The Ministry of Youth & Sports (MoYS), through the Department of Youth and Sports (DoYS), has kicked off a three-days Capacity Building and Team Building Training for its youth and sports personnel at Sindola Safari Lodge in Kanilai. Funded by the United Nations Peacebuilding Fund through ActionAid International The Gambia under the Youth Promotion Initiative (YPI) Project, the training has brought together technical and administrative staff of the Department, along with regional youth and sports coordinators, their assistants, and heads of satellite institutions. The retreat seeks to strengthen teamwork, sharpen leadership and communication skills, improve coordination, and equip participants with the tools and knowledge required to deliver more impactful youth and sports programmes nationwide. Declaring the training officially open, the Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Youth and Sports, Mr. Bulli Dibba, described the initiative as a strategic investment in the very people who drive youth development in The Gambia. He reminded participants that institutions are not transformed by buildings or policies alone, but by dedicated individuals committed to making meaningful change in the lives of others. “You are important to youth development in The Gambia,” Mr. Dibba told participants, encouraging them to embrace teamwork, commit to lifelong learning, and use the platform to strengthen collaboration across the department. He further challenged the participants to fully engage throughout the sessions, stressing that the true worth of the programme would not be judged by the certificates issued, but by how well the knowledge gained is applied in their day-to-day duties. “Youth development is nation-building. Every young person who walks into our offices comes with hope. Never underestimate the power of one encouraging conversation, because changing a life can begin with a single smile,” he said. Delivering the welcoming remarks, the Director of Youth and Sports, Mr. Abass Bah, expressed gratitude to ActionAid International The Gambia and the Ministry of Youth and Sports for their sustained support toward strengthening the department’s capacity. He explained that the workshop goes far beyond ordinary training, describing it as a platform to build trust, sharpen leadership, foster collaboration, and review institutional programmes for improved service delivery. “Our staff are the heartbeat of this department. The knowledge and experience gained here will prepare us to lead better, work together more effectively, and deliver quality services to young people across the country,” Mr. Bah stated. He also urged participants to engage openly, learn from one another, and come up with practical solutions to both institutional and individual challenges affecting service delivery. Over the course of the three-day retreat, participants will take part in facilitated workshops, peer learning sessions, expert-led presentations, and interactive discussions covering leadership, youth programming, sports management, communication, innovation, accountability, and organisational development. The training forms part of the Ministry’s wider effort to build a stronger, more united, and results-driven workforce capable of responding effectively to the needs and aspirations of Gambian youth, while advancing sustainable youth and sports development across the country. The resource person for the training, Alhagie Sainey Nyang, guided participants through the administration of the pre-training knowledge assessment, standard administrative procedures in the civil service based on the General Orders 2013 foundation, and coordination in the execution of duties — including inter-unit coordination, reporting lines, and the popular marshmallow challenge team-building activity.
