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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.

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 Honourable Minister of Youth & Sports, Bakary Y. Badjie, yesterday received a delegation from Children’s Foundation The Gambia (CFG), First Drop Initiative Manduar, and Monte Pacini for a briefing on preparations ahead of the official launch of the Stories of Hope Project scheduled for next week. The delegation informed the Minister about the five‑year initiative, which aims to educate Gambian youth on the dangers of irregular migration (“backway”) through real-life storytelling, skills development, and community engagement. The visit was led by Mr. Nfamara Dabo, Chairman of Children’s Foundation The Gambia, who provided an overview of the foundation, the project concept, and its expected contribution to national efforts to address irregular migration. Mr. Musa Darboe, author of First Drop and founder of First Drop Initiative Manduar, also shared his personal experience with irregular migration. He expressed his commitment to using his story throughout the project to inspire young people to pursue skills development and safer, legal pathways to travel. Representing Monte Pacini, Mrs. Elisabetta Baldassarri, President of the organization, expressed their readiness to support both the launch and implementation of the project, highlighting their longstanding dedication to youth development initiatives in Italy and abroad. In receiving the delegation, Hon. Badjie welcomed the team and commended them for designing such an impactful initiative. He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to supporting programmes that equip young people with knowledge, skills, and safe opportunities at home. The meeting concluded with Mr. Carlo Pagliacci presenting a letter from the Mayor of the City Council of Fermo, Italy, confirming the council’s commitment to partner in the project.

The Honourable Ministry of Youth & Sports , Bakary Y. Badjie, yesterday received a delegation from Children’s Foundation The Gambia (CFG), First Drop Initiative Manduar, and Monte Pacini for a briefing on preparations ahead of the official launch of the Stories of Hope Project scheduled for next week. The delegation informed the Minister about the five‑year initiative, which aims to educate Gambian youth on the dangers of irregular migration (“backway”) through real-life storytelling, skills development, and community engagement. The visit was led by Mr. Nfamara Dabo, Chairman of Children’s Foundation The Gambia, who provided an overview of the foundation, the project concept, and its expected contribution to national efforts to address irregular migration. Mr. Musa Darboe, author of First Drop and founder of First Drop Initiative Manduar, also shared his personal experience with irregular migration. He expressed his commitment to using his story throughout the project to inspire young people to pursue skills development and safer, legal pathways to travel. Representing Monte Pacini, Mrs. Elisabetta Baldassarri, President of the organization, expressed their readiness to support both the launch and implementation of the project, highlighting their longstanding dedication to youth development initiatives in Italy and abroad. In receiving the delegation, Hon. Badjie welcomed the team and commended them for designing such an impactful initiative. He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to supporting programmes that equip young people with knowledge, skills, and safe opportunities at home. The meeting concluded with Mr. Carlo Pagliacci presenting a letter from the Mayor of the City Council of Fermo, Italy, confirming the council’s commitment to partner in the project.

The Ministry of Youth & Sports is pleased to welcome Mr. Bulli M. Dibba as its new Permanent Secretary. A seasoned civil servant, Mr. Dibba brings decades of experience in public administration, having served in several senior leadership positions across government. He has previously held key roles as Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Interior, Lands, Ministry of Defence, Office of The President and the Ministry of Women, Children and Social Welfare, where he played an instrumental role in policy coordination, administration, and national development initiatives. He served as Deputy Head of Mission and Head of Chancery of the Gambia High Commission in Sierra Leone from September 2020 to December 2025. Mr. Dibba holds a bachelor’s degree in finance (BS), a master’s degree in business administration (MBA), a Masters degree in Public Administration Nonprofit (MPNA) and a master’s degree in international development (MSc) Known for his dedication to public service and strong leadership, Mr. Dibba’s wealth of experience is expected to strengthen youth empowerment programs and advance the development of sports in The Gambia. The Ministry congratulates Mr. Bulli Dibba on his redeployment and looks forward to his contribution to building a vibrant and impactful youth and sports sector.

The Ministry of Youth & Sports , led by Honourable Minister Bakary Y. Badjie, Tuesday held a press conference to brief the media on the progress of the Independence Stadium renovation and to clarify audit concerns. The Minister explained that although the project was launched in January 2023 but actual works commence in June 2023, making the effective work period about two and a half years and not five years, as widely claimed. He also reminded the public that AFCON matches played in 2021 were done under temporary approval, before full redevelopment officially started. On the pitch, Minister Badjie confirmed that the stadium will remain a hybrid pitch . Specialized equipment has now been secured, and an international expert company, Gregori international, has been engaged to handle the technical pitch works, while supervision on the work remain under the Ministry of Transport Works and Infrastructure, Gambia-MOTWI . “The pitch is currently in the grass establishment phase, which involves reseeding and surface dressing to ensure durability and quality. These ongoing works are part of the normal process toward delivering a world-class playing surface” Hon Badjie emphasize. Below are photos highlighting the ongoing works, along with the materials and equipment purchased for the construction and maintenance of the pitch. More updates will be shared in our next edition.