News

The Ministry of Youth & Sports (MOYS) has provided a total of D8.4 million to Gambian sports in the month of July 2025. This support has helped in the country recently achieving its highest ever medals at international competitions and being crown champions in several sports, thus propelling the dreams of our young athletes. The breakdown of the disbursement is as follows: 1. D7 million went to the Gambia National Olympic Committee for Gambia’s participation in the African School Games — featuring basketball, beach volleyball, athletics, long jump, wrestling, judo, and swimming. 2. D1 million was given to the Gambia Basketball Association for the Zone 2 Afrobasket Ball Championship in Guinea. 3. D300,000 supported the Berewuleng Football Club female team in the CAF WAFU A African Club Championship. 4. D100,000 to celebrated Gambian students in Medina who made us proud by winning the Student World Cup in Saudi Arabia! From the courts to the tracks, the sandy beaches, and even academic arenas, Gambians are making waves, and the government, through the Ministry of Youth & Sports is making sure our champions have the support they deserve.

While our school going athletes are doing well in Algeria, another group of young people who got supported by the Ministry of Youth & Sports have won the Norway Cup 2025 Edition. We’re proud to be part of this remarkable achievement, a journey that started 4 years ago with sustain government backing. The Tijan Jaiteh Academy are the champions of this prestigious Norway Cup that concluded in Norway over the weekend. I extend my congratulations to this Under 17 Team, their officials and Amb. Tijan Jaiteh for this achievement – a win for them and for the country.

The Minister of Youth & Sports, Hon. Bakary Y. Badjie, on Wednesday inspired graduating students of Babylon Comprehensive School with a message on courage, choices, and nation-building. Speaking as guest speaker, the Minister praised the students’ hard work and encouraged them to pursue their dreams boldly. He reminded them that graduation marks both an achievement and the start of a new journey—one that requires patience, resilience, and strong values. Hon. Badjie urged the graduates to follow their own path and make life decisions that add value, not just follow the crowd. Sharing parts of his personal journey, he spoke about the challenges youth may face—like pressure to choose certain careers, early marriage, or migrating through unsafe routes—and advised against shortcuts such as drug use or irregular migration . “Life is a marathon, not a sprint,” he said, encouraging students to go at their own pace but remain consistent. He stressed the importance of skills development and further education in securing a better future, both at home and abroad. Quoting U.S. Senator Cory Booker, the Minister said, “Real courage is holding onto that voice that says, ‘I must keep going.’” He ended with a call for youth to take responsibility in shaping their future and contributing to national development, assuring that government remains committed to supporting their efforts. “Go out there, reach for the stars, and serve your country with passion.” Minister Badjie urged.

National Youth Council – The Gambia , with support from UNDP The Gambia, has wrapped up a two-day capacity-building workshop aimed at equipping youth actors and stakeholders with the tools to monitor and evaluate Youth, Peace and Security (YPS) initiatives. Held under the Infrastructures for Peace project, the workshop brought together the YPS Technical Working Group—including civil society, youth-led organizations, and government reps—to build skills in tracking progress on Gambia’s first-ever National YPS Action Plan. Led by experts Mamadou A. H Bah and Kawsu Barrow, participants explored practical tools like results-based management, gender-sensitive data collection, and outcome harvesting to help shape evidence-based peacebuilding. Omar Bah of NYC called the workshop a launchpad for youth to lead in shaping and assessing peace efforts. “This is a foundation for youth-led governance and accountability,” he said. UNDP’s Joanne Bruce reaffirmed their commitment to supporting inclusive peacebuilding driven by data and youth participation. Participants described the training as an eye-opener that will improve how they design and monitor impactful peace strategies. This milestone aligns with UN Security Council Resolution 2250 and reaffirms that young people are not just beneficiaries—but leaders in peace and change.

