By Lamin Sanyang
Dr. Ismaila Ceesay, a young political scientist has called on the government to help the country’s young people develop their potentials. Dr. Ceesay, a senior lecturer at the University of The Gambia was guest speaker at the launching of Assembly For Youths Development Association at the university’s auditorium in Kanifing. He blamed the past two governments for failing to develop the potentials of the country’s youth population for half a century.
He said the development of any country depend on the ability of young people to earnestly contribute to its development. The education we are giving to our young people is worthless if it does not transform our society,’ Dr. Ceesay said. . .The Assembly For youth Development Association is reportedly established to capacitate the country’s young people giving priority to education, platform for civic awareness, entrepreneurship and leadership building among other things. . .
The young political scientist added that the country’s university is graduating thousands of student into the job market without adequate jobs, saying the schools are preparing them for becoming clerks without providing skills training. . .’Natural resources is not the only way to strive. We have to invest in our human resources and investing on our young people is a wise investment,’ he pointed out. . .Ceesay emphasized the importance of education towards nation building, adding that no child should be in the society that does not go to school.
He urged the people to define the meaning of democracy. He said democracy does not stop at voting one government in office through the ballot box or insulting people. . .’We must decide what kind of democracy we want,’ he interjected. . .Ceesay said some people went to school up to grade twelve but remain uneducated. He said people are not taught about the role of the President or Chief Justice or Speaker of the House. He urged for constant scrutiny of the government. . .
Momodou Sabally, former Secretary General was also a guest speaker at the launching of the association. . .’If you want to be great you have to be prepare to face trial after trial in your life,’ Momodou Sabally said. . .Sabally went into explained at length his arrest and detention at the National Intelligence Agency and the State central Prison of Mile II. He said God surely tests people’s faith. He quoted President Buhari, Obasanjo and Mandela among others who went to prison but later became presidents of their countries. He jokingly said people should not wish to go to jail to become presidents. . .’Don’t surrender to defeat,’ he asserted. .. .
Ms. Aminata Correa, another guest speaker talked about the participation of women to run for political office. She said there were lot of things said about the participation of women and young people in politics but so little is being done. She stressed that the nation cannot develop without the active participation of women and young people in politics. . .’Women and young people are instruments of development,’ Aminata Correa said. . .Correa who has contested in the last parliamentary election for Latri Kunda Sabiji called on women and young people to take part in active politics. She said there are so many challenges but giving up is not an option. She added that women constitute more than 50 percent of the population. . .
Meanwhile, certificates of achievements were awarded to the following people in recognition of their services to the nation, Mrs. Amie Bojang Sissoho, Hon. Halifa Sallah, Mr. Njundu Drammeh and Dr. Ismaila Ceesay among others. The famous Rap Artist Killa Ace also made a brief speech. Former CDS Lang Tombong Tamba was present at the event.
