By Nelson Manneh
Abdoulie O. Bah, the Clerk of the National Youth Parliament-The Gambia, recently participated in a regional engagement during the laying of the foundation for the establishment of the ECOWAS Youth Parliament (EYP) in Abuja, Nigeria. This historical initiative is a bold step to institutionalize the participation of the youth of the region in governance across West Africa.
According to Mr. Bah, the initiative which is led by FOSDA, OXFAM, CHRDI and other key regional organizations, brought together a consortium of like-minded young leaders from across the sub-region, who are committed to champion youth representation in decision-making spaces, and to drive a broader regional youth agenda.
“As Clerk of the National Youth Parliament – The Gambia (NYP), I was proud to represent our institution which has long stood as a model for youth parliamentary engagement,” he said.
Mr. Bah said the NYP is deeply committed to the process to ensure that Gambian youth play active roles in shaping the governance structures that impact their future.
“The ECOWAS Youth Parliament will not only amplify the voices of young people, but will also strengthen accountability, transparency and inclusiveness in policy making at the regional level. This is a defining moment for youth in West Africa, and I am excited to be part of this transformational journey,” Mr. Bah concluded.