The Seminar on Youth Entrepreneurship and Leadership for The Gambia, hosted in Beijing under the China-Aid initiative and organized by the Academy for International Business Officials (AIBO) under the Ministry of Commerce of the People’s Republic of China (MOFCOM), officially concluded on Monday, July 21, 2025, with a grand closing ceremony, certificate presentation, and farewell luncheon. The two-week seminar brought together 30 dynamic Gambian youth leaders, selected by the Ministry of Youth and Sports, for an intensive program that combined academic sessions, field visits, and cultural exchange activities aimed at fostering entrepreneurship, leadership, and bilateral cooperation. In her heartfelt closing remarks, Mberry Jobe, Deputy Executive Director of the Gambia National Youth Council, expressed gratitude on behalf of the entire delegation, describing the experience as “unforgettable and transformative.” “This seminar significantly strengthened the friendship between China and The Gambia. The lectures, practical visits, and cultural exchanges have broadened our perspectives and deepened our commitment to national development,” she said. Jobe reflected on key moments from the program, including lectures on China’s political system, cross-border e-commerce, and poverty alleviation, along with visits to cultural landmarks such as the Great Wall, the Temple of Heaven, and the Hongqiao Pearl Market. The team also traveled to Harbin, where they toured the Digital Trade Industrial Park and the headquarters of Longjian Road and Bridge Co., Ltd.—the company behind the iconic bridge spanning the Gambia River. “We were particularly moved to witness Longjian’s role in our country’s infrastructure. It stands as a true symbol of the strong partnership between our two nations,” she added. Speaking at the closing ceremony, Mr. Wu Wei, Director of the Executive Department of China-Aid Training Programs at AIBO, praised the Gambian participants for their active engagement and leadership. “You brought curiosity, passion, and purpose to every moment of this seminar. Your visit to Harbin, your conversations, and your enthusiasm have left a lasting impression. You are the future of The Gambia, and we believe you will carry this experience into the next chapter of your country’s progress,” Mr. Wu stated. The seminar concluded with a farewell luncheon and the awarding of certificates to all 30 participants. Before their departure, the delegation also paid a courtesy visit to the Gambian Embassy in Beijing, where they shared their experiences and expressed appreciation for the embassy’s continued support throughout their stay. The first group of participants arrived safely in The Gambia on Tuesday, July 22, with the remaining members returning on Wednesday, July 23. As the delegation returns home, the message is clear: the knowledge gained and friendships formed in China will serve as a springboard for national development initiatives, youth empowerment programs, and deeper Gambia–China collaboration. The seminar is part of China’s continued efforts under the Belt and Road Initiative and South-South Cooperation to promote global development through knowledge exchange, capacity building, and people-to-people diplomacy.

Saturday morning, I presided over the passing out and swearing in ceremony of the 3rd Batch of the NYSS – The Gambia Apprenticeship Training Program. This batch consist of150 young Gambians who have successfully completed weeks of in-camp intensive training at the Bakau campus and are ready to start their 2 years of technical and vocational skills training, with tuition and stipend covered by government in partnership with UNDP The Gambia.

Thirty young Gambian leaders, selected by the Ministry of Youth & Sports from various entrepreneurial backgrounds, have kicked off a two-week intensive seminar on Youth Entrepreneurship and Leadership in Beijing, China. The training is facilitated by the Academy for International Business Officials (AIBO) under China’s Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM), as part of ongoing China Aid programs aimed at supporting capacity building in developing nations. Day One got off to a powerful start, with sessions designed to broaden participants’ global outlook and strengthen their innovation mindset. In the morning, Former Ambassador Chen Mingming from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs delivered an eye-opening lecture on China’s National Conditions, tracing the country’s remarkable development journey, leadership structure, and its growing impact on global affairs—offering valuable inspiration to the emerging Gambian changemakers. Later in the day, the focus shifted to the booming digital economy, with a deep dive into Cross-Border E-Commerce Platforms and how such models can be adapted to the Gambian business landscape to drive youth innovation and trade opportunities. The seminar, which runs until July 22, 2025, is not just a learning platform—it’s a space for connection, exchange, and long-term collaboration between Gambia and China. Organizers hope the program becomes both a bridge of cooperation and a gateway to new ideas, empowering participants to return home with renewed purpose and a toolkit for driving national development.