By Nelson Manneh
Mr Muhammed BS Jallow, the Vice President of the Gambia on Monday 16 December 2024 launched the 2024 National Youth Conference and Festival (NAYCONF) at the Buffer Zone, Kanifing Municipality.
NAYCONF is a biannual event that brings together 2,000 young people from different regions across The Gambia and beyond to discuss issues affecting them and also network with one another.
NAYCONF serves as a platform for youth to engage, share experiences, and discuss critical issues affecting their lives and well-being. It also provides an opportunity to assess policies and programs aimed at empowering young people for national development. This year’s theme is “Attaining the Recovery Focus – National Development Plan 2022-2027 for and with Young People.”
NAYCONF 2024 is expected to be a vibrant gathering, uniting young people to discuss their role in national development while fostering camaraderie and collective action.
The 2024 NAYCONF is the 14th edition of the National Youths Conference and Festival that takes place every two years.
Vice President Jallow said NAYCONF is an opportunity for young people in the country to learn and showcase their cultural talents.
He said the theme for this year’s NAYCONF substantiates the importance of young people in this country and helps to promote their affairs.
“Young people of the Gambia, the government is aware of the need to create an enabling environment for the youths to scale up,” he said.
VP Jallow said to make sure the young people who are in sports are not left out, the government is doing all it can to make sure that the sporting areas are developed.
“The world is for those who prepare themselves for tomorrow’s challenges,” the VP said.
Hon. Bakary Y Badjie, the Minister of Youths and Sports said NAYCONF is a mandate of the National Youth Council programs that calls for the convergency of young people every two years for them to share ideas and have other activities side by side.
He said this year’s theme resonates with the things that are happening in the country, especially in terms of development.
“As we gathered for this youth NAYCONF, we at the level of the government renew our commitment towards the affairs of the youth. My ministry is more than the word commitment to support the affairs of the young people of this country,” he said.
Minister Badjie said: “After the 2022 NAYCONF the government launched the National Youths Service scheme which about 100 university graduates are now going through.”
Lord Mayor Talib Bensouda the Mayor of Kanifing Municipality Council said the conference is important as it provides a platform for the young people to come together and discuss issues that affect them and the way forward.
“KMC is ready to support all its youths within the municipality and beyond. This NAYCONF is going to be a resounding success,” he said.
He urges the young people to network and interact to the best of their abilities.
Mrs Ida Jatta, the Chairperson of National Youth Council, said the gathering represents the unity among the young people, adding that the gathering is a convergency where youths interact and share ideas.
“The conference has a lot of insights that will help young people to learn and share ideas. The thematic areas selected are designed to empower the young people,” she said.
She said that the conference will also have sporting and cultural displays that will showcase the unique and diverse cultures in the Gambia.
