By Alieu Ceesay
The minister of Youth and Sports, Henry Gomez has dissolved the National Youth Council Board of Governors.
No reason has been advanced by the Ministry for this decision, which has not been widely welcomed by the youth.
The Ministry said the decision is consistent with the National Youth Council Act 2000. Mustapha Kah, a youth expressed disappointment that the board of the National Youth Council has been dissolved without explanation by the Ministry of Youth and Sports. “This is a gross violation of the will of the youth.”
“It was the youth who voted them in and only the youth can change them. Political interference in our affairs must stop. It will not be condoned and I urge all young people to resist and stand up against this decision”, he added.
Bakary Badgie reacted:
“The Hon. Minister of Youth and Sports MUST be told that he does not have power under any law to dissolve the National Youth Council. Albeit it happened before unchallenged, he and those who advised him should know that democracy and rule of law is what this government is premised on unlike the former.”
According to him, with the exception of Chairperson and the Female Rep, the rest of official Council members are elected by young people in each region and thus reserve the power to remove them OR by a Presidential pronouncement for dissolution, which must be based on very good reasons such as proven failure to execute its mandate.
“The truth is, the Gambia’s young people and those interested in youth matters have been waiting patiently to hear from Minister Gomez on what his plan is moving forward. But for 6 months, nothing is heard from him on his Ministry’s plan – not a proper visit to youth structures neither a press conference like other Ministers did upon assuming their offices.
The least expected from him is this letter and I stand in solidarity with young people to call on him to rescind this decision and get to work for the development of our youth and sports.”
