cabinet level, aimed at fostering open dialogue rather than one-way presentations. He stressed the importance of sustained regional engagements, collaboration with security agencies, local authorities, the media, and community leaders to translate discussions into action. Youth representatives raised keyncerns, including: Yaya Sanneh raise budget const constraints, with youths making up over 60% of the population. Seedia Kanteh, NEDI Beneficiary , said Skills acquisition and entrepreneurship as alternatives to irregular migration. Isatou woon, District sports committee member of Jarra west, said rural-urban migration driven by lack of recreational facilities. Assan Njie , Youth Councillor at mansakonko area council said upgrading mini stadiums and expanding NYSS apprenticeship intake in LRR Ansumana Sanneh, LRR Football Association president appeal for land allocation for recreation centres in Soma. Mamie S. Njie, Youth Parliament Rep called for the establishment of vocational and skills centres in Kiang West, Central, and East Commissioner Musa Keita of the Immigration Department addressed the realities of irregular migration, urging informed decision-making among youths. In response, Governor Seedy Lamin Bah announced ongoing plans to transform the Regional Development Institute (RDI) with support from the Turkish and Chinese embassies, including a D1.7 million worth of materials and equipment to upgrade and recreational facilities worth over D20 million through public-private partnerships. Minister Badjie reaffirmed government’s commitment to youth empowerment, skills development, sports infrastructure, and job creation, assuring that concerns raised will inform policy actions going forward. From the town hall interface the delegation proceeded to NEDI multi purpose site to constructed,Jenoi at Ebrima Fatty farm a former The Gambia Songhai Initiative-GSI beneficiary and then to pakalinding and the final stop to Fulabatang football field.

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.

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.